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Category: Russian Federation

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The Winter in Moscow sites invite city residents and tourists to celebrate Maslenitsa

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Maslenitsa festivities within the framework of the project “Winter in Moscow” will last until March 2 inclusive. Thematic programs have been prepared by the capital’s parks, museums, galleries, cultural centers, libraries and the Moskino cinema park. This was reported by the Minister of the Moscow Government, head of the capital’s Department of Culture Alexey Fursin.

    “Traditional folk games, performances by folk groups, theatrical performances and themed master classes await the townspeople. We have decided to abandon the traditional ritual of burning the Maslenitsa effigy this year for environmental and safety reasons,” said Alexey Fursin.

    Ditties, dances and old games

    On February 26 at 19:00, a concert of students of the Department of Folk Performing Arts and the Department of Folk Singing of the Moscow State Institute of Music named after A.G. Schnittke will take place in the Gogol House. Maslenitsa songs, folk melodies in modern arrangements, ditties and jokes will be performed, including “Along the Wide Street”, “Oh, Pancakes, My Pancakes”, “And We Seen Off Maslenitsa” and other compositions. Need pre-registration.

    On March 2 at 13:00, the Vnukovo Cultural Center will host the festive festivities “Wide Maslenitsa”. Russian folk games have been prepared for guests, including the stream and gorelki, as well as relay races and round dances. You can listen to Russian folk songs performed by the Sing Pro pop vocal studio and the Steppe vocal ensemble, watch choreographic numbers with the participation of the Zhemchuzhina ensemble. In addition, visitors will be offered to paint a Maslenitsa figurine, play board games, and make a doll-amulet. Admission is free.

    On February 27, the Rostokino Gallery will host a master class called “Maslenitsa Costume.” Participants will learn more about the tradition of creating straw dolls for the holiday and learn how they were decorated. An experienced craftsman will explain what the different colors in the doll’s costume mean, what signs and symbols our ancestors used. Everyone will be able to create a unique author’s image for the figurine. Admission is free, no registration required.

    On February 28 at 18:30, the cultural center “Creative Lyceum” will organize the program “Maslenitsa Culture”. Visitors will be presented with a concert program of the Russian music ethnostudio “Posolon”. Dance songs “Maslenka Shiroka”, “And we are waiting for Maslenitsa”, “Vesennaya Lyricheskaya” and “Solnyshko” will be performed to the accompaniment of folk instruments – gusli and balalaika. Admission is free, no registration required.

    Maslenitsa festivities in film scenery

    Maslenitsa festivities will also take place in the Moskino cinema park. Admission is free, but to participate you must buy a ticket to the territory of the cinema park.

    On March 1 from 13:00 to 16:45, the Gonzaga Theater will show the performances “Wide Maslenitsa” about the merry buffoons Marfusha, Mityusha and Vesnushka, which will introduce the audience to folklore traditions. And from 17:00 to 18:00, there will be a master class on crafts from Old Believer Artem Chernyshev.

    In the “Center of Moscow” set, guests will be treated to the relay races “Stove-Nurse” and “Cockfights”, and at the chromakey, the old Russian game of gorodki, which develops accuracy, coordination and strategic thinking.

    In the “Cowboy Town” decorations, from 11:00 to 17:10, an immersive quest “The Strange Case of the Missing Cows” will be held for children. And in the fairy tale park, guests will be treated to themed games – felt boot throwing and “Zakrutikha”.

    “Solar Wind” and festive processions in parks

    On March 1 at 13:00 a thematic program will begin in the Kuskovo forest park. Visitors will enjoy a performance by the children’s ensemble “Krutukha”, a mini-performance about Maslenitsa, an interactive lecture by the artist-painter Ilya Lysenkov, creative master classes led by the staff of the library No. 90 named after A.S. Neverov. And fans of active recreation will be invited to a running tour of the forest park. Admission is free.

    Free Maslenitsa performances will be shown on March 1 and 2 at 12:00 in the Kolomenskoye Museum-Reserve, and on March 2 at 12:00 — in the Izmailovo Estate. An interactive musical program, active games-competitions, master classes in baking pancakes, songs, ditties and Maslenitsa fun have been prepared for visitors. Admission is free.

    The big Maslenitsa program will be held on March 2 from 13:00 on the Palace Square and other sites of the natural and historical park “Tsaritsyno”. The symbol of the arrival of spring will be the art object “Solar Wind” with scarlet and gold pinwheels and canvases, created by Marina Zvyagintseva, one of the founders of public art in Russia. On the Palace Square, visitors will see a performance by the group “Skazki”, take part in the theatrical program of the youth ensemble “Veretenets”, a festive procession and a round dance. Entrance to the main entertainment events of the program is free.

    A holiday for the little ones

    On March 2, from 12:00 to 15:00, the children’s center of the Museum of Moscow will hold a festive program called “Frying Pan Miracle” in the museum courtyard. Children will learn about Maslenitsa traditions, create bright outfits, and dance. Musical accompaniment performed by DJ Elma will be played on the radio station “Shum”. In the “Dress-up” workshop, children will create festive images, and help with makeup in the “Rumyantsy” workshop. At 14:30, a pancake disco will begin – a Maslenitsa procession, the culmination of which will be a large spring round dance. Admission is free.

    Project “Winter in Moscow”— the main event of the season, which until February 28 brings together various events in the capital. Citizens and tourists are invited to remember traditions and history, warm up with tea and hot buns, go ice skating, watch ice shows, give gifts to people who find themselves in a difficult life situation, and show concern for those who need it.

    Muscovites and guests of the capital are offered a huge selection of events in the open air and in cultural and sports institutions. The atmosphere of winter traditions has engulfed the entire city – more than 1.9 thousand sites are open. The largest festivals of the capital “Moscow Estates”, “Moscow Tea Party”, “City of Light” and many others are organically woven into the project. All information about the project and winter season events can be found in a special section of mos.ru.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/150516073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: In 2024, the volume of retail trade in the capital grew by almost five percent

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    In 2024, the volume of retail trade in the capital reached 7.5 trillion rubles, which is 4.9 percent more than in 2023 in comparable prices. This was reported by Maria Bagreeva, Deputy Mayor of Moscow, Head of the Department of Economic Policy and City Development.

    “The non-food sector made the main contribution to growth. Its turnover increased by 8.1 percent, to 3.8 trillion rubles. The largest growth was demonstrated by cosmetics and perfumery, clothing, furniture, digital video and audio equipment stores. Consumer activity in Moscow remains high. Under the influence of demand, chain stores and marketplaces are expanding sales channels and delivery services, increasing the range due to their own brands, domestically produced goods and products from friendly countries,” noted Maria Bagreeva.

    The turnover of food products in the city increased by 1.6 percent, reaching 3.7 trillion rubles. Positive changes in this sector are associated, in particular, with the development of delivery services and the opening of cafeterias in stores.

    In 2024, Moscow’s share in the total volume of retail trade in Russia amounted to 13.5 percent.

    The growth in consumer activity has affected the attendance of the capital’s shopping centers. Last year, their traffic increased by 2.1 percent compared to 2023 and averaged 271 people per day per thousand square meters. The main increase was provided by district shopping centers with an area of up to 20 thousand square meters, which are popular with consumers due to their proximity to home. In larger facilities, attendance remained at the level of the previous year.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/150493073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: More than six thousand lanterns were installed near social facilities in Moscow in 2024

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Last year, specialists from the city’s municipal services complex installed more than six thousand new street lamps on the territories of social facilities. This was reported by the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Housing and Public Utilities and Improvement Petr Biryukov.

    “Today, good lighting is an important component of creating a comfortable urban environment. The number of lighting fixtures in Moscow’s outdoor lighting systems and architectural and artistic lighting is growing annually and already exceeds one million. The organization of reliable and high-quality lighting in the areas of social facilities is under special control; in 2024 alone, more than six thousand additional lighting poles were installed there,” noted Pyotr Biryukov.

    The largest number of new streetlights appeared in TiNAO, the Southern and South-Western administrative districts of the capital.

    These supports use energy-saving LED lamps, which are several times more durable and 30 percent more economical than sodium and halogen lamps. Floor lamps 4.5 meters high are installed near kindergartens, and eight-meter folding supports are installed on school and sports grounds, the operation of which does not require the use of special equipment.

    All streetlights in the capital are gradually being equipped with smart sensors, thanks to which dispatchers can remotely control city lighting. For example, you can adjust the brightness, check the voltage and control the operation of lighting devices.

    The projects implemented in the capital to create a comfortable urban environment correspond to the goals and objectives of the national project “Infrastructure for Life”.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/150514073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Last year, 340 non-residential premises were sold on the first floors of new buildings under the renovation program

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    In 2024, 340 non-residential premises were sold on the first floors of new buildings under the renovation program. This was reported by the Minister of the Moscow Government, Head of the City Department of Urban Development Policy Vladislav Ovchinsky.

    When constructing houses under the renovation program, the first floors are designed as non-residential. Social and household facilities are opened there, including shops, cafes, points of issue of goods, development and leisure centers for city residents, beauty salons. Since the beginning of the program, about 700 such enterprises have appeared.

    “Since the beginning of 2024, the city has sold 340 premises in new buildings under the renovation program. Small and medium-sized businesses will open on the first, non-residential floors. Most of the premises have been sold in the southeast of the capital – there are more than 80 of them, in the east – more than 50. In the North-Eastern and South-Western administrative districts, more than 40 premises have been sold in each,” said Vladislav Ovchinsky.

    In total, about eight thousand non-residential premises will be set up on the first floors of residential complexes. More than 200 thousand people will be able to find employment at the enterprises opening there.

    Previously Mayor of Moscow noted, that 359 new buildings have been transferred for settlement under the renovation program, and the resettlement of over 200 thousand city residents has been completed or is underway.

    Renovation program approved in August 2017. It concerns about a million city residents and provides for the resettlement of 5,176 houses. Sergei Sobyanin instructed to double the pace of implementation of the renovation program.

    Moscow is one of the leaders among regions in terms of construction volumes. High rates of housing construction correspond to the goals and initiatives of the national project “Infrastructure for life.”

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/150512073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Chernyshenko: World-class research centers ensure rapid entry of technologies to the market

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    A meeting on the results of the activities of world-class scientific centers was held under the chairmanship of Dmitry Chernyshenko

    February 24, 2025

    A meeting on the results of the activities of world-class scientific centers was held under the chairmanship of Dmitry Chernyshenko

    February 24, 2025

    A meeting on the results of the activities of world-class scientific centers was held under the chairmanship of Dmitry Chernyshenko

    February 24, 2025

    Previous news Next news

    A meeting on the results of the activities of world-class scientific centers was held under the chairmanship of Dmitry Chernyshenko

    A meeting on the results of the activities of world-class scientific centers (WCSC) was held at the Government Coordination Center under the chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko. The meeting presented the results of the WCSC’s work over the five years of the program’s implementation – from 2020 to 2024.

    “World-class research centers were created in 2020 as part of the national project “Science and Universities”, the implementation of which was completed last year. On the instructions of President Vladimir Putin, a new stage of the centers’ development will be implemented as part of the state program “Scientific and Technological Development of the Russian Federation”. Over time, they were reoriented from fundamental centers to applied tasks, while showing high results. NCMUs ensure the rapid entry of in-demand technologies into the market. Today, we see good indicators of their extra-budgetary financing – 34% of the budget part, which indicates their demand in the market,” the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized.

    Last year, President Vladimir Putin clarified the strategic goal-setting in the field of science. Dmitry Chernyshenko noted that it is especially important to concentrate efforts on the tasks set by the head of state. In accordance with current challenges, the country’s strategic priorities in the field of science and technology have been updated. State support measures will be focused on them.

    The competition for support of world-class scientific centers will be announced this week.

    “This year’s competition will be aimed at creating centers of the same format as the existing ones, but with an eye on the development and implementation of the most important science-intensive technologies up to and including the sixth level of technological readiness. The Ministry of Education and Science has carried out work to take into account the areas of the humanitarian and social profile,” said Dmitry Chernyshenko.

    The head of the Ministry of Education and Science, Valery Falkov, paid special attention to attracting young specialists to world-class scientific centers. According to him, the NCMU creates opportunities for young researchers to manage scientific projects, thereby motivating talented young people to engage in science and increasing the prestige of the scientific profession. Thus, 38% of the research conducted by the centers was carried out under the supervision of young (under 39 years of age) promising researchers.

    The NCMU employees have been awarded the highest level of prizes and awards for the results they have created. In particular, Irek Mukhamatdinov, a senior researcher at the NCMU “Rational Development of Liquid Hydrocarbon Reserves of the Planet”, became a laureate of the Russian Presidential Prize in Science and Innovation for Young Scientists for 2022.

    Representatives of world-class scientific centers also spoke about developments that have practical significance.

    Rector of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University Andrey Rudskoy reported that the National Center for Advanced Digital Technologies has created a platform for the development and application of digital twins CML-Bench®. Compared to traditional approaches, the development of products and goods based on digital twin technology can reduce time, financial and other resource costs by 10 times or more. The prototype of the digital platform has been demonstrated and tested in operational conditions.

    In addition, technologies have been developed for producing metal-matrix composite materials using additive manufacturing. This is a reserve for the production of lithium-ion batteries with controlled three-dimensional micro- and macrostructure, improved energy capacity characteristics.

    Rector of the Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy Vladimir Trukhachev reported that the NCMU “Agrotechnologies of the Future” created 11 new varieties of peas using genetic technologies that accelerated the ripening process twice as much as traditional selection. Several large Russian producers have already begun to purchase peas of the new varieties.

    Vice-Rector of Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University Danis Nurgaliev noted that the National Center for Mining and Metallurgical Research “Rational Development of Liquid Hydrocarbon Reserves of the Planet” has implemented industrial scaling of in-situ oil refining technology using catalysts that can increase well flow rates by 20–100% and reduce the content of toxic metals in oil within the formation.

    A number of effective technologies of the NCMU are currently being replicated not only in Russian but also in foreign companies and act as import substitutes for products of such companies as Shell and Schlumberger.

    More than 20 low-tonnage chemical products developed by the center to improve the efficiency of oil field development are already being successfully used in practice.

    Efim Khazanov, chief researcher at the Gaponov-Grekhov Institute of Applied Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, reported that the Center for Photonics has developed a fractional rejuvenation device based on a powerful ytterbium fiber laser used in medical cosmetology for skin rejuvenation by laser exposure. In 2024, serial production of a cosmetology device based on a laser developed at the center was launched.

    Kirill Sypalo, Director General of the Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute named after Professor N.E. Zhukovsky, said that the NCMU “Supersonic” has created a unique infrastructure to support work on the layout of a supersonic passenger aircraft. The use of such optimal layouts will reduce operating costs per flight by three to four times (in relation to first-generation supersonic passenger aircraft).

    Intelligent systems for monitoring and ensuring cybersecurity of onboard equipment and systems of supersonic passenger aircraft have also been developed.

    Leonid Gokhberg, First Vice-Rector of the National Research University Higher School of Economics, noted that the Center for Interdisciplinary Research of Human Potential has created 40 unique databases on human potential development, half of which are international. The total number of users is more than 20 thousand people worldwide. The databases are used to evaluate family, demographic and economic policies and international research.

    In conclusion, Dmitry Chernyshenko instructed world-class scientific centers, together with the Ministry of Education and Science, federal authorities – curators and industrial partners, to present plans for the further use of the results obtained within the framework of the centers’ programs.

    The meeting was also attended by Vice President of the Russian Academy of Sciences Stepan Kalmykov, representatives of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Digital Development, the Ministry of Energy, the Federal Agency for Subsoil Use and others.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: NSU students are prize winners of the Siberian Federal District

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    The Siberian Federal District Championship in fencing with epees among juniors under 23 and in cross-country skiing among young men aged 17-18 were held. NSU students performed excellently as part of the Novosibirsk Region national teams.

    First place in the overall team standings and second place in the ski relay was taken by first-year student of the FF Alexander Nemov, and he is now preparing to participate in the Russian Championship.

    In epee fencing, student Artem Tsaplin (GGF) took 3rd place in the team competition.

    We congratulate the athletes on their medals at the interregional competitions and wish them further sporting success!

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Where in Siberia did dinosaurs live?

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    At the popular science marathon “Darwin Week” junior researcher of the A. A. Trofimuk Institute of Oil and Gas Geology and Geophysics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, engineer of the scientific and educational center “Evolution of the Earth” Faculty of Geology and Geography of Novosibirsk State University, paleontologist Vsevolod Efremenko told which dinosaurs lived in Chukotka and Sakhalin, where to look for their remains and how representatives of the paleofauna adapted to life beyond the Arctic Circle. At present, it is reliably known that 12 species of dinosaurs lived in Siberia. Scientists have discovered about 30 places in Russia where their remains have been preserved to this day, but this does not mean that dinosaurs lived only in those places. It is possible that they lived everywhere, but, unfortunately, bones and teeth, and even more rarely – imprints of feathers and fur, are preserved only in certain conditions.

    — Scientists very rarely find complete dinosaur skeletons. Even finding bone joints is a great success for paleontologists. In 95% of cases, they find teeth, vertebrae, bones or their fragments, parts of skulls and jaw fragments. A significant part of the finds are shells, remains of insects and other invertebrates, imprints of fish and fossil plants — in terms of biomass, they all significantly exceeded dinosaurs. In addition, for their remains to be preserved for tens of millions of years, special conditions are required, which are possible when many factors come together, which is a rather rare phenomenon. Nevertheless, all this makes our work more interesting, — said Vsevolod Efremenko.

    The remains of dinosaurs should be looked for in sedimentary rocks, which are the compressed remains of ancient lakes, rivers and swamps. They are usually formed in an aquatic environment, contain fossils and are destroyed fairly quickly on the earth’s surface. The remains of prehistoric animals are not preserved in volcanic and metamorphic rocks. Success in the search for dinosaurs can be expected if it is possible to determine the places where the shores of seas, rivers or lakes, as well as swamps, used to be, and to determine the excavation sites by their contours.

    At the beginning of the Cretaceous period, 145 million years ago, the position of the continents on our planet was already close to the modern one, only the oceans occupied a significantly larger area, and there were no polar ice caps in the polar region. In Siberia and Asia there was a mountainous terrain, and dinosaurs could have lived in the intermountain plains along the banks of rivers and lakes. Closer to the extinction – 66 million years ago – the continents occupied an even closer position to the modern one, and sedimentary basins are almost no longer observed in Siberia. Accordingly, there are almost no sedimentary rocks in which paleontologists can count on finds from that period. Therefore, the remains of dinosaurs of that period could not have been preserved. But in the Far East, the situation was different, so paleontologists discover very interesting finds there.

    — The climate in the Cretaceous period was quite comfortable for dinosaurs — moderate in the Arctic, warm northern in Siberia, and close to subtropical in the Transbaikal Territory. This is evidenced by the climatic reconstruction made on the basis of paleoflora. Dinosaurs could easily settle throughout the territory of Eurasia, Siberia, including Chukotka and Sakhalin. Even in Antarctica, fossil birds are found that once felt quite comfortable in those places, — explained Vsevolod Efremenko.

    The most ancient dinosaurs discovered in Russia lived in the Jurassic period (201-145 million years ago). In Siberia, two of their locations are known – in the Krasnoyarsk and Transbaikal regions.

    The most famous dinosaur of Transbaikalia was found in the vicinity of the village of Kulinda. Scientists have named it Kulindadromeus transbaikaliensis. It lived in these places about 168 million years ago. It was a small non-avian dinosaur of modest size (about the size of an average dog) covered in feathers and scales. It combined bird and reptilian features and was most likely warm-blooded.

    In the Krasnoyarsk Territory, in the vicinity of the village of Sharypovo, the remains of two dinosaurs of the Jurassic period were discovered: several bones of the predatory tyrannosaurid kilesk (a distant relative of the tyrannosaurus) and many bones of several stegosaurs, from which a whole skeleton was later assembled. Surprisingly, the bones of this herbivorous dinosaur were found among numerous shells of prehistoric turtles in a coal quarry.

    — Paleontology is a very creative science. We can guess from individual bones what genus and species of dinosaur they belong to, and then reconstruct the entire skeleton. This was the case with the kileskos, which hunted stegosaurs. The remains of these ancient animals are found next to each other. But in order not to damage the priceless finds, the paleontologist must work very carefully in the excavation. Since all the bones are scattered, it is necessary to clearly record the position of each of them, so that when assembling the dinosaur skeleton, you do not end up with a chimera, — the paleontologist explained.

    In the Cretaceous period (145-66 million years ago), the diversity of dinosaurs was enormous. At least a dozen sites of their remains have been discovered in Siberia. One of the largest is in the vicinity of the village of Shestakovo in the Kemerovo region. It was here that paleontologists found a large number of bones and even entire skeletons of Psittacosaurus sibirica, a small dinosaur that lived here 125-100 million years ago. The remains of the sauropod Sibirotitan were also found at this location — large cervical vertebrae. These 20-ton giants shared this territory with Psittacosaurus, as well as the recently discovered Ceratosaurus kiyakursor. It was a very mobile, long-legged, small dinosaur. Scientists have found parts of its skeleton — the humerus, cervical vertebrae, a fragment of the girdle of the forelimb, as well as the bones of the hind limb in anatomical articulation. Unfortunately, neither the skull nor its parts were found, and scientists cannot yet say with complete certainty whether this dinosaur was a predator or a herbivore.

    The northernmost dinosaur site is Teete in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). During the Cretaceous period, the climate here was warm and mild. Here, paleontologists have discovered stegosaurid teeth and vertebrae, as well as sauropod teeth.

    — Over three field seasons, expedition members collected a rich collection of teeth and vertebrae of small therapsids and salamanders. Remains of turtles, fish, lizards and extinct reptiles were also found. Surprisingly, this territory is a refugium — a region where species of ancient animals that have already become extinct in other places have survived for a long time, — said Vsevolod Efremenko.

    The scientist also spoke about other paleontological finds indicating that dinosaurs lived in Chukotka, Sakhalin and the Far East. Herbivorous duck-billed hadrosaurs lived in Chukotka, as well as ceratopsians – it was previously believed that they inhabited only North America. Eggshells were also found, which means that dinosaurs did not end up in the polar latitudes as a result of migration. They constantly lived and reproduced in these places.

    Many significant finds were made in Blagoveshchensk in the Far East. One of the most striking is the duck-billed dinosaur Olorotitan. The uniqueness of the find was that at the time of its discovery it was the most complete articulated dinosaur skeleton discovered in Russia. Its body length was approximately 8 meters, height – 3.5 meters, and weight could reach 3 tons.

    The richest finds were made in the Transbaikal Territory. They belong to the Jehol biota – these are fossil remains of feathered dinosaurs, birds, mammals and plants, which are found in large quantities in the Lower Cretaceous deposits of North-Eastern China. So far, these unique locations of ancient fauna have not been fully studied and, according to Vsevolod Efremenko, there is enough work for many generations of paleontologists.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tillis, Shaheen Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Supporting Ukraine on Third Anniversary of Russia’s Invasion

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for North Carolina Thom Tillis

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, on the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Senators Thom Tillis and Jeanne Shaheen, Co-Chairs of the Senate NATO Observer Group, alongside 14 of their Senate colleagues, introduced a bipartisan resolution acknowledging the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and expressing the U.S. Senate’s unwavering support for Ukraine. 

    “As we mark the third anniversary of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, it is critical that we maintain our support for the Ukrainian people and hold Putin accountable as the United States seeks to secure a lasting peace,” said Senator Tillis. “This resolution reinforces our bipartisan commitment to supporting Ukraine as a free and sovereign nation.”

    “As Vladimir Putin’s illegal and brutal full-scale invasion enters its fourth year, I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan resolution that clearly states our unwavering support for and solidarity with the Ukrainian people and condemns Russia’s aggression,” said Senator Shaheen. “During my recent visit to Ukraine with Senators Tillis and Bennet, we witnessed the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ determined resistance and the government’s commitment to democracy, despite constant Russian attacks. This resolution reaffirms our commitment to supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty, supports Ukraine’s Euro Atlantic integration, and emphasizes the need for Ukraine to be at the negotiating table when determining its own future.” 

    Background: 

    The resolution expresses the U.S. Senate’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity while condemning Russia’s illegal aggression and attempts to seize Ukrainian territory. It also commends NATO, the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, and the international community for their continued efforts to support Ukraine’s defense and the protection of human rights and emphasizes Ukraine’s right to be included in any discussions with Russia about its future. 

    In addition to Senators Tillis and Shaheen, the resolution is co-sponsored by Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS), Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Curtis (R-UT), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Chris Coons (D-DE), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Steve Daines (R-MT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). 

    Full text of the resolution is available HERE. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The gold price has surged to record highs. What’s behind the move?

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Dirk Baur, Professor of Finance, The University of Western Australia

    The gold price has surged to a new all-time high above US$2,900 (A$4,544) an ounce this month.

    It has risen by 12% since the start of the year and clearly outperformed US and Australian stock markets. The US stock index S&P500 is up 4% and the ASX 200 has gained just 2% in that time.

    That follows an extraordinary run in 2024, when the precious metal surged 27%, the biggest rise in 14 years.

    The drivers behind this surge include heightened uncertainty and fear of inflation that has been stoked by US President Donald Trump’s threats of tariffs, together with increased demand from central banks.

    What explains gold’s recent rally?

    There are many factors at play.

    The supply of gold through gold mine production and recycling is relatively constant over time. But the demand is more variable, and consists of four major components: jewellery, technology, investment and central banks.

    In 2024, jewellery accounted for about 50% of total demand, technology or industrial demand was 5%, investment demand was 25% and central bank demand was 20%.

    Investment demand refers to investors who buy gold as an asset. Central banks generally buy gold to diversify their reserve holdings.

    As all four demand components vary over time (some more than others), gold price movements are sometimes driven by jewellery demand, sometimes by investor demand, and sometimes – as has happened recently – by central bank demand.

    What adds to the difficulty is that both the gold supply and gold demand are global. The supply comes from gold mines across the globe, from emerging countries in Africa and industrial countries such as Australia and Canada.

    The same is true for demand. While China and India dominate jewellery demand, the demand comes from many countries, as does investment demand. Central bank demand stems from large and small central banks around the world.

    Why is there demand for gold?

    One key reason for the popularity of gold is that it is considered to be a store of value. This means gold rises with inflation and maintains its value in the long run.

    In other words, an ounce of gold buys the same basket of goods (or more) today than 20 years ago. This is not the case for money (or fiat currency) such as the US or Australian dollars.

    Due to inflation, the value of money is not constant but depreciates over time. Because gold holds its value, it is also called an inflation hedge.

    While the store of value property holds in the long run, there is another important property that is more short-lived and particularly relevant during crisis periods.

    Gold is seen as a safe haven in troubled times

    The safe haven property of gold means gold prices increase when investors seek shelter in response to a shock or crisis. For example, investors bought gold in reaction to the September 11 2001 terrorist attacks, the start of the global financial crisis in 2008, and the outbreak of COVID in 2020.

    The safe haven effect of gold is generally short-lived, often resulting in falling gold prices after about 15 days.

    Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and the subsequent sanctions on Russia – especially the freeze of Russia’s foreign government bond holdings abroad – has highlighted the risk to governments of losing access to foreign currency holdings.

    It appears some governments or central banks reacted to this with increased gold purchases. This led to a record high of 1,082 tonnes of central bank gold purchases in 2022.

    2023 saw the second-highest annual purchase in history at 1,051 tonnes, followed by 1,041 tonnes in 2024.

    The potential reaction of central banks to the Russian invasion of Ukraine is akin to investors seeking a safe haven, but is a rather new phenomenon for central banks.

    There is an additional, secondary, effect of such central bank purchases and rebalancing from US dollars to gold.

    Selling US dollars for gold implies a weakening US dollar, which increases the price of gold. (If the US dollar weakens, you need more US dollars to buy gold.) The inverse relationship between gold prices and currencies also makes gold a currency hedge. That means gold can protect investors from potential losses due to fluctuating exchange rates. This effect is particularly strong for rather volatile currencies such as the Australian dollar.

    In contrast to the shock caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the more recent increase in gold prices is harder to associate with a single shock.

    Broader economic worries

    The election of Trump has not only increased the risk of higher inflation due to tariffs and a trade war, it has also increased geopolitical risk as the US government reassesses its alliances with other countries.

    The relative unpredictability of Trump compared with his predecessors and with politicians more generally may have increased uncertainty and gold prices.
    The recent gold price trend highlights that “gold loves bad news”.

    Gold prices may anticipate geopolitical shocks or higher inflation. Gold prices rose well before inflation increased after the pandemic and started to fall when inflation had peaked in 2022.

    It is not clear exactly why gold has risen to all-time highs in 2025, but it’s possibly not good news for the world economy.

    Dirk Baur does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. The gold price has surged to record highs. What’s behind the move? – https://theconversation.com/the-gold-price-has-surged-to-record-highs-whats-behind-the-move-250391

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-Evening Report: The gold price has surged to record highs. What’s behind the move?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dirk Baur, Professor of Finance, The University of Western Australia

    The gold price has surged to a new all-time high above US$2,900 (A$4,544) an ounce this month.

    It has risen by 12% since the start of the year and clearly outperformed US and Australian stock markets. The US stock index S&P500 is up 4% and the ASX 200 has gained just 2% in that time.

    That follows an extraordinary run in 2024, when the precious metal surged 27%, the biggest rise in 14 years.

    The drivers behind this surge include heightened uncertainty and fear of inflation that has been stoked by US President Donald Trump’s threats of tariffs, together with increased demand from central banks.

    What explains gold’s recent rally?

    There are many factors at play.

    The supply of gold through gold mine production and recycling is relatively constant over time. But the demand is more variable, and consists of four major components: jewellery, technology, investment and central banks.

    In 2024, jewellery accounted for about 50% of total demand, technology or industrial demand was 5%, investment demand was 25% and central bank demand was 20%.

    Investment demand refers to investors who buy gold as an asset. Central banks generally buy gold to diversify their reserve holdings.

    As all four demand components vary over time (some more than others), gold price movements are sometimes driven by jewellery demand, sometimes by investor demand, and sometimes – as has happened recently – by central bank demand.

    What adds to the difficulty is that both the gold supply and gold demand are global. The supply comes from gold mines across the globe, from emerging countries in Africa and industrial countries such as Australia and Canada.

    The same is true for demand. While China and India dominate jewellery demand, the demand comes from many countries, as does investment demand. Central bank demand stems from large and small central banks around the world.

    Why is there demand for gold?

    One key reason for the popularity of gold is that it is considered to be a store of value. This means gold rises with inflation and maintains its value in the long run.

    In other words, an ounce of gold buys the same basket of goods (or more) today than 20 years ago. This is not the case for money (or fiat currency) such as the US or Australian dollars.

    Due to inflation, the value of money is not constant but depreciates over time. Because gold holds its value, it is also called an inflation hedge.

    While the store of value property holds in the long run, there is another important property that is more short-lived and particularly relevant during crisis periods.

    Gold is seen as a safe haven in troubled times

    The safe haven property of gold means gold prices increase when investors seek shelter in response to a shock or crisis. For example, investors bought gold in reaction to the September 11 2001 terrorist attacks, the start of the global financial crisis in 2008, and the outbreak of COVID in 2020.

    The safe haven effect of gold is generally short-lived, often resulting in falling gold prices after about 15 days.

    Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and the subsequent sanctions on Russia – especially the freeze of Russia’s foreign government bond holdings abroad – has highlighted the risk to governments of losing access to foreign currency holdings.

    It appears some governments or central banks reacted to this with increased gold purchases. This led to a record high of 1,082 tonnes of central bank gold purchases in 2022.

    2023 saw the second-highest annual purchase in history at 1,051 tonnes, followed by 1,041 tonnes in 2024.

    The potential reaction of central banks to the Russian invasion of Ukraine is akin to investors seeking a safe haven, but is a rather new phenomenon for central banks.

    There is an additional, secondary, effect of such central bank purchases and rebalancing from US dollars to gold.

    Selling US dollars for gold implies a weakening US dollar, which increases the price of gold. (If the US dollar weakens, you need more US dollars to buy gold.) The inverse relationship between gold prices and currencies also makes gold a currency hedge. That means gold can protect investors from potential losses due to fluctuating exchange rates. This effect is particularly strong for rather volatile currencies such as the Australian dollar.

    In contrast to the shock caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the more recent increase in gold prices is harder to associate with a single shock.

    Broader economic worries

    The election of Trump has not only increased the risk of higher inflation due to tariffs and a trade war, it has also increased geopolitical risk as the US government reassesses its alliances with other countries.

    The relative unpredictability of Trump compared with his predecessors and with politicians more generally may have increased uncertainty and gold prices.
    The recent gold price trend highlights that “gold loves bad news”.

    Gold prices may anticipate geopolitical shocks or higher inflation. Gold prices rose well before inflation increased after the pandemic and started to fall when inflation had peaked in 2022.

    It is not clear exactly why gold has risen to all-time highs in 2025, but it’s possibly not good news for the world economy.

    Dirk Baur does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. The gold price has surged to record highs. What’s behind the move? – https://theconversation.com/the-gold-price-has-surged-to-record-highs-whats-behind-the-move-250391

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: President Lai meets Japanese House of Representatives Member Tamaki Yuichiro

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    Details
    2025-02-21
    President Lai meets Abe Akie, wife of late Prime Minister Abe Shinzo of Japan
    On the morning of February 21, President Lai Ching-te met with Abe Akie, the wife of late Prime Minister Abe Shinzo of Japan. In remarks, President Lai thanked Mrs. Abe for carrying on the legacy of former Prime Minister Abe, being a benevolent and determined force for regional peace and prosperity, and calling on all parties to continue to place attention on peace in the Taiwan Strait. The president stated that Taiwan will carry on the legacy and spirit of former President Lee Teng-hui and former Prime Minister Abe, safeguard the values of freedom and democracy, and deepen the Taiwan-Japan friendship. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: Last May, Mrs. Abe came to Taiwan to attend the inauguration ceremony for myself and Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao, and we reminisced about the past here at the Presidential Office. I would like to warmly welcome her back today. I am also delighted to be meeting with all guests in attendance. Yesterday, Mrs. Abe and I attended the opening of the very first Halifax Taipei forum, for which Mrs. Abe also delivered a keynote speech earlier today. In her speech, she offered valuable input on global security and democratic development. I would like to thank Mrs. Abe for making this special trip to Taiwan to take part, showing her strong support for Taiwan. Former Prime Minister Abe pioneered the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific, and called on the international community to pay attention to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and Indo-Pacific. These have become common strategic goals of democratic countries around the world and will have a far-reaching influence over international developments and Taiwan’s security. They were important contributions that former Prime Minister Abe made in regard to the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region. Recently, current Prime Minister of Japan Ishiba Shigeru and United States President Donald Trump held a meeting and jointly reiterated the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, as well as opposed unilateral changes to the status quo by force or coercion. They also expressed support for Taiwan’s participation in international organizations. This shows that Prime Minister Ishiba is furthering the legacy of former Prime Minister Abe. We are very grateful for the former prime minister’s friendship toward Taiwan, and to Mrs. Abe for carrying on his legacy. Mrs. Abe is a benevolent and determined force for regional peace and prosperity, and has called on all parties at numerous public venues to continue to place attention on peace in the Taiwan Strait. Last December, for instance, she traveled at the invitation of President Trump and his wife to the US, where she addressed cross-strait issues and spoke up for Taiwan. We were deeply moved by this. As authoritarian states continue to expand, Taiwan will keep working alongside like-minded nations such as Japan and the US, as well as the European Union, to jointly contribute to regional and global peace and prosperity. I look forward to continued advancement of regional peace and prosperity with the help of Mrs. Abe’s efforts. Mrs. Abe will also be meeting with daughter of former President Lee and Lee Teng-hui Foundation Chairperson Annie Lee (李安妮) tomorrow. Former President Lee and former Prime Minister Abe were both fully devoted to promoting Taiwan-Japan relations. We will carry on their legacy and spirit, safeguard the values of freedom and democracy, and deepen the Taiwan-Japan friendship. In closing, I wish you all a smooth and successful visit. Mrs. Abe then delivered remarks, first expressing her sincere thanks to President Lai for taking the time to meet. She said that former Prime Minister Abe hailed from Yamaguchi Prefecture, and that accompanying her that day were House of Councillors Member Kitamura Tsuneo, Yamaguchi Prefecture Governor Muraoka Tsugumasa, Yamaguchi Prefectural Assembly Deputy Speaker Shimata Noriaki, and many other important figures from Yamaguchi. If former Prime Minister Abe’s spirit could look upon this scene, she said, he would certainly be very pleased. Mrs. Abe recalled that when the former prime minister passed away, then-Vice President Lai traveled to their official residence to express his condolences and pay tribute. She said that she will never forget such a gesture of deep friendship, heartfelt condolences, and care. The year before last, she indicated, a memorial photo exhibition for former Prime Minister Abe was held in Taiwan, and many Taiwanese people from all walks of life came to view it. Last year, Mrs. Abe continued, she had the privilege of attending President Lai’s inauguration ceremony, where she met with many friends from Taiwan and personally felt the close and beautiful ties that Taiwan and Japan share. Mrs. Abe stated that she will carry out the wishes of former Prime Minister Abe and do her utmost to help raise Taiwan-Japan relations to new heights, saying that she looks forward to hearing the advice that President Lai and all those present have to offer. The delegation also included Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Taipei Office Chief Representative Katayama Kazuyuki.

    Details
    2025-02-21
    President Lai attends opening of 2025 Halifax Taipei forum
    On the afternoon of February 20, President Lai Ching-te attended the opening of the 2025 Halifax Taipei forum. In remarks, President Lai thanked the Halifax International Security Forum for their strong support for Taiwan, and for having chosen Taiwan as the first location outside North America to hold a forum. Noting that we face a complex global landscape, the president called on the international community to take action. He said that as authoritarianism consolidates, democratic nations must also come closer in solidarity, and called on the international community to create non-red global supply chains, as well as unite to usher in peace. President Lai emphasized that Taiwan will work toward maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and collaborate with democratic partners to form a global alliance for the AI chip industry and together greet a bright, new era. A transcript of President Lai’s remarks follows: To begin, I want to give a warm welcome to all the distinguished guests here at the very first Halifax Taipei forum. The Halifax International Security Forum, held every year in Canada, has been an important gathering for freedom-loving nations worldwide. I would like to thank Halifax and President [Peter] Van Praagh for their strong support for Taiwan. Every year since 2018, Taiwan has been invited to participate in the forum. Last year, former President Tsai Ing-wen was invited to speak, and this year, Halifax has chosen Taiwan as the first location outside North America to hold a forum. As President Van Praagh has said, “While the security challenges ahead are too big for any single country to solve alone, there is no challenge that can’t be met when the world’s democracies work together.” Today, we have world leaders and experts who traveled from afar to be here, showing that they value and support Taiwan. It demonstrates solidarity among democracies and the determination to take on challenges as one. I would like to express my gratitude and admiration to all of you for serving as defenders of freedom. At this very moment, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is still ongoing. Authoritarian regimes including China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran continue to consolidate. China is hurting economies around the world through its dumping practices. We face grave challenges to global economic order, democracy, freedom, peace, and stability. Taiwan holds a key position on the first island chain, directly facing an authoritarian threat. But we will not be intimidated. We will stand firm and safeguard our national sovereignty, maintain our free and democratic way of life, and uphold peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan cherishes peace, but we also have no delusions about peace. We will uphold the spirit of peace through strength, using concrete actions to build a stronger Taiwan and bolster the free and democratic community. I sincerely thank the international community for continuing to attach importance to the situation in the Taiwan Strait. Recently, US President Donald Trump and Japan’s Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru issued a joint leaders’ statement expressing their firm support for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and for Taiwan’s participation in international affairs. As we face a complex global landscape, I call on the international community to take the following actions: First, as authoritarianism consolidates, democratic nations must also come closer in solidarity. Just a few days ago, the top diplomats of the US, Japan, and South Korea held talks, underlining the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. They also conveyed their stance against “any effort to destabilize democratic institutions, economic independence, and global security.” On these issues, Taiwan will also continue to contribute its utmost. I recently announced that we will prioritize special budget allocations to ensure that our defense budget exceeds 3 percent of GDP.  Soon after I assumed office last year, I formed the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee at the Presidential Office. This committee aims to combine the strengths of government and civil society to enhance our resilience in national defense, economic livelihoods, disaster prevention, and democracy. We will also deepen our strategic partnerships in the democratic community to mutually increase defense resilience, demonstrate deterrence, and achieve our goal of peace throughout the world. Second, let’s create non-red global supply chains.  For the democratic community to deter the expansion of authoritarianism, it must have strong technological capabilities. These can serve as the backbone of national defense, promote industrial development, and enhance economic resilience. So, in addressing China’s red supply chain and the impact of its dumping, Taiwan is willing and able to work with global democracies to maintain the technological strengths among our partners and build resilient non-red supply chains. As a major semiconductor manufacturing nation, Taiwan will introduce an initiative on semiconductor supply chain partnerships for global democracies. We will collaborate with our democratic partners to form a global alliance for the AI chip industry and establish democratic supply chains for industries connected to high-end chips. The achievements of today’s semiconductor industry in Taiwan can be attributed to our collective efforts. Government, industry, academia, and research institutions had to overcome various challenges over the last 50 years for us to secure this position.  We hope Taiwan can serve as a base for linking the capabilities of our democratic partners so that each can play a suitable role in the semiconductor industry chain and develop its own strengths, deepening our mutually beneficial cooperation in technology. This benefits all of us. Moreover, it allows us to further enhance deterrence and maintain global security. Third, let’s unite to usher in peace. China has not stopped intimidating Taiwan politically and militarily. Last year, China launched several large-scale military exercises in the Taiwan Strait. Its escalation of gray-zone aggression now poses a grave threat to the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region. As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan will maintain the status quo. We will not seek conflict. Rather, we are willing to engage in dialogue with China, under the principles of parity and dignity, and work toward maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. As the agenda of this forum suggests, democracy and freedom create more than just opportunities; they also bring resilience, justice, partnerships, and security. Taiwan will continue working alongside its democratic partners to greet a bright, new era. Once again, a warm welcome to all of you. I wish this forum every success. Thank you. Also in attendance at the event were Mrs. Abe Akie, wife of the late former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo of Japan, and Halifax International Security Forum President Van Praagh.

    Details
    2025-02-21
    President Lai meets British-Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group delegation
    On the morning of February 18, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation from the British-Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG). In remarks, President Lai thanked the delegation members, the Parliament of the United Kingdom, and the UK government for continuing to demonstrate support for Taiwan through a variety of means. He also stated that Taiwan-UK relations have advanced significantly in recent years, noting that the Taiwan-UK Enhanced Trade Partnership (ETP) is the first institutionalized economic and trade framework signed between Taiwan and any European country. The president said he looks forward to continuing to deepen Taiwan-UK relations and jointly maintaining regional and global peace and stability, and indicated that together, we can create win-win developments for both Taiwan and the UK and Taiwan and European nations. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: This is the first UK parliamentary delegation of the current session to visit Taiwan. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I extend my sincerest welcome to you all. APPG Chair Sarah Champion visited Taiwan last May to attend the inauguration ceremony of myself and Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao. In July, she also attended the annual summit of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), which was held in Taipei. I am delighted that we are meeting once again. Taiwan-UK relations have advanced significantly in recent years. I would especially like to thank our distinguished guests, as well as the UK Parliament and government, for continuing to demonstrate support for Taiwan through a variety of means. For example, the House of Commons held a debate on Taiwan’s international status last November. After the debate, a motion was unanimously passed affirming that United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758 does not mention Taiwan. Responding to the motion, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Catherine West stated that the UK opposes any attempt to broaden the interpretation of the resolution to rewrite history. This highlighted concrete progress in Taiwan-UK bilateral relations. I would also like to thank the UK Parliament and government for openly opposing on multiple occasions any unilateral change to the status quo across the Taiwan Strait, and for emphasizing that the security of the Indo-Pacific and transatlantic regions is closely intertwined. We look forward to continuing to deepen Taiwan-UK relations and jointly maintaining regional and global peace and stability. Together, we can create win-win developments for both Taiwan and the UK and Taiwan and European nations. For example, the Taiwan-UK ETP is the first institutionalized economic and trade framework signed between Taiwan and any European country. We hope to swiftly conclude negotiations on signing sub-arrangements on investment, digital trade, and energy and net-zero transition. This will facilitate even more exchanges and cooperation between Taiwan and the UK. We also hope that the UK will continue to support Taiwan’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. Together, we can build even more resilient global supply chains and further contribute to global prosperity and development. I believe that this visit adds to a strong and solid foundation for future Taiwan-UK cooperation. Thank you once again for backing Taiwan. I wish you a fruitful and successful visit. Chair Champion then delivered remarks, thanking President Lai for his warm welcome and for the hospitality he has shown to her and the delegation, and thanking Taiwan’s excellent team of officials for their care and attention. Chair Champion expressed that she thinks the IPAC conference held in Taiwan at the end of July last year was very significant, with legislators from 23 countries coming to show support for Taiwan, adding that that is something they have built on since the conference. She stated that she is also very proud that the UK Parliament supported the motion which made very clear that UNGA Resolution 2758 is specific to China and only to China, expressing that it was important and powerful that they recognize that. The chair went on to say that after the UK’s general election, more than half of the members of parliament are now new. She said she is very proud that there are new MPs as part of the delegation, and that she hopes it gives President Lai reassurance that their commitment to Taiwan is still there.  Chair Champion emphasized that the all-party group is important because it is indeed all-party, and that they work together for their common interests, stating that the common interest for the UK and for the world is to maintain Taiwan’s sovereignty. She also noted that the United States has now come out very much in support of Taiwan, which she said she hopes encourages other countries around the world to do the same. Chair Champion said that the UK will be going into the 27th trade negotiation with Taiwan, and that they hope the partnership that develops is very fruitful. The chair closed by saying that it is wonderful for the delegation to be meeting President Lai, as well as legislators and ministers, and to be understanding more about the culture of Taiwan so that they can build a deeper, longer-lasting friendship. The delegation also included Lord Purvis of Tweed of the House of Lords and Members of Parliament Ben Spencer, Helena Dollimore, Noah Law, and David Reed. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Political and Communications Director at the British Office in Taipei Natasha Harrington.  

    Details
    2025-02-21
    President Lai meets former United States Deputy National Security Advisor Matthew Pottinger
    On the morning of February 17, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by former United States Deputy National Security Advisor Matthew Pottinger. In remarks, President Lai thanked the delegation for demonstrating staunch support for Taiwan through their visit. The president pointed out that increased cooperation between authoritarian regimes is posing risks and challenges to the geopolitical landscape and regional security. He emphasized that only by bolstering our defense capabilities can we demonstrate effective deterrence and maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and around the world. The president stated that moving forward, Taiwan will continue to enhance its self-defense capabilities. He also expressed hope of strengthening the Taiwan-US partnership and jointly building secure and resilient non-red supply chains so as to ensure that Taiwan, the US, and democratic partners around the world maintain a technological lead. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I am delighted to welcome our good friends Mr. Pottinger and retired US Rear Admiral Mr. Mark Montgomery to Taiwan once again. Last June, Mr. Pottinger and Mr. Ivan Kanapathy came to Taiwan to launch their new book The Boiling Moat. During that visit, they also visited the Presidential Office. We held an extensive exchange of views on Taiwan-US relations and regional affairs right here in the Taiwan Heritage Room. Now, as we meet again eight months later, I am pleased to learn that Mr. Kanapathy is now serving on the White House National Security Council. The Mandarin translation of The Boiling Moat is also due to be released in Taiwan very soon. This book offers insightful observations from US experts regarding US-China-Taiwan relations and valuable advice for the strengthening of Taiwan’s national defense, security, and overall resilience. I am sure that Taiwanese readers will benefit greatly from it. I understand that this is Mr. Montgomery’s fourth visit to Taiwan and that he has long paid close attention to Taiwan-related issues. I look forward to an in-depth discussion with our two friends on the future direction of Taiwan-US relations and cooperation. Increased cooperation between authoritarian regimes is posing risks and challenges to the geopolitical landscape and regional security. One notion we all share is peace through strength. That is, only by bolstering our defense capabilities and fortifying our defenses can we demonstrate effective deterrence and maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and around the world. Moving forward, Taiwan will continue to enhance its self-defense capabilities. We also hope to strengthen the Taiwan-US partnership in such fields as security, trade and the economy, and energy. In addition, we will advance cooperation in critical and innovative technologies and jointly build secure and resilient non-red supply chains. This will ensure that Taiwan, the US, and democratic partners around the world maintain a technological lead. We believe that closer Taiwan-US exchanges and cooperation not only benefit national security and development but also align with the common economic interests of Taiwan and the US. I want to thank Mr. Pottinger and Mr. Montgomery once again for visiting and for continuing to advance Taiwan-US exchanges, demonstrating staunch support for Taiwan. Let us continue to work together to deepen Taiwan-US relations. I wish you a smooth and fruitful visit.  Mr. Pottinger then delivered remarks, first congratulating President Lai on his one-year election anniversary and on the state of the economy, which, he added, is doing quite well. Mentioning President Lai’s recent statement pledging to increase Taiwan’s defense budget to above 3 percent of GDP, Mr. Pottinger said he thinks that the benchmark is equal to what the US spends on its defense and that it is a good starting point for both countries to build deterrence. Echoing the president’s earlier remarks, Mr. Pottinger said that peace through strength is the right path for the US and for Taiwan right now at a moment when autocratic, aggressive governments are on the march. He then paraphrased the words of former US President George Washington in his first inaugural address, saying that the best way to keep the peace is to be prepared at all times for war, which captures the meaning of peace through strength. In closing, he said he looks forward to exchanging views with President Lai.

    Details
    2025-02-21
    President Lai meets Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla of the Kingdom of Eswatini
    On the afternoon of February 11, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla of the Kingdom of Eswatini. In remarks, President Lai thanked Eswatini for continuing to support Taiwan’s international participation at international venues. The president stated that Taiwan and Eswatini work closely in such areas as agriculture, the economy and trade, education, and healthcare, and expressed hope that the two countries will continue to support each other on the international stage and strive together for the well-being of both peoples.  A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I warmly welcome our distinguished guests to the Presidential Office. Deputy Prime Minister Dladla previously visited Taiwan while serving as minister of foreign affairs. This is her first time leading a delegation here as deputy prime minister. I want to extend my sincerest welcome. Deputy Prime Minister Dladla has earned a high degree of recognition and trust from His Majesty King Mswati III. She was not only Eswatini’s first woman foreign minister, but is also the second woman to have held her current key position. She shows an active interest in people’s welfare, and has a reputation for being deeply devoted to her compatriots. I have great admiration for this. I am truly delighted to meet with Deputy Prime Minister Dladla today. I would like to take this opportunity to once again express my gratitude to His Majesty the King for leading a delegation to attend the inauguration ceremony for myself and Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao last year. This demonstrated the close diplomatic ties between our countries. I also want to thank Eswatini for continuing to support Taiwan’s international participation at international venues. I would ask that when Deputy Prime Minister Dladla returns to Eswatini, she conveys Taiwan’s greetings and gratitude to His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen Mother Ntombi Tfwala. Diplomatic ties between Taiwan and Eswatini have endured for over half a century. Our two nations have continued to work closely in such areas as agriculture, the economy and trade, education, and healthcare. Our largest collaboration to date has been assisting Eswatini in the construction of a strategic oil reserve facility. We will continue to push forward with this project, and look forward to achieving even greater results in all areas. I understand that Deputy Prime Minister Dladla is very concerned about issues regarding gender equality and women’s empowerment. During her term as foreign minister, she facilitated bilateral cooperation in those areas. Now, as deputy prime minister, she is actively attending to the disadvantaged and advancing social welfare. These policies are very much in line with the priorities of my administration. I look forward to strengthening cooperation with Deputy Prime Minister Dladla for the benefit of both our societies. Taiwan and Eswatini are peace-loving nations. Faced with a constantly changing international landscape and the growing threat posed by authoritarianism, we hope that our two countries will continue to support each other on the international stage and strive together for the well-being of both our peoples. In closing, I wish Deputy Prime Minister Dladla and our distinguished guests a pleasant and successful visit. Deputy Prime Minister Dladla then delivered remarks, first greeting President Lai on behalf of the King, the Queen Mother, and the people of Eswatini, and extending gratitude for the warm reception afforded to her and her delegation, which underscores the strong bonds of friendship between our two nations. The deputy prime minister stated that, in reflecting on the fruits of our partnership, the evidence of Taiwan’s commitment to Eswatini is all around us. The strategic oil reserve project launching in April, she indicated, will redefine Eswatini’s energy security, and the Central Bank complex and electrification project stand as monuments of Taiwan’s vision for Eswatini’s progress and indicate that our partnerships are very strong. Deputy Prime Minister Dladla pointed out that education is the foundation of any nation’s progress, and that Taiwan’s contribution to Eswatini’s education sector cannot be overstated. Through Ministry of Foreign Affairs scholarship programs, she said, Eswatini has sent numerous students to Taiwan, where they’ve received world-class education in various disciplines, including engineering, business, and medicine. In turn, she said, these graduates are now contributing to the development of Eswatini. The deputy prime minister stated that Taiwan has also strengthened Eswatini’s industrial and technological sectors, with collaborations and partnerships that create new opportunities for employment and innovation, and that Taiwan’s technical and medical assistance has strengthened Eswatini’s healthcare systems and uplifted the expertise of its professionals. Deputy Prime Minister Dladla also congratulated President Lai once again on his presidency, which she stated will lead Taiwan to new heights, adding that His Majesty coming to Taiwan personally for the inauguration was a resounding declaration of Eswatini’s enduring support for Taiwan’s sovereignty, stability, and rightful place on the world stage. She emphasized that Eswatini stands with Taiwan always and unwaveringly. In conclusion, the deputy prime minister stated that Eswatini fully agrees with Taiwan that we must all safeguard our national sovereignty and protect the lives and property of our people. She said that our common enemy will always be poverty and natural disasters, but against all odds, we will stand united, and we shall remain united and be one. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Eswatini Ambassador Promise Sithembiso Msibi.

    Details
    2025-02-14
    President Lai holds press conference following high-level national security meeting
    On the morning of February 14, President Lai Ching-te convened the first high-level national security meeting of the year, following which he held a press conference. In remarks, President Lai announced that in this new year, the government will prioritize special budget allocations to ensure that Taiwan’s defense budget exceeds 3 percent of GDP. He stated that the government will also continue to reform national defense, reform our legal framework for national security, and advance our economic and trade strategy of being rooted in Taiwan while expanding globally. The president also proposed clear-cut national strategies for Taiwan-US relations, semiconductor industry development, and cross-strait relations. President Lai indicated that he instructed the national security and administrative teams to take swift action and deliver results, working within a stable strategic framework and according to the various policies and approaches outlined. He also instructed them to keep a close watch on changes in the international situation, seize opportunities whenever they arise, and address the concerns and hope of the citizens with concrete actions. He expressed hope that as long as citizens remain steadfast in their convictions, are willing to work hand in hand, stand firm amidst uncertainty, and look for ways to win within changing circumstances, Taiwan is certain to prevail in the test of time yet again. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: First, I would like to convey my condolences for the tragic incident which occurred at the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store in Taichung, which resulted in numerous casualties. I have instructed Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) to lead the relevant central government agencies in assisting Taichung’s municipal government with actively resolving various issues regarding the incident. It is my hope that these issues can be resolved efficiently. Earlier today, I convened this year’s first high-level national security meeting. I will now report on the discussions from the meeting to all citizens. 2025 is a year full of challenges, but also a year full of hope. In today’s global landscape, the democratic world faces common threats posed by the convergence of authoritarian regimes, while dumping and unfair competition from China undermine the global economic order. A new United States administration was formed at the beginning of the year, adopting all-new strategies and policies to address challenges both domestic and from overseas. Every nation worldwide, including ours, is facing a new phase of changes and challenges. In face of such changes, ensuring national security, ensuring Taiwan’s indispensability in global supply chains, and ensuring that our nation continues to make progress amidst challenges are our top priorities this year. They are also why we convened a high-level national security meeting today. At the meeting, the national security team, the administrative team led by Premier Cho, and I held an in-depth discussion based on the overall state of affairs at home and abroad and the strategies the teams had prepared in response. We summed up the following points as an overall strategy for the next stage of advancing national security and development. First, for overall national security, so that we can ensure the freedom, democracy, and human rights of the Taiwanese people, as well as the progress and development of the nation as we face various threats from authoritarian regimes, Taiwan must resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, strengthen self-sufficiency in national defense, and consolidate national defense. Taiwan must enhance economic resilience, maintain economic autonomy, and stand firm with other democracies as we deepen our strategic partnerships with like-minded countries. As I have said, “As authoritarianism consolidates, democratic nations must come closer in solidarity!” And so, in this new year, we will focus on the following three priorities: First, to demonstrate our resolve for national defense, we will continue to reform national defense, implement whole-of-society defense resilience, and prioritize special budget allocations to ensure that our defense budget exceeds 3 percent of GDP. Second, to counter the threats to our national security from China’s united front tactics, attempts at infiltration, and cognitive warfare, we will continue with the reform of our legal framework for national security and expand the national security framework to boost societal resilience and foster unity within. Third, to seize opportunities in the restructuring of global supply chains and realignment of the economic order, we will continue advancing our economic and trade strategy of being rooted in Taiwan while expanding globally, strengthening protections for high-tech, and collaborating with our friends and allies to build supply chains for global democracies. Everyone shares concern regarding Taiwan-US relations, semiconductor industry development, and cross-strait relations. For these issues, I am proposing clear-cut national strategies. First, I will touch on Taiwan-US relations. Taiwan and the US have shared ideals and values, and are staunch partners within the democratic, free community. We are very grateful to President Donald Trump’s administration for their continued support for Taiwan after taking office. We are especially grateful for the US and Japan’s joint leaders’ statement reiterating “the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element of security and prosperity for the international community,” as well as their high level of concern regarding China’s threat to regional security. In fact, the Democratic Progressive Party government has worked very closely with President Trump ever since his first term in office, and has remained an international partner. The procurement of numerous key advanced arms, freedom of navigation critical for security and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and many assisted breakthroughs in international diplomacy were made possible during this time. Positioned in the first island chain and on the democratic world’s frontline countering authoritarianism, Taiwan is willing and will continue to work with the US at all levels as we pursue regional stability and prosperity, helping realize our vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific. Although changes in policy may occur these next few years, the mutual trust and close cooperation between Taiwan and Washington will steadfastly endure. On that, our citizens can rest assured. In accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances, the US announced a total of 48 military sales to Taiwan over the past eight years amounting to US$26.265 billion. During President Trump’s first term, 22 sales were announced totaling US$18.763 billion. This greatly supported Taiwan’s defensive capabilities. On the foundation of our close cooperation with the past eight years’ two US administrations, Taiwan will continue to demonstrate our determination for self-defense, accelerate the bolstering of our national defense, and keep enhancing the depth and breadth of Taiwan-US security cooperation, along with all manner of institutional cooperation. In terms of bilateral economic cooperation, Taiwan has always been one of the US’s most reliable trade partners, as well as one of the most important cooperative partners of US companies in the global semiconductor industry. In the past few years, Taiwan has greatly increased both direct and indirect investment in the US. By 2024, investment surpassed US$100 billion, creating nearly 400,000 job opportunities. In 2023 and 2024, investment in the US accounted for over 40 percent of Taiwan’s overall foreign investment, far surpassing our investment in China. In fact, in 2023 and 2024, Taiwanese investment in China fell to 11 percent and 8 percent, respectively. The US is now Taiwan’s biggest investment target. Our government is now launching relevant plans in accordance with national development needs and the need to establish secure supply systems, and the Executive Yuan is taking comprehensive inventory of opportunities for Taiwan-US economic and trade cooperation. Moving forward, close bilateral cooperation will allow us to expand US investment and procurement, facilitating balanced trade. Our government will also strengthen guidance and support for Taiwanese enterprises on increasing US investment, and promote the global expansion and growth of Taiwan’s industries. We will also boost Taiwan-US cooperation in tech development and manufacturing for AI and advanced semiconductors, and work together to maintain order in the semiconductor market, shaping a new era for our strategic economic partnership. Second, the development of our semiconductor industry. I want to emphasize that Taiwan, as one of the world’s most capable semiconductor manufacturing nations, is both willing and able to address new situations. With respect to President Trump’s concerns about our semiconductor industry, the government will act prudently, strengthen communications between Taiwan and the US, and promote greater mutual understanding. We will pay attention to the challenges arising from the situation and assist businesses in navigating them. In addition, we will introduce an initiative on semiconductor supply chain partnerships for global democracies. We are willing to collaborate with the US and our other democratic partners to develop more resilient and diversified semiconductor supply chains. Leveraging our strengths in cutting-edge semiconductors, we will form a global alliance for the AI chip industry and establish democratic supply chains for industries connected to high-end chips. Through international cooperation, we will open up an entirely new era of growth in the semiconductor industry. As we face the various new policies of the Trump administration, we will continue to uphold a spirit of mutual benefit, and we will continue to communicate and negotiate closely with the US government. This will help the new administration’s team to better understand how Taiwan is an indispensable partner in the process of rebuilding American manufacturing and consolidating its leadership in high-tech, and that Taiwan-US cooperation will benefit us both. Third, cross-strait relations. Regarding the regional and cross-strait situation, Taiwan-US relations, US-China relations, and interactions among Taiwan, the US, and China are a focus of global attention. As a member of the international democratic community and a responsible member of the region, Taiwan hopes to see Taiwan-US relations continue to strengthen and, alongside US-China relations, form a virtuous cycle rather than a zero-sum game where one side’s gain is another side’s loss. In facing China, Taiwan will always be a responsible actor. We will neither yield nor provoke. We will remain resilient and composed, maintaining our consistent position on cross-strait relations: Our determination to safeguard our national sovereignty and protect our free and democratic way of life remains unchanged. Our efforts to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, as well as our willingness to work alongside China in the pursuit of peace and mutual prosperity across the strait, remain unchanged. Our commitment to promoting healthy and orderly exchanges across the strait, choosing dialogue over confrontation, and advancing well-being for the peoples on both sides of the strait, under the principles of parity and dignity, remains unchanged. Regarding the matters I reported to the public today, I have instructed our national security and administrative teams to take swift action and deliver results, working within a stable strategic framework and according to the various policies and approaches I just outlined. I have also instructed them to keep a close watch on changes in the international situation, seize opportunities whenever they arise, and address the concerns and hope of the citizens with concrete actions. My fellow citizens, over the past several years, Taiwan has weathered a global pandemic and faced global challenges, both political and economic, arising from the US-China trade war and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Through it all, Taiwan has persevered; we have continued to develop our economy, bolster our national strength, and raise our international profile while garnering more support – all unprecedented achievements. This is all because Taiwan’s fate has never been decided by the external environment, but by the unity of the Taiwanese people and the resolve to never give up. A one-of-a-kind global situation is creating new strategic opportunities for our one-of-a-kind Taiwanese people, bringing new hope. Taiwan’s foundation is solid; its strength is great. So as long as everyone remains steadfast in their convictions, is willing to work hand in hand, stands firm amidst uncertainty, and looks for ways to win within changing circumstances, Taiwan is certain to prevail in the test of our time yet again, for I am confident that there are no difficulties that Taiwan cannot overcome. Thank you.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: New Development Bank and Bank of Communications Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. sign USD 150 mln Equivalent in RMB Loan Agreement for the LNG Transportation Project

    Source: New Development Bank

    The New Development Bank (NDB) and the Bank of Communications Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. (BCFL) are pleased to announce the signing of a USD 150 mln equivalent in RMB 1,069.23 mln loan agreement aimed to acquire at least three liquified natural gas (LNG) carriers, addressing the significant increase in demand for LNG in China and closing the gap between demand and supply of LNG carrier capacity. The signing took place in the headquarters of NDB on February 21, 2025. Mr. Vladimir Kazbekov, NDB Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, and Mr. Jiuyong Yin, Vice President of Bank of Communications and Mr. Bin Xu, Chairman of BCFL participated in the signing.

    This is the first non-sovereign loan granted by NDB to a non-banking financial institution in China. The relationship between the Bank of Communications (BoCom) and NDB, both headquartered in Shanghai, reflects a longstanding and strategic partnership formalised with a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2016. The partnership reached another significant milestone with NDB granting its first non-sovereign loan to a non-banking financial institution in China – BCFL, BoCom’s wholly owned subsidiary. This achievement highlights NDB’s dedication to supporting a diverse range of financial institutions and strengthening local markets.

    Under the terms of the loan agreement, NDB will provide USD 150 mln equivalent in RMB 1,069.23 mln loan to BCFL to acquire at least three LNG carriers, resulting in the expansion of its green leasing portfolio. The imports of LNG will help reduce China’s coal consumption and related Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, which is in alignment with the “2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” issued by the Chinese Government. Meanwhile, this batch of LNG carriers will be equipped with advanced propulsion systems, representing a significant improvement in the shipping industry in terms of efficiency, economies of scale and environmental performance.

    Aligned with the NDB’s General Strategy for 2022–2026, this loan promotes private sector participation in addressing infrastructure gaps and scaling up infrastructure investments, with a focus on enhancing development impact in the local market. Additionally, the loan reflects NDB’s commitment to supporting cleaner energy solutions, as it is tied to LNG-related projects that contribute to a lower-carbon energy mix. By utilizing local currency for financing, NDB reaffirms its strategic focus on expanding local currency operations over the 2022–2026 strategy cycle.

    “The non-sovereign loan provided by the New Development Bank to BCFL will significantly enhance its liquefied natural gas transportation capacity. It demonstrates NDB’s dedication to supporting China in reaching a peak in its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. This transaction will further strengthen the strategic partnership between NDB and BoCom. The LNG Transportation Project is aligned with NDB’s focus on supporting clean energy and energy efficiency projects as well as the Bank’s commitment to scale up non-sovereign operations,” said Mr. Vladimir Kazbekov, NDB VP & COO.

    “Thanks to NDB for choosing BoCom Financial Leasing, a subsidiary of BoCom, to cooperate. This loan is closely related to the national strategy of green and sustainable development and further consolidates the long-term strategic relationship between NDB and BoCom. As financial institutions both in Shanghai, we hope that the two parties will continue to cooperate in more areas such as bond underwriting, financial markets, and international business in the future,” said Mr. Ying, Vice President of BoCom.

    “We would like to thank NDB for its recognition and trust in BoCom Financial Leasing. BCFL continues to work on green and sustainable financial development, and the proportion of green leasing keeps growing. The loan funds from this cooperation will be used for the company’s three LNG ships built by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding Co., LTD. We take this as an important cooperation for the strategic partnership between BoCom and NDB,” stated Mr. Xu, Chairman of BCFL.

    Background Information

    New Development Bank

    NDB was established by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa to mobilize resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in BRICS and other emerging market economies and developing countries, complementing the existing efforts of multilateral and regional financial institutions for global growth and development.

    For more information on NDB, please visit www.ndb.int

    Bank of Communications Financial Leasing

    BCFL was founded as a wholly owned subsidiary of BoCom in 2007 with the headquarter in Shanghai, China. It is one of the leading financial leasing companies in China and was one of five pilot financial leasing entities approved by the State Council of China. With the support from BoCom, it has grown rapidly since its incorporation and has become one of largest financial leasing companies in China. It operates in various sectors including aviation, shipping, and traditional leasing business.

    For more information on BCFL, please visit www.bocommleasing.com

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI China: Russia, Ukraine agree to evacuate displaced Kursk residents

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Russia has reached an agreement with Ukraine to evacuate displaced Kursk residents to Russia, Russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova said Monday.

    Authorities have located Kursk residents in Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy region, Moskalkova said.

    “There is an agreement with the Red Cross and with the Ukrainian side that they will be evacuated through Belarus to Russia,” she added.

    The Ukrainian military launched an offensive in Russia’s Kursk region over six months ago. Moskalkova previously said that since Ukraine’s incursion, more than a thousand requests have been made by relatives seeking to locate missing Kursk region residents, including those forcibly removed by Ukraine.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: UNSC calls for swift end to Russia-Ukraine conflict

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    This photo taken on Aug. 15, 2024 shows a Ukrainian tank destroyed during Russian attacks in Toretsk. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The UN Security Council on Monday adopted a U.S.-drafted resolution appealing for a swift end to the conflict and urging a lasting peace between Russia and Ukraine, as the world marked the third anniversary since the full escalation of the crisis.

    The resolution received 10 votes in favor, none against, and five abstentions including France, Britain, Denmark, Greece and Slovenia.

    The document reiterates that the principal purpose of the United Nations, as expressed in the Charter of the United Nations, is to maintain international peace and security and peacefully settle disputes. The resolution implores a swift end to the conflict and mourns the loss of life in the war, without blaming Russia.

    Acting U.S. Ambassador to the UN Dorothy Shea told the council that this resolution is not a “peace deal,” but “a path to peace.”

    “It is high time for peace in Ukraine,” UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo said during the Security Council meeting, while insisting that peace in Ukraine must be “just, sustainable and comprehensive.”

    Earlier in the day, the UN General Assembly rejected the U.S. draft and passed a resolution submitted by Ukraine and European allies, which backs Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity and calls for a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in line with the UN Charter.

    Resolutions in the UN Security Council are binding under international law.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Silk Road-themed art exhibition opens in Istanbul

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    An international art exhibition opened in Türkiye’s Istanbul on Monday, highlighting the cultural connections among China, Türkiye, and other nations along the Silk Road.

    The opening took place in the Maltepe district of Istanbul, attracting a varied audience that included university students, scholars, diplomats from the Chinese consulate in Istanbul, and representatives from the Maltepe Municipality.

    The exhibition showcased nearly 100 exceptional works of art from 34 artists from China, Türkiye, Russia, Iran, and Uzbekistan.

    It also presented a diverse array of artistic expressions, including calligraphy, painting, sculpture, and carpet art, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of participating nations.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: The Most Important Fact Schools Don’t Teach

    Source: ACT Party

    The Haps

    The Chinese navy has made a big mistake. Sending what Defence Minister Judith Collins called a ‘formidable ship’ so close to Sydney, and interrupting Air New Zealand domestic flights, shows the New Zealand public we need to spend more on defence. ACT supporters have been alone in voting for two per cent of GDP on defence, we predict there will now be more.

    We remember the Ukrainians who’ve lost their lives and their homes in the three years since the Russian invasion. Free Press remains resolute. There are basic facts that cannot be changed. Russia is the aggressor. The war is not just or legal. The breach of borders by force is dangerous to free people everywhere. We must never accept might is right, but we must build our strength so the world doesn’t end up that way.

    The Most Important Fact Schools Don’t Teach

    Schools are teaching children all sorts of things, but so far as we are aware they are not teaching the most important fact of human life. The fact they’re not teaching this fact tells us how mindless education has become, and it limits children’s thinking.

    The fact we’re talking about is the astonishing growth of human life expectancy in the last two centuries. For 100,000 years, people lived to thirty on average. Now, the global average is 72 years.

    People have different ideas about what a good life is. But (except for a few terrorists and cults), everyone agrees being alive is better than being dead. Something in the last 200 years gave us a whole extra life.

    If the education system teaches children nothing else, it should teach that something happened in the last 200 years and it doubled life expectancy. Once they know that, they can learn what works.

    We think the answer might be the problem. The education bureaucracy, academics, and teacher unions don’t want to teach that capitalism is a raging success.

    They’d have to teach about the genesis of the free market in the swamps of the Netherlands. People driven to the lowlands by violence decided to make something of themselves. They drained swamps and built dykes, creating usable land that was theirs.

    The result was a society where ordinary people could make a difference in their own lives. They demanded property rights because they’d literally created their own property. If you couldn’t take then you had to trade, and tribalism gave way to the market. It was around this time Abel Tasman discovered New Zealand for Europe.

    William of Orange, a Dutchman who became King of England, helped take the revolution across the sea, where it germinated on an island buffered from invasion. The common law and the market, along with the enlightenment made the industrial revolution possible.

    In turn the British Navy opened up the world’s sea lanes to trade, and spread their system of democracy and capitalism to the new world, ensuring it would endure for centuries even when they themselves came under attack from fascism.

    All the while ordinary people could get enough calories to be healthy, live in cities with sanitation free of disease, and medical care would stop children and their mothers dying in childbirth or shortly after. Violence that was normal for most humans most of the time, and shortened many lives, is now an exceptional event for most people most of the time.

    The revolution spread further after the Cold War, lifting billions from poverty in the East the same way they had thrived in the west. That same prosperity has raised their life expectancy too. Now the whole world lives twice as long on average as it did before the industrial revolution, but your teacher won’t dwell on that basic fact in most of the world’s schools.

    Instead we have an epidemic of anxiety and depression amongst young people. The tremendous gains of the last two centuries are barely understood. Instead the gains are banked and forgotten while children worry about comparatively small problems.

    We spend a lot of time worrying about differences between people living today when, in reality, everyone is doing vastly better than everyone was even a few generations ago. So much division, so little reality, and not enough hope.

    Imagine if the most important thing children learned was that we’ve doubled our lives in 200 years after 100,000 years of misery. That could be springboard for asking what works and building a much more hopeful future. We just need the Left to make peace with capitalism.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: On The Third Anniversary of Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine, Welch Joins Durbin in Introducing Bill to Grant Ukrainians Already in The U.S. Temporary Guest Status

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – On the third anniversary of the Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) joined U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and his colleagues in introducing the Protecting our Guests During Hostilities in Ukraine Act. This legislation would provide temporary guest status to Ukrainians and their immediate family members who are already in the United States through the “Uniting for Ukraine” parole process. The bill allows Ukrainians to stay and work in the U.S. until the Secretary of State determines that hostilities in Ukraine have ceased and it is safe for them to return.
    “Three years ago, we made a commitment to help protect Ukrainians fleeing Putin’s unprovoked invasion. Maintaining our commitment to the Ukrainian people is crucial, now more than ever, to ensure not only the future of European democracy, but our own security,” said Senator Welch. “Vulnerable Ukrainians legally in the United States should be able to stay here under temporary guest status until conditions in Ukraine are safe for their return. Obviously, those conditions don’t exist only days after Putin’s largest killer-drone attack of the war. I urge my Republican colleagues to join us in standing by displaced Ukrainians and standing up against Putin’s ruthless attempts to isolate and erase Ukraine.”
    “Three years ago today, Putin began his brutal, criminal, full-scale invasion of Ukraine—which remains on the frontlines of democracy and transatlantic security,” said Senator Durbin. “When the war started, Americans across the country opened their hearts and communities to Ukrainians fleeing Russian aggression. Both Republicans and Democrats petitioned President Biden to protect them from deportation. While not a single Republican has cosponsored this bill, I urge them to join us to ensure Ukrainians legally present in the U.S. have temporary guest status until conditions in Ukraine are safe for return. Standing up to dictators and speaking out for victims of war should not be a partisan issue.”
    U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) are original cosponsors of the Protecting our Guests During Hostilities in Ukraine Act.
    The individuals included in the bill already underwent rigorous vetting to ensure that they present no criminal or public safety risks. The legislation would also allow the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to revoke this temporary status if new information raises such concerns about any individual. Bill text can be found here.  
    The following organizations endorsed the Protecting our Guests During Hostilities in Ukraine Act: Refugee Council USA; Chin Association of Maryland; HIAS; World Relief; Center for Gender & Refugee Studies; Human Rights First; Church World Service; International Refugee Assistance Project; Global Refuge; Boat People SOS; Center for Victims of Torture; Jesuit Refugee Service; and Veterans for American Ideals.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: In CNN Interview, Shaheen Discusses Recent Trip to Ukraine, Rebukes President Trump’s Pro-Russia Talking Points, Slams Proposed Cuts at Department of Defense and Musk’s Mass Firing of Federal Workers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen

    Published: 02.21.2025

    (Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, joined The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer to discuss her bipartisan Congressional delegation to Ukraine earlier this week and rebuke President Trump’s comments about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that align with Russian propaganda talking points. Shaheen, a top member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, also spoke about how the across-the-board cuts and potential firings at the U.S. Department of Defense weaken the lethality and readiness of America’s military. Click HERE to watch Senator Shaheen’s full CNN interview. 
    Key quotes from Senator Shaheen: 
    On President Trump’s false comments that Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is a “dictator,” Shaheen said: “Well President Trump is just wrong. He’s factually incorrect. […] We just returned, as you pointed out, from Ukraine where we saw the courage and the resilience of the Ukrainian people. […] Senator Tillis and I just went to the floor of the Senate to talk about what we saw in Bucha, a suburb of Kyiv, where the Russians came in, they held siege in that town for 33 days. They indiscriminately shot civilians, in fact, that was the target of what they were trying to do. […] That’s the person that Donald Trump wants to give away the store to. You never start a negotiation by giving away all your leverage at the beginning and that’s what Donald Trump is doing.” 
    On Speaker Johnson’s comments that there is “no appetite” for another Ukraine aid bill in Congress, Shaheen said: “Well, I was at the Munich Security Conference with a bipartisan delegation. […] We met with President Zelenskyy. We talked to him about how the war is going. […] We talked about how we are supporting Ukraine. We want to continue to equip the country. We want to ensure that they have leverage as they’re going into any negotiation with Russia and we want to make sure that Ukraine is at the table for any negotiations.” 
    On U.S. Secretary of Defense Hegseth making broad cuts and potentially firing high-ranking generals, Shaheen said: “You know, he talked a lot about wanting to restore lethality to our military. Well, what he’s doing now doesn’t improve the lethality, it doesn’t improve the readiness, it just creates political divisions at a time when our military’s strength has been that it is not political. Secretary Hegseth is introducing politics into the military in ways that are not good for our national security.” 
    On mass firings of federal workers, Shaheen said: “It’s unfortunate that this has been an indiscriminate effort led by Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, who has multiple conflicts of interest as he’s looking at what he wants to do with government programs and people. And the firings have been not based on expertise or experience or what we need, it’s just been an across the board.”  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: On The Third Anniversary Of Russia’s Invasion Of Ukraine, Durbin Introduces Bill To Grant Ukrainians Already In The U.S. Temporary Guest Status

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    February 24, 2025

    WASHINGTON – On the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, today introduced the Protecting our Guests During Hostilities in Ukraine Act, legislation that would provide temporary guest status to Ukrainians and their immediate family members who are already in the United States through the “Uniting for Ukraine” parole process. The bill allows Ukrainians to stay and work in the U.S. until the Secretary of State determines that hostilities in Ukraine have ceased and it is safe for them to return. U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) are original cosponsors of the legislation.

    “Three years ago today, Putin began his brutal, criminal, full-scale invasion of Ukraine—which remains on the frontlines of democracy and transatlantic security,” said Durbin. “When the war started, Americans across the country opened their hearts and communities to Ukrainians fleeing Russian aggression. Both Republicans and Democrats petitioned President Biden to protect them from deportation. While not a single Republican has cosponsored this bill, I urge them to join us to ensure Ukrainians legally present in the U.S. have temporary guest status until conditions in Ukraine are safe for return. Standing up to dictators and speaking out for victims of war should not be a partisan issue.”

    The individuals included in the bill already underwent rigorous vetting to ensure that they present no criminal or public safety risks. The legislation would also allow the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to revoke this temporary status if new information raises such concerns about any individual. Bill text can be found here.  

    The following organizations endorsed the Protecting our Guests During Hostilities in Ukraine Act: Refugee Council USA; Chin Association of Maryland; HIAS; World Relief; Center for Gender & Refugee Studies; Human Rights First; Church World Service; International Refugee Assistance Project; Global Refuge; Boat People SOS; Center for Victims of Torture; Jesuit Refugee Service; and Veterans for American Ideals.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Ukraine war: Amid shifting alliances, General Assembly passes resolution condemning Russia’s aggression

    Source: United Nations 2-b

    Peace and Security

    Three years to the day since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the UN General Assembly adopted two competing resolutions on resolving the conflict on Monday, one initiated by the United States and the other by Ukraine – a sign of strategic differences within the transatlantic alliance over the way forward for peace.

    The resolution tabled by the United States, which omitted mention of Russian aggression, only passed after a majority of Member States voted to add EU-led amendments which led to the US abstaining on it own motion and voting against the Ukrainian text. 

    However, the text in the original US resolution was passed hours later in the Security Council – the first to do so since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia on 24 February 2022.

    Until Monday’s high stakes diplomatic debates, the Security Council – which is responsible for maintaining international peace and security – has been unable to find consensus, owing largely to Russia’s veto power as a permanent member.

    The two General Assembly draft resolutions put before UN Member States during the morning session both ostensibly called for peace and an end to the conflict – but diverged fundamentally.

    UN Photo/Manuel Elías

    Deputy Foreign Minister Betsa Mariana of Ukraine addresses the Eleventh Emergency Special Session (resumed) of the General Assembly on Ukraine.

    Path to peace?

    “Advancing a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine”, proposed by Ukraine and co-sponsored by a host of European countries, was a three-page document that included clauses noting that “the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation has persisted for three years and continues to have devastating and long-lasting consequences not only for Ukraine, but also for other regions and global stability.”

    It called for a commitment to “the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders” and the need to ensure accountability for crimes committed under international law, through “fair and independent investigations and prosecutions at national and international level”.

    The US tabled its own version, alongside entitled “Path to Peace”, a brief draft limited to mourning the loss of life throughout the Russian Federation-Ukraine conflict; reiterating that the principal purpose of the UN is to maintain international peace and security and to peacefully settle disputes; and imploring a swift end to the conflict – urging a lasting peace between Ukraine and the Russia.

    Amendments to the text were put forward by Russia and the European Union. Russia proposed adding the words “including by addressing its root causes” to the third paragraph (on a swift end to the conflict).

    The EU proposed adding some of the language in the Ukrainian resolution, referring to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation (rather than the Russian Federation-Ukraine conflict), the “territorial integrity” of Ukraine, and calling for a peace in line with the UN Charter.

    UN Photo/Manuel Elías

    US Deputy Permanent Representative Dorothy Shea addresses the Eleventh Emergency Special Session (resumed) of the General Assembly on Ukraine.

    A change in position

    When it came to the vote, Ukraine’s version passed by 93 votes to 18. The US voted against, alongside Russia, marking a major shift of its position on the conflict and previous votes. The US supported a similar resolution submitted in February 2023 which received 141 votes in favour.

    65 nations abstained, including South Africa, whose representative, Ambassador Mathu Joyini, said that the draft “does not go far enough in terms of inclusivity and creating a positive momentum towards a peaceful negotiation”.

    The US version was also adopted (93 in favour, eight against and 73 abstentions), but Member States also voted to add the European Union amendments with 60 in favour, 18 against and 81 abstentions.

    The United States voted against the amendments and abstained on its own resolution (the General Assembly failed to adopt the Russian amendment, with 31 in favour, 71 against and 59 abstentions).

    Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mariana Betsa, told the Assembly that the way Russian aggression is answered “will define the future of Ukraine…Europe and our common future.”

    Later, flanked by co-sponsors of the country’s General Assembly resolution, she delivered a statement at the media stakeout just outside the Security Council Chamber. She said that the General Assembly had demanded “an early end to this war of aggression and a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in Ukraine, in line with the UN Charter.”

    The General Assembly’s reaffirmation of support for international law and the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity was, she said, profoundly important and warned that a peace deal that “risks rewarding aggression increases the risk,” creates a dangerous precedent for the future.

    UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

    The Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Betsa Mariana (centre at podium), addresses the media outside the Security Council at UN Headquarters in New York.

    Security Council breakthrough

    Attention turned to the Security Council in the afternoon, where a vote was due to be held on the United States resolution.

    As before, there were attempts to add amendments supported by several western European countries, referring to a “full-scale invasion” by Russia and Ukraine’s territorial integrity, and proposals from Russia to refer to the “deeply rooted reasons” for the conflict and lasting peace in both Ukraine and Russia.

    But the amendments were voted down and the resolution was passed without any changes by the 15-member Council (10 in favour, zero against and five abstentions).

    Speaking after the vote, US Ambassador Dorothy Shea said Washington sincerely appreciated Council members’ support saying that it “puts us on the path to peace.”

    After a pause in proceedings, Rosemary DiCarlo, the head of UN Peacekeeping and Political Affairs, briefed the 15 Council members on the current situation in Ukraine.

    She said that the Russian invasion “undermined the very foundations of the international order,” and reminded the delegates that, since 24 February 2022, at least 12,654 Ukrainian civilians, including 673 children, have been killed.

    Referring to the Security Council resolution adopted earlier in the Council, Ms. DiCarlo insisted that peace in Ukraine must be “just, sustainable and comprehensive, in line with the Charter of the United Nations, international law, and resolutions of the General Assembly”, including those adopted on Monday morning during the General Assembly emergency special session.

    Find out more in our comprehensive live coverage of the day here.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: With 10 Votes in Favour, 5 Abstentions, Security Council Adopts Resolution 2774 (2025) Mourning Loss of Life, as Russian Federation’s Invasion of Ukraine Enters Fourth Year

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

    Members Implore Swift End to Conflict, Urge Lasting Peace between Two Nations

    As the Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine entered its fourth year, the Security Council today adopted a resolution mourning the tragic loss of life and reiterating that the principal purpose of the United Nations is to maintain international peace and security and peacefully settle disputes.

    Adopting resolution 2774 (2025) (to be issued as document S/RES/2774(2025)) by a vote of 10 in favour to none against, with 5 abstentions (Denmark, France, Greece, Slovenia, United Kingdom), the Council implored a swift end to the conflict and urged a lasting peace between Ukraine and the Russian Federation.

    Before the vote, the representative of the United States said that the Council stands on “the precipice of history with a solemn task — creating conditions to end the bloodiest war on the European continent” since the organ was created in June 1945.  Noting that her country’s draft text is “a symbolic, simple first step towards peace”, she added that it “is not a peace deal”.  Rather, it represents a path to peace, and she urged all Council members to join the United States in vanquishing the scourge of this war.

    Proposed Amendments Fail to Obtain Required Number of Votes

    However, the representative of the United Kingdom underscored:  “There can be no equivalence between Russia and Ukraine in how this Council refers to this war.”  Moscow chose to launch a war of aggression, and “the Council must be clear on this”, she stressed.  “We must also be clear that peace must respect the UN Charter and Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders,” she added, proposing several amendments to the text on behalf of the Council members who ultimately abstained from the vote on the text as a whole.

    France’s delegate noted such proposed amendments demonstrate “our resolute commitment — after three years of war — to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine”.  However, he underscored that peace cannot be a synonym for capitulation of the aggressed State.  The amendments, he said, also aim to recall that there is an aggressor and an aggressed State, with the Russian Federation having attacked a sovereign State that posed no threat to it.

    The representative of the Russian Federation, for his part, said of today’s text:  “We consider it, overall, as a common-sense initiative.”  It reflects, he said, the desire of the new United States Administration to “really contribute”.  He also proposed several amendments, including inserting language regarding the need to “eradicate the root causes of the Ukrainian crisis”.  On the amendments proposed by the European Council members, he said they “replace the essence of the American text and make it into another anti-Russia ultimatum”.

    None of the five proposed amendments were adopted, either because they failed to obtain the required number of votes or because the Russian Federation cast its veto.

    United States’ Speaker Welcomes Adoption of First Resolution in Three Years on Ukraine Firmly Calling for End to Conflict 

    Following the adoption of the unamended text, the representative of the United States welcomed Council members’ support of the resolution, welcoming the first Council action taken in three years on Ukraine to firmly call for an end to the conflict.  “This resolution puts us on the path to peace,” she affirmed, and although it is a first step, it is a crucial one.  The Council must now use it to build a peaceful future for Ukraine, the Russian Federation and the international community.

    Other Council Members Support Text Overall Yet Raise Concerns

    The representative of France, however, said that, while his country is “fully committed to peace in Ukraine”, Paris calls for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace — “certainly not for capitulation of the victim”.  “There will be no peace and security if aggressors are rewarded and the law of the jungle wins,” he stressed.  Similarly, the representative of the United Kingdom stressed that the terms of peace must send the message that aggression does not pay.  No peace will be sustainable without Ukraine’s consent, she said, voicing regret that her delegation’s proposals making these points clear were not taken on board.

    “There is nobody who wants peace more than Ukrainians and Europeans,” stressed Slovenia’s representative.  However, he observed:  “A person convinced against their will is against you still — there will be peace, but it will be just and it needs to last.”  Building on that, Denmark’s representative stressed that peace must be on the right terms, voicing regret that today’s resolution falls far short of that vision.  “We need to reaffirm our commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” she stated.

    For his part, the representative of the Republic of Korea — noting that Moscow’s war of aggression has “tragically claimed countless innocent lives” — expressed hope that today’s adoption will provide an opportunity “for all relevant parties to accelerate efforts to achieve just and sustainable peace”.  And while Guyana’s representative said that the text is an important step towards a peaceful end to the war, she said that there would have been added value in affirming support for the UN Charter – particularly States’ obligation to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State.

    Pakistan’s representative — noting that the “priority of peace has remained largely absent and elusive”, even as the security, humanitarian and economic crises have intensified — said:  “A different approach was perhaps required.”  He therefore expressed hope that today’s resolution will “lend impetus to an inclusive peace process that yields a durable solution in accordance with international law”.

    Panama’s representative also voiced support for the resolution, as it is not objectionable due to its simplistic content.  However, “its silence speaks more eloquently than its words”, he observed, adding that his country understands the aftermath of violations of sovereignty and territorial integrity.  “And for our own historic reasons, we have always rejected the aggression of one State against another,” he said.

    Recalling his delegation’s repeated calls for the parties to engage in negotiations to reach a just and permanent peace in the region, the representative of Algeria said that “our call was the only criteria that Algeria used to determine its position today through our vote”.  Similarly, the representative of China, Council President for February, spoke in his national capacity to recall his country’s “consistent principles and propositions on the Ukraine issue”.  He added: “The ultimate solution for any conflict lies at the peace table.”

    Russian Federation Welcomes Changes in United States Position

    Meanwhile, the representative of the Russian Federation welcomed changes in the United States’ position on the Ukrainian conflict.  “It is clear that the militarizing Europe today is the only player internationally which wants the war to continue,” he stated.  And while today’s text is not ideal, it is a first attempt to have a constructive and future-oriented product by the Council.  The key outline of a restored European and international security “can already be seen in the American text and this gives us a certain optimism”, he stated.

    At the outset of the meeting, the representative of France proposed that today’s vote be postponed, expressing concern that the text was introduced “without real negotiations among Council members”.  While the representative of the United Kingdom expressed strong support for that proposal, the representative of the United States opposed it.  Ultimately, that proposal was rejected for failing to obtain a sufficient number of votes.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: There needs to be a lasting and just peace with Ukraine’s voice at the heart of any talks: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    There needs to be a lasting and just peace with Ukraine’s voice at the heart of any talks: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine.

    Today marks the third year of President Putin’s full-scale invasion, forced on the Ukrainian and Russian people, in clear breach of the UN Charter.

    So first of all today, of all days, we pause to remember and honour the victims of this war. Those who have lost their lives, their homes, their futures, their limbs, their childhoods, family members and friends. Millions who have been displaced, tens of thousands who have lost their lives.

    They’ve lost schools, playgrounds, farms, churches, hospitals.

    While Russian forces have used rape, torture and execution as weapons of war and put nuclear safety at risk.

    This is a war that Putin said would take three days.

    Three years on, Ukrainians have paid a terrible price.

    And the impact of this war is not limited to Ukraine.

    Hunger, poverty and energy insecurity have increased worldwide.

    So second, as we look forward to peace, let’s be clear, no country wants peace more than Ukraine. Ukraine is more than ready for this war to end.

    But there needs to be a lasting and a just peace, with Ukraine’s voice at the heart of any talks.

    A peace that is not just a pause in fighting but a peace that leaves Ukraine secure and free from Russian attack. A peace that shows that aggression does not pay. And a peace that ends forever Putin’s imperialist ambitions.

    And we have to remember that Putin by contrast, only wants capitulation.

    So if Russia is allowed to win, we will live in a world where might is right, where borders can be redrawn by force, where aggressors think they can act with impunity. The consequences for peace and security around the world are dire.

    So third then, a lasting peace must come from strength.

    Strength and courage that Ukraine has shown abundantly in the last three years.

    But that strength and courage needs to be underpinned by robust security agreements from the outset because Putin has repeatedly shown that he will break a weak deal.

    He has long denied Ukraine’s right to exist as a free state.

    So the UK, with our European partners and the United States, will work closely together for Ukraine and Europe will continue to take responsibility for our continent’s security.

    The UK is ready to play a leading role to support Ukraine in its right to self-defence. To support the negotiation and implementation of a peace agreement, a just and lasting peace agreement, which protects Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, its internationally recognised borders, in line with the UN Charter.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Moscow Metro – Biometric payment in Moscow transport will become even more accessible

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Metro

    According to Maxim Liksutov, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport and Industry. and Industry, the facial recognition payment service will be available at all metro turnstiles by the end of 2025. To expand the technology and maintain its high speed, additional Russian-made equipment will be installed in station vestibules.

    Biometrics at Moscow Metro.

    Paying with biometrics means:

    Convenient. No need for cards, phones or cash. Economical. Lowest fares on public transport. Safe. The system has a bank-level protection, and all data is encrypted.

    Biometric payment is the most convenient fare payment service. It is currently available at all metro stations, on the Moscow Central Circle, in Aeroexpress trains and regular river transport. Future plans include expanding the service to the Moscow Central Diameters and ground city transport.

    Biometric payments have proven themselves to be a reliable and secure payment method.

    Nowhere in the world has this service been implemented on such a large scale and with such convenience for passengers as in the capital. Since its launch, the service has been used more than 140 million times, with more than 160,000 facial recognition passes being made every working day. We are implementing the best domestic payment solutions in public transport on behalf of Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, added Maxim Liksutov.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Statement from Premier Pillai on the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine

    Statement from Premier Pillai on the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine
    jlutz

    Premier Ranj Pillai has issued the following statement:

    “Three years ago today, Russia launched its illegal and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine. This war has caused immense suffering and its effects have been felt around the world, including here in the Yukon.

    “Ukrainians living in the Yukon are an important part of our community and I want to express my deepest condolences to them and to everyone affected by this ongoing conflict. We stand with them in hope for peace.

    “For the past three years, Ukrainians have shown incredible strength and resilience – they are not only fighting for their own freedom but also for the principles of sovereignty, democracy and international law.

    “Today, we think of our brothers and sisters in Chortkiv, Ukraine, a sister city of Whitehorse. I think back fondly to my meeting with Mayor Volodymyr Shmatko and his delegation of Chortkiv residents who visited the Yukon in 2023.

    “I want to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of members of the Ukrainian Canadian Association of Yukon, who have helped welcome Ukranian newcomers to the territory and have worked with Yukoners to collect and deliver medicines, supplies and supports to hospitals and other agencies in Ukraine. Their work is not just important – it is an example of the kindness, compassion and strength of all Yukoners.

    “Today – and every day – let us reaffirm our support for Ukraine and its right to remain free and independent. Ukraine’s fight is a fight for democracy everywhere. We honour those who have suffered and never forget the importance of standing together in the face of injustice.

    “Слава Україні! Героям Слава! Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the Heroes!”

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Moscow Metro – Biometric payment in Moscow Transport to become even more accessible

    Source: Moscow Metro

    According to Maksim Liksutov, the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport
    and Industry the facial recognition payment service will be operational at all metro turnstiles by the end of 2025. To expand the technology and maintain its high speed in station lobbies, additional Russian-made equipment will be installed.

    Biometrics at Moscow Metro.

    Paying with biometrics is:

    • Convenient. No need for cards, phones, or cash.
    • Cost-Effective. The lowest fares on public transport.
    • Secure. The system has bank-level security, and all data is encrypted.

    Biometric payment – the most convenient fare payment service. It is now available at all metro stations, the Moscow Central Circle, Aeroexpress, and regular river transport. Future plans include expanding the service to the Moscow Central Diameters and surface urban transport.

    Biometric payment has proven itself as a reliable and secure payment method.

    Nowhere else in the world is the service implemented on such a scale and with such convenience for passengers as in the capital. Since its launch, it has been used over 140 million times, with over 160,000 facial recognition passages made every business day. We are implementing the best domestic payment solutions in city transport, as instructed by the Mayor of Moscow, Sergey Sobyanin, — added Maksim Liksutov.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health – Mum needing essential heart scan faced life-threatening delays

    Source: Kia Manawanui Trust | The Heart of Aotearoa New Zealand

    A mum needing an essential heart scan was told she’d have to wait ten months – at the earliest – for an appointment.
    Māhina Ngāpō is battling stage three breast cancer and needs an echocardiogram every three months to ensure she can undergo life-saving treatment.
    But she was shocked when Wellington Hospital said there was no chance of that – and health experts say her case is all too common.
    The Heart of Aotearoa – Kia Manawanui Trust Medical Director Dr Sarah Fairley says Māhina needed to have this scan before her next round of treatment due to the potential long-term risk of harm to her heart.
    “I’m pleased we were able to advocate strongly and bring Mahina’s appointment forward, but, sadly, this isn’t always the case.”
    Luckily, Māhina’s story has a happy ending – but only after she fought the system alongside a cardiologist to make it happen sooner.
    “Honestly, I feel like one of the lucky ones,” Māhina says.
    “I couldn’t have started my radiation without having this scan, as my heart showed a small amount of damage at my last scan.
    “If I hadn’t been able to start my treatment because of the huge delays in New Zealand to have an echocardiogram, then who knows what that could have meant for me and my whānau?” the 42-year-old says.
    “My mindset is that advocating for yourself is the only way you will get the heart services you need, otherwise, you’ll get lost in the system.”
    Dr Fairley says the waitlist for a heart scan (echocardiogram) is out of control.
    The waitlist has ballooned to 10 months for a semi-urgent scan in some regions – the acceptable timeframe is 6 to 8 weeks, she says.
    “Patients like Māhina would not be put in the position of self-advocacy if we had a fully-staffed and appropriately resourced public healthcare system”.
    However, the echocardiogram issue is the tip of the iceberg, she says.
    “We are seeing these delays more and more throughout the system.”
    The Heart of Aotearoa – Kia Manawanui Trust Chief Executive Ms Letitia Harding says cases like Māhina’s show the pressure our heart health system is under.
    “It’s like Russian roulette with people’s lives because the system is severely underfunded, under-resourced, and under-staffed.
    “People shouldn’t have to wait in fear that they might not get an echocardiogram in time, with the very real possibility that they could die on the waitlist,” Ms Harding says.
    “That’s why The Heart of Aotearoa – Kia Manawanui Trust was established – to draw attention to the issues we face in the cardiology space.”
    Note: Māhina Ngāpō has started a Give-a-little page to help her raise funds for her healing journey: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/please-help-mahina-grace-ngapo-heal-from-breast

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy, Blumenthal, Colleagues Urge Secretary Rubio To Restore Critical Global Health Programs To Keep Americans Safe

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) joined 19 of their Senate colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging him to restore funding for global health, development, and humanitarian programs. In the wake of the Trump administration’s abrupt termination of key foreign assistance programs and personnel without review, the senators highlight the national security imperatives of U.S. global health efforts, which keep Americans safe, strengthen U.S. leadership, and increase global stability.

    “The Trump Administration’s freeze on foreign assistance and opaque waiver process, coupled with the attempted dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has significantly weakened our ability to respond to emergencies, left gaps in disease surveillance, and undermined global partnerships— leaving a vacuum that our adversaries are eager to fill,” the senators wrote.  

    Without American global health programs, current outbreaks of infectious diseases like Ebola, Marburg Virus, and Bird Flu have the potential for spreading to U.S. soil. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an infectious disease can spread from a remote village to a major city in the United States in as little as 36 hours. Additionally, the foreign assistance funding freeze has stopped critical Malaria interventions before peak transmission and paused many clinical trials and data collection endeavors that require continuous data collection. As a result, product development for desperately needed drugs and vaccines have been brought to a halt. 

    “The U.S. cannot afford to withdraw from the global stage. Weak health systems in already fragile regions create opportunities for infectious disease to spread unchecked, for extremist groups to gain influence, and for adversaries to expand their reach,” they continued.

    The senators warned Secretary Rubio that Russian leaders have publicly praised the decision to dismantle USAID, an agency that helps counter China’s efforts to expand its Belt and Road Initiative in Africa and Latin America. Additionally, China is already stepping in to fill the vacuum left by the United States at the World Health Organization.  

    “We urge you to reverse the damaging personnel actions at USAID, and swiftly restart U.S. investments in global health, development, and humanitarian aid—not just as a moral obligation, but as part of the necessary strategy to protect America’s national security. In the meantime, there must be a clear process to achieve and implement waivers for these critical programs… Restoring these investments and the professional staff with training and skillsets to implement these life-saving programs will strengthen global health security, reinforce our leadership on the world stage, and make us safer at home,” the senators concluded.

    U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) also signed the letter.

    Full text of the letter is available HERE and below:

    Dear Secretary Rubio,

    At a time when the world faces increasing instability—from disease outbreaks, to violent conflicts, to economic crises—U.S. investments in global health, development, and humanitarian aid are more than acts of goodwill; they are strategic imperatives contributing to our strength, security, and prosperity. Without strong and sustained U.S. leadership, American lives and economic stability is at risk.

    The Trump Administration’s freeze on foreign assistance and opaque waiver process, coupled with the attempted dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has significantly weakened our ability to respond to emergencies, left gaps in disease surveillance, and undermined global partnerships— leaving a vacuum that our adversaries are eager to fill.

    The freeze on global health activities is particularly troubling. There is resounding evidence that global health programs protect Americans. Recent history has shown that infectious disease outbreaks in distant regions can quickly reach U.S. soil, causing devastation to lives and livelihoods. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a disease can spread from a remote village to a major city– including in the United States– in as little 36 hours. Such deadly diseases continue to emerge in countries which need assistance to respond. Consider the following examples:

    1. Ebola: Uganda is currently experiencing a deadly outbreak of Sudan Ebola virus in its capital city of Kampala, with a population of 1.9 million people. Suspected cases have also been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. USAID and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) global health programs are critical to helping countries control and manage these outbreaks. The 2014-2016 West African Ebola outbreak spread beyond the region, with cases reaching the U.S. and Europe. American led investments in global health systems helped contain the crisis, prevented further transmission and strengthened global preparedness. Just within the last four years, USAID and CDC frontline health responders played critical roles in halting 11 similar outbreaks, but we are unaware of any USAID personnel having been deployed to Kampala to specifically respond to the outbreak. The Trump Administration’s retreat from these investments has left the world—and the U.S.—more vulnerable to future outbreaks.
    2. Marburg Virus: Tanzania recently confirmed an outbreak of Marburg virus—an illness as deadly as Ebola, but with less treatment and vaccine options. This deadly outbreak has highlighted the urgent need for disease surveillance and rapid response. The U.S. has long been a leader in these efforts, but the freeze on USAID has hindered our ability to detect and contain these threats before they become global crises.
    3. Malaria: While malaria may seem like a distant problem, it deeply affects regions where the U.S. has significant interests. The next few weeks, just before peak transmission, are critical for malaria prevention campaigns. Malaria is preventable, but if this particular window is missed, lives will be lost, most of whom will likely be children. The President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) has reduced cases and deaths worldwide, fostering healthier, more productive societies and reducing the risk of political instability and migration crises. The halt in U.S. funding threatens decades of progress. According to Malaria No More, halting PMI programs for 90 days would prevent the delivery of approximately: 9 million insecticide-treated bed nets; 25.3 million rapid diagnostic tests for malaria; 15.6 million life-saving antimalarial treatments; 48 million doses of seasonal malaria chemoprevention; and safe, effective indoor residual spraying for 3.8 million people.
    4. Bird Flu: Bird flu has already caused one death in the U.S. and is currently circulating throughout America’s livestock. With the foreign aid freeze, the monitoring of bird flu effectively ends in 49 countries, leaving the U.S. in the dark regarding a pressing threat should the virus evolve or mutate to start spreading more rapidly among humans.
    5. PEPFAR: Though the waiver for certain PEPFAR activities is slowly being implemented, critical prevention services remain paused. Without access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and other prevention services, HIV transmission will increase, risking an upsurge of the disease across partner countries and undermining the more than $100 billion in U.S. investment contributed toward the HIV response to date.

    In addition, the foreign assistance funding freeze has paused many clinical trials and data collection endeavors that require continuous data collection. This will significantly delay the product development timelines for desperately needed drugs and vaccines. Clinical trials are now hanging on by a thread and will have to shut down soon if the pause is not lifted. This risks the health of the trial participants around the world and the lives in the U.S. and globally that could be saved thanks to the results of these trials. Furthermore, U.S. global health programs that treat, monitor, and prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Polio, and other infectious diseases are all vital to saving lives and keeping Americans safe.

    The U.S. cannot afford to withdraw from the global stage. Weak health systems in already fragile regions create opportunities for infectious disease to spread unchecked, for extremist groups to gain influence, and for adversaries to expand their reach. Already, Russian leaders have publicly applauded the decision to dismantle USAID, an agency that is also uniquely positioned to forestall China’s expansion of its Belt and Road Initiative in Africa and Latin America. China is already trying to fill the vacuum left by the United States at the World Health Organization when President Trump issued his intent to withdraw. Investing in foreign assistance, including global health and development programs, strengthens our alliances, promotes stability, and reduces the need for costly emergency interventions and military engagements.

    We urge you to reverse the damaging personnel actions at USAID, and swiftly restart U.S. investments in global health, development, and humanitarian aid—not just as a moral obligation, but as part of the necessary strategy to protect America’s national security. In the meantime, there must be a clear process to achieve and implement waivers for these critical programs. Nearly all USAID staff and critical implementing partners have been eliminated and payment systems are not functioning for the vast majority of implementers, rendering the waiver process irrelevant. Restoring these investments and the professional staff with training and skillsets to implement these life-saving programs will strengthen global health security, reinforce our leadership on the world stage, and make us safer at home. Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: There can be no equivalence between Russia and Ukraine in how this Council refers to this war: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    There can be no equivalence between Russia and Ukraine in how this Council refers to this war: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Explanation of vote by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, following the vote on the UN Security Council Resolution 2774 on Ukraine.

    Today marks three years since Russia’s unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

    Today, we remember the millions of Ukrainians displaced, the tens of thousands of civilians killed, the lives destroyed by President Putin’s imperial ambition.

    As the Secretary-General said again yesterday, this war is illegal, a clear violation of the UN Charter and a threat to the core principles of the UN.

    No-one wants peace more than Ukraine.  

    But the terms of that peace matter.  

    Only a just peace, one that honours the terms of our Charter, will endure. 

    And the terms of the peace must send a message that aggression does not pay.

    This is why there can be no equivalence between Russia and Ukraine in how this Council refers to this war.

    If we are to find a path to sustainable peace, the Council must be clear on the war’s origins.  

    We also owe it to the people of Ukraine who have suffered so much.  

    Russia chose to launch a war of aggression against a sovereign state, but again today is seeking to obfuscate that fact.  

    We must also insist on respect for the UN Charter, and Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, within its internationally recognised borders.  

    Upholding the Charter is the responsibility of every member of the UN, and especially every member of this Council.  

    Every member. 

    What, how and on what terms this war ends can only be decided by negotiations with Ukraine.  

    No peace will be sustainable without Ukraine’s consent. 

    We regret that our proposals making these points clear were not taken on board, and as such we could not support this resolution. 

    But we share the ambition to find a lasting end to this war, supported by robust security arrangements that ensure Ukraine never again has to face Russia’s attack.

    As my Prime Minister has made clear – the UK remains ready to play its part.  

    We will continue to provide Ukraine with the support it needs to protect and defend itself and its people.

    We remind the Council that Russia could achieve this tomorrow – by ceasing its aggression and withdrawing its forces from all of Ukraine.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Video: EU reaffirms unwavering support to Ukraine on anniversary of invasion

    Source: European Commission (video statements)

    Press Conference of the International Summit on the Support of Ukraine in Kyiv: The EU has provided almost €135 billion in support to Ukraine, including economic, military, financial, and humanitarian aid. It continues to work with international partners to ensure sustained support and hold Russia accountable.

    Hard-hitting sanctions have significantly weakened Russia’s economy and war capabilities. The EU is also working to ensure those responsible for war crimes face justice through the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine in The Hague.
    Peace, reconstruction, and Ukraine’s European future

    Watch on the Audiovisual Portal of the European Commission: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-268157
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    Check our website: http://ec.europa.eu/

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROExnWR2Re4

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: A peace that rewards aggression is not real peace: UK Statement in the UN General Assembly

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    A peace that rewards aggression is not real peace: UK Statement in the UN General Assembly

    Explanation of vote by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, in the UN General Assembly Emergency Special Session on Ukraine.

    The United Kingdom welcomes the resumption of this Special Session on Ukraine.

    Three years on, Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion has caused untold suffering, most recently in the massive wave of drone attacks over the weekend, reportedly the largest in a single night in three years.

    Millions of Ukrainians have fled their homes, tens of thousands of civilians have been killed.

    Children forcibly deported. 

    Schools, homes, hospitals, places of worship destroyed.  

    And Russia’s forces have committed the most appalling crimes – summary executions, torture, rape.

    Enough is enough, as the Secretary-General reminded us.

    Russia’s aggression did not begin three years ago, but long before that. 

    When my Prime Minister spoke to President Zelenskyy this week, he was clear that any outcome to the war must safeguard Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. 

    A peace that rewards aggression is not a real peace.

    And a peace that rewards aggression will not last.

    Because Putin has a long track record of making deals with his fingers crossed behind his back.   

    Well, not this time.

    We must not make the mistake of weak deals of the past. 

    This time, there must be peace through strength.

    And that is why there can be no negotiations about Ukraine, without Ukraine.

    Colleagues, it is not just Ukraine’s security that is at stake.  

    It is Britain’s too.  

    But it is the security of all of us.  

    Every single Member State who does not want to see tanks driving over their border, killing their people, stealing their children and redrawing their borders on a whim.

    Today 93 countries again stood with Ukraine, voting to reaffirm our respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and for the UN Charter.

    We all want an end to this war.

    No country more so than Ukraine and its people.

    As my Prime Minister has said, the UK is ready to play its part to support efforts for peace.  

    We will continue to support Ukraine to defend itself and to have its voice heard.

    But let us not forget a simple truth: that Russia could end this war tomorrow, by ceasing its aggression and withdrawing its forces from Ukraine.

    But the Kremlin shows no more sign of that than they have done at any point in the last three years.

    So today, as for the last three years and for the future, we stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and with our allies for as long as it takes.

    Until Ukraine wins a peace that respects the UN Charter and delivers a secure future for its people and for all of us.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –