Slovak Prime Minister Fico agreed to meet with the President of Ukraine. A plane carrying money crashed in Bolivia, there are fatalities. Denmark wants to change the rules for some Ukrainian refugees. Bill Clinton testified in the US Congress about the “Epstein files”. The Swedish Armed Forces confirmed that the French aircraft carrier's whites shot down a Russian drone the day before – Suspilne collected the main news on the morning of February 28.
Fico agreed to meet with Zelensky
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said he had agreed to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss “all issues.” But he suggested holding it in one of the European Union countries. He also said that after the conversation, he had the impression that “the Ukrainian side is not interested in resuming oil transit through the territory of Ukraine.” In addition, he noted that Ukraine has not yet allowed the Slovak ambassador to inspect the pipeline, denying access even to an EU diplomat,
Context : On February 27, President Zelensky had a telephone conversation with Fico, during which he invited him to visit Ukraine to discuss all existing issues. On February 12, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga stated that the supply of Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia through the Druzhba oil pipeline had been suspended since January 27 due to a Russian attack. According to the head of the Lviv Regional State Administration, Kozytsky, an infrastructure facility was damaged there.
Plane carrying money crashes in Bolivia
A Hercules cargo plane belonging to the country's Air Force crashed in the western South American country of Bolivia, in the city of El Alto. It was transporting banknotes to the Central Bank. There are dead and injured in the plane crash: the BBC reports that 11 people have died, Reuters reports that 15 and at least 30 others have been injured. An investigation into the causes of the crash is underway.
Context : The Bolivian Defense Ministry stressed that the money carried by the plane did not have an official numbering and serial number, and therefore no purchase price. “Its collection, possession or use is a crime,” the defense ministry added. Residents of the city of El Alto are asked to stay away from the scene of the incident and not to interfere with the work of the authorities. There are unconfirmed videos where people gathered to collect money, and law enforcement officers dispersed them.
Denmark wants to change rules for some Ukrainian refugees
The Danish government wants to change the rules for obtaining a special residence permit for some refugees from Ukraine: men liable for military service between the ages of 23 and 60 and Ukrainians from 14 central and western regions will not be able to obtain the permit, which is currently determined by a separate law in the country. The Danish government would also like Ukrainian refugees who receive cash assistance to be required to work, like other asylum seekers.
Context : Despite its own legislation on special residence permits, Denmark is a member of the European Union that grants temporary protection to Ukrainians. Norway also proposes to limit temporary collective protection to Ukrainian men aged 18 to 60. The changes will apply to new applicants and will not affect those who already have protection.
Bill Clinton testified before the US Congress
The 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton, testified before the House of Representatives regarding the cases of Jeffrey Epstein, accused of sex crimes. In particular, lawmakers showed Clinton photos of him with women from the “Epstein files” recently released by the Department of Justice. The former president was asked if he had sex with these women. He denied it. Clinton claims that he was unaware of Epstein's crimes when he was in contact with him.
Context : Clinton's wife, former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, also testified before Congress the day before. She stressed that she had never met or communicated with Epstein. This was confirmed by Bill the next day. In his opinion, it was wrong to call Hillary to testify before Congress.
Sweden confirms Russian drone shot down near French aircraft carrier
The Swedish Armed Forces confirmed that a Russian drone was detected and shot down near the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle the day before. One of the Swedish ships observed the drone take off from the Russian electronic intelligence ship Zhigulevsk in the Oresund Strait. The Russian vessel initially moved into Swedish territorial waters in accordance with international law.
Context : On February 26, a drone was shot down in Sweden after it approached the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, which was in the port of Malmö for strategic exercises. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said that the drone could not have posed any threat to the aircraft carrier in any case, and called the entire incident an “absurd provocation.”