LONDON, 05 March 2022, (TON): Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has met with Defence Ministers from the Joint Expeditionary Force nations to provide plans for ongoing support for Ukraine against the invasion from President Putin’s forces.

The ministers discussed what increased measures can be brought forward to support Ukraine against Russia’s brutal assault and how the group will work together to promote European security, complementing NATO activity.

The Defence Secretary met with his counterpart Kalle Laanet in Tallinn, Estonia to discuss the crisis and the impact on wider security across Europe.

Like the UK, Estonia has also sent a range of defensive and non-lethal aid to Ukraine to help the country defend itself, providing javelin anti-tank missiles and anti-aircraft ammunition as well as food and medical equipment.

Minister Laanet awarded Ben Wallace with the Ministry of Defence Cross of Merit, First Class the highest decoration conferred by the Ministry – for his commitment to European defence and security.

In Copenhagen, Denmark, the Defence Secretary met with a number of his counterparts from the JEF nations to see off Danish Frigate HDMS Niels Juhl.

WASHINGTON, 05 March 2022, (TON): The United States said that a possible deal on a new Iranian nuclear accord is close but several sticking points have prevented an agreement and time is running out.

State Department deputy spokeswoman Jalina Porter told reporters “negotiators meeting in Vienna to try and salvage the 2015 nuclear deal, which is meant to prevent Tehran from acquiring an atomic bomb, have made significant progress.”

She said “we are close to a possible deal, but a number of difficult issues still remain unsolved.”

She added “we will not have a deal unless we resolve quickly the remaining issues.”

However, “if Iran shows seriousness, we can and should reach an understanding of mutual return to full implementation of the JCPOA within days,” she said..

Enrique Mora, the European Union’s coordinator for the talks, also said they were in the “final stages.”

BRUSSELS, 05 March 2022, (TON): At least 56 people are reported to have been killed and 190 injured in a terrorist attack against a Shia Mosque in Peshawar during Friday midday prayers.

According to the Statement by the Spokesperson of EU, this attack on civilians practising their faith is a heinous crime. The European Union mourns with the families of the victims and wishes those injured a full and speedy recovery.

The EU continues to support Pakistan in its counter-terrorism efforts.

We remain committed to countering terrorism in all its manifestations, be it in Pakistan or globally.

WASHINGTON, 05 March 2022, (TON): U.S. Special Envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking and Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy to Yemen Cathy Westley concluded their visit to Yemen. 

During the trip, they met with the Governors of Hadhramaut, Mahra, and Shabwa.

The visit highlighted how Yemenis across the country even those far from the frontlines are suffering from years of political and economic instability. 

It provided an opportunity to discuss the needs in these governorates and efforts to strengthen basic services, economic opportunity, and security, which would allow peace to take root.  This visit to Yemen also emphasized the continued challenges posed by terrorism and smuggling, which feed instability.

The U.S. delegation stressed its support for an inclusive UN-led peace process that incorporates the views of diverse Yemeni groups, including those from Hadhramaut, Mahra, and Shabwa, as well as women, civil society leaders, and representatives of other traditionally marginalized groups.

RIYADH, 05 March 2022, (TON): Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan made a phone call to his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov.

The two ministers discussed the latest developments in Ukraine, and Prince Faisal stressed that the best way to deal with this crisis is to strengthen dialogue between the two parties to reach a political solution that achieves regional and international security and stability.

The two sides touched on intensifying coordination and bilateral work on many regional and international issues, foremost of which is strengthening security and stability in the Middle East, and efforts to lay the foundations for peace made by the two countries in the region and the world.

WASHINGTON, 05 March 2022, (TON): Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with European Council President Charles Michel on Friday in Brussels, Belgium.

Secretary Blinken and President Michel emphasized the need for continued, close U.S.-EU coordination to respond to President Putin’s premeditated, unjustified, and unprovoked war on Ukraine. 

Secretary Blinken thanked President Michel for the EU’s commitment to supply much-needed humanitarian, economic, and military assistance to Ukraine. 

WASHINGTON, 05 March 2022, (TON): We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union reiterate our profound condemnation of Russia’s unprovoked and unjustifiable war of choice against Ukraine, enabled by the Belarussian government.

Russia must immediately stop its ongoing assault against Ukraine, which has dramatically impacted the civilian population and destroyed civilian infrastructure, and immediately withdraw Russia’s military forces.

With its further aggression, President Putin has isolated Russia in the world, as evidenced by the overwhelming vote at the United Nations General Assembly condemning Russia’s aggression and calling upon it to withdraw its forces immediately.

We express our heart-felt solidarity with the Ukrainian people and our sympathy with the victims of this war and their families.

We underline our unwavering support for Ukraine, its freely-elected government and its brave people at this most difficult time, and express our readiness to assist them further.

KABUL, 05 March 2022, (TON): Deputy and Permanent Representative of Iran to the United Nations Zahra Irshadi said that the frozen reserves of Afghanistan belong to the Afghan people and the release of the fund is vital for the revival of the economy and rescue of lives in Afghanistan.

Zahra Irshadi added that the reserves of Afghanistan should never be politicized or conditional. Iranian media have reported that the Iranian envoy has made the remarks in the United Nations Security Council.

Citing the UN Secretary-General’s report about the situation in Afghanistan and its effects on global peace and security Irshadi added that, Afghanistan’s situation is still challenging and the country is encountering a worsening humanitarian situation.

She also acknowledged that Afghanistan is facing an economic collapse, crippled banking and financial system, and challenges regarding the establishment of an inclusive government.

If Afghanistan’s current situation is not addressed, it will lead to a collapse in the country’s political and societal system that will then trigger an influx of refugees to the neighboring countries.

KABUL, 05 March 2022, (TON): The UN envoy to Kabul said “humanitarian agencies may have distributed enough aid in Afghanistan to avert famine and large-scale starvation, but the country’s economic collapse is “approaching a point of irreversibility.”

UN Special Representative Deborah Lyons told the UN Security Council that it is most urgent to resolve the root problems of the economic crisis, but doing so will require cooperating on all issues with the Taliban who seized power in August.

Lyons said “we do not believe that we can truly assist the Afghan people without working with the defacto authorities.”

The Taliban authorities lack international recognition six months after overrunning Kabul as the last US-led international troops departed, ending 20 years of war.

Donors cut financial aid constituting more than 70% of government expenditures and about $9 billion in Afghan central bank assets were frozen. Many Taliban leaders remain under US and UN sanctions.

NEW DELHI, 05 March 2022, (TON): An Indian student has reportedly been shot at in Ukraine capital Kyiv, Union Minister VK Singh told media, days after another student died in Russian shelling in the city of Kharkiv.

The student was trying to escape Kyiv and was wounded in firing, according to the minister.

He was reportedly taken back into the city and is in hospital.

General (Retd) VK Singh said "we heard reports that a student leaving Kyiv was shot. He was taken back into Kyiv and immediately taken to hospital. This is happening in the fighting.”

An Indian student was killed in Kharkiv, the second-largest city in Ukraine, when he was standing in a queue outside a grocery store. 21-year-old Naveen Shekharappa of Karnataka had stepped out to stock up on food before taking the train out of the city.

The minister said “the Centre is making efforts to ensure that the maximum number of students can come out of Ukraine with as less loss as possible.”