Ukraine and Russia began border talks on Sunday at 3.30pm, according to Anton Geraschenko, adviser to Ukraine’s Minister of Internal Affairs, who spoke to ITV News. The Ukrainian president’s office confirmed that envoys from both sides will meet on the border between Ukraine and Belarus to discuss the ongoing crisis.
In a strong response to the conflict, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a historic decision: for the first time, the European Union will finance weapons and equipment to a country under attack, specifically Ukraine.
Von der Leyen also revealed three new sanction tranches targeting Russia and its allies. These include a ban on Russian aircraft from EU airspace, which affects all Russian-owned, registered, and controlled planes, including private jets owned by oligarchs. This ban prohibits them from taking off, landing, or flying over the EU.
Additionally, the EU will ban Kremlin propaganda outlets such as state-owned media channels 1 Today and Sputnik, along with their subsidiaries, to stop the spread of what the EU calls “toxic and harmful disinformation” used to justify Putin’s war.
The sanctions also expand to Belarus, with the EU branding Lukashenko’s regime as “complicit” in Russia’s assault. The EU will target key sectors and exports of Belarus to punish its role in the conflict.
In a related development, energy giant BP announced it is dumping its 19.75% stake in Russian oil company Rosneft with immediate effect. BP CEO Bernard Looney is stepping down from Rosneft’s board, joined by fellow director Bob Dudley.
BP stated that Russia’s invasion “caused us to fundamentally rethink BP’s position with Rosneft.” This move marks a significant shift in BP’s involvement with Russian energy assets amid the ongoing crisis.
Originally published by UKNIP.
