Chinese media and officials have made it clear: it is not Russia that is to blame for the military aggression against Ukraine, but the West and NATO’s eastward expansion of the past 20 years, ignoring Russia’s ‘legitimate security concerns’. At the same time, China ‘respects the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all countries’. Over the […]
Trolling For A Victory Steeped In Blood And Hunger
Nearing day 50 of the war in Ukraine, the master of the Kremlin remains unabashed. The “special operation”, for the rest of the world also known as Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, was a good idea and is still going according to plan. Perhaps it is fitting that such pronouncements were made on 12 April, marked […]
Russia: Statement by the Spokesperson on the expulsion of EU Delegation diplomats
The European Union deplores the unjustified, baseless decision of the Russian Federation to expel 18 members of the Delegation of the European Union to the Russian Federation. The EU diplomats in question exercise their functions in the framework of and in full respect for the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. There are no grounds for Friday’s decision by the Russian […]
EU introduces exceptions to restrictive measures to facilitate humanitarian activities in Ukraine
In view of the humanitarian crisis resulting from Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine, the Council introduced humanitarian exceptions1 in two sanctions regimes concerning the situation in Ukraine: restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine (“Ukraine territorial integrity regime”), and restrictive measures in response to […]
EU ministers confirm unity in support for Ukraine
Ministers discussed the Russian military aggression and stood united in their support for Ukraine. Ministers highlighted the importance of accountability for the gross violations of international law. The EU will support the International Criminal Court’s prosecutor and the Ukrainian prosecutor financially and with staff on the ground. The EU advisory mission will now be deployed on the […]
Aviation safety: 20 Russian airlines added to EU Air Safety List
The Commission has updated the EU Air Safety List, which is the list of airlines that are subject to an operating ban or operational restrictions within the European Union, because they do not meet international safety standards. Following the update, 21 airlines certified in Russia are now included on the EU Air Safety List. This […]
EU adopts fifth package of sanctions against Russia
In light of Russia’s continuing war of aggression against Ukraine, and the reported atrocities committed by Russian armed forces in Ukraine, the Council decided to impose a fifth package of economic and individual sanctions against Russia. The agreed package includes a series of measures intended to reinforce pressure on the Russian government and economy, and […]
Disinformation to conceal war crimes: Russia is lying about atrocities in bucha
The images of bodies strewn across the streets of Bucha, killed execution-style, show the true face of Putin’s Russia. These images speak louder than words about the nature and aims of Russia’s war against Ukraine. Still, the pro-Kremlin media bolstered by Russian diplomatic social media accounts are speaking, in an attempt to distract and obfuscate […]
The European Union declared 19 diplomats personae non-gratae
Based on the decision by High Representative Josep Borrell, 19 members of the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the EU in Brussels have been declared personae non-gratae for engaging in activities contrary to their diplomatic status. The European Union is acting in response to the illegal and disruptive actions by designated members of the […]