Senior Russian official calls EU ‘direct threat,' says Ukraine membership dangerous
Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, said on Wednesday that the European Union posed a 'direct threat' to Russia and that Ukraine's potential accession to the bloc would be dangerous for Moscow.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Arabiya
an hour ago
- Al Arabiya
'Not Something to Celebrate': As it Turns 80 and Faces Dwindling Global Clout, Can the UN Survive?
The UN marks its 80th anniversary this month facing a diminished global standing. Funding cuts, particularly from the US, have led to job losses and prompted long-delayed reforms. The principle of multilateralism is under pressure, and the Security Council has been unable to act decisively in the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. The organization's relevance in an increasingly divided world is in question. Founded in 1945 to prevent another world war, the UN's initial goal has been partly realized. However, conflicts persist globally, increasing the humanitarian needs while donor nations reduce aid. The grim mood at UN headquarters reflects anxiety about the upcoming US review of multilateral institutions, ordered by President Trump, and the resulting job cuts. Despite global changes and expansion of the UN system, its effectiveness is questioned, especially given current geopolitical challenges and US funding cuts. While credited with preventing World War III, the UN faces criticism for its current state. Bolton, a former US ambassador to the UN, considers it in its worst shape since its founding. Gowan, of the International Crisis Group, believes the UN will shrink in the next few years due to various factors. Bremmer, of the Eurasia Group, maintains that the UN remains relevant, despite lacking resources and military capabilities, due to its unique legitimacy in representing the global population. He added, 'The important thing is that as long as the great powers decide not to leave the United Nations, every day that they stay is a vote of confidence in the UN.' Guterres' 'Pact for the Future' seeks to address 21st-century challenges. Potential reforms include merging aid and development agencies. Gowan notes that the UN's New York location facilitates a lot of diplomatic business unrelated to the UN itself, and even intelligence gathering. The Trump administration's undermining of the UN is expected to elevate China's importance within the organization. Bremmer notes that China is poised to become more influential in agencies like the WHO and UNRWA as the US withdraws or reduces funding. Security Council expansion is a key area for change. There is broad agreement that Africa and Latin America should have permanent seats. Despite the UN's current challenges, its structure, including the veto power of major powers, is believed to ensure its survival.
Asharq Al-Awsat
2 hours ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Trump Says He Will Speak to Putin Soon about Ending Ukraine War
US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday after talks with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that he is considering sending more Patriot missile batteries to Ukraine to help Kyiv fend off Russian attacks, Reuters reported. Trump said the anti-missile missiles are "very hard to get" but that "we are going to see if we can make some of them available." Trump, at a press conference after attending the annual NATO summit, said Zelenskiy would like to end the war. Trump said he will speak to Putin about it soon. "Look, Vladimir Putin really has to end that war," Trump said.
Asharq Al-Awsat
3 hours ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Britain's Co-op to Stop Sourcing from Israel
British food retailer the Co-op Group will cease sourcing products and ingredients from 17 countries, including Israel, where there are "internationally recognized" human rights abuses and violations of international law, it said on Tuesday. The Co-op, which is owned by its members and trades from over 2,300 food stores across the UK, said it would stop selling carrots from Israel from this month as part of a commitment to no longer stock Israeli goods, Reuters reported. The company's prohibited list follows a board review of the Co-op's role "in building peace". European nations have been increasingly critical of the civilian toll of Israel's military campaign against Hamas since the Palestinian militant group's October 7, 2023 attack on Israeli communities. Other countries on the Co-op list include Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, Libya and Syria. "The voices of our members have been listened to and then acted upon," Debbie White, chair of the Co-op Group board, said. "As a business, we have a long-standing legacy of doing the right thing, supporting Fairtrade and championing ethical sourcing, and this policy is a natural progression of this." Tesco, Britain's biggest food retailer, does not source products from Israeli settlements within the occupied Palestinian territories. However, along with other UK retailers it does source from Israel in line with government advice. Last month, the independent board of Ben & Jerry's said the conflict in Gaza was a genocide, escalating a bitter feud between the ice cream maker and its longtime London-based corporate parent Unilever.
