Ukraine war in the live ticker: +++ 03:45 Helsinki Commission calls for US course correction towards Moscow +++

September 30, 2024

Ukraine war in the live ticker
+++ 03:45 Helsinki Commission calls for US course correction towards Moscow +++

The bipartisan Helsinki Commission urges the United States to abandon its post-Cold War approach to Russia and identify Moscow as a persistent threat to global security. According to The Hill newspaper, the commission advises that Washington needs to rethink its approach to Russia, as it has already done to China. The proposals go beyond the Biden administration’s commitments to Ukraine and contradict the positions of Donald Trump and his allies in Congress, who believe that the US is spending too much on European security. Trump emphasizes the need for direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, but the chairman of the Helsinki Commission, Republican Joe Wilson, is skeptical about the possibility of a deal with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin.

+++ 02:49 Russia attacks Kyiv with drones +++
The Ukrainian capital Kyiv is the target of a Russian drone attack. According to the Ukrainian military, air defense units are deployed to repel the attacks. Eyewitnesses reported several loud explosions and objects being hit in the air, indicating the use of air defense systems. In addition to Kyiv and the surrounding region, there is currently an air alert throughout eastern Ukraine.

+++ 01:40 Election campaign in Moldova: Minister warns of Russian “thieves” +++
A senior government minister urged Moldovans on Sunday to avoid “thieves, refugees and bandits” after an exiled pro-Russian business tycoon promised to pay voters if they voted “No” in a referendum on joining the European Union .” “That would be true. Infrastructure Minister Andrei Spinu’s call is evidence of the increasingly uncontrolled campaign for the October 20 presidential election, in which pro-European incumbent Maia Sandu is seeking a second term.

+++ 00:14 Russia: Ukrainians shell substation near nuclear power plant +++
According to the management of the Russian-controlled nuclear power plant (nuclear power plant), Russian forces have again attacked a nearby substation and destroyed a transformer. The nuclear power plant management announced on Telegram that an artillery strike had hit the transformer in the “Raduga” substation in the city of Enerhodar in southeastern Ukraine. A photo was also published showing smoke rising from the roof of a building. Enerhodar’s power supply was not interrupted, it said. The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe’s largest with six reactors, was seized by Russian forces in the first days of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Both sides regularly accuse each other of attacking the power plant or planning an attack.

+++ 23:15 Zelenskyj Distrusts nuclear threats: “Putin loves his life” +++
Russian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed skepticism about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ongoing nuclear threats in an interview with Fox News. The Kremlin leader “loves his life” and is therefore probably afraid of using nuclear weapons. “Nobody knows what’s going on in his head,” Zelenskyy admits at the same time. “He could use nuclear weapons against any country at any time – or not. But I don’t think he will.”

+++ 22:10 This is how the victorious FPÖ views the Ukraine war and Russia +++
The parliamentary election in Austria has significantly shaken up the political balance of power. According to projections, the right-wing FPÖ celebrates a historic victory with 28.7 percent. In their election program, the right-wing populists positioned themselves extremely critically towards the EU in terms of foreign policy. Despite the war in Ukraine, the party is taking a rather benevolent course towards Russia and sees no problem with Austria’s dependence on Russian gas. The gas contract between Vienna and Moscow was extended in 2018 until 2040. It includes a fixed purchase obligation for large quantities of natural gas and provides for payment even if no gas is delivered. From January to May 2024, more than 90 percent of Austria’s gas imports come from Russia.

+++ 21:37 Russian head of government travels to Tehran +++
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin is traveling to Tehran to meet with Iranian President Massoud Peseschkian amid rising tensions in the Middle East. The Russian government said the conversation was scheduled for Monday. Mishustin will also meet Iranian Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref. According to Moscow, the Russian Prime Minister will “discuss all Russian-Iranian cooperation in the fields of trade, economy, culture and humanitarian assistance” in Tehran. The West accuses Iran of supplying drones and missiles to the Russian army for its military operations in Ukraine. Tehran rejects this.

All previous developments can beYou can read about it here.