Tag Archives: Ukraine

President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses the Finnish parliament this morning

This morning/afternoon.

Helsinki, Finland.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (without his friend) told Finland’s parliament  that a “sanction cocktail, that would be remembered just like Molotov cocktails” is needed to halt Russian aggression.

Zelensky asked Finland to “show even more leadership” in the European Union, saying this will be “the biggest contribution in the security of Europe.”

He said that Ukraine needs weapons “that some of the EU partners have,” as well as “powerful efficient sanctions against Russia on a permanent basis.”

Adding:

“We need to think about how to protect Europe from the Russian energy weapon. How much longer can Europe ignore the introduction of embargo against oil supplies from Russia?”

Yesterday: Hello Mum

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Yesterday.

Angel Dzhambazki?

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Kramatorsk railway station

This afternoon.

Via CNN:

The Russian Ministry of Defense issued a statement Friday calling the missile strike on a railway station in the Ukrainian city a “provocation.”

The statement mirrored recent denials of the indiscriminate killing of civilians in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha.

“All the statements of representatives of the Kyiv nationalist regime about the alleged ‘missile attack’ by Russia on April 8 at the railway station in Kramatorsk are a provocation and absolutely do not correspond to reality,” the statement said.

“On April 8, the Russian armed forces did not conduct or plan any artillery fires in the city of Kramatorsk.

“We emphasize that the Tochka-U tactical missiles, the wreckage of which was found near the Kramatorsk railway station and published by eyewitnesses, are used only by the Ukrainian armed forces.”

Ukrainian forces have the Soviet-designed Tochka missile in their inventory but it has also been used by Russian and separatist forces in the past.

Russian Ministry of Defense calls Kramatorsk strike a “provocation” (CNN)

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Gulpski.

Gμlp.

This morning/afternoon.

Athens, Greece.

Via EuraActiv:

The video of Azov Battalion’s soldier triggered the reaction of opposition parties as well as influential members of the ruling New Democracy party.

“The speech of members of the neo-Nazi Azov Battalion in the Greek Parliament is a provocation. The absolute responsibility lies with the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. He talked about a historic day, but it is a historic shame. The solidarity with the Ukrainian people is a given. But the Nazis cannot have a say in Parliament,” Syriza leader Alexis Tsipras posted on Facebook.

Similarly, former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras said allowing this video to be broadcast in the Greek House was a “big mistake”.

…The socialists issued a statement asking why Greek lawmakers had not been informed about the video intervention of an Azov Battalion member and called on the president of the Greek Parliament to bear responsibility.

Zelenskyy speech at Greek parliament overshadowed by Azov video (EuraActiv)

From top: the Dáil chamber yesterday during the address to the joint houses of the Oireachtas by Ukraine President Zelensky; Miniuster For Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney

Last night.

Via RTE News:

Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has said that Ireland would support a complete ban on Russian coal, oil and gas.

Speaking about Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky’s address to the Dáil chamber, Mr Coveney said” “Undoubtedly his (Mr Zelensky’s) biggest ask was for sanctions to be tougher, to act as a strong deterrent to Russia in terms of the continuation of this war,” he added.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Six One News, Mr Coveney said: “I think the EU has signed off, or at least the EU Commission has signed off on a strong fifth package of sanctions and we will hopefully confirm that politically in the next few days.”

He said that while there is a proposed ban on the purchase of coal from Russia into the EU, he would like to see oil added to this.

“I can accept that there are complications in relation to gas, although Ireland would certainly support a complete ban on Russian coal, oil and gas,” he said.

The minister added that he recognises that some countries in the European Union, particularly on its eastern borders, are highly reliant on Russian gas in particular.

Ireland ‘would support complete ban’ on Russian fuel, says Coveney (RTE)

RollingNews

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Yesterday.

This morning.

Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressing a joint sitting of the Oireachtas via video link.

He said:

“Please, I would like you to show more leadership in our anti-war coalition. I would like to ask you to convince EU partners to introduce more rigid sanctions against Russia to make sure the Russian war machine will stop.

“We have to put an end to trading with Russia. We have to cut ties of the Russian banks to the global system and cut the sources of their income from oil that they use for their weapons and killing,”

Earlier: Tour Stop

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Meanwhile…

This morning.

Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2.

RollingNews

Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien has said up to 8,000 Homes currently vacant because their owners are in the care of nursing homes could be used to house Ukrainian refugees

This morning.

Via Irish Times:

Ministers have been briefed on plans to try to make around 8,000 vacant properties linked to the Fair Deal nursing home scheme available to those fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

One option mooted is that the Government could waive the current requirement under the scheme that 80 per cent of rent receipts for Fair Deal properties be returned to the State, which officials hope could lead to many of these being made available. However, the details of the scheme have yet to be worked out.

The Cabinet also heard yesterday that an emergency summit of builders and accommodation providers is to take place next week as the Coalition seeks to find ways to accommodate the thousands of refugees arriving into the State weekly.

Some 18,628 people have come to Ireland so far, with 11,214 requiring help with accommodation and others staying with friends and relatives.

Coalition spokespeople said only a small number of the 20,000 offers of accommodation received by the Red Cross from the public had yet been taken up.

Properties linked to Fair Deal scheme could be used to accommodate Ukrainian refugees (irish Times)

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Anyone?

RollingNews

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky

This morning.

Via RTÉ News:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will address a joint sitting of the Oireachtas this morning via video link.

TDs, Senators and 45 foreign diplomats will gather in the Dáil chamber to hear the historic address by Mr Zelensky, whose country has been repelling a Russian invasion for the past six weeks.

He is expected to speak for ten minutes, in an address which is likely to reference what he describes as war crimes in Bucha and other cities which were occupied by Russian forces.

He is also expected to mention his country’s application to join the European Union – something he wants addressed urgently, and which the Government supports.

It is unclear if he will mention his recent address to EU leaders, regarding their level of support for Ukraine – a speech in which he is reported to have said: “Ireland – well practically.

Ukraine’s president to address joint sitting of Oireachtas (RTE)

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To the pitchforks.

Gulp.

Orwell Road, Rathgar, Dublin 6.

Meanwhile…

….via Irish Mirror:

A source said: “The embassy is struggling because no one wants to do business with them as a result of what’s happening in Ukraine. It’s not only some oil companies they’re having issues with, it’s banks too and many more businesses.”

The Irish Mirror also understands that Bank of Ireland has decided to suspend their accounts with the Russian Embassy in Ireland, according to senior sources.

When contacted, a spokesman for Bank of Ireland said the firm can’t comment on any individual account. It’s understood the embassy also had both its boiler contract and fuel card account ended by separate companies.

A second source said: “The Department of Foreign Affairs wouldn’t be stepping in to get anyone anything.”

Russian Embassy urges Irish government to intervene as it faces fuel shortage with companies refusing to deliver supplies (Irish Mirror)

Sam Boal/RollingNews

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Ew.

Poo-tin.

Sam Boal/RollingNews