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addition, the EU has allowed the supply of goods and technologies for aviation security, stated EU High Representative Josep Borrell. He noted that in this way, the EU contributes to overcoming the global food crisis. In return, Russia should stop bombing Ukrainian fields and grain elevators and stop blocking Black Sea ports. The Council of the EU notes that the European Union’s sanctions also do not prevent third countries and their citizens outside the EU from buying pharmaceutical or medical products in Russia. In addition, the EU has weakened sanctions against Russia's aviation industry.
EU blocked a proposal to sanction Russian metals company VSMPO-Avisma PJSC after France and other member states objected over fears of a retaliatory ban on titanium exports from Russia. Such a move would reportedly hurt companies, such as European jet maker Airbus SE, which have called for the bloc not to sanction titanium sales.
Sanctions against Russia have failed, Ukraine will never win war with current EU strategy. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, longtime Putin supporter, said during a speech in Romania that the current Western strategy in response to Russia's invasion, built on the idea that Ukraine can win the war against Russia with NATO weapons and that sanctions will deter Russia, has failed. Orban said there is no chance for peace talks between Ukraine and Russia and that "this war can be ended only with peace talks between Russia and America." Orban has previously listed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky among his "opponents."
Latest Lavrov comment on Russia expanding scope of war in Ukraine 'almost certainly not true.' On July 20, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed Russia had expanded the scope of its war in Ukraine beyond Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts to Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts as a result of Western countries' longer-range weapons deliveries to Ukraine. According to the U.K. Defense Ministry's latest intelligence update, this is not true, but maintaining control over these areas was "almost certainly an original goal of the invasion." Lavrov may have made these comments to pave the way for referenda to take place beyond Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts, the update said.
Moscow may resume talks with Ukraine on ‘wider range of issues.’
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said during a visit to Egypt that Ukraine is reluctant to resume talks. On July 23, Russia attacked the port of Odesa with two cruise missiles, a day after Russia and Ukraine signed agreements to reopen Black Sea ports and export Ukrainian grain.
Russia claims 2.8 million Ukrainians have entered Russia since start of invasion; Ukraine calls it forced deportation. According to Russia’s state news agency, the number includes almost 500,000 Ukrainian children. Russia claims half of the people came from Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. The report
43 RUSSIA Country Report October 2020 www.intellinews.com