Category: Russian Federation

MIL-OSI Europe: Text adopted – Setting up a special committee on the European Democracy Shield, and defining its responsibilities, numerical strength and term of office – P10_TA(2024)0065 – Wednesday, 18 December 2024 – Strasbourg

Source: European Parliament

The European Parliament,

– having regard to the proposal from the Conference of Presidents,

– having regard to the Commission communication on the European democracy action plan (COM(2020)0790),

– having regard to Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 October 2022 on a Single Market For Digital Services and amending Directive 2000/31/EC (Digital Services Act)(1) and Regulation (EU) 2022/1925 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 September 2022 on contestable and fair markets in the digital sector and amending Directives (EU) 2019/1937 and (EU) 2020/1828 (Digital Markets Act)(2),

– having regard to its resolution of 20 October 2021 on Europe’s Media in the Digital Decade: an Action Plan to Support Recovery and Transformation(3),

– having regard to the 2022 Code of Practice on Disinformation,

– having regard to Directive (EU) 2019/1937 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2019 on the protection of persons who report breaches of Union law(4),

– having regard to Directive (EU) 2022/2557 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 December 2022 on the resilience of critical entities and repealing Council Directive 2008/114/EC(5),

– having regard to Regulation (EU) 2024/1083 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 establishing a common framework for media services in the internal market and amending Directive 2010/13/EU (European Media Freedom Act)(6),

– having regard to Directive (EU) 2024/1069 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 on protecting persons who engage in public participation from manifestly unfounded claims or abusive court proceedings (‘Strategic lawsuits against public participation’)(7),

– having regard to the March 2021 EU toolbox of risk mitigating measures on the cybersecurity of 5G networks,

– having regard to the Communication from the Commission on Defence of Democracy (COM(2023)0630),

– having regard to the Commission proposal of 12 December 2023 for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing harmonised requirements in the internal market on transparency of interest representation carried out on behalf of third countries and amending Directive (EU) 2019/1937 (COM(2023)0637),

– having regard to the Commission recommendations on inclusive and resilient electoral processes in the Union and enhancing the European nature and efficient conduct of the elections to the European Parliament (C(2023)8626) and on promoting the engagement and effective participation of citizens and civil society organisations in public policy-making processes (C(2023)8627),

– having regard to its resolution of 9 March 2022 on foreign interference in all democratic processes in the European Union, including disinformation(8) (INGE 1),

– having regard to its resolution of 1 June 2023 on foreign interference in all democratic processes in the European Union, including disinformation(9) (INGE2),

– having regard to its recommendation of 15 June 2023 to the Council and the Commission following the investigation of alleged contraventions and maladministration in the application of Union law in relation to the use of Pegasus and equivalent surveillance spyware(10),

– having regard to the report of 30 October 2024 entitled ‘Safer Together – Strengthening Europe’s Civilian and Military Preparedness and Readiness’, authored by Sauli Niinistö, former President of the Republic of Finland, in his capacity as Special Adviser to the President of the European Commission,

– having regard to Rule 213 of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas foreign interference constitutes a serious violation of the universal values and principles on which the Union is founded, such as human dignity, freedom, equality, solidarity, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, democracy and the rule of law; whereas evidence shows that malicious and authoritarian foreign state actors and malicious non-state actors are using information manipulation and other tactics to interfere in democratic processes in the Union; whereas such attacks mislead and deceive citizens and affect their voting behaviour, amplify divisive debates, divide, polarise, and exploit the vulnerabilities of societies, promote hate speech, worsen the situation of vulnerable groups which are more likely to become victims of disinformation, distort the integrity of democratic elections and referendums, cast suspicion on national governments, public authorities, the democratic order and the rule of law and have the goal of destabilising European democracy; whereas this has become a question of internal security and safety of Union society as a whole;

B. whereas a campaign of disinformation of an unparalleled malice and magnitude with the purpose of deceiving both domestic citizens and the international community of States as a whole has continuously been carried out by Russia for many years, with particular intensity since the eve of and during its war of aggression against Ukraine which started on 24 February 2022; whereas there is a need for continuous support and close cooperation with Ukraine and Moldova in that regard, but also the pro-European forces in Georgia and the countries of the Western Balkans, which all face strong Russian interference into their process of convergence with the Union, leveraging the possibilities of mutual exchange of information and best practices;

C. whereas attempts by state actors from third countries and malicious non-state actors to interfere in the functioning of democracy in the Union and its Member States, and put pressure on the values enshrined in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union by means of malicious interference, are part of a wider disruptive trend experienced by democracies worldwide;

D. whereas malicious actors continue to seek to interfere in electoral processes and take advantage of the openness and pluralism of our societies, and to attack democratic processes and the resilience of the Union and its Member States;

E. whereas malign autocratic actors are increasingly conducting disinformation campaigns against the work of the Union delegations; whereas this is a clear attempt to hinder the Union’s strategic communication abroad;

F. whereas, before 8 October 2024, the EU and its Member States did not have a specific regime of sanctions relating to foreign interference and disinformation campaigns orchestrated by malicious state actors from third countries, meaning that such actors were in a position to safely assume that their destabilisation campaigns against the Union will face no consequences;

G. whereas there is a lack of a common definition and understanding of this phenomenon and many gaps and loopholes remain in current legislation and policies at Union and national level intended to detect, prevent and counter foreign interference;

H. whereas foreign interference, disinformation, and numerous attacks on and threats against democracy are expected to continue in ever-greater numbers and more sophisticated ways;

I. whereas Parliament’s previous recommendations to counter malign foreign interference operations in the democratic processes of the Union have contributed to an overall Union understanding and to a greater awareness of the issue;

J. whereas the hearings and work of the INGE 1 and INGE 2 special committees have contributed to public recognition and the contextualisation of these issues, and have successfully framed the Union debate on foreign interference in democratic processes and disinformation;

K. whereas there is a need for global, multilateral cooperation and support among like-minded partners, including between parliamentarians, in dealing with foreign malicious interference and disinformation; whereas democracies have developed advanced skills and counter-strategies in dealing with those threats and attacks;

L. whereas addressing foreign interference, disinformation and threats against democracy requires a multifaceted approach in order to foster critical thinking and media and information literacy, and promoting civic engagement and democracy education;

M. whereas hybrid threats and attacks may lead to full-scale and cross-sectoral crises with detrimental effects on safety and security, the well-being of citizens and the functioning of society and economy as a whole, constituting a key challenge to the Union’s internal affairs; whereas that new reality requires a more robust approach to Union crisis management and civilian and defence preparedness, building strategic foresight and anticipation and strengthening early warning, detection, analysis and operational coordination capabilities;

1. Decides to set up a special committee named ‘special committee on the European Democracy Shield’ and that it shall carry out, in cooperation and consultation with the competent standing committees where their powers and responsibilities under Annex VI of the Rules of Procedure are concerned, the following responsibilities:

	(a)	to assess relevant existing and planned legislation and policies to further detect possible loopholes, gaps and overlaps that could be exploited for malicious interference in democratic processes, including as regards the following matters:
	(i)	policies, legislative proposals and structures to be established under the European Democracy Shield, and already established under the European Democracy Action Plan, as well as relevant instruments under the Strategic Compass such as the EU Hybrid Toolbox;
	(ii)	opportunities of cooperation among Union agencies and national authorities in the area of justice and home affairs, including for the purposes of information sharing, intelligence and advance detection mechanisms;
	(iii)	policies and recommendations outlined in the report of 30 October 2024 entitled ‘Safer Together – Strengthening Europe’s Civilian and Military Preparedness and Readiness’;
	(iv)	policies contributing to Union democratic processes, democratic resilience through situational awareness, media and information literacy, media pluralism and independent journalism, the promotion of civic engagement, education, critical thinking and citizens’ awareness and participation;
	(v)	democratic resilience against home-grown hybrid threats and attacks and malign interference;
	(vi)	interference using online platforms, in particular by evaluating, in-depth, the responsibility and effects that very large online platforms have on democracy and democratic processes in the Union;
	(vii)	impact of interference on critical infrastructure and strategic sectors, including foreign investment and ownership of property located in the Union;
	(viii)	hybrid threats and attacks, including but not limited to: cyberattacks including on military and non-military targets, human-made text and audiovisual content, as well as AI-generated content and ‘deepfakes’ used for the purpose of foreign interference and disinformation, interference in political institutions, economic influence or coercion, interference through global actors via elite capture, national diasporas, universities and cultural events, covert funding of political activities by malicious foreign actors and donors, foreign information manipulation and interference actions targeting Union action abroad and the exploitation of artificially created migration flows through an increased role of state actors;
	(ix)	policies ensuring a high common level of cybersecurity across the Union and resilience against cyberattacks, where related to democratic processes;
	(x)	the role of malicious state and non-state actors, their modus operandi and financing, as well as physical sabotage perpetrated by them;
	(xi)	the impact of interference on the rights of minorities and other discriminated groups;
	(xii)	deterrence, attribution and collective countermeasures, including sanctions;
	(xiii)	neighbourhood and global cooperation, and multilateralism;
	(xiv)	interference by Union-based actors both within the Union and in third countries;
	(xv)	policies and measures to preserve the fairness and integrity of elections, and to strengthen democratic checks and balances;
	(b)	to develop, in close cooperation with the competent standing committees, suggestions and proposals on how to further remedy these gaps in order to foster the Union’s resilience towards hybrid threats and attacks, including foreign information manipulation and interference, and on how to improve the Union’s legal and institutional framework;
	(c)	to assess the activities of the Commission and the European External Action Service regarding the fight against foreign information manipulation and interference and hybrid threats and attacks;
	(d)	to counter information campaigns and strategic communication of malign third countries, including those through domestic Union actors and organisations, that harm the goals of the Union and that are created to influence Union public opinion;
	(e)	to follow up, where relevant, on the implementation of the reports of the INGE 1 and INGE 2 special committees;
	(f)	to contribute to overall institutional resilience against foreign interference, hybrid threats, attacks and disinformation;
	(g)	to maintain relations with other Union institutions and bodies, Member States authorities, other international organisations and interparliamentary assemblies, civil society as well as state and non-state partners in relevant third countries for matters falling under its responsibility, in order to reinforce Union action against hybrid threats and attacks and internal and foreign information manipulation and interference; to engage particularly with state and non-state partners in Ukraine and Moldova and the pro-European partners in Georgia as well as the countries from the Western Balkans; to counter manipulated narratives coming from Russia, given the critical and continuous danger Russia poses to the stability and security in the whole of the Union;

2. Decides that, whenever the special committee work includes the hearing of evidence of a confidential nature, testimonies involving personal data, or exchanges of views or hearings with authorities and bodies on confidential information, including scientific studies or parts thereof granted confidentiality status under Article 63 of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council(11), the meetings shall be held in camera; decides further that witnesses and experts shall have the right to make a statement or provide testimony in camera;

3. Decides that the list of people invited to public meetings, the list of those who attend them and the minutes of such meetings, shall be made public;

4. Decides that confidential documents that have been received by the special committee shall be assessed in accordance with the procedure set out in Rule 227 of its Rules of Procedure, decides further that such information shall be used exclusively for the purposes of drawing up the final report of the special committee;

5. Decides that the special committee shall have 33 members;

6. Decides that the term of office of the special committee shall be 12 months and that that term of office shall start running from the date of its constituent meeting;

7. Decides that the special committee may present to Parliament a mid-term report; decides further that it shall present to Parliament at the latest during the part-session of January 2026 a final report focusing on the matters set out in paragraph 1 and containing factual findings and recommendations concerning the measures and initiatives to be taken, without prejudice to the competences of the standing committees in accordance with Annex VI to its Rules of Procedure; stresses that the recommendations of the special committee shall be taken into consideration by the competent standing committees in their work.

(1)	OJ L 277, 27.10.2022, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2022/2065/oj.
(2)	OJ L 265, 12.10.2022, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2022/1925/oj.
(3)	OJ C 184, 5.5.2022, p. 71.
(4)	OJ L 305, 26.11.2019, p. 17, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2019/1937/oj.
(5)	OJ L 333, 27.12.2022, p. 164, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2022/2557/oj.
(6)	OJ L, 2024/1083, 17.4.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1083/oj.
(7)	OJ L, 2024/1069, 16.4.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1069/oj.
(8)	OJ C 347, 9.9.2022, p. 61.
(9)	OJ C, C/2023/1226, 21.12.2023, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/C/2023/1226/oj.
(10)	OJ C, C/2024/494, 23.1.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/C/2024/494/oj.
(11)	Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market and repealing Council Directives 79/117/EEC and 91/414/EEC (OJ L 309, 24.11.2009, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2009/1107/oj).

MIL OSI Europe News –

January 27, 2025

MIL-OSI Europe: Text adopted – 11th year of the occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol by the Russian Federation and the deteriorating human rights situation in occupied Crimea, notably the cases of Iryna Danylovych, Tofik Abdulhaziiev and Amet Suleymanov – P10_TA(2024)0072 – Thursday, 19 December 2024 – Strasbourg

Source: European Parliament

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to Rule 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  whereas since February 2014, Crimea has been temporarily occupied by Russia, which illegally annexed it, following an unlawful and internationally unrecognised referendum;

B.  whereas Crimeans continue to experience severe human rights violations, unlawful conscription to the Russian army, forced passportisation and Russification, arbitrary detentions, often on trumped-up terrorism charges, enforced disappearances, torture, extrajudicial killings, the absence of freedom of opinion, assembly, association and religion;

C.  whereas the Russian occupying authorities are particularly targeting Crimean Tatars, ethnic Ukrainians and ethnic minorities, and have resettled up to 800 000 Russians, forcibly altering the demographic composition of Crimea along ethnic lines in a neo-colonial manner, which constitutes a war crime under international law;

D.  whereas there are over 200 Crimean political prisoners in Russian detention facilities, including 133 Crimean Tatars and 67 political prisoners with severe health problems that require assistance;

E.  whereas Crimean journalist and human rights defender Iryna Danylovych was abducted in 2022, accused of possessing explosives and sentenced to 6 years and 11 months of imprisonment; whereas NGO activist Tofik Abdulhaziiev was arrested in 2019 and sentenced to 12 years in a maximum security prison on trumped-up charges, and since 2023 is being held in a prison some 2 700 km away from Crimea; whereas citizen journalist Amet Suleymanov was sentenced to 12 years of prison in 2021;

F.  whereas many Crimeans continue to be persecuted, including: Emil Kurbedinov, Server Mustafayev, Emir-Usein Kuku, Lutfiye Zudiyeva, Kulamet Ibraimov, Abdureshit Dzhepparov, Edem Semedlyaev, Rustem Kyamilev, Oleksandr Sizikov, Halyna Dovhopola, Ruslan Abdurakhmanov, Rustem Huhuryk and Lilia Hemedzhy;

1.  Reiterates its condemnation of the illegal occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol by Russia;

2.  Condemns Russia’s continuous targeting of ethnic Ukrainians and systematic persecution of indigenous Crimean Tatars, which aims to erase their identity, heritage and culture, echoing, for the Crimean Tatars, the genocidal deportations of 1944; considers that Crimea’s future is tied to its recognition as the Crimean Tatars’ historic homeland;

3.  Condemns the persecution of journalists, civil society activists and human rights defenders and the deportation of civilians including political prisoners from Crimea to penitentiary institutions across Russia, contrary to international law;

4.  Demands the immediate and unconditional release of Iryna Danylovych, Tofik Abdulhaziiev and Amet Suleymanov and other political prisoners; calls for immediate medical care to be provided; denounces the upholding of verdicts against seriously ill individuals, which constitutes a blatant violation of international human rights standards; calls on the International Committee of the Red Cross and the UN to establish the whereabouts of civilian detainees from Crimea;

5.  Calls on the international community to continue its policy of non-recognition of the illegal annexation of Crimea; supports efforts for its de-occupation, such as the Crimean Platform; calls for the strengthening of sanctions against individuals and legal entities involved in the illegal annexation;

6.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the VP/HR, the relevant EU institutions and the Russian and Ukrainian authorities.

MIL OSI Europe News –

January 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Text adopted – Human rights situation in Kyrgyzstan, in particular the case of Temirlan Sultanbekov – P10_TA(2024)0073 – Thursday, 19 December 2024 – Strasbourg

Source: European Parliament

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to its previous resolutions on Kyrgyzstan,

–  having regard to Rule 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  whereas searches were recently conducted at the headquarters of the Kyrgyzstan Social Democrats party (SDK); whereas ahead of the November 2024 municipal elections, a Bishkek district court ordered the pre-trial detention of SDK leader Temirlan Sultanbekov and other party officials until 13 January 2025; whereas they were arrested on vote-buying allegations, with an audiotape of unknown origin serving as the primary evidence, for which the judicial authorisation is unclear and its connection with the detainees unknown; whereas the SDK demonstrated that payments to campaign staff, as referred to in the recording, were transparent; whereas Mr Sultanbekov began a hunger strike in protest on the day of his arrest and his physical condition has since been seriously deteriorating; whereas the Bishkek Election Commission disqualified the party’s municipal candidates in Bishkek;

B.  whereas in recent years, democratic standards and human rights in Kyrgyzstan have deteriorated alarmingly;

C.  whereas independent media, such as Kloop, Temirov Live, Ait Ait Dese and Azattyk, journalists and bloggers continue to face repression; whereas both the judiciary and vigilante violence are increasingly being used to suppress political opponents and civil society critics;

D.  whereas the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) between Kyrgyzstan and the EU is subject to the Parliament consent procedure and requires Kyrgyzstan’s full compliance with its duty to protect human rights and uphold democratic standards;

1.  Is concerned by the dubious reasons for the detention of Temirlan Sultanbekov and other pro-democracy activists in Kyrgyzstan and the possible political motivation behind the criminal case against them;

2.  Urges the Kyrgyz authorities to immediately release Mr Sultanbekov and other party officials and adopt alternative measures to detention, while respecting their right to due process in line with the civil and political rights guaranteed under the Kyrgyz constitution and international obligations; calls on the authorities to ensure his safety and well-being;

3.  Urges the Kyrgyz government to halt its campaign of intimidation and legal persecution against opposition parties, independent media outlets and journalists; is concerned by the adoption of the Russian-style ‘foreign agents’ law; urges the Kyrgyz authorities to drop all charges against human rights defenders, including Makhabat Tazhibek Kyzy, Azamat Ishenbekov, Aktilek Kaparov and Ayke Beishekeeva, journalists from the Temirov Live and Ait Ait Dese channels;

4.  Calls on the Kyrgyz authorities to respect human rights and uphold democratic standards and fundamental freedoms in line with the EPCA and the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus;

5.  Calls for all EU institutions and bodies, in particular the EU Delegation to Kyrgyzstan, to continue to voice their grave concern over the deterioration of human rights with the Kyrgyz authorities, and to consider other action should the situation deteriorate further;

6.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the VP/HR, the EU Special Representative for Central Asia, the Member States, the UN Human Rights Council and the Kyrgyz authorities.

MIL OSI Europe News –

January 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: LADA Sport ROSNEFT Team Pilot Wins the Race of Champions

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

LADA Sport ROSNEFT team pilot Kirill Ladygin won the 27th “Race of Champions”, which was organized with the support of Rosneft. The competition was held at the auto testing ground in the village of Sosnovka, a suburb of Tolyatti.

The Race of Champions is an annual race held on an ice synchronous track and has no analogues in Russia. Russian pilots from various motorsport disciplines participate in the competition. This year, 16 athletes took part in the race, including Russian Formula 1 pilots, champions in circuit racing, drifting, karting, rally, ice racing and winners of international rally raids.

The competition on the main day of the race was held in 2 stages. After the qualifying paired races, in which the pilots fought for points, the quarter-final lineup was formed from 8 athletes who continued the fight for elimination in the “play-off”. According to the rules of the competition, the final races were held up to two victories.

In the end, the best was LADA Sport ROSNEFT pilot Kirill Ladygin, who won the main trophy “Silver Boat” for a record ninth time. The second step of the podium was taken by the first Russian Formula 1 pilot Vitaly Petrov, and the bronze was won by multiple rallycross champion Egor Sanin.

In the decisive races, the pilots competed in a new car based on the LADA Iskra model. The sports LADA Iskra is a project of the LADA Sport ROSNEFT team, a car specially prepared for participation in ice racing. The cars were fueled with high-octane Pulsar-100 gasoline and also used Rosneft Magnum Racing sports motor oil.

The competition attracted several thousand fans and motorsport enthusiasts from Tolyatti and Samara, as well as neighboring regions, who actively supported the pilots during the races.

Since 2015, Rosneft has been the general sponsor of LADA Sport ROSNEFT, actively participating in the development of Russian motorsports. Since 2021, the LADA Sport ROSNEFT team has been using Rosneft Magnum Racing sports motor oil, which provides increased engine protection in extreme operating conditions and achieves success on the track.

Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft January 27, 2025

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 –

January 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: At a Glance – Plenary round-up – December 2024 – 20-12-2024

Source: European Parliament

The European Union’s external relations topped the agenda for the December 2024 plenary session, with several debates on statements by the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, attending the plenary for the first time in her new capacity. These included the toppling of the Syrian regime and its consequences; Russia’s disinformation activities and fraudulent justification of its war against Ukraine; the use of rape as a weapon of war (e.g. in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan). The day after Kallas’s remarks on the crackdown on peaceful pro-European demonstrators in Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, President of Georgia, addressed Members in a formal sitting. Other debates on Commission statements covered, inter alia: the situation in Mayotte following the recent devastating cyclone; a European innovation act; harassment and cyber-violence against female politicians in EU candidate and neighbouring countries; a shared vision for sustainable European tourism; promoting social dialogue and the right to strike; tackling abusive subcontracting; the need to ensure swift action and transparency on public-sector corruption allegations; urgent EU action to preserve nature and biodiversity; and the Commission’s plans to revise outstanding proposals on animal welfare in its 2025 work plan. Members also debated ahead of the European Council meeting of 19 December 2024 and set out their expectations ahead of the EU-Western Balkans Summit that took place the previous day. Parliament created two new standing committees, upgrading the former sub-committees on Public Health, and on Security and Defence; and set up two special committees: on the European Democracy Shield, and the Housing Crisis.

MIL OSI Europe News –

January 27, 2025

MIL-OSI Economics: IMF Executive Board Completes the Sixth Review of the Extended Arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility for Ukraine

Source: International Monetary Fund

December 20, 2024

The IMF Board today completed the Sixth Review of the Extended Arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for Ukraine, enabling a disbursement of about US$1.1 billion (SDR 834.9 million) to Ukraine, which will be channeled by the authorities for budget support.
Ukraine’s economy remains resilient, and performance remains strong under the EFF despite challenging conditions. The authorities met all end-September quantitative performance criteria and structural benchmarks.
Sustained reform momentum, progress at domestic revenue mobilization, and timely disbursement of external support are necessary to safeguard macroeconomic stability, restore fiscal and debt sustainability, and improve governance.

Washington, DC: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) today completed the Sixth Review of the EFF, enabling the authorities to draw US$1.1 billion (SDR 834.9 million), which will be channeled by the authorities for budget support. This will bring the total disbursements under the IMF-supported program to US$9.8 billion.

Ukraine’s 48-month EFF, with access of SDR 11.6 billion (equivalent to US$15.5 billion, or about 577 percent of quota), was approved on March 31, 2023, and forms part of a US$148 billion support package for Ukraine. The authorities’ IMF-supported program helps anchor policies that sustain fiscal, external, and macro-financial stability at a time of exceptionally high uncertainty. The EFF aims to support the economic recovery, enhance governance, and strengthen institutions with the aim of promoting long-term growth in the context of reconstruction and Ukraine’s path to EU accession.

Ukraine’s performance under its program remains strong. All end-September and continuous quantitative performance criteria and indicative targets were met. The authorities have also completed a prior action on the enactment of the package of tax measures, have met all end-October structural benchmarks due by the Sixth Review and three of the end-December benchmarks.

Economic growth in 2024 has been upgraded given better than expected resilience to the energy shocks. However, a slowdown is expected in 2025 due to an increasingly tight labor market, the impact of Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, and continued uncertainty about the war. Inflation has risen recently, mainly due to food prices, while inflation expectations remain well anchored. Adequate reserves have been sustained by continued sizeable external support. Overall, the outlook remains subject to exceptionally high uncertainty.

Following the Executive Board discussion on Ukraine, Ms. Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the IMF, issued the following statement^[1]:

“Russia’s war in Ukraine continues to take a devastating social and economic toll on Ukraine. Despite the war, macroeconomic stability is being preserved through skillful policymaking by the Ukrainian authorities as well as substantial external support. The economy has remained resilient, reflecting the continued adaptability of households and firms, although risks are tilted to the downside due to headwinds from attacks on energy infrastructure and a tight labor market. Preparedness and contingency planning are key to enable appropriate policy action should risks materialize.

The program remains fully financed with a cumulative external financing envelope of US$148 billion in the baseline and US$177 billion in the downside over the 4-year program period, including commitments from the G7’s Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration Loans for Ukraine (ERA) initiative. Full, timely and predictable external support—on terms consistent with debt sustainability—remains essential to maintaining full program financing and safeguarding stability.

A tax package and 2025 Budget in line with the program baseline have been enacted, but there are few remaining buffers and strict budget execution will be key. Continued progress at domestic revenue mobilization is imperative for Ukraine to meet its high priority spending needs and to restore fiscal sustainability. Strong implementation of the National Revenue Strategy and customs reform will help raise further revenues, improve compliance, combat evasion, and support EU accession.

After completing the Eurobond exchange in August, the authorities are now focusing on reaching agreement with other holders of external commercial claims, including GDP warrants, in line with their strategy. A swift agreement in line with the program’s debt sustainability objectives would reduce fiscal risks and create space for critical spending needs.

Inflation has accelerated more than expected in recent months, and the recent tightening of monetary policy was appropriate; the NBU should stand ready to take further action should inflation expectations deteriorate. Allowing exchange rate flexibility will help strengthen the resilience of the economy to external shocks while safeguarding reserves.

The financial sector remains stable, but vigilance is needed given heightened risks. Progress on strengthening bank resolution and risk-based supervision, stress-testing frameworks and contingency planning should be sustained.

Reform momentum in anticorruption and governance needs to be sustained. In particular, the authorities need to advance the creation of a new court for high public disputes, and amend the criminal procedure code.”

Table 1. Ukraine: Selected Economic and Social Indicators, 2021–27
	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025	2026	2027

	Act.	Act.	Act.	Proj.	Proj.	Proj.	Proj.

Real economy (percent change, unless otherwise indicated)
Nominal GDP (billions of Ukrainian hryvnias) 1/	5,451	5,239	6,538	7,629	8,680	9,874	10,937
Real GDP 1/	3.4	-28.8	5.3	4.0	2.5-3.5	5.3	4.5
Contributions:
Domestic demand	12.9	-22.9	13.9	6.5	4.9	4.5	4.2
Private consumption	4.7	-16.8	5.5	3.3	3.2	3.8	3.5
Public consumption	0.1	12.5	2.6	-0.1	-1.1	-2.5	-1.9
Investment	8.1	-18.6	5.8	3.3	2.9	3.2	2.6
Net exports	-9.5	-5.9	-8.6	-2.5	-2.4	0.8	0.3
GDP deflator	24.8	34.9	18.5	12.2	11.0	8.0	6.0
Unemployment rate (ILO definition; period average, percent)	9.8	24.5	19.1	13.3	11.8	10.2	9.4
Consumer prices (period average)	9.4	20.2	12.9	6.2	10.3	7.7	5.0
Consumer prices (end of period)	10.0	26.6	5.1	10.0	7.5	6.6	5.0
Nominal wages (average)	20.8	1.0	20.1	19.1	18.9	14.1	10.5
Real wages (average)	10.5	-16.0	6.4	12.1	7.8	6.0	5.3
Savings (percent of GDP)	12.5	17.0	9.8	8.5	2.9	9.1	15.2
Private	12.7	30.2	24.6	24.1	17.9	14.7	13.6
Public	-0.2	-13.1	-14.8	-15.6	-14.9	-5.6	1.5
Investment (percent of GDP)	14.5	12.1	15.1	16.9	17.5	19.3	20.4
Private	10.7	9.6	10.4	13.6	13.6	15.0	15.3
Public	3.8	2.5	4.8	3.4	4.0	4.3	5.1

General Government (percent of GDP)
Fiscal balance 2/	-4.0	-15.6	-19.6	-18.9	-18.9	-9.9	-3.6
Fiscal balance, excl. grants 2/	-4.0	-24.8	-26.1	-24.3	-19.7	-10.1	-4.6
External financing (net)	2.4	10.7	16.5	14.8	18.0	8.9	1.4
Domestic financing (net), of which:	1.6	5.0	3.1	4.1	0.9	1.0	2.2
NBU	-0.3	7.3	-0.2	-0.2	-0.2	-0.1	-0.1
Commercial banks	1.5	-1.5	2.5	4.1	1.0	0.9	2.2
Public and publicly-guaranteed debt	48.9	77.7	82.3	92.2	104.3	105.8	101.8

Money and credit (end of period, percent change)
Base money	11.2	19.6	23.3	15.0	17.2	12.0	10.1
Broad money	12.0	20.8	23.0	16.7	14.4	12.1	10.1
Credit to nongovernment	8.4	-3.1	-0.5	11.6	12.9	21.0	17.6

Balance of payments (percent of GDP)
Current account balance	-1.9	4.9	-5.4	-8.4	-14.6	-10.1	-5.3
Foreign direct investment	3.8	0.1	2.5	2.5	2.4	4.1	5.2
Gross reserves (end of period, billions of U.S. dollars)	30.9	28.5	40.5	42.3	43.3	47.9	50.1
Months of next year’s imports of goods and services	4.5	3.8	5.3	5.3	5.4	5.8	5.9
Percent of short-term debt (remaining maturity)	67.5	64.3	87.1	102.7	99.8	112.3	116.0
Percent of the IMF composite metric (float)	104.4	103.6	124.1	112.0	100.5	100.2	102.0
Goods exports (annual volume change in percent)	35.3	-44.7	-15.8	15.5	1.6	16.7	10.6
Goods imports (annual volume change in percent)	16.9	-23.6	21.7	9.3	6.9	8.9	9.4
Goods terms of trade (percent change)	-8.4	-11.6	3.6	0.3	-1.9	1.2	1.4

Exchange rate
Hryvnia per U.S. dollar (end of period)	27.3	36.6	38.0	…	…	…	…
Hryvnia per U.S. dollar (period average)	27.3	32.3	36.6	…	…	…	…
Real effective rate (deflator-based, percent change)	8.8	30.5	-2.0	…	…	…	…

Memorandum items:
Per capita GDP / Population (2017): US$2,640 / 44.8 million
Literacy / Poverty rate (2022 est 3/): 100 percent / 25 percent

Sources: Ukrainian authorities; World Bank, World Development Indicators; and IMF staff estimates.
1/ GDP is compiled as per SNA 2008 and excludes territories that are or were in direct combat zones and temporarily occupied by Russia (consistent with the TMU).
2/ The general government includes the central and local governments and the social funds.
3/ Based on World Bank estimates.

[1] At the conclusion of the discussion, the Managing Director, as Chairman of the Board, summarizes the views of Executive Directors, and this summary is transmitted to the country’s authorities. An explanation of any qualifiers used in summing up can be found here: http://www.IMF.org/external/np/sec/misc/qualifiers.htm.

IMF Communications Department

MEDIA RELATIONS

PRESS OFFICER: Camila Perez

Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

@IMFSpokesperson

MIL OSI Economics –

January 27, 2025

MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Executive Board Completes the Sixth Review of the Extended Arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility for Ukraine

Source: IMF – News in Russian

December 20, 2024

The IMF Board today completed the Sixth Review of the Extended Arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for Ukraine, enabling a disbursement of about US$1.1 billion (SDR 834.9 million) to Ukraine, which will be channeled by the authorities for budget support.
Ukraine’s economy remains resilient, and performance remains strong under the EFF despite challenging conditions. The authorities met all end-September quantitative performance criteria and structural benchmarks.
Sustained reform momentum, progress at domestic revenue mobilization, and timely disbursement of external support are necessary to safeguard macroeconomic stability, restore fiscal and debt sustainability, and improve governance.

Following the Executive Board discussion on Ukraine, Ms. Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the IMF, issued the following statement^[1]:

Table 1. Ukraine: Selected Economic and Social Indicators, 2021–27
	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025	2026	2027

	Act.	Act.	Act.	Proj.	Proj.	Proj.	Proj.

Real economy (percent change, unless otherwise indicated)
Nominal GDP (billions of Ukrainian hryvnias) 1/	5,451	5,239	6,538	7,629	8,680	9,874	10,937
Real GDP 1/	3.4	-28.8	5.3	4.0	2.5-3.5	5.3	4.5
Contributions:
Domestic demand	12.9	-22.9	13.9	6.5	4.9	4.5	4.2
Private consumption	4.7	-16.8	5.5	3.3	3.2	3.8	3.5
Public consumption	0.1	12.5	2.6	-0.1	-1.1	-2.5	-1.9
Investment	8.1	-18.6	5.8	3.3	2.9	3.2	2.6
Net exports	-9.5	-5.9	-8.6	-2.5	-2.4	0.8	0.3
GDP deflator	24.8	34.9	18.5	12.2	11.0	8.0	6.0
Unemployment rate (ILO definition; period average, percent)	9.8	24.5	19.1	13.3	11.8	10.2	9.4
Consumer prices (period average)	9.4	20.2	12.9	6.2	10.3	7.7	5.0
Consumer prices (end of period)	10.0	26.6	5.1	10.0	7.5	6.6	5.0
Nominal wages (average)	20.8	1.0	20.1	19.1	18.9	14.1	10.5
Real wages (average)	10.5	-16.0	6.4	12.1	7.8	6.0	5.3
Savings (percent of GDP)	12.5	17.0	9.8	8.5	2.9	9.1	15.2
Private	12.7	30.2	24.6	24.1	17.9	14.7	13.6
Public	-0.2	-13.1	-14.8	-15.6	-14.9	-5.6	1.5
Investment (percent of GDP)	14.5	12.1	15.1	16.9	17.5	19.3	20.4
Private	10.7	9.6	10.4	13.6	13.6	15.0	15.3
Public	3.8	2.5	4.8	3.4	4.0	4.3	5.1

General Government (percent of GDP)
Fiscal balance 2/	-4.0	-15.6	-19.6	-18.9	-18.9	-9.9	-3.6
Fiscal balance, excl. grants 2/	-4.0	-24.8	-26.1	-24.3	-19.7	-10.1	-4.6
External financing (net)	2.4	10.7	16.5	14.8	18.0	8.9	1.4
Domestic financing (net), of which:	1.6	5.0	3.1	4.1	0.9	1.0	2.2
NBU	-0.3	7.3	-0.2	-0.2	-0.2	-0.1	-0.1
Commercial banks	1.5	-1.5	2.5	4.1	1.0	0.9	2.2
Public and publicly-guaranteed debt	48.9	77.7	82.3	92.2	104.3	105.8	101.8

Money and credit (end of period, percent change)
Base money	11.2	19.6	23.3	15.0	17.2	12.0	10.1
Broad money	12.0	20.8	23.0	16.7	14.4	12.1	10.1
Credit to nongovernment	8.4	-3.1	-0.5	11.6	12.9	21.0	17.6

Balance of payments (percent of GDP)
Current account balance	-1.9	4.9	-5.4	-8.4	-14.6	-10.1	-5.3
Foreign direct investment	3.8	0.1	2.5	2.5	2.4	4.1	5.2
Gross reserves (end of period, billions of U.S. dollars)	30.9	28.5	40.5	42.3	43.3	47.9	50.1
Months of next year’s imports of goods and services	4.5	3.8	5.3	5.3	5.4	5.8	5.9
Percent of short-term debt (remaining maturity)	67.5	64.3	87.1	102.7	99.8	112.3	116.0
Percent of the IMF composite metric (float)	104.4	103.6	124.1	112.0	100.5	100.2	102.0
Goods exports (annual volume change in percent)	35.3	-44.7	-15.8	15.5	1.6	16.7	10.6
Goods imports (annual volume change in percent)	16.9	-23.6	21.7	9.3	6.9	8.9	9.4
Goods terms of trade (percent change)	-8.4	-11.6	3.6	0.3	-1.9	1.2	1.4

Exchange rate
Hryvnia per U.S. dollar (end of period)	27.3	36.6	38.0	…	…	…	…
Hryvnia per U.S. dollar (period average)	27.3	32.3	36.6	…	…	…	…
Real effective rate (deflator-based, percent change)	8.8	30.5	-2.0	…	…	…	…

Memorandum items:
Per capita GDP / Population (2017): US$2,640 / 44.8 million
Literacy / Poverty rate (2022 est 3/): 100 percent / 25 percent

Sources: Ukrainian authorities; World Bank, World Development Indicators; and IMF staff estimates.
1/ GDP is compiled as per SNA 2008 and excludes territories that are or were in direct combat zones and temporarily occupied by Russia (consistent with the TMU).
2/ The general government includes the central and local governments and the social funds.
3/ Based on World Bank estimates.

IMF Communications Department

MEDIA RELATIONS

PRESS OFFICER: Camila Perez

Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

@IMFSpokesperson

https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2024/12/20/pr-24493-ukraine-imf-completes-6th-rev-of-extended-arrangement-under-eff

MIL OSI

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 27, 2025

MIL-OSI United Nations: Adopting Resolution 2764 (2024), Security Council Underscores Importance of Preserving Child Protection Capacities in UN Mission Transitions

Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

The Security Council today adopted a resolution highlighting the need for sustainable child protection capacities in United Nations peace operations and the importance of their smooth, responsible transfer to the Organization’s country teams during mission transitions or withdrawals.

Unanimously adopting resolution 2764 (2024) (to be issued as document S/RES/2764(2024)), the Council condemned all violations of applicable international law involving the recruitment and use of children by parties to armed conflict, as well as their re-recruitment, killing and maiming, rape and other forms of sexual violence, abductions and attacks against schools and hospitals.

The 15-member organ further called for “strengthened coordination” among key stakeholders to “ensure the continuity, effectiveness, and sustainability of child protection activities.” These actors include the heads of UN peace operations, the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict and the Co-Chairs of the Country Task Forces on Monitoring and Reporting, as well as relevant Governments and authorities.

The representative of Malta, the draft’s author and Chair of the Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict, noted that the text has gathered the support of more than 100 States. She emphasized that her country has placed the protection of children in armed conflict at the forefront of its agenda, noting that the resolution reaffirmed States’ determination to address violations against children in conflict zones and recognized the need to sustain child protection capacities during UN mission transitions. Describing the text as “a call to action”, she further underscored the critical need for the timely recruitment and deployment of Child Protection Advisers.

Ecuador’s delegate, Vice-Chair of the Working Group, said that his country’s joint leadership with Malta over the last two years has produced the adoption of nine consensus-based documents about children in Afghanistan, Colombia, Philippines, Iraq, Nigeria, Mali, Central African Republic, Somalia and South Sudan. These conclusions stand as road maps to guide the action of States and the international community. She called on the Working Group to continue its efforts — together with the Special Representative, the monitoring and reporting mechanism, and UN personnel on the ground — in shedding light on grave violations against children.

Hailing the text’s adoption, Sierra Leone’s representative stressed that “more than 470 million children are affected by armed conflict globally” and that peace operations and other programmatic interventions play a critical role in protecting civilians and stabilizing the post-conflict situation. “It is in this spirit that we hope that this resolution will ensure the prioritization of child protection capacity and mechanisms in differentiated contexts of UN mission transitions,” he added.

Expressing deep concern that grave violations against children “have risen to shocking levels in recent years”, the United Kingdom’s delegate called on the Council and the wider UN system to “do more to protect children who are uniquely vulnerable and often the primary victims of conflict”. Welcoming the resolution’s focus on the crucial role of dedicated Child Protection Advisers in UN missions, he called for greater coordination on child protection across the entire system, along with an effective monitoring and reporting mechanism.

The Russian Federation’s delegate welcomed a “balanced and laconic resolution” that represented the Council’s constructive approach towards unity on the important mandate — “which of late has regrettably been politicized”. Voicing support for the African Union’s efforts on promoting the child component in its peacekeeping operations, she called for renewing the request for Secretary-General António Guterres to ensure that information communicated regarding violations against children is accurate, objective and reliable.

The representative of the United States said that “this resolution serves as a poignant reminder of the urgency and necessity of strengthening the international community’s child protection capacities”. She emphasized the crucial need for those States named in the Secretary-General’s annual children and armed conflict report to enter action plans with the Special Representative’s office to address the concerns raised. Guyana’s delegate stressed that the Council must use its tools to improve the protection of children. “We have seen examples of how increased child protection capacity in countries has led to improvements in the lives of the children,” she observed, pointing to the negative impacts of abrupt UN mission closures on child protection. The adopted text provides critical details for coordination and smooth and responsible mission responsibilities during transitions, she added.

“They [children] embody the seeds of hope for better future,” said Algeria’s delegate, stressing that the adopted text constitutes an important step towards ensuring sustainable protection of children in armed conflict. The speaker for the Republic of Korea noted today’s adoption demonstrates strong global commitment to strengthening the children and armed conflict framework developed over 25 years and represents a milestone in global efforts to bridge the gap in child protection capacities.

Japan’s delegate emphasized the vital importance of education in post-conflict settings — a prerequisite for lasting, sustainable peace, that must be prioritized, as the resolution pointed out. He supported the text’s call for dedicated child protection capacities and reintegration assistance to end and prevent violations.

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MIL OSI United Nations News –

January 27, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Amid Growing Strength of Terrorist Groups in Sahel, West Africa, Senior Official Urges Security Council to Scale Up Support within Regional Frameworks

Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

In a region grappling with escalating threats due to violent non-State actors, civic restrictions, political transitions and heightened humanitarian needs, the head of UN efforts in West Africa and the Sahel called on the Security Council for scaled up support within regional frameworks, as speakers welcomed small signs of progress on the democratic front.

Leonardo Santos Simão, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), presenting the latest Secretary-General’s report (document S/2024/871), reported that he just attended the 15 December Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Summit, where Heads of State took note of the decision of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to withdraw from the organization. ECOWAS responded with an offer of six months for dialogue to encourage those countries to remain, he added. Regional leaders unanimously acknowledge insecurity as the region’s most urgent concern, with terrorists becoming increasingly aggressive, and utilizing sophisticated weaponry, including drones, he said, also drawing attention the spread, beyond the Sahel, of violent extremism and organized crime to northern Benin and Togo, and the Gulf of Guinea countries.

To address such threats, he called for the Council to scale up support within regional frameworks. While the announced operationalization of the ECOWAS Standby Force is a positive step, the Group of Five for the Sahel (G5 Sahel) joint force has ceased operations, and the Accra Initiative is undergoing restructuring, to model the Multinational Joint Task Force, “the primary security cooperation mechanism in the Lake Chad Basin region, and the only functioning platform for cooperation on regional security in West Africa and the Sahel”. He went on to highlight a trip in November to Chad with Special Representative Abdou Abarry, Head of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), during which they met the Lake Chad Basin Commission as well as a camp for internally displaced persons — of whom the country presently hosts 2 million, amid severe flooding, with the worsening humanitarian situation in other countries leading to further displacement. In this context, he urged support for the underfunded humanitarian appeal, which is less than 50 per cent funded. Addressing climate resilience, he spotlighted meetings held between stakeholders to discuss the transboundary management of water at the 2024 UN Climate Change Conference in Baku, and welcomed the visit, in December, of the Council’s informal expert group on climate change, peace and security to the Lake Chad Basin region.

On human rights issues, he deplored the closing of 8,200 schools in the region, due to insecurity and expressed concern about persisting human rights violations and civic restrictions in Guinea and Central Sahel. However, he welcomed progress in fighting impunity, citing the conviction of those responsible for the 2009 Guinea stadium massacre. Detailing progress in the region on the democratic front, he noted his visit to Ghana during the presidential and legislative elections; as well as taking note of legislative elections in Senegal on 17 November, Côte d’Ivoire on track to its 2025 presidential elections and Liberia making progress in democratic consolidation. However, in Guinea-Bissau, the parliamentary elections planned for November 2024 have been postponed sine die, he said, also pointing out that, in the Gambia, 2025 will be a critical year for the adoption of constitutional reforms, due to a political environment in which consensus has eroded.

The Council also heard from Levinia Addae-Mensah, Executive Director, West Africa Network for Peacebuilding, a network encompassing 750 civil society organizations across the region, who described a “heightened security threat profile”, leading to expanding zones of instability and ungoverned spaces in the region, due to recent democratic transformations and security challenges stemming from the growing strength of terrorist and violent extremist groups in the Sahel and some coastal States. Citing data from the group’s early warning system indicates that 76 per cent of armed attacks occurred around tri-border communities with inadequate State presence, she pointed out that “cascaded negative effects” of such dynamics led to challenges, including the closing of 12,000 schools, exacerbating the vulnerability of girls to early marriage, female genital mutilation and trafficking.

Despite these challenges, she took note of positive trends, including progress towards democratic governance in Liberia, Senegal and Ghana; strengthened early warning systems and response mechanisms; and development of national and local infrastructures for peace. Despite the shrinking of civic spaces, her organization is strengthening resilience through initiatives, such as Security Consultative Committees, which it introduced in Mali, she said, pointing out that such “a dichotomous reality” underscores the value of organic approaches to peacebuilding. In closing, she highlighted processes that presented opportunities to reset approaches to addressing threats in the region, including the 2025 review of United Nations Peacebuilding Architecture and the Africa Facility to Support Inclusive Transitions.

In the ensuing discussion, many speakers echoed concerns about the security situation in the region, with several urging support for regional security initiatives. Among them was the representative of Sierra Leone, co-penholder on the file, speaking also for Algeria, Guyana and Mozambique, who urged predictable funding for regional security mechanisms, spotlighting the importance of the Multinational Joint Task Force in fighting terrorist groups in the Lake Chad Basin, and the potential of a fully operationalized Accra Initiative in addressing security threats, including the recruitment and radicalization of young people in the region.

Switzerland’s delegate called for a holistic approach to security, stressing that insecurity also hinders the improvement of the socioeconomic and humanitarian situation in the region. Voicing alarm about the persistence and spread of armed conflict, terrorism and violent extremism, she said: “It is necessary to engage in actions to maintain and promote dialogue and social cohesion, and to tackle the root causes of fragility.”

The representative of the Republic of Korea concurred, pointing out that the “lack of coordinated regional responses and fragmented counter-terrorism efforts heighten the risk of terrorist expansion across the Central Sahel and into coastal States”. He therefore encouraged ECOWAS and regional States to foster effective collaboration to counter terrorism and transnational organized crime, an appeal echoed by the representative of Japan.

Also on the security front, the United Kingdom underscored that “private military security companies — like the Wagner Group and Africa Corps — are not the answer”. Rather, these entities have a track record of worsening existing conflicts and undermining long-term development and stability. On the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the region, he called for more humanitarian access, highlighting his Government’s support for more than 16 million people in the Sahel since 2019.

Similarly, the representative of the United States, Council President for December, speaking in her national capacity, warned that, amid Governments’ struggle to reclaim control over territory, leaders who engage in heavy-handed counter-terrorism tactics, while neglecting to address the drivers of marginalization, are only worsening the security situation.

However, the Russian Federation’s delegate countered that the fractious security situation “is the heavy burden of the consequences of the military aggression waged by Western countries against Libya — a burden borne, to this day, by all States in the region”. Long-term stability in the Sahel requires the international community to support Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso “who stand at the forefront of the fight against pan-African terrorist groups”, she added, also stressing that the Council should respect the decision by members of the Alliance of Sahel States to leave ECOWAS.

Meanwhile, China’s delegate called for the international community to “maintain necessary patience” with countries in transition and provide them with “small constructive support”. Countries in the region must foster collective security and continuously enhance counter-terrorism cooperation, he said. To that end, his country, as announced at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in September, will provide expertise and support to the African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism and United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism Programme Office for Counter-Terrorism and Training in Africa.

Malta’s delegate was among several speakers highlighting democratic concerns, welcoming Ghana’s introduction of a 40 to 50 per cent target of women in elected and appointed positions. However, she urged transitional Governments to adhere to previously agreed electoral timelines, pointing to postponed elections in Guinea-Bissau and Burkina Faso, as well as similar negative trends in the Gambia and Nigeria.

Addressing the humanitarian picture, Guyana’s representative, also speaking for Switzerland, as the Council’s informal co-focal points on conflict and hunger, noted that, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, 48.6 million people throughout the region were projected to experience food insecurity in the “critical June and August lean period”, mainly due to worsening security conditions in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Nigeria. She called for increased international support, particularly in capacity-building; respect for international humanitarian law to protect humanitarian personnel, as well as objects indispensable to civilian survival; and a comprehensive overview that acknowledges the interrelated nature of existing and emerging challenges, including food insecurity.

Many delegates drew attention to the exacerbating impact of climate change on the regional humanitarian situation, including Ecuador’s representative, who called on the international community to intensify its efforts in providing aid, and Slovenia’s delegate, who warned that: “Crop failures, combined with the local grievances and ongoing instability create a fertile ground for recruitment by extremist armed groups.” In this context, she echoed the Secretary-General’s call for countries in the region and ECOWAS to develop conflict-sensitive climate adaptation plans as part of comprehensive peacebuilding strategies.

France’s representative concurred, observing that, by making access to resources difficult, climate change impacts “are an additional hurdle in West Africa”. France has therefore renewed its support to regional climate, peace and security mechanisms to address these challenges. He added that improving the situation in the region requires a peaceful political climate, common commitment by all actors to pursue dialogue, a return to constitutional order and universal respect for human rights and the freedoms of association and expression.

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MIL OSI United Nations News –

January 27, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Security Council Extends Mandate of United Nations Observer Force in Golan for Six Months through Resolution 2766 (2024), Amid Reports of Israel Incursion

Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

The Security Council today renewed the mandate of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan for six months until 30 June 2025 and requested the Secretary-General to ensure that the Force has the required capacity and resources to fulfil its mandate “in a safe and secure way”.

UNDOF was established immediately following the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement between Israel and Syria, with a mandate to maintain the ceasefire and supervise the area of separation — a demilitarized buffer zone — as well as the area of limitation — where Israeli and Syrian troops and equipment are restricted — in the Golan.

Today’s unanimous adoption of resolution 2766 (2024) (to be issued as document S/RES/2766(2024)) follows reports of Israeli troops entering the demilitarized zone after the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad earlier this month.

Speaking after the adoption, Algeria’s delegate highlighted that the collaborative efforts of the Russian Federation and the United States in drafting the text “has enabled us to unanimously renew the mandate of UNDOF, which comes at a critical juncture for Syria and the whole region”.

He said the resolution underscores that there should be no military forces, equipment or personnel in the area of separation other than those of UNDOF. “The actual presence of Israeli forces in the area is illegal and constitutes a flagrant violation of the 1974 disengagement agreement and relevant Security Council resolutions,” he warned.

Drawing attention to a protest in the Dara’a Governorate in Syria earlier today during which Israeli soldiers opened fire, injuring a young man, he said: “To those who still doubt that we are witnessing the occupation of new territories in Syria, I would ask: What is your stance on this?”

The mandate of UNDOF has been extended every six months, last renewed on 27 June. (See Press Release SC/15748.)

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MIL OSI United Nations News –

January 27, 2025

MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Executive Board Completes the First Review under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) Arrangement for Togo

Source: IMF – News in Russian

December 20, 2024

The IMF Executive Board completed today the first review under the ECF-arrangement for Togo, allowing the authorities to draw the equivalent of about US$57.4 million (SDR 44.0 million). The Executive Board approved the 42-month ECF-arrangement in March 2024.
Togo’s growth performance has remained robust, and inflation is moderating. The medium-term outlook is broadly favorable, with continued robust growth but also elevated risks.
Togo has continued to advance its reform agenda, and the program is on track. Policy priorities are to (i) make growth more inclusive while strengthening debt sustainability, and (ii) implement structural reforms to support growth and limit financial sector and associated fiscal risks.

Washington, DC: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed the first review of the ECF-arrangement for Togo. The Board’s decision enables the immediate disbursement of SDR 44.0 million (about US$ 58.7 million), which will be used for budget support. The ECF-arrangement provides overall financing of SDR 293.60 million (about US$ 390 million).

The IMF approved the ECF-arrangement on March 1^st, 2024 (see Press Release No. 24/64) to help the authorities address the legacies of the shocks seen since 2020, notably the COVID-pandemic and the increase in global food and fuel prices. The Togolese authorities were able to lessen these shocks’ impacts on the Togolese economy and population. However, this resulted in an increase in fiscal deficits and debt. The IMF-supported government program aims to (i) make growth more inclusive while strengthening debt sustainability, and (ii) implement structural reforms to support growth and limit financial sector and associated fiscal risks.

The medium-term outlook is broadly favorable, with continued robust growth. Economic growth reached an estimated 5.6 percent in 2023 and is projected at 5.3 percent in 2024-25 and around 5.5 percent per year thereafter according to IMF staff projections, barring major adverse shocks. Headline inflation eased to 3.3 percent in October 2024 and core inflation (which excludes the prices of food and transport) to 2.2 percent (annual averages).

However, the outlook is subject to high risks. In particular, terrorist attacks in the country’s North continues unabated and appears to be intensifying, putting pressure on spending. The authorities are contending with the challenging trade-offs between fiscal consolidation to lower the debt burden and the need to maintain robust growth in the context of limited fiscal space.

Implementation of the program is on track. The authorities have met all end-June quantitative performance criteria, and prospects for meeting the quantitative targets for the rest of the year are favorable. The authorities also have met two out of the four due structural benchmarks, and there are prospects for the authorities to deliver at a later stage on the limited elements that have led to the missing of two benchmarks. Further, prospects for meeting the two end-December benchmarks are good. Finally, the authorities have made good progress on the reform of the remaining state-owned bank.

At the conclusion of the Executive Board’s discussion, Mr. Bo Li, Deputy Managing Director, and Acting Chair, made the following statement:

“The Togolese authorities have shown strong implementation of the program supported under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF). The authorities have met all quantitative targets despite security challenges and tight financing conditions, and they have progressed on structural reforms to strengthen revenue mobilization, inclusion, and public financial management.

“Togo’s outlook is subject to elevated risks, broadly as at the program request in March 2024, while security conditions have deteriorated. In line with this, the design of the program as conceived at the outset remains broadly appropriate, and the authorities should continue to implement the program with determination to place the country on the path of strong and sustainable growth.

“In the area of fiscal policies, the authorities should continue to aim to address debt vulnerabilities in a context of regional vulnerabilities while supporting growth and enhancing inclusion. For this, it will be important to implement the agreed fiscal anchor by limiting fiscal deficits to 3 percent of GDP from 2025 onwards, continue to raise tax revenue while making taxation more efficient, and implement structural reforms to enhance the efficiency of spending and make the social safety net more effective and efficient.

“It will also be essential to continue efforts to strengthen governance. The authorities’ recent request for an IMF Governance Diagnostic is welcome, as is their commitment to strengthening beneficial ownership declarations for companies benefiting from public procurement contracts. On the financial sector, the authorities should continue the reform of the remaining public bank by bringing the bank’s capital in line with regulatory requirements and reforming its operations to ensure its stability and profitability. Efforts to strengthen the AML/CFT framework will also be important.

Togo: Selected Economic and Financial Indicators, 2020–29

	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025	2026	2027	2028	2029
	Estimates				Projections
	(Percentage change, unless otherwise indicated)
Real GDP	2.0	6.0	5.8	5.6	5.3	5.3	5.5	5.5	5.5	5.5
Real GDP per capita	-0.4	3.5	3.3	3.1	2.8	2.8	3.0	3.0	3.0	3.0
GDP deflator	1.8	2.5	3.7	2.9	2.2	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0
Consumer price index (average)	1.8	4.5	7.6	5.3	3.3	2.3	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0
GDP (CFAF billions)	4253	4621	5069	5507	5927	6366	6850	7371	7932	8536
Exchange rate CFAF/US$ (annual average level)	575	554	622	606	…	…	…	…	…	…
Real effective exchange rate (appreciation = –)	-2.0	-1.4	2.3	-5.4	…	…	…	…	…	…
Terms of trade (deterioration = –)	-1.4	6.6	23.3	3.4	0.9	-1.7	-0.8	1.4	1.3	0.4

Monetary survey	(Percentage change of beginning-of-period broad money)
Net foreign assets	14.1	5.6	-0.6	6.2	4.9	-0.1	3.0	2.8	2.2	2.2
Net credit to government	-1.6	-0.3	8.0	0.2	-2.9	1.0	1.2	2.0	0.2	0.2
Credit to nongovernment sector	0.2	6.0	10.7	1.5	7.3	6.5	4.4	4.6	4.9	4.8
Broad money (M2)	11.4	12.3	14.9	8.5	8.8	7.4	7.6	7.6	7.6	7.6
Velocity (GDP/end-of-period M2)	2.1	2.1	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0

Investment and savings
Gross domestic investment	21.4	23.4	25.9	28.0	25.7	24.2	25.0	25.9	26.7	27.2
Government	9.3	8.2	9.7	11.5	9.0	7.1	7.7	8.4	8.9	9.4
Nongovernment	12.1	15.2	16.2	16.5	16.7	17.1	17.3	17.5	17.8	17.8
Gross national savings	21.1	21.2	22.5	25.1	22.7	21.2	22.4	23.7	24.7	25.2
Government	2.2	3.6	1.4	4.8	4.1	4.1	4.7	5.4	5.8	6.4
Nongovernment	18.9	17.6	21.0	20.3	18.6	17.1	17.7	18.3	18.9	18.8

Government budget
Total revenue and grants	16.6	17.1	17.6	19.8	18.8	18.6	19.1	19.5	19.9	20.3
Revenue	14.1	15.3	15.1	16.8	16.6	17.1	17.6	18.1	18.5	19.1
Tax revenue	12.5	14.0	13.9	14.8	15.2	15.7	16.2	16.7	17.2	17.7
Expenditure and net lending (excl. banking sector operation)	23.7	21.8	26.0	26.6	23.7	21.6	22.0	22.6	22.9	23.3
Overall primary balance (commitment basis, incl. grants)	-4.7	-2.5	-5.9	-3.9	-3.7	-0.5	-0.6	-0.8	-1.0	-1.1
Overall balance (commitment basis, incl. grants, excl. banking sector operations)	-7.0	-4.7	-8.3	-6.7	-4.9	-3.0	-3.0	-3.0	-3.0	-3.0
Overall balance (commitment basis, incl. grants)	-7.0	-4.7	-8.3	-6.7	-6.4	-3.0	-3.0	-3.0	-3.0	-3.0
Overall primary balance (cash basis, incl. grants)	-4.7	-3.4	-5.9	-3.9	-3.7	-0.5	-0.6	-0.8	-1.0	-1.1
Overall balance (cash basis, incl. grants, excl. banking sector operations)	-7.1	-5.6	-8.3	-6.7	-4.9	-3.0	-3.0	-3.0	-3.0	-3.0
Overall balance (cash basis, incl. grants)	-7.1	-5.6	-8.3	-6.7	-6.4	-3.0	-3.0	-3.0	-3.0	-3.0

External sector
Current account balance	-0.3	-2.2	-3.5	-2.9	-3.0	-2.9	-2.6	-2.2	-2.0	-2.0
Exports (goods and services)	23.3	23.7	26.6	25.5	25.7	25.6	26.0	26.2	26.2	26.1
Imports (goods and services)	-32.3	-34.0	-38.8	-36.2	-35.4	-34.4	-33.9	-33.7	-33.5	-33.5
External public debt¹	27.6	27.3	26.2	25.9	29.5	29.0	29.9	30.6	30.8	30.4
External public debt service (percent of exports)¹	6.9	5.2	8.3	8.2	8.4	15.5	9.2	8.3	7.2	6.5
Domestic public debt²	34.6	37.6	41.2	42.1	40.2	39.1	36.6	34.3	32.3	31.4
Total public debt3	62.2	64.9	67.4	68.0	69.7	68.2	66.4	64.8	63.1	61.8
Total public debt (excluding SOEs)⁴	60.1	63.0	65.8	66.6	68.6	67.2	65.6	64.1	62.5	61.3
Present value of total public debt³	…	…	…	60.6	60.7	57.7	54.5	51.5	48.8	47.1

Sources: Togolese authorities and IMF staff estimates and projections.

¹ Includes state-owned enterprise external debt.
² Includes domestic arrears and state-owned enterprise domestic debt.
³ Includes domestic arrears and state-owned enterprise debt.
⁴ Includes domestic arrears.

IMF Communications Department

MEDIA RELATIONS

PRESS OFFICER: Kwabena Akuamoah-Boateng

Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

@IMFSpokesperson

https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2024/12/20/pr24494-togo-imf-exec-board-completes-first-rev-ecf-arrangement

MIL OSI

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 27, 2025

MIL-OSI Russia: The Gambia: IMF Executive Board Completes the Second Review Under the Extended Credit Facility
Source: IMF – News in Russian

December 20, 2024
- The IMF Executive Board completed today the second review under The Gambia’s Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement, enabling the immediate disbursement of about US$10.8 million to help meet financing needs and bolster inclusive, sustainable growth.
- Economic recovery is strengthening, and inflation is gradually decreasing, although the pace remains slow. The country remains vulnerable to global shocks.
- Program performance has been affected by fiscal pressures and delays in reform implementation, but the authorities remain committed to overall program targets. Steadfast implementation of the policy and reform agenda will be essential to safeguard macroeconomic gains and debt sustainability.
Washington, DC – December 20, 2024: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed today the second review under The Gambia’s Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement, approved by the IMF Executive Board on January 12, 2024, in the amount of SDR74.64 million (about US$97.3 million). The completion of the review allows for the immediate disbursement of SDR 8.29 million (about US$10.8 million), bringing total disbursements under the arrangement to about SDR 24.87 million (US$32.4 million).

The economic recovery in The Gambia is strengthening. Real GDP growth is expected to reach 5.8 percent in 2024, supported by a broad-based rebound in economic activity. In particular, tourist arrivals are recovering and nearing pre-pandemic levels, while remittance inflows remain strong. Headline inflation has decreased significantly from a peak of 18.5 percent in September 2023, although energy prices led to a small uptick in inflation to 10 percent in October 2024.

While the authorities remain committed to the objectives set out in the program and revenue collection has been strong, spending pressures from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Summit and emergency support to the public utility company NAWEC have weighed on fiscal balances. The new foreign exchange policy is working well, and international reserves exceeded targets by the end of September.

Based on the strength of the macroeconomic program, growth is projected at 5.9 percent in 2025 and around 5 percent in the medium term, though risks remain from global conflicts, commodity price shocks, and fluctuations in tourism and remittance flows. Steadfast implementation of the policy and reform agenda will be essential to safeguard macroeconomic gains and debt sustainability.

Following the Executive Board’s discussion, Deputy Managing Director Bo Li issued the following statement:

“The Gambia’s economic recovery is strengthening while inflation has trended down. Program implementation was mixed, reflecting broadly satisfactory adherence to quantitative performance criteria and indicative targets but delays in implementing structural benchmarks. The authorities remain committed to their reform agenda, despite global economic headwinds.

“Continued commitment to fiscal consolidation is critical to reduce fiscal risks and preserve debt sustainability. Finalizing and implementing the Domestic Revenue Mobilization Strategy will help secure consolidation gains and lower reliance on costly domestic and external financing. Improving the structure of expenditures will help maintain social services and space for growth-enhancing capital expenditures. Strengthening public financial management, including by preventing domestic arrears accumulation, and improving the performance of state-owned enterprises will help contain fiscal risks. To reduce debt vulnerabilities, it is crucial to adhere to the agreed fiscal targets, focus on grants and concessional loans, limit fiscal risks from PPPs, and implement a strong medium-term fiscal framework.

“The Central Bank of The Gambia has appropriately maintained its tight monetary policy stance and is encouraged to remain vigilant and data dependent to ensure that inflation converges to the central bank’s medium-term target. The foreign exchange market has performed well following the introduction of the new foreign exchange policy. Going forward, the central bank is encouraged to continue pursuing an exchange rate that fully reflects market forces. The central bank’s commitment to cease financial support to public entities is welcome to prevent risks to its balance sheet.

“Progress with structural reforms will be essential, including to enhance governance and further improve the business environment to promote private sector development and job creation. The publication of the action plan for the implementation of the recommendations of the governance diagnostic report as a prior action for this review was an important milestone. Adopting strong climate-related policies including through a possible RSF arrangement will be essential to build The Gambia’s resilience to climate risks.”

IMF Communications Department

MEDIA RELATIONS

PRESS OFFICER: Julie Ziegler

Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

@IMFSpokesperson

https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2024/12/20/pr24496-gambia-imf-executive-board-completes-2nd-review-under-ecf

MIL OSI
MIL OSI Russia News –
January 27, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: UN Disarmament Chief Calls Out ‘Unacceptable Levels’ of Civilian Fatalities in Ukraine, as Security Council Debates Western Arms Supplies to Kyiv, Moscow’s Ongoing Attacks

Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

Meeting again today to discuss Western arms supplies to Ukraine, the Security Council heard that civilians there continue to be killed and injured by a panoply of deadly munitions, while the organ’s members alternately urged a diplomatic end to the violence and condemned Moscow’s initial — and continued — aggression.

“More than 1,000 days have passed since the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, launched on 24 February 2022 in violation of the UN Charter and of international law,” observed Izumi Nakamitsu, High Representative for Disarmament Affairs. Since the Council last met on this topic on 31 October, the world has continued to witness “unacceptable levels” of civilian deaths and injuries, she noted, also spotlighting Moscow’s “systematic and deliberate” targeting of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

Transfers of arms and ammunition, and the provision of other forms of military assistance to Ukraine’s Armed Forces, have also continued, she said. Additionally, there have been reports of States transferring — or planning to transfer — weapons and ammunition to the Russian Federation. Further reports refer to an increase in military cooperation between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation, including troop deployment by the former into the latter’s Kursk region.

“I urge all concerned to refrain from any steps that may lead to further spillover and intensification of the conflict, as well as any further harm to civilians,” she said, citing reports by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) of over 12,340 civilians killed — and more than 27,836 injured — between 24 February 2022 and 30 November 2024. She also noted reports of cross-border strikes by Ukraine inside the Russian Federation – with some reportedly resulting in damage to civilian objects.

Expressing particular concern over the use of explosive weapons in populated areas, the use and transfer of cluster munitions and recent announcements regarding the transfer of non-persistent anti-personnel landmines, she called on States to abide by their international obligations and become parties to disarmament treaties “as a matter of priority”. Further, universal participation in arms-control instruments is essential to prevent the diversion of conventional arms and to regulate the international arms trade.

Concluding, she reiterated the Secretary-General’s call for “a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in Ukraine, consistent with the UN Charter”.

United States’ Speaker: Permanent Council Member Violating UN Charter

“This document has meaning,” stressed the representative of the United States, Council President for December, as he took the floor in his national capacity. For 80 years — “through thick and thin”, he noted — the Council has worked to uphold the Charter’s principles and to oppose territorial conquest. Now, today, one of the organ’s permanent members is openly, unashamedly violating the Charter, as well as Council resolutions — that it voted for — to prevent a rogue nation from acquiring nuclear weapons.

He went on to detail Beijing’s continued supply of dual-use items to Moscow’s war-industrial base, stating that China “telegraphs tacit approval for Russia’s war” by doing so. “Russia listens only to strength and action — something we collectively lacked when Russia invaded Crimea, and when it invaded Georgia before that,” he noted, adding: “Appeasement didn’t work then, and it won’t work now.” Therefore, the United States and its partners will continue supporting both Ukraine and the UN Charter.

Russian Federation’s Speaker: Ukraine ‘Gold Mine’ for Military-industrial Complex of ‘Anglo-Saxon Countries’

Meanwhile, the representative of the Russian Federation said that there would have been no war “if the United States had not supported the coup d’état in Kyiv in 2014” and had not “made Ukraine into anti-Russia”. Noting that Ukraine has become a “gold mine” for the military-industrial complex of “Anglo-Saxon countries”, he said that half of all weapons sales went to 41 United States corporations. In 2023, the revenue of 100 major weapons manufacturers reached $632 billion, he added.

“It would be naïve to think that these unprincipled traders will give up on their huge profits for the benefit of the helpless Ukrainians,” he emphasized. Further, he said that the Pentagon had to admit that the whereabouts of more than half of the Javelin and Stinger missiles sent to Ukraine were unknown, highlighting the corruption that “accompanies Western supplies”. He concluded: “My advice to all of those who are hoping that military activities will stop: don’t have any illusions about the real intent of the comedian Zelenskyy. We never had them.”

Ukraine’s Speaker: Kyiv Strikes Legitimate Military Targets on Its Occupied Territory and in Russian Federation

“Ukraine never wanted this war and — more than any country across the globe — Ukraine wants the war to end,” stressed that country’s representative. Noting that the Russian Federation again prefaced today’s meeting “with air terror against Ukrainian cities”, he described Moscow’s behaviour as: “A — plan a strike; B — call a Security Council meeting; C — carry out a strike; D — call a meeting to complain about Western weapons supplies”. This correlation has been registered in at least 18 cases, he emphasized.

Against this backdrop, Ukraine strikes legitimate military targets on its occupied territories and in the Russian Federation, he went on to say, stressing that “it is more than easy” for Moscow to stop the war it launched. Instead, Russian Federation President Vladimir V. Putin called for a “high-tech duel” between his country and the West, in which Moscow would strike Kyiv with medium-range ballistic missiles while Western missile-defence systems would attempt to protect it. “Yesterday’s revelations from Putin leave no room for doubt: his regime must be neutralized as soon as possible,” he urged.

Council Members Weigh In

Throughout the meeting, several Council members also pointed out that it was Moscow who originated the war. “It is quite clear that this conflict began with Russia’s invasion of a neighbouring country in violation of the UN Charter,” stressed the representative of the Republic of Korea. “Today’s meeting on the issue of weapons transfers to Ukraine is irrelevant,” he added, underscoring: “The world knows the difference between an aggressor and a victim.” He also expressed concern over the future of the “illegal coalition” between Moscow and Pyongyang, which is internationalizing the conflict.

Similarly, Japan’s representative — noting today’s “shamefully familiar topic” — underscored that “there is only one aggressor in this conflict”. The Russian Federation launched this unprovoked war of aggression, and that country is the one systematically violating international law. Also expressing concern over Moscow’s military cooperation with Pyongyang and Tehran, he stressed: “We must focus on Russia’s violations of international law and not fall prey to its disinformation or malicious tactics.”

Echoing that was France’s delegate, who said that today’s “umpteenth meeting” on arms transfers requested by the Russian Federation was merely “a smokescreen to mask” its treatment of Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence. “There is one aggressor: Russia,” he underscored. Moscow can choose to cease its aggression at any time without harming its own security, but Ukraine’s right to defend itself includes striking Russian Federation military targets.

“Every country has an inalienable right to defend itself in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter,” observed Slovenia’s representative, adding: “By extension, every country has the right to procure the means to defend themselves.” As others, he said that “it is worth pointing to the source of inconsistencies with international law during this war — it is Russia that illegally invaded Ukraine”. Also expressing concern over the extent of mine use in Ukraine, he stressed that these weapons will “pose a threat to the civilian population for years to come”.

Ukraine Most Mined Country in the World

On that, Guyana’s delegate observed that Ukraine is now considered “the most-mined country in the world”, as potentially 23 per cent of its land is at risk of contamination with likely clearing costs of over $34 billion. Emphasizing that such weapons “have no place in our world”, she called on all States transferring weapons and ammunition into the conflict area to do so within the existing international legal framework — including Council resolutions – and with adequate controls in place to prevent their irregular transfer.

In that vein, Mozambique’s delegate called on weapons-exporting States to refrain from transferring arms where risks of human-rights violations or breaches of international humanitarian law exist. Similarly, recipient States must ensure that the arms transferred are used in a manner consistent with applicable international legal instruments and are not diverted or transferred to other destinations. Ecuador’s representative concurred, urging States to act responsibly at every stage of the chain of transfer to prevent the diversion or misuse of arms.

Algeria’s representative, citing the use of modern medium- and long-range missiles in Ukrainian and Russian Federation territory, called on both parties to ensure that these weapons do not fall into the hands of criminals, terrorists or extremist groups — who often use such weapons against defenceless civilians. Adding to that, the representative of Sierra Leone urged all parties to “refrain from further escalation in pursuit of the option of winning battles at all costs”. For his part, the representative of Malta stressed: “The people of Ukraine deserve better. The people of Russia deserve better. Both nations deserve a peaceful future.”

“Weapons may help win a war, but cannot bring about lasting peace,” observed China’s representative, recalling that Beijing has called on the parties to cease hostilities and restore peace for the past three years. “The United States is the only country that has chosen to turn a blind eye to China’s efforts,” he said, adding that one country’s security cannot be achieved at the expense of another’s. He also expressed hope that the United States will abandon the “zero-sum mentality of the cold war”.

Switzerland’s representative, meanwhile, noted that today’s meeting was one of approximately 70 so far dedicated to Ukraine. “And, for the seventieth time, I repeat that Russia must immediately withdraw its troops from the entire territory of Ukraine,” she said, adding: “This repetition is important, however; we cannot — and must not — normalize what has happened in Ukraine.”

“This Christmas, I suggest the Russian delegation reads How Much Land Does a Man Need? by Leo Tolstoy,” said the representative of the United Kingdom. Noting that this is a story about a man who — in his greed to acquire more and more land — exhausts himself and dies, he said that the man is then buried in a six-foot grave — “which is all the land he ends up with”. “The moral is quite clear,” he observed, adding: “The Russians would do well to heed the wisdom of their forebears.”

MIL OSI United Nations News –

January 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Andrei Rudskoy took part in a meeting chaired by Russian Presidential Aide Nikolai Patrushev

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

On January 23, a meeting on the participation of universities in ensuring technological leadership and developing engineering education was held at the Saint Petersburg State Marine Technical University under the chairmanship of Nikolai Patrushev, Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation. The meeting was addressed by the Rector of SPbPU, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Andrei Rudskoy.

The meeting was attended by the governors of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region, representatives of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Education, university rectors and heads of companies in the shipbuilding and related industries. The participants examined issues related to the role of universities in the formation of a system of research, development and production of high-tech products.

Aide to the President of Russia, Chairman of the Russian Maritime Board Nikolay Patrushev noted in his speech that in order to achieve technological sovereignty and technological superiority, the domestic industry needs to reduce the timeframes for developing and implementing new technologies in production, as well as eliminate problems associated with the specifics of certification processes. He emphasized the importance of developing various technical and technological areas, including the production of low- and medium-speed engines, robotics and instrumentation.

Nikolay Patrushev also touched upon the issue of training highly qualified engineering personnel. He emphasized that increasing the number of scientists, researchers and engineers in the total number of workforces is a key factor for achieving technological sovereignty.

In turn, the Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, Valery Falkov, presented the results of monitoring the quality of admission to HSE universities and reported on the growth of interest in engineering education in recent years.

Rector of SPbPU, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Andrey Rudskoy presented the model of “Qualified Partnership” in his report. He noted that the university, regularly performing R&D, generates new knowledge. At the next stage, due to the introduction of digital platforms in the performance of R&D, knowledge is accumulated and competencies are formed.

Effective actions based on knowledge and technology allow us to form a scientific and technological reserve on a systemic basis, which characterizes a qualified performer. A breakthrough, in fact, an exit to another level of development, is associated with the formulation of frontier engineering tasks by a qualified customer. This is how globally competitive market products are created – this is what real innovations consist of. Particular attention is paid to the transfer of knowledge through a new educational model with variable terms of basic educational programs, – Andrey Rudskoy emphasized.

Andrey Ivanovich drew the attention of the audience to the fact that Russian President Vladimir Putin set the task of creating a new model of education based on the foundations of the domestic system, which is distinguished by an optimal ratio of fundamentality and practical orientation of training. Mathematics and physics are of key importance, allowing the formation of logical thinking in schoolchildren, a scientific view of the world and creating the basis for future fundamental training in any field of activity.

Andrey Ivanovich noted that today the task of ensuring technological leadership is becoming vital for Russia. It is necessary to create a reliable foundation – well-prepared applicants to engineering universities. To this end, the standards of the current advanced level of studying mathematics and physics should become mandatory in secondary school.

It is obvious that the need for mathematics and science teachers in schools will increase significantly, and this requires prompt decisions. In 2024, we launched a joint project of SPbPU and the Herzen State Pedagogical University to combine the competencies of the two universities in training physics teachers within the framework of a network educational program. The participation of the Polytechnic University in this program contributed to the development of specialized competencies of future physics teachers, including through the use of the material base of SPbPU. And this year, we are launching a unique master’s program with the assignment of two qualifications in the areas of training “Applied Mathematics and Physics” and “Pedagogical Education”, which will help compensate for the shortage of physics and mathematics teachers, – said Andrey Rudskoy.

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 –

January 27, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: News 01/23/2025 Blackburn, Van Hollen, Colleagues Introduce the Restoring Confidence in the World Anti-Doping Agency Act as U.S. Withholds Funding to WADA

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Representatives John Moolenar (R-Mich.) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) released the following statements after introducing the Restoring Confidence in the World Anti-Doping Agency Act. This legislation would permanently provide the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) the authority to withhold up to the full amount of membership dues to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) if the organization fails to operate as a fair and independent actor to ensure athletes are competing in drug-free Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The U.S. is currently withholding funding from WADA after new details emerged about the agency’s complicity in covering up the wrongdoing of 23 Chinese swimmers who tested positive for a banned performance-enhancing drug before the 2021 Olympics. WADA has threatened to remove the U.S. from a position on its Executive Committee for withholding funding.
“Since details of the Chinese doping scandal emerged, the World Anti-Doping Agency has tried to intimidate advocates for fair play at every single turn, and its officials have also stonewalled and lied to Congress,” said Senator Blackburn. “My colleagues and I have a message for WADA, the IOC, and any other international organization who tries to strong arm the United States: we are calling your bluff, and we won’t be silenced in our mission to promote fair play in sports. There must be real oversight and accountability at WADA, and that starts by passing this legislation.”
“Both our Olympians and the public should have confidence that all athletes competing in the Olympic Games are held to the same standards. But for too long we’ve lacked that assurance, due to WADA’s failure to provide transparency and accountability when it comes to enforcing anti-doping measures,” said Senator Van Hollen. “Our bipartisan, bicameral bill will help restore faith that athletes from around the world are playing on a fair and level field and ensure the integrity of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
“This bipartisan legislation builds on the U.S. funding freeze for WADA by delivering substantive accountability and reform,” said the Chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Representative Moolenaar. “Athletes deserve a fair and level playing field, and this bill ensures transparency and supports clean competition in international sports.”
“Athletes and spectators across the globe must be able to trust that we have a level playing field for all levels of sports, including the Olympic and Paralympic Games,” said the Ranking Member of the House Select Committee on the CCP, Representative Krishnamoorthi. “Our Restoring Confidence in the World Anti-Doping Agency Act will help free the sports world from performance-enhancing drugs by ensuring anti-doping standards are properly enforced, thereby protecting the integrity of the highest levels of competition for clean athletes around the world.”
Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) also co-sponsored this legislation.

ENDORSEMENTS:

This legislation is endorsed by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, Joel Rosinbum, and Greta Neimanas.
“Athletes can wait no longer for change at WADA. Now is the moment. We thank the U.S. Government for protecting the rights of athletes and fair sport by withholding funding from WADA to encourage accountability. We also commend Senator Marsha Blackburn, and the many other champions of clean sport in Congress, for the reintroduction of the Restoring Confidence in the World Anti-Doping Agency Act. Passage of this legislation will be especially important since the U.S. is hosting many major events over the next decade, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 and 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Games.” – Travis Tygart, CEO, U.S. Anti-Doping Agency
“As part of the Team USA Athletes Commission leadership team, I’m proud to support this important legislative effort. Fair play is the foundation of sport, and every athlete deserves to compete on a level playing field. The Restoring Confidence in WADA Act is a positive step toward meaningful reform, but real change requires a global commitment to clean sport. We need every nation that values fairness to step up and do their part, alongside WADA, to ensure our athletes can trust the integrity of their competitions.” – Joel Rosinbum, Team USA Athletes’ Commission Leadership Member
“I am grateful that members of Congress are supporting Team USA athletes by introducing the Restoring Confidence in WADA Act. For far too long, WADA has been inefficient and, as of late, incapable of ensuring fair competition and clean sport, with the Russian ice skating and Chinese swimming scandals as the most recent examples. The ONDCP should be empowered to push for much-needed reforms within WADA and be able to withhold the United States’ financial contributions to WADA until they implement change.” – Greta Neimanas, Paralympian and Team USA Athletes’ Commission Leadership Member

BACKGROUND:

Last year, reporting revealed that more than two dozen Chinese swimmers tested positive for performance enhancing drugs one month before the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. The Chinese Anti-Doping Agency secretly cleared the swimmers of the doping.
When WADA learned of these positive tests, the agency chose not to intervene or require China to follow WADA rules. Over a dozen of these swimmers competed in the 2021 Olympic Games, winning several medals, including gold.
Last summer, new reporting revealed two additional Chinese swimmers – including one who competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics – tested positive in 2022 for a banned drug but were secretly cleared of doping by Chinese authorities.

RESTORING CONFIDENCE IN THE WORLD ANTI-DOPING AGENCY ACT:

The Restoring Confidence in the World Anti-Doping Agency Act would allow the ONDCP to withhold up to the full amount of membership dues to WADA. The U.S. is the WADA’s greatest contributor, which makes this a powerful tool.
The bill would also authorize ONDCP to use all available tools to ensure that WADA fully implements all governance reforms, including a proper conflict-of-interest policy, and that independent athletes from the United States and other democratic countries, or representatives of such athletes, have a decision-making role on WADA’s Executive Committee and governing bodies.
Click here for bill text.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 27, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: On Senate Floor, Shaheen Raises National Security Concerns with Nomination of Pete Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense, Announces She Will Vote Against His Confirmation
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), took to the Senate floor to outline her concerns for our national security ahead of the possible confirmation of Pete Hegseth as the next U.S. Secretary of Defense. Specifically, Shaheen addressed Hegseth’s inconsistencies on various foreign policy issues, including respect for the norms of armed conflict, support for our alliances like NATO and Putin’s war on Ukraine. At the conclusion of her remarks, Senator Shaheen announced she will vote against the Secretary of Defense nominee—the first time she’s done so since joining the U.S. Senate. You can watch the Senator’s full remarks here.

Key quotes from Senator Shaheen:
- “The almost three million men and women who serve our nation in uniform deserve a Secretary of Defense who will not needlessly throw them in harm’s way or seek to divide them with partisan politics.”
- “Just as America’s national security interests are not to be trifled with, neither is our commitment to defending democracy and the international world order. And any inconsistency in our commitment to support our allies and partners, to support democracy around the world, to support the international world order is going to be seen and exploited by our adversaries.”
- “And again, I think it’s very important that we stand by our ally Ukraine, because of the message it sends not just to the Russians and Vladimir Putin, but because of the message it sends to Xi in China, to the Iranians, to the North Koreans, to anyone who is an adversary of the United States. If they think we’re going to walk away from our allies, they’re going to do everything they can to divide us.”
- “He [Mr. Hegseth] has a documented history of supporting individuals who have violated military and international law by committing war crimes […] I don’t think we can afford to entrust the safety and success of our men and women in uniform to a man who would himself disregard the laws of armed conflict and leave American credibility and moral authority in tatters on the world stage.”
- “I am very concerned that Mr. Hegseth lacks the consistency and the moral clarity to lead the most combat-credible military in the world […] Our men and women in uniform deserve better. And therefore, the first time since I was elected to represent the people of New Hampshire in the United States Senate, I plan to vote against this nominee for Secretary of Defense.”
Remarks as delivered can be found below:

Mr. President, I come to the floor today to address some of my concerns about the qualifications of the President’s nominee to lead the Department of Defense, Mr. Pete Hegseth.

Like many of my colleagues on the Armed Services Committee, I left Mr. Hegseth’s hearing last week with a number of unanswered questions and some real concerns about his qualifications and abilities to serve in the role of Secretary of Defense.

Now, every single nominee for Secretary of Defense—from both Democrat and Republican administrations—have met with me and other members from both sides of the aisle on the committee before their confirmation hearings.

And I voted for every one of those nominees from both Democrat and Republican administrations: Secretaries Panetta, Hagel, Carter, Mattis, Esper and Austin.

I didn’t always agree with their views or their policies, but I felt that they had the qualifications and the temperament to be Secretary of Defense, so I supported their confirmations.

But Mr. Hegseth chose not to meet with me or any other Senate Democrats, except the Ranking Member, Jack Reed. And he broke with strong, longstanding tradition to ensure that our work on national security remains free from partisanship.

And I think that’s the important point: we are stronger as Senators, as Congress, as a nation if we are acting together.

The Committee unfortunately was not afforded the opportunity to ask a number of rounds of questions, and so there were a number of questions about his views, particularly regarding foreign policy and military policy that we did not get an answer to.

I’ve become the Ranking Member on the Foreign Relations Committee, and so I’m very concerned about the role of the United States in the world.

I think the American people expect transparency regarding Mr. Hegseth’s ability to stand by our allies and partners, to uphold international agreements, to abide by rules of engagement and the bottom line—support the men and women in the military in a way that not only keeps us safe, but protects them as well.

The almost three million men and women who serve our nation in uniform deserve a Secretary of Defense who will not needlessly throw them in harm’s way or seek to divide them with partisan politics.

So, I’d like to address a few issues now that we were not able to get to at the hearing, because we were not able to ask more than one round of questions. And I want to start with the role alliances and that our allies and partners play in our own national security.

I believe – and we’ve seen it many times since the start of this nation – that we are stronger and safer when we lead together with our allies.

And we’re fortunate, because we have strong allies and partners. We don’t see that coming from Vladimir Putin, from Xi in China, we don’t see it from the North Koreans or the Iranians, but the United States has strong allies who can stand with us.

The most important security agreement we’ve had, I think any time in our nation’s history, is NATO.

It is a critical, indispensable part of our national security, and yet, the President’s nominee for Secretary of Defense wrote in his book, American Crusade, that NATO is quote “a relic” and quote that it “should be scrapped.”

Now since his nomination, Mr. Hegseth has tried to walk back his opposition to one of our key international alliances, to NATO.

In advance policy questions for the Committee, he calls NATO a quote, “vital U.S. interest” in defending Europe and American interests from Russia and Vladimir Putin.

This sudden reversal is welcome, because I think it’s very important that our Secretary of Defense understand how critical NATO is, and that it’s stronger now than it was any time since it was formed, probably. We now have 32 members of NATO.

But Mr. Hegseth’s 11th hour conversion to understanding the importance of our allies and partners raises questions about what he really believes.

We asked on our questions for the record about NATO, and we didn’t get much of a response.

Now, if I had had the opportunity, I would have brought up Ukraine and Mr. Hegseth’s head-spinning contradictions on this matter.

Just as America’s national security interests are not to be trifled with, neither is our commitment to defending democracy and the international world order.

And any inconsistency in our commitment to support our allies and partners, to support democracy around the world, to support the international world order, that is going to be seen and exploited by our adversaries.

So again, I’m puzzled about how we should think about Mr. Hegseth’s contradictory positions on a variety of national security and foreign policy issues.

For example, he was critical of the Biden administration—as have many of us on both sides of the aisle been in this chamber—for not moving fast enough to aid Ukraine. But then question the wisdom of sending any U.S. assistance to Ukraine at all.

In 2022, Mr. Hegseth called Vladimir Putin a “war criminal” and called for faster U.S. aid to Ukraine. Now, he says the idea of Russia launching a nuclear war is “over-inflated” and plays down the severity of the conflict as merely Putin’s “give-me-my-shit-back war.”

Well, I don’t think that our NATO allies, those in the Baltics and Poland and Eastern Europe, think Vladmir Putin’s nuclear ambitions are “over inflated.”

They know the threat he poses to their countries and the world.

And to be flippant about the threat of nuclear war, I think is beneath the office of the Secretary of Defense, who will have to engage with those partners on a regular basis.

Now, I agree with President Trump that the American people want to see a resolution to this years-long war. I’m sure that’s true of the Ukrainians as well.

But Mr. Hegseth has not, either in his hearing nor in response to the questions that we submitted to him for the record, expanded on what the Department of Defense’s role should be with respect to Ukraine, even though we have already invested $66 billion in military assistance.

And again, I think it’s very important that we stand by our ally Ukraine, because of the message it sends not just to the Russians and Vladimir Putin, but because of the message it sends to Xi in China, to the Iranians, to the North Koreans, to anyone who is an adversary of the United States.

If they think we’re going to walk away from our allies, they’re going to do everything they can to divide us.

Now, on Afghanistan, Mr. Hegseth has also been inconsistent on his views of the President’s foreign policy.

Actually, he’s been inconsistent in general on the President’s foreign policies.

In the lead up to the 2016 election, Mr. Hegseth was highly critical of then-candidate Trump’s foreign policy stances, particularly on Iraq and Afghanistan.

Mr. Hegseth called Mr. Trump, who was a candidate at the time, and I quote “all bluster, very little substance” and again quoting, “an armchair tough guy.”

He criticized then-candidate Trump in 2015 for advocating for the withdrawal of forces from Afghanistan, but then he took the criticism back.

He sharply criticized the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal, as did I, but he’s failed to publicly comment on President Trump’s 2020 deal with the Taliban, which is what set the date certain for withdrawal in 2021 that then the Biden administration was actually tied to.

Now, I agree. I agree that that withdrawal was not what I wanted to see. I didn’t support it.

But they were terms that President Trump, in his first term, set with the Taliban.

Terms that I thought gave away the store to the Taliban. Because there were no concessions from them, on what we were to get from the United States. The Government of Afghanistan was not at the table and now we’re seeing the fallout from that.

And I know that no one is watching for gaps in U.S. national security policy more closely than President Xi and the People’s Republic of China.

Now Mr. Hegseth identifies China as our peer competitor, something that I think all of us on the Armed Services Committee and probably everyone this chamber agree with.

But if Mr. Hegseth is so concerned about China, then he should realize that nothing will encourage President Xi’s aggression more than seeing America abandon our allies and partners.

Mr. Hegseth sees China’s ambitions as, quote, “a fait accompli,” and yet, he does not seem to recognize that his own inconsistencies on all these foreign policy positions could contribute to this.

A question I would like Mr. Hegseth to attempt to answer is: What message would it send to our adversaries if the U.S. ceases its support not just for Ukraine, but for the international rules and norms that underpin the global order?

Now, I’m also concerned about that with respect to the conduct of conflict. In his book “The War on Warriors,” Mr. Hegseth argued, and again I’m quoting, “our boys should not fight by rules written by dignified men in mahogany rooms eighty years ago. America should fight by its own rules.”

Well, the rules that he’s talking about are the Geneva Conventions—which established bare minimum protections against violence, torture and inhumane treatments.

And they don’t just protect those people we’re fighting on the battlefield, they protect American soldiers.

During his hearing, he even doubled down to say, quote, “restrictive rules of engagement” have “made it more difficult to defeat our enemies,” and that it would be his priority, quote, “that lawyers aren’t getting in the way.”

Unfortunately—and dangerously—this appears to be the few issues that Mr. Hegseth is consistent on.

He has a documented history of supporting individuals who have violated military and international law by committing war crimes.

These are individuals who were turned in not by our enemies, but by members of their own units who were convicted of crimes by military juries. Individuals for whom Mr. Hegseth lobbied to get pardons.

I don’t think we can afford to entrust the safety and success of our men and women in uniform to a man who would himself disregard the laws of armed conflict and leave American credibility and moral authority in tatters on the world stage.

Now, while embracing officers convicted of war crimes, Mr. Hegseth has stated it is his intent to review all general officers currently serving in the Department of Defense.

And when asked if he would remove the current chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mr. Hegseth responded, on the record, that, quote, “all senior officers will be reviewed.”

So, let’s just think about what that means – subjecting our general officers, in our military that is not politicized, to a political litmus test is not only unprecedented, it is dangerous.

It will convey to the American public that their leadership is political.

One of the most important roles of the Secretary of Defense is to seek out and consider open, honest and direct military advice from the senior officers in charge of our forces.

I don’t know how Mr. Hegseth expects to receive open and honest advice from his commanders when he is advocating for a purge of anyone who disagrees with him.



And I am also deeply troubled by the idea that Mr. Hegseth would act as a “yes man” himself, putting his own personal political interests above the wellbeing of our military men and women.

At Mr. Hegseth’s confirmation hearing, when asked what he would do if he received orders from President Trump that he knew to be illegal or unconstitutional, Mr. Hegseth wouldn’t give a straight answer. All he could do was deny that President Trump was capable of giving an illegal order.

And just for the record, to be clear: in his first term, President Trump did give an illegal order that then-Secretary Esper refused to follow.

And for that, Secretary Esper was fired by the President.

So, Mr. President, I am very concerned that Mr. Hegseth lacks the consistency and the moral clarity to lead the most combat-credible military in the world.

And I’m very disappointed that this body would put a nominee on the floor without the due process of advise-and-consent that the position of the Secretary of Defense deserves.

Our men and women in uniform deserve better.

And therefore, the first time since I was elected to represent the people of New Hampshire in the United States Senate, I plan to vote against this nominee for Secretary of Defense.

Thank you, I yield the floor.

As the second-ranking Democrat on the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Shaheen is instrumental in helping to accomplish top national security objectives and enhancing New Hampshire’s role in support of America’s national defense. A member of the Committee since 2011, Shaheen has voted to confirm multiple nominees from both parties under multiple administrations. During his confirmation hearing, Shaheen questioned Hegseth about his support for women service members and the Shaheen-led Women, Peace and Security law. The bipartisan Women, Peace and Security Act, was signed into law by President Donald Trump, which Shaheen leads with Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), was signed into law in 2017 and requires the U.S. Government to strengthen the meaningful participation of women in conflict prevention and peace negotiations.

Senator Shaheen is the top Democrat on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee and also serves on the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs and Defense. In 2018, Shaheen re-established the bipartisan U.S. Senate NATO Observer Group with U.S. Senator Tillis (R-NC). Senator Shaheen believes that a strong and active United States is fundamental to securing our national interests at home and abroad. She also believes that U.S. global leadership is directly tied to the strength of our ideals, our alliances and our diplomacy, and she is constantly working to ensure our national security policies reflect our broader democratic values.
MIL OSI USA News –
January 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Christine Lagarde: Central bank independence in an era of volatility

Source: European Central Bank

Lamfalussy Lecture by Christine Lagarde, President of the ECB, at the Lamfalussy Lectures Conference organised by the Magyar Nemzeti Bank, pre-recorded in Frankfurt am Main on 15 January 2025

Budapest, 27 January 2025

In his later years, Alexandre Lamfalussy was once asked what his fundamental motivation in life was. He recalled the experience of his turbulent youth, surrounded by the destruction caused by the Second World War.^[1] “In the aftermath of the war,” Lamfalussy said, “I decided to serve the community in the rebuilding of Europe.”^[2]

He went on to do just that. A member of the Delors Committee and the first President of the European Monetary Institute, Lamfalussy helped pave the way for Europe’s monetary union and the establishment of the ECB.

His generation had also been scarred by the difficulties of the “Great Inflation” in the 1970s.^[3] And so Lamfalussy – alongside other architects of the euro^[4] – ensured that the ECB would have sufficient powers to prevent a scenario where inflationary expectations once again became embedded in the economy.

We can see proof of this today, as advanced economies emerge from the largest inflation shock in a generation.

As in the 1970s, a series of shocks contributed to high and persistent inflation. But unlike the 1970s, inflation has since fallen relatively fast across advanced economies – and expectations have remained firmly anchored throughout.

This hard-won progress has been in large part due to the independence of central banks, which has given them the ability to take difficult but necessary monetary policy decisions in pursuit of stable prices.

The rise of central bank independence

In the late twentieth century, central bank independence spread rapidly around the world.

A strong social consensus about its benefits – emerging from the negative experience of the 1970s – sparked what Lamfalussy would later call a “sea change” in monetary policymaking.^[5]

By one account, over 80% of the world’s central banks became operationally independent by the turn of the millennium.^[6] And price stability had been adopted as the primary objective of monetary policy frameworks across almost all advanced economies and many emerging market economies.^[7]

Moreover, independent central banks both contributed to – and benefited from – a period of low macroeconomic volatility.

In their famous paper, Alesina and Summers found a positive relationship between the degree of independence of central banks and lower and less volatile inflation outcomes.^[8] At the same time, substantial structural changes were afoot in the global economy, which also helped to reduce macroeconomic volatility – an era that soon came to be known as the Great Moderation.^[9]

Globalisation led to an enormous increase in both global labour supply and production capacity, which meant that prices and wages were often little affected even in the face of strong demand. And the oil crises of the 1970s had sparked a wave of change in global energy markets, resulting in a more elastic energy supply.

The upshot of the Great Moderation was a virtuous circle.

An environment of low macroeconomic volatility made it easier for independent central banks to deliver on their price stability mandates. That, in turn, solidified the social consensus in support of central bank independence and helped ensure its growing adoption around the world – further contributing to lowering levels of volatility.

The era of volatility

The end of the Great Moderation came suddenly and unexpectedly in 2008 with the arrival of the global financial crisis. And over the last years in particular, our world has changed dramatically.

Indeed, the two forces that fostered the spread of central bank independence – a strong social consensus and growing pools of global supply – are now coming under increasing pressure.

While recent research suggests that de jure central bank independence has never been more prevalent than it is today^[10], there is no doubt that the de facto independence of central banks is being called into question in several parts of the world.

One study examining 118 central banks in the 2010s shows that around 10% of them faced political pressure in an average year – even those central banks with a high degree of de jure independence.^[11] Another paper finds that between 2018 and 2020 alone, de facto central bank independence deteriorated for almost half of those central banks in jurisdictions accounting for 75% of global GDP.^[12]

There is evidence to suggest that political influence on central bank decisions can also contribute substantially to macroeconomic volatility. For instance, persistent political pressure on a central bank has been found to affect the level and the volatility of exchange rates, bond yields and the risk premium.^[13]

At the same time, geopolitical tensions threaten to amplify volatility by increasing the frequency of shocks hitting the global economy.

We have already seen the impact of geopolitical tensions play out in Europe. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, average output growth volatility in the euro area surged by 60% compared with before the global financial crisis, while average inflation volatility shot up by 280%.^[14]

An environment of heightened volatility could make the task of maintaining price stability more difficult to achieve.^[15] This could raise concerns that independent central banks are failing to deliver on their mandates, which could undermine the social consensus and further amplify volatility in the economy.

So, the question that comes to the fore is: will the current era of volatility turn the virtuous circle that facilitated the rise of central bank independence into a vicious circle that leads to it being undermined?

The benefits of central bank independence in today’s world

All things considered, I would argue that this is unlikely to happen.

A volatile macroeconomic environment actually makes the benefits of central bank independence all the greater. We saw this during the recent inflation shock.

In OECD countries, average annual inflation surged to 9.6% in 2022 as they faced a variety of shocks that compounded each other.^[16] In response, independent central banks sharply increased policy rates.

These actions led to a rapid decline and convergence in the respective inflation paths of major economies – despite all these economies facing different shocks. Moreover, inflation expectations have remained firmly anchored, suggesting that the public continues to have faith in independent central banks’ commitment to price stability over the long run.^[17]

In today’s world, central bank independence offers two key advantages.

First, it acts as a headwind to volatility in these unpredictable times.

As we emerge from a period of very high inflation, the issue of time inconsistency is more relevant than ever.^[18] Compared with the pre-pandemic era of low inflation, central banks may need to contend with lower levels of rational inattention.^[19]

In this environment, credible policy regimes become even more important for maintaining trust in central banks. Research finds that higher trust in the ECB lowers inflation expectations on average and significantly reduces uncertainty about future inflation.^[20]

Second, central bank independence also contributes to regional strength in a world increasingly defined by geopolitical rivalries.

Price stability provides the foundation upon which other strategic goals can be achieved. Regions with stable prices tend to have more efficient resource allocation and higher levels of competitiveness, and they attract greater levels of investment. At heart, strong economic institutions are the fundamental cause of long-run economic growth and development differences between regions.^[21]

Conclusion

Lamfalussy once described the task of launching the euro as “navigating in uncharted waters”.^[22] In an era of volatility, independent central banks now also find themselves in unfamiliar waters.

While inflation has fallen sharply, central banks are still likely to face a more volatile macroeconomic environment compared with the Great Moderation.

It therefore remains imperative that central banks have the independence to fully deliver on their price stability mandates.

Thank you.

MIL OSI Europe News –

January 27, 2025

MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: Three deposit auctions of the PPC “TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT FUND” will take place on 27.01.2025

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

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.

Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

https://www.moex.com/n77141

Category24-7, MIL-AXIS, Moscow, Moskov Stotsk Exchange, Russians savings, Russians Federal, Russians Language, Russian economy

Previous PostPrevious NSU student from Indonesia took 3rd place in regional vocal competition among universities
Next PostNext The government has additionally indexed insurance pensions for working and non-working pensioners

Archives Privations of the Police Proudly would trust WordPress

Date of the deposit auction	01/27/2025
Placement currency	RUB
Maximum amount of funds placed (in placement currency)	5,523,000,000.00
Placement period, days	22
Date of deposit	01/27/2025
Refund date	02/18/2025
Minimum placement interest rate, % per annum	21.00
Conditions of imprisonment, urgent or special	Urgent
Minimum amount of funds placed for one application (in placement currency)	5,523,000,000.00
Maximum number of applications from one Participant, pcs.	1
Auction form, open or closed	Open
Basis of the Treaty	General Agreement

Schedule (Moscow time)
Preliminary applications	from 11:30 to 11:40
Applications in competition mode	from 11:40 to 11:45
Setting a cut-off percentage or declaring the auction invalid	until 11:55

Additional terms

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 27, 2025

MIL-OSI Russia: The government has additionally indexed insurance pensions for working and non-working pensioners

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

The decision was made on the instructions of the President.

The Prime Minister signed a resolution on an additional increase in insurance pensions for working and non-working pensioners to the level of actual inflation for 2024.

Document

Resolution of January 23, 2025 No. 34

According to the document, the amount of the fixed payment to the insurance pension and the cost of one pension coefficient have been additionally increased from January 1, 2025. In February, pensioners will receive an increased pension for February and an additional payment for January.

The decision will increase the level of pension provision for all recipients of insurance pensions. This is about 39.3 million people.

Initially, from January 1, 2025, insurance pensions were increased by 7.3% in accordance with the forecast inflation rate in 2024. In mid-January, Rosstat provided data on the actual inflation rate in 2024. After that, a decision was made to further index insurance pensions to the actual inflation rate.

Mikhail Mishustin instructed Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova to monitor the implementation of the additional indexation of insurance pensions at a meeting with deputy prime ministers on January 27.

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 –

January 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Welcome to GUU: Open Day brought together future students

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

On January 26, hundreds of applicants and parents came to the Open Day of the State University of Management.

In total, more than 1,600 participants registered, half of whom came to the university to see everything with their own eyes.

The meeting was opened by the Vice-Rector of the State University of Management, Dmitry Bryukhanov, who spoke about the key advantages of the university in all areas.

“We are glad to see the first management university of the country on the site. In 2024, GUU celebrated its 105th anniversary. We rightfully bear the title of the first management university, because back in the USSR, we opened the first department for training managers. It was our scientists who wrote the first textbook on management science. Today, almost all basic areas of education are available at our university. As well as MBA programs, postgraduate studies, additional professional education, etc. Moreover, GUU implements the Presidential Program for the Training of Management Personnel and conducts foreign internships for its graduates,” said Dmitry Yuryevich.

The head of the department for organizing the admission of applicants, Vadim Dikikh, announced changes in the university admission system in 2025/2026.

“The admission rules change every year. Digitalization affects both our daily lives and all universities. Today, admission is a complex process that includes a number of steps using State Services. Therefore, you need to approach the process thoughtfully, understand and decide whether you plan to apply for a targeted or general competition, whether you have benefits or not, which areas of training, which Unified State Exams to take or which Olympiad you can take part in “tomorrow”. Most of the information can be obtained online, but if you have doubts or questions, the admissions committee staff will always help and point you in the right direction,” Vadim Dikikh advised.

The guests were introduced to student life and extracurricular activities by the Vice-Rector of the State University of Management Pavel Pavlovsky, who noted only the main areas and opportunities, because our university has truly countless of them: KVN, “Service Learning”, university shifts, thematic summer camps in the All-Russian Children’s Center “Ocean” and Artek, dozens of federal competitions and projects in which everyone can find opportunities for self-realization.

Also, as part of the official part, a representative of Sberbank spoke …, introducing future applicants and their parents to a preferential loan from Sberbank, available to applicants to the First Management. And the director of the Center for Professional Orientation Elena Likhatskikh told about how to earn additional points.

Throughout the day, guests of the university were given tours of the GUU campus, consultations on admission issues, career guidance for schoolchildren, pre-university training and the infrastructure of the alma mater. Also, everyone could take part in a show match against the CS2 team, visit the Playstation zone or experience the possibilities of games in VR helmets.

More photos from the Open Day can be seen in the album.

Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 01/27/2025

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 –

January 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Deputy Plenipotentiary Representative of the President in the Central Federal District Artur Niyazmetov visited the State University of Management

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

On January 21, the Deputy Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the Central Federal District, Artur Niyazmetov, visited the State University of Management.

The meeting with the guest was attended by the rector of the State University of Management Vladimir Stroyev, vice-rectors Maria Karelina, Dmitry Bryukhanov and Vitaly Lapshenkov, as well as the head of the department of external and internal communications Tatyana Sharapova.

The conversation began with a discussion of the Vykhino district and the uniqueness of the territory of the State University of Management.

“We are the only university in Moscow whose campus is located on a single closed territory. On 15 hectares there is an academic building, which is connected by passages that allow you to get to any point without leaving the building, a sports complex, an information technology center, a stadium, a swimming pool. Residents of the area come to us to do sports. The area has changed a lot in recent years: modern buildings are being built under the renovation program, new metro stations and high-speed highways are opening. And the contingent, accordingly, is becoming different,” Vladimir Vitalyevich noted.

An important topic of discussion was targeted training and preparation for the 2025 admission campaign. The meeting participants paid special attention to the analysis of the results of the 2024/2025 campaign, which was held according to the new rules of targeted training. It should be noted that this year has become an important stage for determining further directions for the development of the system.

“The new rules for admission to targeted training in the 2024/2025 admission campaign were in effect for the first time. Based on its results, we made certain conclusions and made adjustments. It has been several years since we have been talking about the need to plan and recruit for training differently so that there are no distortions. The system is still being worked out,” shared Artur Niyazmetov.

Dmitry Bryukhanov said that more than 90% of first-year students complete their studies and receive a diploma, and this is a fairly high figure. This year, the number of applicants from the capital has increased, which is possibly due to the university opening entrepreneurship classes in Moscow schools.

After the meeting, the delegation went on a tour of the university. Artur Niyazmetov visited the Pre-University of the State University of Management, the sports complex, the Information Technology Center, which houses the Boiling Point of the State University of Management and eSports classes, as well as the Center for Innovative Technologies.

The rector personally showed the guest how to use the Jaling studio, and the media center staff demonstrated the capabilities of recording videos and examples of finished works from different rooms of the media center.

The Student Design Bureau and its developments were of particular interest. Vladimir Filatov, Director of the Engineering Project Management Center, spoke about ongoing projects in mechanical engineering, reverse engineering, and unmanned systems. Postgraduate student Vladimir Kutkov presented a project for the production of small-sized drones intended for use in anti-drone systems. The guest was very interested in the topic, asked questions, and clarified details.

“It’s good that the guys are working in the design bureau with pleasure and understanding, and most importantly, there are practical results. A good idea,” concluded Artur Niyazmetov.

At the end of the meeting, those gathered visited the meeting room of the Academic Council of the State University of Management and discussed plans for the development of the university’s dissertation councils.

Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 01/27/2025

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 –

January 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: NSU student from Indonesia took 3rd place in regional vocal competition among universities

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

Raden Ankling Kesumo, or as he is called at Novosibirsk State University, Ray, is a second-year student Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, NSUAt the Univervision contest, he performed Sergey Lazarev’s song “Give Up”, as well as a composition by the Italian group Maneskin Coralline. With his talent, he was able to win the hearts of the jury.

Before reaching the final stage of the competition, each university selected its talents to send them to participate in the regional competition “Univervision”. Ray was the only one who got into the competition from NSU with 18 more soloists and 13 groups from other universities. On December 5, the semi-final of the competition took place, where Mitya Fomin was present as a star guest and judge. According to the terms of the competition, the participants had to perform a song in Russian. Ray chose the composition “Sdaivaysya” by Sergey Lazarev. With it, our student reached the final of “Univervision”.

— According to the rules, in the final we had to sing a song from a film or any foreign song that had to be translated into Russian. I was so happy and nervous at the same time, as it was my first time in my life performing as a solo vocalist in a regional competition. I realized my ability to feel a song, so I chose one that had a deep meaning, emotions, elements of splitting the voice and the ability to take high notes. Therefore, the song of the group Måneskin Coraline was the best option, we decided to translate it. Alena Matveeva, my girlfriend, helped me with the translation of the lyrics, Stepan Morozov, my best friend, helped with editing the lyrics, and Karina Kuznetsova was very supportive and helped me with the use of vocal techniques. I do not forget about other friends, my family from the NSU Music Club, as well as the support of the staff of the NSU Department of Youth Policy and Educational Work, who always gave me the opportunity to demonstrate my skills and supported me morally, — said Ray.

The final of the competition was held in the Mayakovsky Concert Hall on Student’s Day, January 25. The “Univervision – 2025” competition was the fifth and anniversary one in the Novosibirsk Region. The jury in the final included a star guest – Oleg Vlady, composer, author of songs for popular artists, member of the jury of the vocal television show “Nu-ka, Vse Vmeste!”

— When I first went on stage, I realized that I just wanted to convey the feelings of the song to the listener with my voice. When the music started, the anxiety went away. It was quite challenging, as I had to sing a difficult song in Russian. I knew that the other soloists had magical voices, spoke Russian really well, and some of them graduated from music college or were trained by a vocal coach, while I was learning to sing on my own. When it was time to announce the preliminary results, I was shocked to find out that I was in 4th place. Then the jury was given time to give an additional maximum score (12 points) to the participants they liked the most. In the end, several jury members voted for me and awarded me 3rd place! I was so happy, but a little upset that the Univervision jury did not determine the winners separately among solo vocalists and vocal groups. The 1st and 2nd winners were full-fledged musical groups. In any case, I feel happy, that’s what matters! It was one of the best impressions I’ve had, – Ray shared his impressions.

In the final of the competition, Ray was the only foreign participant from far abroad. He received the highest score from one of the experts and one of the educational organizations, so Raden confidently took the honorable 3rd place in the competition.

— My plans for the future include focusing primarily on my studies, because we know that studying at the medical faculty is very difficult, especially at NSU. But I will still continue to perform with my group “Tikhiy Ogonyok” at NSU events, the Music Club and other organizations. Next year, I will definitely not give up and will make every effort to win other vocal competitions!

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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January 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: NSU scientists have designed a stand for studying radiation aging of semiconductor photodetectors

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

A rig for studying the radiation aging of solid-state photomultipliers (SPMT) was created by scientists from Novosibirsk State University together with their colleagues from the Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics SB RAS. The rig they developed is designed to operate at the boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) facility, which is located at the INP SB RAS. It is integrated into the BNCT facility, expanding its capabilities. The rig is designed to study the radiation aging of SPMT. BNCT makes it possible to irradiate the devices under study with fast neutrons, and the rig, in turn, allows one to observe how this process affects their parameters. The first tests of the rig were conducted in November last year.

Solid-state photomultiplier tubes (SSPMs) are a type of photodetector that are widely used in science. They can register single photons that result from the interaction of particles with the substance through which they pass. Since there are many such processes (scintillation, Cherenkov radiation, bremsstrahlung, etc.), the scope of application of SSPMs is very diverse. Almost every modern detector employs hundreds and thousands of SSPMs.

— Under the influence of radiation — in our case, fast neutrons — the material is destroyed. In fact, neutrons destroy the structure of bonds in the semiconductor (usually silicon), from which the TFMTs are made. On the other hand, inside any detector operating at its collider, neutrons are also formed during the collision of counter beams of particles, and, therefore, along with the “useful” particles that the TFMTs are used to register, they undergo radiation aging. As a result, free charge carriers are formed, forming a dark current, and the TFMT at some point simply stops working. Therefore, it is necessary to know the permissible level of radiation at which they can be used. At the same time, the task of physicists is to make detectors such that their systems effectively register particles and at the same time are as little exposed to the harmful effects of radiation exposure as possible, — said the leading engineer of the interfaculty group of advanced developments of the Department of General Physics of the Physics Faculty of NSU, senior researcher at the Institute of Nuclear Physics named after G.I. Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics SB RAS Viktor Bobrovnikov.

In 2022, scientists from NSU and INP SB RAS spent a month at the BNCT facility studying the effect of radiation on the optical transparency of the fiber used in the calibration system of the electromagnetic calorimeter of the CMS detector operating at the Large Hadron Collider at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). Part of this fiber is located quite close to the collision site of hadron beams, so it begins to darken – “age” under the influence of radiation. Studies conducted by scientists from NSU and INP SB RAS showed that the transparency of the fiber degrades by 25-30% at a dose corresponding to 3 years of CMS operation per experiment. The CMS calorimeter calibration team was completely satisfied with the result obtained. In this experiment, the researchers used the equipment and measurement methodology proposed by foreign colleagues. The experience gained was used to create our stand for studying TFMTs.

The TFMT research setup consists of three main elements. The first is the light distribution system from the source (laser) to the TFMTs under study. It is necessary because all equipment must be located in a radiation-protected area (control room) to prevent damage to the equipment, while the TFMTs are directly exposed to radiation. The second element is a heat and cold chamber. Sometimes it is called a “climate chamber”. It allows you to set a certain temperature for the TFMT from -20 to 55 degrees. Temperature in this case is an important parameter, since the previously mentioned TFMT dark current (or noise) depends on it. If this noise is high enough, it can completely drown out the useful TFMT signal. Also, a “climate chamber” is necessary for researchers because the ambient temperature is quite unstable, and for repeatability of experiments to study the TFMT response, it is necessary to work in one temperature mode under strictly identical conditions. In addition, researchers are interested in conducting research outside room temperature in order to better understand the capabilities of the TFMT. The third important component of the stand is the data collection system. It is needed for digitalization and subsequent recording of signals from the studied TFEU, laser parameters, microclimate parameters in the TFEU location, signals from sensors measuring the stability of the laser source and the transparency of the optical fiber, and so on.

— The solutions implemented in the stand are already used to one degree or another in various installations. The uniqueness lies in the process of irradiating the TFEU itself. Along with the simultaneous measurement of the TFEU parameters, we can evaluate the level of radiation dose. This gives us a rare opportunity to thoroughly study the level of radiation exposure to the TFEU. Such an opportunity is completely absent when conducting similar studies on reactors; in the end, you will only receive an answer about the initial and final state of your device without understanding how its parameters changed during irradiation, — explained Viktor Bobrovnikov.

The stand was tested in November last year. A significant amount of data was obtained, which is currently being processed, but scientists are already noting that the effect of radiation aging of the TFEU has become quite obvious and it remains to complete the analysis to fully understand the whole picture.

— We plan to upgrade the stand taking into account the experimental experience gained. It is impossible to take everything into account at once — some of the features are revealed directly in the process of work. In the conducted irradiation session, we worked with rather old TFEMs, which are now practically not used, but are quite suitable for “testing” the measurement technique in real conditions. Now we have three types of TFEMs, currently used in real experiments. One of them is used in the electromagnetic calorimeter “shashlik” of the MPD detector of the NIKA experiment (Dubna, Moscow). We and our colleagues are interested in knowing the response of these TFEMs to irradiation. So, we have extensive plans, at least for the next 2-3 years, — said Viktor Bobrovnikov.

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 –

January 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: What color is solar plasma emission?

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

At the beginning of 2025, we are still at the peak of solar activity, which is beginning to decline. However, still at the peak and throughout 2025, “twists” of magnetic fields are possible at different levels of the Sun, starting from the polar regions to the regions of the Sun’s equator. These twists outside their level in turn generate areas of increased and decreased activity, which results in the emergence of areas of strong instability, and from these areas, as a rule, plasma emissions are “squeezed out”. They, breaking out from the surface of the compressed solar gas ball, fly apart into a huge inflated “fist” of ionized particles, which, reaching the ionospheric cap of the Earth, beats on it, causing in the best case the Northern Lights, and in the worst case – breakdowns of the earth’s infrastructure associated with electricity and magnetism.

“The images from the EIT (Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope) give scientists their usual weather maps of the Sun. Four different colours represent different wavelengths of ultraviolet light emitted by the Sun – invisible to our eyes but detected in stunning detail by the EIT. Each colour, or wavelength, is produced by hot gas at a different temperature: yellow shows gas at about 2 million degrees Celsius, green at 1.6 million degrees, blue at 1 million degrees and red at 80,000 degrees.” HTTPS: //VVV.Sa. Ent/ Scenes_exclotion/spasy_ Sculpt/liva_viev_Of_THE_SON_FROM_SOOO

This excerpt from the text, accompanying daily photos of the Sun from the SOHO Solar Observatory. Photos for different areas of the spectrum, taken using special filters. It is clear from the text that COLOR = wavelength of radiation = the “fingerprint” of a certain chemical under certain conditions. No more and no less. Plasma containing neutral hydrogen has a color corresponding to a specific transition in the hydrogen atom. Transition from an ionized state to become a neutral hydrogen atom. Neutral hydrogen emits its bright red line = red color, which is designated as the H-alpha line in the spectrum of the hydrogen atom. The photo, which has been often featured in publications lately, was taken using a filter for the red H-alpha line. As a result, the radiation of neutral hydrogen, of which this plasma emission consists, is absorbed by this filter and we do not see this red color, which corresponds to one of the wavelengths of radiation of a neutral hydrogen atom (in total, atomic hydrogen emits 4 wavelengths in the visible range). As a result, we see only the contour of the plasma ejection, visible to us as a dark field inside the contour. Some call this phenomenon a “black” plasma emission, but from the explanation above we conclude that there is no such thing as a “black” plasma, since solar plasma consists mainly of atomic hydrogen, which emits different wavelengths: the visible spectrum is the Balmer series of 4 lines H-alpha, H-betta, H-delta, H-gamma, infrared spectrum – Paschen series; and ultraviolet spectrum – Lyman series.

The H-alpha filter is present in all special telescopes for observing total solar eclipses, Coronado is one of such telescopes. It is the filter that allows us to clearly see what is happening on the Sun.

Author: Alfiya Rashidovna Nesterenko, Head of the Educational Astrophysical Automated Complex, Leading Engineer of the Atomic Physics and Spectroscopy Department of General Physics Physics Department of NSU

Photos taken by the SOHO Solar Observatory and taken from the website Ta europian saved agencies.

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 –

January 27, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Staff members to keep on constructing new tunnel during Spring Festival in Suifenhe

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

Staff members to keep on constructing new tunnel during Spring Festival in Suifenhe

Updated: January 27, 2025 08:23 Xinhua

Staff members walk in the construction site of a new tunnel along the railway linking Suifenhe and China-Russia border line, in Suifenhe, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 25, 2025. Staff members here will keep on with their work during this year’s Spring Festival, carrying out routine monitoring and inspection. The 602-meter railway tunnel is expected to be bored through this May, and once operational, it will replace the three old tunnels that have been in service for over 120 years. As an important port along the eastern corridor of the China-Europe freight train service, Suifenhe port annually handles about 900 China-Europe freight train trips with 88,000 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs). [Photo/Xinhua]

Staff members work at the construction site of a new tunnel along the railway linking Suifenhe and China-Russia border line, in Suifenhe, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

This photo shows the entrance of a new tunnel under construction along the railway linking Suifenhe and China-Russia border line, in Suifenhe, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Staff members walk into the construction site of a new tunnel along the railway linking Suifenhe and China-Russia border line, in Suifenhe, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Staff members work at the construction site of a new tunnel along the railway linking Suifenhe and China-Russia border line, in Suifenhe, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Staff members walk in the construction site of a new tunnel along the railway linking Suifenhe and China-Russia border line, in Suifenhe, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Staff members work at the construction site of a new tunnel along the railway linking Suifenhe and China-Russia border line, in Suifenhe, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Staff members walk in the construction site of a new tunnel along the railway linking Suifenhe and China-Russia border line, in Suifenhe, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Staff members patrol near the construction site of a new tunnel along the railway linking Suifenhe and China-Russia border line, in Suifenhe, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Staff members work at the construction site of a new tunnel along the railway linking Suifenhe and China-Russia border line, in Suifenhe, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Staff members work at the construction site of a new tunnel along the railway linking Suifenhe and China-Russia border line, in Suifenhe, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

MIL OSI China News –

January 27, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Briefing Security Council on Worsening Situation in Democratic Republic of Congo, Senior Official Says Actions Endangering Civilians, UN ‘Will Not be Tolerated’

Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

Holding an emergency meeting following advances by the 23 March Movement, or M23, towards the city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and concurrent attacks on United Nations peacekeepers there, the Security Council heard today that urgent action is needed to address a rapidly deteriorating situation while time remains to do so.

“The United Nations is profoundly concerned by the resumption of hostilities,” said Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations. On 23-24 January, M23 fired on positions of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). He reported that, as a result, several blue helmets were “killed in carrying out the tasks entrusted to them by this Council”. He also noted that M23 has significantly extended its territorial gains over the past few weeks and has opened a new front in South Kivu, from which MONUSCO recently withdrew.

“At this critical juncture, with the lives of countless vulnerable civilians, peacekeepers and respect for this Council’s mandate at stake, MONUSCO remains committed to the robust defence of its mandate,” he stated. He stressed that, for its part, the Council “must honour the sacrifices made by the peacekeepers who laid down their lives in pursuit of this noble goal by sending a clear and unequivocal message to M23 and its backers that actions endangering the lives of civilians and UN peacekeepers will not be tolerated.”

Also reporting on the situation was Bintou Keita, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Head of MONUSCO. Noting that M23 and Rwandan forces have penetrated the outskirts of Goma — “causing mass panic and flight amongst the population” — she said that roads are blocked and that M23 has declared Goma’s airspace closed. “In other words, we are trapped,” she said, calling on the Council to “act now” to secure the civilian population, humanitarian-aid workers and all UN personnel.

Calling on the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda to continue political negotiations in the context of the Luanda Process, she urged: “More than ever, we must find a political solution.” She also called on Rwanda to withdraw its forces from Congolese territory and end support for M23, and on the Democratic Republic of the Congo to “make significant efforts” to neutralize the Democratic Liberation Forces of Rwanda, or FDLR.

Joyce Msuya, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, then stressed that if hostilities spread into Goma, “the impact on civilians could be devastating”. In North and South Kivu, hundreds of civilians have been killed and injured over the last few weeks. Further, hundreds of thousands have fled their homes, humanitarian access remains constrained and hospitals are overwhelmed. Against that backdrop, she urged all parties to “protect civilians and the critical infrastructure they rely on”.

She also urged them to avoid using wide-area explosives and heavy weapons in populated areas. “This will be particularly important should the hostilities spread into Goma, given the risks of conflict in urban areas,” she observed. And, to address the escalating humanitarian crisis “before the situation worsens further”, she called on the Council to end the hostilities, ensure respect for international law and provide adequate funding for humanitarian action.

“The resolution of the conflict in eastern DRC [Democratic Republic of the Congo] must be political, not military,” stated the representative of Sierra Leone, also speaking for Algeria, Guyana and Somalia. The Luanda and Nairobi Processes “remain viable paths to peace”, he said, while underscoring that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo must be respected “by all States and non-State actors alike”. France’s representative, stating that the presence of foreign military forces threatens civilian protection and contributes to displacement, concurred: “Force is not an option.”

Along those lines, China’s representative said: “All external forces should refrain from providing support to M23 and other armed groups to prevent further deterioration.” He also joined other Council members in pointing out that “attacks on peacekeepers may constitute war crimes”. The representative of Greece echoed that, also noting that attacks against MONUSCO peacekeepers constitute a basis for sanctions designations. Also making these points was the representative of the United Kingdom, who observed that “the numbers of those lost and injured is changing by the hour”.

These attacks, stressed Slovenia’s representative, constitute “an attack on peace itself”. Recalling the Council’s recent, unanimous decision to renew MONUSCO’s mandate, she underlined the organ’s responsibility to “stand unequivocally behind [its personnel] in these perilous times and ensure they return safely to their loved ones”. She added: “The international community, and this Council, cannot afford to remain passive in the face of this crisis.” Panama’s representative similarly stated: “History will not judge us on our intentions but, rather, our actions.”

The United Nations must take immediate measures to ensure the safety and security of both civilians and peacekeepers, underscored the representative of Pakistan. Expressing particular concern over a “highly exposed” Pakistani artillery battery near Sake, he stressed that this unit should be quickly redeployed for the safety of its personnel and heavy, expensive equipment. Stating that peacekeepers cannot be expected to implement the “challenging mandate assigned to them by the Council” without adequate support, he also urged the organ to address the root cause of the conflict — the illegal exploitation of natural resources.

On that, Denmark’s representative observed: “The illegal exploitation of natural resources in eastern DRC is a key driver to instability in the Great Lakes region — this must end.” The representative of the United States also expressed concern over the illicit exploitation of mining areas in territories controlled by M23, as did the representative of the Russian Federation: “The struggle to gain access towards strategically important Congolese minerals is one of the reasons for the continuation of the crisis.”

The representative of the Republic of Korea detailed that crisis: “In the past week alone, as [M23] has expanded its territory by 11 per cent, the number of [internally displaced persons] has doubled to 400,000.” He joined other Council members in calling on Rwanda to cease its support for the group and urged both Kinshasa and Kigali to return to dialogue and fully implement their commitments under the Luanda Process. He added: “We recognize the differing interests of the DRC and Rwanda, but further escalation of tensions is simply unacceptable — many lives are at stake.”

Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Francophonie of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, meanwhile, took the floor to stress that the situation in her country is “not a conflict like others”. Rather, it is “a declaration of war that no longer hides itself behind diplomatic manoeuvres”, she said, stressing that “Rwanda is preparing to orchestrate a carnage in broad daylight”. She also said that it is “clear that this crisis is directly linked to the economic plunder of our country by Rwanda”.

On that, she said that over 150 tons of coltan are illegally extracted and transported to Rwanda each month, where they are fraudulently labelled for export. Yet, while this illicit commerce finances the military activities of armed groups, it is “only one aspect of the aggression carried out by Rwanda”, she stressed. Others include the systematic targeting of peacekeeping forces, the 24 January assassination of the military governor of North Kivu and the sabotage of the Luanda Process.

Underscoring that the Council “cannot content itself with declarations of concern or simply ‘remaining seized of the matter’”, she said that the organ’s duty is to “defend human life without distinction”. It must therefore order an immediate end to Rwanda’s hostilities, impose targeted sanctions against those responsible for the aggression, impose an embargo on the export of all minerals labelled as Rwandan — particularly coltan and gold — and revoke Rwanda’s status as a troop-contributing country. “History will remember your decision today,” she said.

Meanwhile, Rwanda’s representative stressed: “The current crisis could have been averted had the DRC Government demonstrated a genuine commitment to peace.” While the Luanda Process achieved “significant milestones” — including a ceasefire that came into force on 4 August 2024 — the Government and Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo decided to increase militarization in the country’s east in October 2024. This included the deployment of heavy weaponry and additional troops — 10,000 from Burundi — along the border.

“By prioritizing militarization of the conflict instead of embracing the regional mechanisms that have been put in place to foster a sustainable solution born out of dialogue, the conflict has continued to escalate — leading to the prevailing situation today,” he said. He added that the FDLR has “even moved from being a suppletive force to a strategic ally of the Kinshasa Government”. Further, he said that the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has publicly vowed to instigate regime change in Rwanda for two years now.

While stating that “no one should harm peacekeepers”, he expressed concern that MONUSCO is “at the risk of being sucked into a conflict in which it would be a belligerent force”. MONUSCO should therefore focus on protecting civilians instead of fighting alongside Kinshasa’s military coalition. Noting that the situation today mirrors that which occurred 12 years ago, he stressed that “the DRC must play a helpful role — after all, this is a Congolese problem, for which the DRC is looking to outsource its solution.”

“It is with profound regret that this meeting is taking place at a time when a number of peacekeepers have lost their lives in the line of duty,” observed South Africa’s representative. Urging the Council to “send a clear message that peacekeepers’ lives matter”, she underlined the need to “value and safeguard the contribution of those entrusted to carry out the mandates adopted in this chamber”. Extending condolences to all victims’ families, the representative of Uruguay reiterated his country’s “steadfast commitment to peace”.

Angola’s representative pointed to “remarkable progress in the implementation of the Luanda Process”. “We need speedy and unconditional de-escalation of the conflict and genuine, renewed engagement of the parties to explore the ways of overcoming the pending issues,” he added. On that, Burundi’s representative said that the Luanda and Nairobi Processes “set out a clear road map to reach a lasting ceasefire”. Calling on the Council to demand an end to foreign interference and act decisively to guarantee that the Democratic Republic of the Congo can fully exercise its sovereignty and restore peace, he stressed: “Security and stability in Central Africa and beyond are at stake.”

MIL OSI United Nations News –

January 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: GUU launched the All-Russian competition “Family History. Immortal Memory”

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

The opening ceremony of the All-Russian competition “Family History. Immortal Memory” was held on Russian Students’ Day, January 25. The State University of Management is the organizer of the competition.

Opening the official ceremony, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education Olga Petrova noted the significance of the fact that the competition is starting in the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland. “This is a continuation of the Year of the Family, because the values that they lay down are fundamental family values, these are the meanings and traditions that connect us, generations to generations.”

Rector of the State University of Management Vladimir Stroyev emphasized that the day for the start of such an important competition was not chosen by chance. “The competition will be interesting and useful for the younger generation, and I would like the date of the great Victory to become close and dear to them,” the rector noted, adding that the competition will last until mid-summer and include many events.

Member of the State Duma Committee on Security and Anti-Corruption, GUU graduate Biysultan Khamzaev emphasized Russian Student Day in his speech. “Everyone remembers their student days and I would like today’s youth not to miss this moment, so that they would later remember their university days with warmth. Happy holiday to everyone. And this year – the year of the great Victory of our ancestors – the competition starts. Guys, spend your time creatively, study, but also do not forget our veterans.”

The award ceremony was followed by. Biysultan Khamzayev presented letters of gratitude “For contribution to the development of higher education, long-term conscientious work and assistance in the implementation of parliamentary activities” to Vladimir Stroyev, Vice-Rector Pavel Pavlovsky, Deputy Director of the Institute of Industry Management Andrey Lipatov, Head of the Patriotic Education Department of the Department of Youth Policy and Educational Work (UMPiVR) Almaz Akhayev, specialist of the youth policy department of the UMPiVR Marianna Loretsyan. “For special achievements in studies, conscientious attitude to the educational process and active civic position” – to students of the Institute of Public Administration and Law Ramazan Rakhmanov and the Institute of Industry Management Magomed Khadziev.

The opening ceremony of the competition was also attended by Deputy State Secretary of the Union State Elena Bogdan, Vice-Rector of the Russian State Humanitarian University Irakli Balkvadze, Vice-Rector of the Yaroslavl State Pedagogical University named after K.D. Ushinsky Denis Palatnikov, representatives of the Kherson University and Vitebsk State University.

The All-Russian competition “Family History. Immortal Memory” is a competition for students and teachers who would like to tell the stories of their families during the Great Patriotic War. The main goal is to preserve the connection between generations: today’s youth and their grandfathers and great-grandfathers who defeated fascism. The initiator of the competition was the State University of Management and personally the rector Vladimir Stroyev. The strategic partners of the competition were the Association “I am proud” and the “People’s Front” of the DPR. RUDN, RTU MIREA, and RSUH participated in the work on organizing the event.

Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 01/26/2025

является организатором конкурса….” data-yashareImage=”https://guu.ru/wp-content/uploads/Семейная-история-бессмертная-память-1.webp” data-yashareLink=”https://guu.ru/%d0%b3%d1%83%d1%83-%d0%b4%d0%b0%d0%bb-%d1%81%d1%82%d0%b0%d1%80%d1%82-%d0%b2%d1%81%d0%b5%d1%80%d0%be%d1%81%d1%81%d0%b8%d0%b9%d1%81%d0%ba%d0%be%d0%bc%d1%83-%d0%ba%d0%be%d0%bd%d0%ba%d1%83%d1%80%d1%81/”>

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 –

January 27, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Trump’s ‘free speech’ vision comes at expense of press freedom

Pacific Media Watch

Among his first official acts on returning to the White House, President Donald Trump issued an executive order “restoring freedom of speech and ending federal censorship”.

Implicit in this vaguely written document: the United States is done fighting mis- and disinformation online, reports the Paris-based global media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Meanwhile, far from living up to the letter or spirit of his own order, Trump is fighting battles against the American news media on multiple fronts and has pardoned at least 13 individuals convicted or charged for attacking journalists in the 6 January 2021 insurrection.

An RSF statement strongly refutes Trump’s “distorted vision of free speech, which is inherently detrimental to press freedom”.

Trump has long been one of social media’s most prevalent spreaders of false information, and his executive order, “Restoring Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship,” is the latest in a series of victories for the propagators of disinformation online.

Bowing to pressure from Trump, Mark Zuckerberg, whose Meta platforms are already hostile to journalism, did away with fact-checking on Facebook, which the tech mogul falsely equated to censorship while throwing fact-checking journalists under the bus.

Trump ally Elon Musk also dismantled the meagre trust and safety safeguards in place when he took over Twitter and proceeded to arbitrarily ban journalists who were critical of him from the site.

‘Free speech’ isn’t ‘free of facts’
“Free speech doesn’t mean public discourse has to be free of facts. Donald Trump and his Big Tech cronies like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg are dismantling what few guardrails the internet had to protect the integrity of information,” said RSF’s USA executive director Clayton Weimers.

“We cannot ignore the irony of Trump appointing himself the chief crusader for ‘free speech’ while he continues to personally attack press freedom — a pillar of the First Amendment — and has vowed to weaponise the federal government against expression he doesn’t like.

“If Trump means what he says in his own executive order, he could start by dropping his lawsuits against news organisations.”

Trump recently settled a lawsuit out of court with ABC News parent company Disney, but is still suing the Des Moines Register and its parent company Gannett for publishing a poll unfavourable to his campaign, and the Pulitzer Center board for awarding coverage of his 2016 campaign’s alleged ties with Russia.

Trump should immediately drop both lawsuits and refrain from launching others while in office.

After a campaign where he attacked the press on a daily basis, Trump has continued to berate the media and dismissed its legitimacy to critique him.

During a press conference the day after he took office, Trump reproached NBC reporter Peter Alexander for questions about Trump’s blanket pardons of the January 6th riot participants, saying, “Just look at the numbers on the election.

“We won this election in a landslide, because the American public is tired of people like you that are just one-sided, horrible people, in terms of crime.”

An incoherent press freedom policy
The executive order also flies in the face of his violent rhetoric against journalists.

The order asserts that during the Biden administration, “the Federal government infringed on the constitutionally protected speech rights of American citizens across the United States in a manner that advanced the government’s preferred narrative about significant matters of public debate.”

It goes on to state, “It is the policy of the United States to ensure that no Federal Government officer, employee, or agent engages in or facilitates any conduct that would unconstitutionally abridge the free speech of any American citizen.”

This stated policy, laudable in a vacuum, even if made redundant by the First Amendment, is rendered meaningless by Trump’s explicit threats to weaponise the government against the media, which have recently included threats to revoke broadcast licenses in political retaliation, investigate news organizations that criticise him, and jail journalists who refuse to expose confidential sources.

Instead, the policy appears designed to amplify disinformation, which benefits a President of the United States who has proven willing to spread disinformation that furthered his political interests on matters small and large.

“If Trump is serious about his stated commitment to free speech, RSF suggests he begin by ensuring his own actions serve to protect the free press, rather than censoring or punishing media outlets,” the watchdog said.

“The United States has seen a steady decline in its press freedom ranking in RSF’s World Press Freedom Index over the past decade to a current ranking of 55th out of 180 countries, with presidents from both parties presiding over this backslide.

“While Trump is not entirely responsible for the present situation, his frequent attacks on the news media have no doubt contributed to the decline in trust in the media, which has been driven partly by partisan attitudes towards journalism.

“Trump’s violent rhetoric can also contribute to real-life violence — assaults on journalists nearly doubled in 2024, when his campaign was at its apex, compared to 2023.”

Pacific Media Watch collaborates with RSF.

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

January 27, 2025
MIL-OSI China: China Cultural Center holds event to celebrate Chinese New Year in Moscow

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

China Cultural Center holds event to celebrate Chinese New Year in Moscow

Updated: January 26, 2025 21:11 Xinhua

Visitors experience Chinese calligraphy at the China Cultural Center in Moscow, Russia, Jan. 25, 2025. An event to celebrate the Chinese New Year is held here on Saturday, attracting many visitors. [Photo/Xinhua]

People look at cultural and creative products at the China Cultural Center in Moscow, Russia, Jan. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

People look at painting and calligraphy works at the China Cultural Center in Moscow, Russia, Jan. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

People watch a staff member rubbing the Chinese character “fu” (meaning happiness, blessing, and good fortune) at the China Cultural Center in Moscow, Russia, Jan. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

MIL OSI China News –

January 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: A new building of the St. Petersburg HSE has opened in the historic building of the Rope Shop

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

The famous monument of constructivism — the Rope Shop of the Krasny Gvozdilshchik Plant — has become the new building of the National Research University Higher School of Economics — Saint Petersburg. About four thousand students will study in the building on the 25th Line of Vasilievsky Island.

Press service of the National Research University Higher School of Economics

The grand opening ceremony of the new building, timed to coincide with Russian Students’ Day, took place on Saturday, January 25. The event was attended by government officials, members of the HSE – St. Petersburg Board of Trustees, industrial partners, students and teachers. The symbolic red ribbon was cut by the Minister of Education of the Russian Federation Sergey Kravtsov, Vice-Governor of St. Petersburg Vladimir Knyaginin, Rector of HSE Nikita Anisimov and Director of HSE – St. Petersburg Anna Tyshetskaya.

The new educational space “Rope Workshop” is more than 20 thousand square meters of modern classrooms, coworking spaces, rooms for practical and project work, museum and exhibition spaces. The building will accommodate students of the joint School of Informatics, Physics and Technology with VK, the School of Design, as well as educational programs in the areas of “Media Communications”, “Sociology”, “State and Municipal Administration”.

“Today is a significant event not only for St. Petersburg, but for our entire country — the opening of the new building of the Higher School of Economics. I would like to thank the government of St. Petersburg for the attention paid to the city’s education system. Today, the Higher School of Economics is one of the leading Russian universities. It has very high quality and standards of education, a very strong teaching staff and, accordingly, high competition for admission. I am sure that students from all regions of our country, as well as from other countries, will study in the new building of the university. It is important that the areas that will be presented here are very relevant and in demand by the leading sectors of the domestic economy,” emphasized the Minister of Education of the Russian Federation Sergey Kravtsov.

Vice-Governor of Saint Petersburg Vladimir Knyaginin congratulated the students of the Saint Petersburg HSE on the holiday and noted the importance of integrating the educational space into the urban environment. “I am pleased that engineers, builders, designers, architects treated the heritage with care, and we really have a pearl of constructivism that will work for the city, for students, for all of us. The Higher School of Economics in Saint Petersburg is growing with such wonderful objects, and I am looking forward to the opening of the Patriotic Institute building. It seems to me that these will be two wonderful architectural masterpieces, newly opened to the city, its residents and tourists,” Vladimir Knyaginin noted.

HSE Rector Nikita Anisimov emphasized that Russian Students’ Day is an important holiday for everyone, and celebrating it in St. Petersburg is especially symbolic, because it is here that the traditions of Russian education were formed. “Dear students, teachers, graduates, friends, honored guests! I sincerely congratulate you on our common holiday: St. Tatyana’s Day, Russian Students’ Day. The day when we open our hearts to the future. You, students, are our future. Of course, we pass on our experience, our knowledge, our opportunities to you, but the future is yours. The spirit of education has always lived and will live within the university walls. The traditions of this day were laid here, in the capital of the Russian Empire, in St. Petersburg, in the city where we are opening this building today. Remember – our university is always open for you 24/7, this is your home. Happy holiday!” HSE Rector Nikita Anisimov addressed the students.

Director of the National Research University Higher School of Economics in St. Petersburg Anna Tyshetskaya congratulated those gathered on the occasion and noted that the opening of the building in the historic building of the Rope Workshop will become an incentive for the development of new areas. “Together with our partners, we are presenting a new approach to organizing the educational process. The key concept is the integration of the competencies of the Higher School of Economics and leading technology companies. In addition to standard classrooms and laboratories, we have created spaces that unite the educational and business environment. The new building will house an IT cluster, media communications, and design. In 2025, several new areas of training will open, including a program in architecture. Thus, a new technological and creative educational cluster is being formed on Vasilievsky Island,” emphasized Director of the National Research University Higher School of Economics in St. Petersburg Anna Tyshetskaya.

The restoration of the famous constructivist monument, where the students of the HSE in St. Petersburg will study, was carried out by the Setl Group company. The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the holding company, Maxim Shubarev, is a member of the Board of Trustees of the National Research University Higher School of Economics – St. Petersburg. “It is pleasant to realize that the restoration of the Rope Shop allowed us not only to return an iconic cultural heritage site to the city, but also, thanks to our long-standing partner, the Higher School of Economics, to fill its space with the spirit of science and education. The architectural monument has become an Alma Mater and today opened its doors to students of this respected educational institution. I hope that the amazing and rich history of this building will create a special atmosphere here that motivates knowledge, and will contribute to new discoveries, achievements and creative processes,” said Maxim Shchubarev.

After the ceremony, HSE St. Petersburg Director Anna Tyshetskaya gave guests a tour of the Rope Workshop. The first floor of the educational space houses the workshops and studios of the School of Design. In 2025, the educational program “Architecture” will open here in partnership with leading design companies and museum institutions of the federal level.

Part of the Rope Workshop space will be occupied by representative offices of industrial partners of the HSE St. Petersburg: VK, BIOCAD, t2, Yadro, 1C, Yandex, Gazprom Neft, Lesta Igri, RBC and others. The integration of the business environment into the educational process will allow students from the first year to work on real cases and tasks of leading Russian companies.

As part of a strategic partnership with VK, a new School of Informatics, Physics and Technology will begin operating in 2025, where information systems developers, system architects, ML researchers and ML developers will be trained. The programs were designed under the guidance of leading experts from HSE – St. Petersburg and VK and will allow future specialists to gain relevant knowledge and practical business experience.

In addition, in 2025, the new building will open the “Programming and Engineering of Computer Games” program. The leading game developer in the CIS, “Lesta Igri”, will act as an industrial partner. On the day of the opening of the Rope Workshop, the Director of Business Development of the group of companies, Gaukhar Aldyyarova, and the Director of the National Research University Higher School of Economics – St. Petersburg, Anna Tyshetskaya, signed an agreement on strategic partnership aimed at developing research activities and training specialists.

The Yakov Chernikhov Museum of Architecture is located under the unique metal trusses of the Rope Shop. The cultural and educational space is being created to popularize Russian architecture and the legacy of Yakov Chernikhov, whose work is inextricably linked with Leningrad. It is planned to hold open educational events for residents of St. Petersburg and tourists on the museum site.

After the tour of the new building, guests, students and teachers took part in a large-scale cultural and educational marathon. The celebration in honor of Russian Students’ Day was opened by musician, presenter and blogger Alexander Pushnoy. He moderated the discussion “Artificial Intelligence in Education, Creativity and Content”. VK and industry experts, designers, scientists, teachers and students of the HSE St. Petersburg discussed the role, application and benefits of AI in various professional fields. The event was broadcast exclusively on VK Video. About two thousand people will be able to attend master classes, lectures, expert discussions with leading representatives of science, business and the media sphere throughout the day.

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 –

January 27, 2025

Category: Russian Federation

IMF Communications Department

MEDIA RELATIONS

IMF Communications Department

MEDIA RELATIONS

IMF Communications Department

MEDIA RELATIONS

IMF Communications Department

MEDIA RELATIONS

Lamfalussy Lecture by Christine Lagarde, President of the ECB, at the Lamfalussy Lectures Conference organised by the Magyar Nemzeti Bank, pre-recorded in Frankfurt am Main on 15 January 2025

The rise of central bank independence

The era of volatility

The benefits of central bank independence in today’s world

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