Biden will meet Zelensky at Nato summit in Lithuania as war with Russia rages on
Joe Biden will meet with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky at the Nato summit in Lithuania on Wednesday, US officials confirmed to The Independent. The meeting comes as Mr Biden has expressed doubts in recent days about Ukraine’s long-sought goal of joining the trans-Atlantic alliance. “I don’t think there is unanimity in Nato about whether or not to bring Ukraine into the Nato family now, at this moment, in the middle of a war,” he told CNN last week. The pair last met in May at a G-7 summit in Japan. This is a breaking news story and will be updated with new information. Read More The Body in the Woods | An Independent TV Original Documentary The harrowing discovery at centre of The Independent’s new documentary
2023-07-11 07:46
Turkey agrees to Sweden Nato membership after previously blocking bid
Turkey has agreed to support Sweden's bid to join Nato after previously blocking the country from joining. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said during a briefing that he would forward Sweden's bid to join Nato to the Turkish parliament for ratification. It comes after the president previously appeared to suggest that Turkey would only back Sweden joining if it was re-considered for EU membership. Nato’s directory general Jens Stoltenberg said: “President Erdogan has agreed to forward the accession protocol for Sweden to the Grand National Assembly [Turkey’s parliament] as soon as possible and work closely with the assembly to ensure ratification.” Mr Stolenberg said this is a “historic step” but that a clear date could not be given for when Sweden officially joins. Turkey previously resisted Sweden joining the alliance after accusing Swedish authorities of being complicit in Islamophobic demonstrations. It also claims that Sweden allowed members of recognised Kurdish terror groups to operate, such as the Kurdistan Workers’ Party. Although Sweden changed its terrorism laws earlier this year to make it a crime to be part of these groups. As a member of Nato, Turkey has a veto on allowing other nations to join the alliance. But the Turkish president faced pressure from European and American allies to allow Sweden to join. Joe Biden spoke with Mr Erdogan while flying aboard Air Force One on Sunday, CNN reported. The US president conveyed his desire to welcome Sweden into Nato as soon as possible, according to a readout from the White House. In a statement, the White House said: “I welcome the statement issued by Turkey, Sweden and the Nato secretary general this evening, including the commitment by President ErdoÄŸan to transmit the Accession Protocol for Sweden to Turkey’s Grand National Assembly for swift ratification. “I stand ready to work with President ErdoÄŸan and Turkey on enhancing defence and deterrence in the Euro-Atlantic area. “I look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Kristersson and Sweden as our 32nd Nato Ally. And I thank secretary general Stoltenberg for his steadfast leadership.” From Tuesday, during a two-day meeting in Vilnius, Lithuania, Nato allies will also discuss the prospect of Ukraine joining. It has been agreed that although Ukraine cannot join during the war, a measure has been removed to allow the nation to join more quickly after the conflict is over. The Membership Action Plan, which involves a host of bureaucratic and military reforms designed to ensure a prospective member is up to NATO standards, is no longer a requirement for Ukraine to join. However, the move has sparked outrage in Moscow. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "You know the absolutely clear and consistent position of the Russian Federation that Ukraine's membership in NATO will have very, very negative consequences for the security architecture, the already half-destroyed security architecture in Europe. "And it will be an absolute danger, a threat to our country, which will require from us a sufficiently clear and firm reaction." Read More Joe Biden meets King Charles at Windsor Castle as part of flying UK visit Why Ukraine’s plea for Nato membership is such a challenge for the West Biden news – live: Palace denies breach of royal protocol between King Charles and Biden during awkward moment Deadly flooding hits several countries, scientists said this will be increasingly common Swedish foreign minister optimistic Turkey will drop objections to NATO membership Former POWs welcomed back to Ukraine in ceremony headed by Zelensky
2023-07-11 07:45
Joe Burrow takes the easy way out of Chiefs-Bengals brewing rivalry
Joe Burrow is all class, which is why he didn't have much to say when asked about the brewing rivalry between his Cincinnati Bengals and the Chiefs.The Bengals and Chiefs are the class of the AFC, with the Buffalo Bills not far behind. It's a new era for the conference, which for so lo...
2023-07-11 07:29
Jenin: Palestinian boy killed during Israeli assault was unarmed - family
It comes after videos emerge of the moment the 16-year-old was killed during an Israeli assault.
2023-07-11 07:28
Spain 2023 election: PM Sanchez and rival Feijoo in chaotic live TV debate
MADRID (Reuters) -Spain's Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Alberto Nunez Feijoo, leader of the conservative People's Party (PP), held
2023-07-11 07:28
'Europe or death' - the teenage migrants risking it all to cross the Med
The BBC's Alice Cuddy witnesses 86 migrants being pulled to safety from an overcrowded rubber boat.
2023-07-11 07:23
Poisoned Cough Syrup Killed Kids. Authorities Cut the Investigation Short
This is the first installment of Bad Medicine, a series about how porous regulation and cheap drugs are
2023-07-11 07:21
Asia to Follow Wall Street Up After China Property Aid: Markets Wrap
Asian equities were primed to rise Tuesday following gains on Wall Street and after China stepped up support
2023-07-11 07:21
Nolan Arenado gives his take on looming changes to the Cardinals core
The Cardinals once traded for Nolan Arenado but, amid the team's tumultuous 2023 season, the All-Star offered his take on forthcoming changes.In all likelihood, Nolan Arenado isn't moving at the 2023 MLB Trade Deadline. The same may not be true, however, of several other St. Louis Card...
2023-07-11 07:15
US Air Force suspends personnel moves and bonuses due to funding shortfall
The US Air Force has suspended personnel moves and bonuses through the end of the fiscal year as the service faces a funding shortfall driven by higher-than-expected costs, according to a statement from the service Monday.
2023-07-11 06:59
Ronald Acuña Jr.'s power outage robbed fans of perfect HR Derby rivalry
Atlanta Braves MVP candidate Ronald Acuña Jr. opted not to participate in the Home Run Derby, much to the dismay of fans around the world.You could probably convince a fair amount of people that Ronald Acuña Jr. is the best offensive player in the world right now. The Atlanta Brave...
2023-07-11 06:51
Blur raise their game as Britpop legends emerge as a genuine stadium band
In an era when the elder statesmen of rock might start to consider hanging up their microphones and leather pants, Blur stomped onto Britain's biggest stage this weekend to stake their claim for the big time.
2023-07-11 06:48
