From Foreign Waters

  The European Union (EU) is considering a bold plan to repurpose profits from frozen Russian assets, aiming to raise over $2 billion annually in military aid for Ukraine. This initiative comes amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, with the EU seeking to bolster Ukraine's defenses against Russian aggression. The proposal involves imposing a 97% windfall tax on the interest earned by Russian funds currently held in a Belgian clearing house. These funds, originally intended for Ukraine's post-war reconstruction, are now being redirected to support Ukraine's military efforts. The EU's plan underscores its commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. By repurposing frozen assets, the EU aims to provide Ukraine with the resources needed to defend itself against Russian incursions. The decision to divert funds from reconstruction to military aid reflects the escalating tensions in the region. With EU leaders set to discuss the proposal, the move signif...

  The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been at the forefront of providing vital humanitarian assistance to the people of Ukraine amid the ongoing crisis in the country. The UAE's commitment towards alleviating suffering and promoting humanity has been evident through its ongoing relief efforts and establishment of an air bridge that sent 11 aircraft carrying over 550 tonnes of relief supplies Since the beginning of the Ukrainian crisis, the UAE has been providing immediate relief and assistance to those in need. Food, medical su pplies, and shelter have been provided to those who have been displaced as a result of the conflict. Furthermore, the UAE has been actively supporting the reconstruction and development of infrastructure, such as schools and hospitals, to assist in the reconstruction of communities affected by the crisis. The establishment of an air bridge to transport aid to Ukraine has been one of the UAE's most significant contributions. This air bridge has been cri...

  Finding out what young Russians actually think about the brutal conflict that has entered its second year now is pretty challenging. Only a handful of people are truly open about their beliefs as anti-war sentiment is heavily cracked down on in the country. Polls have suggested that even though the Gen Z Russians are the least likely to support the 'special military operation' in Ukraine, many still back it. Nevertheless, the younger generation, unlike their elders, is growing up in an era of smart devices and social networking sites, and therefore have better access to a wider range of information compared with what they are offered on state media. Here are what three young Russians think about the war, one year on. Kim, now living in the US The 18-year-old Russian, originally from Novosibirsk, follows "everything on Telegram and independent analysis from both sides." With fear, nervousness, and massive change brought by the war taking a toll on their lives, he a...

  On Friday, the front line in Ukraine saw artillery fire between Russian and Ukrainian forces despite Moscow's claims that it had instructed its troops to cease firing in exchange for an unofficial ceasefire that Kyiv vehemently rejected. In order to celebrate Russian Orthodox Christmas, President Vladimir Putin imposed a 36-hour cease-fire beginning at noon on Friday. Ukraine has said that it has no plans to end the conflict and has dismissed the rumoured cease-fire as a ruse by Moscow to obtain time to replenish soldiers who have suffered significant losses this week. "what a truce? Are you hearing? "As an explosion sounded along the front line near Kreminna in eastern Ukraine, a Ukrainian soldier going by the name Vyshnya spoke. The Russian defence ministry claimed that its troops started following the truce at noon Moscow time (0900 GMT), but claimed that Ukraine had continued to shell civilian areas and military outposts. At the front line, Ukrainian soldiers repor...

  On friday Russian President Vladimir Putin   said that an agreement would ultimately need to be struck to end fighting in Ukraine, nine months after the Kremlin launched its “special military operation” there. “I have said many times that we are ready for these agreements,” he added. Both leaders agreed on the importance of pre-empting Russia's insincere calls for a ceasefire and the Prime Minister added that the Kremlin needed to withdraw its forces before any agreement could be considered.” Meanwhile, in a sign of Russia's clampdown on public dissent, a Moscow court sentenced opposition politician Ilya Yashin to eight and a half years in prison on charges of spreading “false information” about the army.

  On Thursday  Ukraine   was bracing for hours-long power cuts after electricity lines were destroyed during a Russian bombardment. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said people should cut back their electricity use from 7am on Thursday. Energy company Ukrenergo said power lines had taken more damage in the past 10 days than in the previous eight months as Russian increases its missile attacks.  Russia admitted to striking energy infrastructure with long-range missiles, while Ukraine said Iranian-made drones were also involved. Controlled power cuts could last for up to four hours at a time after an estimated 30 per cent of Ukraine's energy infrastructure was damaged. Officials said further power cuts could be needed in the coming weeks as the cold Ukrainian winter sets in.

  Russia had exploded its motives towards Ukraine as it announced ‘Special Military Operations’ in the neighboring country on Thursday. Several nations stook against this action and condemned Russian president Vladimir Putin for the move. Moscow went ahead with the declaration despite the United Nations Security Council once again urging for the de-escalation. This was the second emergency meeting of the organization. As the meeting was going on, Putin announced the operation. Ukraine called it a full scale invasion. The foreign minister of the country Dmytro Kuleba said that the peaceful cities in the country are under strikes. “This is a war of aggression. Ukraine will defend itself and will win,” he tweeted. The United States on the other hand called it an ‘Unproveked and Unjustified attack’ on the neighboring country. President Joe Biden took to Twitter to say that he along with US’ allies will hold Russia accountable for its actions. President Zelenskyy reached out ...

President Donald Trump fired Gordon Sondland, the diplomat to the European Union, and Lt Col Alexander Vindman from his White House office on Friday. Both Vindman and Sondland gave damaging testimony during the indictment inquiry against Trump. Sondland said in an announcement that he was advised today that the president expects to review him by taking effect right now as United States Ambassador to the European Union." Hours sooner, Vindman, a Ukraine expert on the national security council who had been booked to rotate out of his White House assignments, was out of nowhere terminated on Friday, as indicated by an announcement from his legal counsel. The lawyer, David Pressman, stated: "He followed orders, he complied with his promise, and he served his nation. What's more, the most influential man on the planet – floated by the silent, the compliant, and the complicit – has chosen to get retribution. "There is no doubt in the minds of any America...

On Sunday, Chuck Schumer, the US Senate Minority Leader, said that senior government authorities must testify in Donald Trump's impeachment trial after a report asserted that the president told a former adviser to suspend military aid to Ukraine pending investigations concerning political opponents. The New York Times gave an account of Sunday that it uncovers that Trump told Former National Security Advisor John Bolton in August that he needed to keep retaining $391 million in security assistance to Ukraine until officials helped to give data about inquiries concerning the former United States VP, Joe Biden. The White House didn't respond quickly to the primary document, nor did Jay Sekulow the legal advisor who is helping Trump to fight his prosecution proceeding in the US Senate. Charles Cooper, who is representing Bolton, also didn't react or gave any comments. The disclosures could undermine one of the essential defenses made by Trump and his allies between the ...