Tag Archives: Russia

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and attendees applaud after Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed a meeting of the Joint Expeditionary Force in London yesterday

This morning/afternoon.

Russia said parts of a possible peace deal with Ukraine were close to being agreed after Kyiv agreed to discuss military neutrality, raising hopes of an end to conflict.

Via Independent.co.uk:

Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov told RBC news that neutrality was being “seriously discussed” along with security guarantees for Ukraine outside of Nato membership.

He said it was his view that certain solutions were “close to agreement”.

Volodymyr Zelensky yesterday said Ukraine should accept it will not be part of Nato, hinting at a concession on a key Russian demand.

Meanwhile a Russian siege at a hospital in Mariupol continued with more than 400 hostages trapped amid heavy artillery fire, Ukraine’s deputy prime minister Iryna Vereshchuk said.

Russia claims parts of peace deal ‘close’ as troops ‘take 400 hostage in hospital (Independent.co.uk)

CNN

Meanwhile…

Um.

Meanwhile…

Oh.

This afternoon.

Belgrave Square, London, England

Squatters briefly occupied the central London mansion of Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, owner of the Aughinish Alumina refinery in Limerick.  A group of five protesters broke into the property saying they wished to open it to refugees from Ukraine.

Downing Street said it is exploring whether Ukrainian refugees could be housed in the mansions of sanctioned Russian oligarchs.

Friday: Some Oligarchs Are More Equal Than Others

Pic: MailOnline

Russian President Vladimir Putin and billionaire, businessman Oleg Deripaska, owner of the Aughinish Alumina refinery in Limerick

This morning.

Translation:

‘I have just been informed informally that the Russian oligarch, Wolf partner and Strabag major shareholder Oleg Deripaska has been REMOVED FROM THE EU sanctions list at the request of Austrian Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer and Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, among others.’

Anyone?

Yesterday: Billionaire Oleg Deripaska, owner of Aughinish Alumina in Limerick, hit with sanctions (Irish Examiner)

Oleg Deripaska: Putin ‘favourite’ with strong ties to UK politics (The Guardian)

30 bio-weapons labs were commissioned by the Pentagon in Ukraine, The Russian MOD has claimed

This morning.

Via AP:

The U.N. Security Council scheduled a meeting today at Russia’s request to discuss what Moscow claims are “the military biological activities of the U.S. on the territory of Ukraine,” allegations vehemently denied by the Biden administration.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said  that the World Health Organization, which has been working with the Ukrainian government, “said they are unaware of any activity on the part of the Ukrainian government which is inconsistent with its international treaty obligations, including on chemical weapons or biological weapons.”

Meanwhile…

A network comprised of some 30 bioweapons laboratories was formed in Ukraine, with the activities conducted in these labs being commissioned by the US Ministry of Defense, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed.

UN council to meet on Russian claim of US labs in Ukraine (AP)

Meanwhile..

Via Reuters:

The World Health Organsation advised Ukraine to destroy high-threat pathogens housed in the country’s public health laboratories to prevent “any potential spills” that would spread disease among the population, the agency told Reuters on Thursday.

Biosecurity experts say Russia’s movement of troops into Ukraine and bombardment of its cities have raised the risk of an escape of disease-causing pathogens, should any of those facilities be damaged.

In response to questions from Reuters about its work with Ukraine ahead of and during Russia’s invasion, the WHO said in an email that it has collaborated with Ukrainian public health labs for several years to promote security practices that help prevent “accidental or deliberate release of pathogens.”

“As part of this work, WHO has strongly recommended to the Ministry of Health in Ukraine and other responsible bodies to destroy high-threat pathogens to prevent any potential spills,” the WHO, a United Nations agency, said.

The WHO would not say when it had made the recommendation nor did it provide specifics about the kinds of pathogens or toxins housed in Ukraine’s laboratories. The agency also did not answer questions about whether its recommendations were followed.

Anyone?

Exclusive: WHO says it advised Ukraine to destroy pathogens in health labs to prevent disease spread (Reuters)

Yesterday: “In The Words Of My Irish-Catholic Grandfather, A Bunch Of Malarkey”

St David’s Hall, Cardiff, Wales

This morning/afternoon.

The Cardiff Philharmonic has cancelled an all-Tchaikovsky programme as ‘inappropriate at this time’.

The orchestra says:

‘In light of the recent Russian invasion of Ukraine, Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra, with the agreement of St David’s Hall, feel the previously advertised programme including the 1812 Overture to be inappropriate at this time. The orchestra hope you will continue to support them and enjoy the revised programme.’

Via Slipped Disc:

‘The concert included his decidedly apolitical second symphony, known as The Little Russian.

‘This is unutterably stupid. At the start of the First World War, the Proms conductor Sir Henry Wood informed the British government that he would continue performing Wagner and other Germans. The same rule prevailed in the Hitler war.

‘Only the Nazis ever banned Tchaikovsky.

‘Welcome to Cardiff 2022.’

Wales Bans Tchaikovsk (Slipped Disc)

Meanwhile…

Gulspki.

Mail man changes his ‘Russian-sounding’ name (The Spectator)

This afternoon.

Dail Eireann.

Alan Duncan, Labour TD and potential party leadership candidate, flexes his Russiaphobia shares his concern about Russians working at the embassy when we have ‘no strong trade or cultural links’ with Russia.

Fight!

*plays 1812 Overture at low volume*

The Russian Embassy, Dublin 6 yesterday

This morning.

Oh dear.

Earlier: “I’ve Done My Bit Lads”

RollingNews

Meanwhile…

Hmm.

Meanwhile…

Ah now.

This afternoon.

Destinations for Ukrainians fleeing the conflict as of March 6, via the United Nations High Commission For Refugees (UNHCR).

Meanwhile..

 

Taoiseach Micheal Martin

…via RTÉ News:

The Taoiseach has said about 1,800 Ukrainian refugees have arrived in Ireland so far – 486 of whom arrived yesterday.

Speaking to Newstalk, Micheál Martin said about two thirds of arrivals have connections with families in Ireland, but that number is decreasing.

He described the scenes at the Ukraine border as “horrific” and said the numbers queuing to cross the border represents the worst displacement of people since World War II.

“So this is a major humanitarian crisis on the continent of Europe, and the response to that will have to be outside of the norm,” he said.

“It can’t be business as usual in terms of how one responds to that and Government will be giving this consideration tomorrow morning at its Cabinet meeting.”

1,800 Ukrainian refugees have arrived in Ireland, says Taoiseach (RTE)

Meanwhile…

This afternoon.

Belarus.

Via BBC

As a third round of talks between Russia and Ukraine begins, the Ukrainian negotiator Mykhailo Podolyak urges Russia to halt attacks on civilians.

In a tweet, he says: “In a few minutes, we will start talking to representatives of a country that seriously believes large-scale violence against civilians is an argument. Prove that this is not the case.”

Ukrainian negotiator urges halt to attack on civilians (BBC)

The Athgarvan Grain Mill, Blackrath, County Kildare

This morning.

Further to a call by Charlie McConalogue, Minister for Agriculture, for farmers to grow more grain due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine…

…via Irish Examiner:

the Irish Farmers’ Association said in a statement that there has “been no discussion with farmers” regarding reports that they may be required to grow crops in 2022.

“We are in very challenging times and farmers will certainly play our part in any national or European effort,” said IFA President Tim Cullinan.

“However, it is far from certain that asking all farmers to plant crops is the best use of the resources that are likely to be available to us.”

To the pitchforks!

Farmers asked to grow grain due to potential shortages from war in Ukraine (Irish Examiner)

RollingNews