WASHINGTON, 01 March 2022, (TON): Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the High Representative of the European Union.

They were joined by the Foreign Minister of Ukraine to discuss the global response to Russia’s premeditated, unprovoked, and unjustified attack on Ukraine.

The Secretary and G7 foreign ministers underscored to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba their unified response to Russia’s invasion. 

LONDON, 01 March 2022, (TON): Foreign Secretary Liz Truss gave a statement to the House of Commons on what the UK government is doing to support Ukraine in the face of Russia’s barbaric invasion.

With permission Mr Speaker I want to update the house on our support for Ukraine in the face of Putin’s premeditated, pre-planned and barbaric invasion.

Ukraine has suffered horrific attacks. Missiles and air strikes have torn through apartment blocks. Tanks have rolled into once peaceful cities. Innocent people including children have lost their lives.

The situation is fluid, but as of today, Putin has not taken any major cities. Their advance has been slowed by Ukraine’s fierce resistance. Putin’s invasion is not proceeding to plan.

He expected to take cities quickly. He expected Ukraine to retreat. And he expected the West to be divided.

WASHINGTON, 01 March 2022, (TON): State Department spokesperson Ned Price said “Washington is prepared to walk away from the effort to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal if Iran displays intransigence.”

Price told reporters “we are prepared to walk away if Iran displays an intransigence to making progress.”

He added “the United States and its allies and partners will pursue alternatives if Iran is unwilling to engage in good faith.”

CAIRO, 01 March 2022, (TON): The Arab League said “it is following with great concern developments in Ukraine and their serious military and humanitarian consequences.”

The organization, which held an emergency meeting at Egypt’s request, said “it supports all efforts aimed at resolving the crisis through dialogue and diplomacy in a manner that preserves the security and safety of peoples in this important region of the world.”

At the meeting, chaired by Kuwait, the Arab League stressed “the importance of respecting the principles of international law and the UN Charter.”

It also emphasized “the importance of continued cooperation and coordination between Arab countries to maintain the security and safety of the Arab communities currently in the region, to facilitate the crossing of those wishing to cross to neighboring countries, and to maintain the security and safety of members of Arab diplomatic missions.”

KABUL, 01 March 2022, (TON): The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction said that Chinese companies have been scouting ways to access Afghanistan’s lithium and copper mines.

In a series of tweets, SIGAR claimed that representatives from China industry have met with the Islamic Emirate’s officials to discuss mining rights and research access to such minerals.

According to SIGAR’s tweet “Afghanistan’s lithium deposits could be among the largest in the world, rivaling those of Bolivia.”

At the same time, Afghan officials at the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum said no plans are on the table to extract the lithium mines, adding the plan regarding the mine is to protect it.

Officials further said that China will start extraction from the copper mine in the spring of the coming year.

KABUL, 01 March 2022, (TON): Iran’s Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian said that they will recognize if the Taliban establish an all-inclusive government.

Speaking in an interview, Amir-Abdollahian said “an Afghan delegation has recently visited Iran that talked over different issues.”

The Iranian Foreign Minister added that he reminded the Afghan delegation and the Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Motaqi that the establishment of the inclusive government in Afghanistan is Key and that all factions in Afghanistan must see themselves in the government.

Abdollahian called US withdrawal from Afghanistan embarrassing and added that the US 20-year presence in Afghanistan was a debacle.

NEW DELHI, 01 March 2022, (TON): Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured that the entire government machinery is working "round the clock to ensure that all Indian nationals there are safe and secure" in Ukraine.

The assurance came amid mounting criticism of government efforts as frantic students in the war-torn country tweeted a flood of videos of the hardships they are facing. Back home, their frantic parents and friends appealed that they be evacuated as soon as possible.

The foreign ministry said “after reviewing Operation Ganga, the evacuation programme for Indians in Ukraine, this evening, PM Modi pointed out that the visit of four senior ministers as his Special Envoys to nations bordering Ukraine will energize the evacuation efforts.”

Senior ministry official Arindam Bagchi tweeted after the Prime Minister's meeting "it is reflective of the priority the government attaches to this matter.”

PM Modi has also said “India will help people from neighbouring countries and developing countries who are stranded in Ukraine.”

The ministry said in a statement."guided by India's motto of the world being one family, Prime Minister also stated that India will help people from neighbouring countries and developing countries who are stranded in Ukraine and may seek assistance.”

NEW DELHI, 01 March 2022, (TON): The Ministry of External Affairs said in a press briefing “amid the Russia-Ukraine crisis, India will provide humanitarian assistance including medicines to Ukraine.”

External Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi in the press briefing said "India will provide humanitarian assistance to Ukraine including medicines. However, no more details are yet available."

Talking about the evacuation of stranded Indian Nationals in Ukraine, Mr Bagchi assured that new flights will be added as needed.

He said "some people are panicking. Please do not worry. Once you cross the Ukrainian borders we will make sure that there are enough flights to bring you back whether it takes a day or two more.”

He emphasized that India is continually augmenting the presence of the MEA teams for necessary arrangements at the borders points in Slovakia, Romania, Poland, Hungary and Moldova.

DHAKA, 01 March 2022, (TON): Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has asked all the concerned persons to observe the Russia-Ukraine war situation.

PM joined meeting virtually.

Cabinet Secretary Khandaker Anwarul Islam, said "Ambassadors of Poland and Romania are closely monitoring the situation. They're maintaining regular correspondence with us.”

The issue was brought up as the unscheduled discussion of the Cabinet.

DHAKA, 01 March 2022, (TON): Speakers told a roundtable conference “Bangladesh needs to formulate necessary strategies and policies to reap the benefits of its strategic location in the Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean region.”

They said “the country would have to play a much more proactive role with respect to the region that has attracted all the major powers in the world.”

Describing the Bay of Bengal as very important for Bangladesh strategically and economically, the speakers said that the government needed to ensure more resources to benefit from the blue economy.

Despite being a maritime nation, Bangladesh has not placed proper emphasis on its sea resources, they lamented, calling for maritime awareness among the population.