News
“The man the Kremlin wants to run Ukraine”
The United States says too soon to impose harsh sanction on Russia for its hostile stance towards Ukraine
The Secretary of State Antony Blinken says any deterrence would be lost if sanctions were triggered too early.
It comes as the UK accuses Russia of trying to install a puppet government in Kyiv – a claim that Moscow denies.
As tensions mount on the border between Russia and Ukraine, the UK is accusing Vladimir Putin of choosing this man to run Ukraine
The British Foreign Office is now naming a former Ukranian MP as the potential Kremlin candidate – an accusation Moscow is firmly denying.
This is the man the British believe will soon lead Ukraine, if the Kremlin has its way.
Ukrainian MP Yev-en Mur-ayev – a pro Russian figure.
In 2019, his party only won 3 per cent of the vote – short of the 5% barrier.
he founded the pro-Russian TV channel NASH, which was owned by his father.
Ukraine’s ambassador to the UK says he’s not surprised the Russians would choose the former MP.
Western and Ukrainian intelligence services believe an invasion could happen at any time, after Russian forces amassed on the border.
Russia denies it is planning any attack .. but President Putin has issued demands to the West. He wants a firm guarantee that Ukraine wont join NATO.
He also wants Nato to abandon military exercises and stop sending weapons to eastern Europe.
But Russia’s annexation of Crimea have galvanized public support for Ukraine’s Western leanings.
The Americans say NATO is a defensive force, and accuse Russia of trying to increase its sphere of influence.
Russia denies the “plot”
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the British Foreign Office is “circulating disinformation” and called on the UK to “stop spreading nonsense”.
In a statement, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said: “The information being released today shines a light on the extent of Russian activity designed to subvert Ukraine, and is an insight into Kremlin thinking.
“Russia must de-escalate, end its campaigns of aggression and disinformation, and pursue a path of diplomacy.
“As the UK and our partners have said repeatedly, any Russian military incursion into Ukraine would be a massive strategic mistake with severe costs.”
In Kiyv, the weather is still freezing, with the hope there’ll be no cold war.
What’s happening in the Middle East?
- President Donald Trump says Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed.
- Trump describes the moment as the greatest opportunity for the Iranian people to “take back their country”.
- Iran insists its leader is “firmly commanding the field”.
- Israel and the U.S. have carried out strikes on Iran.
- Impacts have been reported in Israel and across Gulf states as Iran launches retaliatory attacks.
- The escalation has sparked fear and panic, with civilians fleeing major cities.
News
U.S. and Israel strike Iran as missiles hit Gulf bases and oil surges
U.S. and Israel launch major military operation against Iran; tensions rise as conflict escalates, impacting global markets.
U.S. and Israel launch major military operation against Iran; tensions rise as conflict escalates, impacting global markets.
The United States and Israel have launched a sweeping military operation against Iran, striking leadership targets and more than 500 military sites in what President Trump has dubbed Operation Epic Fury.
Explosions have rocked Tehran, with civilians fleeing the capital as U.S. sea and air assets carry out sustained attacks. Washington says the mission is designed to prevent a nuclear armed Iran and has even called on Iranians to rise up against the regime.
Iran has retaliated with a barrage of missiles and drones targeting Israel and U.S. bases across the region, including in Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. While many projectiles were intercepted, a U.S. base in Bahrain sustained damage.
Gulf states long seen as stable hubs for global business are now directly in the firing line, raising fears of a wider regional war.
Oil prices are climbing and tankers are diverting from the Strait of Hormuz as markets react to the escalating conflict. U.S. aircraft carriers, advanced fighter jets and missile destroyers remain in position, signalling more strikes could follow.
With global leaders scrambling diplomatically, the world is watching to see whether this spirals further or shifts back to negotiations.
News
Iran warns ships to avoid Strait of Hormuz
Iran warns ships to avoid Strait of Hormuz amid rising tensions and military buildup in the region
Iran warns ships to avoid Strait of Hormuz amid rising tensions and military buildup in the region
– Iran’s Guard Corps advises ships to avoid the Strait of Hormuz due to rising tensions.
– Tankers have diverted to Qatar and UAE amidst concerns over safety and potential Iranian threats.
Ships have been repeatedly warned against entering the strait, as stated by crews in the area and the European Union’s naval command, Aspides. On Saturday, dozens of tankers diverted, with some seeking refuge in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates while others opted to steer clear of the region, as reported by oil brokers and shipowners.
Shipping Concerns
Tensions continue to impact shipping operations as carriers remain cautious in the Gulf region.
Tanker crews reported hearing explosions near Iran’s Kharg Island, which is vital for the country’s oil exports, as it handles 90% of its crude oil shipments.
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