Results of 11.01: NATO+ and the new wave

Photo: REUTERS

The bill will be submitted to Congress

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The bill will provide Ukraine with military and diplomatic support; A new wave of coronavirus infection COVID-19 in Ukraine may begin at the end of January. Korrespondent.net highlights the main events of yesterday.

The US Congress proposes to recognize Ukraine as a “NATO-plus” country

Republican congressmen are preparing a bill that will be proposed declare Ukraine a “NATO-plus” country. This will facilitate the provision of assistance in the form of weapons and defense means in the event of military aggression. It also proposes holding Russian President Vladimir Putin accountable for the aggression by immediately imposing sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline so that it is not put into operation.

New wave of coronavirus cases expected in Ukraine

At the end of January in Ukraine new wave of coronavirus expected due to the spread of the Omicron strain. The peak will be in February with a gradual decrease until April. The duration and scope of the new wave will depend on the effectiveness of anti-epidemic measures and on the number of people who have received a full course of vaccination or a booster dose.

Zelensky held a meeting with political advisers of the Normandy format countries

Kiev visited Foreign Policy Adviser to the German Chancellor Jens Platner and Diplomatic Adviser to the President of France Emmanuel Bonn. The interlocutors exchanged views on the current situation and continued to discuss further steps to peacefully resolve the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, as well as de-escalate the situation on the borders of Ukraine. Head of the Office of the President Andriy Yermak confirmed that the Ukrainian side remains committed to the politico-diplomatic path of settlement.

Blinken spoke with Kuleba about Russian aggression

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba had a telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, in which the parties agreed on positions to contain Russian aggression. The heads of the foreign ministries agreed on the further steps of Ukraine and the United States, in particular, taking into account the following diplomatic contacts with the Russian Federation in the format of the NATO-Russia Council and the OSCE Permanent Council.

Moscow assessed the Geneva talks

Following the first round At the talks between the Russian Federation and the United States in Geneva on security guarantees, there is nothing to say yet, said Dmitry Peskov, press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation. He noted that there are several more rounds to come, which “will already make it possible to form a clearer understanding, a clearer picture of where we are with the Americans.” Peskov added that after the talks, it’s too early to talk about a new conversation between Russian and US Presidents Vladimir Putin and Joe Biden .

Russia began military exercises near the border with Ukraine

In the Western Military District of Russia launched large-scale military exercises in the Voronezh, Belgorod, Bryansk and Smolensk regions. About 3,000 military personnel, about 300 units of military equipment, including T-72B3 tanks, BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles, as well as regular small arms, are taking part in the exercises. The main focus of the tactical exercises will be the performance of “test firing exercises from small arms and armored vehicles, the organization of marches under the active influence of the sabotage and reconnaissance groups of the “enemy” and the equipment of strong points.”

Ukraine took 35th place in the rating of passports

During 2021 Ukraine rose from 37th to 35th place in the ranking of world passports. The country was able to improve its position by entering into a visa-free access agreement with the French overseas territories and Oman. Now holders of a Ukrainian passport can travel without a visa or with a visa upon arrival to 141 countries of the world.

Journalist Andrei Kulikov was beaten in Kiev

Journalist, editor, TV and radio presenter, beaten and robbed January 7, told the details of the attack on him and about his condition. According to him, the attackers demanded that Kulikov give the pin code from his bank card. Andrei Kulikov does not connect the attack with his professional activities.

The oceans are warming at a record pace

An international team of scientists has published a report on ocean surface temperature trends and impacts since the 1950s, stating that ocean heat content is steadily rising worldwide. The researchers found that over the past year, the top two thousand meters of the ocean has absorbed 14 zettajoules more than in 2020, which is 145 times more than the world’s electricity production in 2020.

Named the main risks for humanity in the next 10 years

Leading in anti-rating Environmental issues. Close the first five lines of the list of threats in the form of social disunity and the crisis of livelihoods. In sixth place is the risk of new infections, seventh and eighth – damage to the human environment and the crisis of natural resources. The debt crisis and geo-economic confrontation came in ninth and tenth place in the ranking, respectively.

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