Russian journalist sells Nobel Prize for Ukrainian children

NEW YORK, JUNE 20 (AP/BBC): What's the price of peace? That question could be partially answered Monday night when Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov auctions off his Nobel Peace Prize medal. The proceeds will go directly to UNICEF in its efforts to help children displaced by the war in Ukraine.

Muratov, awarded the gold medal in October 2021, helped found the independent Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta and was the publication's editor-in-chief when it shut down in March amid the Kremlin's clampdown on journalists and public dissent in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

It was Muratov's idea to auction off his prize, having already announced he was donating the accompanying $500,000 cash award to charity. The idea of the donation, he said, "is to give the children refugees a chance for a future."

In an interview with The Associated Press, Muratov said he was particularly concerned about children who have been orphaned because of the conflict in Ukraine.

"We want to return their future," he said.

Ukraine warns of Russian

escalation during EU bid

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned Russia will intensify its attacks on his country in the coming days, as Kyiv awaits news on its bid to join the EU.

Members of the bloc are expected to decide whether to award "candidate status" to Kyiv later this week.

The move would begin the process of Ukraine's accession to the alliance, which could take years to complete.

But Mr Zelensky warned the decision could see Russia step up its attacks.

Speaking during his nightly address from Kyiv, the Ukrainian leader said he and his advisors expect "greater hostile activity" from Moscow, but told citizens that his forces "are preparing" and are ready for any renewed assault.

He pledged to push forward with what he called Ukraine's "historic" ambitions to join the EU, which were endorsed by the bloc's executive, the European Commission, last week.