❌ Metropolitan Opera soprano Anna Netrebko has withdrawn from her upcoming performances after she refused to condemn the Russian military op in Ukraine, according to the Met.
"Not complying with the Met’s condition that she repudiate her public support for Vladimir Putin while he wages war on Ukraine, soprano Anna Netrebko has withdrawn from her upcoming Met performances in Puccini’s Turandot this April and May, as well as the run of Verdi’s Don Carlo next season", the statement reads.
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"Not complying with the Met’s condition that she repudiate her public support for Vladimir Putin while he wages war on Ukraine, soprano Anna Netrebko has withdrawn from her upcoming Met performances in Puccini’s Turandot this April and May, as well as the run of Verdi’s Don Carlo next season", the statement reads.
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⚡️ Ukrainian negotiator says we didn't receive results we had counted on
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⚡️⚡️ Kiev and Moscow discussed humanitarian issues, agreed to continue negotiations, third round of talks planned soon
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⚡️ UN on Ukraine conflict says does not believe diplomacy is dead
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⚡️⚡️ Russia, Ukraine agree on format of humanitarian corridors for civilians, negotiator says
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❗️ The US is considering sanctions on India under CAATSA over the purchase of Russian arms, Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs Donald Lu says.
"It’s a question we’re looking at very closely, as the administration is looking at the broader question over whether to apply sanctions under CAATSA [Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act] or to waive those sanctions", Lu said during a Senate hearing.
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"It’s a question we’re looking at very closely, as the administration is looking at the broader question over whether to apply sanctions under CAATSA [Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act] or to waive those sanctions", Lu said during a Senate hearing.
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⚡️ UN on announcement of possible Ukraine ceasefire says welcomes any movement to protect civilians, lower intensity of conflict
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Sputnik International
⚡️ Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada asks UN, other int'l organisations to send peacekeepers to Ukraine
⚡️ UN says up to Security Council to decide on peacekeeping missions in Ukraine
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❗️ US not interested in no-fly zone over Ukraine because it would require military to shoot down Russian planes - White House
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⚡️ US does not see Russia being removed from UN Security Council - White House
The United States does not see Russia being removed from the UN Security Council, White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said on Thursday.
"We don't see that happening. We certainly understand they have a permanent seat on UN Security Council," Psaki told journalists when asked about the possibility of Russia being removed from the body.
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The United States does not see Russia being removed from the UN Security Council, White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said on Thursday.
"We don't see that happening. We certainly understand they have a permanent seat on UN Security Council," Psaki told journalists when asked about the possibility of Russia being removed from the body.
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❗️ The Russian delegation's Vladimir Medinsky and Leonid Slutsky summed up the second round of negotiations:
🔸 the sides discussed all three issues: the military one, the humanitarian one, and the issue of a future political solution to the conflict;
🔸 the positions are clear and written down, a consensus was reached on some of them;
🔸 main issue resolved today: the representatives of the defence ministries agreed on the format of the humanitarian corridors for civilians and a possible ceasefire for the period of civilians leaving;
🔸 in order to implement the agreements - which were not revealed today - the sides agreed to hold a third round of talks in the coming days;
🔸 some of the agreements will need to be nationally ratified;
🔸 the sides must not drag out the process of the implementation of the agreements that are to be ratified at the top level in the coming days or even hours.
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🔸 the sides discussed all three issues: the military one, the humanitarian one, and the issue of a future political solution to the conflict;
🔸 the positions are clear and written down, a consensus was reached on some of them;
🔸 main issue resolved today: the representatives of the defence ministries agreed on the format of the humanitarian corridors for civilians and a possible ceasefire for the period of civilians leaving;
🔸 in order to implement the agreements - which were not revealed today - the sides agreed to hold a third round of talks in the coming days;
🔸 some of the agreements will need to be nationally ratified;
🔸 the sides must not drag out the process of the implementation of the agreements that are to be ratified at the top level in the coming days or even hours.
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‼ White House: US imposing new sanctions on Kremlin spokesman, 19 Russian 'Oligarchs'
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‼️US Not Ruling Out Biden-Putin Meeting, But No Engagement Planned at Present - White House
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Sputnik International
‼️US Not Ruling Out Biden-Putin Meeting, But No Engagement Planned at Present - White House
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki on Thursday did not rule out a potential in-person meeting between US President Joe Biden and Russian Vladimir Putin in the future, but added that there are currently no plans for direct engagement between the two leaders.
🗣️"I can't make an assessment of that," Psaki said when asked if there is any situation where Biden would sit down with Putin in person again so long as Russian forces are engaged in the special operation in Ukraine. "Right now they're invading a sovereign country and continuing to escalate every day. We're never going to take diplomacy ever off the table. But again, knows that not the moment for that."
When asked why the United States does not rule out such a meeting, Psaki said, "We have discussions internally about what the best steps are to de-escalate" but now is not the moment to plan an engagement between the two leaders."
🗣️"I can't make an assessment of that," Psaki said when asked if there is any situation where Biden would sit down with Putin in person again so long as Russian forces are engaged in the special operation in Ukraine. "Right now they're invading a sovereign country and continuing to escalate every day. We're never going to take diplomacy ever off the table. But again, knows that not the moment for that."
When asked why the United States does not rule out such a meeting, Psaki said, "We have discussions internally about what the best steps are to de-escalate" but now is not the moment to plan an engagement between the two leaders."
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⚡⚡US charges TV producer John Hanick with violations of Crimea sanctions - Justice Dept.
US prosecutors charged American citizen John Hanick for violating Crimea-related sanctions for his work as a television producer for Russian businessman Konstantin Malofeyev, who created the Russian cable television network Tsargrad and was designated by the US government, the Justice Department said on Thursday.
"JOHN HANICK, a/k/a 'Jack Hanick,' a United States citizen, is charged with violations of United States sanctions and false statements in connection with his years-long work for the sanctioned Russian oligarch Konstantin Malofeyev," the Justice Department said in a press release.
The release said Hanick was arrested on February 3 in London and will be extradited.
US prosecutors charged American citizen John Hanick for violating Crimea-related sanctions for his work as a television producer for Russian businessman Konstantin Malofeyev, who created the Russian cable television network Tsargrad and was designated by the US government, the Justice Department said on Thursday.
"JOHN HANICK, a/k/a 'Jack Hanick,' a United States citizen, is charged with violations of United States sanctions and false statements in connection with his years-long work for the sanctioned Russian oligarch Konstantin Malofeyev," the Justice Department said in a press release.
The release said Hanick was arrested on February 3 in London and will be extradited.
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Pentagon Says It Established De-Confliction Line With Russia on March 1 Amid Ukraine Crisis
Pentagon confirmed to Sputnik on Thursday it established a de-confliction line with the Russian Ministry of Defense on March 1 to prevent miscalculation and military incidents amid the crisis in Ukraine.
🗣️"The United States retains a number of channels to discuss critical security issues with the Russians during a contingency or emergency. The Department of the Defense recently established a de-confliction line with the Russian Ministry of Defense on March 1 for the purposes of preventing miscalculation, military incidents, and escalation," Pentagon said in a statement.
Pentagon confirmed to Sputnik on Thursday it established a de-confliction line with the Russian Ministry of Defense on March 1 to prevent miscalculation and military incidents amid the crisis in Ukraine.
🗣️"The United States retains a number of channels to discuss critical security issues with the Russians during a contingency or emergency. The Department of the Defense recently established a de-confliction line with the Russian Ministry of Defense on March 1 for the purposes of preventing miscalculation, military incidents, and escalation," Pentagon said in a statement.
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‼️US Blackmailing, Intimidating Various Countries Over Contacts With Russia - Moscow
Washington is blackmailing and intimidating various countries over contacts with Russia, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday.
🗣️"We see a regrouping [of countries]. But under what conditions? Under conditions of severe pressure on every country that is simply intimidated and blackmailed, first of all, of course, by Washington. In all possible ways that exist," Zakharova said on YouTube channel Soloviev Live.
She noted that similar tactics had been previously tested by the United States in relation to Germany and the Nord Stream 2 project.
Washington is blackmailing and intimidating various countries over contacts with Russia, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday.
🗣️"We see a regrouping [of countries]. But under what conditions? Under conditions of severe pressure on every country that is simply intimidated and blackmailed, first of all, of course, by Washington. In all possible ways that exist," Zakharova said on YouTube channel Soloviev Live.
She noted that similar tactics had been previously tested by the United States in relation to Germany and the Nord Stream 2 project.
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⚡RT America stops production of content after 10-plus years of broadcasts
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Sputnik International
⚡RT America stops production of content after 10-plus years of broadcasts
"As the result of unforeseen events and the interruption of normal business operations, T&R Productions, LLC ('T&R'), is currently ceasing all television production work at all of its bureaus throughout the United States," chief Mikhail Solodovnikov said, as quoted by the broadcaster.
"T&R Productions has laid off the majority of its staff at all of its locations. The decision was taken with great regret for the difficulty it will cause T&R’s employees. We would like to thank our employees for years of hard work and dedication," he added.
"T&R Productions has laid off the majority of its staff at all of its locations. The decision was taken with great regret for the difficulty it will cause T&R’s employees. We would like to thank our employees for years of hard work and dedication," he added.
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