Latest news with #Kremlin-linked
Al Jazeera
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Ukraine's Zelenskyy introduces bill after anticorruption protests
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has submitted a new draft bill to the country's legislature, in an effort to calm outrage over a previously passed law that critics say paves the way for corruption. The country's anticorruption agencies quickly hailed the bill's introduction on Thursday, saying it would restore their 'procedural powers and guarantees of independence'. The Ukrainian leader has contended with protests and condemnation from both within Ukraine and from its closest European allies after a separate controversial law was passed on Tuesday. That law placed the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) under the direct authority of the country's prosecutor general – a position appointed by the president. Zelenskyy initially maintained that the law was needed to respond to suspected 'Russian influence' within the agencies amid Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Critics, however, said the law would strip the bodies of their independence and could allow political interference, while failing to address any potential Kremlin-linked operatives. On Tuesday, thousands of Ukrainians defied martial law – which has been in place since the beginning of Russia's war – to take to the streets of Kyiv and other major cities to protest against the law. European officials also questioned the law, noting that addressing corruption remains a core requirement both for Ukraine's future European Union membership and in assuring aid flows to combat Russia. Amid the pressure, Zelenskyy backed away from the new law, promising to submit new legislation that would assure 'all the norms for the independence of anti-corruption institutions will be in place' and that there would be no Russian 'influence or interference'. Opposition lawmakers have also separately prepared their own legislation to revoke the law passed on Tuesday. 'They heroically solved the problems that they created just as heroically. Grand imitators,' Yaroslav Zhelezniak, from the opposition Holos party, said on Telegram, criticising Zelenskyy and his allies about-turn. Before the new draft bill's introduction, Zelenskyy spoke with the leaders of Germany and the United Kingdom on Thursday. In a statement, Zelenskyy's office said British Prime Minister Keir Starmer had 'offered to involve experts who could contribute to long-term cooperation' on the issue. In a post on X, Zelenskyy said he invited Friedrich Merz to 'join the expert review of the bill'. 'Friedrich assured me of readiness to assist,' he said. It was not immediately clear when Ukraine's legislature, the Verkhovna Rada, would vote on the new bill.
Al Jazeera
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Ukraine's Zelenskyy introduces new draft law after anticorruption protests
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has submitted a new draft bill to the country's legislature, in an effort to calm outrage over a previously passed law that critics say paves the way for corruption. The country's anticorruption agencies quickly hailed the bill's introduction on Thursday, saying it would restore their 'procedural powers and guarantees of independence'. The Ukrainian leader has contended with protests and condemnation from both within Ukraine and from its closest European allies after a separate controversial law was passed on Tuesday. That law placed the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) under the direct authority of the country's prosecutor general – a position appointed by the president. Zelenskyy initially maintained that the law was needed to respond to suspected 'Russian influence' within the agencies amid Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Critics, however, said the law would strip the bodies of their independence and could allow political interference, while failing to address any potential Kremlin-linked operatives. On Tuesday, thousands of Ukrainians defied martial law – which has been in place since the beginning of Russia's war – to take to the streets of Kyiv and other major cities to protest against the law. European officials also questioned the law, noting that addressing corruption remains a core requirement both for Ukraine's future European Union membership and in assuring aid flows to combat Russia. Amid the pressure, Zelenskyy backed away from the new law, promising to submit new legislation that would assure 'all the norms for the independence of anti-corruption institutions will be in place' and that there would be no Russian 'influence or interference'. Opposition lawmakers have also separately prepared their own legislation to revoke the law passed on Tuesday. 'They heroically solved the problems that they created just as heroically. Grand imitators,' Yaroslav Zhelezniak, from the opposition Holos party, said on Telegram, criticising Zelenskyy and his allies about-turn. Before the new draft bill's introduction, Zelenskyy spoke with the leaders of Germany and the United Kingdom on Thursday. In a statement, Zelenskyy's office said British Prime Minister Keir Starmer had 'offered to involve experts who could contribute to long-term cooperation' on the issue. In a post on X, Zelenskyy said he invited Friedrich Merz to 'join the expert review of the bill'. 'Friedrich assured me of readiness to assist,' he said. It was not immediately clear when Ukraine's legislature, the Verkhovna Rada, would vote on the new bill.
Euractiv
03-07-2025
- Business
- Euractiv
How close is the EU to quitting Russian energy?
Halfway into the third year of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the EU has yet to cut the flow of fossil fuel cash to Moscow, casting doubts on its promise to end its addiction to Russian energy by 2027. Despite 17 sanction packages and repeated vows to end reliance on Kremlin-linked hydrocarbons, Russian oil, gas, and LNG still flow into Europe's economy. The bloc imports even uranium, as five EU countries (Finland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Bulgaria) still operate Russian-designed VVER nuclear reactors. While this dependency is partially fuelled by legacy infrastructure, it is political: Slovakia and Hungary – both close to Moscow – are blocking the bloc's 18th sanctions package to force the Commission to review its 2027 phase-out plan. The facts In 2024, the EU spent an estimated €21.9 billion on Russian fossil fuels imports – just 1% less than the previous year. To put that into perspective: the amount exceeds the €18.7 billion in financial aid the EU provided to Ukraine in the same year. According to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), crude oil revenues only dropped by 6% year-on-year, or about €2.6 billion – largely because Russia has shifted to using the so-called 'shadow fleet' to get around the restrictions. In the third year of the invasion, 61% of Russia's seaborne oil exports – worth €83 billion – were moved using 558 of these ships. The Commission's latest sanctions proposal would lower the price cap on seaborne Russian crude to $45 per barrel and go after the shadow fleet. The plan Under its REPowerEU roadmap, the Commission laid out a timeline to cut Russian energy ties by 2027. No new gas contracts should be signed from early 2026, and even short-term deals must end by mid-2026. Long-term agreements covering oil, gas and LNG would be phased out entirely by 2027. A carve-out exists for landlocked EU countries still bound by legacy pipeline contracts – they will have until the end of 2027 to comply. Brussels also plans further restrictions targeting Russian uranium and other nuclear imports. Most Russian pipeline gas has already been cut off, with only the TurkStream line continuing to supply the bloc with Russian gas, and talks have been held to expand its capacity . In practice, however, due to the shadow fleet , the flow of Russian LNG to the EU has been steady. The concerns Energy security is often seen as a 'trilemma': balancing reliable supply, environmental protection, and affordability. For EU countries still hooked on Russian fossil fuels, cost is a main concern, and national perspectives differ widely. Hungary and Slovakia argue that maintaining reliance on Russian energy keeps prices low. Germany, by contrast, has largely shifted its gas supply away from Russia toward Norway, and France has secured a 27-year deal for natural gas with Qatar. As for oil, the EU's best bets might be the US and Libya. If the EU can successfully secure alternative suppliers and end the political deadlock on sanctions, it could cut Russia's fossil fuel export revenues by €51 billion a year, data shows. This would slash about 22% of its total earnings, moving it closer to gaining its independence from the Kremlin. (mm)
The Diplomat
27-06-2025
- Politics
- The Diplomat
Mongolia's Government Transition: Democracy in Action or Foreign Interference?
A recent report alleges that Mongolia's change in government was the product of a Moscow-linked influence operation. Far from it. Mongolia's recent change in government has been widely debated, with some international media outlets speculating about foreign interference. Such claims overlook the deeper democratic processes at play. Far from it, the leadership transition reflects Mongolia's evolving political maturity and the public's demand for transparency and accountability. On June 11, British newspaper The Times published an article alleging that Mongolia's recent change in government was shaped by Kremlin-linked influence and internal power struggles. The article went so far as to frame Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai's resignation as 'an effective coup,' a characterization based solely on unnamed government sources and not corroborated by any other independent outlet. The piece portrayed Mongolia's domestic politics as potentially vulnerable to manipulation by external actors. While this perspective may resonate with broader geopolitical concerns, it overlooks the complex internal dynamics and democratic processes that in fact drove recent developments. A Crisis of Communication and Credibility, Not Foreign Interference The resignation of Oyun-Erdene was not the result of foreign interference. It was the outcome of a lawful democratic process, triggered by sustained public protests over allegations of corruption and government opacity. What began as an organic youth movement, sparked by revelations about the prime minister's son's life of luxury, evolved into a broader call for transparency, integrity, and reform. What ultimately sealed Oyun-Erdene's fate was not external meddling but his failure to engage meaningfully with the public. This misstep is striking, given that in December 2022 he had met face-to-face with thousands protesting corruption in the coal sector. His personal appearance back then defused tensions and earned his government time. When this round of protests began in May 2025, protestors initially made a modest demand: they asked Oyun-Erdene to explain his son's lavish lifestyle, as displayed in social media posts. Yet the prime minister declined to engage, offered no explanation, and appeared to dismiss their concerns. His remarks, referring to protestors as 'flies' and questioning the protests' authenticity, only deepened the disconnect. What began as a call for accountability gradually became a call for resignation. In parliament, Oyun-Erdene argued that his government needed more time to deliver on mega-projects that would, he claimed, raise GDP per capita to $10,000. But after five years, the longest tenure of any prime minister in modern Mongolian history, the public's patience had worn thin. The promise that stability would bring prosperity was no longer convincing; his credibility had eroded. Legislators thus faced a difficult choice: preserve executive stability or respond to an increasingly vocal electorate. The no-confidence vote that followed was not a coup or the product of foreign plots. It was the lawful exercise of democratic checks and balances by elected representatives responding to their constituents. Reuters, the Associated Press, and Al Jazeera all reported the episode as an example of democracy at work, not the result of foreign manipulation. The Danger of Simplistic Narratives Mongolia's geography, landlocked between China and Russia, and its complex foreign policy naturally draw scrutiny. International partners are right to be vigilant about undue foreign influence in any small democracy facing external pressures. But vigilance must not slide into oversimplification. Portraying domestic political developments as mere extensions of great power rivalry diminishes Mongolia's agency and misrepresents its democracy. This is not just a matter of fairness. It is precisely because of Mongolia's foreign policy challenges that such narratives could be so damaging. By portraying Mongolia's democracy as weak and easily manipulated by one of its neighbors, this type of reporting may undermine efforts to strengthen ties not only with China and Russia but also with its so-called third neighbors, including the European Union, Japan, and the United States. If these partners come to see Mongolia as anything less than an independent, sovereign democracy, they will hesitate to deepen engagement. That would be a severe setback at a moment when Mongolia urgently needs investment, cultural exchange, stronger institutions, and deeper diplomatic partnerships. The threat goes well beyond economics. Mongolia's democracy already faces pressures identified by indices such as V-Dem, including diminishing media freedom, reduced judicial independence, and declining public trust. Its health depends on continued support from democratic partners. Emphasizing unverified narratives of foreign manipulation risks weakening Mongolia's international standing, feeding public cynicism, and hampering its ability to build the partnerships essential for protecting its democratic progress. Mongolia's Foreign Minister Battsetseg Batmunkh has publicly challenged the narrative presented in The Times, emphasizing that such portrayals misrepresent the country's political realities and risk undermining its diplomatic credibility. In a recent interview with Arctus Analytics, an Ulaanbaatar-based research and analysis firm, she elaborated on the government's broader concerns about the increasing complexity of Mongolia's international engagement. 'Our foreign relations have expanded rapidly in recent years,' she noted. 'This growth has brought many new actors into the space, including government agencies, local authorities, businesses, and civil society organizations. While this is a welcome sign of international engagement, it also underscores the need for better coordination and oversight, aligned with Mongolia's national interests and security.' Battsetseg revealed that the government is in the process of drafting a comprehensive law to establish clearer guidelines on who may engage in foreign relations on behalf of the state and under what conditions. 'Had such a framework been in place earlier,' she added, 'we might have avoided some of the confusion and misrepresentation that arose from recent international reporting.' Mongolia's Balanced Diplomacy and Expanding Global Partnerships Mongolia's multi-pillared foreign policy is designed to preserve its sovereignty by engaging a wide range of partners and expanding the areas of cooperation. The country maintains strategic partnerships with China and Russia while actively cultivating strong ties with third neighbors such as Japan, the European Union, and other like-minded democracies. What makes this approach effective is not merely the number of partners but also the growing diversity of fields in which Mongolia engages, including mining, infrastructure, energy, education, technology, climate resilience, and cultural exchange. This strategy has delivered tangible results. Japan's support for infrastructure modernization and France's investment in Mongolia's uranium sector demonstrate how Ulaanbaatar has broadened cooperation with trusted partners. Mongolia's uranium partnership with France in particular represents the first major investment from a Western partner since the Oyu Tolgoi agreement and marks a significant milestone in third neighbor cooperation. Mongolia's diplomatic activity also underscores its success in building credibility on the international stage. In 2023 alone, the country hosted or conducted 12 presidential-level visits, six by parliamentary speakers, five by prime ministers, and 23 by foreign ministers, signing 41 intergovernmental documents across diverse sectors. The momentum continued in 2024 with 15 presidential visits, eight prime ministerial meetings, and 19 foreign ministry consultations, reflecting growing international interest in Ulaanbaatar as a credible and neutral interlocutor committed to balanced engagement. At the same time, Mongolia has strengthened its balanced relations with its two neighbors. Recent agreements with China and Russia include a cross-border railway accord to enhance connectivity and a deal to expand and modernize a key power station. These steps show that Mongolia's balanced foreign policy is not merely aspirational; it is being actively implemented. A Call for Thoughtful Engagement Mongolia's recent change in government was not the product of foreign manipulation. It was the outcome of a people holding their leaders accountable through lawful and democratic means. This is not the story of a pawn caught between powerful neighbors. It is the story of a democracy, imperfect yet resilient, determined to chart its own course in a complex region. Oversimplified narratives that portray Mongolia as vulnerable to external manipulation risk undermining the progress the country has made. They damage its standing on the international stage and jeopardize efforts to deepen ties not only with its immediate neighbors but also with trusted partners across the democratic world. Mongolia's diplomacy, marked by new agreements with both neighbors and third neighbor countries, shows that its multi-pillared foreign policy is being implemented in practice, not just in principle. Mongolia deserves thoughtful engagement from international partners who are committed to supporting its sovereignty and its efforts to maintain balance in a challenging geopolitical environment. In an era of rising polarization and competing narratives, responsible journalism and principled diplomacy are not luxuries for small democracies like Mongolia. They are essential safeguards for a nation working to secure its place as a credible, independent, and constructive member of the international community.
The Irish Sun
25-06-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Britain's migrant crisis being fuelled by Putin's Russia and other hostile states in secret plot to destabilise UK
RUSSIA is pushing migrants to the UK to overwhelm border defences and sow division, security sources warn. Vladimir Putin's tactics include providing fake documents, transport and even military escorts to smuggling gangs. 6 Small-boat crossings are being weaponised by hostile states to destabilise Britain, senior security sources warned last night Credit: Chris Eades 6 Foes like Putin's Russia aim to overwhelm our border defences and pile pressure on struggling communities by spreading division Credit: AP More than 18,000 have arrived in dinghies so far this year — and opposition MPs said the crossings should now be declared a 'national security crisis'. Senior security sources warned The Sun that foreign powers are backing or exploiting smuggling gangs in a bid to destabilise Britain. This week, Nato recognised Just 299 migrants crossed the Channel in 2018. The highest year for arrivals was 2022 at 45,774. Thousands of Some have since been charged with national security offences, A top security source told The Sun: 'Hostile states and malign actors are using illegal migration to test borders, cause disruption and destabilise countries like Britain. Sun probe uncovers asylum seekers in hotels linked to string of rape cases 'That's exactly why Nato is now treating border protection as a core part of collective defence — because the lines between traditional military threats and national security are more blurred than ever.' Most read in The Sun Opposition MPs said our broken borders are being tested by hostile states while ministers sit on their hands. 'The news that hostile states are weaponising illegal migration shows that the Government has been negligent in failing to tackle the boat crisis. 'The way to stop it is to immediately remove illegal immigrants to a location outside Europe. 'But Labour scrapped the Rwanda deterrent before it even started and now record numbers are coming in.' Reform UK leader Nigel Farage added: 'I first warned this would happen in my European Parliament speeches over ten years ago. 'The crossings are a national security emergency.' Britain spends billions on border forces, coastal patrols and surveillance in the Channel. These can all now be logged as part of our Nato commitment. Senior officials say the move reflects how lines between military threats and criminal activity are being blurred by hostile regimes. Home Office insiders insist the UK is not blind to the growing risk from foreign interference in the Channel crisis. Countries such as Russia and Iran have long used underhand tactics to mess with the West — from cyber attacks and disinformation to stirring up migration. Security sources say Russia and its puppet-state And only last month, In March And Italian defence minister Guido Crosetto has accused the Kremlin-linked Wagner group of helping drive immigration from North Africa to Europe, calling it a 'clear strategy of hybrid warfare'. 6 This year, 18,000 migrants have crossed on dinghies Credit: Reuters Yesterday PM The pledge covers 3.5 per cent for hard defence, like troops and weapons, and 1.5 per cent on wider security, which includes infrastructure, energy security and border protection. Security Minister Dan Jarvis said: 'National security is the first duty of any government — and that means securing our borders. 'We are improving our ability to monitor and anticipate illegal migration flows at both national and international levels, including investing in new state-of-the-art surveillance technology. 'Our Border Security Command is drawing together security operations around our border. 'This means working in close co-operation with Europol, Frontex and individual EU member states to combat organised immigration crime. 'New counter terrorism-style powers will tackle organised immigration crime groups, and existing capabilities carry out identity and criminal record checks on those applying for a visa, clandestine entries and those who arrive by small boat, so that potential threats are immediately addressed.' The Sun understands And after Sir Keir Starmer's meeting with Mr Tusk in January, the UK is stepping up co-operation with Warsaw to tackle the weaponisation of migration. THREE ASYLUM SEEKERS CONVICTED OF CRIMES IN UK Flasher 6 Snur Hamakarim exposed himself to two young girls in an underpass Credit: Dan Charity AYSLUM seeker Snur Hamakarim exposed himself to two young girls in an underpass. The sisters, aged 12 and 15, witnessed the 40-year-old drop his jeans as they walked home from school in Stevenage, Herts, in January. The Iraqi-born migrant had been in the UK for a matter of months. He was later seen on CCTV leaving the underpass 'with his trousers round his ankles'. Prosecutor Micha O'Neill told the town's magistrates' court the girls 'saw the defendant pulling his jeans down and exposing his penis'. Hamakarim was convicted of indecent exposure, fined £50 and given a community order with 200 hours' unpaid work. Trespasser 6 Mieser Oglo climbed into a security area near the Palace of Westminster so he could get a better view of the New Year fireworks Credit: David Dyson Commisioned by The Sun SYRIAN Mieser Oglo climbed into a security area near the Palace of Westminster so he could get a better view of the New Year fireworks on the Thames. The 18-year-old asylum seeker, below, scaled a 4ft-high gate on Canon Row, but claimed he had not realised what he was doing was illegal because the 'No Climbing' sign was in English and he could not read it. Oglo, who arrived in the UK last year and lives in asylum housing at the former RAF Weathersfield, appeared at City of London magistrates' court on Monday, aided by an Arabic interpreter. He told the court: 'Back home, it is normal to climb over fences.' He was convicted of trespass and fined £100. Arsonist 6 Zaidan Hossan Taha did not like the conditions of the home he was placed in — so set it alight Credit: SWNS MIGRANT Zaidan Hossan Taha did not like the conditions of the home he was placed in — so set it alight. The 24-year-old, from Kurdish Iraq, was moved into a Leeds bedsit but was unhappy his food was being stolen. In April he was arrested after threatening to start a blaze there but was released. A month later, he set fire to a blanket in the kitchen and threw it on a sofa before leaving the property. It failed to take hold, but caused smoke damage. Taha was arrested and later spat in an officer's face. Read more on the Irish Sun He admitted arson and assault and told Leeds crown court he came to the UK 'for a better life'. He was jailed for 26 months and told he would probably be deported after prison.
