UKRAINE The European Parliament on Thursday adopted with a landslide majority a resolution calling for an immediate full embargo on Russian imports of coal, nuclear fuel and gas. Among other things, the document provides for renouncing the North Stream 1 and 2 pipelines altogether and includes a plan for assuring short-term energy supplies to the bloc. Under the document, arm supplies to Ukraine must continue so that the country may be able to defend itself properly. However, according to Rompres news agency, the resolution has only a symbolical character. The US has imposed new sanctions on two of Russia’s largest banks, as well as on Vladimir Putin’s two adult daughters, on Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, on the wife and children of Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, on members of the Security Council of Russia, including Dimitri Medvedev, a former President and Prime Minister. On the other hand, the Ukrainian police found new bodies of people shot in Hostomel, near Kyiv, a town recently liberated from the occupation of Russian troops. According to the locals, they were killed by snipers. The Ukrainian military record war crimes cases in every city or town where the Russian soldiers were present. According to the Ukrainian officials, more than 1,200 lawsuits have been opened in the Kyiv region over war crimes committed by the occupiers. Polish President Andrzej Duda described the Russian military’s actions in Ukraine as „genocide” and called on the West to strengthen sanctions against Moscow. On the ground, according to the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Russian occupiers are preparing an offensive operation in the east of the country to establish full control over the territory of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Pentagon confirms that the Russian troops have completely withdrawn from Ukrainian capital Kyiv and from Cernihiv.
TALKS NATO Foreign Ministers including Romania’s Bogdan Aurescu held talks in Brussels on the relationship with partners in the regions of Europe and Asia-Pacific. High on the agenda was also the situation in Ukraine and the need for supporting this country by the allied and partner countries as well as preparations for the summer summit in Madrid. The Romanian Minister has underlined that the allies’ security is intrinsically tied to that of the partners in the neighborhood and the resilience of the partners is tightly connected to that of the allies. The Romanian official has reiterated that the practical support for strengthening the resilience of the Republic of Moldova and Georgia must remain a top priority for all partners. Aurescu has highlighted the need for keeping and strengthening allied unity and solidarity with a view to handling the effects of the Russian aggression as well as the continuation of providing support for Ukraine. He reiterated Romania’s position about the need to build a stronger defence for a better deterrence on the Eastern Flank especially in the Black Sea. During the event a formal meeting of NATO Foreign Minister was announced to be hosted by Bucharest over November 29th and 30th.
POLL Half of the Romanians believes their financial situation has worsened this year and forecasts are pessimistic. Only a little over 9% say their incomes have improved, a survey conducted by the CEC Bank jointly with Finzoom has revealed. 43% of the respondents believe they are going to fare worse in the future and the main reason is the latest price hikes in energy as the expenses for utilities are bearing on heavily on a Romanian family’s budget. Second on their worry list is the expansion of the conflict in neighboring Ukraine. Founded back in 1864, the CEC Bank is presently boasting the longest tradition in Romania.
UN With 93 votes in favour, 24 against and 58 abstentions, the UN General Assembly on Thursday suspended Russia from the Human Rights Council for having invaded Ukraine. The move was initiated by the United States and other countries including Britain. In the UN history only Libya led by Moammar Gaddafi was suspended in 2011, but this time the suspended is a permanent member of the Security Council.
