The White House announced that the United States will impose new sanctions on Iran “in the coming days” because of Iran's support for Russia's war against Ukraine.
Four European Union member states have warned that Germany's gas tax, which seeks to reduce dependence on Russian supplies, is driving up fuel prices.
The Latvian parliament has banned the import of agricultural products from Russia and Belarus, becoming the first European Union country to introduce such a ban.
President Macron invites European leaders to talk about Ukraine
Polish President Andrzej Duda announced Thursday that French President Emmanuel Macron will invite European leaders to Paris next week to discuss proposals to help war-torn Ukraine.
As the Russian invasion enters its third year and Kiev's military becomes increasingly weak due to ammunition shortages, European pressure to strengthen is mounting. Meanwhile, Congress is struggling to approve more than $60 billion in aid to the country due to opposition from Republicans close to President Donald Trump.
“President Macron has invited a number of European leaders in a rather ad hoc manner to discuss new proposals and solutions for Ukraine,” Duda said in an interview with Polsat Broadcasting. “In addition to Poland, leaders of many countries have been invited.”
US imposes sanctions on Iran for supporting Russia's war in Ukraine
The White House announced that the United States will impose new sanctions on Iran “in the coming days” because of Iran's support for Russia's war against Ukraine.
White House Press Secretary John Kirby cited Iran's decision to supply Moscow with surface-to-surface ballistic missiles, reported by Reuters, in a move aimed at deepening military ties between the two countries. be.
Kirby said the United States does not conduct independent verification of arms transfers. He added that President Joe Biden nevertheless intends to move forward with sanctions on Iran, citing Russia's “continued support” for the war. Penalties could increase if Iran hands over the missiles.
“We plan to impose additional sanctions on Iran in the coming days, and we stand ready to impose further sanctions if Iran sells ballistic missiles to Russia,” Kirby told reporters.
Iran is already under severe sanctions from the United States, and additional financial measures would be a symbolic rebuke. Biden also said he would announce new sanctions against Russia on Friday, coinciding with the two-year anniversary of the end of the war in Ukraine and following the death of imprisoned Russian dissident Alexei Navalny.
EU countries warn Germany's gas tax could increase dependence on Russia
Four European Union member states have warned that Germany's gas tax is driving up fuel prices as the bloc seeks to reduce its dependence on Russian supplies.
The country introduced the tariff at the peak of Europe's energy crisis in 2022, after Russia restricted gas supplies and Germany had to spend billions of euros to fill storage facilities.
According to documents seen by Bloomberg, Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia said the levy – paid by traders and utilities further down the supply chain and intended to cover refilling costs – will It said it would undermine the energy security of the wider region. .
The opposition to the levy comes as the European Commission aims to end its agreement with Russia on gas flows through Ukraine at the end of this year. The four countries are most exposed to supply disruptions via the Ukraine route, which still accounts for around 14 billion cubic meters of gas supplies to the EU.
The levy, which will be extended until March 2027, increases the cost of gas exported from Germany, which has been increased several times since its introduction and currently stands at 1.86 euros per megawatt hour, the newspaper said. Liquefied natural gas from Germany is one of the key routes envisioned by the EU to fill Russia's supply shortfalls.
The document, which is due to be presented at a meeting of energy ministers on March 4, says that “increased transport costs will have a disproportionate impact on the Central and Eastern European region, making it difficult for member states in the region to import gas from Western Europe. “It makes it more difficult to access.” .
“This could force some member states to increase their dependence on gas imports from Russia, increasing geopolitical dependence and forcing them to diversify their energy sources,” the report said. It could undermine all your efforts,” he added.
Latvia becomes the first EU country to ban imports of Russian agricultural products
The country's parliament voted in favor of the ban on Thursday, leading the domestic voice to punish Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This restriction does not affect the transportation of grain to other markets.
Latvia has been one of Europe's harshest critics of Moscow's war, lobbying for more arms deliveries to Kiev and tougher sanctions. The Latvian parliament has banned the import of agricultural products from Russia and Belarus, becoming the first European Union country to introduce such a ban.
The Baltic states unsuccessfully sought a ban on imports of Russian grain at the EU level.
“Economic security is an important aspect of national security,” said Budget Committee Chair Janice Lehrs. statement. “Consuming products of Russian origin directly or indirectly supports this criminal regime and is incompatible with society's morals.”
Putin's latest show of power is flying a nuclear bomber
President Vladimir Putin has flown aboard Russia's latest strategic bomber, capable of carrying nuclear warheads, in a show of military might as the war in Ukraine looks set to take a turn for the worse.
Interfax news agency reported that Putin took off on a 30-minute flight in a Tu-160M from an aircraft factory that produces jets in Kazan, 720 kilometers east of Moscow. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the bomber's route had not been disclosed, according to Interfax news agency.
“We are receiving new technology and better equipment,” Putin said after the flight, according to state news agency TASS, adding that the plane would be operated by the air force.
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that the Tu-160 is the world's fastest missile-carrying bomber currently in service, capable of reaching speeds of up to 2,200 km/h. In contrast, the U.S. strategic bomber B-1B Lancer has a speed of over 1,440 km/h. Air Force.
EU farmers call on EU to restrict Ukraine trade measures
European Union farmers are calling on the EU parliament to restrict free trade measures introduced in solidarity with Ukraine, saying they are putting the region's economy and single market at risk. claims.
The EU Commission met on Wednesday and passed without approval a draft document changing the terms of so-called voluntary trade measures, according to a joint statement by a group representing several agricultural organizations. “There is now an urgent need for the European Parliament to act.”
“Without a more strategic outlook, Europe faces a double setback,” the statement said. “On the one hand, disruption to the domestic market is likely to intensify, and on the other hand, traditional Ukrainian markets are being replaced by Russian grains and products.”
The special measures were granted to Ukraine in response to Russia's invasion and trade liberalization, and include the suspension of import duties, quotas and trade defense measures on goods imported from Ukraine. Over the past few months, they have joined in several complaints raised by farmers across the EU.
Denmark pledges to support Ukraine's security over the next 10 years
The Danish government has pledged to support Ukraine's security for 10 years, pledging military equipment and financial support to help defend and rebuild the war-torn country.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said at a press conference Thursday that the pledge is similar to pledges made by other European countries this year, including Britain, Germany and France.
“The situation in Ukraine is critical. We know these donations will make a difference,” she said. Denmark is already one of Ukraine's biggest donors, but “we need to do more,” she added.
Since Russia's major attack, the Nordic country of 6 million people has so far Given the Military aid is worth about $4.8 billion and civilian aid is worth about $450 million, with plans to double that amount by 2028. The prime minister said it was too early to estimate how much additional spending Denmark would make under the new commitments.
“It will be expensive, but freedom comes at a price,” Frederiksen said. “All allies need to spend more.”
Last year, Denmark, along with the Netherlands, first Ukraine promised to provide F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, but those deliveries subsequently stopped taking place. delay. Defense Minister Tørs Lund Poulsen said at the same briefing that the first F-16s are scheduled to be delivered “this summer,” adding that Denmark would do so. deliver The next military aid package to Ukraine will include 15,000 artillery shells.
Tusk says there is no need to meet with Zelenskiy to quell border protests
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said there was no need to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at the border to lift a blockade on farmers that is blocking shipments from the war-torn country.
At a news conference in Warsaw on Thursday, Tusk pledged to introduce special arrangements in the border area to ensure safe passage of humanitarian and military aid to Kiev despite the protests.
Zelenskiy had called for talks with Poland's new prime minister and the European Commission to try to resolve a dispute over grain shipments, which has seen large numbers of trucks arrive at the border. Farmers also disrupted passenger and rail transport from Ukraine, spilling grain onto railroad tracks at a crossing on Tuesday, prompting condemnation from authorities in both countries.
Tusk said ministers from both countries had agreed to meet in the Polish capital on March 28. DM
