Day: April 21, 2026

A deadly shooting in Ukraine’s capital at the weekend has fuelled calls for the loosening of restrictions on the right to own and carry handguns for self-defence in a country scarred by years of war against Russia.

The Navy destroyers enforcing a blockade of Iranian ports carry weapons fielded after an American warship was attacked and nearly sunk more than 25 years ago.

The meeting will be chaired by Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

The President’s pick to lead the Federal Reserve, Kevin Warsh, faces the Senate Banking Committee today. A former Fed Governor and Morgan Stanley VP, Warsh is expected to signal a shift toward rate cuts and structural reform. However, his path to confirmation is not yet certain. FOX Business White House Correspondent Edward Lawrence joins the Rundown from the front lawn of the White House to break down the political firestorm surrounding the hearing, including why some are threatening to block the nomination until the DOJ drops its investigation into current Chair Jerome Powell. Plus, an update on the Trump administration’s strategy for “legal” tariffs and whether the U.S. can avoid long-term economic damage from Middle East supply disruptions. Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act remains a focal point of intense debate within Congress, as lawmakers have until the end of the month to extend the provision, which was put in place after the 9/11 terror attacks. Proponents argue that FISA is necessary to prevent future attacks, but critics contend that its allowance of warrantless surveillance violates Americans’ privacy. Michael Allen, who served as a special assistant to President George W. Bush, joins us to discuss why this tool is essential for thwarting global terrorist plots and evolving cyber threats. PLUS, commentary by David Marcus, columnist for FOX News Digital. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The de facto foreign ministry of occupied Abkhazia said in an April 20 statement that Sokhumi “has taken note” of recent remarks by Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova and “shares Russia’s position on the consequences of Georgia’s accession to the EU.”

During an April 16 press briefing, Zakharova said that if Georgia were to join the European Union, Russia “would have” to add Georgia to its list of states with “unfriendly regimes” and extend “retaliatory economic measures” against it.

The de facto ministry said it is “closely monitoring” developments in Georgia’s foreign policy and that Tbilisi’s course “does not contribute to strengthening trust in the region,” citing what it called “periodic statements by the Georgian side, military cooperation with NATO, refusal to sign with the Republic of Abkhazia a legally binding agreement on the non-use of force, and Georgia’s policy aimed at the international isolation of the Republic of Abkhazia.”

The de facto authorities further claimed that Georgia’s military cooperation with NATO, including joint exercises held on Georgian territory, is “a cause for serious concern,” adding that “such actions cannot but be viewed as a factor negatively affecting regional stability and increasing tensions.”

The statement also described as “another serious destabilizing factor” what it called Georgia’s refusal to sign “a legally binding agreement on the non-use of force with Abkhazia,” which it said is “the main objective” of the Geneva International Discussions. It added that Sokhumi raises the issue during every round of the talks and stresses “the importance of intensifying efforts to conclude this legally binding agreement.”

Sokhumi, Tskhinvali, and Moscow have been demanding that Tbilisi sign a “legally binding” agreement on the non-use of force with the de facto authorities of the two occupied regions since the 2008 Russo-Georgian war and Russia’s subsequent recognition of them as independent states. While Tbilisi made a unilateral pledge in 2010 to “never use force to roll back the Russian occupation and to restore its control over the occupied areas,” successive Georgian governments refused to sign such agreements directly with Sokhumi and Tskhinvali, fearing that it would amount to de facto recognition of their independence.

The de facto ministry further alleged that Tbilisi is “hindering the establishment of a stable security architecture in the region,” while claiming that the Abkhaz side “consistently prioritizes the safeguarding of our own security, sovereignty, and sustainable development.”

“Any integration processes involving Georgia must not pose a threat to the existing realities,” the statement concluded.

Also Read:

• 17/04/2026 – Sokhumi, Tskhinvali, Moscow Digest – April 10-16, 2026
• 26/03/2026 – Zakharova: Georgia’s Prosperity Lies ‘Not in Confrontation, But in Cooperation With Russia’
• 23/01/2026 – Zakharova Praises Georgia for Maintaining Ties with Russia Despite ‘Western Pressure’

The European Union’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said ​she expected “positive decisions” on the 90 billion euro ($105.94 ‌billion) loan for Ukraine to be made on Wednesday.