Newsletter 13/02/2024
Daily news digest
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White House: Biden urges House of Representatives to pass Ukraine aid bill
The White House administration has welcomed the U.S. Senate's decision to pass a $95 billion bipartisan aid bill, which includes assistance for Ukraine, Israel and other countries, and called on the House of Representatives not to waste time, as the costs of inaction are rising every day.
Ukraine's future in NATO: Weimar Triangle countries adopted joint statement
The foreign ministers of the Weimar Triangle countries - France, Germany and Poland - adopted a joint statement on Monday, which emphasises support for Ukraine.
Russians buying Starlink terminals in Arab countries - intelligence
Russia is purchasing communications equipment in the Arab countries, including Starlink terminals, for use in the war, the report said.
In a recent radio interception, the Russians are discussing relevant possibilities for the purchase of a Starlink terminal, Ukraine's military intelligence agency said.
Polish prosecutor's office starts investigation into spilled Ukrainian grain
The investigation is being conducted by the District Prosecutor's Office in Chelm. The offenses described are punishable by up to five years in prison.
War
Farmers in occupied territories are being coerced into registration, facing threats of reprisals - CNR
Occupiers are pressuring Ukrainian farmers in temporarily occupied territories (TOT), demanding that they register their businesses in accordance with the aggressor's legislation.
British intelligence analyzes Russia's plans to raise age of contract soldiers to 70
Russia is proposing draft legislation to raise the age of military contract personnel, including those that were recruited before June 2023, to age 65, and age 70 for officers.
According to intelligence experts, this would substantially raise the current age limit of 51 for non-officers and would likely extend the contract length.
Reserves of old equipment enable Russia to sustain war for another three years
According to analysts, Russia's existing reserves provide grounds to believe that Moscow "potentially can endure about three more years of heavy losses and replenish tank stocks, even if they are of a lower technical level, despite the ability to produce new equipment."
Defense
Shmyhal says Ukraine increased drone production by 100 times
"First of all, we are talking about the development of the Defense Tech cluster, about the scaling of the production of drones of different categories, EW and other assets that are necessary for the front. The country has made a real revolution in regulating the creation of drones. Twenty laws and by-laws have been adopted, and thanks to this, production grew by a hundred times. The bureaucracy has been removed, and there is real competition among about 200 private companies in the field of UAVs," Shmyhal said.
Economy
Ukraine, Nasdaq sign memorandum to strengthen economy, capital markets
The document provides for technical assistance from Nasdaq to the Ukrainian government in relation to the future international finance center in Ukraine, capital markets development, access of Ukrainian companies to long-term financing in international markets.
International economics
Austria announces possible termination of gas contract with Russia
"Our dependence on Russian natural gas threatens the prosperity, security and future of our country. Our goal is to get rid of Russian natural gas. As a sovereign country, we cannot simply accept the fact that the share of Russian gas is increasing, not decreasing," the minister said.
Exclusive
Forgotten Declaration of War. Why Putin’s Anti-Western Rhetoric Is not a Bluff
February 10 marks 17 years since Russian President Putin delivered his infamous speech at the Munich Security Policy Conference.
The deceitful accusations against the West voiced in Munich alarmed many at that time because such rhetoric had not been heard from the Kremlin since the time of Nikita Khrushchev. Today, it is obvious how insufficient the response of the international community was, and what disastrous consequences this led to. Has the world really drawn conclusions?