QUICK READ April 12: Europol launches special operation targeting Russia

The luxury yacht of Russian billionaire Viktor Vekselberg was detained by Spanish authorities on the island of Mallorca at the request of the US – Photo: REUTERS

* On April 11, the website of the European Police Agency (Europol) said that this agency, along with the member states of the European Union (EU), the European Agency for Judicial Cooperation (Eurojust), and the European Union (EU), said: Border Police (Frontex) has launched Operation Oscar to support EU member states’ financial investigations into criminal assets owned by sanctioned individuals and legal entities regarding the Russian military campaign in Ukraine.

Europol says Operation Oscar will last at least a year and include several separate investigations by the agency. Europol will facilitate the exchange of information and intelligence between member units and partners for investigations.

* After the event that the leaders of the European Union came to Kiev and Bucha, and especially the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson walking on the streets in Kiev, many people raised the possibility that President Joe Biden would visit Ukraine.

However, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Mr Biden had no plans to visit Ukraine, despite a recent visit by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

“It’s quite symbolic to see Boris Johnson walking the streets of Kiev with President Zelensky. It raises the question: Will we see President Biden in Kiev?” Mr. Sullivan told Radio. NBC.

After asking the question, Mr. Sullivan also answered clearly: “President Biden currently has no plans to go to Kiev.” But he affirmed that Mr. Biden was still closely following the Ukraine situation and sought to organize and connect the world in the supply of weapons to Kiev.

The US President at the event announcing measures to combat criminal weapons at the White House on April 11 – Photo: REUTERS

* According to News Agency Sputnik On April 11, the French Foreign Ministry declared six Russian diplomats “unwelcome” for spying under diplomatic cover.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Russia would respond and not change its position on Ukraine even though its diplomats deportation out of Europe.

Although a number of European leaders have come to Kiev to show solidarity with Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron said on April 11 he would only visit Ukraine if the trip was “productive” and could help start a the conversation.

* In the video released at the end of the regular day, the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said Russian forces could use chemical weapons and Ukraine seriously considers this threat.

In his latest appeal for international support, President Zelensky told South Korea’s National Assembly that tens of thousands of people died in the besieged city of Mariupol (numbers have not been independently confirmed) and Russians continued to attack.

Austrian Prime Minister Karl Nehammer speaks during a press conference after talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Russia on April 11 – Photo: REUTERS

* Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer had a very “frank, open and tough” with Russian President Vladimir Putin near Moscow on April 12. This is Putin’s first meeting with the leader of an EU country since the start of a special military operation in Ukraine.

Prime Minister Nehammer’s office quoted him in a statement shortly after the meeting at Novo-Ogaryovo – Putin’s private residence: “This is not a friendly visit.” The meeting lasted 75 minutes, quite short by Putin’s standards.

“My most important message to Putin is that this war must eventually end, because with war both sides lose,” Nehammer said in the statement.

There has been no statement from Putin’s side. This is a closed meeting without the participation of the press.

* According to News Agency Sputnik On April 11, the spokesman of the Russian Ministry of Defense, Major General Igor Konashenkov said at a press conference that The base of the Ukrainian neo-fascist terrorist organization Pravyi Sektor in the Novogrodovka region of the Donetsk region was destroyed by a high-precision air-launched missile.

“Russian Tactical Air Force has hit 42 military targets of Ukraine. Among them are 3 command posts, 2 radar and navigation stations, fuel depots as well as 35 fortifications and areas where military equipment is concentrated. Ukraine’s affairs,” Konashenkov said.

An armored vehicle of the pro-Russian army on the street in Mariupol, Ukraine on April 11 – Photo: REUTERS

* Reuters news agency reported Ukraine predicts that Russia will soon attack the eastern region, called the Donbass. Russia demanded that Kiev cede control of territories there to separatist fighters, but Ukraine refused, not giving in to the territory.

* Reuters news agency quoted Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine – Ms. Iryna Vereshchuk as saying A total of 4,354 people were evacuated from Ukrainian cities through humanitarian corridors on April 11, including 556 in Mariupol.

* In Kharkov, the Ukrainian authorities started for mine clearance and advised people not to go near mine-affected areas in the city.

A woman reads a book at a subway station used as a shelter from Russian artillery fire in Kharkov, Ukraine, April 11, Photo: REUTERS

* According to Reuters news agency, Jen Psaki – White House press secretary – said in an online meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 11, US President Joe Biden asserted that increasing energy imports from Russia is not in the interest of India. The White House did not say whether India had made any commitments on energy imports from Russia.

A US official quoted by Reuters said India will make its decision, but the US believes India should not rush to buy energy from Russia. The official said the two leaders had an hour-long conversation that was productive and frank.