Russia Approves List of Unfriendly Countries and Territories
Russian government approved a list of countries and territories that are 'unfriendly' with Russia and has imposed sanctions against the country after the start of a special military operation of the Russian Armed Forces in Ukraine.
The list included the United States and Canada, the EU states, the UK (including Jersey, Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, Gibraltar), Ukraine, Montenegro, Switzerland, Albania, Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, North Macedonia, and also Japan, South Korea, Australia, Micronesia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Taiwan.
Mar 07, 2022
Pakistan Remains on FATF's Grey List
The global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog FATF retained Pakistan on its terrorism financing "grey list" and asked Islamabad to address at the earliest the remaining deficiencies in its financial system.
Pakistan has been on the grey list of the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF) since June 2018 for failing to check money laundering, leading to terror financing, and was given a plan of action to complete it by October 2019.
Since then, the country continues to be on that list due to its failure to comply with the FATF mandates. The plenary in March 2022 decided against existing Pakistan from the category despite the country meeting 32 out of 34 action points.
NATO Rejects No-fly Zone over Ukraine
NATO countries refused to police a no-fly zone over Ukraine, warning that such a move could provoke widespread war in Europe with nuclear power Russia.
Under a collective security guarantee binding NATO's 30 member countries Article 5 of its founding treaty all allies must come to the defense of an ally if it finds itself under attack. Any shooting down of a NATO warplane by Russia could trigger that clause.
The only way to implement a no-fly zone is to send NATO fighter planes into Ukrainian airspace, and then impose that no-fly zone by shooting down Russian planes.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appealed for the West to enforce a no-fly zone over his country.
Mar 06, 2022
Ukraine, Russia Agree to Create Safe Corridors
A member of Ukraine's delegation in talks with Russia said that the parties reached a tentative agreement to organise safe corridors for civilians to evacuate and for humanitarian supplies to be delivered.
Cease-fires would be observed in areas where the safe corridors are established.
Russian negotiators in talks with Ukraine said that another round of talks will likely be held shortly.
As per reports, the next round of talks could lead to agreements, some of which would need to be ratified by Russian and Ukrainian parliaments.
Israel's PM Calls on World Leaders to Push Russia, Ukraine to Talks
Israel's Prime Minister called on world leaders to get Russia and Ukraine out of the battlefield and to the negotiating table after a week of fighting.
Israel maintains good relations with both countries. It has condemned Russia's invasion and sent humanitarian aid to Ukraine, but at the same time has avoided taking a stance that might anger Moscow. Russia and Israel cooperate on military operations in Syria.
Mar 05, 2022
Georgia Vows to 'Immediately' Apply for EU Membership
Georgia's ruling party said that it would "immediately" put forward an application to join the European Union.
Irakli Kobakhidze, the chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party, urged the EU to review our application in an urgent manner and to make the decision to grant Georgia the status of an EU membership candidate.
The Caucasian country had initially planned to apply in 2014 but reversed its stance amid pressure from the opposition and demonstrators.
Georgia's expected application to join the EU comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy officially applied for membership amid Russia's ongoing invasion. EU membership could bolster Ukraine's defenses against Russia and improve its economy by joining the single market.
Mar 04, 2022
Europe's Largest Nuclear Plant in Ukraine on Fire after Russian Shelling
Russian troops shelled Europe's largest nuclear power plant in Ukraine.
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant accounts for about one quarter of Ukraine's power generation.
Shells fell directly on the Zaporizhzhia plant and set fire to one of the facility's six reactors. That reactor is under renovation and not operating, but there is nuclear fuel inside