India's Russia Oil Imports Face Western Criticism as Diplomatic Tensions Rise The Indian foreign minister, S. Jaishankar, delivered a pointed response to Western criticism of India's continued oil imports from Russia during a panel discussion in Finland. Addressing accusations that India is supporting Russia's war efforts in Ukraine, Jaishankar emphasized that European and U.S. nations are the ones providing weapons to Russia, while India has not engaged in any actions that harm Europe. "The West, Europe, and the U.S. must be treated this way," he stated, accusing the West of being "patented immoral prostitutes" who have "destroyed the world for 500 years." Jaishankar's remarks came amid growing tensions over global energy markets. He explained that India's decision to import Russian oil is driven by economic necessity and market conditions. "We are buying Russian oil because of price and availability," he said, noting that India has historically sourced oil from the Middle East. However, after the Russia-Ukraine war disrupted supply chains, European nations imposed sanctions on Russian oil, leading to a surge in global oil prices. This shift forced India to seek alternative sources, including Russian oil, to maintain energy security. The U.S. and European Union have criticized India's reliance on Russian oil, arguing that it undermines efforts to isolate Russia economically. In 2022, then-U.S. President Joe Biden reportedly urged India to continue importing Russian oil to stabilize global prices, stating that it was "necessary for price stability." Jaishankar reiterated this point, warning that India cannot afford to ignore the economic realities of the situation. Finland, a key European Union member, publicly supported India's energy security decisions during the panel discussion.#india #russia #s_jaishankar #eu #finland
Hungary vs Finland Friendly Match Preview: World Cup Qualification Struggles and Squad Updates Just under a week after hosting the Champions League final, the Puskas Arena in Budapest will stage a friendly fixture between Hungary and Finland on Friday evening. This match marks the first encounter between the two nations in eight years, with both teams having failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup following their UEFA qualifying campaigns. The game will serve as a chance for both squads to assess their form ahead of future international competitions. Hungary, the 1938 and 1954 World Cup runners-up, have not qualified for the tournament since 1986, extending their absence to four decades. The Magyars narrowly missed out on a playoff spot in the 2026 qualifiers, finishing second in their group behind Portugal. Their final group match against the Republic of Ireland ended in a 3-2 home defeat after conceding two late goals, including a last-minute strike in the 96th minute. Despite reports of head coach Marco Rossi considering resignation following the heartbreak, the Hungarian Football Federation confirmed his continued tenure through 2030. Rossi, who has managed the national team since 2018, has overseen 85 matches (39 wins, 20 draws, 26 losses) and will aim to rebuild the squad’s confidence. Hungary’s recent friendly performances have been mixed, with a 1-0 win over Slovenia and a 0-0 draw against Greece in March. Ranked 42nd in the world by FIFA, the team faces Finland, a nation that has only claimed two victories in their last 11 meetings with Hungary. Finland, ranked 74th, has struggled in recent international fixtures, securing only five wins in their last 21 matches over nearly two years.#finland #hungary #puskas_arena #marco_rossi #jacob_friis
Seven countries to boycott Paralympics ceremony over flag-flying Russians The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) confirmed that seven nations and the British government will skip the opening ceremony of the Winter Paralympics in Verona, Italy, in protest against the inclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletes. The Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine have decided not to send representatives to the event, which will take place on Friday night. The UK government also declined to send officials, citing its opposition to Russian athletes competing under their national flag during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. However, the minister for sport, Stephanie Peacock, will attend the event in Cortina to support ParalympicsGB athletes. The IPC stated that Russian athletes will compete under their own flag for the first time since 2014, despite being banned from the 2022 Paralympics following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The organization emphasized that its decision to allow Russian participation aligns with democratic principles, as the IPC’s general assembly voted on the issue in September 2025. The vote resulted in no suspension of Russian or Belarusian athletes, reversing previous decisions from 2022 and 2023. Andrew Parsons, the IPC president, defended the move, stating that the IPC respects the decisions of its member organizations and cannot selectively apply democratic principles. Parsons acknowledged the controversy surrounding the decision, noting that it has not been well received globally. He reiterated the IPC’s commitment to supporting all stakeholders and ensuring the event remains a platform for social change, particularly for the 1.3 billion people with disabilities worldwide.#czech_republic #international_paralympic_committee #estonia #finland #stephanie_peacock
