Russia and ukraine conflict

The head of the British Army has likened the country's current defence situation in the wake of Russia's "brutal aggression" to the lead up to the Second World War, warning Britain is facing its "1937 moment". In an address on Tuesday, Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Patrick Sanders, is set to say that Britain's armed forces must be prepared to "fight and win" to prevent the war from expanding across Europe. It comes as Russia's relentless invasion of Ukraine becomes deadlier by the day, with Vladimir Putin posing one of the largest threats to peace and democracy ever known. Here is what the Army chief's comments mean. What happened in 1937? Neville Chamberlain became Britain's prime minister on May 28, 1937 and on the brink of the Second World War, pursued a policy of appeasement in a bid to prevent Adolf Hitler from dragging Europe into another world war. Mr Chamberlain hoped to prevent war at all costs. "I am myself a man of peace to the depths of my … [Read more...] about Why Britain faces a ‘1937 moment’ in Ukraine

Dilbar is one of the world’s largest superyachts. The 512-foot vessel weighs almost 16,000 tonnes and boasts a swimming pool, two helicopter pads, a sauna, a beauty salon, and a gym. According to the US Treasury, it is worth around £650 million. In April, after Russia’s illegal invasion of my country, the German authorities seized Dilbar as it was docked in Hamburg. They moved to act because the owner is Alisher Usmanov, a Russian oligarch once estimated to be the richest person in the UK . Following the invasion, Mr Usmanov, who used to co-own Arsenal Football Club, was placed on Western sanctions lists because of his close ties to Vladimir Putin, the Russian president. The US Treasury said his links to the Kremlin “enrich him and enable his luxurious lifestyle”. It is not yet known what will happen to Dilbar. Legions of lawyers are now reportedly involved. But for Ukraine, it is very clear. The superyacht and all of its 1,000 sofa cushions should be confiscated from … [Read more...] about The West should confiscate Russian assets – and use them to rebuild Ukraine

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron had an 80-minute telephone conversation with Vladimir Putin on Saturday. The two asked for the release of some 2,500 Ukrainian fighters who surrendered at the Azovstal steel mill, ending the siege of the southern port city of Mariupol. While Moscow claims to have taken the strategic town of Lyman and the fighting for Sievierodonetsk continues to rage, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia should not think that it will be holding the cities as they will eventually return to Ukraine. Follow Saturday's developments as they unfolded in our blog below: 05.28.2022 09:20 Saturday's key events: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron held a telephone conversation with Vladimir Putin on Saturday, calling for "serious direct negotiations" with Kyiv and the release of Ukrainian soldiers who surrendered at Azovstal. "The Donbas will be Ukrainian", President … [Read more...] about Ukraine war: Macron, Scholz ask Putin to free captured Azovstal fighters

THE RUSSIAN Grand Prix is in serious doubt after Russian forces invaded Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin declared war on Ukraine after a surprise statement on TV. Formula One are now monitoring the situation after Ukraine that "Putin has launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine". An F1 spokesperson said: "Formula 1 is closely watching the very fluid developments like many others and at this time has no further comment on the race scheduled for September. "We will continue to monitor the situation very closely." Speaking the day before the invasion, Russian F1 driver Nikita Mazepin said he expected the race in Sochi to go ahead. Speaking on Wednesday, he said: "From the understanding that we’ve had with Formula 1 the race is going ahead. And you will surely see me there. “I have always been a big supporter of sport without politics." Most read in Sport CHICK THIS OUT Wimbledon fans' shock at eye-watering cost of a pint and … [Read more...] about Russian Grand Prix in serious doubt after Ukraine invasion with F1 ‘closely watching’ conflict

Russia claims to have taken Lysychansk and thus entire Lugansk region Zelenskyy said his country needed "colossal investments" so people can rebuild their lives German interior minister says Ukrainian refugees face better conditions in EU than Syrians did in 2015 The article was last updated 14:55 UTC/GMT Kremlin accuses Western countries of blocking peace talks with Ukraine Moscow has accused the Western nations of preventing peace negotiations with Ukraine and thus dragging out the war. "Now is the moment when Western countries are betting everything on a continuation of the war," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told state television. Under the leadership of the United States, the West was not allowing Ukrainians "to think about peace, nor to talk about it, nor to discuss it," Peskov said, referring to statements by Western politicians who had said they did not want to pressure Ukraine into negotiations. Nevertheless, the moment for negotiations will come, he … [Read more...] about Ukraine: Russia claims to have full control of Luhansk region — live updates

Published 6 days ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Related Topics Russia-Ukraine war Leaders of the world's seven richest nations have promised to support Ukraine "for as long as it takes" on the second day of a summit in Germany. In a statement, the G7 group also said that Russia must stop blocking food from leaving Ukraine's ports. Addressing the summit via video-link, Ukraine's president appealed for more heavy weapons from Western allies. G7 leaders are under pressure to be united in their approach against increasing Russian aggression. "We will continue to provide financial, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support and stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes," they said in a strongly worded statement on Monday. "We remain appalled by and continue to condemn the brutal, unprovoked, unjustifiable and illegal war of aggression against … [Read more...] about Ukraine war: G7 pledges to stay with Ukraine until the end

By Patrick Jackson Published 6 days ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Related Topics Russia-Ukraine war Russian forces are "storming" the east Ukrainian city of Lysychansk, the local governor says, with eight civilians killed by shelling. Serhiy Haidai, governor of Luhansk region, said 21 other people had been injured in the attack, which came as they collected water from a tanker. Earlier on Monday, he told people to evacuate immediately because of the "real threat to life and health". The nearby city of Severodonetsk fell to the Russians at the weekend. The region is Russia's military focus four months after it invaded Ukraine. Since withdrawing from the area around the capital Kyiv in early April, the Russian military and their separatist allies have been trying to drive Ukrainian government forces out of Luhansk and the neighbouring … [Read more...] about Ukraine war: Russian forces ‘storming’ besieged city of Lysychansk

“If your jewellery isn’t made in New Zealand, there’s no way of knowing where your gold was mined,” said Ash Hilton from Good Gold and Ash Hilton Jewellery. The United States, UK, Canada and Japan are moving to ban imports of Russian gold in a bid to hamper the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine, but New Zealand has not signalled it will follow suit. A spokesperson for Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta said New Zealand was aware of the plan, and was looking at all options to further pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin’s regime, and cut off its financial system from international markets. But for buyers who want to avoid inadvertently buying jewellery made from Russian gold, things are tricky because many jewellers do not disclose the ultimate sources of the gold in their bling. READ MORE: Would you pay $17,499 for a lab-created diamond? Queenstown man selling Central Otago gold mine claim for $80,000 Old rings become treasure as gold rally revives scrap recycling … [Read more...] about Buy locally-made jewellery to avoid Russian conflict gold

Joe Biden mistakenly said Switzerland would be joining Nato instead of Sweden in his latest gaffe during the transatlantic alliance’s summit in Madrid on Thursday. The US president praised the “historic” applications of Finland and Sweden , but went on to incorrectly refer to Switzerland. Mr Biden immediately caught his mistake, joking: “My goodness, I’m getting really anxious here about expanding Nato.” The blunder came in a rare solo press conference as he hailed the Nordic nations’ dramatic shift from decades-long foreign policy in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine . “We’ve invited two new members to join Nato. It was a historic act,” he told reporters, before relating an earlier phone call with the president of Finland. He said: “We got on the telephone, he suggested we call the leader of, Switzerland – Switzerland, my goodness – I’m getting really anxious here about expanding Nato, of Sweden.” Switzerland is not a Nato member and has a long-standing … [Read more...] about Joe Biden mixes up Sweden and Switzerland in Nato gaffe

A host of stars might be performing at this year’s London Pride, but we know it’s your signs and outfits that low-key stole the show. Over a million people descended on the capital today for the 50th anniversary of the first ever march. The sky turned rainbow-coloured as LGBT+ people, allies, activists, politicians, bikers, celebrities and even dogs marched through the capital for the first time since the pandemic. Metro.co.uk is at the scene speaking to people about why the event is so important (and sussing out the very best outfits and signs on display). In a defiant message to religious zealots, one banner said: ‘If God hates us why are we so cute.’ Another religious-themed banner said: ‘Jesus had two dads.’ A third brandished a flag which simply told haters: ‘F**k off’. Other signs carried inspirational messages about inclusivity and being yourself. One person wore a t-shirt which said: ‘The only choice I made was to be myself.’ Another donned … [Read more...] about ‘Jesus had 2 dads’: The best signs on display at London Pride