Here are the latest developments in the war in Ukraine:
– G7 wants to impose Russian oil price cap “urgently” –
G7 members announce plans to urgently impose a price cap on Russian oil imports in order to deprive the Kremlin of some of its export earnings and funding for the war in Ukraine.
“We commit to working urgently to finalize and implement this measure,” G7 finance ministers said in a statement.
Ministers from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States did not say what price they would pay for Russian crude.
They said they hoped other countries would follow their example “to maximize the effectiveness of the measure”.
The US has led pressure on the price cap, which would mean a serious escalation of Western sanctions against Russia. Energy exports are Russia’s biggest earner.
– UN visit to nuclear power plant “positive”: Kremlin –
The Kremlin described the visit of UN inspectors in the Russian-controlled Zaporizhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine as “very positive” and said it was “too early” to assess the work of the UN.
A 14-strong team of inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency arrived at the plant on Thursday to assess the war’s impact on its operations given the regular shelling of the area around the plant, which is close to the front line.
“In general, we are very positive about the fact that despite all the difficulties and problems … the commission has arrived and started its work,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said Thursday the “physical integrity” of the facility had been “violated” by the shelling and staff will remain there until “Sunday or Monday” to continue their assessment.
– Russian Nord Stream warning –
The Kremlin is warning that the Nord Stream pipeline, which supplies Europe with Russian gas, could face technical difficulties in the future after three days of maintenance work that put it out of action.
“There are no technical reserves, only one turbine is working,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
“So the reliability of the operation, of the entire system, is at risk,” he said of the pipeline that runs under the Baltic Sea to Germany.
Russia has repeatedly cut gas supplies to Europe since beginning its offensive in Ukraine in response to Western sanctions, driving up energy prices.
Europe has accused Moscow of using energy for blackmail and has worked to secure alternative supplies to reduce its reliance on Russian gas.
– USA raids properties of an oligarch allied with Putin –
According to NBC News, US police have searched several properties belonging to Russian billionaire Viktor Vekselberg, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin who is under Western sanctions.
The raids targeted an apartment on Manhattan’s lavish Park Avenue, a home in the Hamptons, an upscale vacation destination near New York City, and a property on Fisher Island in Miami believed to be associated with Vekselberg .
Vekselberg is head of the Renova Group, a conglomerate based in Moscow.
In April, his €90m superyacht was seized by Spanish authorities in Mallorca at the request of the US government.
