International

Ukraine defies invasion threat, as NATO sees no Russian pullback

Published

4 years ago

February 17, 2022

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Ukraine’s leader vowed Wednesday that his country would stand tall against any invasion, as both he and NATO warned they could see no sign that Russia is withdrawing its forces.

President Volodymyr Zelensky watched troops training with some of their new Western-supplied anti-tank weapons on a range near Rivne, west of the capital.

Then he travelled to the frontline port city of Mariupol, and gave a speech to mark what he had declared Ukraine’s “Day of Unity”, wearing a military-style olive green coat and vowing resistance.

“We are not afraid of forecasts, we are not afraid of anyone, of any enemies,” Zelensky said. “We will defend ourselves.”

The demonstration of Ukrainian firepower and rhetoric contrasted with images on Russian state media that were said to show Moscow’s forces bringing an end to a major exercise in occupied Crimea.

But Zelensky denied that this was a sign of a Russian pullback.

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“We are seeing small rotations. I would not call these rotations the withdrawal of forces by Russia. We cannot say that,” he said in televised comments, adding: “We see no change.”

In Rivne, missiles pounded targets and armoured vehicles manoeuvred and fired on the yellowing moorland, while in Kyiv hundreds of civilians marched in a stadium with an enormous national banner.

The “Day of Unity” displays came as the Kremlin called for “serious negotiations” with Washington, and European leaders pushed hard for a diplomatic resolution to the crisis.

But NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg, who hosted a meeting of the alliance’s defence ministers in Brussels, dismissed suggestions that the threat on the border had diminished.

He said the alliance would shore up its eastern defences with forward deployments in member states bordering Ukraine.

“Moscow has made it clear that it is prepared to contest the fundamental principles that have underpinned our security for decades and to do so by using force,” he said.

“I regret to say that this is the new normal in Europe.”

And on reported Russian troop movements, he said: “So far we do not see any sign of de-escalation on the ground; no withdrawals of troops or equipment.

“Russia maintains a massive invasion force ready to attack with high-end capabilities from Crimea to Belarus.”

– ‘Signals give us hope’ –

Russia’s huge build-up of troops, missiles and warships around Ukraine is being billed as Europe’s worst security crisis since the Cold War.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has demanded Ukraine be forbidden from pursuing its ambition to join NATO and wants to redraw the security map of eastern Europe, rolling back Western influence.

But, backed by a threat of crippling US and EU economic sanctions, Western leaders are pushing for a negotiated settlement, and Moscow has signalled it will start to pull forces back.

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In the latest such move, on Wednesday the Russian defence ministry said military drills in Crimea — a Ukrainian region Moscow annexed in 2014 — had ended and that troops were returning to their garrisons.

Washington has demanded more verifiable evidence of de-escalation, but US President Joe Biden has nevertheless vowed to push for a diplomatic solution.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov welcomed this, telling reporters, “It is positive that the US president is also noting his readiness to start serious negotiations.”

German Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht, arriving at the NATO talks, said reports of a partial Russian pullback “are signals that at least give us hope. But it is important to observe closely whether these words are followed by deeds.”

EU leaders, already gathered in Brussels for a summit with their African counterparts, are now to hold impromptu crisis talks on Russia and Ukraine on Thursday.

Zelensky has downplayed threats of an immediate Russian invasion, but is attempting to rally his people with the “Day of Unity” celebrations under Ukraine’s blue and gold banner.

On Wednesday, after the Rivne drills, he visited Mariupol, a frontline port city near a breakaway region held by Russian-backed separatists.

Ambassadors from the European Union, Germany, Estonia, Poland and Spain headed to Mariupol with the president.

– Rich return –

Meanwhile, some wealthy business leaders who had been urged by the government to show solidarity to the country announced their return.

Ukraine’s richest man, 55-year-old billionaire industrialist Rinat Akmetov, who was born in Donetsk in an area now held by separatists, was in Mariupol.

“We continue to build, we continue to invest,” he said, promising his firm would boost salaries and support a local university.

On Tuesday, Ukraine said the websites of the country’s defence ministry and armed forces, as well as private banks, had been hit by a cyberattack of the kind that US intelligence fears would precede a Russian attack.

“It cannot be excluded that the aggressor is resorting to dirty tricks,” Ukraine’s communications watchdog said, in reference to Russia.

Peskov denied that Moscow had any role in the cyber assault.

“We do not know anything. As expected, Ukraine continues blaming Russia for everything,” he said.

AFP/Punch

Related Topics:invasion NATO pullback Russian Ukraine

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Iran Suspends Direct Diplomatic Contact with US

Published

3 hours ago

April 7, 2026

Trends Admin

Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei and United States President Donald Trump

Iran Suspends Direct Diplomatic Contact with US

Iran has suspended direct diplomatic communication with the United States following heightened tensions triggered by recent threats from U.S. President Donald Trump.

The decision marks a significant escalation in the already fragile relationship between Iran and the United States, as both sides continue to exchange strong rhetoric over ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.

According to sources familiar with the development, Tehran’s move is aimed at protesting what it described as hostile and provocative statements attributed to Trump, including warnings of possible large-scale military action.

Despite the suspension of direct contact, indirect diplomatic engagement has not been completely halted. Communication between the two countries is expected to continue through intermediaries, including regional actors and international partners, as efforts to de-escalate tensions persist behind the scenes.

Analysts say the move underscores Iran’s dissatisfaction with the current tone of engagement while leaving the door open for negotiations through alternative channels.

The development comes at a critical moment as diplomatic efforts intensify to prevent further escalation across multiple theatres in the Middle East, where ongoing conflicts have heightened global concerns over regional stability.

Observers warn that while indirect communication may help prevent a complete breakdown in diplomacy, the suspension of direct talks could slow progress toward any immediate resolution.

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International

Taxi Driver Jailed Seven Years for Raping Passenger

Published

4 hours ago

April 7, 2026

Trends Admin

Thomas Tosh

Taxi Driver Jailed Seven Years for Raping Passenger

A Glasgow taxi driver has been sentenced to seven years in prison after being found guilty of raping and sexually assaulting a vulnerable passenger he picked up following a night out. The case has renewed concerns over passenger safety and the responsibilities of taxi operators.

Thomas Tosh, 39, attacked a 23-year-old woman at his home in Drumchapel after picking her and her friends from a pub in Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, in the early hours of 30 September 2023. At the time, the victim was intoxicated and unable to give consent.

Prosecutors revealed that Tosh logged out of the taxi’s GPS system after dropping the other passengers, deliberately concealing his actions. He then drove the woman to his home, committed the assault, and only two hours later resumed normal taxi operations, dropping her at her residence.

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Tosh was identified after a friend of the victim showed her a photo of him on social media. Evidence including DNA, text messages, and witness statements helped secure his conviction in February at the High Court in Glasgow.

During sentencing, Tosh was also placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely and issued a 10-year non-contact order with his victim. Faye Cook, Procurator Fiscal for High Court Sexual Offences, described the attack as a “despicable betrayal of trust” and praised the victim for her courage throughout the prosecution.

The case has drawn attention to the need for enhanced safety measures in taxis, including strict GPS monitoring, driver vetting, and passenger awareness campaigns, to prevent similar attacks in the future.

Taxi Driver Jailed Seven Years for Raping Passenger

International

Civilian Deaths Rise to 18 as US-Israeli Strikes Hit Iran

Published

5 hours ago

April 7, 2026

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Civilian Deaths Rise to 18 as US-Israeli Strikes Hit Iran

At least 18 people, including two children, have been killed in fresh strikes in Alborz Province, near the capital Tehran, as the conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel continues to escalate. The early morning attack also injured 24 others, according to local officials.

A deputy governor of Alborz Province confirmed the casualties, describing the strike as a direct hit on residential areas. Iranian authorities alleged that the strikes were carried out by US-Israeli forces, though independent verification remains limited due to restricted access to the affected locations.

The latest deaths come amid a growing humanitarian crisis in Iran. According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, at least 3,597 people have been killed since the conflict escalated, including 1,665 civilians—among them 248 children—as well as 1,221 military personnel and 711 others whose status is unconfirmed.

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Iranian officials have yet to release an updated comprehensive casualty figure, while international media face difficulties verifying reports due to access restrictions. Human rights organisations have raised concerns over the rising civilian toll, warning that continued strikes on populated areas could worsen the humanitarian situation.

The conflict, which has intensified in recent weeks with repeated air raids and missile attacks, has heightened fears of wider regional instability. Analysts say the escalation threatens both civilian safety and the broader Middle East security environment.

Despite international calls for restraint, attacks on residential areas in Alborz and other provinces highlight the vulnerability of civilians. Observers are urging urgent diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and protect non-combatants in Iran.