Russia rocks the world with war
News that matter in Papua New Guinea
Russia rocks the world with war
(Papua New Guinea may benefit from new market demands for LNG)
PORT MORESBY: The Russian invasion and bombing of
Ukraine yesterday (Feb 24, 2022) is an act of war that is set to affect the
world economy, Institute of National Affairs executive director Paul Barker
says.
“It is still very
uncertain how this escalates, but the conflict and the sanctions will cut off
the availability of Russian oil and gas and other commodities.
“The commodities include
grains from the wider world market (under sanctions). It will force other
countries in Western Europe and elsewhere to find the power, fuel and other
minerals from elsewhere, driving up energy prices and some fuel and other
prices,” he added.
In terms of Papua New
Guinea’s high prices, of course (the situation will) provide some commercial
benefits to some producing and even trading corporations, and potentially to
Government in revenue, with new market demand for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as
far as Europe,” he said.
PNG Cyber Monitor reproduces below details of the effects of the
Russian invasion of Ukraine and international reports on the war as published
by The National:
War
February 25, 2022The NationalMain Stories
By SHIRLEY MAULUDU
THE Russian invasion
and bombing of Ukraine yesterday is an act of war that is set to affect the
world economy, Institute of National Affairs executive director Paul Barker
says.
“It is still very uncertain how this escalates, but the conflict and the
sanctions will cut off the availability of Russian oil and gas and other
commodities.
“The commodities include grains from the wider world market (under sanctions).
“It will also force other countries in Western Europe and elsewhere to find the
power, fuel and other minerals from elsewhere, driving up energy prices and
some fuel and other prices.
“Prices are already high since the progressive lifting of Coronavirus
(Covid-19) restrictions last year and increase in industrial and consumer
demand.”
Barker said some of those price rises were expected to be temporary as they
were affected by disorientated supply chains, with ships and container
scattered in the wrong places, and therefore component parts in industrial
assembly lines out of synch, resulting in delays in completing the manufacturing
process.
“This has added major disruption and uncertainty and hit some of the main
industries, as energy disruption has repercussions all down the chain, while
staple food disruption has wide ramifications on prices and supplies,
particularly affecting lower income households.
“In terms of Papua New Guinea’s high prices, of course (the situation will)
provide some commercial benefits to some producing and even trading
corporations, and potentially to Government in revenue, with new market demand
for liquefied natural gas (LNG) as far as Europe.
“So it can provide a war bonus for some businesses, but largely war is
catastrophic, absurd and seems to show that the lessons of the 20th Century,
which we thought had been learnt, with new international institutions from the
United Nations to treaties and war crime tribunals, can be ignored when
autocrats are given too much power and have inadequate checks, balances and
accountability to the world and even to their own communities.
“Human life should never be so devalued that it is deemed worthless by leaders,
who value their own vanity and power beyond all else.
“They are also eager to have a grand foreign military venture to draw attention
away from their own social, political and economic weaknesses and public demands
for accountability and genuine democracy,” he lamented.
Russia invades Ukraine
MOSCOW: Russia has launched an all-out invasion of Ukraine by land, air and sea, the biggest attack by one state against another in Europe since World War II and confirmation of the worst fears of the West.
The attacks began on Thursday (local time) after Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a televised address that he had approved a “special military operation”.
The move came after Moscow earlier recognised rebel-held territories in Luhansk and Donetsk and said they had asked for its “help”. Russian missiles rained down on Ukrainian cities.
Ukraine reported columns of troops pouring across its borders into the eastern Chernihiv, Kharkiv and Luhansk regions, and landing by sea at the cities of Odesa and Mariupol in the south. Russian troops attacked Ukraine from Belarus as well as Russia with Belarusian support, and an attack was also being launched from annexed Crimea, Ukraine’s border guard service said.
Explosions could be heard beore dawn in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv.
Gunfire rattled out near the main airport and sirens blared across the city.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said martial law had been declared and he appealed to world leaders to impose all possible sanctions on Russia, including on Putin, who he said wanted to destroy the Ukrainian state.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba wrote on Twitter that Putin had “launched a fullscale invasion of Ukraine”.
“Peaceful Ukrainian cities are under strikes. This is a war of aggression,” he said.
“Ukraine will defend itself and will win. The world can and must stop Putin. The time to act is now.”
Putin justified the attack as “a special military operation” to protect people, including Russian citizens who had been subjected to “genocide” in Ukraine, an accusation the West has long described as absurd propaganda.
“And for this, we will strive for the demilitarisation and denazification of Ukraine,” Putin said.
“Russia cannot feel safe, develop, and exist with a constant threat emanating from the territory of modern Ukraine.”
Russia’s defence ministry said it had taken out military infrastructure at Ukrainian airbases and degraded its air defences. Ukraine closed its airspace to civilian flights citing a high risk to safety, while Russia suspended domestic flights at airports near its border with Ukraine until March 2. – Aljazeera
The remains of a
shell is seen on a street in Kyiv on Thursday after the Russian invasion of
Ukraine. – AF
Moscow says not
targeting Ukraine cities
KYIV:
Russia’s defence ministry said on Thursday (local time) that its air attacks on
Ukraine were not targeting cities and posed no threat to civilians, the RIA
news agency reported. Ukraine said earlier that at least eight people had been
killed and nine were wounded by Russian shelling. Russia’s ground forces on
Thursday crossed into Ukraine from several directions, Ukraine’s border guard
service said, hours after President Vladimir Putin announced the launch of a
major offensive. Russian tanks and other heavy equipment crossed the frontier
in several northern regions, as well as from the Kremlin-annexed peninsula of
Crimea in the south, the agency said. It said one of its servicemen died in a
shelling attack along the Crimean border, the first officially confirmed
military death of the Russian invasion. Ukraine has suffered heavy casualties
in its eight-year conflict with Russian[1]backed
rebels in the separatist east, but has reported no fatalities along its
southern border with Crimea for some years. – Aljazeera
UK will respond decisively: Johnson
LONDON:
Boris Johnson has pledged that the UK and its allies will respond “decisively”
to Russia’s attack on Ukraine as he prepared to address the nation amid
pressure to announce further sanctions. The prime minister also condemned
Vladimir Putin, saying Russia’s president had “chosen a path of bloodshed and
destruction” that was a “catastrophe for our continent”. Following a meeting of
the government’s emergency Cobra committee on Thursday (local time), Johnson is
expected to give an address to the nation at around 11am, followed by a call
with G7 leaders in the afternoon and a statement in the House of Commons at
5pm. It came as Ukraine’s president declared martial law, while Russia’s
military said it had targeted Ukrainian airbases and other military assets and
had not targeted populated areas. A Downing Street spokesperson said Johnson
chaired a Cobra committee meeting to discuss the response to the “horrific
attacks”. Britain, in common with other Nato allies, has said it would not
fight Russia, because Ukraine is not a Nato member. But the UK has supplied
arms to Kyiv and has already announced limited economic sanctions. The UK previously
said it expected Russia to launch “multiple axes” of invasion – aimed at
Ukraine military forces in the east of the country and above all, the capital,
Kyiv, in what could be a bloody attempt to force a change of regime.– Aljazeera
Zelenskiy calls on
citizens to fight
KYIV:
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Thursday (local time) called on all
citizens who were ready to defend the country from Russian forces to come
forward, saying Kyiv would issue weapons to everyone who wants them.
Ukraine asks
Turkey to shut route
KYIV:
Ukraine has asked Turkey to close the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits to
Russian ships, Kyiv’s ambassa[1]dor
to Ankara has said, as Russia launched air and ground assaults on its
neighbour. The request on Thursday (local time ) puts Nato member Turkey, which
shares a maritime border with Ukraine and Russia, in a difficult position.
EU sanctions
minister, officials
MOSCOW: The European Union has imposed sanctions on Russia’s defence minister Sergei Shoigu, the country’s military chiefs, and other people close to the Kremlin in response to the escalating crisis in Ukraine.– Agencies
Antonio Guterres
World reacts to
Russian invasion
KYIV:
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “special military operation” in eastern
Ukraine has been swiftly condemned by several nations. The authorisation by
Putin was made at the same time as the United Nations security council met late
on Wednesday (local time) for its second emergency meeting to urge de-escalation
and return to diplomatic talks. Putin had given approval to the operation in
the Donbas region, where Moscow earlier recognised rebel-held territories in
Luhansk and Donetsk and said they had asked for its “help”. Here is how the
world is reacting: Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Putin had
“launched a full scale invasion of Ukraine” and that peaceful cities were
“under strikes”. “This is a war of aggression,” he said. “Ukraine will defend
itself and will win. The world can and must stop Putin. The time to act is
now.” Unites States President Joe Biden condemned Russia for an “unprovoked and
unjustified attack” while promising that his country and its al[1]lies
“will hold Russia accountable”. “Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will
bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering,” he said. “Russia alone
is responsible for the death and destruction. “The world will hold Russia
accountable.” In Germany, Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned Russia’s attack as a
“blatant breach of international law” that “cannot be justified by anything”.
United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres condemned Russia’s actions,
telling Putin to “bring your troops back to Russia”. “In the name of humanity,
do not allow a war to start in Europe which could be worst war since the
beginning of the Century with consequences not only devastating for Ukraine,
not only tragic for the Russian federation, but with an impact cannot even
foresee,” he said. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was appalled by the
horrific events in Ukraine and has spoken to Ukrainian President Volodymyr
Zelenskyy to discuss the next steps. “Putin has chosen a path of bloodshed and
destruction by launching this unprovoked attack,” he tweeted. European Union
would hold Moscow accountable for the “unjustified” attack, the chief of its
executive commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said. “In these dark hours, our
thoughts are with Ukraine and the innocent women, men and children as they face
this unprovoked attack and fear for their lives,” she tweeted. Nato’s (North
Atlantic Treaty Organisation) secretary-general said Russia had “chosen the
path of aggression against a sovereign and independent country”. The attack
“puts at risk countless civilian lives”, Jens Stoltenberg said, describing it
as a “grave breach of international law and a serious threat to Euro-Atlantic
security”. Czech Republic foreign minister Jan Lipavsky said Russia’s attack on
Ukraine was a “barbaric act of aggression” and that his country would respond
together with its allies. – Al jazeera
Ukraine closes
airspace to civilian flights
KYIV:
Ukraine closed its airspace to civilian flights on Thursday (local time),
citing a high risk to safety, while Europe’s aviation regulator also warned
against the hazards to flying in bordering areas of Russia and Belarus, because
of military activities. Russian President Vladimir Putin authorised a military
operation in eastern Ukraine in what appeared to be the start of war in Europe
and also closed its air[1]space
citing security risk. Ukraine state air traffic services said the country’s
airspace was closed to civilian flights on Thursday, with air traffic services
suspended. The European Union aviation safety agency said airspace in Russia
and Belarus within their borders with Ukraine could also pose safety risks. “In
particular, there is a risk of both intentional targeting and misidentification
of civil aircraft,” the agency said. – Reuters
US, G7 to hold
Russia accountable
WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden is expected to meet with his counterparts from the G7 (group of seven) allies early on Thursday (local time) to map out more severe measures against Russia after President Vladimir Putin launched what Biden called “a premeditated war” against Ukraine. Biden, who spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy late on Wednesday, said the United States and its allies would respond in “a united and decisive way” to what he called “an unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces” on Ukraine. “Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering,” he said in a statement. It came shortly after Putin ordered a military operation in eastern Ukraine and explosions were heard in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and the breakaway eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk. The White House said Biden was briefed by secretary of state Antony Blinken, defence secretary Lloyd Austin and other top advisers. He planned to deliver remarks in the afternoon to announce “the further consequences the United States and our allies and partners will impose on Russia,” the White House said. The US president said Washington would also coordinate with Nato (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) allies “to ensure a strong, united response that deters any aggression against the alliance”. Biden, who served as America’s vice-president and was deeply engaged in 2014 when Russia annexed the Crimea region of Ukraine, would be joined for the G7 call in the White House situation room by Blinken and treasury secretary Janet Yellen. Biden, who orchestrated an initial round of Western sanctions against Russian oligarchs, financial institutions and exports, was under pressure from fellow Democrats and Republicans to crack down even harder on Moscow. House intelligence committee chairman Adam Schiff said Western actions were being closely watched by China with an eye to whether it could successfully invade Taiwan. – Reuters
United Nations
secretary-general Antonio Guterres (left) with Russia’s ambassador to the
United Nations Vassily Nebenzia attending the United Nations security Council
meeting to discuss the ongoing crisis in Ukraine with Russia, in New York city,
the United States, on Wednesday (local time). – Reuterspic
Special ops not
war, says Russian envoy to UN
NEW
YORK: Russia’s UN ambassador Vasily Nebenzya, who is the current president of
the Security Council, admitted to fellow members of the council that “special
operations” were under way, insisting to the other ambassadors that the action
did not amount to war and was a consequence of Ukraine’s actions. “The aim of
the operation is to protect the people who have been suffering “genocide” of
the Ukrainian regime,” he said, claiming the action was justified under article
51 of the UN charter. Putin demanded Ukrainian forc[1]es lay down their
arms, and repeated his position that any Ukrainian membership of Nato (North
Atlan[1]tic
Treaty Organisation) was unacceptable to Moscow, according to state media. In
the UN council chamber, Ukraine’s UN ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya appeared lost
for words: “Three minutes ago, your president declared war on my country,” he
said to Nebenzya. In a second round of comments, having effectively called for
Russia’s expulsion from the UN, he concluded: “There’s no purgatory for war
criminals, Mr Ambassador, they go to hell”. The US said it was calling for an
urgent resolution at the security council and the call was backed by the United
Kingdom, France and Ireland who noted Russia’s utter “disdain” for the United
Nations by its military assault. – Al Jazeera
Biden vows to
support Ukraine in call with Zelenskyy
WASHINGTON:
United States President Joe Biden has vowed “support and assistance” for
Ukraine in a call with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shortly after Russia
launched an overnight invasion of the country. In the call early on Thursday
(local time), Biden said Washing[1]ton
would “continue to provide support and assistance to Ukraine and the Ukrainian
people”. He condemned the “unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian
military forces”. In a statement, the US president said Zelenskyy asked
Washington to “call on the leaders of the world to speak out clearly” against
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “flagrant aggression”. In a previous
statement released early on Wednesday, Biden said he would meet his G7
counterparts on Thursday to map out more severe measures against Russia, saying
the US and its allies would act in “a united and decisive way” and “will be
imposing severe sanctions on Russia”. “Putin has chosen a premeditated war that
will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering,” Biden said in the
initial statement. Reporting from Washington, Al Jazeera’s Heidi Zhou-Castro
said the US leader was expected to announce a “full raft of sanctions”, adding
that the White House had said earlier on Wednesday that “there would be no
financial institution in Russia that is safe from these potential sanctions”. –
Reuter
A wounded woman is seen as airstrike damages an apartment complex outside of Kharkiv, Ukraine
A huge explosion is seen at Vinnytsia military base, in central Ukraine, as the country comes under all-out attack by Russia. – Agencypic
Ukrainian security forces accompany a wounded man after an airstrike hit an apartment complex in Chuhuiv, Kharkiv. – Getty Images
Cars blocking the highway out of Kiev following pre-offensive missile strikes of the Russian armed forces and Belarus. – Agencypics
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