WASHINGTON, 03 March 2022, (TON): Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State has said that the United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK) are standing shoulder-to-shoulder in support of Ukraine by responding to Russia’s premeditated, unprovoked, and unjustified attack.

The ROK’s announcement of economic actions against Russia will help defend the freedom, territorial integrity, and sovereignty of Ukraine and illustrates the ROK’s commitment to preserving the rules-based international order.

The ROK’s support for denying selected Russian banks access to the global SWIFT financial messaging system, along with its commitment to block financial transactions with major Russian banks and impose other financial and export controls, will support international efforts to isolate Russia from the international financial system and technology trade. 

At the same time, the ROK’s commitment to release additional petroleum from its strategic reserves will help our shared efforts to stabilize the global energy market.

WASHINGTON, 03 March 2022, (TON): The US authorities allow the interception of Russian aircraft if they enter US airspace contrary to the ban.

This is stated in a notice distributed by the US Federal Aviation Administration.

Earlier, the US administration imposed a ban on flights of Russian aircraft in US airspace.

RIYADH, 03 March 2022, (TON): Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed strategic relations between their nations.

The pair discussed ways to enhance Saudi-US ties in all fields, and exchanged views on regional and international issues.

Blinken’s call to Prince Faisal also tackled intensifying coordination and bilateral action on a number of issues, including strengthening security and stability in the Middle East.

RIYADH, 03 March 2022, (TON): Saudi Arabia’s King Salman met with Bahrain’s King Hamad and held a luncheon in his honor.

Saudi Press Agency reported “King Hamad expressed his happiness at meeting King Salman to discuss developments in the region, a continuation of coordination and consultation between the two kingdoms.”

In a statement made after his arrival in Riyadh, King Hamad congratulated King Salman and the crown prince on the Kingdom’s first Founding day.

He praised the Kingdom’s civilizational and developmental achievements during King Salman’s reign, the continuous development it is witnessing at all levels, and the distinguished position it enjoys in the international community.

WASHINGTON, 03 March 2022, (TON): The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations condemned Russia for its attacks on civilians in Ukraine and its alleged use of cluster munitions and vaccuum bombs  lethal weaponry that could leave to wide civilian casualties.

The U.S. envoy to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the General Assembly “we have seen videos of Russian forces moving exceptionally lethal weaponry into Ukraine which has no place on the battlefield.”

“That includes cluster munitions and vacuum bombs, which are banned under the Geneva Convention.”

Thomas-Greenfield’s warning at the U.N. came as the 193-member body is set to vote on a resolution censuring Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

Russia vetoed a resolution in the U.N. Security Council on Friday condemning its actions.

Thomas-Greenfield echoed allegations leveled by Ukraine’s Ambassador to the U.S. Oksana Markarova to American lawmakers on Monday that Russia was using in its attacks on Ukraine a thermobaric weapon, known as a vacuum bomb.

BUCHAREST, 03 March 2022, (TON): Flights of military aircraft of NATO member states are exempted in Romania from paying tariffs for air navigation and airport services.

This decree of the Rom-anian government, adopted at a meeting, was announced by Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Sorin Grindeanu.

Agerpres quoted him as saying “this legislative decision, which we arrived at as a result of consultations between the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Defense, provides for the exemption of military flights carried out by aircraft of NATO member states from paying tariffs for air navigation and airport services without the need to conclude a protocol, bilateral or multilateral agreement between Romania and other NATO member states.”

CHISINAU, 03 March 2022, (TON): The European Union will increase financial assistance to Moldova in the conditions of the regional crisis due to the events in Ukraine.

This was confirmed by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell during a joint briefing with Moldovan President Maia Sandu.

Borrell said “we have come to express support and solidarity with the Republic of Moldova in the current situation. This concerns the humanitarian component due to the events in Ukraine and the energy crisis. We will provide microfinance assistance to help in this direction.”

It was noted that about €20 million will be additionally allocated to the republic to help cope with the flow of refugees. Financial assistance is being considered, which, according to him, will reduce gas bills for citizens of the country.

In addition, humanitarian aid will be sent to Moldova. Chisinau will also be supported in strengthening cyber security. The importance of information warfare was emphasized.

MINSK, 03 March 2022, (TON): The United States, by suspending the work of its embassy in Minsk, closes channels for dialogue, including on the topic of security in the region.

This was stated on Wednesday by the press secretary of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry Anatoly Glaz.

the BelTA agency quotes the diplomat “the decision of the American side to suspend the work of the US embassy in Minsk fits into the logic of the pressure that no one needs now.”

Glaz noted that while the Belarusian side “is making consistent efforts to normalize the situation in Ukraine, including by providing comprehensive assistance in organizing Russian-Ukrainian peace talks, official Washington continues to escalate the situation in the region and replicate fakes to justify new sanctions against Belarus”.

The Foreign Ministry spokesman said “we once again emphasize what the Belarusian side has repeatedly stated: our country has not taken, does not take and does not plan to take part in hostilities on the territory of Ukraine.”

At the same time, he added that any “sanction attacks will not be left without an adequate response, which will harm everyone.”

DHAKA, 03 March 2022, (TON): At a ship of Bangladesh Shipping Corporation stranded at the Olvia seaport, a Bangladeshi sailor has been killed in a missile attack in Ukraine.

The deceased Hadisur Rahman, was a crew member.

The goods-laden ship “Banglar Samriddhi”, owned by state-run Bangladesh Shipping Corporation, was anchored at the port before the Russian invasion began on February 24.

There were 29 crew, all Bangladeshi nationals, at the ship.

Asked why they could not be rescued in six days, Mahbub Alam Local advisory to Bangladesh Poland embassy told Dhaka Tribune "the Bangladesh embassy could not evacuate the team of sailors due to legal complications. However, the Polish embassy is working to provide them with legal assistance."

According to information provided on the website of Bangladesh Shipping Corporation, the ship remained anchored in Ukraine since February 22.

The vessel “Banglar Samriddh” is a bulk carrier built in 2018 and currently sailing under the flag of Bangladesh.

KABUL, 03 March 2022, (TON): The World Bank announced more than $1 billion in humanitarian aid for Afghanistan, stating the money will go to UN agencies and international NGOs while remaining “outside the control” of the country’s Taliban rulers.

The reallocation from the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund follows the $280 million in ARTF funds disbursed last December, and is aimed at supporting the humanitarian response over the critical winter months.

The Washington-based lender said in a statement “the funds, to be delivered in the form of grants, aim “to support the delivery of essential basic services, protect vulnerable Afghans, help preserve human capital and key economic and social services and reduce the need for humanitarian assistance in the future.”

The bank suspended its aid to Kabul late last August after the hardline Islamist Taliban swept back into power.

ARTF is a multi-donor fund that coordinates international aid to improve the lives of millions of Afghans. It is administered by the World Bank on behalf of donor partners.