Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia | Reuters Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned the Eastern European country of Moldova that any threat to the security of Russian forces in the breakaway region of Transnistria would be considered an attack on Moscow. “Everyone should understand that any kind of action that poses a threat to the safety of our soldiers will be considered under international law as an attack on the Russian Federation,” Lavrov said, according to the Associated Press. Transnistria, internationally recognized as part of Moldova, is located on Ukraine’s southwestern border and is home to a significant pro-Russian separatist population. Lavrov’s comments renewed fears that the region could be at risk of being drawn into the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Moldova’s foreign ministry reportedly summoned the acting Russian ambassador to clarify the situation. — Sam Meredith
UN inspectors at Ukraine’s Zaporizhia nuclear plant ‘going nowhere’
UN inspectors have vowed to continue their visit to a Russian-controlled nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine despite an early shelling attack on the town next to the facility. Genya Savilov | Afp | Getty Images The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN’s nuclear watchdog, is adamant the group will maintain an ongoing presence at the Russian-owned Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine. His comments come as both Russia and Ukraine say they fear a possible radiological disaster as a result of heavy bombing at Europe’s largest nuclear power plant. The IAEA was finally able to visit the site on Thursday after a delay of several hours. “We’re not going anywhere,” Grossi told reporters. “The IAEA is now there, it is at the plant and it is not moving. It will remain there. We will have a continuous presence there at the plant.” Asked if people should be worried about the Zaporizhzhia plant, Grossi replied: “I didn’t need to come here to worry about the plant. I was worried, I am worried and I will continue to worry about the plant until we have a situation that is more stable , that’s more predictable.” — Sam Meredith
Russia’s energy influence in Europe may be coming to an end
While the EU is on track to beat targets for filling natural gas storage facilities, analysts warn that this alone will not be enough. Picture Alliance | Picture Alliance | Getty Images Russia’s energy influence in Europe appears to be coming to an end, energy and political analysts say, potentially mitigating the risk of further supply disruptions. Europe has in recent months suffered a sharp drop in natural gas exports from Russia, traditionally its biggest energy supplier. A bitter gas dispute between Brussels and Moscow following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has exacerbated the risk of a recession and winter gas shortages. In addition, many fear that Russia could soon turn off the taps completely. Asked whether Russia’s energy influence in Europe might end, Agathe Demarais, director of global forecasts at The Economist Intelligence Unit, told CNBC, “Yes. Actually, very much so.” “Europe is heading for a very difficult winter, probably two years of very difficult adjustment with a lot of economic pain. But then Europe will essentially become more independent with a more diversified mix,” Demarais said. “And that means that Russia’s energy weapon will become contested,” he added. Read the full story here. — Sam Meredith
Oil rises as G-7 finance chiefs reportedly set to advance Russian oil price cap plan
More than 7 million Ukrainians have become refugees from Russia’s war
6-year-old twins Artur (L) and Dawid from Odessa are seen waiting at the train station in Przemysl, southeastern Poland, on April 6, 2022. Wojtek Radwanski AFP | Getty Images More than 7 million Ukrainians have become refugees and moved to neighboring countries since Russia invaded Ukraine in late February, the UN refugee agency estimates. Nearly 4 million of those people have applied for temporary residency status in neighboring Western countries, according to data compiled by the agency. “The escalation of conflict in Ukraine has caused civilian casualties and the destruction of civilian infrastructure, forcing people to flee their homes in search of safety, protection and assistance,” the UN Refugee Agency wrote. — Amanda Macias
Zelenskyy said journalists were barred from touring the Zaporizhzhia plant with IAEA inspectors
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shakes hands with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, who will lead a planned mission to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant as Russia’s offensive on Ukraine continues, in Kyiv, of Ukraine on August 30, 2022. Presidential Press Service of Ukraine | via Reuters Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a nightly speech that both Ukrainian and international journalists were not allowed to tour the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant with IAEA representatives. “Today, the IAEA mission arrived at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. It is good that it happened, the event itself, despite all the provocations of the Russian army and the cynical shelling of Enerhodar and the grounds of the plant,” he said in a briefing. on the messaging app Telegram, according to a translation by NBC News. Zelensky added that the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, had promised him that independent journalists would accompany the inspectors. “Unfortunately, the representatives of the IAEA did not protect the representatives of the independent media,” added Zelensky. — Amanda Macias
