Europe

BERLIN (AP) — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday criticized a diplomatic snub by Ukraine for his country’s president and defended Berlin’s record on delivering weapons to Kyiv amid tensions that have flared at a delicate moment in German policymaking on the war.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The presidents of four countries on Russia’s doorstep visited Ukraine on Wednesday in a show of support for the embattled country, after Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to continue his bloody offensive until its “full completion.”

The presidents of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia — all NATO countries that worry they may face Russian attack in the future if Ukraine falls — were traveling by train to Kyiv to meet Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

12 April 2022; MEMO: A decision driven by Saudi Arabia that OPEC+ should stop using oil data from the West's energy watchdog reflected concern about US influence on the figures, sources close to the matter said, adding to strain on ties between Riyadh and Washington,  Reuters reports.

The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies, including Russia, a group referred to as OPEC+, has so far ignored Western calls to increase output to try to lower oil prices of around $100 a barrel.

12 April 2022; MEMO: Turkiye plays a critical security role for all of Europe, Albania's Prime Minister, Edi Rama said, and Anadolu News Agency reports.

According to the report, Rama said Turkiye is not a "third actor", but a strategic partner of Albania, during a joint press conference with German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz.

"Especially with the defence industry, Turkiye plays a big role in the region," he said.

13 April 2022; MEMO: Far-right French presidential candidate and leader of the National Rally Party, Marine Le Pen, has sparked a wave of criticism after she said the late Tunisian leader Habib Bourguiba banned the head scarf worn by Muslim women in Algeria.

Le Pen was a guest on France Inter radio yesterday when she vowed to completely abolish the hijab in France, noting that she would not be the first president to do so, "as Bourguiba had done so in Algeria".

VOSTOCHNY COSMODROME /Amur Region/, April 12. /TASS/: Russia will restore its moon program, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a ceremony of awarding of Russian cosmonauts at the Vostochny Cosmodrome Tuesday, adding that he is talking about the launch of the Luna-25 automatic spacecraft.

According to the President, Russia intends to continue its work on development of a new-generation cargo spacecraft and nuclear space energy technologies, where Russia already has a very good groundwork and a "perfectly clear advantage."

VOSTOCHNY COSMODROME, April 12. /TASS/: Russia’s successes in space exploration indicate that Russia retained its leadership in this area, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a press conference after the talks with his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko, which took place at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in the Amur Region.

"Everything that we’ve seen during our visit to Vostochny, all successes in space exploration achieved in recent years prove that our country retains its leadership in space industry, is one of the leaders in this area," he said.

VOSTOCHNY COSMODROME /Amur Region/, April 12. /TASS/: Moscow and Minsk should strengthen integration in a situation where the West has unleashed a total sanction war, Russian President Vladmir Putin said after talks with his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko on Tuesday.

"I am certain that in the current situation, where the Western countries have unleashed a total sanction war against Russia and Belarus, it is important to strengthen our integration within the framework of the Union State. We are unanimous in this respect," Putin said.

MOSCOW, April 12. /TASS/: Russia’s COVID-19 case tally rose by 10,910 over the past day to 18,018,825, the anti-coronavirus crisis center reported on Tuesday.

In relative terms, the growth rate reached 0.06%.

As many as 4,233 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 in Russia over the past day, up 204.5% from a day earlier. The number of hospitalized patients increased in 82 regions, while in two regions the figure decreased. The situation remained unchanged in one region. A day earlier, 1,390 people were rushed to hospitals.

MOSCOW, April 12. /TASS/: The report of the US-based CNN TV company about the Eurobond default allegedly announced by Russia is not true to facts, the Russian Finance Ministry said on Tuesday.