26 Apr, 2022 14:25

Ukraine can strike Russia with British arms – UK

Armed Forces Minister James Heappey dismissed warnings of nuclear war and gave Ukraine permission to use UK weapons inside Russia

Ukrainian forces may use UK-supplied weapons to attack targets on Russian soil, British Armed Forces Minister James Heappey said on Monday. Moscow has cautioned the West against escalating what it sees as a Russia-NATO “proxy war” in Ukraine, after a series of attacks on its territory.

“It is completely legitimate for Ukraine to be targeting in Russia's depth in order to disrupt the logistics that if they weren't disrupted would directly contribute to death and carnage on Ukrainian soil,” Heappey told Times Radio.

“There are lots of countries around the world that operate kit that they have imported from other countries; when those bits of kit are used we tend not to blame the country that manufactured it, you blame the country that fired it,” he added.

Asked whether he supported such attacks within Russia’s borders, Heappey replied “of course.”

Russian officials have accused Ukrainian forces of using helicopters, artillery and drones to attack targets within Russia in recent weeks. An oil depot in Bryansk, 150km from the Ukrainian border, also caught fire on Monday. While some online analysts have suggested that a Ukrainian missile hit the facility, Moscow has not confirmed these rumors, and Russian officials are investigating the blaze.

The UK has flooded Ukraine with thousands of anti-tank missiles, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson recently announced a £100 million ($130 million) package of heavy weaponry for Kiev, including anti-air missiles, autonomous drones and armored vehicles. MIlitary aid has also poured into Ukraine from EU and NATO countries, with theUS donating $3.7 billion worth of armssince Russia’s operation in Ukraine began in February, counting the latest $300 million package announced on Monday.

Moscow claims to have destroyed several warehouses and depots full of this Western hardware, and as more continues to arrive, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Monday condemned the West for using these shipments to wage a “proxy war” against Russia.Lavrov said that the risk of nuclear conflict was now “considerable,” adding “we must not underestimate” the chances of a third world war.

Heappey, who as Armed Forces Minister is essentially second in command at the Ministry of Defense, dismissed Larov’s warning. The chances of nuclear war, he insisted, are “vanishingly small.”

Heappey also maintained that Ukraine, given enough foreign weapons, can win the ongoing conflict. However, amid Russia’s recent advances in eastern and southern Ukraine, Prime Minister Boris Johnson conceded last week that a Russian victory is a “realistic” outcome.

https://www.rt.com/news/554550-heappey-british-weapons-russia/

26 Apr, 2022 14:25

Ukraine can strike Russia with British arms – UK

Armed Forces Minister James Heappey dismissed warnings of nuclear war and gave Ukraine permission to use UK weapons inside Russia

Ukrainian forces may use UK-supplied weapons to attack targets on Russian soil, British Armed Forces Minister James Heappey said on Monday. Moscow has cautioned the West against escalating what it sees as a Russia-NATO “proxy war” in Ukraine, after a series of attacks on its territory.

“It is completely legitimate for Ukraine to be targeting in Russia's depth in order to disrupt the logistics that if they weren't disrupted would directly contribute to death and carnage on Ukrainian soil,” Heappey told Times Radio.

“There are lots of countries around the world that operate kit that they have imported from other countries; when those bits of kit are used we tend not to blame the country that manufactured it, you blame the country that fired it,” he added.

Asked whether he supported such attacks within Russia’s borders, Heappey replied “of course.”

Russian officials have accused Ukrainian forces of using helicopters, artillery and drones to attack targets within Russia in recent weeks. An oil depot in Bryansk, 150km from the Ukrainian border, also caught fire on Monday. While some online analysts have suggested that a Ukrainian missile hit the facility, Moscow has not confirmed these rumors, and Russian officials are investigating the blaze.

The UK has flooded Ukraine with thousands of anti-tank missiles, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson recently announced a £100 million ($130 million) package of heavy weaponry for Kiev, including anti-air missiles, autonomous drones and armored vehicles. MIlitary aid has also poured into Ukraine from EU and NATO countries, with theUS donating $3.7 billion worth of armssince Russia’s operation in Ukraine began in February, counting the latest $300 million package announced on Monday.

Moscow claims to have destroyed several warehouses and depots full of this Western hardware, and as more continues to arrive, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Monday condemned the West for using these shipments to wage a “proxy war” against Russia.Lavrov said that the risk of nuclear conflict was now “considerable,” adding “we must not underestimate” the chances of a third world war.

Heappey, who as Armed Forces Minister is essentially second in command at the Ministry of Defense, dismissed Larov’s warning. The chances of nuclear war, he insisted, are “vanishingly small.”

Heappey also maintained that Ukraine, given enough foreign weapons, can win the ongoing conflict. However, amid Russia’s recent advances in eastern and southern Ukraine, Prime Minister Boris Johnson conceded last week that a Russian victory is a “realistic” outcome.

https://www.rt.com/news/554550-heappey-british-weapons-russia/

26 Apr, 2022 12:32

Germany to supply Ukraine with heavy weaponry

“Ukraine will order and Germany will pay for” German-produced hardware, Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht has said

The German government has given the green light for the delivery of self-propelled anti-aircraft guns to Ukraine, the country’s Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht said on Tuesday.

Speaking at US-hosted defense talks at the American airbase Ramstein in Germany’s Rhineland-Palatinate state, Lambrecht said that the leadership in Berlin made the decision on Monday. She emphasized that Germany was “determined to help the Ukrainian people with unified resolve in this existential emergency.”

The minister explained that “Ukraine will order” hardware from German manufacturers and “Germany will pay.” Berlin would earmark some 2 billion euros to that end, Lambrecht added.

The armored vehicles in question are Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns, which were decommissioned by the German military back in 2010. Designed to take out cruise missiles and aircraft, Gepards can also be used against targets on the ground. As many as 50 heavy vehicles could reportedly be delivered to Ukraine. Defense firm Krauss-Maffei Wegmann will now refurbish the equipment before transferring it on to Kiev, Germany’s dpa news agency reported. It is, however, not known when exactly Ukraine can expect delivery of the anti-aircraft systems.

Lambrecht also announced that Berlin “has initiated a swap scheme with our partners in eastern Europe” that is ensuring that “Ukraine is quickly obtaining heavy weaponry that doesn’t require lengthy training.” But, according to the minister, Germany could do a lot more in this respect.

On top of that, Berlin will be cooperating with the US and the Netherlands when it comes to providing training to Ukrainian troops on German soil in the use of various artillery systems.

Lambrecht made the announcements during a meeting of defense ministers from 40 countries hosted by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Tuesday.

Earlier this month, several German outlets reported that Germany’s Rheinmetall arms manufacturer was prepared to sell 88 decommissioned Leopard tanks, as well as ammunition, spare parts and tools to repair the hardware. Training on the equipment would also be provided to Ukrainian troops. The company was awaiting the German government’s approval, the media said at the time.

Moscow has repeatedly condemned NATO arms supplies to Kiev, saying they only destabilize the situation on the ground and hamper the prospect for peace. It also warned that any equipment deliveries will be considered a legitimate military target for the Russian forces once they cross into Ukrainian territory.

“NATO is essentially going to war with Russia through a proxy and arming that proxy. War means war,” Russia’s Foreign Minister said on Monday.

https://www.rt.com/news/554530-germany-supply-ukraine-weaponry/

26 Apr, 2022 12:32

Germany to supply Ukraine with heavy weaponry

“Ukraine will order and Germany will pay for” German-produced hardware, Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht has said

The German government has given the green light for the delivery of self-propelled anti-aircraft guns to Ukraine, the country’s Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht said on Tuesday.

Speaking at US-hosted defense talks at the American airbase Ramstein in Germany’s Rhineland-Palatinate state, Lambrecht said that the leadership in Berlin made the decision on Monday. She emphasized that Germany was “determined to help the Ukrainian people with unified resolve in this existential emergency.”

The minister explained that “Ukraine will order” hardware from German manufacturers and “Germany will pay.” Berlin would earmark some 2 billion euros to that end, Lambrecht added.

The armored vehicles in question are Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns, which were decommissioned by the German military back in 2010. Designed to take out cruise missiles and aircraft, Gepards can also be used against targets on the ground. As many as 50 heavy vehicles could reportedly be delivered to Ukraine. Defense firm Krauss-Maffei Wegmann will now refurbish the equipment before transferring it on to Kiev, Germany’s dpa news agency reported. It is, however, not known when exactly Ukraine can expect delivery of the anti-aircraft systems.

Lambrecht also announced that Berlin “has initiated a swap scheme with our partners in eastern Europe” that is ensuring that “Ukraine is quickly obtaining heavy weaponry that doesn’t require lengthy training.” But, according to the minister, Germany could do a lot more in this respect.

On top of that, Berlin will be cooperating with the US and the Netherlands when it comes to providing training to Ukrainian troops on German soil in the use of various artillery systems.

Lambrecht made the announcements during a meeting of defense ministers from 40 countries hosted by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Tuesday.

Earlier this month, several German outlets reported that Germany’s Rheinmetall arms manufacturer was prepared to sell 88 decommissioned Leopard tanks, as well as ammunition, spare parts and tools to repair the hardware. Training on the equipment would also be provided to Ukrainian troops. The company was awaiting the German government’s approval, the media said at the time.

Moscow has repeatedly condemned NATO arms supplies to Kiev, saying they only destabilize the situation on the ground and hamper the prospect for peace. It also warned that any equipment deliveries will be considered a legitimate military target for the Russian forces once they cross into Ukrainian territory.

“NATO is essentially going to war with Russia through a proxy and arming that proxy. War means war,” Russia’s Foreign Minister said on Monday.

https://www.rt.com/news/554530-germany-supply-ukraine-weaponry/

26 Apr, 2022 12:32

Germany to supply Ukraine with heavy weaponry

“Ukraine will order and Germany will pay for” German-produced hardware, Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht has said

The German government has given the green light for the delivery of self-propelled anti-aircraft guns to Ukraine, the country’s Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht said on Tuesday.

Speaking at US-hosted defense talks at the American airbase Ramstein in Germany’s Rhineland-Palatinate state, Lambrecht said that the leadership in Berlin made the decision on Monday. She emphasized that Germany was “determined to help the Ukrainian people with unified resolve in this existential emergency.”

The minister explained that “Ukraine will order” hardware from German manufacturers and “Germany will pay.” Berlin would earmark some 2 billion euros to that end, Lambrecht added.

The armored vehicles in question are Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns, which were decommissioned by the German military back in 2010. Designed to take out cruise missiles and aircraft, Gepards can also be used against targets on the ground. As many as 50 heavy vehicles could reportedly be delivered to Ukraine. Defense firm Krauss-Maffei Wegmann will now refurbish the equipment before transferring it on to Kiev, Germany’s dpa news agency reported. It is, however, not known when exactly Ukraine can expect delivery of the anti-aircraft systems.

Lambrecht also announced that Berlin “has initiated a swap scheme with our partners in eastern Europe” that is ensuring that “Ukraine is quickly obtaining heavy weaponry that doesn’t require lengthy training.” But, according to the minister, Germany could do a lot more in this respect.

On top of that, Berlin will be cooperating with the US and the Netherlands when it comes to providing training to Ukrainian troops on German soil in the use of various artillery systems.

Lambrecht made the announcements during a meeting of defense ministers from 40 countries hosted by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Tuesday.

Earlier this month, several German outlets reported that Germany’s Rheinmetall arms manufacturer was prepared to sell 88 decommissioned Leopard tanks, as well as ammunition, spare parts and tools to repair the hardware. Training on the equipment would also be provided to Ukrainian troops. The company was awaiting the German government’s approval, the media said at the time.

Moscow has repeatedly condemned NATO arms supplies to Kiev, saying they only destabilize the situation on the ground and hamper the prospect for peace. It also warned that any equipment deliveries will be considered a legitimate military target for the Russian forces once they cross into Ukrainian territory.

“NATO is essentially going to war with Russia through a proxy and arming that proxy. War means war,” Russia’s Foreign Minister said on Monday.

https://www.rt.com/news/554530-germany-supply-ukraine-weaponry/

26 Apr, 2022 07:29

Western supply lines in Ukraine destroyed – Russia

Russia claims it has struck six railway hubs in the West of the country

Russian troops have destroyed six traction substations, – units that power the railways – which are being used for delivery of “foreign weapons and military hardware to the Ukrainian forces in the Donbass,” Defense Ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov announced on Monday.

He added that the stations were located at the Krasnoye, Zdolbunov, Zhmerinka, Berdichev, Kovel, and Korosten railway hubs, all in western Ukraine.

According to Konashenkov, 27 military targets were also destroyed by airstrikes, including four command centers.

Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said last month that pushing Ukrainian troops from the territory of the Donbass republics had become Moscow’s top priority at this stage of the campaign.

Ukraine’s Western backers have not disclosed the exact routes they use to ship weapons to Kiev, but reports said that many of them are being delivered through neighboring Poland.

NATO member states supply various anti-tank and anti-aircraft missile systems, armored vehicles, howitzers, and other weapons to Kiev. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to Ukraine on Sunday, where they promised additional military aid to President Volodymyr Zelensky.

https://www.rt.com/russia/554519-russia-hits-supply-ukraine/

26 Apr, 2022 07:29

Western supply lines in Ukraine destroyed – Russia

Russia claims it has struck six railway hubs in the West of the country

Russian troops have destroyed six traction substations, – units that power the railways – which are being used for delivery of “foreign weapons and military hardware to the Ukrainian forces in the Donbass,” Defense Ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov announced on Monday.

He added that the stations were located at the Krasnoye, Zdolbunov, Zhmerinka, Berdichev, Kovel, and Korosten railway hubs, all in western Ukraine.

According to Konashenkov, 27 military targets were also destroyed by airstrikes, including four command centers.

Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said last month that pushing Ukrainian troops from the territory of the Donbass republics had become Moscow’s top priority at this stage of the campaign.

Ukraine’s Western backers have not disclosed the exact routes they use to ship weapons to Kiev, but reports said that many of them are being delivered through neighboring Poland.

NATO member states supply various anti-tank and anti-aircraft missile systems, armored vehicles, howitzers, and other weapons to Kiev. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to Ukraine on Sunday, where they promised additional military aid to President Volodymyr Zelensky.

https://www.rt.com/russia/554519-russia-hits-supply-ukraine/

26 Apr, 2022 07:29

Western supply lines in Ukraine destroyed – Russia

Russia claims it has struck six railway hubs in the West of the country

Russian troops have destroyed six traction substations, – units that power the railways – which are being used for delivery of “foreign weapons and military hardware to the Ukrainian forces in the Donbass,” Defense Ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov announced on Monday.

He added that the stations were located at the Krasnoye, Zdolbunov, Zhmerinka, Berdichev, Kovel, and Korosten railway hubs, all in western Ukraine.

According to Konashenkov, 27 military targets were also destroyed by airstrikes, including four command centers.

Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said last month that pushing Ukrainian troops from the territory of the Donbass republics had become Moscow’s top priority at this stage of the campaign.

Ukraine’s Western backers have not disclosed the exact routes they use to ship weapons to Kiev, but reports said that many of them are being delivered through neighboring Poland.

NATO member states supply various anti-tank and anti-aircraft missile systems, armored vehicles, howitzers, and other weapons to Kiev. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to Ukraine on Sunday, where they promised additional military aid to President Volodymyr Zelensky.

https://www.rt.com/russia/554519-russia-hits-supply-ukraine/

25 Apr, 2022 21:24

Humanitarian corridor for civilians from Mariupol sabotaged by Kiev – Russia

A new attempt to evacuate civilians purportedly holed up at Mariupol’s Azovstal plant has been “cynically disrupted,” Moscow says

(Interesting picture used, eh?)

A new attempt to set up a humanitarian corridor to evacuate civilians allegedly trapped at the besieged Azovstal steel mill in Mariupol has failed, the Russian military admitted late on Monday. Moscow and Kiev have blamed one another for the evacuation attempt yielding no result.

“The Kiev authorities today again cynically disrupted this humanitarian operation. As of April 25, 2022, at 8pm (MSK), no one has used the proposed humanitarian corridor,” Colonel General Mikhail Mizintsev, the head of Russia’s National Defense Management Center, said in a statement.

The official squarely pinned the blame for the failure of the new evacuation attempt on the Kiev authorities. Despite repeatedly bemoaning the fate of the civilians said to be holed up alongside Ukrainian fighters at the plant, Kiev has not taken any “practical steps” to facilitate their evacuation, Mizintsev pointed out.

“Such absolutely illogical and inconsistent behavior of theKiev authorities once again confirms their blatant indifference to the fate of individual people – to the citizens of their own country,” he stressed.

Earlier in the day – shortly after the corridor was supposed to open at 2pm MSK – Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk pinned the blame for the evacuation failure on Moscow. While she first told the Ukrainian media that Kiev was ready to do “everything” to make it work, shortly afterwards she claimed the corridor was not set up properly and did not work.

“It is important to understand that the humanitarian corridor is opened by agreement of both parties. The corridor announced unilaterally does not provide security, and therefore, in fact, is not a humanitarian corridor,” Vereshchuk claimed in a Telegram statement. “I declare officially and publicly: unfortunately, there are no agreements on humanitarian corridors from Azovstal today.”

The battle for Mariupol has been raging for almost two months, as Russian and Donetsk forces completely surrounded the city. The Azovstal steel plant remains the last stronghold under Ukrainian control there, with the fighters of the notorious neo-Nazi Azov regiment and other units holed up at the sprawling industrial facility. Russia had previously offered the Ukrainian fighters an opportunity to lay down their arms and surrender, but they refused, demanding to be evacuated into an unspecified “third country” instead.

https://www.rt.com/russia/554505-mariupol-azovstal-humanitarian-corridor/

25 Apr, 2022 21:24

Humanitarian corridor for civilians from Mariupol sabotaged by Kiev – Russia

A new attempt to evacuate civilians purportedly holed up at Mariupol’s Azovstal plant has been “cynically disrupted,” Moscow says

(Interesting picture used, eh?)

A new attempt to set up a humanitarian corridor to evacuate civilians allegedly trapped at the besieged Azovstal steel mill in Mariupol has failed, the Russian military admitted late on Monday. Moscow and Kiev have blamed one another for the evacuation attempt yielding no result.

“The Kiev authorities today again cynically disrupted this humanitarian operation. As of April 25, 2022, at 8pm (MSK), no one has used the proposed humanitarian corridor,” Colonel General Mikhail Mizintsev, the head of Russia’s National Defense Management Center, said in a statement.

The official squarely pinned the blame for the failure of the new evacuation attempt on the Kiev authorities. Despite repeatedly bemoaning the fate of the civilians said to be holed up alongside Ukrainian fighters at the plant, Kiev has not taken any “practical steps” to facilitate their evacuation, Mizintsev pointed out.

“Such absolutely illogical and inconsistent behavior of theKiev authorities once again confirms their blatant indifference to the fate of individual people – to the citizens of their own country,” he stressed.

Earlier in the day – shortly after the corridor was supposed to open at 2pm MSK – Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk pinned the blame for the evacuation failure on Moscow. While she first told the Ukrainian media that Kiev was ready to do “everything” to make it work, shortly afterwards she claimed the corridor was not set up properly and did not work.

“It is important to understand that the humanitarian corridor is opened by agreement of both parties. The corridor announced unilaterally does not provide security, and therefore, in fact, is not a humanitarian corridor,” Vereshchuk claimed in a Telegram statement. “I declare officially and publicly: unfortunately, there are no agreements on humanitarian corridors from Azovstal today.”

The battle for Mariupol has been raging for almost two months, as Russian and Donetsk forces completely surrounded the city. The Azovstal steel plant remains the last stronghold under Ukrainian control there, with the fighters of the notorious neo-Nazi Azov regiment and other units holed up at the sprawling industrial facility. Russia had previously offered the Ukrainian fighters an opportunity to lay down their arms and surrender, but they refused, demanding to be evacuated into an unspecified “third country” instead.

https://www.rt.com/russia/554505-mariupol-azovstal-humanitarian-corridor/

25 Apr, 2022 21:24

Humanitarian corridor for civilians from Mariupol sabotaged by Kiev – Russia

A new attempt to evacuate civilians purportedly holed up at Mariupol’s Azovstal plant has been “cynically disrupted,” Moscow says

(Interesting picture used, eh?)

A new attempt to set up a humanitarian corridor to evacuate civilians allegedly trapped at the besieged Azovstal steel mill in Mariupol has failed, the Russian military admitted late on Monday. Moscow and Kiev have blamed one another for the evacuation attempt yielding no result.

“The Kiev authorities today again cynically disrupted this humanitarian operation. As of April 25, 2022, at 8pm (MSK), no one has used the proposed humanitarian corridor,” Colonel General Mikhail Mizintsev, the head of Russia’s National Defense Management Center, said in a statement.

The official squarely pinned the blame for the failure of the new evacuation attempt on the Kiev authorities. Despite repeatedly bemoaning the fate of the civilians said to be holed up alongside Ukrainian fighters at the plant, Kiev has not taken any “practical steps” to facilitate their evacuation, Mizintsev pointed out.

“Such absolutely illogical and inconsistent behavior of theKiev authorities once again confirms their blatant indifference to the fate of individual people – to the citizens of their own country,” he stressed.

Earlier in the day – shortly after the corridor was supposed to open at 2pm MSK – Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk pinned the blame for the evacuation failure on Moscow. While she first told the Ukrainian media that Kiev was ready to do “everything” to make it work, shortly afterwards she claimed the corridor was not set up properly and did not work.

“It is important to understand that the humanitarian corridor is opened by agreement of both parties. The corridor announced unilaterally does not provide security, and therefore, in fact, is not a humanitarian corridor,” Vereshchuk claimed in a Telegram statement. “I declare officially and publicly: unfortunately, there are no agreements on humanitarian corridors from Azovstal today.”

The battle for Mariupol has been raging for almost two months, as Russian and Donetsk forces completely surrounded the city. The Azovstal steel plant remains the last stronghold under Ukrainian control there, with the fighters of the notorious neo-Nazi Azov regiment and other units holed up at the sprawling industrial facility. Russia had previously offered the Ukrainian fighters an opportunity to lay down their arms and surrender, but they refused, demanding to be evacuated into an unspecified “third country” instead.

https://www.rt.com/russia/554505-mariupol-azovstal-humanitarian-corridor/

26 Apr, 2022 12:54

EU country rejects ruble gas payments

Poland says it won’t pay for energy imports in Russian currency

Warsaw will not agree to Moscow’s demand to pay for gas in rubles, Piotr Naimski, representative of the Polish government on strategic energy infrastructure, said on Tuesday, according to media reports.

“We will not pay,” he said, answering a question from journalists about whether Poland would agree to Russia’s new payment terms.

“All the opportunities and risks are being considered. We are ready for them,” he said, adding, “If necessary, and if an appropriate decision is made, we are in a position to refuse gas supplies at any time. We are ready for the actions of the Russian side, which provide for the possibility of stopping supplies.”

Poland has been calling for “crushing sanctions” against Moscow, “much stronger than those that have been imposed.”

Washington and Brussels are reportedly discussing sanctions designed to hit Russia’s energy sector. So far, Western nations have mostly targeted Russian finances and banking. While the EU has banned Russian coal imports,it failed to reach agreement on an oil and gas embargo.

Meanwhile, Brussels has backtracked on its opposition to the payment switch, stating on Friday that EU companies may be able to work around Russia’s demand to receive gas payments in rubles without breaching sanctions, if they pay in euros or dollars which are then converted into the Russian currency.The plan is identical to what the Russian government had proposed earlier this month.

https://www.rt.com/business/554534-eu-country-rejects-ruble-gas/

26 Apr, 2022 08:40

Ruble hits near 2-year high against euro

Russian currency strengthens further ahead of record-high tax payments due this week

(EU is bankrupting themselves, these are brightests minds in the Cabal…kek)

The Russian ruble strengthened against both the euro and the US dollar on Tuesday, trading data from the Moscow Exchange shows.

As of 10:07 GMT the Russian currency had jumped roughly 0.96% compared to the end of the previous day’s trading to 76.42 rubles against the euro, its highest in nearly two years, and gained around 0.92% against the greenback to trade at 72.45 per dollar, reaching a five-month high.

The rally comes as the market expectscompanies to make a record 3 trillion rubles ($40.25 billion) worth of tax payments due this week. Analysts say the tax boost may propel the Russian currency further, as some export-oriented firms will have to sell foreign currency to make the payments.

Market players also anticipate the rate decision due from the Russian central bank on Friday.

The key interest rate was hiked to 20% last month to tackle the impact of sanctions placed on the country by a number of Western states in retaliation for the launch of a military operation in Ukraine. Earlier this month, however, the Bank of Russia cut the rate to 17% as the economy stabilized, and some analysts expect it to be lowered further to 15% on Friday. This could cause the ruble rally to subside, experts say.

However, the Bank of Russia on Monday announced it would cut the time frame it uses to calculate the official exchange rate by one hour. According to Sberbank CIB analysts, this move suggests an improvement in the liquidity situation on the foreign exchange market.

Meanwhile, Russian stock indexes also saw gains on Tuesday. As of 10:05 Moscow time, the dollar-denominated RTS index was up 2.12% at 961.75 points. The ruble-based MOEX index was up 1.16% at 2,210.95 points.

https://www.rt.com/business/554521-ruble-strengthens-euro-dollar/

26 Apr, 2022 08:59

HomeWorld News

Ukraine wants $2bn per month from US

Finance Minister Sergey Marchenko has said his country hopes to raise $3bn in international assistance on top of that

(I guess the $7 billion they wanted monthly from US didnt work out)

Ukraine’s finance minister, Sergey Marchenko, has solicited at least $2 billion per month in emergency economic aid from the Biden administration. The official also revealed that Kiev hopes to raise an additional $3 billion per month from other sources.

Speaking to the Washington Post, Marchenko said that Ukraine needs “to cover this gap right now to attract the necessary finance and win this war.”

During his visit to Washington, DC last week, Marchenko met with a number of senior US officials, warning them that absent the requested financial support, Ukraine would likely not be able to cope with the humanitarian crisis brought on by Russia’s military offensive. A total of $5 billion per month is needed to cover Ukraine’s immediate needs in April, May, and June, the minister explained. In addition to that, Kiev is expected to request another tranche down the road to help Ukraine recover from all the damage incurred.

Last Thursday, the minister also reportedly attended a private dinner hosted by Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo, which included representatives from topUS firms such as Goldman Sachs, and the Business Roundtable lobbyist association. Moreover, Marchenko met with Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen during the G20 summit in Washington last Wednesday.

Since the start of Russia’s military offensive in Ukraine in late February, the US has already shelled out approximately $1 billion in economic aid for Kiev. An additional $500 million was cleared by the Biden administration last week, on top of the generous military aid.

Yellen told reporters last Thursday that America has to “find ways to meet Ukraine’s needs.” She added that this “will involve going back to Congress with a supplemental request.” Her comments came shortly after President Joe Biden made it clear that he would ask Congress to give the green light to more financial assistance for Ukraine – something an anonymous US official described to the Washington Post as one of the administration’s top priorities.

Several members of Congress and senior Ukrainian officials alike have repeatedly suggested handing frozen assets belonging to Russia’s central bank over to Ukraine. However, the Biden administration has stopped short of making any promises so far. Yellen described this potential handover as something she “wouldn’t want to do so lightly,” telling reporters that “it’s something that I think our coalition and partners would need to feel comfortable with and be supportive of.”

The Ukrainian finance minister told the Washington Post that his country needs the money to provide care to millions of internally displaced Ukrainians, as well as paying pensions to retirees and salaries to medical and education professionals. (Liars, they never take care of their people)

Marchenko concluded by saying that Washington has become “more cooperative” over time, adding that support from the US is “becoming greater and greater.”

https://www.rt.com/news/554520-ukraine-wants-2bn-dollars-month-from-us/