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Every weekend, Asia Pacific Daily will provide you with a run-down of the latest hot news.
This week, the following hot news you should know:
Top 1 | Putin signs decree on economic retaliations against unfriendly states
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree on retaliatory economic sanctions in response to the "unfriendly actions of certain foreign states and international organizations," the Kremlin said on Tuesday.
The document does not provide details on individuals or entities affected by the measures.
According to the decree, Russia will forbid the export of products and raw materials to people and entities sanctioned.
The decree also prohibits transactions with foreign individuals and companies hit by Russia's retaliatory sanctions, and permits Russian counterparties not to fulfill obligations towards them.
Top 2 | China reiterates impartial position on Ukraine, rebukes U.S.'s claims
The Chinese Embassy in the United States on Tuesday rebuked claims made by the U.S. State Department that Chinese officials and media "routinely amplify Kremlin propaganda, conspiracy theories, and disinformation" on the Ukraine issue.
"China's position on the Ukraine issue is impartial, objective and beyond reproach," the embassy's spokesperson said in response to a query on a statement posted Monday on the U.S. State Department's website.
The spokesperson urged the U.S. to work with China and the rest of the international community to achieve a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis at an early date.
Washington's statement, entitled "People's Republic of China Efforts to Amplify the Kremlin's Voice on Ukraine," accused Chinese diplomats and media of rationalizing Russia's military operation in Ukraine and undermining trust in the United States and its allies.
Top 3 | EU proposes ban on oil imports from Russia, no deal reached yet
The European Commission on Wednesday proposed a sixth round of sanctions against Russia over its actions in Ukraine, but no agreement has been reached by all EU countries yet.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday the EU had proposed phasing out Russian oil imports by the end of the year.
"We will make sure that we phase out Russian oil in an orderly fashion," von der Leyen said in speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, adding "we will phase out Russian supplies of crude oil within six months and of refined products by the end of the year."
Von der Leyen also said the EU would ask that the bloc's 27 member states deny Sberbank, Russia's biggest bank, access to SWIFT, the global banking communications system.
Top 4 | Russia imposes entry ban on 63 Japanese citizens, including Kishida
Russia's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday announced sanctions against 63 Japanese officials, journalists and professors for engaging in what it called an "unprecedented anti-Russian campaign" with "unacceptable rhetoric" against Moscow.
The list includes Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi and Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno.
The sanctions bar the targeted individuals from entering Russia indefinitely, the ministry said.
"The administration of Kishida has launched an unprecedented anti-Russian campaign, allowing unacceptable rhetoric against the Russian Federation, including slander and direct threats," the ministry said in a statement.
Top 5 | France's Macron offers to help lift Russia embargo on Ukraine food exports
French President Emmanuel Macron told Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call on Tuesday that he is willing to work with international organisations to help lift the Russian embargo on Ukrainian food exports via the Black Sea, Macron's office said.
The Elysee office also said Macron had reiterated that a ceasefire was needed in Ukraine and that he had told Putin that he was deeply concerned about the situation in Donbas and Mariupol.
"I have called on Russia to live up to its international responsibility as a UN Security Council member by putting an end to this devastating attack," a statement quoted Macron as saying.
Top 6 | German opposition leader visits Kyiv
Germany's conservative opposition leader traveled to Kyiv on Tuesday for meetings with Ukrainian officials including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Merz, who heads former Chancellor Angela Merkel's center-right Union bloc——Christian Democratic Union (CDU), visited the town of Irpin on the outskirts of Kyiv.
Ukraine Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said in a tweet that he also met with Merz, stressing the importance of strengthening sanctions and supporting Ukraine’s candidate status for EU membership.
Top 7 | EU countries increase military support for Ukraine
NATO's Secretary-General has warned the war in Ukraine could last for years.
Speaking in Brussels, Jens Stoltenberg said it was an “absolute possibility” that the conflict could drag on for several years as Russia continues to mobilize its forces in Eastern Ukraine.
The comments come as momentum continues to build across Europe for countries to supply heavy weapons like tanks, artillery and missile systems to the Ukrainian military.
Top 8 | India's Modi, France's Macron discuss Ukraine in Paris
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday in Paris for a meeting on the situation in Ukraine and bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
"France and India expressed their deep concern over the humanitarian crisis and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine," the two leaders said in a joint statement.
India, which enjoys close ties with Moscow with which it has significant arms deals, notably abstained on a UN resolution that denounced Russia's military moves in Ukraine.
Top 9 | Biden nominates new Supreme Allied Commander Europe
General Christopher Cavoli, the current commanding general of United States Army Europe and Africa, has been nominated by President Joe Biden to serve as NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced on Tuesday.
If confirmed, Cavoli will take charge of approximately 100,000 U.S. troops and be responsible for planning and execution of all Alliance operations.
Top 10 | M5.7 offshore quake jolts southern Philippines
An offshore earthquake with a magnitude of 5.7 jolted Davao Oriental Province in southern Philippines on Thursday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said.
The institute initially reported the magnitude as 6.2 before revising it down to 5.7. The quake, which occurred at 5:41 a.m. (2141 GMT Wednesday), hit at a depth of 96 kilometers, about 136 km southeast of Tarragona town of Davao Oriental province.
The quake was also felt in nearby provinces on Mindanao island. The institute said the tectonic quake will trigger aftershocks but not cause damage.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
