European Union Split over Expanding Bloc to Include Russia-hit Ukraine
After Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appealed to the European Union for Kyiv's inclusion in the top European body, there are reports of split within the organisation over the speculated merger. Top European Union official Charles Michel said that there were disagreements among the 27 member states on enlarging the power bloc.
As per Michel, Ukraine would have to officially submit a request to join EU before its member states, who would have to approve the membership unanimously.
Zelensky had appealed for Ukraine to be included in the EU amid its defence against the Russian invasion.
Zelensky's appeal comes amid the first round of negotiations between delegations between Russia and Ukraine in Belarus. Ahead of the meet, the Ukrainian President had demanded 'immediate ceasefire' and the withdrawal of Russian troops from the Ukrainian territory.
Russian Forces Destroy World's Biggest Cargo plane in Ukraine
The world's largest aircraft, the Antonov An-225, nicknamed 'Mriya' (Dream in Ukrainian), was destroyed in the battle of Antonov Airport during the ongoing Russian onslaught on Ukraine.
The Antonov An-225 Mriya aircraft took its first flight on December 21, 1988.
Designed as a shuttle carrier aircraft for the Soviet space program, the 84-metres long Mriya could carry ultra-heavy and oversized freight weighing up to 250,000 kg internally or 200,000 kg on the upper fuselage at a speed of 850 km per hour.
It held multiple records, including being the heaviest aircraft ever built and having the largest wingspan of any aircraft in operation service. It had the wingspan of almost the length of a cricket stadium.
UNGA President Shahid Calls for Immediate Ceasefire
Russia's military offensive is a violation of Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty, President of the UN General Assembly Abdulla Shahid said as he called for an immediate ceasefire and full return to diplomacy and dialogue.
Shahid, presiding over a rare emergency special session of the 193-member UN body on Ukraine, voiced grave concern about the fast-deteriorating situation and ongoing military action in Ukraine.
The military offensive by the Russian Federation is a violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine and is inconsistent with the Charter of the United Nations.
As Belarusian leader Aleksandr Lukashenko hosted the first face-to-face talks between the Russian and Ukrainian delegation since Russia's special military operation in eastern Ukraine, Shahid said this rare window of opportunity has opened up for dialogue.
Feb 28, 2022
Biden Nominates Ketanji Brown Jackson to Top Court
President Joe Biden nominated Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, calling her "one of the nation's brightest legal minds".
She will be the first black woman to serve in the court's 233-year history if confirmed.
She would replace liberal Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer when he retires at the end of the court's term in June.
With the Senate divided 50-50 between the parties, Democrats have just enough votes to confirm President Biden's choice if they all back her.
Ukrainian President Moves International Court of Justice against Russia
Ukraine moved the International Court of Justice in The Hague over the Russian military operation that started in Ukraine and urged the top court to order Russia to cease hostilities.
Ukraine submitted its application against Russia to the ICJ. Russia must be held accountable for manipulating the notion of genocide to justify aggression.
Ukraine has officially filed a lawsuit against Russia in the UN International Court of Justice in The Hague.
Putin Puts Russia's Nuclear Deterrence on Alert Amid Tensions with West
President Vladimir Putin ordered Russian nuclear deterrent forces on alert amid tensions with the West over his invasion of Ukraine.
Putin asserted that leading NATO powers had made aggressive statements along with the West imposing hard-hitting financial sanctions against Russia, including the President himself.
Defiant Final Words as all Ukranian Soldiers on Snake Island are killed
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that Zmiinyi Island – also known as Snake Island – has fallen to Russian forces, with all defenders killed in the desperate battle.
The tiny island, located in the Black Sea in the Odessa region, plays an important role in delimiting Ukrainian territorial waters.
However, there are also reports the defenders of the island may still be alive and are now prisoners of war.
Mr. Zelensky paid tribute to those he believed were killed in the invasion.
Guterres Appoints Amin Awad of Sudan UN Crisis Coordinator for Ukraine
The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appointed Amin Awad of Sudan as Assistant Secretary-General to serve as United Nations Crisis Coordinator for Ukraine.
Awad, who has served in a range of senior roles with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), including as Director for the Bureau for the Middle East and North Africa and Director of Division of Emergency, Security and Supply, brings with him over 30 years of experience in the field of humanitarian affairs, strategic action, planning and development.
Awad has also served in leadership roles in complex field operations, including as UNHCR Representative in Sri Lanka, Regional Coordinator for the Iraq Operations and Humanitarian Coordinator and Representative in North Macedonia.
Feb 27, 2022
India and China Abstain on UNSC Resolution against Russia
As expected India abstained on the United Nations Security Council resolution prepared to call out Russia's needless assault on the sovereignty of Ukraine and demanded complete and unconditional withdrawal of Russian forces from the neighbouring country.
The resolution, which was prepared and moved by the US in partnership with Albania, received 11 votes for motion while India was joined by China and UAE in abstaining from the vote and maintaining a neutral approach to the conflict.
Meanwhile, as feared, Russia used its veto power to quash the resolution that condemns the country's aggression in the strongest term but Western nations said that the resolution seeks to show Moscow's isolation on the global stage for its invasion and actions against Ukraine.
Pakistan Ready to Scrap CPEC, if US Offers Similar Assistance
As per reports, amid the growing economic woes and international isolation forcing over-reliance on China, Pakistani officials are ready to scrap the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), if the US could offer a similar deal.
Imran Khan has been attempting to warm up relations with the US, even appointing Moeed Yusuf, a US-based Pakistani analyst who worked for years for the US government-funded United States Institute of Peace, as national security advisor.
Pakistan's prospects for better ties with the US diminished further when the US declared Qatar as its diplomatic representative in Afghanistan in November 2021, making Doha, to quote Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the "protecting power" for the US in Afghanistan.
Feb 26, 2022
Ukraine Breaks Diplomatic Relations with Russia
Soon after Russia launched its military operations in the Donbas region, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the decision of severing his country's diplomatic relations with Moscow.
Ukraine gained independence in 1991 after the disintegration of the Soviet Union.
Amid Russia's military operations, Ukraine introduced martial law and urged citizens to remain calm. Ukraine closed the airspace for civilian aircraft due to the high risk of aviation safety.
Feb 25, 2022
Former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani Removed from UN Heads of State List
The names of former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and former Foreign Minister Mohammad Hanif Atmar were removed from the UN Heads of State List.
Meanwhile, Naseer Ahmad Faiq was named as Charge affairs of Afghanistan on the list of Permanent Representatives of States to the UN.
Afghanistan's seat at the UN had become a contested issue after the resignation of the former Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Afghanistan Ghulam Mohammad Ishaczai following the fall of Kabul in August 2021.
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