Russia-Ukraine war highlights: NATO vows to provide military aid to Ukraine 'as long as' necessary
Russia-Ukraine war Live updates: On the orders of President Vladimir Putin, Russian troops crossed into neighbouring Ukraine on February 24.
Saturday, May 15, marks 81st day of Russia's military campaign in Ukraine, which began on February 24. While the fighting in the east European nation continues to make headlines, what is also making news is a potential NATO membership for Finland and Sweden, and Moscow's objection to it. The Kremlin has warned of ‘consequences’ if either, or both Finland and Sweden, are made members of the intergovernmental military alliance. ...Read More
On the other hand, the United States, and NATO itself, have spoken out in favour of the two Nordic countries joining the alliance of 30 member states. Of these, 28 are in Europe, with the other two being the US and Canada.
Follow all the updates here:
- May 15, 2022 10:34 pm IST
Blinken discusses security, economic aide with Ukrainian counterpart in Berlin
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on the sidelines of NATO Foreign Ministerial meet in Berlin on Sunday and discussed security and economic assistance for Kyiv.
"Met with FM @DmytroKuleba before today's @NATO Foreign Ministerial to discuss the security and economic assistance Ukraine needs to defend itself against Russia's unprovoked war. Our support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity remains steadfast and enduring," Blinken said.
- May 15, 2022 09:29 pm IST
Finnish leader says latest Putin talk on NATO 'calm and cool'
Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said on Sunday his latest talk with Russian President Vladimir Putin about his country's bid to join NATO was measured and did not contain any threats. "He confirmed that he thinks it's a mistake. We are not threatening you. Altogether, the discussion was very, could I say, calm and cool," Niinisto said in an interview with CNN's "State of the Union."
- May 15, 2022 09:01 pm IST
Sweden’s Ruling Party Supports Joining NATO
Sweden’s ruling Social Democrats will back NATO membership in a move that paves the way for joining neighbouring Finland in an entry bid. Turkey doesn’t plan to block the Nordic countries’ efforts to join the alliance, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said after meetings in Berlin. NATO in June is expected to highlight Russian behavior as a direct threat in an updated strategic document.
- May 15, 2022 06:49 pm IST
NATO vows to provide military aid to Ukraine 'as long as' necessary: Germany
NATO countries are ready to provide military assistance to Ukraine to help it repel Russia's invasion for as long as it is needed, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Sunday, AFP reported.
- May 15, 2022 06:12 pm IST
Front lines shift in Donbas as Ukraine mounts counteroffensive
The front lines in Ukraine had shifted on Sunday as Russia made advances in the fiercely contested eastern Donbas region and Ukraine's military waged a counteroffensive near the strategic Russian-held city of Izium, Reuters reported.
- May 15, 2022 03:41 pm IST
Russian neighbour Finland announces it wants to join NATO
Finland's president and government announced Sunday that the Nordic country intends apply for membership in NATO, paving the way for the 30-member Western military alliance to expand amid Russia’s war in Ukraine, AP reported. Read more
- May 15, 2022 02:44 pm IST
NATO says Russia's war falters; Ukraine hails Eurovision win
Almost three months after Russia shocked the world by invading Ukraine, its military faced a bogged-down war, a revitalized NATO and a defending country invigorated by its win in a hugely popular pan-European music competition Sunday, AP reported.
- May 15, 2022 02:02 pm IST
Germany, Romania, Sweden back NATO memberships for Finland, Sweden
NATO members Germany, Romania and Croatia say they support potential membership alliance bids by Finland and Sweden.
- May 15, 2022 01:21 pm IST
Italian Police say foiled pro-Russian hacker attacks during Eurovision contest
The Italian Police say they thwarted hacker attacks by ‘Killnet’ and its affiliate 'Legion' during the May 10 semi-final and Saturday final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Turin, Italy. This year's contest was won by Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra.
- May 15, 2022 12:13 pm IST
NATO deputy chief confident of ‘consensus’ on Finland, Sweden membership
Turkey is an important ally and expressed concerns that are addressed between friends and allies. I am confident if these countries decide to seek membership in NATO we will be able to welcome them to find all conditions for consensus to be met: Mircea Geoană, deputy secretary general, NATO
- May 15, 2022 11:45 am IST
Russia's Donbas offensive has ‘lost momentum’: UK
In its latest daily update on Ukraine, the UK says that Russia has lost momentum and fallen significantly behind schedule in its offensive in the Donbas region.
- May 15, 2022 11:07 am IST
Missile attack in Ukraine's Lviv: Governor
Maxim Kozitsky, the governor of Lviv, has said on his Telegram page that a missile strike hit some military infrastructure this western Ukrainian region. "There is no information about dead or injured at this hour," Kozitsky further said.
- May 15, 2022 10:07 am IST
Finland's official decision on NATO likely today
Finland's government is likely to announce today its final and official decision on joining the intergovernmental NATO alliance.
- May 15, 2022 09:25 am IST
Russian diplomats in US being ‘threatened’: Envoy
Russian diplomats in Washington are being threatened with violence and U.S. intelligence services try to make contact with them, Anatoly Antonov, Moscow's ambassador to Washington, claimed on Saturday.
- May 15, 2022 08:41 am IST
Finland joining NATO would be a ‘mistake’: Putin to counterpart
In a phone call initiated by Finland, Vladimir Putin tells Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinisto Finlad joining NATO would be a ‘mistake’.
- May 15, 2022 07:55 am IST
Top Republican Senator meets Ukraine President Zelensky
Mitch McConnell, the top Republican Senator in the US Senate, makes surprise visit to Ukrainian capital Kyiv, meets President Volodymyr Zelensky.
- May 15, 2022 07:26 am IST
Russia denies its naval ship attacked by Ukraine in Black Sea
Russia's defence ministry has published photos of the country's naval logistics ship, Vsevolod Bobrov, which Ukraine claimed its forces destroyed in the Black Sea. "It is now clear from the photographs that the ship is not damaged at all," the ministry said.