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
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
Another insurance company limits new homeowners insurance in California
Farmers Insurance has limited new homeowners insurance policies in California, joining other major national insurance providers.
2023-07-11 07:23
Survivors of the Tulsa race massacre are appealing a judge's decision to dismiss their case for reparations
The last three known survivors of the Tulsa Race Massacre -- one of the country's deadliest acts of racial violence -- will appeal a judge's recent decision to dismiss their lawsuit seeking reparations to the state Supreme Court, their attorneys announced Monday.
2023-07-11 07:16
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
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
Meta's Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp down for thousands of users - Downdetector.com
Thousands of U.S. users across Meta Platforms' social media offerings Instagram and Facebook, and messaging app WhatsApp reported
2023-07-11 06:45
Kevin Spacey 'sexually attacked' the victim while he slept, trial hears
'Kevin Spacey said I should leave, and I shouldn't tell anyone about this,' said a victim
2023-07-11 06:45
The history of MLS NEXT
In 2020, Major League Soccer formed MLS NEXT: a “new elite youth competition platform intended to provide year-round high-level matches” for academies.
2023-07-11 06:29
Uber CFO Nelson Chai plans to step down - Bloomberg News
Uber Technologies Chief Financial Officer Nelson Chai is planning to leave the ride-hailing company, Bloomberg News reported on
2023-07-11 06:21
Market heavyweights dip ahead of Nasdaq 100 rebalance
Shares of Apple, Microsoft and other heavyweight companies dipped on Monday after Nasdaq Inc said it would rebalance
2023-07-11 06:16
