DefenceTalkEuropean countries have seen stocks of iodine fly off the shelves due to fears it may be needed to counter the risks of thyroid cancer if Russia’s invasion of Ukraine causes a nuclear incident. France said it would send 2.5 million doses of the chemical compound to Ukraine after Russian forces there seized the defunct […]https://www.defencetalk.com/why-people-rush-for-iodine-tablets-over-nuclear-cancer-risk-78332/

DefenceTalkPresident Volodymyr Zelensky said he is no longer pressing for NATO membership for Ukraine, a delicate issue that was one of Russia’s stated reasons for invading its pro-Western neighbor. In another apparent nod aimed at placating Moscow, Zelensky said he is open to “compromise” on the status of two breakaway pro-Russian territories that President Vladimir […]https://www.defencetalk.com/in-nod-to-russia-ukraine-says-no-longer-insisting-on-nato-membership-78329/

DefenceTalkIran said Monday it was awaiting “details” on Russia’s demands for US guarantees that could potentially delay reaching an agreement in talks aiming to restore Tehran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Saturday that Moscow wants written guarantees from Washington that Western sanctions imposed on it over the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/iran-seeks-details-of-russian-demands-on-nuclear-deal-78313/

DefenceTalkUkraine on Saturday urged the West to amp up military assistance to the besieged country, including warplanes, as Russian President Vladimir Putin escalated warnings against NATO. “The highest demand that we have is in fighter jets, attack aircraft, and air-defense systems,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told a small group of journalists on the Poland-Ukraine […]https://www.defencetalk.com/ukraine-steps-up-pleas-for-warplanes-and-other-military-aid-78310/

DefenceTalkEarlier in the week, Roscosmos head Dmitry Rogozin refuted claims that the Russian space agency had allegedly “lost control” of its satellites, stressing that any cyberattacks against the country’s satellites are a “casus belli”. Russia will stop deliveries of rocket engines to the United States, Roscosmos head Dmitry Rogozin announced Thursday. “Not only are we […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-stops-deliveries-of-rocket-engines-to-us-roscosmos-head-says-78276/

DefenceTalkWestern allies on Friday condemned Russia over the shelling of a nuclear plant in Ukraine, but pushed back against calls for a no-fly zone from Kyiv to halt Moscow’s bombardments. Foreign ministers meeting in Brussels at NATO and the European Union said they were weighing more sanctions to keep up the pressure after hitting Moscow […]https://www.defencetalk.com/west-eyes-more-pressure-on-russia-after-ukraine-nuclear-plant-attack-78272/

DefenceTalkRussia’s space agency Roscosmos said Thursday it will be changing its program to prioritize making satellites for military purposes as Moscow becomes increasingly isolated following its invasion of Ukraine. “Our space program, of course, will be adjusted. Firstly, priorities will be set,” Roscosmos chief Dmitry Rogozin said in an interview with Russian state TV. “The […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-to-prioritize-making-military-satellites-78279/

DefenceTalkChina on Thursday denied a report it asked Russia to delay its invasion of Ukraine until after the Beijing Winter Olympics, as international scrutiny grows of warming ties between the two powers. Beijing has taken a cautious line over the actions of its close ally and President Xi Jinping held a meeting last month with […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-denies-asking-russia-to-delay-invasion-until-after-olympics-78258/

DefenceTalkFinland’s president called on Thursday for the country to remain calm while deciding whether to apply to join NATO as a defence against potential Russian aggression. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has sparked a debate in Finland over whether the militarily non-aligned country should join NATO, with a recent poll showing majority support for membership for […]https://www.defencetalk.com/finnish-president-urges-cool-head-over-nato-question-78255/

DefenceTalkGermany will increase weapons deliveries to Ukraine following the Russian invasion by sending 2,700 anti-aircraft missiles to the conflict zone, a government source told AFP on Thursday. The government “approved further support for Ukraine”, involving the delivery of STRELA-type anti-aircraft missiles of Soviet manufacture, which were previously used by the army of communist East Germany, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/germany-to-send-soviet-made-anti-aircraft-missiles-to-ukraine-78247/