Venezuela’s losses amounted to $130 billions of dollars

On Monday, during an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, assembled by the initiative of Russia, and dedicated to the discussion of the newly adopted Ukrainian law »on Ensuring of the Function of Ukrainian language as the State Language» — most members of the Security Council didn’t support Russian proposal to include a discussion of this law on the agenda. The meeting on the issue of the Ukrainian law was deemed necessary by Russia, China, South Africa, the Dominican Republic, and Equatorial Guinea. The US, the UK, France, Poland, Belgium and Germany voted ‘against’. 4 countries abstained. Earlier, the representatives of France, Germany and the United States announced that they intend to block the meeting since they consider it to be untimely.

The Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, during a meeting with the representatives of the White House and the US Congress, urged them to continue enhancing their sanctions against Russia — the press service of the Ukrainian president reported. “I would like to urge you to make it so that the US continue to enhance their sanctions against Russia” — TASS quoted his words. He thanked Washington for the “leadership in the restoration of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine”, and for the help with the internal reforms. “The United States is a powerful and very serious partner for Ukraine. First of all, in the overcoming of the Russian aggression. We won’t be able to overcome the Russian aggression in Donbas and Crimea on our own. Thus, we need your help” — Vladimir Zelensky concluded.

The Representative of the Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido in the USA, Carlos Vecchio, held talks with the members of the US State Department and the US Defense Department. He announced it on Twitter. “In accordance with the instructions of Juan Guaido we declare that we had a meeting, planned for today, with the US State Department and the US Pentagon, in order to discuss the aspects of the Venezuelan crisis» — Carlos Vecchio stated. He also mentioned that the negotiations were «very positive.» In his turn, Juan Guaido announced that the Venezuelan opposition «is moving forward in creation of opportunities and international cooperation. It will help to get out of the crisis, and begin the restoration of Venezuela»

Venezuelan losses from the US economic blockade from 2015 to 2018 are estimated to be $130 billions of dollars. This was announced during a press conference on Tuesday by Carlos Rafael Faria Tortosa, the Venezuelan ambassador to Russia. “As a result of the economic blockade of the United States, the losses are estimated at $130 billions of dollars for the period from 2015 to 2018” — TASS quotes his words — » With these funds, our country could function for 9 years. The government of our President, Nicolas Maduro, is waging a very unequal war against the most powerful economic and military power in the world — the United States” — the diplomat underlined

Israel and the Hamas movement that controls the Gaza Strip agreed on a truce for half a year — TASS reports with a reference to ‘The Times of Israel’. The Palestinians promised to end the riots on the border of Gaza Strip and Israel, and to maintain a buffer zone of 300 meters along the borderline. In exchange, Israel will expand the fishing zone in the Gaza Strip for the Palestinian fishermen, and will also allow the import of medicines into the enclave. In early May, Israel and Palestine, with a help from Egypt, reached a cease-fire agreement in the Gaza Strip.

About 400 senators from both houses of the US Congress called on Donald Trump to choose a new strategy for Syria that would address the security threats in the region — TASS reports. The related letter, signed by the members of both Republican and Democratic parties, was spread by the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives. “The only choice is to promote the policies that can stop the growing threats to the interests of the United States, Israel, to the regional security and stability. This strategy requires American leadership» — the letter explains. The terrorist-held »unmanaged spaces» in Syria threaten the US and their allies, according to senators. The politicians are also asking Donald Trump to provide more effective support to Israel against the threats along its border with Syria. And also to enhance the pressure on Iran and Russia due to their activities in the region.

Constantine Reztsov, specially for ANNA NEWS