⚡️A strong protest was expressed to the British ambassador in connection with the country's Foreign Minister David Cameron's statement about Kiev's right to strike Russia with British weapons, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
The Ambassador was warned that the response to Ukrainian strikes using British weapons on Russian territory could be any British military facilities and equipment on the territory of Ukraine and beyond, the Russian Foreign Ministry added.
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The Ambassador was warned that the response to Ukrainian strikes using British weapons on Russian territory could be any British military facilities and equipment on the territory of Ukraine and beyond, the Russian Foreign Ministry added.
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Are Gaza ceasefire talks on the brink of collapse?
Hamas' strikes on the Kerem Shalom border crossing on the southeastern border of the Gaza Strip have disrupted ceasefire negotiations, local media have reported.
This comes after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that three of their soldiers were killed near the Kerem Shalom border crossing as a result of an attack carried out by Hamas on Sunday.
An Egyptian security service delegation will intensify contacts to contain the current escalation between Hamas and Israel, broadcaster Al Ekhbariya said, citing a high-ranking source.
Meanwhile, Hamas will continue talks with Israel on the Gaza truce despite the Israeli call for the evacuation of Palestinians from Rafah, AFP reported, citing a representative.
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Hamas' strikes on the Kerem Shalom border crossing on the southeastern border of the Gaza Strip have disrupted ceasefire negotiations, local media have reported.
This comes after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that three of their soldiers were killed near the Kerem Shalom border crossing as a result of an attack carried out by Hamas on Sunday.
An Egyptian security service delegation will intensify contacts to contain the current escalation between Hamas and Israel, broadcaster Al Ekhbariya said, citing a high-ranking source.
Meanwhile, Hamas will continue talks with Israel on the Gaza truce despite the Israeli call for the evacuation of Palestinians from Rafah, AFP reported, citing a representative.
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Sputnik International
French Foreign Legion reported to have likely suffered first losses in Ukraine The French Foreign Legion dispatched to Ukraine has possibly sustained its first personnel losses, military correspondent Boris Rozhin stated on Telegram. The legionnaires, he…
❗️France did not send Foreign Legion soldiers to Ukraine, the French Foreign Ministry said.
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❗️A Russian citizen has been detained in Tambov, who, on instructions from Ukrainian intelligence services, was preparing explosions near buildings of regional and arbitration courts, the FSB reports. The man was hiding unknown objects near the station…
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Footage of the capture and interrogation of the Russian citizen, who worked for the Ukrainian intelligence services, was released by the FSB.
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Will Germany deport Ukrainian draft dodgers?
Talks between the German Ministry of Internal Affairs and the federal states will begin on May 7 on how to deal with draft-eligible Ukrainian men in order to come up with a “nationwide solution,” ARD reports.
Last year, the majority of EU states declined to extradite Ukrainian draft dodgers, citing European conventions. However, Poland and Lithuania have recently indicated that they are considering options to assist Kiev in bringing back draft dodgers. Ukraine has recently lowered the draft age from 27 to 25 under its new mobilization law.
🔺Over 6.4 mln fled Ukraine since the conflict escalated in 2022 (per UNHCR data).
🔺Around 768,000 Ukrainians (aged 18-64) left Ukraine for the EU (per BBC assessments/November 2023).
🔺Close to 20.6 percent of the estimated 4.3 mln Ukrainians living in the EU are men (per Eurostat).
When looking at the top EU destinations for Ukrainian refugees, Statista numbers from March 2024 show that approximately 1.1 million individuals have been living in Germany since February 2022. Poland follows closely behind, with 956,635 Ukrainian refugees currently residing in the East European country. Of this population, 235,000 are of military age, as reported by the Health Insurance Company ZUS.
The Czech Republic has 381,400 Ukrainian refugees, with 94,643 men aged 18 to 65 having official temporary residency, according to the country's Interior Ministry.
With many EU countries facing budget constraints, it is not surprising that polls show Ukrainian refugees are overstaying their welcome.
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Talks between the German Ministry of Internal Affairs and the federal states will begin on May 7 on how to deal with draft-eligible Ukrainian men in order to come up with a “nationwide solution,” ARD reports.
Last year, the majority of EU states declined to extradite Ukrainian draft dodgers, citing European conventions. However, Poland and Lithuania have recently indicated that they are considering options to assist Kiev in bringing back draft dodgers. Ukraine has recently lowered the draft age from 27 to 25 under its new mobilization law.
🔺Over 6.4 mln fled Ukraine since the conflict escalated in 2022 (per UNHCR data).
🔺Around 768,000 Ukrainians (aged 18-64) left Ukraine for the EU (per BBC assessments/November 2023).
🔺Close to 20.6 percent of the estimated 4.3 mln Ukrainians living in the EU are men (per Eurostat).
When looking at the top EU destinations for Ukrainian refugees, Statista numbers from March 2024 show that approximately 1.1 million individuals have been living in Germany since February 2022. Poland follows closely behind, with 956,635 Ukrainian refugees currently residing in the East European country. Of this population, 235,000 are of military age, as reported by the Health Insurance Company ZUS.
The Czech Republic has 381,400 Ukrainian refugees, with 94,643 men aged 18 to 65 having official temporary residency, according to the country's Interior Ministry.
Ukrainian refugees in the EU are ennoscriptd to various benefits, such as the right to work, social welfare, housing assistance, free medical care, and car insurance. In Germany, only 20 percent of Ukrainian refugees were working at the end of 2023. Upon arrival, Ukrainian refugees receive higher welfare payments than other asylum-seekers. A single person is ennoscriptd to €563 ($610) in monthly spending money.
With many EU countries facing budget constraints, it is not surprising that polls show Ukrainian refugees are overstaying their welcome.
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Message to NATO powers ‘playing war in Ukraine’: Why Russia is drilling its tactical nuclear forces
“Exercises using this kind of ammunition were last conducted during the Soviet period. Therefore, it’s necessary to carry out drills so that those who would have to use them know how to handle and use these weapons,” military observer Alexei Leonkov told Sputnik, commenting on plans by the Russian military to hold drills to increase “the readiness of non-strategic nuclear forces” in the wake of NATO’s provocations in Ukraine.
The military observer doesn’t think any drills will involve the use of live nuclear rounds, given Russia’s adherence to a commitment not to engage in nuclear testing.
The exercises were obviously ordered by President Putin, Leonkov believes. “Before this there was his statement [in March] about F-16 jets based in NATO countries participating in hostilities on the territory of Ukraine, and that it doesn’t matter who’s flying them – Ukrainian or non-Ukrainian pilots – that [Russia] will consider the matter of airfields where these aircraft are based and take off from, that they will become our legitimate targets. But apparently, this warning by our president was not heard in the West,” Leonkov explained.
In the wake of Russia’s announcement of the planned tactical nuclear missile drills, the observer warned that those in the West who once again choose to ignore Moscow’s warnings on this issue or cast them off as insignificant “are very seriously mistaken.”
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“Exercises using this kind of ammunition were last conducted during the Soviet period. Therefore, it’s necessary to carry out drills so that those who would have to use them know how to handle and use these weapons,” military observer Alexei Leonkov told Sputnik, commenting on plans by the Russian military to hold drills to increase “the readiness of non-strategic nuclear forces” in the wake of NATO’s provocations in Ukraine.
“If we’re talking about foreign policy, [Kremlin spokesman] Dmitry Peskov said that this is a certain signal to those Western countries ‘playing war’ in Ukraine, who are planning officially to send contingents of troops there, who are going to supply some types of weapons that will allow Ukraine to fire on our territories,” Leonkov explained.
The military observer doesn’t think any drills will involve the use of live nuclear rounds, given Russia’s adherence to a commitment not to engage in nuclear testing.
The exercises were obviously ordered by President Putin, Leonkov believes. “Before this there was his statement [in March] about F-16 jets based in NATO countries participating in hostilities on the territory of Ukraine, and that it doesn’t matter who’s flying them – Ukrainian or non-Ukrainian pilots – that [Russia] will consider the matter of airfields where these aircraft are based and take off from, that they will become our legitimate targets. But apparently, this warning by our president was not heard in the West,” Leonkov explained.
In the wake of Russia’s announcement of the planned tactical nuclear missile drills, the observer warned that those in the West who once again choose to ignore Moscow’s warnings on this issue or cast them off as insignificant “are very seriously mistaken.”
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❗️The Russian Federation will perceive F-16s in Ukraine as carriers of nuclear weapons, the Russian Foreign Ministry said, adding that Russia reserves the right to react in a mirror way to the deployment of American-made missiles.
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❗️The Russian Federation will perceive F-16s in Ukraine as carriers of nuclear weapons, the Russian Foreign Ministry said, adding that Russia reserves the right to react in a mirror way to the deployment of American-made missiles. Subscribe to @SputnikInt
The Russian Foreign Ministry's statements on the escalation in Ukraine:
🔺The Russian exercises should be viewed in the context of recent belligerent statements by Western officials and destabilizing actions by NATO.
🔺We hope that exercises to test the use of non-strategic nuclear weapons will cool down the “hot heads” in Western capitals.
🔺In response to the actions of the United States, the Russian Federation is intensifying its development and starting production of medium- and shorter-range missile systems.
🔺The United States is “at full speed” producing and testing medium- and shorter-range missile systems in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.
🔺The actions of NATO member countries indicate that they are deliberately heading towards an open military clash with Russia.
🔺The reckless steps of Ukraine and Western countries are bringing the situation ever closer to the accumulation of an explosive “critical mass.”
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🔺The Russian exercises should be viewed in the context of recent belligerent statements by Western officials and destabilizing actions by NATO.
🔺We hope that exercises to test the use of non-strategic nuclear weapons will cool down the “hot heads” in Western capitals.
🔺In response to the actions of the United States, the Russian Federation is intensifying its development and starting production of medium- and shorter-range missile systems.
🔺The United States is “at full speed” producing and testing medium- and shorter-range missile systems in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.
🔺The actions of NATO member countries indicate that they are deliberately heading towards an open military clash with Russia.
🔺The reckless steps of Ukraine and Western countries are bringing the situation ever closer to the accumulation of an explosive “critical mass.”
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🇷🇺 Russian presidential inauguration ceremony: what you need to know
Vladimir Putin will be sworn in as the president of the Russian Federation in the Grand Kremlin Palace on May 7.
The newly elected Russian president will solemnly swear the oath of office as outlined in the Russian Constitution, accompanied by the symbols of presidential authority.
A new version of the Russian-made Aurus Senat Limousine, a fully armored car designed in a retro style featuring Soviet-era detail and having a 4.4-litre twin-turbo hybrid V8 engine, will be used during the ceremony.
The inauguration ceremony has evolved ver the past decades, acquiring new elements to reflect Russia's resurgence as a major world power.
🔺Boris Yeltsin was elected the first president of the Russian Federation on June 12, 1991. During the inauguration, Yeltsin took the oath of office while the state flag of the RSFSR was raised above the Kremlin's presidential residence next to the state flag of the USSR. Patriarch Alexy II made the sign of the cross over the president.
🔺During the second inauguration ceremony in 1996, the President's Standard was first used. The chairman of the Federation Council affixed the sign of the President of the Russian Federation — a chain of office — to the Russian leader.
🔺Vladimir Putin's first inauguration, held on May 7, 2000, included a ceremonial procession featuring the Russian military dressed in uniforms reminiscent of soldiers from the Patriotic War of 1812. They carried the state flag, the presidential standard, a special copy of the constitution and the presidential sign into the St. Andrew's Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace.
🔺Subsequent ceremonies have remained largely unchanged, culminating in a special prayer service by the Russian Patriarch who blesses the president.
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Vladimir Putin will be sworn in as the president of the Russian Federation in the Grand Kremlin Palace on May 7.
The newly elected Russian president will solemnly swear the oath of office as outlined in the Russian Constitution, accompanied by the symbols of presidential authority.
A new version of the Russian-made Aurus Senat Limousine, a fully armored car designed in a retro style featuring Soviet-era detail and having a 4.4-litre twin-turbo hybrid V8 engine, will be used during the ceremony.
The inauguration ceremony has evolved ver the past decades, acquiring new elements to reflect Russia's resurgence as a major world power.
🔺Boris Yeltsin was elected the first president of the Russian Federation on June 12, 1991. During the inauguration, Yeltsin took the oath of office while the state flag of the RSFSR was raised above the Kremlin's presidential residence next to the state flag of the USSR. Patriarch Alexy II made the sign of the cross over the president.
🔺During the second inauguration ceremony in 1996, the President's Standard was first used. The chairman of the Federation Council affixed the sign of the President of the Russian Federation — a chain of office — to the Russian leader.
🔺Vladimir Putin's first inauguration, held on May 7, 2000, included a ceremonial procession featuring the Russian military dressed in uniforms reminiscent of soldiers from the Patriotic War of 1812. They carried the state flag, the presidential standard, a special copy of the constitution and the presidential sign into the St. Andrew's Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace.
🔺Subsequent ceremonies have remained largely unchanged, culminating in a special prayer service by the Russian Patriarch who blesses the president.
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"Life-or-death matter": Polish judge requests political asylum in Belarus
Tomasz Schmidt, who worked in the Voivodeship Administrative Court of Warsaw and headed the legal department at the National Board of Judges of Poland, signed a statement renouncing his position following his request for political asylum.
By contrast, in Belarus, he has an opportunity to freely express his position, Schmidt stressed.
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Tomasz Schmidt, who worked in the Voivodeship Administrative Court of Warsaw and headed the legal department at the National Board of Judges of Poland, signed a statement renouncing his position following his request for political asylum.
"At the moment my return to Poland will result in my arrest. The case may be fabricated; I may be accused of espionage. It used to be difficult, now it is life-or-death matter," the former judge told Belorussian reporters.
By contrast, in Belarus, he has an opportunity to freely express his position, Schmidt stressed.
"The signing [of the resignation] document was an expression of protest against the policy pursued by the Polish authorities towards Belarus and Russia," he explained.
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The French ambassador was summoned in connection with belligerent statements from France and information about the country's growing involvement in the conflict around Ukraine, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported.
Moscow told the ambassador about the destructive and provocative line of Paris, leading to further escalation of the conflict.
The ministry noted that Paris’s attempts to create some “strategic uncertainty” for Russia with statements about the possible dispatch of troops to Ukraine are doomed.
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Moscow told the ambassador about the destructive and provocative line of Paris, leading to further escalation of the conflict.
The ministry noted that Paris’s attempts to create some “strategic uncertainty” for Russia with statements about the possible dispatch of troops to Ukraine are doomed.
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‘They’re not bluffing’: Russian tactical nuke drills are loud warning to NATO to stay out of Ukraine
“This is a signal to the Western leaders that they are serious. They are not bluffing,” retired US Army Lt. Col. Earl Rasmussen told Sputnik, commenting on Monday’s statements by the Russian military and the Kremlin about Russia missile troops’ plans to hold tactical nuclear weapons drills in the Southern Military District amid NATO threats to openly deploy troops to Ukraine.
“I don't believe that Russia wants to do this. I believe they're trying to send a signal to caution the Western leaders from escalating further,” the 20-year US Army veteran-turned international and military affairs commentator said.
Unfortunately, Rasmussen warned, the hostile statements coming out of Western capitals about “getting engaged” in Ukraine if the Ukrainian front collapses increase the risks of a direct clash. “This is a very, very dangerous provocation, a very dangerous escalation. I would caution Western leaders not to do that,” he said.
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“This is a signal to the Western leaders that they are serious. They are not bluffing,” retired US Army Lt. Col. Earl Rasmussen told Sputnik, commenting on Monday’s statements by the Russian military and the Kremlin about Russia missile troops’ plans to hold tactical nuclear weapons drills in the Southern Military District amid NATO threats to openly deploy troops to Ukraine.
“If the Western leaders escalate this further with direct engagement, Russia will directly engage them: and they'll destroy their forces, and potentially to protect the Russian state will, may result in tactical nuclear weapons [being used]. This is not good: this would force an escalation and eventually lead to a total nuclear war,” Rasmussen warned.
“I don't believe that Russia wants to do this. I believe they're trying to send a signal to caution the Western leaders from escalating further,” the 20-year US Army veteran-turned international and military affairs commentator said.
Unfortunately, Rasmussen warned, the hostile statements coming out of Western capitals about “getting engaged” in Ukraine if the Ukrainian front collapses increase the risks of a direct clash. “This is a very, very dangerous provocation, a very dangerous escalation. I would caution Western leaders not to do that,” he said.
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Hamas political office head informs Qatari prime minister and Egyptian intelligence chief that the movement agrees to the Gaza truce agreement proposal, Hamas stated.
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❗️Countdown to history: Vladimir Putin's inauguration at the Grand Kremlin Palace, May 7, 9:00 GMT.
Tune in live on Sputnik!
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Trade war with China will make more damage to EU than to Beijing
"I think Xi Jinping doesn't have much hope when it comes to [ French President Emmanuel] Macron," Angelo Giuliano, a Hong Kong-based political and financial analyst, told Sputnik. "Macron has a double face (…) he says one thing one day, and he says the opposite the other day. So, Xi Jinping probably knows that Macron is an opportunist and he's actually playing signs. But ultimately Macron is the US' tool."
Macron is trying stay relevant in geopolitics while bracing for a potential defeat during the forthcoming European Parliament elections, according to Giuliano.
Macron met Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Elysée Palace on May 6 as the EU and China are teetering on the edge of a full-fledged trade war. According to Politico, Macron is pushing Brussels to get tough with Beijing, and China has warned it will retaliate. According to Giuliano, a trade war with China is clearly against the EU's interests.
He believes that the US is behind the looming trade war between China and the EU. The European bloc will eagerly shoot itself in the foot because EU members are "ultimately US vassal states," according to the analyst. Giuliano highlighted that the Global South and BRICS serve as viable alternatives for China.
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"I think Xi Jinping doesn't have much hope when it comes to [ French President Emmanuel] Macron," Angelo Giuliano, a Hong Kong-based political and financial analyst, told Sputnik. "Macron has a double face (…) he says one thing one day, and he says the opposite the other day. So, Xi Jinping probably knows that Macron is an opportunist and he's actually playing signs. But ultimately Macron is the US' tool."
Macron is trying stay relevant in geopolitics while bracing for a potential defeat during the forthcoming European Parliament elections, according to Giuliano.
Macron met Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Elysée Palace on May 6 as the EU and China are teetering on the edge of a full-fledged trade war. According to Politico, Macron is pushing Brussels to get tough with Beijing, and China has warned it will retaliate. According to Giuliano, a trade war with China is clearly against the EU's interests.
"Sanctions against Russia actually backfired on Europe really badly," the financial analyst said. "When it comes to China, the impact would be probably ten-fold. If there is any strained relationship between the two, it will much more damage the EU than China. China very early on has been actually diversifying its partnerships. So the EU is no more the prime partnership for China."
He believes that the US is behind the looming trade war between China and the EU. The European bloc will eagerly shoot itself in the foot because EU members are "ultimately US vassal states," according to the analyst. Giuliano highlighted that the Global South and BRICS serve as viable alternatives for China.
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France is not at war with Russia or the Russian people, Macron said, in response to which Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova asked:
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“What kind of state is the French president in, then, making such contradictory statements and taking such aggressive steps?”
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Ukrainian men protest in Ireland
The posters read: “Ukraine, stop torturing men”; “I am not a cannon fodder”; "Ukraine is no longer a democracy"; "Human rights for all."
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The posters read: “Ukraine, stop torturing men”; “I am not a cannon fodder”; "Ukraine is no longer a democracy"; "Human rights for all."
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The Israeli Air Force attacked more than 50 targets in the Rafah area in the southern Gaza Strip on Monday, and preparations are underway for a ground operation in the area, an IDF spokesman said.
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