Blinken talks of more sanctions against Russia amid war crime claims

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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday described “credible reports” of Russian war crimes in Ukraine and told of plans to tighten sanctions on Moscow and possibly help to arm Kyiv with fighter jets.

Mr Blinken said widespread attacks by Russian forces on civilians in Ukraine could breach international rules of war.

He praised Ukraine’s resistance and said Russian President Vladimir Putin was “destined to lose” the conflict.

"We've seen very credible reports of deliberate attacks on civilians, which would constitute a war crime," Mr Blinken told CNN as he visited Moldova, a small Eastern European nation rattled by Russian aggression.

He said Washington was in “active discussions" with its European allies about banning Russian oil imports as a further sanction against Moscow for invading Ukraine.

"We are now in very active discussions with our European partners about banning the import of Russian oil to our countries, while of course at the same time maintaining a steady global supply of oil," Mr Blinken told NBC.

He said the US was working with Poland on plans to supply Ukraine with Russian-made MiG-29 fighters, which its pilots are trained to fly. In return, Warsaw would receive US-made F-16s.

“We are working with Poland as we speak to see if we can backfill anything that they provide to the Ukrainians,” Mr Blinken said.

Ukrainian police on Sunday described relentless Russian shelling and air raids in the north-east Kharkiv region, reporting many casualties, while the UN World Health Organisation said several Ukrainian clinics had been hit.

The number of refugees fleeing Ukraine was expected to reach 1.5 million on Sunday, as Kyiv pressed the West to tighten sanctions and provide more weapons to halt Russia's military advance.

Russia faces growing international condemnation for launching its invasion of Ukraine on February 24.

Attacks on schools, hospitals and residential blocks are set to be scrutinised by the International Criminal Court and a UN commission.

Mr Blinken spelt out the prospect of a lengthy war and widespread suffering as Russia laid siege to major Ukrainian cities.

“I think we have to be prepared for this to last for some time,” he said.

“But just winning a battle is not winning the war. Taking a city does not mean he's taking the hearts and minds of the Ukrainian people.”

About Tenderd

Started: May 2018

Founder: Arjun Mohan

Based: Dubai

Size: 23 employees

Funding: Raised $5.8m in a seed fund round in December 2018. Backers include Y Combinator, Beco Capital, Venturesouq, Paul Graham, Peter Thiel, Paul Buchheit, Justin Mateen, Matt Mickiewicz, SOMA, Dynamo and Global Founders Capital

If you go

The flights

Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Chicago from Dh5,215 return including taxes.

The hotels

Recommended hotels include the Intercontinental Chicago Magnificent Mile, located in an iconic skyscraper complete with a 1929 Olympic-size swimming pool from US$299 (Dh1,100) per night including taxes, and the Omni Chicago Hotel, an excellent value downtown address with elegant art deco furnishings and an excellent in-house restaurant. Rooms from US$239 (Dh877) per night including taxes.

THE BIO

Favourite place to go to in the UAE: The desert sand dunes, just after some rain

Who inspires you: Anybody with new and smart ideas, challenging questions, an open mind and a positive attitude

Where would you like to retire: Most probably in my home country, Hungary, but with frequent returns to the UAE

Favorite book: A book by Transilvanian author, Albert Wass, entitled ‘Sword and Reap’ (Kard es Kasza) - not really known internationally

Favourite subjects in school: Mathematics and science

The more serious side of specialty coffee

While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.

The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.

Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”

One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.

Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms.

UAE v Gibraltar

What: International friendly

When: 7pm kick off

Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City

Admission: Free

Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page

UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)