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Russia ready to push war to Europe, warns Zelensky

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Russia ready to push war to Europe, warns Zelensky


Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy attends a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (not pictured), amid Russias attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine November 4, 2023. — Reuters
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy attends a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (not pictured), amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine November 4, 2023. — Reuters

COPENHAGEN: Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned European leaders that Russia is preparing to step up the war. 

Speaking at a summit of European leaders from just under 50 countries in Copenhagen on Thursday, he pointed to recent drone flights over Denmark and other countries as a sign that Moscow is looking to escalate the conflict beyond Ukraine’s borders. 

He urged Europe to take the threat seriously and said Ukraine is ready to share its battlefield experience to help partners defend themselves.

The warning came at a summit of European leaders from just under 50 countries, who converged on a conference centre in Copenhagen under tight security after mystery drone flights rattled Denmark last month.

The drone sightings in Denmark and high-profile aerial incursions by Moscow in Estonia and Poland have heightened fears that Russia’s assault on Ukraine could spill over Europe’s borders.

“The recent drone incidents across Europe are a clear sign that Russia still feels bold enough to escalate this war,” Zelensky said.

“It was never just about Ukraine, Russia has always aimed to break the West and Europe.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin waived the accusations, but said Russia was “closely monitoring the rising militarisation of Europe”, adding that Moscow’s response will be timely and “significant”.

Putin accused Europe of stoking “hysteria” to excuse rising military spending, and said Russia did not pose a threat.

“Just calm down,” he said.

European leaders are keen to work with Ukraine’s war-tested expertise as they seek to bolster their own defences, and are discussing plans for a “drone wall” to counter the menace from Moscow.

“If the Russians dare to launch drones against Poland, or violate the airspace of northern European countries, it means this can happen anywhere,” Zelensky said.

“We are ready to share this experience with our partners.”

French President Emmanuel Macron said Western countries should be willing to take a tougher line when confronted by Russian drones, to sow doubt in the Kremlin.

“It’s very important to have a clear message. Drones which would violate our territories are just taking a big risk. They can be destroyed, full stop,” Macron said.

Romanian Prime Minister Nicosur Dan, whose country has seen Russian drones crossing over from Ukraine, warned that his forces would shoot down the next one to violate their airspace.

‘Kill’ Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’

As Russia’s full-scale war on Ukraine drags on through a fourth year, Europe is scrambling to keep up pressure on Moscow and secure funding for Kyiv.

Macron said it was key to step up efforts to counter the so-called shadow fleet of ageing oil tankers to “kill” the business model Russia uses to circumvent restrictions on exporting its oil.

“It is extremely important to increase the pressure on this shadow fleet, because it will clearly reduce the capacity to finance this war effort,” said Macron — pointing at France’s move this week to hold a blacklisted tanker linked to Russia.

In a bid to ensure Ukraine has the financing it needs, the European Union is exploring a proposal to use frozen Russian assets to fund a new 140-billion-euro ($165-billion) loan.

Proponents say the move is needed to help Ukraine plug budget shortfalls — and that Russia, not European taxpayers, should ultimately foot the bill.

But Belgium, where the vast majority of frozen assets are held, has deep reservations over the plan, which some leaders fear could spook other investors or draw Russian retaliation.

“We’re going to move to uncharted waters. This is very, very risky,” Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever said.

He insisted he wanted clear commitments from all EU leaders that they would share the potential liability with Belgium to shield it from any Russian retribution.

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said Wednesday it was clear that risk should not fall only on Belgium’s shoulders and that she would “intensify” talks on the proposal.





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French teen faces jail in Singapore for licking vending machine straw

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French teen faces jail in Singapore for licking vending machine straw


Plastic straws are on display in a shop. — Reuters/File
Plastic straws are on display in a shop. — Reuters/File

A French teenager has been charged with mischief and public nuisance in Singapore for licking a straw and putting it back in an orange juice vending machine, court documents showed Monday.

Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, 18, allegedly filmed himself “licking a straw and placing it back at the vending machine”, uploaded the video on Instagram knowing that it “would or would probably cause annoyance to the public”, according to the documents.

The teenager is studying in Singapore, according to court records.

The public nuisance offence carries a jail term of up to three months and a fine.

A second charge of committing mischief said Maximilien knew that he was “likely to cause wrongful loss or damage” to iJooz, the company operating the vending machine which had to replace all 500 straws in the dispenser.

The mischief offence carries a punishment of up to two years in jail on conviction and a fine, according to the charge sheet.

Both offences were allegedly committed on March 12.

The charges were lodged before a district court last Friday, and the next hearing will be on May 22.

The Straits Times newspaper said the video “quickly went viral, sparking shock and concern among netizens”.





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Araghchi arrives in Russia for close consultations on regional, international issues

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Araghchi arrives in Russia for close consultations on regional, international issues



Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Russia to continue close consultations between Tehran and Moscow on regional and international issues, and to enhance bilateral relations.

Speaking upon arrival at Pulkovo International Airport in St. Petersburg on Monday, Araghchi noted that due to the recent US-Israeli aggression against the country, there had been a gap in meetings with Russian counterparts.

“We have tried to use the available opportunity, following our trips to Pakistan and Oman, to travel to Russia,” he said.

Araghchi added that Monday’s meeting would be a good opportunity to discuss developments in the war and review the latest situation, expressing confidence that consultations and coordination between the two countries would be of particular importance.

Constructive consultations held in Pakistan

Regarding his trips to Islamabad and Oman over the past three days, the foreign minister emphasized the bilateral nature of the visits.

Pointing to Pakistan’s role as a mediator in Iran-US negotiations, Araghchi said it was necessary to review the latest situation with Pakistani officials.

“Previous negotiations, despite some progress, did not achieve their goals due to American approaches, their excessive demands, and their wrong policies. Therefore, we needed to hold consultations with our friends in Pakistan to review the latest developments,” Araghchi explained.

He stressed that Iran’s position in the negotiations is very important.

“We must secure the rights of the Iranian people after 40 days of resistance and protect the country’s interests,” he added.

Iran-Oman expert-level consultations on Strait of Hormuz to continue

Referring to his meetings with senior Omani officials, Araghchi noted that Iran and Oman are both littoral states of the Strait of Hormuz, and it is necessary for them to consult each other, especially as safe passage through the strait has become a globally significant issue.

“It is natural that as two coastal countries of this strait, we must talk to each other to secure our common interests and coordinate any action taken in this regard, because the interests of Iran and Oman are directly involved in this matter,” Araghchi said.

He confirmed that there is a broad consensus between Iran and Oman, and it was agreed during the visit that consultations would continue at the expert level.

Iran closed the waterway to the enemies and their allies following the launch of the US-Israeli aggression against Iran on February 28, with the assassination of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, and several top military commanders.

On April 8, forty days into the war, a temporary Pakistan-brokered ceasefire took effect. Talks ensued in Islamabad but stopped short of an agreement amid the United States’ maximalist demands and insistence on unreasonable positions.

Iran announced the reopening of the chokehold to commercial traffic following the announcement of a ceasefire by US President Donald Trump on April 7.

The country, however, imposed a total closure on the waterway on April 18 after Trump said the US was continuing an unlawful blockade it had imposed on Iran in continuation of unlawful aggression towards the country.



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India names Modi party colleague envoy to Bangladesh as ties thaw

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India names Modi party colleague envoy to Bangladesh as ties thaw


Indian politician Dinesh Trivedi speaks with the media outside the parliament in New Delhi March 15, 2012.— Reuters/File
Indian politician Dinesh Trivedi speaks with the media outside the parliament in New Delhi March 15, 2012.— Reuters/File

India named veteran politician Dinesh Trivedi as its next high commissioner to Bangladesh on Monday, in a rare appointment of a non–foreign service officer as New Delhi seeks to reset ties with its eastern neighbour.

Ties between the countries soured after a popular uprising forced Bangladesh’s long‑serving Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to flee to New Delhi in 2024, where she remains. Trivedi’s appointment highlights India’s push to rebuild trust with Bangladesh as it faces stiff competition from China for influence and business.

Trivedi, 75, a former railways and health minister, joined Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party in 2021 from a regional party in West Bengal, a border state that plays a key role in India’s ties with Bangladesh and where Modi has been seeking to expand his party’s influence in ongoing local elections.

“He is expected to take up the assignment shortly,” India’s Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement about Trivedi.

Relations between the two countries began improving only after an election in February brought Tarique Rahman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party to power, replacing an interim government that had veered strongly towards China.

Bangladesh’s foreign minister visited Delhi this month seeking increased fuel and fertiliser supplies, closer energy cooperation and eased travel restrictions, but one of the biggest sticking points remains India’s refusal so far to extradite Hasina.





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