Russian Diplomats Warn West Over Ukraine ahead of NATO Summit 

Flags of NATO alliance members flap in the wind outside NATO headquarters in Brussels, on Feb. 28, 2020. (AP)
Flags of NATO alliance members flap in the wind outside NATO headquarters in Brussels, on Feb. 28, 2020. (AP)
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Russian Diplomats Warn West Over Ukraine ahead of NATO Summit 

Flags of NATO alliance members flap in the wind outside NATO headquarters in Brussels, on Feb. 28, 2020. (AP)
Flags of NATO alliance members flap in the wind outside NATO headquarters in Brussels, on Feb. 28, 2020. (AP)

Russia warned on Tuesday of "catastrophic consequences" for Europe if the Ukraine war escalates, as NATO leaders prepared to deliver a "positive message" to Kyiv at a summit on its future prospects for joining the military alliance.

Moscow has cited NATO's eastern expansion as a key factor in its decision to invade Ukraine nearly 17 months ago. On Monday the Kremlin said that if Ukraine joined the alliance, this would pose a direct threat to Russia's security to which it would react clearly and firmly.

In a series of statements by senior Russian diplomats ahead of the NATO summit in Vilnius, Konstantin Gavrilov, a Vienna-based senior Russian security negotiator, accused the United States of fueling the conflict by pouring arms into Ukraine.

In an interview with Russia's RIA state news agency, Gavrilov said Europe would be the first to face "catastrophic consequences" if the war escalated further. He did not specify what those consequences would be.

"Let's look at the facts - the fate of Europe is of little interest to the United States," he said, accusing Washington of pursuing an agenda of seeking to weaken and undermine Russia.

Earlier, Russia's ambassador to the United States, Anatoly Antonov, made a similar criticism of what he called Washington's "anti-Russian" stance at the summit in Vilnius.

"Everything is being done to prepare local public opinion for the approval of any anti-Russian decisions that will be made in Vilnius in the coming days," Antonov said in a post on the embassy's Telegram channel.

Plans

At the summit in the Lithuanian capital, NATO leaders are set to approve the alliance's first comprehensive plans since the end of the Cold War to defend against any attack by Moscow.

Russia's ambassador to Belgium, Alexander Tokovinin, in comments cited by RIA, said those plans would make NATO's confrontation with Moscow more tense and prolonged.

Diplomats said differences were narrowing among the allies over Ukraine's push for NATO membership, though it will not be invited to join the alliance while the war still rages.

Gavrilov told RIA: "Both the United States and NATO understand that time is not working for them. They are losing in Ukraine."

Kyiv's counteroffensive, which began last month, has been proceeding more slowly than hoped, but Ukraine's military said on Monday its forces had caught occupying Russian troops "in a trap" in the shattered eastern city of Bakhmut.

Reuters could not immediately verify the battlefield claims.



Israeli Judiciary Examines Impeaching Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Budapest on April 4 (Reuters) 
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Budapest on April 4 (Reuters) 
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Israeli Judiciary Examines Impeaching Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Budapest on April 4 (Reuters) 
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Budapest on April 4 (Reuters) 

Well-informed sources in the Israeli judiciary have reported that the government's Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara is re-examining the possibility of impeaching Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu because of the hostile stance he and his government are taking against the head of the Shin Bet, Ronen Bar.

The dispute between the PM and Bar had lately gone far as to urge Netanyahu to cancel a security forum scheduled two days ago after Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced his intention to boycott such meetings if the Shin Bet chief attends.

Israeli sources said Netanyahu’s decision is a “serious violation of the rules of governance.”

They accused the government of letting internal rivalries override urgent national security concerns.

The PM decision to cancel the security meeting came amid increased tensions between the political echelon and the country’s security and judicial system, particularly considering the fresh security scandal, which saw a Shin Bet official arrested on suspicion of leaking classified information to an elected official and two journalists.

It also comes after Netanyahu’s cabinet voted last month to fire Bar, a decision that the High Court of Justice froze until further notice.

Unofficial Security Consultations

On Wednesday, Kan 11 reported that from now on, Netanyahu will hold the majority of his security meetings informally, to ensure that the head of the Shin Bet does not attend.

On Wednesday, Smotrich’s office said he notified Netanyahu he would not participate in security meetings if Bar was attending, calling him a “dangerous man” who uses Shin Bet tools for “personal needs” and to “take revenge on politicians and journalists.”

Opposition’s Reaction

In return, Opposition Leader Yair Lapid, who said that calling off a security cabinet meeting “because of a threat from an extremist minister is a direct violation of state security.”

He added that the “criminal government is a danger to every citizen of the State of Israel”.

Similarly, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said that it was “alarmed” that “sensitive security discussions are being canceled due to personal and political disputes.”

“What other discussions will be canceled due to the same conflicts?” the forum asked. “Will the fate of the hostages be decided based on petty politics?

“Show responsibility, sit in one room and come up with an agreement that will return everyone,” it added.

Benny Gantz, chairman of the opposition National Unity party, said that the cancellation of the meeting was “reckless” and could harm Israel’s national security.