Ukraine hails ‘victory’ as EU leaders vote to open membership talks with war-torn state

Ukraine hails ‘victory’ as EU leaders vote to open membership talks with war-torn state

EUROPEAN Union leaders have agreed to open membership negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, a move celebrated as a step towards victory by Volodymyr Zelensky. The Ukrainian President has described it as a “victory for Ukraine” and a “victory for all of Europe” as the decision was announced by the president of the European Council, Charles … Read more

EU at critical juncture over aid to Ukraine

EU at critical juncture over aid to Ukraine

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy Viktor Kovalchuk | Getty Images BRUSSELS — European heads of state are gearing up for a difficult two-day gathering where support for Ukraine is at the top of the agenda, but internal divisions threaten any significant action toward Kyiv. The meeting comes at a crunch time for Ukraine, as President … Read more

West needs to call out China to prevent invasion – POLITICO

West needs to call out China to prevent invasion – POLITICO

Taiwan’s new top diplomat in the United States, Alexander Tah-ray Yui, has called on the U.S. and Europe to not “look the other way” in the face of a potential Chinese invasion of the self-governing island. “The best defense, best help that you can do for Taiwan … is by actively, openly voicing your concerns that … Read more

Europeans open to Ukraine joining EU ahead of major summit, ECFR

Europeans open to Ukraine joining EU ahead of major summit, ECFR

More Europeans support the prospect of Ukraine joining the European Union than oppose it, despite the costs and risks involved, a new survey has found ahead of a key European Council summit this week. Polling of six EU member states indicated considerable support for the admission of Kyiv and, to a lesser extent, Chișinău, Moldova, … Read more

Sullivan: ‘Arithmetic is simple’ on aid for Ukraine, ‘security of Europe is at stake’

Sullivan: ‘Arithmetic is simple’ on aid for Ukraine, ‘security of Europe is at stake’

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan made clear the high stakes of aid for Ukraine on Monday, saying that the fate of a negotiation over billions in funding the country could put all of Europe at risk. “I do not think it’s hyperbole to say that basically the security of Europe is at stake, and therefore … Read more

At COP28, Ukrainians and Palestinians Make Their Cases

At COP28, Ukrainians and Palestinians Make Their Cases

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES —  Undeterred by wars at home, delegations from Ukraine and the Palestinian territories are active at COP28, determined to call attention not only to the environmental threats facing their homelands but also to emphasize their places in the global community. Ukraine, attending its second COP international conference, is using its pavilion … Read more

Germany warns of ‘warmonger Putin’ pushing propaganda at Paris Olympics – POLITICO

Germany warns of ‘warmonger Putin’ pushing propaganda at Paris Olympics – POLITICO

Germany’s sports minister, Nancy Faeser, has called on the International Olympic Committee to examine “very carefully” the backgrounds of Russian and Belarusian athletes competing in next year’s Olympic Games in Paris. Faeser’s comments came a day after the IOC, headed by Germany’s Thomas Bach, announced that Russians and Belarusians would be able to compete in … Read more

The Capital Has a Bad Case of Year-End Panic

The Capital Has a Bad Case of Year-End Panic

Sometimes Washington needs to scare itself silly to get anything done. This year’s repeated threats of government shutdown are classic examples, even if the crisis has not been permanently averted but merely deferred to early 2024. The current panic is over U.S. assistance to Ukraine, which is set to run out at a moment when … Read more

Putin arrests ‘pro-Ukraine saboteur’ over daring behind-enemy-lines plot to blow up railways 3,000 miles inside Russia

Putin arrests ‘pro-Ukraine saboteur’ over daring behind-enemy-lines plot to blow up railways 3,000 miles inside Russia

RUSSIAN security service officers detained a suspect in an allegedly audacious operation by Ukrainian intelligence to explode a key rail link in Siberia.  Two mammoth explosions hit oil tanker wagons on freight trains blocking a tunnel and secondary route reportedly used to deliver North Korean shells to Vladimir Putin’s troops in Ukraine.  5 Two explosions hit oil … Read more

Taiwan opens first medical training centre for treating combat injuries as cross-strait tensions run high

Taiwan opens first medical training centre for treating combat injuries as cross-strait tensions run high

With tensions running high across the Taiwan Strait and the risk of conflict looming, the island seeks to improve medical training for treating complex injuries like those seen in conflicts including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the Israel-Gaza war. “The inauguration of the tactical combat casualty care facility represents the overall upgrading of the expertise … Read more