Anadolu Agency's Morning Briefing – April 7, 2022

ISTANBUL 

Anadolu Agency is here with a rundown of the latest developments around the world.

Turkiye on Wednesday called images coming out of Ukraine's cities, including Bucha and Irpin, “horrifying and regrettable for humanity.”

Reports and images of civilian deaths in the Ukrainian city of Bucha are “very disturbing,” China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman said Wednesday.

The Ukrainian president addressed the Irish parliament Wednesday and accused Russia of targeting Ukraine’s agricultural sector and using hunger as a weapon.

Ukraine has an "urgent need" for military support, NATO’s secretary-general said Wednesday, urging allies to further support Kyiv as the war with Russia continues.

The US announced a major escalation in its economic sanctions against Russia on Wednesday, targeting a wide swathe of the Russian economy and blacklisting family members of senior officials.

The EU will have to introduce measures against imports of Russian oil and even gas at some point to keep maximum pressure on the Kremlin, the European Council’s president said Wednesday.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko on Wednesday accused the EU of using energy resources as a blackmailing tool against Moscow.

The Russian ruble is gaining ground against the US dollar, nearly returning to its pre-war level, according to data from the Moscow Stock Exchange.

The Biden administration has stated in congressional correspondence that the potential sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkiye would serve US interests and bolster NATO unity, according to a report published Wednesday.

Azerbaijan and Armenia have decided to launch a “concrete process” for peace talks, European Council President Charles Michel said Wednesday after a meeting with the two countries’ leaders in Brussels.

The Israeli government lost its parliamentary majority Wednesday after the withdrawal of lawmaker Idit Silman from the fragile coalition.

The first overseas delivery of Turkiye's T129 ATAK advanced attack and tactical reconnaissance helicopter was made to the Philippine Air Force.

Award-winning Iranian director Asghar Farhadi is facing plagiarism charges for his 2021 film A Hero, according to reports.