Russia's military invasion of Ukraine continues.

Russian and Ukrainian troops continue to fight in various parts of Ukraine, and many civilians are evacuating abroad.

We will keep you updated on the movements on the 18th (Japan time) regarding the situation in Ukraine, such as the situation of the battle and the diplomacy of the countries concerned.



(There is a time difference of 7 hours between Japan and Ukraine and 6 hours from Moscow, Russia).

Principal Director of the IMF Board Suspension of the position of Russian representative

The IMF = International Monetary Fund has announced that it has temporarily suspended the position of Russian representative Alexei Mogene, who is the chief director of the board.

The IMF explains why, "It is the result of considering the impact of Russia's continued military invasion of Ukraine on his duties."

Leaders of the G7 = seven major countries such as the United States and Japan announced on the 11th of this month that they will work together to prevent Russia from receiving loans from the IMF.



On the other hand, the IMF has decided to provide Ukraine with financial support of 1.4 billion dollars, including loans for emergency use, and about 160 billion yen in Japanese yen.

NATO Large-scale military exercises in Scandinavia

NATO = members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization are conducting large-scale military exercises in Norway, Northern Europe.

NATO military exercises will be held throughout Norway from this month to next month, assuming that Norway has been attacked, with approximately 30,000 participants from 27 countries, including Sweden and Finland, which are not members of NATO.



On the 17th, at the base in southern Norway, the training of French, Spanish, and Polish troops was released as the training of the first response force to be dispatched in the event of an unforeseen situation.

The organizer, the Norwegian Army, emphasizes that the exercises have been held every other year since 16 years ago and are not directly related to Russia's military invasion of Ukraine, but NATO is more vigilant against Russia. It is an unusual exercise in the midst of further strengthening, and NATO military committee chairman Bauer explained to reporters that "it is becoming more and more important to prepare for the worst and unforeseen circumstances." Did.

Ukraine-Turkey Foreign Minister meets

Turkey's Foreign Minister Chaushor met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergeĭ Vik in Moscow on the 16th, followed by a visit to Ribiu in western Ukraine on the 17th to meet with Foreign Minister Kleba to ensure Ukraine's security. He made it clear that he had discussed with both sides to build the framework.



On the 17th, Foreign Minister Chaushor told reporters after a meeting with Foreign Minister Kleba, "Ukraine on an agreement to collectively secure the security of Ukraine with the participation of Germany and Germany as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. There was a suggestion from. "

Foreign Minister Chaushor had previously met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergeĭ Viklov on the 16th, saying, "I think Russia can accept this proposal from the Ukrainian side," a new proposal by the Ukrainian side. He expressed his hope for the progress of the discussion on the framework.



Meanwhile, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Kleba posted on Twitter after the meeting that "solidarity with Turkey is unwavering," and thanked Turkey for its diplomatic efforts and humanitarian assistance.

In addition, on the 17th, the Turkish Presidential Office also issued a statement, stating that President Erdogan and President Putin had a telephone talk, saying that "a talk between leaders is necessary to agree on some themes." , President Erdogan has made a renewed proposal to invite the presidents of both countries to Turkey.

Surface-to-air missile system Slovakia is willing to donate

Slovakia's Defense Minister Naji has shown a positive attitude toward the provision of the surface-to-air missile system that Ukraine is seeking from each country to strengthen its air defense capabilities, and the United States will discuss the provision with each country. Was shown.



In Ukraine, civilian casualties continue to increase due to invading Russian bombings and missile attacks, and President Zelensky says that it is necessary to strengthen air defense capabilities to counter this, and a surface-to-air missile system with the ability to shoot down fighter aircraft and missiles We are requesting each country to provide "S300".



Under these circumstances, Slovak Defense Minister Naji, who owns this system, held a press conference after meeting with US Secretary of Defense Austin on the 17th, saying, "We are discussing with the United States and others and we intend to provide to Ukraine. There is, "he said, showing a positive attitude.

However, he acknowledged that this system is the only air defense system for Slovakia, and that it is necessary to replenish an alternative system when providing it.

When asked if the United States was ready to provide an alternative system, Austin said, "This is a problem not only for the United States but also for NATO," and said that he would discuss with NATO countries. Shown.

“780 civilians died” Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has announced that 780 civilians have been confirmed dead in Ukraine by the 16th of this month, including at least 58 children.

This includes citizens of the eastern states of Donetsk and Lugansk, the capital Kyiv and the second city of Kharkiv.



However, although there is information that many citizens such as Mariupol, who continue to be violently attacked, have been killed, they are not included because detailed confirmation has not been obtained, and the actual number of victims is said to be even higher.

Mariupol Theater destroyed

The theater was destroyed in Mariupol, eastern Ukraine, where the damage was widespread due to a violent attack by Russian troops.

Foreign Minister Kleba posted a photo of the scene on Twitter, claiming that hundreds of people had been evacuated to the theater.



Regarding this, Mariupol's city council said that many of the evacuees were women, children, and the elderly, and on the 17th "Telegram" on SNS "The theater is removing debris and rescue people." explained.

However, he said, "The situation of the victim is currently being confirmed," and the detailed situation is still unknown.



Meanwhile, Ukraine's deputy prime minister for Europe told Facebook on the 17th that "the theater shelter was safe and we were already able to rescue 130 people."

Three weeks after the start of the military invasion

It has been three weeks in 17 days since Russia's military invasion of Ukraine began.

Among those who have fled to neighboring Poland due to cross-border evacuation and uncertainties about the future, there are a number of people who are sick and face major challenges.



More than 1.8 million of the people who fled the country have been evacuated to Poland, a neighboring country of Ukraine, and Rzeszow, a city about 70 km away from the border, is a relay point for the evacuated people to go to their next destination. It has become.

The shopping mall in the center was operated as an emergency shelter, and about 300 people including mothers with young children and the elderly were resting on the 17th.



According to doctors, there are a number of people who are sick due to the cold, tiredness of escaping across national borders, and anxiety about the future.

There are many symptoms such as colds among young children, and adults complain of foot pain caused by walking for a long time.