Ukraine reaffirms desire to join NATO after envoy comments

NATO membership remains an absolute priority for Ukraine, a spokesman for Volodymyr Zelenskyy said as Ukraine’s UK ambassador backtracked on comments that Kyiv was “flexible” on the issue. Ukraine’s aspirations to join NATO and the European Union remain an absolute priority, a spokesman for Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Monday. The country’s Foreign Ministry took it

Gravitas: Tiny Lithuania takes on China – WION

Lithuania is doing what many so-called superpowers have failed to do. They invited Taiwan to open a de-facto embassy in Vilnius and is asking their citizens to dump Chinese phones. Palki Sharma tells you why this Baltic minnow is taking on Beijing.

Putin blames West for tensions since end of Cold War

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday blamed the West for escalating tensions in Europe, saying it had incorrectly assessed the outcome of the Cold War. Speaking to senior military officials, Putin said Russia would respond “adequately” to any Western aggression and would develop its army further. “Why did they expand NATO and renounce the missile

Iran nuclear talks to resume ‘soon’ after modest gains in Vienna – Al Jazeera

European diplomats are calling the adjournment of nuclear talks with Iran ‘a disappointing pause’. But they said some technical progress has been made. This is the seventh round of negotiations to revive the 2015 nuclear deal. Al Jazeera’s @Dorsa Jabbari reports from Vienna, Austria.

Nato says Russia will have no say in whether Ukraine can join alliance

Ukrainian president says Russian aggression is pushing his country towards Nato Nato has said Moscow will have no say in whether Ukraine joins the alliance, rejecting Russia’s push for a de facto veto on its neighbour’s security arrangements and urging it to reverse a build-up of military forces near their shared border. Russian president Vladimir Putin has told western leaders

Germany expels two Russian diplomats over killing of former Chechen militant – WION

Germany has expelled two Russian diplomats over the assassination of a former Chechen militant in a Berlin park which the authorities believe was ordered by Russia.

France will not join boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics: Minister

France will not join a diplomatic boycott by other Western countries of the upcoming Winter Olympics in Beijing, Education and Sports Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer said on Thursday (Dec 9). Asked about a boycott announced by the United States, Australia, Britain and Canada, Blanquer told RMC radio and BFM television that France “won’t do it”. “We

Australia, UK join diplomatic boycott of Beijing Winter Games

UK PM says ministers will ‘effectively’ boycott Beijing Australia says athletes will attend but not govt officials Australian ties with China at low over COVID-19, trade U.S. bases action on China’s human rights ‘atrocities’ Japan considering diplomatic boycott – media Australia and Britain will join the United States in a diplomatic boycott of the Winter

U.S. intelligence finds Russia planning Ukraine offensive

There are signs that the White House and Kremlin are close to arranging a conversation next week between Biden and Putin. President Joe Biden has pledged to make it “very, very difficult” for Russia’s Vladimir Putin to take military action in Ukraine as U.S. intelligence officials determined that Russian planning is underway for a possible

Russia’s top diplomat accuses the US and NATO of risking a ‘nightmare scenario of military confrontation’ amid tensions over Ukraine

Sergey Lavrov accused the US of risking a “nightmare scenario” in Europe.  The top Russian diplomat said NATO was “irresponsibly” expanding its military infrastucture toward Rusisa. Meanwhile, NATO has expressed concerns Russia is on the verge of invading Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Thursday accused the US and NATO of risking a “nightmare