📹 Pantsir-S1 air defense missile system crews continue destroying Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (video courtesy of Russia's MoD)

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⚡️Biden to deliver remarks on continued support for Ukraine at 12:00pm Est amid reports that US will send Abrams tanks to Kiev, White House says

Turning Away From Russian Natural Gas Would Be Unwise, Says Austrian Politician

While many European powers sought to curb the import of Russian oil and gas over Moscow’s involvement in the conflict in Ukraine, some politicians in Europe have questioned the wisdom of this move.

In an interview with Sputnik, Austrian politician and former presidential candidate Gerald Grosz pointed out that Austria’s economy has been oriented towards the cheap Russian natural gas for over five decades, and that switching to a different supplier will take years, not to mention a lot of taxpayer money.

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🇷🇺🇨🇫 The Ambassador of Russia to the Central African Republic Aleksandr Bikantov met with the African country’s Prime Minister Felix Moloua on Wednesday, who had returned from Russia

The parties discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interest. In particular, they exchanged views on the prospects for trade and economic cooperation.

The Russian side reaffirmed its readiness to continue to assist the CAR in ensuring peace and security

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⚡️Russia warns Ukraine against using depleted uranium shells

😡 "Leave South America alone!" Netizens blasted US Army Gen. Laura Richardson's speech on Latin American resources

Speaking at the online conversation hosted by the Atlantic Council, Richardson said that the real reason why the United States has interests in Latin America is its resources.

"Why is this region important? (...) you have the lithium triangle, which is necessary for technology nowadays. 60% of the world's lithium is in the lithium triangle: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile."

In the conversation, she referred to Russia as the US' “No. 2 adversary in the region," — behind China — due to the country's relations with Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua.

Another important reason, the military chief added, is the concentration of "the largest oil reserves," including those of "light, sweet crude discovered off Guyana over a year ago."

YT users were outraged by Richardson's statements, saying that "enough you've done supporting coups" and that the US should "get out of Latin America".

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📊Have a look at Sputnik’s infographic showing tank deliveries to Ukraine

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⚡️Biden holds call with Macron, Scholz, Sunak ahead of expected announcement on Abrams tanks for Ukraine

⚡️⚡️ White House confirms sending 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine

⚡️Biden says Abrams tanks for Ukraine are not offensive threat to Russia

⚡️Biden says US will start training Ukrainian forces on Abrams tanks as soon as possible

🤝Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa may soon explore the possibility of creating their own currency within the framework of BRICS, an informal economic bloc comprised of these countries.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov raised the possibility during a visit to Angola, as he delivered a statement following a meeting with Angolan President Joao Lourenco.

Lavrov explained that the currency is needed given that the mechanisms created and promoted by the West – such as the inviolability of property, the presumption of innocence, fair competition and globalization – can be trampled upon at any time

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⚡️Pentagon confirms new Ukraine aid package with 31 Abrams tanks worth $400mln

Thousands of Healthcare Workers, Taxi Drivers, Teachers Striking in Barcelona, Spain

Several mass strikes are taking place in Barcelona on Wednesday, with thousands of taxi drivers blocking the city center and healthcare workers and teachers rallying to protest poor working conditions, a Sputnik correspondent reported.

Healthcare workers are staging protests near the buildings of the Catalan parliament and the regional healthcare department demanding a pay rise, the expansion of staff numbers, a reduction of their workload and support for younger workers, with further strikes expected to take place next week.

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What is the M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank Biden Wants to Send to Ukraine?

The NATO allies waging a proxy war against Russia in Ukraine have rushed in recent weeks to send their most potent weapons yet to the battlefields in the Donbass: armored fighting vehicles and main battle tanks.

After reports appeared in US media on Tuesday that the White House was preparing to send dozens of M1 Abrams main battle tanks (MBTs) to Kiev, the Pentagon said it was aware of the reports but had nothing to announce. US Army leaders have warned Ukrainians forces are ill-equipped to operate and maintain the advanced armored vehicles, making such a venture both costly and unproductive.

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🔺 First, we discuss The Tragedy of Ukraine with Professor Nicolai Petro
🔺 Next, James Carey joins us to talk about the opposition voices in Turkey calling for a NATO exit and Finnish FM's backtrack on NATO comment
🔺Nothing personal, just "big business": we discuss Zelensky’s address to the National Association of State Chambers (NASC) on Monday

And there's more on the other side! Tune in to Radio Sputnik at 6pm EST|3pm PST|12am CET via the website or app

📻 Also in the United States at 105.5FM, 104.7FM, 102.9FM, 1390AM, 1140AM

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‼️Switzerland May Lose Credibility by Allowing Re-Export of Weapons to Ukraine - Councillor

Switzerland's credibility as a neutral country could be lost in the case of re-export of country's weapons to parties of military conflict, Swiss Federal Councillor Alain Berset said on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Swiss parliament committee approved amendments allowing third countries to re-export Swiss-made arms to Ukraine. The parliament is yet to vote on the bill.

"Given the special role that Switzerland plays in the world, it is necessary to question the authority of Switzerland as a neutral country in case of re-export of Swiss weapons to the war zone," Berset said in an interview with the Swiss broadcaster RTS.