Russia
Russia blocks UN nuclear treaty agreement over Zaporizhzhia clause
Failure to agree a joint statement after weeks of debate at UN marks latest blow to hopes of maintaining an arms control regime.
Russia has blocked an agreement at the United Nations that was aimed at bolstering the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT) because Moscow objected to a clause about control over the Zaporizhzhia power plant in Ukraine.
The failure to agree to a joint statement after four weeks of debate and negotiation among 151 countries at the UN in New York is the latest blow to hopes of maintaining an arms control regime and keeping a lid on a rekindled arms race.
The closing session was put off for more than four hours over Russian refusal to agree to a lengthy statement of support for the NPT which included a reference to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which is occupied by Russian forces close to the frontline in Ukraine’s south-east.
Alarm was raised on Thursday when the plant was temporarily cut off from the Ukrainian electricity grid but the connection was restored. Russian forces are reportedly planning to sever the plant more permanently from the grid, raising concerns of a possible disaster.
A paragraph in the final draft text on Friday stressed “the paramount importance of ensuring control by Ukraine’s competent authorities of nuclear facilities … such as the Zaporizhzia nuclear power plant”.
The Russian delegation was the only one to speak against the agreed text, but blamed the breakdown of the conference on Ukraine and its “protectors”, calling the negotiations a “one-sided game”. After delivering its statement, the Russian delegation walked out of the UN chamber.
Bulgaria takes a stand against a former friend
“Traditionally, Russia has always had a big influence here, but we have been a big surprise to them,” Prime minister Petkov said. “They don’t understand what happened.”
Moscow long counted Bulgaria as its most ardent and reliable friend in Europe. But in recent weeks, the country has joined fellow members of the E.U. in imposing ever tougher economic sanctions on its former ally; offered to repair broken military helicopters and tanks for Ukraine; and expelled yet more Russian diplomats.
The rapid souring of relations with Bulgaria, a poor but symbolically important country because of its historically close ties to Russia, underscores how far off-script the invasion ordered by Putin has traveled. In response, Russia halted supplies of natural gas to Bulgaria by Gazprom last month.
Moscow has also launched cyberattacks, assaulting the server of Bulgaria’s state energy company and crippling pension payments by its Postal Service. “We are under severe attack at the moment,” said Kiril Petkov, the Bulgarian prime minister, describing this as a clear “attempt to derail our government” by stoking domestic unrest.
(source: The New York Times)
Finland and Sweden weigh joining NATO
In a rapid response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine — and despite threats from Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, of “serious political and military consequences” — both Finland and Sweden are now seriously debating applications for membership in NATO and are widely expected to join the alliance.
Should these militarily nonaligned Nordic countries opt to do so, it would be yet another example of the counterproductive results of Putin’s war in Ukraine. Instead of crushing Ukrainian nationalism, Putin has enhanced it. Instead of weakening the trans-Atlantic alliance, he has solidified it. And instead of blocking NATO’s growth, he has catalyzed its potential expansion.
At a news conference in Stockholm yesterday with Magdalena Andersson, the Swedish prime minister, Sanna Marin, the Finnish prime minister, said a decision on whether to apply for membership would be made “within weeks.” The subsequent application process could take a year or more.
NATO response: Officials said only that the alliance has an open-door policy and that any country wishing to join can ask for an invitation. The secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, said simply: “There are no other countries that are closer to NATO.”
(source: nytimes.com)
UN Guterres to Putin: « In the name of humanity, stop this war ! »
UN chief Antonio Guterres condemned Russia’s actions in an impassioned appeal. “In the name of humanity bring your troops back to Russia,” he said. “In the name of humanity, do not allow a war to start in Europe which could be worst war since the beginning of the century with consequences not only devastating for Ukraine, not only tragic for the Russian Federation but with an impact cannot even foresee.”
Putin orders Russian troops into Ukraine separatist regions
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree to send what he is describing as « peacekeeping troops » into the separatist regions of Luhansk and Donetsk. The decision comes after Putin recognized both regions as independent states and described Ukraine as ancient Russian territory. The move could mark a significant escalation amid fears Russia could soon launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
L’Allemagne suspend l’autorisation du projet de gazoduc Nord Stream 2
Après la reconnaissance par Moscou de l’indépendance des Républiques séparatistes prorusses dans l’est de l’Ukraine, le chancelier allemand Olaf Scholz a annoncé mardi la suspension de l’autorisation nécessaire à la mise en service du gazoduc Nord Stream 2. Un peu plus tôt dans la matinée, le président ukrainien Volodymyr Zelensky avait demandé l’arrêt « immédiat » du projet.
Putin Vs Biden-Led West Over Ukraine: How India Will Be Impacted If The Crisis Leads To War
As tensions between the West & Russia escalate over the Ukraine crisis, India is keeping a close eye on developments. While India cannot do much to influence the events, New Delhi is certain to be impacted if the crisis worsens. Experts say that a conflict in Europe will create geopolitical waves that will come crashing on Indian shores.
An escalation of the Ukraine crisis will put India’s delicate balancing act with US & Russia in jeopardy. A Russian invasion of Ukraine and a subsequent rupture of ties with the US could lead to pressure on India to choose sides.
US sanctions against Germany: How dangerous is Nord Stream 2?
The US is threatening Germany with crushing sanctions if it continues with the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. How bad are relations between the two sides?
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