International Criminal Court to open an office in Ukraine

The International Criminal Court will open an office in Ukraine to investigate war crimes committed by Russian soldiers since the beginning of the invasion, the ICC announced Thursday. An agreement to this effect was signed with Ukraine today, Digi24 reports.

Sweden passes NATO accession bill

Sweden's parliament on Wednesday formally approved a bill to allow the country to join NATO when its application has been ratified by all 30 members of the alliance, a process where it remains waiting on the final endorsements, Reuters reports.

Volodymyr Zelensky visits the front line in Bahmut

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy traveled to the front line of Bakhmut, the scene of the heaviest fighting in the Donetsk region, on Wednesday to visit Ukrainian soldiers who have been defending the city for more than seven months, while the Russians say their artillery controls all avenues of access to Bahmut, which would practically be blocked, informs Agerpres.

The New York Times: What countries can Russia still count on after invading Ukraine

Chinese leader Xi Jinping's official visit to Moscow highlights the close ties between the two nations - an increasingly important relationship for Vladimir Putin, who is becoming increasingly isolated from the rest of the world, writes The New York Times, quoted by Digi24.

Russia could supply China with about 50 billion cubic meters of gas per year through the new "Force of Siberia 2" gas pipeline

Russia is ready to help Chinese companies replace Western ones that have left Russia as a result of sanctions imposed on it over the Ukraine conflict, Russian President Vladimir Putin told his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping during their meeting in the Kremlin on Tuesday, Reuters and EFE report.

Josep Borell, at the Schuman Forum: We are preparing a civilian mission in the Republic of Moldova to strengthen the country's capacity against hybrid threats

The European Union is currently preparing a civilian mission for the Republic of Moldova with the aim of supporting this country in dealing with hybrid threats, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, said on Tuesday. In a keynote speech at the Schuman Forum for Defense and Security, Borrell spoke about the importance of partnerships in the strategic motto for security and defense of the European Union, giving the example of military operations and missions, but also the EU's civilian missions.

The European Commission has paid the second installment of 1.5 billion euros from the financial assistance package intended for Ukraine

The European Commission today disbursed a second tranche of 1.5 billion euros from the financial assistance package for Ukraine, the total value of which amounts to 18 billion euros, through which the European Union aims to help Kyiv cover its immediate financing needs in 2023.

The situation in the Republic of Moldova could be discussed at the next meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council

The situation in the Republic of Moldova could be discussed at the next meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council. This proposal was made by the head of diplomacy from Bucharest, Bogdan Aurescu, at the meeting of foreign affairs ministers from EU member states - the Foreign Affairs Council, held yesterday in Brussels. Bogdan Aurescu emphasized the need to increase the assistance of the European Union for strengthening the resilience and security of the Republic of Moldova and the general support for the advancement of the accession process. The Romanian foreign minister also referred to the importance of the rapid establishment of the civilian mission of the European Union in the Republic of Moldova.

Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping will sign two agreements in Moscow

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping continue talks in Moscow today, economic cooperation being the focus of attention on the second day of the Beijing leader's visit to Russia, reports Agerpres.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida makes a surprise visit to Kiev

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is on his way to Kiev for a surprise visit and is meeting today with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo announced.

European Foreign Ministers, including Romania, demand that the EU sanction Russian oligarchs from the Republic of Moldova and Georgia

Several European foreign ministers, including Romania's, have called for the European Union (EU) to sanction the oligarchs involved in "destabilization attempts" in the Republic of Moldova and Georgia, amid growing fears of Russian interference .

Russians established more than 1,300 firms in Turkey in 2022

Russians established more than 1,300 firms in Turkey in 2022, a 670% increase from the previous year, according to a report by The Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey, a think tank, writes Bloomberg.