Latest news with #Jean-NoelBarrot
Straits Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
France's foreign minister visits front-line region in Ukraine
Find out what's new on ST website and app. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot visiting Ukraine's front-line region of Kharkiv, which is under constant fire from the Russian forces located some 30km away, on July 22. KHARKIV, Ukraine - France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on July 22 visited Ukraine's northeastern front-line region of Kharkiv, where Russia launched a new offensive in 2024. With a small group of journalists including AFP, Mr Barrot walked through the centre of Kharkiv, which is under constant fire from the Russian forces located some 30km away. 'Russia isn't only leading its war of aggression on the front line. It also deliberately targets civilians, residential areas and businesses to undermine Ukrainian morale,' Mr Barrot said, standing on a rooftop overlooking the city, from where ruined offices and residential buildings could be seen. His Ukrainian counterpart, Mr Andrii Sybiha, thanked him for the visit, saying 'our people need to understand that they are not alone.' Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city, was home to 1.4 million people before the war and has long been known for literature, industry, and student life. 'War is waged not only with guns and tanks, but also with intelligence,' Mr Barrot said, before heading to the Kharkiv literature museum. He then visited a military position at an undisclosed location, where he was briefed on the front line situation in northeastern and eastern Ukraine. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Two found dead after fire in Toa Payoh flat Singapore Singaporeans aged 21 to 59 can claim $600 SG60 vouchers from July 22 Singapore Singaporeans continue to hold world's most powerful passport in latest ranking Singapore Singapore, Vietnam agree to step up defence ties, dialogue between leaders Asia Malaysia govt's reform pledge tested as DAP chief bows over unresolved 2009 death of political aide Singapore Woman evacuated from lift in Supreme Court building after falling glass triggers emergency halt Singapore Prosecution says judge who acquitted duo of bribing ex-LTA official had copied defence arguments Singapore Ports and planes: The 2 Singapore firms helping to keep the world moving The minister also spoke to servicemen and had lunch in the military canteen. AFP
eNCA
a day ago
- Politics
- eNCA
Top French diplomat visits Ukraine frontline region
France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Tuesday visited Ukraine's northeastern frontline region of Kharkiv, where Russia launched a new offensive last year. With a small group of journalists including AFP, Barrot walked through the centre of Kharkiv, which is under constant fire from the Russian forces located some 30 kilometres away. "Russia isn't only leading its war of aggression on the front line. It also deliberately targets civilians, residential areas and businesses to undermine Ukrainian morale," Barrot said standing on a rooftop overlooking the city, from where ruined offices and residential buildings could be seen. His Ukrainian counterpart Andriy Sybiga thanked him for the visit, saying "our people need to understand that they are not alone." Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city, was home to 1.4 million people before the war and has long been known for literature, industry, and student life. "War is waged not only with guns and tanks, but also with intelligence," Barrot said, before heading to the Kharkiv literature museum. He then visited a military position at an undisclosed location, where he was briefed on the front line situation in northeastern and eastern Ukraine.
The Sun
a day ago
- Politics
- The Sun
French foreign minister visits Ukraine frontline in Kharkiv
KHARKIV: France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot visited Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region on Tuesday, witnessing firsthand the impact of Russia's ongoing offensive. Accompanied by journalists, he walked through the city centre, which remains under frequent shelling from Russian forces positioned 30 kilometres away. 'Russia isn't only leading its war of aggression on the front line. It also deliberately targets civilians, residential areas and businesses to undermine Ukrainian morale,' Barrot said from a rooftop overlooking damaged buildings. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga expressed gratitude for the visit, stating, 'our people need to understand that they are not alone.' Kharkiv, once a cultural and industrial hub with 1.4 million residents, continues to endure heavy attacks. Barrot emphasised the broader nature of warfare, noting, 'War is waged not only with trucks and tanks, but also with intelligence.' His itinerary included a stop at the Kharkiv literature museum before proceeding to a military site for a frontline briefing. The minister also engaged with Ukrainian troops and shared a meal in their canteen, reinforcing France's support for Ukraine's defence efforts. – AFP
Int'l Business Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
France's Top Diplomat Calls For Foreign Press Access To Gaza
France's foreign minister urged Israel on Tuesday to allow international journalists into the besieged Palestinian territory of Gaza to "bear witness" to the situation after 21 months of war. The United Nations and human rights groups say Gaza and its population of more than two million face famine-like conditions, with near-daily deaths of people queueing for food aid. "I ask that the free and independent press be allowed to access Gaza to show what is happening there and to bear witness," Barrot told France Inter radio. Jean-Noel Barrot spoke after the AFP news agency said it was concerned about "the appalling situation of its staff in the Gaza Strip", warning the lives of its freelancers were in danger and urging Israel to allow them and their families to leave the occupied coastal territory. Asked if France would help these stringers leave Gaza, Barrot said France was "addressing the issue" and hoped to be able to evacuate some freelancers working with French journalists "in the coming weeks". Israel accuses Hamas of exploiting civilian suffering in the war, which started after the Palestinian militant group carried out an unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Israel's foreign ministry on Monday accused Hamas of "deliberately acting to increase friction and harm to civilians who come to receive humanitarian aid". It was responding after Britain, France, Australia, Canada and 21 other countries on Monday said the war "must end now", as the "suffering of civilians in Gaza" had "reached new depths". On Monday, a staff association at AFP called the Societe des Journalistes (Society of Journalists) sounded the alarm, urging "immediate intervention" to help reporters working with the agency in Gaza. The SDJ cited the example of one such freelancer, a 30-year-old living with his family in Gaza City, who reported on Sunday that his older brother "fell because of hunger". The UN agency for Palestinian refugees said on Monday that it was "receiving desperate messages of starvation" from its Gaza staff, as the Palestinian territory experiences surging levels of hunger. With food scarce or unaffordable, doctors, the civil defence agency and medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) have reported a spike in malnutrition cases in recent weeks. The civil defence agency on Sunday reported at least three infant deaths from "severe hunger and malnutrition" in the past week. Eighteen reportedly died of starvation within 24 hours between Saturday and Sunday, the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory said. Israel on Monday said there was "no ban or restriction on the entry of baby formula or baby food into Gaza." AFP evacuated its eight staff members and their families from Gaza between January and April 2024. The agency said the situation of its freelancers had now also become "untenable". "Since October 7, Israel has blocked access to the Gaza Strip for all international journalists. In this context, the work of our Palestinian freelancers is crucial to informing the world," it said. "But their lives are in danger, so we urge the Israeli authorities to allow them to evacuate immediate along with their families." Barrot called for an "immediate ceasefire, the freeing of all hostages held by Hamas, which must be disarmed, and for unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza". "There is no longer any justification for the Israeli army's military operations in Gaza," he said. "This is an offensive that will exacerbate an already catastrophic situation and cause new forced displacements of populations, which we condemn in the strongest terms."
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
France's top diplomat calls for foreign press access to Gaza
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Tuesday (July 22, 2025) called on Israel to allow foreign press into the besieged Palestinian territory of Gaza, as warnings of famine mount after 21 months of war. He spoke after the AFP news agency warned that the lives of Palestinian freelance journalists it was working with in Gaza were in danger and urged Israel to allow them and their families to leave the occupied coastal territory. "I ask that the free and independent press be allowed to access Gaza to show what is happening there and to bear witness," Barrot told France Inter radio in an interview from eastern Ukraine. Asked if France would help AFP stringers leave Gaza, Mr. Barrot said France was "addressing the issue" and hoped to be able to evacuate freelancers working with French journalists "in the coming weeks". On Monday, an association of journalists at AFP called the Société des Journalistes (Society of Journalists) sounded the alarm, urging "immediate intervention" to help reporters working with the agency in Gaza. The SDJ cited the example of one such freelancer, a 30-year-old living with his family in Gaza City, who reported on Sunday that his older brother "fell because of hunger". "We have lost journalists in conflicts, we have had injuries and prisoners in our ranks, but none of us can remember seeing a colleague die of starvation," it said. AFP management responded in a statement posted on X and Instagram, which said that it shared the anguish about the "dire situation" of colleagues in Gaza. "Since October 7, Israel has prohibited access to the Gaza Strip for all international journalists. "In this context, the work of our Palestinian freelancers is crucial to inform the world," it said. "But their lives are in danger, which is why we urge the Israeli authorities to allow their immediate evacuation along with their families." AFP evacuated its eight staff members and their families from Gaza between January and April 2024. Mr. Barrot called for an "immediate ceasefire" after Israel on Monday expanded military operations to the central city of Deir el-Balah. "There is no longer any justification for the Israeli army's military operations in Gaza," he said. "This is an offensive that will exacerbate an already catastrophic situation and cause new forced displacements of populations, which we condemn in the strongest terms."
