MOSCOW – Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday blamed the USA and Europe for the power issues they’re going through, saying they stoked fears about local weather change to spice up assist for renewable power however then underinvested.
Talking on Russian TV, Putin mentioned these international locations adopted a short-sighted insurance policies that relied too closely on renewable power sources resembling photo voltaic, wind and hydrogen.
These applied sciences weren’t but prepared for large deployment or had been too costly, he mentioned, and Europe and the USA downplayed the position of what they had been supposed to interchange: hydrocarbons. The outcome was under-development and under-investment in power, and a rise in costs, based on Putin.
Exacerbating the issue, in his view, is that Europeans – regardless of Moscow’s warnings – declined to keep up long-term pure gasoline provide contracts with Russia.
The upper pure gasoline costs additionally elevated fertilizer prices. Pure gasoline is closely utilized in fertilizer manufacturing.
“However we warned about that, and it isn’t linked in any technique to Russia’s army operation in Donbass,” Putin added.
A number of European international locations are closely depending on Russia oil and pure gasoline and have been speeding to seek out options now that they’ve adopted sanctions — together with power embargoes — towards Moscow for its army operation in Ukraine.
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KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR:
— Lethal secret: Digital warfare shapes Russia-Ukraine struggle
— Analysts assume Russia could also be in Ukraine to remain after 100 days of struggle
— AP PHOTOS: Russian malls half-empty after Western companies exit
— At 100 days, Russia-Ukraine struggle by the numbers
— US and allies: Maintain Russia accountable for Ukraine crimes
— Russian Orthodox chief skips EU sanctions because of Hungary’s Orban
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Comply with AP’s protection of the struggle in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
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OTHER DEVELOPMENTS:
MOSCOW – Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday blamed the West for rising world meals and power crises and repeated his authorities’s presents of protected passage for ships exporting grain from Ukraine if mines are faraway from the waters.
“In fact, we are actually seeing makes an attempt to shift the accountability for what is occurring on the world meals market, the rising issues on this market, onto Russia,” he instructed Russian TV. “I need to say that that is an try, as our folks say, to shift these issues from a sick to a wholesome head.”
As reported by the state-run Tass information company, Putin additionally mentioned Western sanctions towards Russia would solely worsen world markets – lowering the harvest and driving up costs.
He mentioned inflation stemmed from the unprecedented greenback “printing press” through the coronavirus pandemic and blamed short-sighted European insurance policies for under-investment in options to conventional power provides and value will increase.
The Kremlin chief mentioned Russia wasn’t blocking grain shipments from Ukraine and that the West is utilizing Russia as a scapegoat for its issues.
Putin pledged that if the waters had been demined, Russia would not assault grain shipments and advised they may very well be constituted of the Ukrainian port of Berdyansk or different international locations, resembling Belarus. Berdyansk is underneath Russian occupation.
“We cannot make the most of the state of affairs of demining to undertake any sea assaults,” Putin mentioned.
These had been Putin’s most intensive feedback so far on the rising meals disaster.
Putin’s positions on these points battle with explanations given by Ukraine and its allies.
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GENEVA — Switzerland’s authorities on Friday mentioned it will not honor a request by Denmark to ship almost two-dozen Swiss-made armored personnel carriers to Ukraine, citing Swiss “neutrality legislation” that bans the export of struggle materials to a rustic at struggle.
The manager Federal Council confirmed the choice, reported in Swiss media this week, on Friday simply because the Swiss authorities additionally introduced that it might enable the switch of some army gear to Germany and Britain as they replenish provides that the 2 international locations have despatched to Ukraine.
The announcement testified to the fantastic line Swiss authorities are treading to carry to Switzerland’s authorized requirement to stay impartial as specified by the Conflict Materiel Act, which bars the switch of Swiss-made weapons methods, ammunition and different struggle materials to a rustic concerned in a global battle.
Denmark had requested that Switzerland switch 22 Swiss-made Piranha III wheeled armored personnel carriers, which Denmark had procured and saved in Germany, to Ukraine.
Beforehand, the Swiss rejected a German request to ship Swiss-made 35mm ammunition for Gepard anti-aircraft weapons to Ukraine.
Nevertheless, the Swiss government mentioned it might enable the export of some elements for hand-held anti-tank weapons and anti-aircraft weapons parts sought by Germany and Italy. It acknowledged these elements might find yourself in Ukraine, however the elements concerned would characterize lower than half the worth of the full weaponry’s worth.
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REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. — President Joe Biden on Friday mentioned he thinks a “negotiated settlement” will likely be vital to finish Russia’s struggle in Ukraine.
Requested whether or not Ukraine ought to surrender a few of its territory to Russia with a purpose to finish the struggle and produce peace to the area, Biden mentioned his coverage continues to be that the USA is not going to make any selections about Ukraine with out Ukraine.
He mentioned “it is their territory” and “I am not going to inform them what they need to and should not do.”
However the U.S. chief additionally mentioned “it seems to me that in some unspecified time in the future alongside the road there’s going to need to be a negotiated settlement right here.” He mentioned he doesn’t know what such an settlement would seem like however that the U.S. will proceed to assist Ukrainians defend themselves.
Biden commented from Delaware on Friday, the one hundredth day of Russia’s invasion.
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PARIS — A French particular person was killed “in fight” in Ukraine, the Overseas Ministry mentioned Friday.
The ministry didn’t elaborate in its written response to a journalist’s query in regards to the demise of a French volunteer fighter within the Kharkiv area.
The ministry, which holds digital written briefings, famous that Ukraine “within the totality of its territory is a struggle zone.” France advises anybody towards going there “regardless of the motive.”
French are amongst quite a few international fighters who headed to Ukraine after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s name for volunteers to hitch a global brigade quickly after Russia invaded the nation Feb. 24.
The variety of French volunteers is just not identified.
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GENEVA — A Ukrainian ambassador mentioned Russia is taking part in “starvation video games” with the world by attempting to depict sanctions towards Moscow as the explanation that grain cannot transit the Black Sea – and never Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Yevheniia Filipenko, Ukraine’s envoy to the U.N. workplace in Geneva, spoke in an interview on the 100-day mark since Russian army forces invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24.
As grain exports dry up by Ukraine’s embattled or captured ports, Filipenko mentioned Russia has sought to pin the blame for the blockage on Ukraine and Western sanctions which were levied by the 1000’s towards Moscow.
“Russia has performed starvation video games lately to place the blame on Ukraine and others for blocking Ukrainian meals exports,” she mentioned.
Filipenko mentioned Ukrainian forces had been intensely motivated to guard their homeland and would someday win the struggle. She echoed calls from different prime Ukrainian officers for extra weapons.
“We’re combating for freedom of Europe and the entire world. So the subsequent 100 days will likely be very busy for all of us,” she mentioned.
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BRUSSELS — The European Union says it has focused Russian army officers linked to atrocities in Ukraine in its newest spherical of sanctions, together with prime brass accused of struggle crimes in Bucha and the siege of Mariupol.
The EU froze the belongings of 65 folks and imposed journey bans on them. The bloc has now focused nearly 1,160 folks, together with President Vladimir Putin, pro-Kremlin oligarchs and different prime officers over Russia’s actions in Ukraine since 2014.
The EU mentioned Friday that Colonel Azatbek Omurbekov and Colonel-Common Mikhail Mizintsev, often called the ‘Butcher of Mariupol,’ had been amongst these on the listing.
It mentioned Omurbekov “was main the actions of his army unit and nicknamed ‘the Butcher of Bucha’ attributable to his direct accountability in killings, rapes and torture in Bucha,” on the outskirts of Kyiv.
It accused Mizintsev “of orchestrating the bombardments of the town of Mariupol, killing 1000’s of civilians, together with the shelling of a Mariupol maternity hospital and a theatre, killing a whole lot of youngsters.”
EU international coverage chief Josep Borrell mentioned “there might be no impunity for struggle crimes.”
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CHISINAU, Moldova — Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has paid an official go to to Moldova, which borders Ukraine, in a public present of assist for the nation witnessing Russia’s ambitions within the area up shut and sheltering 1000’s of Ukrainian refugees.
Sánchez mentioned Spain would get up for Moldova’s territorial integrity, in a reference to Transnistria and Russia’s army presence there.
Transnistria is a disputed, Russian-backed breakaway state that borders southwestern Ukraine. Professional-Russian forces broke it off from Moldova in 1992, and Russian troops have been stationed there ever since, ostensibly as peacekeepers.
Sánchez assured President Maia Sandu at a press convention Friday in Chisinau, the capital, that Moldova has Spain’s “resounding” assist and “our dedication to solidarity with the Moldovan authorities and the Moldovan folks at a time of nice issue and worldwide political rigidity.”
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KYIV, Ukraine — A regional governor in jap Ukraine says intense combating is continuous in a key city that has confronted an enormous Russian offensive.
Luhansk Gov. Serhiy Haidai instructed The Related Press that “fierce battles are persevering with in Sievierodonetsk,” the place about 13,000 residents left within the metropolis are sheltering in basements to flee relentless Russian bombardment.
Haidai mentioned Friday that the Russian forces had been additionally pummeling the close by metropolis of Lysychansk that has remained underneath Ukrainian management. Some 20,000 residents, or about one-fifth of Lysychansk’s pre-war inhabitants, have remained within the metropolis which has seen 60% of its residential buildings and civilian infrastructure shattered by the Russian shelling. Haidai mentioned a civilian was killed within the Russian shelling of Lysychansk on Friday.
He instructed the AP that the Russians have been shelling a key freeway linking Lysychansk with Bakhmut, however that it remained underneath Ukrainian management.
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LVIV, Ukraine — A Ukrainian army analyst says a Russian offensive in jap Ukraine has slowed down amid staunch Ukrainian resistance.
Mykola Sunhurovsky of the Razumkov Middle, a Kyiv-based think-tank, mentioned Friday that “the Russians are combating for each block and each road” within the jap metropolis of Lysychansk, including that “it has disadvantaged them of the initiative.” Lysychansk, the executive middle of the jap Luhansk area has turn into an area of fierce combating this week because it has confronted an enormous Russian assault.
Sunhurovsky charged that “the Russian offensive within the area has began to decelerate, they’ve misplaced too many forces and want a tactical break.”
He famous that “time is working in Ukraine’s favor as provides of Western weapons are rising, making the Kremlin nervous,” however added that Western provides have taken time to achieve Ukraine, forcing Kyiv to “drag out time within the east to build up forces for a counter-offensive.”
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MOSCOW — The Kremlin says it would press on with its army operations in Ukraine till its objectives are met.
Requested how the Kremlin views progress in Ukraine 100 days into the struggle Friday, President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov mentioned Russian troops have succeeded of their predominant activity of defending civilians in areas on Ukraine’s east managed by Moscow-backed separatists.
Peskov mentioned that Russian forces have “liberated” many areas in Ukraine from the “pro-Nazi” Ukrainian army and nationalist items, including that “this work will proceed till all of the objectives of the particular army operation are achieved.”
Talking throughout a convention name with reporters, Peskov was evasive when requested whether or not Russian authorities are planning to carry referendums in these areas to hitch Russia, saying that it’ll rely upon how the state of affairs evolves. Peskov and different Russian officers have mentioned repeatedly that it is going to be as much as the residents of these areas to find out their standing.
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KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says his nation will not cease its resistance towards the Russian invasion.
Zelensky on Friday issued a video message to mark 100 days of struggle. Surrounded by different prime officers, Zelenskyy appeared defiant.
“Our workforce is way bigger,” says Zelenskyy. “The Ukrainian Armed Forces are right here. Most significantly, our individuals are right here.”
“We’ve defended Ukraine for 100 days already,” he provides.” Victory will likely be ours!”
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BERLIN — The German authorities has rejected strategies by Russia that western sanctions and never Moscow’s struggle in Ukraine are in charge for the worldwide scarcity of grains.
“It is a narrative that we need to strongly resist,” mentioned spokeswoman Andrea Sasse.
Responding to an AP query about Putin’s assembly with Senegal’s President Macky Sall in Sochi Friday, Sasse mentioned it was a reality that the specter of famine in elements of the world and that some international locations will likely be lower off from grain imports are “a results of the Russian struggle of assault and never the results of western sanctions.”
A spokesman for Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Wolfgang Buechner, rejected what he referred to as Putin’s “anti-western propaganda” claiming that the West’s financial and monetary insurance policies in addition to “anti-Russian sanctions” are liable for the issue.
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ZAGREB, Croatia — Croatia’s international ministry says a Croatian citizen has been wounded in Ukraine and will likely be transferred to Croatia.
Croatia’s state HRT tv says that the person was combating as a volunteer in Ukraine. The international ministry instructed the station that the person is protected and receiving medical consideration.
No different particulars had been instantly out there.
Final month, Croatian authorities mentioned that Russian troops detained a Croatian citizen who was combating alongside Ukrainian fighters in Mariupol.
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MOSCOW — The Kremlin says that Ukrainian grain provides to world markets will likely be on the agenda for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s talks with the chairman of the African Union, Senegalese President Macky Sall.
Ukraine is among the world’s largest exporters of wheat, corn and sunflower oil. Ukrainian authorities and their Western supporters have accused Russia of endangering world meals provides with a naval blockade of Ukraine’s ports. Russia has denied blocking the ports and mentioned Ukraine wanted to take away sea mines to permit protected delivery.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov mentioned Putin plans to provide Sall a “detailed clarification” of Russia’s view of the state of affairs and “clarify once more what is going on on there, who mined the ports, what is important to do to permit the grain move to renew.”
African international locations imported 44% of their wheat from Russia and Ukraine between 2018 and 2020, based on U.N. figures. Wheat costs have spiked 45% because of the war-related disruption of provides, based on the African Growth Financial institution.
