International Monetary Fund (Anadolu) ANKARA - Russia's war on Ukraine will have severe economic consequences for Europe, coming at a time when economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic was incomplete, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said in a report on Friday. "Large increases in commodity prices and compounded supply-side disruptions will further fuel inflation and cut into households' incomes and firms' profits," stated the report titled "Regional Economic Outlook for Europe". "Inflation is projected to hit a multi-decade high in many countries. And new risks loom from escalating fighting and disruptions to critical energy flows," it added. The IMF said European policymakers' main challenges are caring for the refugees, helping vulnerable households and companies that try to cope with higher spending on energy, and improving energy security. "The war and its aftermath will also add to the structural challenges facing pos
KYIV - The Ukrainian parliament passed a law banning the use of Russian military symbols Z and V. Russia was recognized as a "terrorist country" under the law passed by parliament's deputies on April 1, according to Ukraine's Servant of the People party. Nikita Poturayev, one of the deputies who prepared the law, argued that propaganda in the act of aggression against Ukraine is completely prohibited. During the Russia-Ukraine war, Z and V have been seen on Russian tanks and armored vehicles. The Russian war against Ukraine, which started Feb. 24, has met international outrage, with the European Union, the US, and the UK, among others, implementing tough financial sanctions on Moscow. At least 1,232 civilians have been killed in Ukraine and 1,935 injured, according to UN estimates, with the true figure feared to be far higher. More than four million Ukrainians have also fled to other countries, with millions more internally displaced, according to the UN refugee agenc
US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman WASHINGTON - Russia's war in Ukraine is exacerbating a global food crisis already worsened by coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said Tuesday. Speaking at a UN Security Council meeting, Sherman said Russian warships are blocking access to Ukraine's ports, essentially cutting off exports of grain, and are reportedly preventing about 94 ships carrying food for the world market from reaching the Mediterranean. "Already, food prices are skyrocketing in low and in middle-income countries as Russia chokes off Ukrainian exports," she said, adding prices of wheat have risen between 20 percent and 50 percent across the Middle East and Africa so far this year. She added nearly half of all Ukrainians are unable to access food, adding people are feeling the war's effects on food security "far beyond Ukraine's borders." Sherman said the US is "particularly concerned"
WASHINGTON - The UN Security Council on Wednesday overwhelmingly rejected a draft resolution from Russia on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine. Only China joined Russia in voting in favor of the text, with all of the chamber's other 13 members abstaining. The draft resolution expresses "grave concern at the deteriorating humanitarian situation in and around Ukraine," citing in particular a growing number of internally displaced people and refugees from the Ukrainian conflict. While it condemns "all violations of international humanitarian law and violations of human rights," the text does not assign blame for the war. Speaking ahead of the vote, US envoy to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the draft was a Russian attempt "to provide cover for its brutal actions" in Ukraine. "It really is unconscionable that Russia would have the audacity to put forward a resolution asking the international community to solve a humanitarian crisis that Russia
ANKARA - A senior Ukrainian official said Tuesday that his country hopes China, as an important global actor, will play a more notable role to bring an end to the war with Russia. "Kyiv is hopeful that Beijing will play a more prominent role in bringing this war to an end," Andriy Yermak, head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, said on his Twitter account. "We look forward to (Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and (Chinese President) Xi Jinping talk," he noted, adding the leading countries worldwide should agree on deterring Russia, including China. On Monday, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said China should be involved in the solution process regarding the war, and Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin responded the same day, saying the conflicting countries should maintain contact and resolve the issue through diplomacy. The Russia-Ukraine war, which began on Feb. 24, has been met with international outrage, with the European Union