Russia has threatened Finland with a ‘military-technical’ response after its leaders announced their desire to join NATO ‘without delay’ under the influence of the war in Ukraine, while tension mounted around deliveries of Russian gas to Europe.
5:12 p.m.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin asked his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu on Friday for an “immediate” ceasefire in Ukraine during their first telephone conversation since the start of the war, the Pentagon announced. Austin “urged an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and stressed the importance of maintaining lines of communication,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said in a statement.
2:44 p.m.
Emmanuel Macron is trying “in vain” to dialogue with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, judging “not correct” that the French president is ready, according to him, to “make diplomatic concessions” to Russia. “We must not look for a way out for Russia, and Macron is doing it in vain”, regretted Mr. Zelensky Thursday evening on the Italian television channel RAI 1, according to images broadcast Friday on his Telegram channel.
“I know he wanted to get results in the mediation between Russia and Ukraine, but he didn’t get any,” he said. “Until Russia itself wants and understands that it needs (the end of the war, editor’s note), it will not seek any way out,” added the Ukrainian president. Mr. Macron said on Monday that, to end the war waged in Ukraine by the Russian army, peace will have to be built without “humiliating” Russia.
2:11 p.m.
Russia advises Russians against traveling to the UK.
1:47 p.m.
The absence of an embargo on Russian oil in the next package of EU sanctions against Moscow would constitute a break in European unity in its support for kyiv, estimated the head of Ukrainian diplomacy.
1:16 p.m.
The United Kingdom has targeted relatives of Russian President Vladimir Putin accused by London of financing his “lavish” lifestyle, in a new wave of sanctions in retaliation for the invasion of Ukraine.
11:37
Sweden’s NATO membership would reduce the risk of conflict in Northern Europe, according to an official report presented on Friday ahead of the Scandinavian country’s decision in the coming days.
“Sweden’s membership in NATO would raise the threshold (of triggering) of military conflicts and would thus have a deterrent effect in Northern Europe”, concludes this strategic review prepared by the government and the parties in Parliament.
“Our opinion is that we would not suffer a conventional military attack in response to a possible NATO candidacy,” Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde said at a press conference.
11:22
The EU will provide new military aid of 500 million euros to Ukraine.
10:59
Germany’s agriculture minister on Friday called “disgusting” grain thefts allegedly by Russian troops in Ukraine, on the sidelines of a G7 meeting seeking to help kyiv export its produce.
“Russia is stealing and confiscating goods and grain in eastern Ukraine,” Cem Özdemir said alongside his Ukrainian counterpart, saying “this is a particularly repugnant way to wage war.”
9:18
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on Friday hailed the “very strong unity” of the G7 countries to support the fight againstUkraine against Russia “until victory”.
The heads of diplomacy of the G7, meeting in Germany until Saturday in Wangels on the shores of the Baltic, invited their Ukrainian and Moldovan counterparts to participate in their discussions. “This is part of a very strong unity of the members of the G7 to continue over the long term to support the fight forUkraine for its sovereignty, until victory,” Le Drian said.
8:53
British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss pleaded on Friday for “more weapons” to be delivered to theUkraine against Russia against which it also demanded new sanctions.
“It is very important at this time to keep the pressure on Vladimir Putin by supplying more weapons to theUkraine and increasing sanctions” against the Kremlin, she told a G7 meeting in Wangels, northern Germany.