Slovakia, FICO and Ukraine

Protesters say Fico dragging Slovakia to Russia in Ukraine gas dispute
Thousands of protesters in the Slovak capital held banners and chanted slogans on Friday accusing Prime Minister Robert Fico of dragging the country towards Russia after he met President Vladimir Putin last month amid a gas dispute with Ukraine.
Fico Says Slovakia Could Withhold Ukraine Aid Over Halted Gas Supply
However, Fico says it will cost Slovakia 1 billion euros ($1 billion) a year in higher prices for the gas it uses and 500 million euros in onward transit fees. He has threatened to cut emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine as Russia attacks its power grid,
Thousands rally across Slovakia to protest prime minister’s pro-Russia policies
Thousands of Slovaks have taken to the streets as protests against the pro-Russia policies of populist Prime Minister Robert Fico spread from Slovakia's capital to towns and cities across the country and abroad.
Putin promised to keep supplying Slovakia with gas, Fico says
Russian President Vladimir Putin promised Slovakia that Russia's Gazprom would find alternative ways to deliver contracted gas to Slovakia after the end of transit through Ukraine, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said on Friday.
Slovakia’s Fico Says Russia Has Committed to Delivering Gas
Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico said Russia will if necessary deliver gas to cover the country’s domestic consumption this year, even as he seeks to restore fuel flows via Ukraine.
Thousands Rally Against Slovakia Seeking Closer Russia Ties
Protesters gathered in Bratislava and other Slovak cities on Friday to rally against the government's drive to seek closer ties with Russia despite its invasion of Ukraine.
Slovak PM threatens Ukraine with aid cuts over halted Russian gas transit
Fico said that Slovakia could halt its humanitarian aid to Ukraine, cut or cancel social benefits for Ukrainian refugees, and cease emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine. He also suggested using veto power over EU decisions as leverage against Kyiv.

Japan, Russia and sanctions

Russia, Biden and new sanctions

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Lame Duck Biden Imposes New Russian Sanctions Now That Energy Prices, Ukraine War Escalation Won’t Hurt Dems
The Biden administration announced major sanctions against the Russian energy sector on Friday, escalating tensions with ...
In a 1st, Ukraine unveils drones inflicting multi-million-dollar damage in Russia
At the event, Ukraine presented various drones, including the Shrike and Vampire, that are used in combat against Russia. On ...
Russia claims it captured another town in eastern Ukraine but Kyiv’s troops say the fight continues
The claim, which drew no response from Ukrainian authorities, came a day after the Russian Defense Ministry said Ukrainian ...
Ukraine is bringing war 'back to Russia,' Zelenskyy says after new Kursk offensive
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that some 38,000 Russian troops have been killed or wounded fighting in Russia's ...
Russia Claims Control of Key Town as Ukraine Renews Push in Kursk
Ukraine has largely been driven out of Kurakhove, a battered but strategic town in the Donbas, Russia said. Kyiv’s forces ...
Russia's Disastrous Winter War on Finland Could Give Clues on Ukraine Endgame
Ukraine must not accept a "Finlandization" deal struck following a previous invasion by Moscow 85 years ago, experts tell ...
Keith Kellogg predicts Trump will accomplish 'near-term' solution to Russia-Ukraine war
Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg (Ret.), nominee for special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, joins 'America Reports' to discuss ...
Zelenskyy said Belarus' Lukashenko apologized on the phone during the war's early days for helping Russia attack Ukraine
Lukashenko's spokesperson denied on Monday that any apology took place, but confirmed that a call between both leaders soon ...
Russia accuses Ukraine of striking supermarket in Donetsk, killing two
Russia accused Ukraine on Friday of carrying out a missile strike on a supermarket in the Russian-controlled city of Donetsk ...
Russia Doesn’t Hold All the Cards in Ukraine, Pentagon’s Austin Says
Even as Russia seems to have the upper hand in its invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin faces a growing number of challenges that ...