Putin tells Ukraine that Russia has barely begun its military action
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends the Caspian summit in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, on June 29, 2022.
Grigori Sysoyev | Sputnik | Reuters
With Russia’s military action in Ukraine in its fifth month, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Kyiv that it should quickly accept Moscow’s terms or prepare for the worst, and ominously added that Russia his action has scarcely begun.
In a meeting with Kremlin-controlled parliamentary leaders, Putin accused Western allies of fueling hostilities, accusing them of “the West wants to fight us to the last Ukrainian.”
“It is a tragedy for the Ukrainian people, but it seems to be going in that direction,” he added.
“Everyone should know that, to a large extent, we haven’t started anything really yet,” Putin said in a threatening note.
He stated that Russia remains willing to sit down for talks to end the fighting, adding that “those who refuse to do so should know that the longer it lasts the harder it will be for them to reach an agreement with us.” .
– Associated press
The war could leave Ukraine’s environment with a “toxic legacy for future generations,” warns UN
A Ukrainian woman passes by the flames and smoke rising from a fire after artillery fire on the 30th day of the invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces in the northeastern city of Kharkiv on March 25, 2022.
Aris Messinis | AFP | Getty Images
UN researchers said the war in Ukraine “could leave the country and the region with a toxic legacy for future generations,” according to preliminary monitoring reports from the region.
The United Nations Environment Program, or UNEP, found thousands of possible incidents of air, water and land pollution and ecosystem degradation, including risks to neighboring countries.
“Mapping and initial examination of environmental hazards only serves to confirm that war is literally toxic,” UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen wrote in the report.
“The first priority is for this senseless destruction to end now. The environment is about people: it’s about livelihoods, public health, clean air and water, and basic food systems. It’s about a secure future. for the Ukrainians and their neighbors, and more damage. should not be done, “he added.
Andersen said Ukraine will also need international support to repair damage across the country and mitigate risks to the region as a whole.
– Amanda Macias
Finland will increase security on the border with Russia with an amended law
Soldiers from the Finnish army attend the NATO multinational Saber Strike exercise in Adazi, Latvia, on June 11, 2015.
Soldiers from the Finnish army attend the NATO multinational Saber Strike exercise in Adazi, Latvia, on June 11, 2015.
Finland’s parliament has passed amended border security legislation to close waypoints with Russia amid fears that Moscow may choose to send large numbers of migrants to the border.
The decision by lawmakers came just two days after all 30 NATO members signed formal accession protocols for Finland and Sweden to join the alliance, a result that has angered Russia. The bids for membership of the two Nordic nations were approved at a NATO summit in late June in Madrid.
The amendments passed by Finnish lawmakers will give the center-left government led by Prime Minister Sanna Marin wider powers to restrict border traffic in exceptional situations, especially on the 1,340-kilometer (830-mile) border with Russia, the longest of any member. of the European Union. .
The changes would also allow Finland, a nation of 5.5 million people, to build barriers and fences on the border with Russia if necessary. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is due to sign the amendments to the law on Friday.
– Associated press
Biden says he will work with the UK government to support Ukraine after Johnson resigns
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and US President Joe Biden in Carbis Bay Cornwall after their meeting ahead of the G7 summit on June 10, 2021.
Andrew Parsons | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images
President Joe Biden said the resignation of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will not jeopardize the united international effort to help Ukraine during the war of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“I look forward to continuing our close cooperation with the UK government, as well as with our allies and partners around the world, on a number of important priorities,” Biden wrote in a statement obtained by NBC News.
“This includes maintaining a strong and united approach to supporting the people of Ukraine as it defends itself against Putin’s brutal war against its democracy and making Russia accountable for its actions,” Biden added.
Johnson, who was one of the first world leaders to visit Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv after the invasion of Russia, quickly became one of Ukraine’s most visible Western supporters.
– Amanda Macias
German lawmakers support the plan to expand renewable energy
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz attends the summer party of the German Renewable Energy Federation (BEE) in Berlin, Germany, on July 6, 2022.
Michele Tantussi | Reuters
German lawmakers approved a major package of reforms aimed at increasing renewable energy production, as Chancellor Olaf Scholz warned that the country has relied too long on Russia’s energy supply.
The government unveiled its 600-page “Easter package” in April, less than two months after the Russian invasion of Ukraine intensified the slow-moving energy crisis between Moscow and Western European neighbors, many of which were buyers of Russian fossil fuels.
Germany has drastically reduced energy imports from Russia in recent months. The government intends to end the purchase of Russian coal and oil this year, and natural gas by 2024.
Scholz said Wednesday afternoon that the war was another reason for Europe’s largest economy to redouble its efforts to expand the use of renewable energy.
“Germany has relied for too long and too unilaterally on Russia’s energy supply,” he said at an event in the renewable energy sector in Berlin.
– Associated press
U.S. diplomats talk to Griner and give him Biden’s letter
U.S. WNBA basketball superstar Brittney Griner arrives at a hearing in Khimki Court, outside Moscow, on July 1, 2022.
Kirill Kudryavtsev | AFP | Getty Images
Diplomats from the U.S. embassy in Moscow attended the trial of WNBA star Brittney Griner in Russia and delivered a letter from President Joe Biden.
Griner, 31, who plays professional basketball in Russia during the low season of the WNBA, was arrested in February at a Russian airport. She pleaded guilty to drug charges and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
“The U.S. government, from the highest levels, is working hard to bring Brittney and all U.S. citizens unjustly detained home safely,” the U.S. embassy in Moscow wrote in a tweet.
Earlier this week, Griner wrote a letter to Biden asking for his help with his case in Russia.
“I’m terrified of being able to be here forever,” Griner wrote to Biden.
– Amanda Macias
Blinken calls for immediate release of WNBA star Griner and other unjustly detained Americans
U.S. WNBA basketball superstar Brittney Griner arrives at a hearing in Khimki Court, outside Moscow, on July 7, 2022.
Kirill Kudryavtsev | AFP | Getty Images
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called for the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner after she pleaded guilty to drug charges in Russia.
Griner faces up to 10 years in prison.
Blinken said in a tweet that the United States “will not give in until Brittney, Paul Whelan and all other unjustly detained Americans reunite with their loved ones.”
On Thursday, U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke with Cherelle Griner, the wife of the professional basketball star who plays in Russia during the WNBA low season.
Biden assured her that he is working to secure the release of his wife as soon as possible. He also said he intends to secure the release of Paul Whelan and other U.S. citizens unjustly detained in Russia and around the world.
– Amanda Macias
British Boris Johnson speaks with Zelenskyy after the resignation speech and says British support is “unshakable.”
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson made a statement on Downing Street in London, Britain, on July 7, 2022.
Henry Nicholls | Reuters
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson, spoke by telephone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after resigning as head of the British Conservative Party.
During the call, Johnson “highlighted the unwavering support between UK parties in President Zelenskyy’s people and said the UK would continue to provide vital defensive assistance for as long as needed,” a spokesman for the UK office said. prime minister.
“He thanked President Zelenskyy for all he is doing to defend the freedom, his friendship and the goodness of the Ukrainian people,” according to the spokesman, who added that Zelenskyy thanked Johnson for his swift action against Ukraine, and said than Ukraine. people were grateful.
Johnson also told Zelenskyy, “You’re a hero, everyone loves you,” the spokesman said.
– Natasha Turak
Kyiv will summon Turkish ambassador after Russian ship with “stolen” grain is allowed to leave
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said it would summon the Turkish ambassador to the country after a Russian ship carrying what it says is Ukrainian grain could leave the Turkish port of Karasu.
“We regret that the Russian ship Zhibek Zholy, which was full of stolen Ukrainian grain, was able to leave the port of Karasu despite the criminal evidence presented to the Turkish authorities,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko wrote in Twitter.
“Turkey’s ambassador to Kyiv will be invited to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine to clarify this unacceptable situation.”
Moscow denies his ship was detained, saying it was undergoing routine procedures.
Turkey has been trying to negotiate with Moscow and Kyiv the release of Ukrainian grain in export markets, after Russia’s blockade of Ukrainian ports has …