Selenskyj: ruling MH17 “very important”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the conviction of those responsible for the downing of passenger jet MH17 more than eight years ago as “very important”. But only if their leadership in Russia is condemned will this be a secure basis for peace, he added in his video message on Thursday. He had previously made it clear on Twitter that he saw the Russian leadership as responsible. Impunity is leading to new crimes, he added, referring to Russia’s war of aggression against his country that began in late February.
A Dutch court had previously sentenced two Russians and a Ukrainian to life imprisonment in absentia. They allegedly brought a Buk-type air defense system from Russia to eastern Ukraine and shot down the passenger plane with flight number MH17 with it. All 298 people on board the Boeing, en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, died in the July 2014 crash.
Moscow rejects verdict
As expected, Russia has rejected the Dutch court’s conviction for the downing of the passenger plane as politically motivated. “Both the course and the results of the negotiations show that it was based on the political mandate to strengthen Russia’s version (…) of involvement in the tragedy,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in its statement on Thursday. website.
The Russian leadership had previously dismissed the process and always denied responsibility. “The negotiations in the Netherlands have every chance of becoming one of the most scandalous in history – with its long list of idiosyncrasies, inconsistencies and questionable conclusions of the prosecution, which nevertheless culminated in the verdict,” the foreign ministry criticized. Business again.
Zelenskyj welcomes the extension of the grain deal
In his video message, Zelenskyj was also pleased with the extension of the grain deal. “Despite all the difficulties, despite various manipulations by Russia, we will continue to export agricultural products through our Black Sea ports,” said the 44-year-old. The agreement, which is about to expire, was extended by 120 days through the intervention of Turkey and the United Nations on Thursday.
Zelenskyj emphasized the importance of Ukrainian grain exports for the food supply of poorer countries. Some 450 ships have left Ukraine’s Black Sea ports around Odessa since the start of the grain deal, which ended a months-long Russian naval blockade, bringing food to countries including Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Somalia and Sudan.
Duda: Involvement of Ukrainian researchers is not easily possible
According to Polish President Andrzej Duda, the participation of Ukrainian specialists in the investigation of the missile strike on Polish territory is subject to the rules of international legal assistance. “If guests from Ukraine want to see the ongoing investigation, then it is possible to show them, as was shown to me today,” Duda said after visiting the site of the impact in the village of Przevodov on Thursday.
“But when it comes to actively participating in the investigations, to access documents and information, specific contractual bases in terms of international law and international agreements are required.” Zelenskyj had previously said that experts from his country would be allowed to participate in the study. The corresponding confirmation came from Poland.
IAEA demands Russian withdrawal from Zaporizhia nuclear power plant
The Board of Directors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has called on Russia to give up the occupied Zaporizhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine. Moscow must immediately withdraw its military and civilian personnel and relinquish its “baseless claim to ownership” of the nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine, according to a resolution passed by the commission in Vienna on Thursday evening. The Board of Directors was also very concerned that Ukrainian workers at the factory were being pressured by Russia and that arrests had been made.
According to diplomats, the third IAEA resolution against Russia since the start of the war in Ukraine was supported by 24 countries. China and Russia voted against. The Zaporizhia nuclear power plant has been under Russian occupation since March. Since then, Europe’s largest nuclear power plant has come under fire several times.
US arms aid to Ukraine continues
According to the US Department of Defense, US military aid has cost a total of $18.6 billion since the start of the war in late February. The Americans have been sending several packages at a rapid pace in recent months – often from US military supplies. The Pentagon confirmed on Thursday that this would not jeopardize the Americans’ own operational readiness. Earlier there were rumors that the United States would soon be unable to supply some weapons.
That will be important on Friday
After the G20 meeting, the APEC summit begins. The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) unites countries around the Pacific – and so representatives from Moscow and Washington meet again. Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov, a senior economic adviser to President Vladimir Putin, will represent Russia. Because of the many Asian states, Moscow sees an opportunity in APEC to continue the propagated turn to the east and thus weaken the effects of Western sanctions. (sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
