Israeli foreign minister slams EU’s Borrell over Iran outreach

Israeli foreign minister slams EU’s Borrell over Iran outreach

Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid has attacked EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell over a visit to Tehran aimed at relaunching negotiations on the Iran nuclear deal, which Israel has long rejected and tried to undermine in any way it could. As a courtesy, Borrell reached out to Lapid ahead of his visit to Tehran, … Read more

Transparency watchdog boss: Conflict of interest reports ‘serious’ for Munich Security Conference

Transparency watchdog boss: Conflict of interest reports ‘serious’ for Munich Security Conference

BERLIN — Indications that outgoing Munich Security Conference Chairman Wolfgang Ischinger used the conference to further his personal business interests “are serious” and the forum needs to take steps to prevent such activity in the future, Transparency International Chief Executive Daniel Eriksson said. “The accusations are serious and they should be treated seriously by the … Read more

War warnings and calls for unity: Just another day in Ukraine

War warnings and calls for unity: Just another day in Ukraine

KYIV — Facing Western warnings of an “imminent” Russian invasion and a hasty official call for a day of national unity, many Ukrainians Wednesday simply shrugged their shoulders and went about their usual business. A US intelligence warning that Wednesday could be the day Russia invades its neighbor prompted multiple Western governments to tell their … Read more

European Union scrambles to patch up relations at Africa summit

European Union scrambles to patch up relations at Africa summit

Press play to listen to this article It is not easy to pinpoint the nadir of the EU’s great pivot to Africa. The shift in Europe’s focus was trumped with great fanfare by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Council President Charles Michel at the start of their mandates in December 2019. But the … Read more

NATO: No sign of Russian ‘de-escalation on the ground’ in Ukraine crisis

NATO: No sign of Russian ‘de-escalation on the ground’ in Ukraine crisis

NATO said Tuesday it has not seen “any de-escalation on the ground” from Russian forces near Ukraine, despite earlier claims from Moscow that some troops taking part in military exercises were pulling back. “So far we have not seen any de-escalation on the ground, not any signs of reduced Russian military presence on the borders … Read more

Left without a voice, anti-war Russians pen open letters to Putin

Left without a voice, anti-war Russians pen open letters to Putin

MOSCOW — In ordinary times, not being able to influence your country’s politics can feel frustrating. When that country is on the brink of war, it can feel like torture. “It is utterly horrible to find yourself helpless, a person on whom nothing depends,” said Andrei Makarevich, a veteran Russian rock star. His is one … Read more

Scholz, Zelenskiy play down talk of NATO membership for Ukraine

Scholz, Zelenskiy play down talk of NATO membership for Ukraine

Press play to listen to this article KYIV — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy sought Monday to tamp down tension with Russia by suggesting that NATO membership for Ukraine was not on their agenda. At a press conference in Kyiv, Scholz and Zelenskiy played down the likelihood of Ukraine joining the … Read more

German leader ventures to Ukraine and Russia amid warnings of war

German leader ventures to Ukraine and Russia amid warnings of war

Press play to listen to this article BERLIN — Even before Washington warned that a Russian invasion of Ukraine could be imminent, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was facing a daunting double mission to Kyiv and Moscow this week. In Ukraine on Monday, his main task is to pacify national leaders angry at Berlin’s refusal to … Read more

Ukraine urges calm amid fears of invasion

Ukraine urges calm amid fears of invasion

Ukraine’s government asked citizens to remain calm, amid fears a Russian invasion is imminent. in a statements Saturday, Ukraine’s foreign ministry said that armed forces are ready to repel any attack. “It is now critical to remain calm and united within the country, and avoid actions that undermine stability and sow panic,” the statement said. … Read more

U.S. warns war could be ‘imminent’ in Ukraine

U.S. warns war could be ‘imminent’ in Ukraine

The United States warned Friday that a Russian invasion of Ukraine could be imminent and implored all US citizens to urgently leave the country within 24 to 48 hours. The warning came after Washington briefed allies on a scenario in which Russian forces would pour across the border from Belarus, accompanied by cyberattacks and missile … Read more