Trump Warns US Justice System 'Coming After You' as He Vows to Appeal Indictment

©AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin

Former US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he will be appealing an indictment against him by a grand jury in Manhattan, claiming that the officials involved in the case are biased and that he is standing in the way of the US justice system coming after the American people.

“The Judge ‘assigned’ to my Witch Hunt Case… HATES ME,” Trump said in a statement via social media. “He strong armed Allen [Weisselberg], which a judge is not allowed to do, and treated my companies, which didn’t ‘plead,’ VICIOUSLY. APPEALING!”

The judge to whom Trump is referring is Juan Manuel Marchan. Marchan was hand picked by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Trump said. Marchan “railroaded” Weisselberg, the former Trump Organization CFO, into taking a plea deal on tax fraud and business record falsification charges, Trump said.

Trump also changed the biography on his Truth Social account on Friday to read: “They’re not coming after me, they’re coming after you – I’m just standing in the way!”

On Thursday, a Manhattan grand jury voted to indict Trump on charges related to his alleged role in a hush money payment and cover-up involving a purported affair with adult film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Trump denies the accusations, as well as the alleged affair with Daniels.

Earlier in the day, Trump lawyer Joe Tacopina made it clear that there was "zero" chance the former president would take a plea deal in the case against him. Trump’s legal team expects the indictment against him to be unsealed early next week, Tacopina added.

Trump is expected to appear in court on Tuesday for arraignment, US media reported. Trump said in a post on Thursday that he does not believe he can get a fair trial in New York. Meanwhile, Trump's successor, US President Joe Biden, said on Friday that would not comment on the indictment.

Netizens School Pelosi on Presumption of Innocence Over Her Trump Indictment Tweet

Pelosi tweeted that "everyone has the right to a trial to prove innocence” and expressed hope that Trump “will peacefully respect the system, which grants him that right.”

Prominent member of the US Democratic Party and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi got roasted online over a remark about the indictment of the 45th President of the United States Donald Trump. In a recent tweet of hers, Pelosi argued that the Grand Jury that made the decision to indict the ex-POTUS “has acted upon the facts and the law,” before making a rather strange claim about how a trial is supposed to work. “No one is above the law, and everyone has the right to a trial to prove innocence,” she wrote, adding that she hopes that Trump “will peacefully respect the system, which grants him that right.”

Quite a few social media users were quick to remind Pelosi about a thing called the presumption of innocence, and that a person who goes on trial is regarded as innocent until proven guilty, not the other way around.

“So now trials are about proving your innocence? Silly me I always thought they were for the government to try and prove your guilt. Guess we no longer believe in INNOCENT until PROVEN guilty,” one of them mused.

“No Nancy, we have the right to be presumed innocent until the prosecution PROVES guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. That’s how our system is supposed to work,” another one stated. “I know you’re building a system where we’re presumed guilty until innocent but that’s un-American!”

“Are you truly this ignorant? This imbecilic? This misguided? This fascistic? A "trial to prove innocence"? Are you familiar with the concept of presumption of innocence as the DEFAULT a priori position?” yet another netizen inquired, calling Pelosi a disgrace while another social media user wondered if the ex-speaker’s remark was a “Freudian slip or sliding the Overton window.”

Are you truly this ignorant? This imbecilic? This misguided? This fascistic? A "trial to prove innocence"? Are you familiar with the concept of presumption of innocence as the DEFAULT a priori position? You are a disgrace. https://t.co/yAYCIhEqCe

— Gad Saad (@GadSaad) March 31, 2023

The politicized indictment of former President Trump is just the latest example of the Dem establishment putting their own personal and partisan political interest ahead of the interests of the American people and our country. It is a despicable, extremely dangerous turning point…

— Tulsi Gabbard 🌺 (@TulsiGabbard) March 31, 2023

A number of social media users have also suggested that Pelosi is the one to talk about not being “above the law,” pointing at the insider trading allegations that plagued her career as of late.

Your insider trading has been above the law for your entire career... sit down.

— Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) March 31, 2023

The Daily Wire's Ben Shapiro tweeted, "Uh it's ‘innocent until proven guilty’ not opportunity to ‘prove innocence.’"

And there were also those who argued that “everyone is above political targeting and the weaponization of the law,” apparently referring to the circumstances of Trump’s indictment.

Everyone is above political targeting and the weaponization of the law.

— Liz Wheeler (@Liz_Wheeler) March 31, 2023

The Manhattan Grand Jury made its decision to indict Trump as the latter has become increasingly popular among the Republican voters in the United States ahead of the presidential election in the country next year.

The indictment is apparently related to Trump’s alleged role in hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels back in 2016, prior to the presidential election that year.

“This tweet — and the indictment it’s praising — is a mockery of our justice system,” posted Sen. Ted Cruz, Texas Republican. “Pelosi says Trump has a ‘right’ to ‘prove [his] innocence.’ That’s exactly BACKWARDS: Under our Constitution, you’re innocent until proven guilty.”

House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik, New York Republican, said, “Guilty until proven innocent is not how it works in America.”

Ms. Stefanik said in a statement, “Although radical Authoritarian Nancy Pelosi no longer holds her Speaker’s gavel, she is still considered a leader in the House Democrat Caucus. Her comments on the unprecedented and corrupt indictment of Former President Trump are deeply offensive, unAmerican, and completely counter to the American principles of equal justice under the law and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. These comments must be condemned by all.

LIVE UPDATES - Russian air defenses intercept three US-made HIMARS rockets in Ukraine operation

HIMARS multiple launch rocket system
©EPA-EFE/TOMS KALNINS

Russian air defense forces intercepted three rockets of the US-made HIMARS multiple launch rocket system and destroyed three drones of the Ukrainian army over the past day during the special military operation in Ukraine, Defense Ministry Spokesman Lieutenant-General Igor Konashenkov reported on Friday.

"In the past 24 hours, air defense capabilities intercepted three rockets of the HIMARS multiple launch rocket system, and also destroyed three Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles in areas near the settlements of Marinskoye and Zelyony Gai in the Kherson Region," the spokesman said.

Russian forces destroy 30 Ukrainian troops in Kupyansk area

Russian forces struck Ukrainian army units in the Kupyansk area, eliminating roughly 30 enemy troops over the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"In the Kupyansk direction, aircraft and artillery of the western battlegroup struck the Ukrainian army units in areas near the settlements of Sinkovka and Berestovoye in the Kharkov Region. As many as 30 Ukrainian personnel, two armored combat vehicles, a motor vehicle and a D-20 howitzer were destroyed," the spokesman said.

Russian forces destroy 85 Ukrainian troops in Krasny Liman area

Russian forces destroyed 85 Ukrainian troops in the Krasny Liman area over the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"In the Krasny Liman direction, assault aircraft, artillery and units of the battlegroup Center inflicted damage on the enemy manpower and equipment in areas near the settlements of Chervonaya Dibrova in the Lugansk People’s Republic in their active operations," the spokesman said.

As many as 85 Ukrainian personnel, three armored combat vehicles, three pickup trucks, a D-20 howitzer and a Gvozdika self-propelled artillery gun were destroyed in that area in the past 24 hours, the general specified.

Russian forces destroy 260 Ukrainian troops, mercenaries in Donetsk advance

Russian forces destroyed roughly 260 Ukrainian troops and mercenaries in their advance in the Donetsk area over the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"In the Donetsk direction, as many as 260 Ukrainian personnel and mercenaries, four infantry fighting vehicles, four armored personnel carriers, two armored combat vehicles, six motor vehicles, four pickup trucks and a D-30 howitzer were destroyed in the past 24 hours as a result of active operations by units and artillery of the southern battlegroup," the spokesman said.

Russian forces destroy 35 Ukrainian troops in southern Donetsk, Zaporozhye areas

Russian forces destroyed about 35 Ukrainian troops and two howitzers in the southern Donetsk and Zaporozhye areas over the past day, Konashenkov reported.

In the southern Donetsk and Zaporozhye directions, aircraft and artillery of the battlegroup East struck the Ukrainian army units near the settlements of Novomikhailovka and Ugledar in the Donetsk People’s Republic, the spokesman specified.

"The enemy’s total losses amounted to 35 Ukrainian personnel, two pickup trucks and also D-30 and D-20 howitzers," the general said.

Russian forces eliminate 30 Ukrainian troops, howitzer in Kherson area

Russian forces destroyed about 30 Ukrainian troops and a self-propelled howitzer in the Kherson area over the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"In the Kherson direction, as many as 30 Ukrainian personnel, 16 motor vehicles and an Akatsiya self-propelled howitzer were destroyed in the past 24 hours as a result of damage inflicted on the enemy by firepower," the spokesman said.

Russian forces wipe out Ukrainian army’s fuel depot in Kherson area

Russian forces wiped out a Ukrainian army’s fuel depot in the Kherson Region over the past day, Konashenkov reported.

"In the area of the settlement of Otradokamenka in the Kherson Region, a fuel depot of the 126th territorial defense brigade was obliterated," the spokesman said.

The Russian Defense Ministry spoke about the successes of the Vostok group

In the past 24 hours, Russian forces struck 74 Ukrainian artillery units at firing positions, manpower and military hardware in 76 areas, the general said.

In all, the Russian Armed Forces have destroyed 404 Ukrainian warplanes, 227 helicopters, 3,625 unmanned aerial vehicles, 415 surface-to-air missile systems, 8,487 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 1,076 multiple rocket launchers, 4,469 field artillery guns and mortars and 9,231 special military motor vehicles since the start of the special military operation in Ukraine, Konashenkov reported.

Special operation of the Russian Federation, March 29. Main:

▪️In the Donetsk direction, the losses of Kyiv amounted to 310 military, in the Kherson direction - up to 40, in the Yuzhno-Donetsk and Zaporozhye directions more than 50, the RF Ministry of Defense reported;

Mercenaries from Poland and Georgia defended the southern outskirts of Artemovsk, a Wagner fighter told RIA Novosti

▪️The Russian military destroyed a communications center and four command posts of the Ukrainian army in the DPR, the Russian Defense Ministry said;

▪️The military of the Russian Federation destroyed the control center for Ukrainian drones near Kherson, the head of the press center of the Dnepr group told RIA Novosti;

▪️Achieving the goals of the operation in Ukraine in a political and diplomatic way is impossible, said the press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Peskov;

▪️Hybrid war against Russia for a long time, he added;

▪️Zelensky announced his readiness to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Ukraine;

▪️China maintains communication with all parties on the Ukrainian issue, but there is no specific information, the Chinese Foreign Ministry commented on Zelensky's words;

▪️Beijing itself decides whether it is appropriate to meet with Zelensky, Moscow has no right to advise, Peskov said;

▪️IAEA Director General Grossi visited Zaporizhzhya NPP, stating that the organization is developing a new concept for the protection of nuclear power plants;

▪️This concept provides for a narrowing of the security zone around the ZNPP, in contrast to what the previous plan of the protective zone envisaged, Grossi noted;

▪️ There are no plans for the visit of the IAEA Director General to Moscow, said Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov, Peskov noted that contacts between Putin and Grossi are not planned in the foreseeable schedule.

Special operation, 30 March. Main:

▪️Ukraine shelled Troitskoe in the LPR from HIMARS, one civilian died, 14 were injured, the JCCC reported

▪️Russian air defense for the first time shot down a new Ukrainian operational-tactical missile "Grom-2" in the air in the NVO zone, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

▪️The Russian Armed Forces in the Kupyansk direction destroyed three Ukrainian DRGs and disrupted the rotation of enemy units in the forefront, RIA Novosti was told in the Russian Defense Ministry

▪️Soon it will be possible to talk about the actual environment of Artemovsk, Pushilin said

▪️Turkey does not need to repeat anti-Russian sanctions after the West, first of all, a dialogue is needed, presidential candidate Sinan Ogan told RIA Novosti

▪️Erdogan says he won't let the West drag his country into a war against Russia

▪️The head of the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine asked the large international companies in the energy sector, "received incredible profits" due to the conflict in Ukraine, to send part of the money to restore the country's energy infrastructure

▪️Poland will require athletes from the Russian Federation to condemn the special operation to participate in the European Games, said the Minister of Sports and Tourism of the country

▪️The governor of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra said that the Lord would not forgive Zelensky the eviction of representatives of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church from it.

Talk of peacekeepers in Ukraine ‘extremely dangerous’ – Kremlin

©Alexander Shcherbak/TASS

A discussion about a possible deployment of Western peacekeepers in Ukraine is potentially a very dangerous idea, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has warned, in response to comments made by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Friday.

“If we are talking about some kind of serious negotiations, then this is a potentially extremely dangerous discussion. In world practice, such forces, as a rule, are used only with the consent of both parties. In this case, it is potentially a very dangerous topic,” Peskov told journalists.

His statement comes after Orban revealed that EU leaders are close to having a “legitimate” discussion on the subject of whether or not member states can or should send “some kind of peacekeeping force” to Ukraine, despite a probable rebuke from Russia over such a move.

The Hungarian leader warned that the Ukrainian conflict is only getting bloodier and more brutal, and questioned why EU leaders are not focused on trying to achieve peace in Ukraine through diplomatic means rather than the provision of more deadly tools to Kiev and the fueling of hostilities.

“If this continues, the danger of a world war is not a literary exaggeration,” the prime minister said.

Since Russia launched its military operation in Ukraine last year, Budapest has consistently opposed sanctions on Russian energy resources and has refused to send military aid to Kiev’s forces, citing the need to maintain and to equip Hungary’s own army.

Meanwhile, Russian MP Alexey Chepa has suggested that if the EU does decide to send a peacekeeping force to Ukraine, it would certainly be interpreted as a direct involvement in the conflict and an attempt to provoke a Russia-NATO war.

Chepa stated that in this case Russia could be forced to seek help from its Collective Security Treaty Organization partners, which include Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

Comparing Beijing, Minsk’s ideas of peace settlement in Ukraine inappropriate — Kremlin

It will be inappropriate to compare the two sets of ideas for a peace settlement in Ukraine, proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the media on Friday.

"We believe it will be hardly appropriate to compare these two sets of ideas, I mean the plan that was voiced by [Chinese] President Xi [Jinping] and the one that [Belarusian] President Alexander] Lukashenko has just mentioned," the Kremlin spokesman said.

He also noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin had discussed with Xi the plan proposed by China and some of its individual provisions. At the same time, according to Peskov, a number of provisions of China's plan were unlikely to materialize right away, as Kiev was unable to disobey the West.

"The plan [peace plan proposed by China] has not been put on hold, but there are certain provisions that, so to say, cannot be implemented for now due to the inability of the Ukrainian side to disobey its patrons, its commanders," Peskov said. "These commanders, as we know, are not in Kiev. They insist that the war should continue," he added.

On March 20-22, Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Moscow. Among other things he discussed with Russian President Vladimir Putin China’s plan for a peace settlement in Ukraine. The Russian leader said afterwards that many of the provisions of that plan were in line with Russia's own approaches and could be used as the basis for a peace settlement, when the West and Kiev were ready for it.

Earlier on Friday, Lukashenko, in his address to the people and parliament of Belarus, called for declaring truce in Ukraine "without the right to move and regroup troops on both sides and without the right to move weapons and ammunition, manpower and equipment." Lukashenko explained that in such a situation, "if the West once again tries to use the pause to deceitfully strengthen its positions, Russia will be obliged to use the entire strength of its military-industrial complex and the army to prevent an escalation of the conflict."

Russian troops need major efforts in Artyomovsk despite Kiev’s heavy losses — Wagner Group

©Andrey Rubtsov/TASS

The Ukrainian military is suffering serious casualties in Artyomovsk (called Bakhmut in Ukraine) but Russian troops still have to take enormous efforts in that area, Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of the Wagner private military company, said on Friday.

"No, the Ukrainian army is not fleeing anywhere. The Ukrainian army is engaged in bloody battles and is defending Artyomovsk at the expense of serious casualties," the Wagner press office quoted Prigozhin as saying on its Telegram channel.

"Another important aspect that should be mentioned is the need to hold the flanks," he stressed.

"Today we need to concentrate efforts in the city because this is an enormous amount of combat work to do. The flanks should not let us down and allied units should hold them," Prigozhin said.

Russian forces "are moving forward and taking every building, every building entrance and every garage between buildings," he said.

"In Bakhmut, there are about 800 high-rise buildings. If we tell about each [building] entrance, you will be tired of hearing it. When we take Bakhmut, then we will talk about that," the Wagner founder said.

Artyomovsk is located on the Kiev-controlled part of the Donetsk People’s Republic and is a major transportation hub for the Ukrainian army’s supplies in Donbass. Fierce fighting for the city is underway.

Yan Gagin, military-political expert and adviser to the acting head of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), said on March 22 that the city had been practically sealed off by Russian forces and all approaches to Artyomovsk were under Russian artillery control. He earlier said that Russian forces controlled about 70% of the city.

Acting DPR Head Denis Pushilin has repeatedly said that there is no evidence of the Ukrainian army’s plans to leave Artyomovsk. Meanwhile, Kiev claims that the city’s defense will be bolstered. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky earlier said that Ukrainian troops would not surrender Artyomovsk and would fight for it as long as they could.

Kang Emil Wacanakan Kewenangan SMA Kembali ke Kota/Kabupaten

Gubernur Jawa Barat (Jabar), Ridwan Kamil mengamini usulan Pemkot dan Pemkab Bogor, agar kewenangan pengelolaan SMA/K, dikembalikan ke daerah, dari selama ini dikelola Pemprov Jabar.

“Saya cenderung setuju. Secara pribadi, karena dulu waktu saya Wali Kota Bandung, lebih dekat koordinasi teknisnya. Pada saat ada aturan pindah ke provinsi memang agak jauh,” kata Ridwan Kamil di Bogor, hari Jumat, 31/03/2023.

Meski begitu, lelaki yang akrab disapa Kang Emil itu, pemerintah daerah mampu menjaga kualitas pendidikan dan memperbaiki masalah yang kerap terjadi, terutama kekerasan antar pelajar.

“Yang penting adalah, kembali atau tidak kembali, tapi kalau teruji ada kenaikan kualitas pertahankan. Kalau ternyata ada masalah perbaiki,” kata Kang Emil.

Bima Arya Inginkan Kewenangan SMA dan SMK Diserahkan Ke Pemerintah Daerah

Wacana Gubernur Jawa Barat, pernah dilontarkan Walikota Kota Bogor, Bima Arya, pada hari Sabtu, 11/03/2023. Bima Arya Sugiarto menginginkan agar kewenangan SMA/SMK diserahkan ke Pemerintah Daerah. Hal itu dikarenakan kewenangan SMA/SMK ada di Provinsi.

“Jadi pemerintah daerah bisa bertindak tegas dengan menutup dan tidak lagi menerima menerima murid lagi,” ujar Bima.

“Dan anaknya juga harus dihukum sesuai aturan yang berlaku,” sambung Bima yang juga politisi Partai Amanat Nasional (PAN).

Menurut Bima, kasus pembacokan yang menimpa pelajar SMA di Kota Bogor dikarenakan adanya pola yang sama dari sekolah-sekolah yang rawan. Kemudian terkait dengan hal-hal yang tidak subtantif.

“Seperti masalah eksitensi, pergaulan dan ego kelompok dan saya dari dulu menginginkan sebetulnya pemerintah Kota lebih punya kewenangan agar bisa lebih tegas, karena saat ini kewenangan SMA/SMK ada di Provinsi,” kata Bima, hari Sabtu, 11/03/2023.

Seperti diketahui, Seorang pelajar SMA di Kota Bogor berinisal (AS) tewas dibacok pelajar lainnya yang belum diketahui identitasnya di Lampu Merah Pomad, Kelurahan Ciparigi, Kecamatan Bogor Tengah, Kota Bogor, pada hari Jumat, 10/03/2023.

Namun tiba-tiba dari arah Cibonong-Bogor tiga pelajar yang menggunakan motor menyambet salah seorang pelajar berinisial (AS) dengan menggunakan pedang.

Sementara itu salah saksi Andre menjelaskan peristiwa pembacokan sendiri terjadi sekitar pukul 09.30 WIB.

“Saat berada di lampu merah, pelajar yang menggunakan motor langsung membacok korban yang hendak menyebrang lampu merah,” kata Andre kepada kepada wartawan saat berada di lokasi kejadian.

Setelah itu, korban yang menerima sabetan senjata tajam di sebelah leher (kiri) langsung terkapar.

Melihat temannya terkena sajam, kedua temen lainnya sempat kocar kacir untuk menyelamatkan diri. Beberapa saat kemudian, teman korban datang kembali untuk membantu korban.

“Warga sekitar langsung menolong korban dan memberhentikan mobil ambulance yang sedang lewat. Korban di bawa ke RS FMC,” ucapnya.

Russia to curb attempts of unfriendly countries to prevent its cooperation with partners

©Alexey Babushkin/Russian Presidential Press Service/TASS

Russia will continue developing relations with friendly countries and will oppose attempts to prevent that, according to the new Foreign Policy Concept approved on Friday by the decree of President Vladimir Putin.

Russia intends to proactively develop cooperation with allies and partners in all spheres and prevent attempts of unfriendly countries to interfere with such cooperation, the document reads.

The main goal of Russia in the CIS region is to transform it into the zone of peace, good neighborhood and prosperity, the Concept states. Russia focuses on peaceful resolution of international issues in the Arctic Region, the document reads.

Global changes lead to revisions of Russian foreign policy concept — Putin

The Russian foreign policy concept has been revised because of dramatic changes in the international life, President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with standing members of the Security Council on Friday.

"We will discuss the foreign policy concept of the Russian Federation today as the first item on our agenda. Cardinal changes in the international life required for us to make major revisions in key strategic planning documents, including the Foreign Policy Concept of the Russian Federation, where principles, tasks and priorities of the diplomatic activity are outlined," the head of state said.

The updated foreign policy concept will serve as a sound basis for further efforts at the international stage, the President added.

Putin approves updated Concept of Foreign Policy of Russia

President Vladimir Putin has approved a new version of Russia’s Concept of Foreign Policy. He announced the signing of the relevant decree at a meeting with permanent members of the Security Council of the Russian Federation on Friday.

This document defines the priority areas, goals and objectives of the country's international activities, it will be a road map for the Russian Foreign Ministry and other ministries and departments.

"Today I signed a decree approving the updated Concept of Foreign Policy Concept of the Russian Federation," the head of state said at a meeting with permanent members of the Security Council on Friday.

The previous version of the Concept was adopted in November 2016. Work on updating it has been carried out over the past few years. In particular, in January 2022, the prepared document was submitted for discussion with the permanent members of the Security Council. However, following the meeting, the President sent it back for revision.

In December last year, the head of state again reviewed a draft updated Concept at a meeting with the Security Council.

Spain still dependent on Russian gas – media

Spain’s imports of liquified natural gas (LNG) from Russia in January and February saw a massive year-on-year surge of 172%, El Confidencial reported on Friday, citing data from Spanish energy company Enagas.

Purchases of super-chilled fuel from the sanctioned country since the beginning of Russia’s military operation in Ukraine have soared by 84%, making Spain the biggest importer of Russian LNG among EU member states.

The impressive growth of LNG imports in spite of the EU’s pledge to eliminate its reliance on energy exports from Russia have reportedly caused major concern in Madrid and Brussels.

Earlier this month, EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson called for Russian LNG shipments to be stopped, saying energy companies shouldn’t renew long-term contracts once current ones expire.

Similarly, Spain’s Ministry of Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge asked companies – including Naturgy, Repsol, TotalEnergies, Axpo, Pavilion, Enagas, Met Energy, Enet Energy, EdP, CEPSA and BP – not to sign up for new purchases from Russia.

However, Spain and the rest of the EU have no mechanism to stop the flow of LNG from Russia, El Confidencial reports. The importers are reportedly private companies and trading operations are completely legal, since Russian LNG has not been targeted by EU sanctions.

Prior to its military operation in Ukraine, Russia supplied nearly 40% of the gas consumed by EU countries, mostly through the pipeline network. Over the past year, EU gas purchases from Russia have been in steady decline. They are currently hovering about 10% of the bloc’s entire consumption, according to Brussels. The latest increase in LNG purchases from the sanctioned country comes amid EU attempts to fill the void resulting from the sharp reduction in pipeline supplies.