EU & Europe

Photo: Marines fire an M777 howitzer at Twentynine Palms, Calif. Credit: DOD

U.S. Troops Train Ukrainians in Germany as M777 Howitzers Are on the Way

By Jim Garamone & David Vergun, DOD News

This report was issued by the U.S. Department of Defense.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (IDN) — U.S. service members in Germany have begun training Ukrainian soldiers on key systems being used to defend Ukraine against the Russian invasion, according to Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby.

"These efforts build on the initial artillery training that Ukraine's forces already have received elsewhere and also includes training on radar systems and armored vehicles that have been recently announced as part of security assistance packages," Kirby said.

: J C Suresh; THE WORLD; Russia; 01 May 2022

Photo: UN Secretary-General António Guterres (centre) visits Bucha, on the outskirts of the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

UN Chief Guterres Visits Ukraine and Calls for Justice

By Radwan Jakeem with UN News

NEW YORK (IDN) — UN Secretary-General António Guterres was visibly "personally affected" on visiting sites of suspected war crimes in Ukraine on April 28, where he condemned the "evil" acts committed against civilians and urged criminal accountability.

His visit to the Kyiv suburbs of Borodianka, Bucha and Irpin took place nine weeks since the Russian invasion began on February 24. Mr Guterres urged Russia "to accept to cooperate" with the ongoing investigation launched by the International Criminal Court, the ICC.

: Radwan Jakeem; UN INSIDER; 01 May 2022

Photo: Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III hosts Anita Anand, Canada's Minister of National Defense, for a bilateral meeting at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., April 28, 2022. Credit: Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Zachary Wheeler.

Canada and U.S. Jointly Backing Up Ukraine, NATO

By Jim Garamone, DOD News

This report was issued by the U.S. Department of Defense.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (IDN) — Canada and the United States are in lockstep in their support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia, defense leaders said following Pentagon meetings on April 28.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III hosted Canadian Minister of National Defense Anita Anand for the meeting that also covered the wide range of issues facing both neighbors.

: J C Suresh; THE WORLD; EU & Europe; 29 April 2022

The Ukraine Conflict Is Leading to the Suicide of Reason

Viewpoint by Roberto Savio *

This article was issued by Meer and is being re-published with the author's permission.

ROME (IDN) — It seems to me that after six weeks of conflict we have to take stock of the conflict, looking at which of the actors have got any profit: the famous latin cui prodest... and we see clearly that nobody has gained anything, and that we are in a period of the suicide of reason.

: Roberto Savio; OPINION; 28 April 2022

Photo: The Sun rises behind Long Island City skyscrapers at dawn of the first day of the general debate of the General Assembly's seventy-sixth session (2021). UN Photo/Mark Garten

Ukraine Proves UN Cannot Singlehandedly Usher in a Nuclear-Weapons-Free World

By Thalif Deen

UNITED NATIONS (IDN) — The devastating war in Ukraine—now moving towards the third month—has triggered several threats of the “nuclear option”.

The battle, which began with the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, is between one of the world’s major nuclear powers and a neighboring non-nuclear country.

: Thalif Deen; ARMAMENTS; Nuclear Weapons; 27 April 2022

UN Condemns UK Plan to Dump Asylum-Seeking Refugees in Rwanda

By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network

NEW YORK (IDN) — The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has joined other human rights groups in protesting plans by the United Kingdom to dump migrants and asylum-seekers who cross the Channel thousands of miles away to Rwanda as the government tries to cut the record numbers of people making the perilous journey.

: Global Information Network; UN INSIDER; 23 April 2022

A Negotiated Peace Alone Will End Russia's War on Ukraine

This article was issued by CNN and is being republished with the author's permission.

Viewpoint by Jeffrey D. Sachs

NEW YORK (IDN) — There is only one answer to the war in Ukraine: a peace deal.

The two-pronged US strategy, to help Ukraine overcome the Russian invasion by imposing tough sanctions and by supplying Ukraine's military with sophisticated armaments, is likely to fall short. What is needed is a peace deal, which may be within reach. Yet to reach a deal, the United States will have to compromise on NATO, something Washington has so far rejected.

: Opinion Editor; OPINION; 21 April 2022

US Urged to Restore the UN-Backed 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal

By Radwan Jakeem

NEW YORK (IDN) — More than 40 former government officials and leading nuclear non-proliferation experts have expressed strong support for an agreement that returns Iran and the United States to comply with the 2015 nuclear deal. The accord between Iran and the major world powers, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was unanimously endorsed by the UN Security Council in Resolution 2231.

: Radwan Jakeem; SUSTAINABILITY; Peace & Justice; 21 April 2022

Photo: Senior Airman Jansen Esteves, a 436th Aerial Port Squadron special handler, verifies shipment information for supplies bound for Ukraine at Dover Air Force Base, Del., March 20, 2022. Credit: Air Force Staff Sgt. Marco A. Gomez

Military Support to Ukraine Not Affecting U.S. Readiness

By C. Todd Lopez , U.S: Department of Defence (DOD) News

WASHINGTON (IDN) — Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, February 24, the U.S. government has provided $2.6 billion in security assistance to the Ukrainians to help them regain and defend their sovereignty. Much of what has been sent has come straight out of U.S. military stockpiles. Nevertheless, the U.S. military's own readiness has not been affected by having sent that gear overseas, said Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby during a briefing on April 14.

: J C Suresh; THE WORLD; Russia; 16 April 2022

Photo: NATO Allies agreed to further strengthen and sustain support for Ukraine on April 6-7, 2022. Credit: NATO

Russia Concerned About Finland, Sweden and Moldova Joining NATO

By Kester Kenn Klomegah*

MOSCOW | HELSINKI (IDN) — Further expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) toward Russia's territorial backyard is nothing new. As a prestigious security alliance, it consistently seeks consolidated development in terms of tasks and membership strength. The collapse of the Soviet Union marked the end of Mikhail Gorbachev and ushering in of Boris Yeltsin as the first President of the Russian Federation. There were negotiations aimed at preparing Russia to ascend unto NATO and even join the European Union (EU).