Author: Laura Kelly

Ukraine’s imposing top lawmaker launches a charm offensive in DC

The first thing apparent about Ruslan Stefanchuk, the head of the Ukrainian Parliament, is his imposing size. Dressed in all-black, military-style fatigues, Stefanchuk was a towering figure this week standing next to American officials and lawmakers who barely reached his shoulders. In his first trip to Washington this past week, Stefanchuk held meetings with the…

Brittney Griner raises concern for Americans wrongly detained abroad on the one-year anniversary of her release

Basketball star Brittney Griner marked one-year since her release from a Russian jail by recognizing the plight of other Americans unjustly detained abroad and called for more efforts to secure their freedom. In a statement released as a holiday card, Griner and her wife Cherelle thanked the public for their support, saying it was important…

Four Russians become first charged under US war crimes act

The U.S. is bringing its first-ever charges of war crimes against four Russian military personnel for atrocities committed against an American citizen in Ukraine during Russia’s full-scale invasion of the country. Attorney General Merrick Garland announced the charges Wednesday, unsealing an indictment in the Eastern District of Virginia. “Congress passed the U.S. war crimes statute…

Ukrainian, European officials descend on Capitol Hill to press for funding

Ukrainian and eastern European officials are applying a full court press on Washington this week, trying to unstick Senate talks stalled over GOP demands to link Ukraine aid with U.S. policy changes on the southern border. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dispatched his closest political allies, president of the Ukrainian parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk, and head of his office, Andriy…

US announces visa bans for Israeli ‘extremist settlers’ in West Bank

The Biden administration announced Tuesday it will implement visa bans on Israelis viewed as “extremist settlers” in the West Bank. The policy move follows President Biden’s warning last month that sanctions could be imposed on individuals the U.S. views as involved in violence against Palestinians, particularly in the larger territory. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller…

US official says Hamas trying to hide treatment of women hostages

A U.S. official on Monday said that Hamas is likely holding back from releasing further civilian women the group kidnapped from Israel to prevent testimony on sexual violence committed against them. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller made the remarks during a briefing with the press, echoing the administration’s view that Hamas is to blame for…

Biden’s 2024 rivals launch attacks over Israel-Hamas hostage talks  

President Biden’s role in high-stakes talks between Israel and Hamas is drawing attacks from his 2024 presidential challengers, pulling the fraught issue of hostage negotiations into America’s presidential race. At least four Americans are among the more than 100 people released by Hamas to date, amid intensive negotiations to free an estimated 240 people taken…