Kremlin spokesman says Russia’s return to grain deal with Ukraine is not possible at the moment
On July 17, Russia withdrew from the Black Sea Grain Agreement, which allowed wartime Ukrainian grain to enter world markets safely, citing continued restrictions on its own fertilizers and agricultural products.
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Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a Google Translate comment quoted by Russia’s state-run news agency TASS that Russia’s return to the Black Sea Grain Agreement is not possible at this time because Russia’s demands have not been met. by telegram.
On July 17, Russia withdrew from a pact that allowed Ukrainian grain to enter world markets safely during the war, citing continued restrictions on its own fertilizers and agricultural products.
The West has widely criticized the decision, with the United Nations begging Moscow to reconsider and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan saying he will try to bring Russian President Vladimir Putin back to the negotiating table.
— Luxandra Iordake
Julius Baer will end deals with Russia-based clients by the end of the year, Reuters reports
Julius Baer will end all business with Russia-based customers, according to people familiar with the matter. Reuters report Based on a letter obtained by the news agency.
Swiss commercial banks will end all operations by December 31, but will end asset management operations such as customer investment management, credit agreements and credit card agreements by the end of September, Reuters reported.
The move comes as asset management groups try to navigate a sea of sanctions triggered by Russia’s all-out invasion of Ukraine.
Julius Baer declined to comment on the letter to CNBC.
— Hannah Ward-Grenton
Russia says Black Sea Fleet ships destroyed two Ukrainian Navy drones
The Russian Defense Ministry said Ukrainian forces attempted to attack two Russian naval patrol ships in the Black Sea on Tuesday night.
As reported by the state news agency, the Ukrainian Armed Forces “unsuccessfully attempted to attack the Black Sea Fleet patrol ship Sergei Kotov tonight, which is carrying out a navigation control mission in the southwestern Black Sea (370 km southwest of Sevastopol),” the ministry said. Tas And translated with Google Translate.
The ministry said there were no casualties.
CNBC was unable to independently verify the Russian defense ministry’s claims.
— Hannah Ward-Grenton
Russian delegation visits Pyongyang to develop ‘friendly relations’, North Korea state media reports
A Russian military delegation led by Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu will visit North Korea later this week to mark the 70th anniversary of Victory Day, North Korean state media KCNA reported. report.
A group of people gather at Kim Il Sung Square before the 2017 Victory Day celebrations in Pyongyang.
Ed Jones | AFP | Getty Images
The Korean Central News Agency said the visit would be a “celebration” visit to “present an important opportunity to further develop the traditional DPRK-Russia friendly relations in line with the needs of the times.”
— Hannah Ward-Grenton
Russia Attempts Sixth Drone Attack on Kiev, Ukraine Says All Drones Destroyed
Russia launched air strikes on Kiev early Tuesday morning, but all drones were detected and destroyed before any damage was done, media outlets said. telegram post According to Google Translate, by the Kyiv City Military Administration.
The barrage was reportedly the sixth drone attack on the capital in July and lasted a total of three hours.
View of Kiev, Ukraine.
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KCMA Director Serhiy Popko said there were no injuries or destruction in the city.
The attack came after Russia accused Ukraine of carrying out a “terrorist” drone attack on Moscow on Monday.
— Hannah Ward-Grenton
Nuclear Observatory Confirms Anti-Personnel Mines at Zaporizhia Factory
Russian-controlled Zaporizhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine on June 15, 2023.
Olga Martseva | AFP | Getty Images
The International Atomic Energy Agency has confirmed the presence of anti-personnel landmines at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant in Russia-occupied Ukraine by Director-General Rafael Grossi. said on monday.
His team was informed that this was a military decision made in a military controlled area.
“The presence of such explosives on site violates IAEA safety standards and nuclear security guidelines and puts additional psychological pressure on station staff,” Grossi said, “even though the IAEA’s initial assessment, based on its own observations and the station’s description, is that these mine explosions should not affect the site’s nuclear safety and security systems.”
The IAEA has repeatedly called for Zaporizhia to be secured, demilitarized and ensure safe operation in order to minimize the danger of a nuclear detonation. The agency does not have full access to the entire facility during inspections.
Russia has occupied the plant since March 2022.
— Luxandra Iordake
White House worried about Russia’s possible ‘false flag operation’
A White House spokeswoman said Russia could attack civilians in a “false flag” operation and blame Ukraine for the attack. Monday press conference.
“This is what we have been warning about and we will continue to monitor it closely,” spokeswoman Carine Jeanpierre said in a briefing.
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“This is what we have been warning about and we will continue to monitor it closely,” spokeswoman Carine Jeanpierre said in a briefing.
There are also concerns that Russian forces will extend their targeting of Ukrainian grain facilities to attacks on civilian vessels in the Black Sea, “even if they are simply trying to pick up grain and … products to feed the world’s people,” he added.
The White House has called on Russia “immediately” to return to the Black Sea Grains Initiative.
On July 17, Russia scrapped a UN-brokered deal that allowed Ukraine to supply major grains to world markets.
— Hannah Ward-Grenton
UN’s Guterres urges Russia to return to Ukraine grain deal
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged Russia to return to the UN-brokered Black Sea Grains Initiative, which facilitated the export of Ukrainian agricultural products to world markets. Moscow withdrew from the accord on 17 July in opposition to Western restrictions on its grain and grain supplies.
Western countries condemn Moscow’s decision.
Guterres: “The end of the Black Sea Initiative will pay the highest price for the most vulnerable” said at the United Nations Food Summit on Tuesday.. “When food prices rise, hope in the developing world is dashed.
The Black Sea Grains Agreement has benefited multiple beneficiaries around the world, including some food-insecure countries in the Middle East and Africa.
— Luxandra Iordake
President Zelensky urges EU to lift ‘unacceptable’ ban on Ukraine exports
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged the European Union to ensure that the “unacceptable and clearly un-European” ban on exports from Ukraine is lifted. speech at night Monday.
Ukraine is currently under a temporary ban on exports of agricultural products to five European countries under provisions until September 15.
“We believe that the European side will fulfill its obligations with respect to this day when the temporary restrictions will end,” Zelensky said.
A farmer inspects an unsold corn granary on a farm in Szechowo, Poland, Monday, April 17, 2023.
Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images
In May, the EU allowed Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia to ban domestic sales of Ukrainian agricultural products, including wheat and sunflower seeds, after the countries expressed concern the trade was harming the livelihoods of local farmers.
According to people familiar with the matter, the two countries are prepared to jointly request an extension of the ban. Reuters report.
Poland’s Agriculture Minister Istvan Nagy told news agencies on July 19 that he was “going to Warsaw to sign a declaration or agreement asking the EU to strengthen cooperation between the five countries and extend the ban beyond September 15.”
In his speech on Monday, President Zelensky also referred to Ukraine’s desire to join the European Union this year, saying the country was doing “everything necessary” to make that happen.
— Hannah Ward-Grenton
President Zelensky says Ukraine is focusing on defending its port cities against Russian drone attacks
Ukrainians clear debris after a Russian missile hit the historic Transfiguration Cathedral (Spaso-Preobrazhensky) cathedral in central Odesa, Ukraine, July 23, 2023.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his army was preparing for a Russian drone attack.
“Our focus is on defending our peoples, cities, ports and the Black Sea grain corridor. A decisive response to attacks by Russian terrorists is prepared to maintain our security and protect our interests.” Zelensky wrote on his official Telegram channel:.
“On all fronts, our main task is to target and inflict maximum damage on the facilities, supplies, warehouses and headquarters of the occupiers. Ensuring that Russia suffers daily losses is a legitimate goal,” Zelensky added.
In recent days, the Russian military has carried out punitive drone strikes against port cities like Odesa.
— Amanda Macias
Romanian president condemns Russian attack on border
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis has condemned Russia’s attack on port infrastructure near the border.
“I strongly condemn the recent Russian attack on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure on the Danube, which is very close to Romania,” Iohannis wrote.
NATO allies border Ukraine and share the Black Sea coastline.
“This recent escalation poses a significant risk to the security of the Black Sea. It also has further implications for Ukrainian grain shipments and, in turn, global food security,” he added.
— Amanda Macias
President Zelensky says Ukraine-NATO Council meeting to be held this week
NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg (left) shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the end of a joint press conference in Kiev on April 20, 2023.
Dimitar Dirkoff | AFP | Getty Images
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the first meeting of the Ukrainian-NATO Council will take place on Wednesday.
“Thanks to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg for promptly convening the first meeting of the Ukrainian-NATO Council.” Zelensky said in a post on the Telegram platform.. The group will discuss Black Sea security following Russia’s withdrawal from a landmark agreement that brokered a maritime humanitarian corridor for agricultural exports.
Zelensky also said Western allies are preparing additional security packages, including air defense systems, artillery and long-range weapons.
“The recipe for ending war is clear. It all depends on the unity and determination of all those who value freedom, culture and life,” he added.
— Amanda Macias
