QUICK READING May 13: Russia wants to avoid a direct clash with NATO

A destroyed building in the city of Mariupol, Ukraine, May 12 – Photo: REUTERS

* May 13, The United Nations (UN) calls for a halt to air strikes on schools in Ukraine. “Hundreds of schools across the country have come under shelling, airstrikes and other explosives in densely populated areas,” said Omar Abdi, deputy executive director of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), at the meeting. of the United Nations Security Council held on May 12.

Meanwhile, speaking of allegations of violence against children in Ukraine, Russian Ambassador to the UN Vassily Nebenzia called these allegations “absurd” and that the Kiev side did not present any evidence. “Today, we once again heard accusations from some colleagues against the Russian military of acts of violence against children,” Radio said. Russia Today quoted Mr. Nebenzia.

* Kremlin said Russia wants to avoid the scenario of a direct clash with NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) however warned Moscow will react if any side intervenes in Ukraine and Russia’s special military operation in this country.

During a hearing before the US Congress on May 11, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also stated that Russia does not want to confront NATO militarily.

Regarding negotiations with Ukraine, the Kremlin said nothing was progressing and that progress was being “slow and ineffective”.

* May 12, The French Foreign Ministry said that the European Union (EU) will consider Ukraine’s application to join next month.

And Russia’s deputy ambassador to the United Nations, Dmitry Polyanskiy, said Russia’s position on Ukraine’s accession to the EU has changed and is now similar to Kiev’s joining NATO.

“[Tại cuộc hội đàm ở Istanbul] We weren’t worried about the situation but it changed after ‘s statement [đại diện cấp cao phụ trách chính sách an ninh và đối ngoại của EU] Josep Borrell that this war should be won or lost on the battlefield,” Mr. Polyanskiy explained about the change in Russia’s perspective.

People on the street in the Ukrainian capital Kiev on May 12 – Photo: REUTERS

* International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates more than 6 million people have left Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s “special military operation”, of which more than 90% are women and children. In addition, in Ukraine, about 8 million people lost their homes.

* Reuters news agency quoted information from the Ukrainian government in Odessa as saying Russian forces hit a supply ship of the Russian navy near Snake Island in the Black Sea. Meanwhile, the Russian side said it destroyed a drone and three Ukrainian missiles in the Snake Island area.

* Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto announced The government of this country will officially propose to join NATO on May 15 and the parliament votes the next day, according to CNN. European countries such as Germany, France and the US support Helsinki’s decision while the Kremlin says Finland’s entry into NATO is certainly a threat to Russia.