Zelensky accuses Iran of direct role in Russia’s war against Ukraine

Russia has sharply criticized the European Union after the bloc approved its 21st package of sanctions, saying the new measures will damage European economies more than Russia and further increase tensions between Moscow and Brussels. In a statement released by Russia’s Permanent Mission to the European Union, officials said the approval process for the latest sanctions exposed growing divisions within the EU. According to Moscow, many member states were reluctant to support additional restrictions because of the economic burden they are already facing. Russia claimed the lengthy negotiations reflected increasing concern among European governments over the impact of sanctions on businesses, energy supplies and overall economic growth. The Russian mission accused the European Union of continuing a policy of confrontation despite rising economic challenges across Europe. It said EU leaders were ignoring the financial costs of sanctions while pursuing what Moscow described as a political campaign against Russia. The statement also referred to comments by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas, who indicated that further sanctions could be introduced in the future. According to Russia, discussions on new sanctions have become a political ritual aimed at showing unity among EU member states rather than achieving practical results. Moscow argued that the restrictions have failed to weaken Russia in the way European leaders had expected. Instead, it claimed that European citizens and businesses are paying the price through higher energy costs, inflation and slower economic growth. The statement further argued that Europe’s economic difficulties have been intensified by the EU’s decision to reduce imports of Russian energy, continued financial and military support for Ukraine, and instability in global energy markets caused by ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Russian officials also pointed to a recent assessment by the European Central Bank, which highlighted geopolitical conflicts and energy market uncertainty as major risks to the European economy. Moscow said this assessment supports its argument that continued sanctions are creating additional pressure on European countries. Using a road journey as a comparison, the Russian mission said the European Union was following a path that could lead its economy into serious difficulties. It argued that EU policymakers should reconsider their current strategy instead of introducing more restrictions that, in Russia’s view, have produced limited results while increasing costs for Europe. The statement concluded by reaffirming that Russia considers the EU sanctions to be illegal unilateral measures. Moscow warned that any additional restrictions imposed by the European Union would receive what it described as an effective and appropriate response from Russia.

JAKARTA: Indonesian rescue teams have evacuated 172 people after a passenger ferry travelling from Bali to Lombok caught fire in the Lombok Strait early Wednesday. Officials said one Indonesian passenger was confirmed dead as rescue crews continued searching the surrounding waters for anyone who may still be missing. The KM Putri Yasmin was sailing from Padangbai port in Bali towards Lembar port in West Nusa Tenggara when the incident occurred. Local rescue authorities said the ferry caught fire at around 4:39am local time. Muhammad Hariyadi, head of the local rescue agency, said emergency teams immediately launched an evacuation operation after receiving information about the incident. Several rescue boats were sent to the area to assist passengers and coordinate with other vessels operating near the ferry. More than 200 personnel were reportedly involved in the rescue effort. Most of those rescued were Indonesian nationals, while one Australian citizen was also among the survivors. The evacuees were transported to ports in Bali and Lombok for further assistance. Authorities have not yet determined what caused the fire. Officials were also investigating whether the ferry may have been carrying more people than officially registered. An official at Padangbai port, Heri Wiyanto, said the vessel’s manifest listed 114 passengers and 17 crew members. The discrepancy between the registered figures and the number of people rescued has raised questions about passenger safety and possible overcrowding. The incident comes less than a month after another ferry accident in Indonesian waters. The KM Mutiara Sentosa 2 caught fire off Madura island, killing five people. That vessel was also reportedly carrying more passengers than listed on its official manifest. Indonesia depends heavily on ferries because its thousands of islands are separated by extensive stretches of sea. Ferry services are widely used by residents and tourists because they are generally more accessible and affordable than air travel. However, a series of maritime accidents has repeatedly raised concerns about safety enforcement, passenger capacity and emergency preparedness in the country’s ferry industry. Rescue officials said the search operation would continue as authorities work to establish the full number of people who were aboard the vessel and determine how the fire began.