In Ukraine, some see drinking Aperol Spritz as supporting Russia
KYIV — The Aperol Spritz is so popular that the cocktail is practically synonymous with summer in Europe, where connoisseurs cram onto patios and around bar tops to guzzle down the bubbly, orange aperitif.
But in Ukraine, many bars that once served the quintessential drink are now boycotting it, citing the decision of the brand’s owner, Italy-based Campari Group, to continue operating in Russia.
“We had glasses with the Aperol name on them and we destroyed them or threw them in the trash,” said Pavlo Lavrukhin, 29, a bartender at Squat 17B, a hipster hangout tucked behind a residential building in central Kyiv.
Made up of two parts Aperol — a bitter whose core ingredients are gentian, rhubarb and cinchona — three parts prosecco and a dash of sparkling water, poured over a glass of ice and topped with an orange slice, the drink is viewed by devotees as the ideal antidote to sweltering weather.
Read the full story here.
KYIV — The Aperol Spritz is so popular that the cocktail is practically synonymous with summer in Europe, where connoisseurs cram onto patios and around bar tops to guzzle down the bubbly, orange aperitif.
But in Ukraine, many bars that once served the quintessential drink are now boycotting it, citing the decision of the brand’s owner, Italy-based Campari Group, to continue operating in Russia.
“We had glasses with the Aperol name on them and we destroyed them or threw them in the trash,” said Pavlo Lavrukhin, 29, a bartender at Squat 17B, a hipster hangout tucked behind a residential building in central Kyiv.
Made up of two parts Aperol — a bitter whose core ingredients are gentian, rhubarb and cinchona — three parts prosecco and a dash of sparkling water, poured over a glass of ice and topped with an orange slice, the drink is viewed by devotees as the ideal antidote to sweltering weather.
Read the full story here.
Here's the latest from Ukraine:
- President Volodymyr Zelensky made the decision to replace Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov because the ministry needs “new approaches” with the military and the public, the Ukrainian leader said. Rustem Umerov, the head of the country’s main privatization fund, will replace Reznikov after a year and a half of war in a shake-up that has been brewing for months.
- Russian leader Vladimir Putin is scheduled to meet his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in the Russian resort city of Sochi on Monday for discussions that could be key to reviving the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which Moscow abandoned in July in a blow to global food security.
- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said an inquiry found no evidence that his country shipped weapons to Russia last year, though he will not release the report, citing “classified” information among the evidence.
More live updates here.
- President Volodymyr Zelensky made the decision to replace Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov because the ministry needs “new approaches” with the military and the public, the Ukrainian leader said. Rustem Umerov, the head of the country’s main privatization fund, will replace Reznikov after a year and a half of war in a shake-up that has been brewing for months.
- Russian leader Vladimir Putin is scheduled to meet his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in the Russian resort city of Sochi on Monday for discussions that could be key to reviving the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which Moscow abandoned in July in a blow to global food security.
- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said an inquiry found no evidence that his country shipped weapons to Russia last year, though he will not release the report, citing “classified” information among the evidence.
More live updates here.
Nobel Prize foundation scraps plan to invite Russia, Belarus after criticism
The Nobel Foundation reversed course on Saturday and said it would not invite the ambassadors of Russia and Belarus to this year’s award ceremony in Stockholm, after a decision to invite them back to the annual event drew objections in Sweden and Ukraine.
Earlier this week, the foundation which administers the award said ambassadors from all countries which are diplomatically represented in Sweden would be invited to the ceremony in December, after barring Russia and its ally Belarus in 2022 over the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine.
The private foundation had said it sought to invite everyone this year, even “those who do not share the values of the Nobel Prize,” in an effort to promote dialogue and counter a tendency of growing global polarization.
A number of Swedish officials said as a result that they would boycott the event, which takes place on Dec. 10, the anniversary of scientist Alfred Nobel’s death.
Read the full story here.
The Nobel Foundation reversed course on Saturday and said it would not invite the ambassadors of Russia and Belarus to this year’s award ceremony in Stockholm, after a decision to invite them back to the annual event drew objections in Sweden and Ukraine.
Earlier this week, the foundation which administers the award said ambassadors from all countries which are diplomatically represented in Sweden would be invited to the ceremony in December, after barring Russia and its ally Belarus in 2022 over the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine.
The private foundation had said it sought to invite everyone this year, even “those who do not share the values of the Nobel Prize,” in an effort to promote dialogue and counter a tendency of growing global polarization.
A number of Swedish officials said as a result that they would boycott the event, which takes place on Dec. 10, the anniversary of scientist Alfred Nobel’s death.
Read the full story here.
Zelensky ousts defense chief as ministry grapples with corruption claims
KYIV — Ukraine’s defense minister resigned Monday, hours after President Volodymyr Zelensky announced plans to replace him amid a widening corruption probe and slow-moving counteroffensive against Russian invaders in the country’s southeast.
Zelensky said on Sunday night that he will ask parliament to approve his nomination of Rustem Umerov, currently head of the State Property Fund of Ukraine, to replace Oleksii Reznikov, who has served as defense minister since November 2021 and was responsible for overseeing billions in weapons and other military aid from Ukraine’s international partners.
“I believe the ministry needs new approaches and other formats of interaction with both the military and society as a whole,” Zelensky said.
Read the full story here.
KYIV — Ukraine’s defense minister resigned Monday, hours after President Volodymyr Zelensky announced plans to replace him amid a widening corruption probe and slow-moving counteroffensive against Russian invaders in the country’s southeast.
Zelensky said on Sunday night that he will ask parliament to approve his nomination of Rustem Umerov, currently head of the State Property Fund of Ukraine, to replace Oleksii Reznikov, who has served as defense minister since November 2021 and was responsible for overseeing billions in weapons and other military aid from Ukraine’s international partners.
“I believe the ministry needs new approaches and other formats of interaction with both the military and society as a whole,” Zelensky said.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- After meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday, Russian leader Vladimir Putin declined to rejoin the Black Sea Grain Initiative that Moscow abandoned in July, deepening a problem for global food security.
- Russia intends to send 1 million tons of grain to Turkey for delivery to the world’s poorest countries.
- President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Rustem Umerov, head of Ukraine’s main privatization fund, will replace Oleksii Reznikov as the country’s defense minister.
- Romania’s Defense Ministry dismissed claims that Russian drones entered its country during an attack on Ukrainian ports on the Danube River.
- Russia is discussing the possibility of holding a joint naval exercise with North Korea, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told reporters Monday.
- A Russian Mi-8 helicopter pilot who defected in late August has been identified as 28-year-old Maksym Kuzminov, Kyiv’s Main Directorate of Intelligence said Sunday.
More live updates here.
- After meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday, Russian leader Vladimir Putin declined to rejoin the Black Sea Grain Initiative that Moscow abandoned in July, deepening a problem for global food security.
- Russia intends to send 1 million tons of grain to Turkey for delivery to the world’s poorest countries.
- President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Rustem Umerov, head of Ukraine’s main privatization fund, will replace Oleksii Reznikov as the country’s defense minister.
- Romania’s Defense Ministry dismissed claims that Russian drones entered its country during an attack on Ukrainian ports on the Danube River.
- Russia is discussing the possibility of holding a joint naval exercise with North Korea, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told reporters Monday.
- A Russian Mi-8 helicopter pilot who defected in late August has been identified as 28-year-old Maksym Kuzminov, Kyiv’s Main Directorate of Intelligence said Sunday.
More live updates here.
Kim Jong Un to meet with Putin in Russia, U.S. official says
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un plans to visit Russian President Vladimir Putin this month to discuss North Korea possibly providing Moscow with munitions in the Ukraine war, according to a U.S. official. Russia’s military is trying to bolster its weapon supplies amid the Ukrainian counteroffensive.
More live updates here.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un plans to visit Russian President Vladimir Putin this month to discuss North Korea possibly providing Moscow with munitions in the Ukraine war, according to a U.S. official. Russia’s military is trying to bolster its weapon supplies amid the Ukrainian counteroffensive.
More live updates here.
Here's the latest from Ukraine:
- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un plans to visit Russian President Vladimir Putin this month to discuss possibly providing munitions to Moscow, senior U.S. administration officials told The Washington Post, as Russia’s military attempts to bolster weapons supplies amid Ukraine’s counteroffensive.
- Putin did not rejoin the Black Sea Grain Initiative on Monday, despite meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss solutions for ensuring that desperately needed grain exports reach countries struggling with food security.
- Russia is discussing the possibility of holding a joint naval exercise with North Korea, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told reporters Monday.
- Russia said its air defenses intercepted a Ukrainian drone near Moscow, in the Istrinsky district.
More live updates here.
- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un plans to visit Russian President Vladimir Putin this month to discuss possibly providing munitions to Moscow, senior U.S. administration officials told The Washington Post, as Russia’s military attempts to bolster weapons supplies amid Ukraine’s counteroffensive.
- Putin did not rejoin the Black Sea Grain Initiative on Monday, despite meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss solutions for ensuring that desperately needed grain exports reach countries struggling with food security.
- Russia is discussing the possibility of holding a joint naval exercise with North Korea, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told reporters Monday.
- Russia said its air defenses intercepted a Ukrainian drone near Moscow, in the Istrinsky district.
More live updates here.
War in Ukraine halted adoptions. Now some orphans are stuck in limbo.
Wendy and Leo Van Asten first met “M and M” — a brother and sister from eastern Ukraine — when the children stayed at the couple’s home near Madison, Wis., for four weeks at the end of 2018, as part of a program connecting Ukrainian orphans and foster children with American families.
Nearly five years later, the last 18 months scarred by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it is unclear if the Van Astens’ wish will ever be realized.
Adoption can be a slow, bureaucratic process even in the best of circumstances. But the Van Astens and dozens of American families also hoping to adopt Ukrainian children face a far bigger hurdle: Ukrainian officials have halted international adoptions until the end of the war.
And no one knows when the war will end.
Read the full story here.
Wendy and Leo Van Asten first met “M and M” — a brother and sister from eastern Ukraine — when the children stayed at the couple’s home near Madison, Wis., for four weeks at the end of 2018, as part of a program connecting Ukrainian orphans and foster children with American families.
Nearly five years later, the last 18 months scarred by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it is unclear if the Van Astens’ wish will ever be realized.
Adoption can be a slow, bureaucratic process even in the best of circumstances. But the Van Astens and dozens of American families also hoping to adopt Ukrainian children face a far bigger hurdle: Ukrainian officials have halted international adoptions until the end of the war.
And no one knows when the war will end.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Russian authorities said air defense systems shot down three Ukrainian drones early Tuesday near Moscow and a fourth over the illegally annexed Crimean Peninsula.
- Cuba’s Foreign Ministry accused human traffickers operating from Russia of trying to recruit Cubans to fight for Russia.
- The Kremlin declined to comment Tuesday on reports that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un could visit Russia this month.
- The Ukrainian parliament voted Tuesday officially to dismiss Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov, who took the role in November 2021, the state news agency Ukrinform reported.
- Putin did not rejoin the Black Sea Grain Initiative after meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday to discuss grain exports.
- Nearly 300 people were killed and 600 injured by cluster bombs in Ukraine last year, making it the country with the highest casualty toll from the widely banned munitions in 2022, the Cluster Munition Coalition said Tuesday.
More live updates here.
- Russian authorities said air defense systems shot down three Ukrainian drones early Tuesday near Moscow and a fourth over the illegally annexed Crimean Peninsula.
- Cuba’s Foreign Ministry accused human traffickers operating from Russia of trying to recruit Cubans to fight for Russia.
- The Kremlin declined to comment Tuesday on reports that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un could visit Russia this month.
- The Ukrainian parliament voted Tuesday officially to dismiss Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov, who took the role in November 2021, the state news agency Ukrinform reported.
- Putin did not rejoin the Black Sea Grain Initiative after meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday to discuss grain exports.
- Nearly 300 people were killed and 600 injured by cluster bombs in Ukraine last year, making it the country with the highest casualty toll from the widely banned munitions in 2022, the Cluster Munition Coalition said Tuesday.
More live updates here.
Here's the latest from Ukraine:
- Ukraine had the highest death toll from cluster munitions of any country last year, according to a report by the Cluster Munition Coalition. Nearly 300 people were killed and 600 wounded by cluster bombs in Ukraine in 2022, according to the report.
- Cuba is working to “neutralize and dismantle” the trafficking ring that it said was targeting Cubans in Russia and their homeland. The allegation followed a report by Telemundo about two young Cubans who said they were sent to a Russian military unit in Ukraine after accepting construction jobs in Russia.
- Arms negotiations between Moscow and Pyongyang are “actively advancing,” according to Adrienne Watson, a U.S. National Security Council spokeswoman.
More live updates here.
- Ukraine had the highest death toll from cluster munitions of any country last year, according to a report by the Cluster Munition Coalition. Nearly 300 people were killed and 600 wounded by cluster bombs in Ukraine in 2022, according to the report.
- Cuba is working to “neutralize and dismantle” the trafficking ring that it said was targeting Cubans in Russia and their homeland. The allegation followed a report by Telemundo about two young Cubans who said they were sent to a Russian military unit in Ukraine after accepting construction jobs in Russia.
- Arms negotiations between Moscow and Pyongyang are “actively advancing,” according to Adrienne Watson, a U.S. National Security Council spokeswoman.
More live updates here.
Kharkiv’s subways are now classrooms as school starts under Russian attacks
KHARKIV, Ukraine — The first-graders gathered to start a new school year in a windowless underground hallway turned classroom, gushing about the best things in the whole world.
A girl with a green handkerchief tied neatly around her neck held the yarn. It’s the talking yarn — meaning she had the floor. “My name is Nastia. I like chocolate,” she said. The students clapped. She passed the yarn to a boy.
Monday marked the first day of classes for students in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second biggest city, located just 25 miles from the Russian border. It was also the 558th day of Russia’s continuing invasion and, to protect the children from the constant threat of airstrikes, makeshift classrooms have been set up throughout the city’s sprawling subway system.
Read the full story here.
KHARKIV, Ukraine — The first-graders gathered to start a new school year in a windowless underground hallway turned classroom, gushing about the best things in the whole world.
A girl with a green handkerchief tied neatly around her neck held the yarn. It’s the talking yarn — meaning she had the floor. “My name is Nastia. I like chocolate,” she said. The students clapped. She passed the yarn to a boy.
Monday marked the first day of classes for students in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second biggest city, located just 25 miles from the Russian border. It was also the 558th day of Russia’s continuing invasion and, to protect the children from the constant threat of airstrikes, makeshift classrooms have been set up throughout the city’s sprawling subway system.
Read the full story here.
Blinken arrives in Ukraine to tout U.S. support amid doubts about offensive
KYIV — Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Ukraine on Wednesday to boost support for Kyiv as its military makes only incremental gains against entrenched Russian forces and Congress girds for fierce debates about future funding for the war.
The top U.S. diplomat, a close confidant of President Biden, is among Ukraine’s staunchest supporters within the administration, repeatedly pushing officials at home and abroad to provide more sophisticated weaponry to Kyiv and tamping down calls for a negotiated cease-fire with Moscow.
The two-day trip is Blinken’s fourth visit to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion started in February 2022 and his sixth since taking office. He is expected to announce more than $1 billion in new U.S. funding for Ukraine as Kyiv pleads for more economic and military assistance amid controversy following the resignation of its defense minister.
Read the full story here.
KYIV — Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Ukraine on Wednesday to boost support for Kyiv as its military makes only incremental gains against entrenched Russian forces and Congress girds for fierce debates about future funding for the war.
The top U.S. diplomat, a close confidant of President Biden, is among Ukraine’s staunchest supporters within the administration, repeatedly pushing officials at home and abroad to provide more sophisticated weaponry to Kyiv and tamping down calls for a negotiated cease-fire with Moscow.
The two-day trip is Blinken’s fourth visit to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion started in February 2022 and his sixth since taking office. He is expected to announce more than $1 billion in new U.S. funding for Ukraine as Kyiv pleads for more economic and military assistance amid controversy following the resignation of its defense minister.
Read the full story here.
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Strike in Ukraine’s east leaves at least 16 dead as Blinken visits Kyiv
A Russian strike on a market in Kostiantynivka, in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, left at least 16 people dead and at least 20 injured, Ukrainian officials said Wednesday.
“A regular market. Shops. A pharmacy. People who did nothing wrong,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Telegram. “When someone in the world still attempts to deal with anything Russian, it means turning a blind eye to this reality.”
The attack comes as Secretary of State Antony Blinken visits Kyiv, where he visited the U.S. Embassy on Wednesday and is set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The trip, Blinken’s fourth to Ukraine during the war, is meant to demonstrate U.S. support as Ukrainian troops struggle to make strides in their counteroffensive against Russian forces in the south.
More live updates here.
A Russian strike on a market in Kostiantynivka, in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, left at least 16 people dead and at least 20 injured, Ukrainian officials said Wednesday.
“A regular market. Shops. A pharmacy. People who did nothing wrong,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Telegram. “When someone in the world still attempts to deal with anything Russian, it means turning a blind eye to this reality.”
The attack comes as Secretary of State Antony Blinken visits Kyiv, where he visited the U.S. Embassy on Wednesday and is set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The trip, Blinken’s fourth to Ukraine during the war, is meant to demonstrate U.S. support as Ukrainian troops struggle to make strides in their counteroffensive against Russian forces in the south.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- A Russian missile strike hit a crowded market in Kostiantynivka, in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, leaving at least 17 people dead and at least 32 injured, Ukrainian officials said Wednesday.
- The attack, among the deadliest in recent months, came as Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Kyiv, where he stopped at the U.S. Embassy on Wednesday and was set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
- Blinken is expected to announce more than $1 billion in new U.S. funding for Ukraine.
- Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also arrived in the Ukrainian capital and addressed the parliament in Kyiv on Wednesday.
- Fragments that “resemble drone parts” were found on Romanian territory, said Ministry of Defense spokesman Constantin Spanu.
- Britain is planning to declare Russia’s Wagner Group a terrorist organization because of the nature and scale of the mercenaries’ operations, the Home Office said.
More live updates here.
- A Russian missile strike hit a crowded market in Kostiantynivka, in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, leaving at least 17 people dead and at least 32 injured, Ukrainian officials said Wednesday.
- The attack, among the deadliest in recent months, came as Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Kyiv, where he stopped at the U.S. Embassy on Wednesday and was set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
- Blinken is expected to announce more than $1 billion in new U.S. funding for Ukraine.
- Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also arrived in the Ukrainian capital and addressed the parliament in Kyiv on Wednesday.
- Fragments that “resemble drone parts” were found on Romanian territory, said Ministry of Defense spokesman Constantin Spanu.
- Britain is planning to declare Russia’s Wagner Group a terrorist organization because of the nature and scale of the mercenaries’ operations, the Home Office said.
More live updates here.