Beginning of Russian invasion, says US Secretary of State Blinken; cancels meeting with Lavrov
Washington(PTI): US Secretary of State Tony Blinken on Tuesday cancelled his scheduled meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov later this week in protest against what he said was the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, who jointly addressed a news conference with Blinken at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department, said that the world must respond with all its economic might to punish Russia for the crimes it has already committed and ahead of the crimes it plans to commit.
Hit Russia's economy now and hit it hard, he said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday signed decrees to recognise Ukraine's regions of Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics as independent , escalating the tension in the region and increasing fears of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. He also ordered Russian troops into eastern Ukraine in what the Kremlin called a "peacekeeping" mission in the Moscow-backed regions.
Responding to questions, Blinken said that further renewed Russian invasion of Ukraine that has now begun means clearly that the idea of having a meeting this week with Foreign Minister Lavrov to pursue diplomacy, now rejected by Russia, does not make sense.
The two leaders were scheduled to meet in Europe on February 24.
But having said that, to the extent there is anything that we can do to avert an even worst-case scenario, an all-out assault on all of Ukraine including its capital, that would inflict horrific costs on the Ukrainian people, we will always pursue that, the secretary of state said, noting that the US and its allies remain open to diplomacy, but Moscow needs to demonstrate that it's serious.
Blinken alleged that Putin has all along planned to invade Ukraine, to control Ukraine and its people, to destroy Ukraine's democracy, which offers a stark contrast to the autocracy that he leads, to reclaim Ukraine as a part of Russia.
That's why this is the greatest threat to security in Europe since World War II. Ukraine is in danger.
President Putin is blatantly and violently breaking the laws and principles that have kept the peace across Europe and around the world for decades. Yesterday at an emergency session of the UN Security Council requested by Ukraine, the United States and many other countries condemned Russia's renewed attack on Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity as a violation of international law and the United Nations Charter, Blinken said.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba said that the entire world stands today with Ukraine.
Putin wants much more than a war-torn piece of Ukrainian land and people living there. What stops him is only our unity and resolve, and we can still stop him. Ukraine continues the engagement with the United States, EU, and NATO in diplomatic efforts to ease tensions, he said.
Kuleba called for sustained pressure on Russia.
If that involves regular issuance of executive orders or new sanctions, we will be more than happy to see that, Kuleba added.
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"Embarrassing situation, big people from all parties" involved in illegal sand mining: K'taka min
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Tuesday said that "big people from all parties" are involved in illegal sand mining, after a woman MLA claimed that she was receiving threats from the sand mafia following her attempts to stop their activities in Raichur district of the state.
This was an "embarrassing situation," he said.
The Home minister was responding to a question raised by JD (S) MLA from Devadurga, Karemma Nayak in the Legislative Assembly.
"I have not shared details of who is involved, who is the leader behind it. It is a big racket. Big people are involved. Big people from all parties are involved...it is a little embarrassing situation," Parameshwara said while speaking on illegal sand mining in Raichur district.
He said he will soon call a meeting on how police should tackle it.
"We have no mercy on this. I will call the meeting of legislators from the district and take their suggestions before taking any decision," he added.
Karemma Nayak, earlier raising the issue said, she is speaking with a lot of pain about illegal sand mining in her constituency.
"After becoming the MLA I have been honestly fighting to stop illegal sand mining, but it has not been possible till today.....sand is illegally mined and transported using JCBs (earth movers) and tippers from Krishna river overnight. I'm getting lots of complaints from farmers about the activity also affecting their crops like chilli and cotton, with dust covering the crops," she said, adding that there has been no proper action despite her complaining to the authorities.
Stating that he has received threats at her house for raising voice against illegal sand mining, the MLA said, "I'm a woman MLA. What action is the government taking if such things are happening. Such things should stop.....those who came to threaten me did a press conference where two cops were deployed for them."
There is demand for sand locally, the government floated tenders for extraction and supply of sand, but the bids have not been opened, she said. "Big hands are behind it as illegal mining means money. It results in loss of royalty for the government."
Parameshwara said that the illegal sand mining is not limited to Devadurga and that it happens across the state and necessary measures are being taken to control it from time to time.
Highlighting the role that the Mines and Geology Department has to play in controlling such activities, he said there is a Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, and there is a committee comprising officials including Deputy Commissioner and the police. "When a complaint is filed, the police take action," he said.
There is also a separate Sand Task Force, he said, adding that "sometimes there are lapses. I will see to it that they work properly....there is no question of compromising on this issue, but we can't stop this in one day."
The minister also assured protection and safety to Karemma and other legislators.
"I want to assure Karemma Nayak that we will not let any trouble in any way. We, the police department, are here to protect you. This assurance is for all legislators. In case of any lapses I will certainly take action," he assured.
