STOCKHOLM (BLOOMBERG) - Finland and Sweden countered Russian warnings of retaliation should the Nordic nations join the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato).

Military and political consequences may follow if the two countries join the pact, Mr Sergei Belyaev, director of the Second European Department of Russia's foreign ministry, told the state-owned news agency Interfax.

Their non-participation in Nato is "an important factor in ensuring security and stability in northern Europe", he said.

Mr Putin has cited Nato's expansion east as a reason for his invasion of Ukraine last month, saying it represents a security threat to Russia.

Ukraine has said it wants to join the alliance, whose members are treaty-bound to come to each other's defence.

"We reject that kind of statement. Swedish security policy is determined by Sweden," said Ms Ann Linde, Sweden's Minister for Foreign Affairs.

"Russia has nothing to do with our independent decisions."

Finland "as a sovereign state makes its own security policy decisions based on our own interest", said Ms Marja Liivala, director-general of the Department for Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia at Finland's Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

"It's very important for Finland that the Nato Open Door policy remains."

Recent opinion polls show an increasing number of Swedes and Finns are in favour of joining the Nato defence bloc since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Earlier this week, Sweden's Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson cooled speculation about any near-term bid to join Nato, saying it could lead to further tension in Europe.

Recent opinion polls show an increasing number of Swedes and Finns are in favour of joining the Nato defence bloc since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Earlier this week, Sweden's Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson cooled speculation about any near-term bid to join Nato, saying it could lead to further tension in Europe.

Nbotee:


He tried to sell it to escape the sanctions

WoundedLamb:


Well, African American is technically another name for black American aka afro American. It is an ethnicity that comprises of Americans of black African decent (partial ancestry inclusive). Before now, the term was used to describe descendants of enslaved Africans who are from the United States. However, it has evolved over time to include blacks and children of blacks who willingly moved to the US in recent times and got their citizenship.

The whites in South Africa are immigrants from the West (referred to as white Africans). Even if they move to the US, they wouldn't be called African Americans (which exclusively refer to blacks). It's all about ancestory and not necessarily nationality. Elon is not African in terms of ancestry. Calling him an African American will not only distort his ancestory, it will also obliterate the fact that's he's not of African decent.

When tied to nationality (passport), the individual's original nationality is rather hyphenated or just combined with the word "American". Example: Nigerian-American. So it's safe to refer to him as South African American. But then again, he's also Canadian, right? So maybe South African Canadian American? Honestly, I don't see why he should make it that complex if he doesn't want to. There are many like him in the US.

Ogilinsaka:
So she can run to western Europe? Thought Putin and his household are banned from the west

Anyway makeshe enjoy jare. I salute any woman wey hold am down. E nor easy eee

gistmega:
I don't understand why Elon Musk isn't Identified as African-American when he was born in Africa and held an African passport before the acquired a U.S passport.

Russian bombing has completely destroyed a children’s and maternity hospital in the besieged port city of Mariupol in southern Ukraine.

Regional governor Pavlo Kyrylenko said the strike happened during an agreed ceasefire and left 17 wounded, including women in labour.

It was not immediately clear whether there were any fatalities. Ukrainian MP Dmytro Gurin claimed there were ‘a lot of killed and wounded women’ but this has not been confirmed by the local authority.

Mariupol City Council said ‘several bombs’ were dropped on the children’s hospital, adding: ‘The destruction is colossal.’

President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed children are under the wreckage as he shared harrowing footage of an obliterated maternity ward.

He tweeted: ‘Mariupol. Direct strike of Russian troops at the maternity hospital. People, children are under the wreckage. Atrocity!

‘How much longer will the world be an accomplice ignoring terror? Close the sky right now! Stop the killings! You have power but you seem to be losing humanity.’

The embattled leader has been pressing Nato allies to enforce a no-fly zone above Ukraine’s skies as Russia continues to target civilian infrastructure in its indiscriminate bombing campaign.

But countries have refused to heed the demand over fears it would spark a World War III that Moscow has warned would be ‘nuclear and destructive’.

Responding to news of the attack, Boris Johnson said the UK is exploring more ways it can support Ukraine’s resistance.

The prime minister tweeted: ‘There are few things more depraved than targeting the vulnerable and defenceless.

‘The UK is exploring more support for Ukraine to defend against airstrikes and we will hold Putin to account for his terrible crimes’

Mariupol council said that information on casualties is being clarified as it condemned the attack.

Sharing footage of the destroyed building on Telegram, officials said: ‘Another terrible video of the horrific consequences of the terrorist attack on a children’s hospital in Mariupol. The Russian army is fascist.’

Mr Kyrylenko has also posted a video on Facebook showing the extent of the damage caused in the strike.

He wrote that Russia has ‘not only crossed the border of unacceptable relations between states and peoples. You have crossed the line of humanity’.

‘Stop calling yourselves human beings,’ he added.

Mariupol is surrounded by Putin’s troops and has been the site of heavy bombardment for days.

The Red Cross has described the situation as ‘apocalyptic’ amid a shortage of food, water and electricity.

Days of shelling have largely cut residents off from the outside world and forced them to scavenge for food and water.

Authorities today announced another ceasefire to allow civilians to escape from Mariupol and other besieged areas.

Previous attempts to establish safe evacuation corridors have largely failed due to attacks by Russian forces.

There was no evidence that civilians were successfully evacuated today.

Ukraine’s foreign minister accused Russia of holding over 400,000 residents hostage in the city and blocking aid and evacuation routes.

Dmytro Kuleba said: ‘Indiscriminate shelling continues. Almost 3,000 newborn babies lack medicine and food. I urge the world to act.’

Techsupport:
In a hundred years his name will still be tied to bravery. This is Courageous. I applaud you. A warriors heart never stops beating even in death. What we do in life echoes through eternity.
Unlike some pussy boys on this forum who will fold like a camping chair and allow invaders take over their homes and turn their daughters and wives to sex slaves.

Japan in talks with US, Europe over banning Russian oil imports
Japan, which counts Russia as its fifth-biggest supplier of crude oil, is in discussion with the United States and European countries about possibly banning Russian oil imports, Kyodo News reported.

The report comes after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Sunday the United States and European allies were exploring the possibility.

Asked about a potential embargo on Russian oil imports, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno declined to comment on the country’s communication with the United States. Russia accounted for 3.63 percent of Japan’s imports of crude oil last year.

While sanctions imposed on Russia are not expected to directly affect Japan’s ability to ensure a stable supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG), they could indirectly affect energy-related projects, Industry Minister Koichi Hagiuda said.