US extends travel ban on Chinese officials

The administration of US President Joe Biden has expanded the travel ban imposed on Chinese officials to the United States, to include new officials accused of "repressing ethnic and religious minorities."

The US State Department said in a statement that it "banned the targets from traveling to the United States because of their participation in crackdowns on freedom of expression and religion in China and abroad."

The White House: Any escalation in the South China Sea would be of concern to us

The ministry did not specify which officials would be subject to the extended ban, nor did it say how many officials would be affected by this measure.

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said in a statement that sanctions are applied to Chinese officials "who are believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, policies or actions aimed at, or complicit in, the suppression of religious and spiritual practitioners, members of ethnic minorities, and dissidents, and the suppression of human rights defenders, journalists, labor and community organizers." civilian and peaceful protesters in China and abroad.

He added that Washington "rejects efforts by (Chinese) officials to harass, intimidate, surveil, and kidnap members of ethnic and religious minorities, including those seeking safety abroad, and American citizens, who speak out on behalf of these vulnerable populations."

"We are committed to defending human rights around the world and will continue to use all diplomatic and economic measures to promote accountability."

The move adds new restrictions to visa restrictions originally imposed by the administration of former US President Donald Trump due to "China's treatment of Uighur Muslims in the western region of Xinjiang, as well as for the suppression of pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong and freedom advocates in Tibet".

On Monday, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki announced that any escalation in the South China Sea would be a source of concern for Washington.

Source: "Associated Press"

The Pentagon refuses to comment on the issue of the delivery of the Turkish "S-400" to Ukraine

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby declined to comment on reports of the possible delivery of Russian-made S-400 air defense systems that Turkey purchased from Moscow, to Ukraine.

In response to a request for comment on the information about Washington holding talks with Ankara in this regard, Kirby said: "I will not go beyond what the president (Joe Biden) announced. And on the S-300 and S-400 and the rumors I saw in the press, I would like to say that we are focused on work." With partners and allies to help Ukraine acquire the additional systems."

Washington proposes to Ankara to transfer systems

Washington proposes to Ankara to transfer the S-400 air defense systems to Ukraine

Commenting on efforts to supply Ukraine with anti-air weapons systems, especially from Germany and Slovakia, Kirby said: “There are ongoing discussions not only with these two countries, but with many other countries, about providing Ukraine with defensive capabilities, including long-range anti-air systems, that will be Convenient to use.

It is noteworthy that some media reports stated that Washington was holding talks with Ankara about the delivery of the "S-400" systems that Turkey had purchased from Moscow earlier, to Ukraine.

Source: "TASS"

Bosnia and Herzegovina: We do not plan to impose sanctions on Russia

A member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Milorad Dodik, announced that his country does not plan to impose sanctions or any restrictions on Russia.

A member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Serbian member of the tripartite Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina) Milorad Dodik said, in an interview with Izvestia newspaper, published today, Tuesday: "Bosnia has not imposed sanctions, and there is no decision in this regard... This matter does not exist, not in the Presidency." Bosnia and Herzegovina, nor in Parliament, nor in any other body at the whole country level Without the consent of Republika Srpska (Republic of Serbia within Bosnia and Herzegovina) any decision taken by Sarajevo has no weight. One thing is certain: Bosnia and Herzegovina has not submitted and will not impose any restrictions against Russia.

He also indicated that there are representatives of the Muslim Croat Federation in the strength of Bosnia and Herzegovina who support imposing sanctions against Russia, and according to him, they are trying to benefit from the presence of their representatives to the United Nations and the European Union, where they talk about their intentions. “Yes, we should expect that in all international forums where representatives of the Islamic entity speak, they will support sanctions against Russia, but we Serbs will not do this. For example, our people are in the aviation control system in Bosnia and Herzegovina, so we did not impose a ban on Russian planes flying.

In response to a question about the possibility of Bosnia and Herzegovina joining NATO in the near future, the member of the Presidency indicated that Bosnia and Herzegovina could not do so without the consent of Republika Srpska. "So far, Bosnia and Herzegovina has taken a neutral stance, refusing to join any military blocs. As we believe, we should not join the alliance that bombed our people 30 years ago (the NATO bombing of Bosnian Serbs in 1995)."

Source: TASS