Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged Russia to “stop burning churches” and end attacks on his nation after a famed Orthodox Church was destroyed while explosions rocked the capital Kyiv, overshadowing Pentecost celebrations. Heavy street battles also raged in a strategic city in Ukraine’s east that Russian forces want to capture as part of an ongoing invasion.
The European Union canceled plans to impose sanctions against Russian Orthodox Church leader Patriarch Kirill after Hungary threatened to veto the bloc’s latest round of measures against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
The secretary-general of the NATO military alliance has warned Western nations to prepare for a long war in Ukraine, adding to global concerns about worldwide food shortages linked to the conflict. Jens Stoltenberg spoke as the Russian invasion of the country entered its 100th day.
Russian forces were attempting to extend and consolidate their hold on Ukraine’s industrial city of Sievierodonetsk on Thursday, edging closer to claiming a big prize in their offensive in the eastern Donbas region.
Russia’s Defense Ministry announced Wednesday that around 1,000 members of its nuclear forces staged drills outside of Moscow following an announcement by President Biden that the U.S. is sending “more advanced rocket systems and munitions” to Ukraine.
Moscow warned Wednesday that Washington’s decision to supply advanced rocket systems and munitions to Ukraine could lead to a direct military confrontation between Russia and the United States.
United States President Joe Biden has pledged to send Ukraine more advanced rocket artillery systems despite concerns in Moscow that they may reach Russian cities. The announcement came as Ukraine struggled to defend itself in the east against the ongoing Russian invasion while Moscow launched nuclear drills on Russian territory.
The World Health Organization (WHO) appeared to have strengthened its global role after member states agreed on an initial U.S.-led push to reform the rules around disease outbreaks.
Eurozone inflation hit a record 8.1% in May as energy and food costs surged partially due to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
European Union leaders say they will block most Russian oil imports by the end of 2022 to punish Moscow for invading Ukraine. But the EU embargo will only affect oil that arrives by sea following opposition from Hungary.
European Union President Charles Michel announced Monday that the EU will implement a partial ban on Russian oil, more than three months after Russian forces invaded Ukraine.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has discussed Ankara’s planned military operation in northern Syria and the war in Ukraine with Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Erdogan’s office said Monday.
Israel is renewing offshore natural gas exploration and hopes to reach an agreement soon for exporting gas to Europe, Israel’s energy minister said on Monday.
A 32-year-old French journalist was killed in eastern Ukraine on Monday after the armored vehicle in which he was traveling was hit by shrapnel from a Russian shell, authorities said.
Ukraine’s president has admitted that his forces are overwhelmed by the Russian military in the country’s east. Volodymyr Zelensky made comments amid relentless battles over Ukraine’s industrial heartland and warnings by Russia of an all-out war with the West.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Friday accused Western countries of waging a “total war” on Russia and its people and culture as Moscow pushes on with its military operation in Ukraine.
Russia’s war in Ukraine has had a devastating effect on millions in the war-torn nation, but officials are sounding the alarm that there will be a “shattering” impact worldwide that could take a significantly deadlier toll.
The U.S. targeted two Russian banks Friday as part of new sanctions over alleged support for North Korea and its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
An influential U.S.-based Christian advocacy group has urged the Biden administration to reverse its “baffling error” and add Nigeria back to its list of “Countries of Particular Concern” (CPC).
Fighting ravaged eastern Ukraine on the 25th anniversary of an agreement between the NATO military alliance and Russia that helped ease East-West tensions after the Cold War.