DefenceTalkHungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban called EU sanctions against Russia “a step towards war” on Friday, describing the bloc’s Russia policy as dangerous. Orban has sought to take a neutral position since Russia invaded Ukraine in February, refusing to send Kyiv military aid and opposing an 18-billion-euro EU support package for Ukraine. Although Budapest didn’t […]https://www.defencetalk.com/eus-russia-sanctions-a-step-towards-war-hungary-pm-79619/

DefenceTalkEU foreign ministers are on Monday to discuss a sixth round of sanctions on Moscow for its war in Ukraine but the bloc remains divided over a ban on Russian gas and oil imports. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said during a visit to Kyiv on Friday that the EU was now engaged […]https://www.defencetalk.com/eu-to-discuss-sixth-round-of-sanctions-on-russia-78657/

DefenceTalkParis’ defence ministry on Monday denied that France breached European sanctions by continuing to sell military equipment to Russia after its 2014 annexation of Crimea. Investigative journalism outfit Disclose reported that around 152 million euros ($167 million) of gear had been approved for export since 2015, citing both “top secret” documents and public sources. Most […]https://www.defencetalk.com/france-denies-breaching-sanctions-with-russia-arms-sales-78420/

DefenceTalkEU members on Tuesday agreed a package of new sanctions against Russia that aims to inflict severe damage on the country after its recognition of breakaway regions in Ukraine, the EU foreign policy chief said. The 27 members of the EU unanimously agreed the measures at an informal meeting in Paris on the sidelines of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/eu-agrees-sanctions-that-will-hurt-russia-78028/

DefenceTalkIran nuclear deal talks will resume in Vienna on Tuesday, diplomats said Monday, after negotiators in recent weeks have cited progress in seeking to revive the 2015 landmark accord. Parties to the deal have been negotiating in Vienna since last year with indirect US participation. Talks were most recently halted at the end of last […]https://www.defencetalk.com/iran-nuclear-deal-talks-to-resume-in-vienna-on-tuesday-eu-77838/

DefenceTalkNorth Korea pressed ahead with the development of its nuclear and missile programs last year despite international sanctions, according to a confidential United Nations report seen by AFP on Saturday. Pyongyang is under major sanctions over its weapons programs, including a ban on exports of coal, iron, lead, textiles, seafood and other products. While no […]https://www.defencetalk.com/north-korea-presses-ahead-with-weapons-development-despite-sanctions-77827/

DefenceTalkChina and Russia on Thursday blocked a US push to impose United Nations sanctions on five North Koreans in response to recent missile launches by Pyongyang, diplomats told AFP. China’s block came before a new closed-door Security Council meeting on North Korea, also requested by Washington, and was followed by Russia’s decision to similarly oppose […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-russia-block-us-push-for-un-sanctions-on-n-koreans-diplomats-77706/

DefenceTalkA group of US lawmakers on Tuesday called for pre-emptive sanctions on Russia and expanded arms shipments to Ukraine, fearing that action so far may not dissuade President Vladimir Putin from invading. After a weekend visit to Ukraine, the three lawmakers — all military veterans — said they were convinced Putin was serious about an […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-lawmakers-urge-pre-emptive-sanctions-ukraine-arms-to-deter-putin-77589/

DefenceTalkUS President Joe Biden’s top Pacific envoy on Wednesday accused China of trying to “drive Australia to its knees” through a barrage of sanctions that amounted to “economic warfare”. In remarks to the Sydney-based Lowy Institute, veteran diplomat Kurt Campbell lampooned Beijing for strong-arm tactics. Painting China as increasingly bellicose and determined to impose its […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-accuses-china-of-economic-warfare-against-australia-77523/

DefenceTalkIran’s president has assured his French counterpart that his government is serious about resumed talks on reviving a 2015 nuclear deal but stressed that lifting US sanctions is the absolute priority. President Ebrahim Raisi’s comments in a phone call with Emmanuel Macron on Monday evening were his first after the reopening of the talks in […]https://www.defencetalk.com/irans-raisi-says-ending-sanctions-key-to-vienna-talks-77512/