As we mark one year since the start of Russia’s devastating war against Ukraine, we stand united in our condemnation of the ongoing aggression and its impact on the people of Ukraine. This war is a clear violation of sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and principles of international law as enshrined in the UN Charter. It is also a clear denial of the Ukrainian people’s right to freely decide their own destiny.
The brutality of this blatant aggression is on display every day: millions displaced and uprooted from their lives, homes and infrastructure destroyed, entire neighbourhoods left in the dark without heat or electricity, and thousands of lives, including many children, lost in a senseless and brutal war. The EU stands by Ukraine in its right to defend itself against the scourge of evil.
The food, energy and economic crises that have resulted from the war have had far-reaching effects, not only for the people of Ukraine but for most countries around the world. The EU and Ukraine, in collaboration with partners, have done everything in their power to mitigate the consequences in order to alleviate the effects on the countries impacted the most. The EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes, launched in May 2022, is a case in point, providing a lifeline for the Ukrainian economy through crucial exports of its agricultural goods.
The EU and Ukraine have a long-standing, deep and comprehensive partnership, built on shared values and interests. We stand together in the face of this aggression. Over the past year, the EU has shown unwavering support for Ukraine by providing humanitarian aid, financial assistance, as well as political and military support. The EU and its partners have imposed some of the toughest economic sanctions on Russia.
The food, energy and economic crises that have resulted from the war have had far-reaching effects
The displacement of millions of people from their homes has created a severe humanitarian crisis that demands our immediate attention. Those Ukrainians who remain are faced with increasing attacks on vital infrastructure. The EU and Ukraine are working tirelessly to provide assistance to those in need. The EU and its member states have mobilised more than $50 billion to support Ukraine. This includes an emergency package focused on the immediate needs of internally displaced persons, including repair of damaged infrastructure, in particular heating, water and sewage facilities. The EU has also provided an unprecedented financial support package, in the form of highly concessional loans, with the first installment of over $3bn disbursed last month. This will not only help keep critical services running, but also ensure macroeconomic stability. The EU and its member states have also provided military assistance so that Ukraine can defend itself against its aggressor.
Global partners have also shown great solidarity with Ukraine. The UAE has supported Ukraine through diplomatic efforts, including its support for several UN General Assembly resolutions, in particular condemning the illegal annexation of parts of Ukraine. In addition, the UAE has provided $100 million in humanitarian aid and sent medical and relief supplies. More recently, the country sent 2,500 household electrical generators, to provide immediate support to citizens facing energy shortages.
Despite the efforts of the international community, the situation in Ukraine remains grim as Russia's violence continues to escalate. However, Russia is losing the narrative and on the battlefield. For peace to be achieved, Ukraine must win the war.
This is why continued military assistance to Ukraine is a necessary and justified step towards restoring peace and stability in the region. The goal is for Ukraine to overcome its aggressor and put an end to this devastating war as soon as possible avoiding that it becomes a prolonged war of attrition. The alternative is continued death and destruction in Ukraine, greater insecurity in Europe, and ongoing suffering around the world as energy and food supplies are affected. Neither Ukraine nor the EU started this war, which we never wanted. The responsibility lies solely with Russia.
There are those who argue that more weapons will only prolong the conflict and risk further escalation, and that diplomatic negotiations are the only solution. While Europe will always be open to any serious attempts for a negotiated end to the war, any such efforts must be pursued on Ukrainian terms, with full respect for its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Russia has so far made it clear that it intends to persist with the war. Until Russia changes its stance, the only way to end the war is to give Ukraine the means to defend itself and regain its territory.
The people of Ukraine deserve to live in peace, security and prosperity. This is why they have chosen a European path and aspire to become members of the EU. It is our responsibility to support them in this goal. The EU and Ukraine will continue to work together to promote peace and stability in Europe and to support the people of Ukraine as they work to rebuild their lives and their country.
As we mark one year since the start of the war in Ukraine, we renew our call for all nations to support Ukraine in its efforts to bring an end to this war. On this sad day, we urge all international partners to join us in this effort and to support a democratic, independent, sovereign, and prosperous Ukraine.
On the occasion of the anniversary of the Ukraine war, The National is publishing a joint op-ed authored by the Ambassadors of Ukraine and the EU to the UAE on the ongoing war. The National also published an op-ed from the Ambassador of Russia to the UAE. In the spirit of reflecting their thoughts accurately, The National has published their articles in full, and the views expressed within them do not represent that of the paper.
RESULT
West Brom 2 Liverpool 2
West Brom: Livermore (79'), Rondón (88' )
Liverpool: Ings (4'), Salah (72')
Analysis
Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more
The biog
Full name: Aisha Abdulqader Saeed
Age: 34
Emirate: Dubai
Favourite quote: "No one has ever become poor by giving"
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Coming soon
Torno Subito by Massimo Bottura
When the W Dubai – The Palm hotel opens at the end of this year, one of the highlights will be Massimo Bottura’s new restaurant, Torno Subito, which promises “to take guests on a journey back to 1960s Italy”. It is the three Michelinstarred chef’s first venture in Dubai and should be every bit as ambitious as you would expect from the man whose restaurant in Italy, Osteria Francescana, was crowned number one in this year’s list of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants.
Akira Back Dubai
Another exciting opening at the W Dubai – The Palm hotel is South Korean chef Akira Back’s new restaurant, which will continue to showcase some of the finest Asian food in the world. Back, whose Seoul restaurant, Dosa, won a Michelin star last year, describes his menu as, “an innovative Japanese cuisine prepared with a Korean accent”.
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
The highly experimental chef, whose dishes are as much about spectacle as taste, opens his first restaurant in Dubai next year. Housed at The Royal Atlantis Resort & Residences, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal will feature contemporary twists on recipes that date back to the 1300s, including goats’ milk cheesecake. Always remember with a Blumenthal dish: nothing is quite as it seems.
Essentials
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Delhi from about Dh950 return including taxes.
The hotels
Double rooms at Tijara Fort-Palace cost from 6,670 rupees (Dh377), including breakfast.
Doubles at Fort Bishangarh cost from 29,030 rupees (Dh1,641), including breakfast. Doubles at Narendra Bhawan cost from 15,360 rupees (Dh869). Doubles at Chanoud Garh cost from 19,840 rupees (Dh1,122), full board. Doubles at Fort Begu cost from 10,000 rupees (Dh565), including breakfast.
The tours
Amar Grover travelled with Wild Frontiers. A tailor-made, nine-day itinerary via New Delhi, with one night in Tijara and two nights in each of the remaining properties, including car/driver, costs from £1,445 (Dh6,968) per person.
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh135,000
Engine 1.6L turbo
Gearbox Six speed automatic with manual and sports mode
Power 165hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 240Nm @ 1,400rpm 0-100kph: 9.2 seconds
Top speed 420 kph (governed)
Fuel economy, combined 35.2L / 100km (est)
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
Results
6.30pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah Group Two (PA) US$55,000 (Dirt) 1,600m; Winner: Rasi, Harry Bentley (jockey), Sulaiman Al Ghunaimi (trainer).
7.05pm: Meydan Trophy (TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,900m; Winner: Ya Hayati, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Bochart, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
8.15pm: Balanchine Group Two (TB) $250,000 (T) 1,800m; Winner: Magic Lily, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,000m; Winner: Waady, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson.
9.25pm: Firebreak Stakes Group Three (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Capezzano, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer.
10pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,410m; Winner: Eynhallow, Mickael Barzalona, Charlie Appleby.
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Navdeep Suri, India's Ambassador to the UAE
There has been a longstanding need from the Indian community to have a religious premises where they can practise their beliefs. Currently there is a very, very small temple in Bur Dubai and the community has outgrown this. So this will be a major temple and open to all denominations and a place should reflect India’s diversity.
It fits so well into the UAE’s own commitment to tolerance and pluralism and coming in the year of tolerance gives it that extra dimension.
What we will see on April 20 is the foundation ceremony and we expect a pretty broad cross section of the Indian community to be present, both from the UAE and abroad. The Hindu group that is building the temple will have their holiest leader attending – and we expect very senior representation from the leadership of the UAE.
When the designs were taken to the leadership, there were two clear options. There was a New Jersey model with a rectangular structure with the temple recessed inside so it was not too visible from the outside and another was the Neasden temple in London with the spires in its classical shape. And they said: look we said we wanted a temple so it should look like a temple. So this should be a classical style temple in all its glory.
It is beautifully located - 30 minutes outside of Abu Dhabi and barely 45 minutes to Dubai so it serves the needs of both communities.
This is going to be the big temple where I expect people to come from across the country at major festivals and occasions.
It is hugely important – it will take a couple of years to complete given the scale. It is going to be remarkable and will contribute something not just to the landscape in terms of visual architecture but also to the ethos. Here will be a real representation of UAE’s pluralism.
How to help
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