Ukraine-Russia war latest: Putin bombs own gas pipeline to sabotage Trump ceasefire deal, Kyiv says

Some £25 billion price of Russian belongings have been frozen by the UK Authorities for the reason that begin of the Ukraine battle, newly-released figures have revealed.

A report launched by the Treasury on Friday revealed the whole, which accounts for all belongings which were sanctioned by the UK since February 2022 when the invasion of Ukraine started.

Some 2,001 people and entities have been sanctioned below the regime as of March 2024, in response to the Treasury.

An enormous fireplace has damaged out at a Russian fuel and pumping station after it was rocked by a serious explosion.

The power in Sudzha is in Russia’s Kursk area close to the border with Ukraine.

It was as soon as utilized by Gazprom to export fuel to Europe from Russia visa Ukraine, till Kyiv determined to finish the settlement in January this yr.

The station was a vital a part of the Urengoy–Pomary–Uzhhorod fuel pipeline, which was the primary route for exporting Russian fuel to Europe.

As soon as it handed by means of the station, it entered Ukraine’s pipeline system into Slovakia, earlier than going onto the Czech Republic and Austria.

In 2023, virtually half of all Russian fuel exports to Europe had been pumped by means of the station.

Italy’s prime minister is claimed to be torn between her allegiance to Trump and the EU, as strain mounts on her to affix the EU’s defence drive.

Proper-wing politician Giorgia Meloni is balancing her ideological instincts and strategic ties to Europe, analysts have mentioned.

Nathalie Tocci, head of Italy’s Institute of Worldwide Affairs suppose tank, mentioned Meloni couldn’t indefinitely sit on the fence between Washington and Brussels.

“Her coronary heart lies with America, however in the long run she’s going to observe her head, which is mainly telling her that Italy is in Europe. Our economic system is entwined with Germany and you’ll’t change that,” she advised Reuters.

Putin’s order to halt assaults on Ukraine’s power construction continues to be in place, the Kremlin has mentioned.

Putin agreed to the suspension of such assaults in a cellphone name with US President Donald Trump. Kyiv, which has mentioned it will be prepared to participate in such a partial ceasefire if a doc setting out its phrases is agreed, has accused Russia of not abiding by Putin’s order, one thing Moscow denies.

Russia’s Investigative Committee has opened an investigation into the explosion and fireplace at a fuel pumping station within the Kursk area.

The committee, which probes severe crimes, mentioned it had opened a felony case over the incident close to the city of Sudzha.

The station was as soon as utilized by Gazprom to export fuel to Europe from Russia visa Ukraine, and is in a area largely recaptured by Russian forces this week after heavy preventing with Ukrainian troops who had held it since final yr.

The Ukrainian army has denied involvement within the assault.