ukraine

US Defense Chief Visits Ukraine in Show of Solidarity

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin arrived in Kyiv Monday morning in a show of support weeks before the US election. Austin's visit came at a time when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is urging Western allies to lift restrictions on the the use of long-range weapons and calling for an immediate invitation to join NATO. But Ukraine fears ...

France Welcomes Russian Soldiers Deserting in Ukraine

Six Russian soldiers who fled the fighting in Ukraine have found refuge in France and hope to receive asylum, in a landmark case of Russian deserters being welcomed in an EU country as a group. The deserters, all of whom had reached France via Kazakhstan, told AFP in a series of interviews they hoped their actions would encourage other Russian ...

Moldova's EU Membership Vote is Too Close to Call

A referendum on Moldova joining the EU was too close to call early Monday with almost all votes counted, as pro-EU President Maia Sandu blamed "criminal groups working together with foreign forces" -- a veiled reference to Russia -- for the outcome. The close vote is a setback for Sandu, who managed to top the first round of ...

Moldova Votes on EU Future Amid Fears of Russian Meddling

Moldovans voted on Sunday in a presidential election and a referendum on joining the European Union, with fears of Russian meddling amid the war in neighbouring Ukraine. The elections are a test of the former Soviet republic's pro-European turn under incumbent President Maia Sandu, who is seeking a second term. Police made hundreds of arrests ...

BRICS Summit in Russia: Putin Seeks to Counter Western Influence

24 world leaders will meet in Russia from October 22 to 24, for a summit of the BRICS group (an acronym for core members Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), an alliance of emerging economies that the Kremlin hopes will challenge Western "hegemony". The summit will be the biggest in Russia since the Ukraine conflict began and comes as ...

Russia Launches Widespread Air Strikes in central Ukraine, Injuring 17

Russia launched widespread air strikes on Ukraine overnight, targeting Kyiv and the western region of Lviv, injuring at least 17 people, including a rescue worker in the city of Kryvyi Rih in the eastern part of the country, officials said, according to Reuters. About 10 drones were destroyed near Kyiv, the city's military administration said on ...

G7 Defense Ministers Concerned by Attacks on Peacekeepers, Vow Kyiv Support

G7 Defense ministers on Saturday met against the backdrop of multiple ongoing military conflicts, expressing concern over escalation in Lebanon while pledging "unwavering support" for Ukraine. Italy, holding the rotating presidency of the Group of Seven countries, organised the body's first ministerial meeting dedicated to Defense, staged in the ...

G7 Defense Ministers Convene as Tensions Rise in Middle East and Ukraine

The Group of Seven (G7) defense ministers started talks on Saturday against a backdrop of escalation in the Middle East and mounting pressure on Ukraine as it faces another winter of fighting. Italy, holding the rotating presidency of the G7 countries, organized the body's first ministerial meeting dedicated to defense, staged in Naples, the ...

Gold Prices Hit Record High Amid Geopolitical Uncertainty

Gold prices hit a record high above $2,700 on Friday as traders piled into the safe-haven commodity at a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty, including in the Middle East after Israel said it killed Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar. Bullion hit an all-time high of $2,704.89 in early Asian trade, up from its previous record of $2,688.83 touched on ...

Biden in Berlin Renews Calls for Gaza Ceasefire

US President Joe Biden and European leaders meeting during his farewell visit to Germany on Friday were expected to renew calls for a Gaza ceasefire after Israel said it killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. While still on Air Force One, Biden hailed the death of the man Israel blames for the October 7 attack as a "good day", saying it removed a key ...

Israeli-Iranian Conflict: The Strait of Hormuz as a Pressure Tactic

Iran may have to resort to a strategic tool: control of the Strait of Hormuz. According to several analyses, this tactic could be as devastating as a nuclear weapon. However, unlike a nuclear weapon, whose use would bring catastrophic consequences for Iran itself, the threat of closing the Strait of Hormuz serves as a form of "asymmetric ...