 "India’s US envoy Kwatra discusses bilateral trade ties with US lawmakers")
 "Netanyahu accuses Hamas leaders of derailing ceasefire, says eliminating them in Qatar could end Gaza war")
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday expressed confidence in his country’s victory over invading Russian forces, as the United Nations marked the eve of the war’s first anniversary by voting overwhelmingly to demand Moscow withdraw. Since the war started, Western leaders have rushed to support Kyiv, and G7 ministers discussed new sanctions on Russia Thursday, while the White House said Washington would announce “sweeping” new measures. Zelenskyy vowed to keep up the fight as Ukraine prepared to mark one year since the invasion on Friday. “We have not broken down, we have overcome many ordeals and we will prevail,” Zelenskyy said on social media. “We will hold to account all those who brought this evil, this war to our land.” In the capital Kyiv, which saw Russian troops at its doorstep at the start of the invasion last February and has suffered relentless attacks since residents remained defiant. Ahead of the anniversary, Ukraine’s military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov warned that Russia was planning a missile attack on Friday to mark the day. In Moscow, President Vladimir Putin promised victory as he laid flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier before meeting soldiers in Red Square under blue skies and brisk temperatures. Russia’s “unbreakable unity is the key to our victory,” said Putin, who has likened his offensive to Moscow’s fight against Nazi Germany in 1941-1945. Political commentators say the 70-year-old Kremlin chief is steeling Russians for long conflict with the West, insisting the country’s survival is at stake. Read all the Latest News , Trending News , Cricket News , Bollywood News , India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram .
Ukraine War Anniversary: Germany says 'war' must be mentioned in G20 statement
Ukraine War Anniversary: Germany insisted on Friday that any joint statement from the ongoing G20 finance ministers meeting must mention ‘war’, following reports that host India wanted to avoid using the word
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G7 leaders to establish Enforcement Coordination Mechanism against Russia
On the occasion of one year of the raging war in Ukraine, leaders of G7 countries will announce the establishment of the Enforcement Coordination Mechanism headed by the US against Russia, the White House said on Friday.
US President Joe Biden will host a virtual meeting with G7 leaders for a discussion on Russia’s war against Ukraine and their collective effort to hold Russia accountable for it.
“To counter Russia’s attempt to circumvent G7 measures to date, leaders will support the establishment of an Enforcement Coordination Mechanism, which will be chaired by the US in the first year,” the White House said.
To ensure Russia pays for Ukraine’s long-term reconstruction, G7 countries will continue to keep Russia’s sovereign assets immobilised until there is a resolution to the conflict that addresses Russia’s violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and integrity, it said.
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Germany says ‘war’ must be mentioned in G20 statement
Germany insisted on Friday that any joint statement from the ongoing G20 finance ministers meeting must mention “war”, following reports that host India wanted to avoid using the word.
Hosting a raft of Group of 20 meetings during its presidency this year puts India in an awkward position, as it has refused to condemn the invasion of Ukraine by its “time-tested friend” Russia.
Media reports said that India wanted to keep the word “war” out of any final statement from the meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bank heads that wraps up on Saturday in Bengaluru.
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UK stands with Ukraine, says British PM Rishi Sunak
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Blinken says India, South Africa are on slow trajectory away from alignment with Russia
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday countries like India and South Africa, which have not joined the West in denouncing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, were likely on a trajectory away from alignment with Moscow but that process would not happen “in one fell swoop.”
“There are countries that have long-standing, decades-long relationships with Russia, with the Soviet Union before, that are challenging to break off in one fell swoop. It’s not flipping a light switch, it’s moving an aircraft carrier,” Blinken said in an interview with The Atlantic, marking the one-year anniversary of the war.
India has faced pressure from the West to distance itself from Moscow after Russia invaded Ukraine. New Delhi has thus far resisted that pressure, citing its longstanding ties with Russia and its economic and oil needs.
Russia has been India’s largest weapons supplier since the Soviet Union days. However, Washington in recent years has looked to woo New Delhi away from its traditional military supplier. India is desperate to modernize its largely Soviet-era fighter jet fleet to boost its air power after concerns over Russian supply delays due to the Ukraine war
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Warsaw delivers first Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine: Polish agency
Poland has delivered the first German-made Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine, the Polish news agency PAP reported Friday on the anniversary of Russia’s invasion.
“Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki will announce on Friday in Kyiv that Poland has already delivered the first Leopard tanks to Ukraine,” the state news agency said, citing government sources.
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UK PM Rishi Sunal leads one-minute silence outside 10 Downing Street
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak leads a one-minute silence outside 10 Downing Street to mark the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
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US commits $2 billion in drones, ammunition, aid to Ukraine
The Pentagon announced a new package of long-term security assistance for Ukraine on Friday, marking the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion with a $2 billion commitment to send more rounds of ammunition and a variety of small, high-tech drones into the fight.
The announcement comes just days after President Joe Biden made an unannounced visit to Kyiv and pledged America’s continuing commitment to Ukraine.
Biden told President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his people that “Americans stand with you, and the world stands with you.”
In a statement on Friday, the Pentagon said the aid includes weapons to counter Russia’s unmanned systems and several types of drones, including the upgraded Switchblade 600 Kamikaze drone, as well as electronic warfare detection equipment.
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How Russia’s suspension of New START Treaty can be a threat to world’s nuclear security
Few would have noticed a rather more than alarming event recently. The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, a body founded in 1945 by Albert Einstein, and examines global nuclear and conflict issues, announced that for the first time ever, the ‘Doomsday Clock’ stood at 90 seconds to midnight.
The ‘Clock’ has been a reliable indicator for decades of the world’s vulnerability to global catastrophe due to nuclear weapons and other dangers. As President Putin announces his decision to withdraw from one of the most important arms control treaties, that clock probably moved in another second. This is not a question of theories by academics or inane and complex treaties. This is deadly serious. And it has serious implications for us and the region.
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G7 to urge countries against military aid to Russia: Japan PM
A virtual Group of Seven summit on Friday will call on countries to not send military aid to Russia, Japan’s prime minister said.
“In view of the military support for Russia by third countries that has been pointed out, the G7 intends to call for such support to cease,” Fumio Kishida told reporters hours before Japan chairs the meeting.
He did not single out any nation, though Russia has used Iranian drones in Ukraine, and Washington has recently warned that Beijing is weighing supplying Moscow’s war effort.
China has denied those claims.
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Ukraine will ’no doubt prevail’ despite ‘year of despair’: Stoltenberg
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg on Friday said that Ukrainians “will no doubt prevail” in their battle against Russia despite “a dark year of despair and destruction” since Moscow’s invasion.
“Freedom is not for free. We must fight for it every day. Today it is the Ukrainian people who are bravely fighting for their freedom. And despite a dark year of despair and destruction, their determination and courage will no doubt prevail,” he told reporters in Tallinn.
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Italy’s Meloni says free world ‘indebted’ to Ukrainians
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Friday the “free world is indebted” to Ukrainians fighting to defend European values, vowing continued support for Kyiv one year after Russia’s invasion.
“Ukraine is not and will not be alone, because it is also defending the values of freedom and democracy on which the European identity was born,” Meloni said in a video message.
“The free world is indebted to the Ukrainian women and men. Italy is on their side,” she said.
NATO member Italy has provided cash and weapons to help Ukraine, and Meloni visited Kyiv on Tuesday to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and visit devastated areas of the capital.
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King Charles condemns ‘unprovoked’ attack on Ukraine
King Charles III on Friday marked the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine by condemning the “unprovoked full-scale attack” on the country and declaring the world stood “united”.
“It has now been a year that the people of Ukraine have suffered unimaginably from an unprovoked full-scale attack on their nation.
“The world has watched in horror at all the unnecessary suffering. Together, we stand united,” the British monarch said in an unusually forthright statement issued by Buckingham Palace.
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Polish PM in Kyiv on invasion anniversary: spokesman
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki was in Kyiv Friday on the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Polish government spokesman said.
“A year after the beginning of the Russian warfare, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki went to Kyiv to give a clear and measurable signal of further support in defence of Ukraine against Russia,” Piotr Muller tweeted.
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UN seeks justice for victims of Russia’s ‘senseless’ war
UN rights chief Volker Turk on Friday slammed the human cost of Russia’s “senseless” year-old war in Ukraine and urged greater efforts to ensure justice for victims.
Turk said the civilian toll was “unbearable”, with his office verifying that at least 8,006 civilians had been killed and 13,287 injured up to February 15, though the real figures are much higher.
The United Nations’ High Commissioner for Human Rights said attempts to establish accountability and justice for international law violations had to intensify.
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Britain extends tariff relief for Ukraine until 2024, slaps further sanctions and export bans on Russia
The United Kingdom on Thursday announced it would extend temporary tariff liberalisation for Ukraine until early 20242, to help the war-torn nation cope with the far-reaching economic consequences of the Russian invasion.
“The liberalisation of all tariffs for imports from Ukraine will continue to be applied to the whole of the United Kingdom and the Crown Dependencies,” International Trade Minister Nigel Huddleston said in a statement to the British Parliament.
Marking the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the United Kingdom on Friday issued more sanctions against Russia, including export bans on every item it has used on the battlefield and import bans on iron and steel goods.
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Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Is it a ‘Crisis’ or a ‘War’, G20 communique goes down to the wire
Exactly a year back, Russia invaded Ukraine but leaders of the world’s top 20 economies, referred to as G20, are debating how it should be addressed in a joint communique that is to be issued after the two-day meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bank governors.
Host India wants the geopolitical tension to be referred to as a “crisis” or a “challenge” while the US and other western nations want nothing short of “war” to go in the communique that is to be issued on Saturday evening.
Sources said India is trying to build a consensus to include the neutral word.
PTI
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One Year of Russia-Ukraine Conflict: How India emerged as a peacemaker, while China’s neutrality became doubtful
India has remained consistent in its position of calling for a peaceful resolution through dialogue since Russia invaded Ukraine last year on 24 February.
Despite Western pressure to explicitly criticise Russia for the war, New Delhi has adhered to its diplomatic strategy on the conflict.
On Thursday, India once again abstained from voting in a 193-member United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution that condemned Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
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Russia claims Ukraine preparing ‘invasion’ of Transnistria
Russia on Thursday claimed Ukraine was ramping up efforts to invade Transnistria, Moldova’s Moscow-backed separatist region, and pledged a “response”.
The Russian defence ministry’s statement was released on the eve of the one-year anniversary of Moscow’s offensive in Ukraine.
Since the launch of the full-scale assault against Ukraine a year ago, the Kremlin has been accused of raising tensions in Transnistria to destabilise Ukraine and Moldova.
“The Kyiv regime has stepped up preparations for the invasion of the Transnistrian Moldavian Republic,” the statement said.
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West and the Rest: Asia wants Ukraine war to end, Europe and US want more even if Ukrainians continue to die
Exactly a year ago, on 24 February last year, Russia invaded Ukraine. The jury is still out on whether the Ukraine-Russia war should end, a poll has found.
A poll commissioned by European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) and Oxford University has found that people in Turkey, India and China would like to see the war end even it means loss of territory.
On the other hand, people in the US and western Europe are of the opinion that Ukraine should not settle without winning the war even if it means “a longer war or more Ukrainians being killed.”
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At G20 meeting, US accuses Russian finance officials of complicity in war
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen accused Russian officials attending a G20 finance leaders meeting of being “complicit” in atrocities in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, while host India avoided mentioning the year-long war in inaugural remarks.
In remarks on the first anniversary of the Russian invasion, Yellen called on G20 counterparts to “redouble their efforts to support Ukraine and restrict Russia’s capacity to wage war.”
Leaders of the wealthy G7 democracies are expected to announce new sanctions against those aiding Russia’s war effort, following a virtual meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later on Friday.
And ahead of that meeting, Britain issued more sanctions against Russia, including export bans on every item it has used on the battlefield and import bans on iron and steel goods.
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‘I think that had some effect’: Antony Blinken credits India’s opposition to Russia’s use of nuclear weapon
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will be travelling to India on 1 March to attend the meeting of G20 foreign ministers. Ahead of his visit, he credited India’s direct engagement in conveying opposition to the use of nuclear weapon to Russia.
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Russia will win in Ukraine, ready to go up to Polish border: Medvedev
Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev on Friday vowed his country would be victorious in its Ukraine offensive and was ready to fight until the Polish border to counter “threats”.
“Victory will be achieved,” Medvedev said on Telegram, “This is why it is so important to reach all the goals of the special military operation. To push back the borders of the threats against our country as far as possible, even if this is to the borders of Poland”.
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NATO says ‘resolute’ in supporting Ukraine
NATO on Friday declared itself “resolute” in its support of Ukraine and said, “Russia’s efforts to break the resolve of the brave people of Ukraine are failing”.
In a statement issued one year after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, NATO also said that Russia must “immediately” end its “illegal war” which was impacting global food and energy supplies, and demanded Moscow answer for its “war crimes”.
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Putin will not achieve his imperialist goals: Germany’s Scholz
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Friday that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not reach his aims in Ukraine, a year after Moscow’s troops invaded the country.
“The earlier the Russian president realises that he will not reach his imperialistic goal, the bigger the chance that the war will end soon. Putin has it in his hands. He can end this war,” said Scholz.
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Zelenskyy hails Ukraine, vows victory
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday hailed his nation and its people for fighting back against Russia over the past year and vowed victory on the one-year anniversary of the war.
Zelenskyy described it as a “furious year of invincibility” in a statement released on social media.
“Its main result is that we endured. We were not defeated. And we will do everything to gain victory this year!”
“Ukraine has inspired the world. Ukraine has united the world,” Zelenskyy said, hailing cities that have become bywords for alleged Russian war crimes like Bucha, Irpin and Mariupol as “capitals of invincibility.”
“We will never rest until the Russian murderers face deserved punishment”.
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Ukraine’s Zelenskyy declares ‘we will defeat everyone’, as war drags into second year
The war in Ukraine entered its second year on Friday with no end in sight, a defiant President Volodymyr Zelenskyy vowing “we will defeat everyone” and global leaders set to impose new sanctions on Russia and countries supporting its war effort.
In a video message, Zelenskyy said: “…we are strong. We are ready for anything. We will defeat everyone.”
“This is how it began on February 24, 2022,” he said, sitting behind a desk and recalling how he addressed Ukrainians a year ago as the world reeled from Russia’s act of war.
“The longest day of our lives. The most difficult day in our recent history. We woke up early and haven’t slept since.”
Zelenskyy described 2022 as a year of resilience, courage, pain, and unity.
“Its main conclusion is that we have survived. We had not been defeated. And we will do everything to win this year!”
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Germany will support Ukraine ‘as strongly and as long as necessary’
Germany will support Ukraine “as strongly and as long as necessary”, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Thursday, the one-year anniversary of the full-scale invasion of the country by Russia.
“What impresses us all very much – that is the determination and courage of the Ukrainians, how they defend their freedom,” Scholz said in a video message marking the anniversary.
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UK issues export bans on every item used by Russia in war
Britain marked the one-year anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine by issuing more sanctions against Russia, including export bans on every item it has used on the battlefield.
The Foreign Office said on Friday the internationally coordinated sanctions and trade measures would target aircraft parts, radio equipment and electronic components.
It will also target more Russian executives including those at the nuclear power plant Rosatom and others who work at defence groups and Russian banks.
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Australia quietly expels major Russian spy ring, report says
Australia has quietly expelled a large Russian spy ring whose members were posing as diplomats, a newspaper reported Friday after Australia’s main security agency revealed a major counterespionage success.
The spy ring comprised purported embassy and consular staff as well as other operatives using deep-cover identities, The Sydney Morning Herald reported, citing unnamed sources with knowledge of the operation.
The Australian Security Intelligence Organization, the nation’s main domestic spy agency, revealed on Tuesday it had “detected and disrupted a major spy network.” ASIO has not named the country responsible.
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What is China’s peace proposal for Ukraine War?
One year into Russia’s war against Ukraine, China is offering a 12-point proposal to end the fighting.
The proposal follows China’s recent announcement that it is trying to act as a mediator in the war that has re-energized Western alliances viewed by Beijing and Moscow as rivals. China’s top diplomat indicated that the plan was coming at a security conference this week in Munich, Germany.
With its release, President Xi Jinping’s government is reiterating China’s claim to being neutral, despite blocking efforts at the United Nations to condemn the invasion. The document echoes Russian complaints that Western governments are to blame for the 24 February 2022 invasion and criticizes sanctions on Russia.
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France stands by Ukraine, Macron says on one-year war anniversary
President Emmanuel Macron on Friday reiterated France’s support for Ukraine on the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion.
“People of Ukraine, France stands by your side. To solidarity. To victory. To peace”, Macron tweeted.
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Ukraine leader pledges push for victory on war anniversary
Ukraine’s president pledged to push for victory in 2023 as he and other Ukrainians on Friday marked the sombre first anniversary of the Russian invasion that changed their lives.
As dawn broke on a day of commemorations and defiance, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tweeted that Ukrainians had proven themselves to be “invincible” in what he called “a year of pain, sorrow, faith and unity.”
“We know that 2023 will be the year of our victory!” the tweet said.
Ukrainians planned memorials, candle vigils and other remembrances for their tens of thousands of dead — a toll growing all the time as fighting rages in eastern Ukraine in particular.
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Russia’s Wagner claims capture of Ukraine village near Bakhmut
The head of Russia’s Wagner Group on Friday said that his fighters had captured a village near Ukraine’s eastern city of Bakhmut, the scene of fierce fighting between the two sides for months.
Berkhivka “is entirely under our control”, Yevgeny Prigozhin said in a statement released by his press service on the one-year anniversary of Moscow’s offensive in Ukraine.
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Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine: One Year On
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G7 raises Ukraine support to $39 billion for 2023, urges IMF programme by March
The Group of Seven (G7) nations on Thursday raised economic support to Ukraine to $39 billion for this year and urged an IMF programme for the country by the end of March, according to a statement released by the bloc’s current president Japan.
The decision came after a meeting of the bloc’s finance ministers and central bank governors on the eve of the war’s first anniversary. The conflict continues to rage despite sanctions by western nations meant to cripple Russia’s financing of its “special military operation”.
Ukraine is hoping to clinch a $15 billion programme with the International Monetary Fund that will cover immediate financial assistance and support for structural reforms to underpin efforts at post-conflict rebuilding.
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Russia, China advancing world vision that is fundamentally at odds with UN Charter: US
Russia and China are trying to advance a vision of the world that is fundamentally at odds with the one set forth in the UN Charter, the US has said.
The remarks by State Department Spokesperson Ned Price came in response to a question over the growing proximity between Russia and China during the past week and what impact this is having on the challenge that the US is facing solving the major global problems.
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Yellen, G7 urge more aid for Ukraine and adherence to Russia sanctions
Finance ministers from the United States and its G7 allies called for more financial support for Ukraine on Thursday and vowed to maintain tough sanctions on Russia on the eve of the first anniversary of Moscow’s invasion.
Speaking ahead of a meeting of the Group of 20 nations in India, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen took the lead in urging the IMF to pull together a loan programme for Ukraine, adding that Washington was preparing an additional $10 billion in economic assistance.
The Group of Seven rich democracies, in a statement, said the bloc hoped the IMF programme would be ready by March, adding that the G7 had increased financial aid for Ukraine for this year to $39 billion.
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G20 finance leaders to gauge toll on global economy on Ukraine war’s anniversary
Global finance leaders will tally the economic damage from Russia’s war in Ukraine on Friday as they meet on the conflict’s first anniversary with some voicing concerns that more sanctions on Moscow would disrupt a modest improvement in growth.
The meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bank governors on the outskirts of India’s Bengaluru tech hub comes amid signs that the global outlook has improved from the group’s last meeting in October, when a number of G20 economies were teetering on the brink of recession amid energy and food price spikes caused by the war.
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Thursday highlighted the improvement, saying the global economy “is in a better place today than many predicted just a few months ago”.
The International Monetary Fund has forecast global GDP growth for 2023 at 2.9per cent, up from a 2.7per cent forecast in October, but still well below the 3.4per cent achieved in 2022.
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As Vladimir Putin raises nuclear threat one year into the war, a look at Russia’s nuclear arsenal
On 24 February 2022, Russian president Vladimir Putin announced the special military operation into Ukraine to de-Nazify the country. A year on, the Russia-Ukraine war wages on with little hope of it ending any time soon.
Neither side has released any official figures lately, but analysts estimate that about 200,000 Russian troops have been killed or wounded in the war so far. Ukraine has seen 100,000 killed or wounded in action. And that’s only the military losses. The war by some estimates has cost both countries over $100 billion and counting.
Despite the heavy losses — economically and physically — both sides refuse to relent. Neither Russian leader Vladimir Putin nor Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy shows any signs of backing down and abandoning one of the largest military conflicts since the end of World War II. For the civilians caught in the crossfire, that means the bloodshed and suffering brought on by the war has no discernible end.
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French finance minister says G20 must condemn Russia for Ukraine war
G20 financial leaders must condemn Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire told Reuters in an interview on Friday, adding that Europe was working on new sanctions against Moscow.
Speaking on the first day of the G20 financial leaders meeting near Bengaluru, Le Maire said, “Sanctions will be more and more efficient, more and more effective”.
“We are working on the new wave of sanctions against Russia at European level,” he added.