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"Civilization may not survive": star investor Soros criticizes Putin and Merkel

2022-05-25T03:06:20.263Z


"Civilization may not survive": star investor Soros criticizes Putin and Merkel Created: 05/25/2022, 04:52 By: Stephanie Munk, Christoph Gschoßmann For three months, Russia has been attacking its neighbor in the Ukraine war. Selenskyj is now urgently demanding more weapons - his country has a right to them. News ticker. Escalated Ukraine conflict : Orban continues to block: Hungary's head of g


"Civilization may not survive": star investor Soros criticizes Putin and Merkel

Created: 05/25/2022, 04:52

By: Stephanie Munk, Christoph Gschoßmann

For three months, Russia has been attacking its neighbor in the Ukraine war.

Selenskyj is now urgently demanding more weapons - his country has a right to them.

News ticker.

  • Escalated Ukraine conflict

    : Orban continues to block: Hungary's head of government does not want to agree to an oil embargo against Russia.

  • Star investor warns of the consequences of the Ukraine war: Soros criticizes Putin - but also Merkel

  • The US removes an exemption for Russia: The measure could bring Russia one step closer to a default.

  • This news ticker

    on the Ukraine-Russia negotiations and war diplomacy

     is constantly updated.

In July, Switzerland hosts a donor conference for the reconstruction of Ukraine

Update from May 24, 10:36 p.m .:

Switzerland is setting up a donor conference for the reconstruction of Ukraine in July.

President Ignazio Cassis said at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Tuesday, together with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, he has sent out invitations to 40 countries and 18 international organizations.

In addition to funding for reconstruction, the conference should also be about reforms.

The conference, scheduled for July 4-5 in Lugano, Ticino, was originally scheduled to discuss reforms in Ukraine.

Now the focus should be on rebuilding the war-torn country.

"Considering how long the road is going to be, we can't start soon enough," Cassis said.

US removes Russia's dollar debt service exemption

Update from May 24, 10:13 p.m .:

The United States is removing a sanctions exemption that allows Russia to pay off its foreign debt with dollars.

The exception to the financial sanctions imposed because of the Ukraine war ends on Wednesday night (local time), as the US Treasury Department announced on Tuesday.

The measure could bring Russia one step closer to a default.

On Friday, Russia will have to pay off its national debt for the next time.

Western countries have imposed harsh sanctions on Moscow over Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

In the process, Russia was largely excluded from the international financial system.

Among other things, the possibility of the Russian state to pay off its debts with dollars stored in US accounts was blocked.

President Vladimir Putin's government could still use dollars held in Russia to repay debts.

However, this exception is now expiring.

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen promised this last week.

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Star investor Soros: Ukraine war could be the end of civilization

Update from May 24, 8:43 p.m .:

Star investor George Soros sees serious consequences if other crises such as climate change are delayed because of the war in Ukraine.

Issues that affect all of humanity have receded into the background in the face of the Russian war.

"That's why I say that our civilization may not survive," said the 91-year-old on Tuesday evening on the sidelines of the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

In the fight against climate change, society has fallen sharply behind.

Climate change may already be irreversible.

Soros criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin and stressed that Ukraine had put up unexpectedly strong resistance to the attack.

Europe reacted to the invasion faster, more united and more forcefully than ever before in its history. At the same time, the European states remained highly dependent on Russian energy - "mainly because of the mercantilist policies" of the then Chancellor Angela Merkel.

"That made Germany the best-performing economy in Europe, but now there's a heavy price to pay," Soros said.

The Ukrainian ambassador raises serious allegations against Angela Merkel.

In the past she has often been a guest of Russian President Putin, as here in August 2021. © IMAGO / ITAR-TASS / Mikhail Metzel

Because of Ukraine: Orban declares a state of emergency in Hungary

Update from May 24, 8:07 p.m .:

Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban has declared a state of emergency in the EU country because of the Ukraine war.

As Orban announced on Tuesday evening, the state of emergency that will apply from midnight is intended to protect the country from the economic effects of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine.

Orban had already declared a state of emergency because of the corona pandemic, but this order expires next Tuesday.

Baerbock: Work continues on arms deliveries for Ukraine

Update from May 24, 6:01 p.m .:

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has emphasized the readiness for further arms deliveries in the face of ongoing criticism of the German government’s hesitant support for Ukraine.

Germany is working together with Poland and international partners to "continue to supply more weapons, ammunition and heavy equipment," said the Green politician on Tuesday after meeting her Polish counterpart Zbigniew Rau in Berlin.

At the same time, she emphasized: "We are strengthening NATO's eastern flank with German soldiers and material in the Baltic States, as well as with anti-aircraft missiles in Slovakia."

She knows how much Poland has been looking at Germany since the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine and "how the German government, how we act and what we do together to support Ukraine," said Baerbock, who said with reference to Rau : "You yourself are setting a good example." The willingness to help with which Poland has been looking after refugees from Ukraine for months "I find deeply impressive".

Update from May 24, 5:10 p.m .:

Russia has imposed an entry ban on 154 members of the British House of Lords.

This is in response to the UK government's decision in March to impose sanctions on almost all members of Russia's upper house, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

Oil embargo against Russia?

Orban counters Habeck's lightning forecast - and wants EU billions

Update from May 24, 4:30 p.m .:

The EU’s planned oil embargo against Russia as a result of the Ukraine war will probably continue to fail due to Hungary’s resistance: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is still blocking it.

It is "very unlikely that a comprehensive solution can be found before the special summit of the European Council on May 30th and 31st," writes Orban in a letter to EU Council President Charles Michel.

The sanctions proposed by the EU Commission would lead to "serious disruptions to energy supplies" in Hungary and a massive increase in energy prices, Orban warned in the letter dated Monday (May 23).

At the same time, the Hungarian head of government called it "counterproductive" to discuss the sixth package of sanctions against Russia at the special summit as long as there was no consensus.

Viktor Orban (right) does not want to support an oil embargo against Russia, here with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

(Archive) © dpa/Kremlin

According to EU officials, Hungary recently called for an exception to the oil embargo beyond 2024 in negotiations with the Commission.

The government is also demanding unprecedented EU aid to turn away from Russian oil.

Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto put the money needed at "15 to 18 billion euros".

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced last week that she wanted to mobilize up to 300 billion euros from public and private funds to help the EU turn away from Russian gas and oil.

Orban criticized that the plan does not go into detail about Hungary's "serious concerns".

Economics Minister Robert Habeck said on Monday that an agreement on an EU oil embargo could be reached in a few days and explicitly criticized Hungary's position.

Ukraine negotiations: EU waives import tariffs for Ukraine

Update from May 24, 3:24 p.m .:

The EU is waiving import duties for Ukraine for a year.

The member states sealed a corresponding proposal by the EU Commission on Tuesday.

The European Parliament had spoken out in favor of trade liberalization just under a week ago.

The temporary lifting of import duties by the EU therefore primarily affects Ukrainian industrial products, fruit and vegetables and other agricultural products.

The move is aimed at supporting exports from Ukraine to the EU and improving the situation of producers in the face of the Russian war of aggression.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj welcomed the EU plans at the end of April.

This will allow the country to keep its economic activity and production going as much as possible, he said.

According to EU figures, trade with Ukraine reached a record volume of 52 billion euros last year.

Ukraine negotiations: EU increases financial aid for Ukrainian army

Update from May 24, 3:09 p.m .:

The EU has increased funding to support the Ukrainian army to two billion euros.

As the Council of Member States announced in Brussels on Tuesday, the outstanding decision has been taken.

The political agreement on a further 500 million was reached in the middle of the month at a meeting of EU foreign ministers.

Of the extra money, $490 million will be spent on guns and ammunition, and $10 million on things like protective gear, first-aid kits and fuel.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell recently cited artillery pieces and armored vehicles as specific examples of planned arms deliveries.

Borrell made it clear on Tuesday that the current increase in funds should not have been the last.

"Tomorrow's history is being written today - on the battlefields of Ukraine," he said.

“The EU and its Member States are determined to continue to engage.

We will continue to the end.”

Ukraine negotiations: Russian UN diplomat resigned in protest - Moscow is now reacting

Update from May 24, 2:50 p.m .:

The Kremlin distanced itself from the man after the termination of a Russian diplomat at the United Nations.

"One can probably only say here that Mr. Bondarev no longer belongs to us - rather that he is against us," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday in Moscow, according to a report by the Interfax news agency.

Embassy counselor Boris Bondarev resigned on Monday after 20 years in protest at Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

In the ministry, it's all about "war friction, lies and hatred," the diplomat complained, enough was enough.

Peskov said: "He condemned the actions of the Russian leadership - and the actions of the Russian leadership are supported by practically the entire population of our country.

This means that this gentleman spoke out against the generally prevailing opinion of our country.”

Ukraine negotiations: Ex-US Secretary of State Kissinger makes territory proposal

Update from May 24, 1:54 p.m .:

Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger suggested at the World Economic Forum in Davos that Ukraine give up part of its territory to Russia to end the Ukraine war.

The British newspaper

Daily Mail reported on this, among others.

Ukraine must start negotiations on this as soon as possible, before the country creates "upheaval and tensions" that cannot be easily overcome.

Ideally, the border between Ukraine and Russia should be restored as it once was.

Exactly how this is meant remains unclear.

Everything else would not be in favor of Ukraine's freedom, but a new war against Russia itself, according to Kissinger.

It is "fatal" for the West to be carried away by the "mood of the moment" and forget Russia's position of power in Europe, said the ex-US Secretary of State.

Russia had been an "essential part of Europe" for over four decades.

Europe's heads of state should not lose sight of the long-term relationship - otherwise there is a risk of a "permanent alliance between Russia and China," believes the 98-year-old.

Ukraine itself has repeatedly stressed that it is not prepared to cede territories to Russia.

The war was only over with a complete withdrawal of all Russian troops.

Ukraine negotiations: Former Ukrainian minister calls for an immediate gas stop from Russia

Update from May 24, 12:42 p.m .:

From the point of view of former Ukrainian Finance Minister Natalie Jaresko, Russia’s war in Ukraine endangers global stability.

There is a risk of a food crisis if Ukraine cannot export its grain.

"And in many parts of the world, hunger is leading to civil unrest," Jaresko said on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

A corridor must urgently be opened in Ukraine for the export of 20 million tons of grain from the previous harvest.

The only way to prevent a global economic downturn is to allow Ukraine to win the war, said Jaresko, who was Ukraine's finance minister from late 2014 to 2016.

To do this, the West must do more than it has done in the past to isolate the Russian economy.

"And that starts with oil and gas," Jaresko said.

The West must do everything possible to get rid of Russian gas.

In the meantime, for example, tariffs on Russian gas should be imposed, which means “less money will flow back to Russia and finance this war”.

Jaresko also called on the remaining German companies to give up their business in Russia.

"Your taxes are funding this war," she said.

In view of the sanctions and the impending loss of reputation, it is no longer worthwhile for many companies to produce in Russia anyway.

Update from May 24, 12:26 p.m .:

The finance ministers of the European Union are discussing new billions in aid for Ukraine in Brussels.

Deputy Commission President Valdis Dombrovskis promoted his authority's proposal to provide nine billion euros as emergency aid.

With this, the EU Commission wants to help avert national bankruptcy in the country in the Ukraine war.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates that Ukraine's financial needs by June will total more than 14 billion euros.

Ukraine negotiations: Von der Leyen accuses Russia of using food as a weapon

Update from May 24, 12:16 p.m .:

EU Commission President von der Leyen drew parallels to the Soviet era with regard to the Russian handling of grain in Ukraine.

"In Russian-occupied Ukraine, the Kremlin's army is confiscating grain stocks and machinery," she said at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

"It reminds some of a dark past - the times of Soviet confiscation of crops and devastating famine of the 1930s."

In the Ukraine war, Putin not only used the energy supply as a weapon, a similar pattern can be seen in food security.

Russia is deliberately bombing grain stores in Ukraine and blockading Ukrainian ships carrying wheat and sunflower seeds in the Black Sea.

In addition, Russia hoarded its own food “as a form of blackmail”.

Deliveries have been halted to push up world prices and wheat is being traded against geopolitical support.

"There is only one thought behind it: Russia uses hunger and grain to exercise power," said von der Leyen.

As a result, wheat prices shot up worldwide.

Vulnerable countries and vulnerable populations are most affected.

"The signs of a growing food crisis are clearly visible."

Ukraine negotiations: Von der Leyen wants to use Russian assets for Ukraine reconstruction

Update from May 24, 11:43 a.m .:

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen spoke out at the World Economic Forum in favor of using confiscated Russian funds for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

"We should turn every stone for this - if possible also Russian assets that we have frozen," said the top German politician in Davos.

It is about repairing the damage caused by Putin's destructive fury and shaping Ukraine's future according to the wishes of its citizens.

According to von der Leyen, the aim of the world community should be a defeat for Russia.

“Ukraine must win this war.

And Putin's aggression must prove to be a strategic failure," she said.

"We will do everything in our power to help Ukraine assert itself and take the future back into its own hands." Ukraine is part of the "European family" and is dealing with a crucial moment all democracies in the world do.

Update from May 24, 11:31 a.m .:

According to Ukrainian information, Russian President Vladimir Putin was said to have been the target of a failed assassination shortly after the start of the war.

The head of the Ukrainian secret service said in an interview.

You can read details about the alleged assassination attempt on Putin in this article.

Ukraine negotiations: US President Biden sees the war as a global challenge

Update from May 24, 10:40 a.m .:

US President Joe Biden has described the Ukraine war as a challenge for the whole world.

At a summit of four leading Indo-Pacific democracies in Tokyo, Biden said, "This is more than just a European issue, it's a global problem." Biden continued, "We are moving through a dark hour in our common history."

In addition to Japan, Australia and the USA, India also took part in the deliberations, which takes a neutral stance on the Ukraine war and does not support Western sanctions.

Biden did not explicitly address India's stance on Russia in the public portion of the summit.

However, the US and other western states are trying to persuade India to move away from Russia.

India traditionally has good relations with Moscow and buys a lot of Russian armaments.

At the meeting, Joe Biden gave the Australian leader a special greeting - and assured him it was "okay" if he fell asleep.

"Many people would not have died": Selenskyj blames the West for war victims

First report Kiev - After three months of the Ukraine war, the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj

has demanded modern missile defense weapons and fighter jets from the West against Russia - and blames the lack of arms deliveries so far for war victims in Ukraine.

Many people "would not have died if we had received all the weapons we ask for," Zelenskyy said Monday evening (May 23) in a new video message marking Russian President Vladimir Putin's war of aggression.

Since the war began on February 24, his country has been the target of 3,000 airstrikes and nearly 1,500 rocket attacks.

The vast majority of attacks were aimed at civilian targets.

Ukraine-Russia negotiations: Zelenskyj demands the right to arms assistance

All of Ukraine's partners agree that his country's fight against Russia serves to "protect the common values ​​of all countries in the free world," Zelenskyy said.

That is why his country has a right to arms assistance.

At the end of April, Germany gave the green light for the delivery of the tanks no longer used by the Bundeswehr.

But the delivery of the tanks has been a long time coming since there are problems with the procurement of ammunition.

The federal government announced on Monday (May 23) that 30 Cheetah anti-aircraft tanks are to be made available to Ukraine before September if possible. 

Ukraine-Russia negotiations: situation remains difficult

In the east of Ukraine, where the Russian army has concentrated its activities, the situation remains difficult, said Zelenskyj in his video message.

He does not expect that Russia will give up the occupied territories in the Kharkiv region and other regions.

"The coming weeks of war will be difficult," he added.

(dpa)

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2022-05-25

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