The EU's 27 foreign affairs ministers on Thursday discussed a plan put forward by the bloc's diplomatic chief Josep Borrell to spend up to €20 billion ($22.4 billion) on weapons, ammunition and other military aid to Ukraine.
The EU would allocate €5 billion ($5.57 billion) a year for the next four years to a “dedicated section” of an already-existing fund that the bloc has used to send military aid to Ukraine called the European Peace Facility, said Mr Borrell.
“This is the evaluation of the needs of the cost of our long term security commitments to Ukraine,” he told reporters in Brussels.
The EPF has already allocated more than €5 billion in support for Ukraine since February last year. The facility is used to reimburse EU countries for at least part of the cost of weapons, ammunition and other military aid that they give to nations outside the bloc.
Mr Borrell said that ministers would discuss his proposal in detail at a meeting in Spain in August.
He also blasted Russia for its recent missile and drone attacks on the port cities of Odesa and Mykolaiv that wounded at least 20 people on Thursday. A previous round of strikes destroyed 60,000 tonnes of grain meant for export.
The attacks came after Russia quit a deal meant to enable Ukrainian grain exports via the Black Sea, which was brokered by the UN and Turkey in July last year.
Mr Borrell described the attacks, which caused wheat prices to soar on the European stock exchange, as an attempt by Russian President Vladimir Putin to “starve the world population in order to gain extra money.”
Ukraine is one of the world’s biggest grain and sunflower oil exporters. Blocking its maritime export routes imperils food security around the globe.
Russia had threatened to withdraw from the grain deal several times in the past year, complaining that the West was not implementing a separate agreement with the UN to enable its food and fertiliser exports to world markets.
Mr Borrell disputed Russian claims.
“Contrary to what Russia is claiming, it is making good profits from its exports of grain and fertiliser, and will make better profits now when prises rise again after Russia killed the deal and destroyed stockpiles in Ukrainian harbours,” said Mr Borrell.
The deal had allowed Ukraine to export 32 million tonnes of food in the past year to 45 countries, including 725,000 tonnes shipped by the World Food Programme to vulnerable countries including Afghanistan and Yemen.
Germany's foreign affairs minister Annalena Baerbock said as she arrived to the meeting in Brussels that Ukrainian grain should not “rot in silos.”
“Hundreds of thousands of people, not to say millions, urgently need the grain from Ukraine,” she said.
“We are working with all our international partners so that the grain in Ukraine does not rot in silos in the next few weeks, but reaches the people of the world who urgently need it.”
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said on Monday that he “deeply regretted” Russia’s decision to pull out of the grain deal. He detailed measures put in place by the UN to help Russia export its grain and fertiliser, which in some cases have increased since last year.
The UN also built a “bespoke payment mechanism” for Russia’s Agricultural Bank after Moscow requested that the bank be relinked to the international Swift payment system, according to Mr Guterres.
Complicating matters further, five Eastern European countries, including Poland, want an EU ban on grain imports from Ukraine to be extended at least until the end of the year.
The ban was first introduced after complaints from local farmers saying that cheap Ukrainian products were flooding their markets and driving down prices.
Poland will not lift the ban when it is set to expire on September 15 even if the EU does not agree on its extension, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Wednesday.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal condemned Poland's decision, describing it as a “unfriendly and populist move”.
“During this critical time, Poland intends to continue blocking the export of UA [Ukrainian] grain to the EU. This is an unfriendly and populist move that will severely impact global food security and Ukraine's economy,” Mr Shmyhal wrote on Twitter on Thursday.
Agricultural exports are crucial for Ukraine's economy, making up about 12 per cent of gross domestic product before Russia's invasion in February 2022 and about 60 per cent of all exports.
European foreign affairs ministers also held a 90-minute discussion with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken by video link in addition to examining a request by Turkey to re-open talks regarding its long-time request to join the EU.
Mr Borrell said that tensions between EU members Greece and Cyprus with Turkey would be a “vital element” in these discussions.
Turkey, for its part, wants to discuss a customs union agreement and visa liberalisation, according to the Spanish politician.
“It's a two-way thing. It's not just a matter of what the EU expects from Turkey. It's also about what Turkey expects from the EU,” said Mr Borrell.
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EXare%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJanuary%2018%2C%202021%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPadmini%20Gupta%2C%20Milind%20Singh%2C%20Mandeep%20Singh%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20Raised%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2410%20million%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E28%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eundisclosed%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMS%26amp%3BAD%20Ventures%2C%20Middle%20East%20Venture%20Partners%2C%20Astra%20Amco%2C%20the%20Dubai%20International%20Financial%20Centre%2C%20Fintech%20Fund%2C%20500%20Startups%2C%20Khwarizmi%20Ventures%2C%20and%20Phoenician%20Funds%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Healthy tips to remember
Here, Dr Mohamed El Abiary, paediatric consultant at Al Zahra Hospital Dubai, shares some advice for parents whose children are fasting during the holy month of Ramadan:
Gradual fasting and golden points - For children under the age of 10, follow a step-by-step approach to fasting and don't push them beyond their limits. Start with a few hours fasting a day and increase it to a half fast and full fast when the child is ready. Every individual's ability varies as per the age and personal readiness. You could introduce a points system that awards the child and offers them encouragement when they make progress with the amount of hours they fast
Why fast? - Explain to your child why they are fasting. By shedding light on the importance of abstaining from food and drink, children may feel more encouraged to give it there all during the observance period. It is also a good opportunity to teach children about controlling urges, doing good for others and instilling healthy food habits
Sleep and suhoor - A child needs adequate sleep every night - at least eight hours. Make sure to set a routine early bedtime so he/she has sufficient time to wake up for suhoor, which is an essential meal at the beginning of the day
Good diet - Nutritious food is crucial to ensuring a healthy Ramadan for children. They must refrain from eating too much junk food as well as canned goods and snacks and drinks high in sugar. Foods that are rich in nutrients, vitamins and proteins, like fruits, fresh meats and vegetables, make for a good balanced diet
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
The Penguin
Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz
Creator: Lauren LeFranc
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
The schedule
December 5 - 23: Shooting competition, Al Dhafra Shooting Club
December 9 - 24: Handicrafts competition, from 4pm until 10pm, Heritage Souq
December 11 - 20: Dates competition, from 4pm
December 12 - 20: Sour milk competition
December 13: Falcon beauty competition
December 14 and 20: Saluki races
December 15: Arabian horse races, from 4pm
December 16 - 19: Falconry competition
December 18: Camel milk competition, from 7.30 - 9.30 am
December 20 and 21: Sheep beauty competition, from 10am
December 22: The best herd of 30 camels
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
TOURNAMENT INFO
Fixtures
Sunday January 5 - Oman v UAE
Monday January 6 - UAE v Namibia
Wednesday January 8 - Oman v Namibia
Thursday January 9 - Oman v UAE
Saturday January 11 - UAE v Namibia
Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia
UAE squad
Ahmed Raza (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Waheed Ahmed, Zawar Farid, Darius D’Silva, Karthik Meiyappan, Jonathan Figy, Vriitya Aravind, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Basil Hameed, Chirag Suri
RESULTS
Bantamweight: Jalal Al Daaja (JOR) beat Hamza Bougamza (MAR)
Catchweight 67kg: Mohamed El Mesbahi (MAR) beat Fouad Mesdari (ALG)
Lightweight: Abdullah Mohammed Ali (UAE) beat Abdelhak Amhidra (MAR)
Catchweight 73kg: Mosatafa Ibrahim Radi (PAL) beat Yazid Chouchane (ALG)
Middleweight: Yousri Belgaroui (TUN) beat Badreddine Diani (MAR)
Catchweight 78KG: Rashed Dawood (UAE) beat Adnan Bushashy (ALG)
Middleweight: Sallah-Eddine Dekhissi (MAR) beat Abdel Enam (EGY)
Catchweight 65kg: Yanis Ghemmouri (ALG) beat Rachid Hazoume (MAR)
Lightweight: Mohammed Yahya (UAE) beat Azouz Anwar (EGY)
Catchweight 79kg: Souhil Tahiri (ALG) beat Omar Hussein (PAL)
Middleweight: Tarek Suleiman (SYR) beat Laid Zerhouni (ALG)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
