Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Belarus, the Kremlin's main ally, has served as a staging ground for the Russian army in its offensive on Ukraine. Photo: EPA
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Belarus, the Kremlin's main ally, has served as a staging ground for the Russian army in its offensive on Ukraine. Photo: EPA
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Belarus, the Kremlin's main ally, has served as a staging ground for the Russian army in its offensive on Ukraine. Photo: EPA
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Belarus, the Kremlin's main ally, has served as a staging ground for the Russian army in its offensive on Ukrain

World

Europe

Belarus president claims the West is plotting to attack Russia

Alexander Lukashenko said he had discussed the alleged conspiracy with Russian President Vladimir Putin

Simon Rushton
Simon Rushton

July 12, 2022

  • English
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The West is preparing to attack Russia through Belarus, the country's president claimed on Tuesday.

Speaking to military graduates and officers, Alexander Lukashenko said he has discussed the alleged plot with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The warning comes as Russia and Ukraine reported strikes in different cities and the EU approved €1 billion ($1bn) in aid.

“Strategic plans for an attack against Russia are being developed,” Mr Lukashenko said, adding that the West would seek to target Russia “through Ukraine and through Belarus”.

“History is repeating itself,” he said, an apparent reference to the invasion of Russia by Napoleon's troops in 1812 and by Nazi Germany in 1941.

“The events unfolding today around Belarus and Russia call for our utmost vigilance and concentration,” Mr Lukashenko said.

Ukrainian servicemen in a shelter at the frontline near Kharkiv. AP
Ukrainian servicemen in a shelter at the frontline near Kharkiv. AP
A Ukrainian and his puppy in the Donetsk region. AP
A Ukrainian and his puppy in the Donetsk region. AP
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, third left, is shown apartment buildings damaged by Russian shelling during his visit to Irpin on the outskirts of Kyiv. AP
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, third left, is shown apartment buildings damaged by Russian shelling during his visit to Irpin on the outskirts of Kyiv. AP
Rescue specialists work at the site of a destroyed residential building after blasts in Belgorod, Russia. Reuters
Rescue specialists work at the site of a destroyed residential building after blasts in Belgorod, Russia. Reuters
A woman lays flowers during a demonstration against the invasion of Ukraine in front of the Palais des Nations, in Geneva, Switzerland. EPA
A woman lays flowers during a demonstration against the invasion of Ukraine in front of the Palais des Nations, in Geneva, Switzerland. EPA
A woman injured when her house was damaged by the Russian shelling sits in the yard of her house, in Bakhmut, Ukraine. AP
A woman injured when her house was damaged by the Russian shelling sits in the yard of her house, in Bakhmut, Ukraine. AP
Local residents stand next to a damaged residential building in the town of Serhiivka, about 50 kilometres south-west of Odesa, Ukraine. AP
Local residents stand next to a damaged residential building in the town of Serhiivka, about 50 kilometres south-west of Odesa, Ukraine. AP
Viktor Shevchenko stands in a crater to show its depth after a Russian shelling in the Saltivka district in Kharkiv. AP
Viktor Shevchenko stands in a crater to show its depth after a Russian shelling in the Saltivka district in Kharkiv. AP
An image taken from a video provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office purports to show the moment a missile struck the shopping mall in Kremenchuk. AP
An image taken from a video provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office purports to show the moment a missile struck the shopping mall in Kremenchuk. AP
People watch as smoke rises after a Russian missile strike hit a crowded shopping mall, in Kremenchuk. AP
People watch as smoke rises after a Russian missile strike hit a crowded shopping mall, in Kremenchuk. AP
Firefighters clean the rubble of the destroyed Amstor shopping mall in Kremenchuk. EPA
Firefighters clean the rubble of the destroyed Amstor shopping mall in Kremenchuk. EPA
A woman cries after the body of her husband, who was killed in the yard of an apartment building during shelling, was loaded into an ambulance in Kharkiv, Ukraine. AP
A woman cries after the body of her husband, who was killed in the yard of an apartment building during shelling, was loaded into an ambulance in Kharkiv, Ukraine. AP
Firefighters and rescue workers at the destroyed Amstor shopping mall. EPA
Firefighters and rescue workers at the destroyed Amstor shopping mall. EPA
Rescuers work at the site of a shopping mall hit by a Russian missile strike, in Kremenchuk. Reuters
Rescuers work at the site of a shopping mall hit by a Russian missile strike, in Kremenchuk. Reuters
A couple wounded by a Russian missile strike hold hands in a hospital, in Kremenchuk. Reuters
A couple wounded by a Russian missile strike hold hands in a hospital, in Kremenchuk. Reuters
People wait to receive humanitarian aid in front of a residential building damaged during a Russian attack in Borodyanka, Ukraine. EPA
People wait to receive humanitarian aid in front of a residential building damaged during a Russian attack in Borodyanka, Ukraine. EPA
Ukrainian servicemen take a bus to their positions near Severodonetsk, in Luhansk area. EPA
Ukrainian servicemen take a bus to their positions near Severodonetsk, in Luhansk area. EPA
A Ukrainian service member and a dog in the industrial area of the city of Severodonetsk. Reuters
A Ukrainian service member and a dog in the industrial area of the city of Severodonetsk. Reuters
A couple sits in front of a residential building that was damaged during a Russian attack, in Borodyanka. EPA
A couple sits in front of a residential building that was damaged during a Russian attack, in Borodyanka. EPA
Local residents receive humanitarian aid in Borodyanka. EPA
Local residents receive humanitarian aid in Borodyanka. EPA
A Ukrainian armed forces tank in Severodonetsk. Reuters
A Ukrainian armed forces tank in Severodonetsk. Reuters
Ukrainian service members walk past a damaged car in Severodonetsk. Reuters
Ukrainian service members walk past a damaged car in Severodonetsk. Reuters
A giant Ukrainian flag is held up during the benefit concert 'Embrace Ukraine' on the Museumplein in Amsterdam. The free event will raise money for victims of the war in Ukraine and the purchase of mobile X-ray equipment that the country needs. EPA
A giant Ukrainian flag is held up during the benefit concert 'Embrace Ukraine' on the Museumplein in Amsterdam. The free event will raise money for victims of the war in Ukraine and the purchase of mobile X-ray equipment that the country needs. EPA
A fire from a gas processing plant continues to burn behind a field of wheat after it was hit by shelling a few days earlier in Andriivka, in the Kharkiv region. Reuters
A fire from a gas processing plant continues to burn behind a field of wheat after it was hit by shelling a few days earlier in Andriivka, in the Kharkiv region. Reuters
An onlooker takes in the damage from overnight shelling on Kharkiv's Housing and Communal College. Reuters
An onlooker takes in the damage from overnight shelling on Kharkiv's Housing and Communal College. Reuters
A destroyed tank in the village of Novoselivka, outside Chernigiv. AFP
A destroyed tank in the village of Novoselivka, outside Chernigiv. AFP
A man decorates a toy cabin for children made from used ammunition crates in the village of Novoselivka, outside Chernigiv. AFP
A man decorates a toy cabin for children made from used ammunition crates in the village of Novoselivka, outside Chernigiv. AFP
An internal view of the Housing and Communal College building damaged by recent shelling in Kharkiv. EPA
An internal view of the Housing and Communal College building damaged by recent shelling in Kharkiv. EPA

He said the West was pushing the world towards “major war” and said the army should “keep its powder dry”.

He also pointed to Nato's expansion, saying the “newly minted crusaders” were “forming an armoured fist” to attack Russia.

Belarus, the Kremlin's main ally, has served as a staging ground for the Russian army in its offensive on neighbouring Ukraine.

Aid to Ukraine

EU diplomats announced the €1bn in new funding on Tuesday and added that the rest of a promised €9bn was held up as member states argued over whether a country at war was in a position to sign on to long-term loan.

The funding announced on Tuesday is in addition to €1.2bn disbursed earlier this year by the EU, bringing the bloc's total financial aid to Ukraine since the invasion on February 24 to €2.2bn.

“This will give Ukraine the necessary funds to cover urgent needs and ensure the operation of critical infrastructure,” said Zbynek Stanjura, finance minister of the Czech Republic, which holds the EU's rotating presidency.

Ukraine has said its budget shortfall is as much as €5bn a month and that the everyday running of government and public services depends on urgent foreign aid.

“I wish the amount were greater,” said one EU diplomat, adding that talks among member states to release more funds were “on the right track”.

Allies have rushed to help Ukraine, with the G7 and others announcing commitments of $29.6bn in further money for Kyiv, according to the US Treasury Department.

The US last month transferred $1.3 billion to Ukraine as part of the initial $7.5 billion promised to Kyiv by the Biden administration in May.

Meanwhile, Russian forces launched a “massive” strike on the southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv, with missiles hitting two medical centres and residential buildings, Mayor Oleksandr Sienkevych said. Twelve people have been wounded in the attacks, said regional head, Vitaliy Kim.

In Chasiv Yar, the death toll from an attack on an apartment block climbed on Tuesday to 35, the town's emergency services said.

Russia, which denies deliberately attacking civilians, said on Monday it had “destroyed the temporary deployment point” of a Ukrainian territorial defence unit.

Ukraine said it destroyed an arms depot as part of a barrage of rockets and missiles on Russian military targets in southern Ukraine.

Military officials said the strikes in the Kherson region destroyed artillery, armoured vehicles “and a warehouse with ammunition in Nova Kakhovka”.

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While you're here

Director: Jon Favreau

Starring: Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, John Oliver

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

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Price, base: Dh306,500
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
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Farage on Muslim Brotherhood

Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
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It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.

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2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups

Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.

Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.

Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.

Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).

Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.

Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.

Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.

Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Towering concerns
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
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  2. Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
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  4. Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
  5. Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
  6. The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
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*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year

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On Women's Day
Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

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Cinco in numbers

Dh3.7 million

The estimated cost of Victoria Swarovski’s gem-encrusted Michael Cinco wedding gown

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The number, in kilograms, that Swarovski’s wedding gown weighed.

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The hours it took to create Cinco’s vermillion petal gown, as seen in his atelier [note, is the one he’s playing with in the corner of a room]

50

How many looks Cinco has created in a new collection to celebrate Ballet Philippines’ 50th birthday

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The hours needed to create the butterfly gown worn by Aishwarya Rai to the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.

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The number of followers that Michael Cinco’s Instagram account has garnered.

SERIES INFO

Afghanistan v Zimbabwe, Abu Dhabi Sunshine Series

All matches at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Test series

1st Test: Zimbabwe beat Afghanistan by 10 wickets
2nd Test: Wednesday, 10 March – Sunday, 14 March

Play starts at 9.30am

T20 series

1st T20I: Wednesday, 17 March
2nd T20I: Friday, 19 March
3rd T20I: Saturday, 20 March

TV
Supporters in the UAE can watch the matches on the Rabbithole channel on YouTube

Updated: July 12, 2022, 12:48 PM`
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