Latest news with #SZRU
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Putin's negotiator Dmitriev pushing for release of $280 billion in frozen Russian assets, Ukrainian intel chief says
The head of Russia's sovereign wealth fund, Kirill Dmitriev, is spearheading efforts to secure the release of some $280 billion in frozen Russian assets, Ukrainian Foreign Intelligence Service (SZRU) Chief Oleh Ivashchenko told Ukrinform in an interview published on May 26. Kyiv-born Dmitriev was previously appointed by President Vladimir Putin as a special envoy for economic affairs, tasked with facilitating dialogue with the Trump administration. "Dmitriev's main task is to get Russia's frozen assets out. This is a colossal amount for them," Ivashchenko said. Western governments froze around $300 billion in Russian sovereign assets following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Kyiv has repeatedly urged the G7 and EU to move from freezing to confiscating those funds and using them to finance Ukraine's defense and post-war recovery. Western governments have primarily relied on reallocating interest income generated by the frozen funds to support Kyiv. Ivashchenko accused Dmitriev of trying to reframe the international conversation away from Russia's war against Ukraine. "Dmitriev is trying to show the U.S. that let's not focus on war and peace, let's look at the bigger picture. We have the Arctic, we have oil, gas, we have Siberia with resources," he said. President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking on April 9, also said that Dmitriev has been tasked with conveying Moscow's economic proposals to Washington. Dmitriev previously played a key role in Russia's backchannel diplomacy with the Trump team after the 2016 U.S. election. After his May 19 call with Putin, U.S. President Donald Trump said Russia was ready to engage in major trade deals with the U.S. once the war ends. "There is a tremendous opportunity for Russia to create massive amounts of jobs and wealth," Trump said in a Truth Social post. "Its potential is unlimited. Likewise, Ukraine can be a great beneficiary on trade, in the process of rebuilding its country." Ivashchenko warned that these overtures from Dmitriev are part of a deliberate effort to deflect attention from Ukraine and gain leverage in broader geopolitical negotiations. "The issue of Ukraine is being blurred," he added. Read also: West no longer imposing range restrictions on arms for Ukraine, Germany's Merz says We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Belarus has nuclear weapon delivery systems but no Russian warheads, Ukrainian intel chief says
Belarus possesses nuclear weapon delivery systems but no warheads, Ukrainian foreign intelligence (SZRU) chief Oleh Ivashchenko said in an interview with Ukrinform published on May 26. Belarus has been a key ally to Moscow and has previously been reported as hosting Russian tactical nuclear arms on its territory, after the two countries signed an agreement in May 2023. Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko said in December of the same year that the transfer of Russian nuclear weapons to Belarus was completed in early October. But according to Ivashchenko, at the present time Belarus does not possess any nuclear weapons. "There are no warheads. They are setting up storage facilities, preparing, and building. Lukashenko says they will have Oreshnik by the end of the year. But this looks like wishful thinking. As of today, there is nothing like that, and it is unlikely that it will happen," Ivashchenko said. Russia and Belarus have deepened nuclear cooperation since the start of Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. They held the second stage of tactical weapons nuclear drills, amid escalating tensions between Moscow and the West, the Kremlin's Defense Ministry said in June, 2024. The first stage of the exercises, which were ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 6, 2024, involved missile units in Russia's Southern Military District, including the occupied territories of Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly made nuclear threats against Ukraine and the West since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. The threats have failed to materialize, and Russia continues to wage its all-out war without using its nuclear arsenal. Read also: Secret note reveals Russia using Telegram bots to control drones attacking Ukraine, Economist reports We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Russia can attack Europe 2-4 years after war's end, faster with lifted sanctions, Ukrainian intel chief warns
Russia will be able to restore its combat capabilities and launch an aggression against Europe between two and four years after hostilities in Ukraine end, Ukrainian foreign intelligence (SZRU) chief Oleh Ivashchenko said in an interview with Ukrinform published on May 26. "If the sanctions are lifted, the rearmament process will proceed much faster," Ivashchenko said in the interview, adding that Kyiv has shared its estimates with European partners. Western officials have previously shared similar time estimates, underscoring the growing threat of an open clash between Moscow and NATO after the Russian full-scale war against Ukraine ends. Russia's military is currently heavily engaged in Ukraine, suffering massive losses in manpower and equipment. Christopher Cavoli, commander of U.S. forces in Europe, nevertheless warned in April that Russia is rebuilding its forces much faster than previously anticipated. Ukraine's military claims that Russia has suffered close to 1 million men killed, injured, or otherwise listed as casualties since the outbreak of the full-scale war. Kyiv's Western partners — namely the U.S. and the EU — have also sought to restrain Russia's ability to reconstitute its forces by imposing heavy sanctions aimed at cutting off supply chains and throttling Moscow's economy. U.S., European, and Ukrainian officials and military experts believe that Russia is losing its military edge on the battlefield, presenting it as an impetus to increase pressure on Moscow and force it toward a ceasefire, the Washington Post reported. Instead, U.S. President Donald Trump said he does not plan any additional sanctions against Russia, so as not to disrupt peace efforts, dashing European hopes of a coordinated strategy. The EU has pledged to ramp up sanctions if Russia continues to reject a ceasefire, and the bloc's 18th sanctions package is currently under discussion. The Trump administration has previously signaled interest in resuming economic ties with Russia after a potential peace deal, though pledging to maintain the existing sanctions until then. Read also: 'I don't know what the hell happened to Putin,' says Trump as Russia unleashes 3rd consecutive attack on Ukraine We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'Justice inevitably comes' — Zelensky on deaths of high-ranking Russian officials
Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service (SZRU) and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) briefed President Volodymyr Zelensky "on the liquidation of individuals from the top command of the Russian armed forces," the president said on April 28. "Justice inevitably comes," Zelensky said. In recent days, two high-profile Russians with ties to the full-scale war in Ukraine have been reported killed in car bombings. Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik, deputy chief of the main operations directorate of Russia's army, was killed when a car exploded in the yard of a residential building in Balashikha, Moscow Oblast on April 25. Yevgeny Rytikov, a Russian engineer involved in modernizing electronic warfare (EW) systems used against Ukraine, was killed in a car bombing in western Russia overnight on April 18. "The head of the Foreign Intelligence Service reported on the liquidation of individuals from the top command of the Russian armed forces. Justice inevitably comes," Zelensky said. "The head of the SBU reported on our further measures to counter Russian agent networks in Ukraine and saboteurs. Good results. Thank you for your work." Ukraine has not officially claimed credit for either reported bombing. Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said on April 26 that it had detained Ignat Kuzin, allegedly an "agent of the Ukrainian special services," in connection to Moskalik's killing. Ukrainian security services have been linked to several assassinations of Russian military officers and other figures involved in Moscow's war against Ukraine. The government is also preparing a new round of sanctions in response to recently obtained information, Zelensky said. "Today I was presented with materials that substantiate the need for appropriate decisions," he said, without disclosing further details. Read also: Kyiv teenagers mourn their friend killed by Russian missile (PHOTOS) We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
