China News Agency, Beijing, April 1st. Comprehensive news: The Russian parliament's investigation committee on the establishment of biological laboratories by the United States in Ukraine held its first meeting on March 31 to investigate the relevant documents provided by the Russian Ministry of Defense.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on the same day that Russian troops had withdrawn from the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.
The presidential decree on the settlement of natural gas trade between Russia and "unfriendly" countries and regions in rubles came into effect on April 1, and the chain reaction of sanctions against Russia gradually emerged.
Russia launches investigation into U.S. biological laboratory in Ukraine, Russian troops have withdrawn from Chernobyl nuclear power plant
The website of the Russian State Duma (lower house of parliament) issued a statement saying that the Russian parliament's investigation committee on the establishment of biological laboratories by the United States in Ukraine held its first meeting on March 31 to hear information provided by the Russian Ministry of Defense.
The committee has launched an investigation into the documents provided by the Russian Defense Ministry.
Co-chairman of the committee and vice-chairman of the Russian State Duma Yarovaya said that the dangerous actions of the United States in Ukraine involve both Russia and Ukraine.
The committee is currently studying the links between the son of US President Biden and related projects in Ukraine.
According to a statement issued by the IAEA, Ukraine informed the agency on March 31 that Russian troops were withdrawing from the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and handed over control of the nuclear power plant to Ukrainian personnel in writing.
Later in the day, Reuters and other foreign media reported that the IAEA and the Ukrainian State Nuclear Power Corporation confirmed that the Russian military had handed over control of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant to the Ukrainian side. All Russian troops have left.
The IAEA said it had not been able to confirm reports of high doses of radiation received by Russian troops in the exclusion zone of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and was seeking more information to conduct an independent assessment of the situation.
The IAEA is in close consultation with the Ukrainian side to discuss sending aid teams to the nuclear power plant in the coming days.
The new regulation on natural gas settlement in rubles takes effect, and the chain reaction of sanctions against Russia gradually emerges
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a presidential decree on March 31 to settle natural gas trade in rubles with "unfriendly" countries and regions. The new regulations will take effect on April 1.
Putin said that in order to buy Russian natural gas, "unfriendly" countries and regions must open ruble accounts in Russian banks. If they refuse to pay in this way, Russia will consider it to be a breach of contract by the buyer, and all consequences should be borne by the buyer.
International Monetary Fund first vice president Gopinath said in an exclusive interview with the British "Financial Times" a few days ago that financial sanctions initiated by the West against Russia may weaken the dominance of the dollar and promote the formation of small trade-based currency blocs in some countries. The financial system is more "fragmented".
"We've seen that some countries are renegotiating what currency to settle their trade in," she said.
The UK will raise its energy price cap from April 1.
The price cap for energy used by the average household has risen by around £700, or 54%.
The UK energy price cap is adjusted every six months, with the next adjustment expected in October this year.
Some analysts believe that, taking into account factors such as the situation in Russia and Ukraine, the indicator may rise by 500 pounds again, further increasing the living burden of ordinary families.
German Deputy Chancellor and Minister of Economics and Climate Protection Habeck warned on March 30 that Germans will "get poorer" because of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Soaring energy prices have sparked record inflation and risk a recession in Germany.
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on March 31, saying that in accordance with the principle of reciprocity, Russia has further expanded the list of persons prohibited from entering EU member states and relevant institutions as a response to the EU's unilateral and intensive sanctions against Russia.
The restrictions have been extended to the EU leadership, including some European Commission members and leaders of the EU military establishment, as well as the vast majority of members of the European Parliament who pursue anti-Russian policies.
NATO says Russian military may launch more offensive Russia says NATO military supply to Ukraine hinders political dialogue
NATO Secretary-General Stoltenberg said on March 31 that according to NATO intelligence, Russian troops in Ukraine are redeploying and regrouping to launch a new offensive in the Donbas region.
At the same time, the Russian army still maintains pressure on cities such as Kyiv, which means that the Russian army may launch more attacks.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said on April 1 that political dialogue with NATO is impossible under current conditions.
According to the Russian Satellite News Agency, the director of the European Cooperation Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that NATO has strengthened its "East Wing" and its member states are supplying military supplies to Ukraine. conditions of communication.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense issued a statement on March 31 saying that since Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine, the Russian military has launched more than 1,370 missiles into Ukraine, destroying 15 Ukrainian airports, and more than 10 million Ukrainians have fled their homes.
Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Konashenkov confirmed on April 1 that the Russian armed forces used high-precision air-based weapons to destroy six Ukrainian military installations, including five ammunition and artillery weapons depots and one oil depot.
Konashenkov said on the same day that since the Russian side launched special military operations, the Russian army has destroyed 124 Ukrainian planes, 81 helicopters, 353 drones, 1,839 tanks and other armored vehicles, and 202 multiple rocket launchers. , 773 field artillery and mortars, 1711 special military vehicles.
All parties call for ceasefire and talk about safe evacuation of affected people
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on March 31 that the peace talks held by Ukrainian and Russian representatives in Turkey provided an important opportunity for the process of ending the crisis and establishing peace, according to a statement issued by the Turkish Presidential Office on March 31. driving force.
He reiterated his proposal for a meeting between Zelensky and Putin in Turkey.
Polish President Duda met with visiting Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba in Warsaw on March 31.
Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Przydač said after the meeting that Poland will provide further support to Ukraine through "diplomatic activities and humanitarian assistance".
German Chancellor Scholz joined visiting Austrian Chancellor Nehamer in Berlin on March 31 to call for a ceasefire as soon as possible so that Ukraine can receive humanitarian aid and advance peace talks.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Ukraine said on March 31 that the ICRC was ready to lead the safe passage evacuation operation on April 1, and the relevant teams had arrived in Zaporozhye with pre-positioned relief and medical supplies. Ready to assist in the safe evacuation of civilians from Mariupol and the delivery of relief supplies into the city.
The ICRC calls on all parties to provide security and practical agreements for civilians and humanitarian organizations so that aid can be brought in and civilians can be safely evacuated.
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