Results for: Ukraine

India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Astana, Kazakhstan, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. Jaishankar pressed for the safe return of Indian nationals trapped in the Ukraine war zone, expressing concern over those lured to Russia under false pretenses of employment opportunities only to be forced into fighting. He also discussed bilateral relations with Lavrov and met with Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister, Murat Nurtleu, highlighting India’s growing engagement with Central Asia.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to discuss Ukraine’s NATO aspirations and efforts to bolster Ukraine’s energy grid. The meeting comes ahead of a crucial NATO summit in Washington next week, where Ukraine hopes to secure further assurances on its membership bid.

A recent Pew Research Center survey reveals that public support for NATO remains strong across 13 member nations, despite ongoing challenges such as Russia’s aggression and concerns about US commitment under a potential Trump presidency. The survey highlights varying levels of support within the alliance, with Poland and Sweden exhibiting the highest levels, while Greece shows the lowest.

Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk will host their UEFA Champions League matches at the Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The agreement with Schalke covers all home games and potential knockout matches. This marks a significant move for Shakhtar, who have been unable to play in their home city of Donetsk since 2014 due to the Russian-backed separatists. The partnership also reflects Schalke’s shift away from their previous relationship with Russian gas giant Gazprom.

Russia’s UN ambassador has dismissed former US President Donald Trump’s assertion that he could resolve the Ukraine conflict within 24 hours, arguing that the crisis is far more complex and blaming Ukraine’s Western allies for hindering peace talks. The ambassador also criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s peace plan as unrealistic, while highlighting Russia’s own ceasefire offer.

Rep. Young Kim, a Korean American Congresswoman, warns of North Korea’s increasing aggression and its partnership with Russia, calling for a strong US response to deter their actions and protect regional stability.

A disabled Punjabi youth, Mandeep Kumar, was tricked by travel agents into traveling to Russia instead of Italy, where he was forced to join the Russian army. This is not an isolated incident, as several other young Indians have been lured into similar situations, including a Hyderabad youth who was killed in the Ukraine war after being promised a job but forced into the Russian army.

The European Union and Lithuania and Estonia signed security agreements with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Brussels, pledging support in defense, military training, and demining. These pacts complement other agreements with Ukraine’s allies, aiming to bolster its defense against Russia’s invasion.

Mark Rutte, the newly appointed NATO Secretary-General, faces immediate and significant challenges as he takes on the role. From navigating the potential return of Donald Trump to the White House, to sustaining support for Ukraine, and confronting the looming threat from Russia, Rutte will need all his diplomatic skills and leadership to navigate these complex issues.

Ukraine and Belgium clash in a crucial Euro 2024 Group E match on Wednesday, June 26th, with both teams vying for a spot in the round of 16. The match will take place at the MHPArena in Stuttgart, Germany, with kickoff scheduled for 9:30 PM IST.