4 hours ago
Talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US special envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow on Friday were described by a Kremlin adviser as "constructive and quite useful," according to Russian news agency Interfax.
The three-hour meeting reportedly focused on prospects for a negotiated settlement to the war in Ukraine, including the possibility of direct talks between Kiev and Moscow.
Putin's foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov said that Russia remains open to such negotiations but insists that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky must first revoke a decree prohibiting direct talks with the Kremlin.
This was Witkoff's fourth time meeting Putin. He also met on Friday with Putin’s envoy for economic cooperation, Kirill Dmitriev, who heads Russia’s Direct Investment Fund and later joined the meeting with the Russian president.
The three-hour meeting reportedly focused on prospects for a negotiated settlement to the war in Ukraine, including the possibility of direct talks between Kiev and Moscow.
Putin's foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov said that Russia remains open to such negotiations but insists that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky must first revoke a decree prohibiting direct talks with the Kremlin.
This was Witkoff's fourth time meeting Putin. He also met on Friday with Putin’s envoy for economic cooperation, Kirill Dmitriev, who heads Russia’s Direct Investment Fund and later joined the meeting with the Russian president.
4 hours ago
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, a top ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, said on Thursday that Russia is “ready to reach a deal” with President Donald Trump to end the war in Ukraine, noting, however, that there are still details to be “fine-tuned.”
Earlier this week, Trump told reporters, “Russia is ready” for peace as he is pushing both sides to agree to end the three-year conflict.
“I think we have a deal with Russia,” he said.
He added, “The statement by the president mentions a deal, and we are ready to reach a deal, but there are still some specific points, elements of this deal which need to be fine-tuned, and we are busy with this exact process.”
Earlier this week, Trump told reporters, “Russia is ready” for peace as he is pushing both sides to agree to end the three-year conflict.
“I think we have a deal with Russia,” he said.
He added, “The statement by the president mentions a deal, and we are ready to reach a deal, but there are still some specific points, elements of this deal which need to be fine-tuned, and we are busy with this exact process.”
4 hours ago
China on Thursday directly contradicted President Donald Trump’s claims that Beijing and Washington are actively discussing resolutions to a trade war that threatens to upend the global economy.
While Trump said Wednesday that the world’s two largest economies are “actively” talking, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson responded that “China and the U.S. have not engaged in any consultations or negotiations regarding tariffs, let alone reached an agreement.”
The spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, made the comments at a briefing in Beijing, saying that reports of ongoing talks were false. He added that while China is open to negotiations, “if it’s a fight, we will fight to the end.”
At 145%, Trump’s tariffs are higher on China than any other country. As he ratcheted up tariffs on Chinese goods in recent weeks, citing unfair trade practices, Beijing has responded in kind, bringing its total tariff on U.S. goods to 125% — levels that amount to a mutual trade embargo.
While Trump said Wednesday that the world’s two largest economies are “actively” talking, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson responded that “China and the U.S. have not engaged in any consultations or negotiations regarding tariffs, let alone reached an agreement.”
The spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, made the comments at a briefing in Beijing, saying that reports of ongoing talks were false. He added that while China is open to negotiations, “if it’s a fight, we will fight to the end.”
At 145%, Trump’s tariffs are higher on China than any other country. As he ratcheted up tariffs on Chinese goods in recent weeks, citing unfair trade practices, Beijing has responded in kind, bringing its total tariff on U.S. goods to 125% — levels that amount to a mutual trade embargo.
4 hours ago
Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine could not accept US recognition of Russia’s annexation of Crimea as he visited South Africa, while both he and Donald Trump criticised a deadly missile and drone attack on Kyiv.
Though he did not mention Crimea – the contested Black Sea peninsula occupied by Russia since spring 2014 – by name, Ukraine’s president diplomatically returned to the topic a day after Trump accused him of intransigence on the issue.
Zelenskyy was speaking alongside his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa, on a trip that he then cut short after the assault on Kyiv that left at least 12 dead and more than 90 injured. He complained that he did not “see strong pressure on Russia now” to bring the war to an end.
When asked whether he thought the US was becoming impatient with the lack of progress towards a peace agreement, Zelenskyy said the cost of the war continuing was ultimately borne by Ukrainian civilians.
Though he did not mention Crimea – the contested Black Sea peninsula occupied by Russia since spring 2014 – by name, Ukraine’s president diplomatically returned to the topic a day after Trump accused him of intransigence on the issue.
Zelenskyy was speaking alongside his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa, on a trip that he then cut short after the assault on Kyiv that left at least 12 dead and more than 90 injured. He complained that he did not “see strong pressure on Russia now” to bring the war to an end.
When asked whether he thought the US was becoming impatient with the lack of progress towards a peace agreement, Zelenskyy said the cost of the war continuing was ultimately borne by Ukrainian civilians.
4 hours ago
A pro-European presidential contender in Romania's May 4 election has said defence spending should rise to 3.5% of GDP by 2030 from 2.5% and argued that maintaining support for Ukraine in its war with Russia is essential for Romania's security.
Nicusor Dan, the 55-year-old two-term mayor of Bucharest, is an independent running neck-and-neck with ruling coalition centrist Crin Antonescu and nationalist former prime minister Victor Ponta in a bid to reach a runoff on May 18, alongside the hard-right frontrunner George Simion.
Dan is running on an anti-corruption platform, something also likely to find favour with European Union and NATO allies as Romania assumes growing importance as a bulwark against Russian influence on the border with Ukraine and Moldova, another state under pressure from Moscow.
Nicusor Dan, the 55-year-old two-term mayor of Bucharest, is an independent running neck-and-neck with ruling coalition centrist Crin Antonescu and nationalist former prime minister Victor Ponta in a bid to reach a runoff on May 18, alongside the hard-right frontrunner George Simion.
Dan is running on an anti-corruption platform, something also likely to find favour with European Union and NATO allies as Romania assumes growing importance as a bulwark against Russian influence on the border with Ukraine and Moldova, another state under pressure from Moscow.
5 hours ago
Proposals on how to end Russia's war in Ukraine that were given to the U.S. side on Wednesday by Ukrainian and European officials at talks in London.
Ceasefire:
* Commit to a full and unconditional ceasefire in the sky,on land and at sea. * Both sides immediately enter into negotiations ontechnical implementation with the participation of the US andEuropean countries. This is in parallel to preparation of theagenda and modalities for a full peace deal.
Security guarantees for Ukraine:
* Ukraine receives robust security guarantees includingfrom the US (Article 5-like agreement), while there is noconsensus among Allies on NATO membership. * No restrictions on the Ukrainian Defense Forces. * The guarantor states will be an ad hoc group of Europeancountries and willing non-European countries.
Territory:
* Territorial issues will be discussed and resolved aftera full and unconditional ceasefire. * Territorial negotiations start from the basis of theline of control. *
Ceasefire:
* Commit to a full and unconditional ceasefire in the sky,on land and at sea. * Both sides immediately enter into negotiations ontechnical implementation with the participation of the US andEuropean countries. This is in parallel to preparation of theagenda and modalities for a full peace deal.
Security guarantees for Ukraine:
* Ukraine receives robust security guarantees includingfrom the US (Article 5-like agreement), while there is noconsensus among Allies on NATO membership. * No restrictions on the Ukrainian Defense Forces. * The guarantor states will be an ad hoc group of Europeancountries and willing non-European countries.
Territory:
* Territorial issues will be discussed and resolved aftera full and unconditional ceasefire. * Territorial negotiations start from the basis of theline of control. *
5 hours ago
President Donald Trump on Thursday said Russia’s failure to forcibly seize and occupy the entirety of Ukraine’s territory amounts to a “pretty big concession” to Kyiv as he continues to push for Russia and Ukraine to come to a settlement to end the war Moscow started three years ago.
Speaking in the Oval Office during a bilateral meeting with Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Trump insisted to reporters that he is putting pressure on Russian president Vladimir Putin behind the scenes as reporters asked him what he would ask the Russian leader to give up to match the massive territorial concessions he has asked Ukraine to make as a way to find an end to Europe’s bloodiest conflict since the end of the Second World War.
Trump replied: “Stopping the war, stopping [from] taking the whole country.”
Speaking in the Oval Office during a bilateral meeting with Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Trump insisted to reporters that he is putting pressure on Russian president Vladimir Putin behind the scenes as reporters asked him what he would ask the Russian leader to give up to match the massive territorial concessions he has asked Ukraine to make as a way to find an end to Europe’s bloodiest conflict since the end of the Second World War.
Trump replied: “Stopping the war, stopping [from] taking the whole country.”
5 hours ago
China and the U.S. are not having any tariff negotiations, and the U.S. should stop creating confusion, China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Apr. 25.
President Donald Trump had claimed in an interview with TIME magazine the same day that China’s President Xi Jinping had called him, and both administrations are engaged in active talks to strike a deal.
It would be a “total victory” if the U.S. still has tariffs as high as 50% on foreign imports a year from now, he added.
Meanwhile, China is reportedly mulling suspending the 125% tariffs on key imports from the U.S., Bloomberg reported on Apr. 25.
The publication cited sources familiar with the development to report that China is rethinking the tariff hikes because of the adverse impact of the trade war on critical Chinese industries.
Medical equipment, industrial chemicals, aircraft leasing payments, and select semiconductor products are among the U.S. imports China is considering slashing tariffs on.
President Donald Trump had claimed in an interview with TIME magazine the same day that China’s President Xi Jinping had called him, and both administrations are engaged in active talks to strike a deal.
It would be a “total victory” if the U.S. still has tariffs as high as 50% on foreign imports a year from now, he added.
Meanwhile, China is reportedly mulling suspending the 125% tariffs on key imports from the U.S., Bloomberg reported on Apr. 25.
The publication cited sources familiar with the development to report that China is rethinking the tariff hikes because of the adverse impact of the trade war on critical Chinese industries.
Medical equipment, industrial chemicals, aircraft leasing payments, and select semiconductor products are among the U.S. imports China is considering slashing tariffs on.
5 hours ago
China has exempted some U.S. imports from its 125% tariffs and is asking firms to identify critical goods they need levy-free, according to businesses that have been notified, in the clearest sign yet of Beijing's concerns about the trade war's fallout.
The dispensation, which follows de-escalatory statements from Washington, signals that the world's two largest economies were prepared to rein in their conflict, which had frozen much of the trade between them and raised fears of a global recession.
Beijing's exemptions, which business groups hope would extend to dozens of industries, pushed the U.S. dollar up slightly and lifted equity markets in Hong Kong and Japan.
"As a quid-pro-quo move, it could provide a potential way to de-escalate tensions," said Alfredo Montufar-Helu.
But, he cautioned: "It's clear that neither the U.S. nor China want to be the first in reaching out for a deal."
China has not yet communicated publicly on any exemptions.
The dispensation, which follows de-escalatory statements from Washington, signals that the world's two largest economies were prepared to rein in their conflict, which had frozen much of the trade between them and raised fears of a global recession.
Beijing's exemptions, which business groups hope would extend to dozens of industries, pushed the U.S. dollar up slightly and lifted equity markets in Hong Kong and Japan.
"As a quid-pro-quo move, it could provide a potential way to de-escalate tensions," said Alfredo Montufar-Helu.
But, he cautioned: "It's clear that neither the U.S. nor China want to be the first in reaching out for a deal."
China has not yet communicated publicly on any exemptions.
1 day ago
China stresses ‘equality, respect’ amid Trump optimism...
China stressed on Wednesday that “equality, respect” are paramount in discussions with the United States amid President Trump’s stated optimism on reaching a new trade deal between the world’s two largest economies. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo...
https://afriprime.net/posts/356827
1 day ago
China’s audacious ploy to woo former US allies
Confronting President Donald Trump’s repeated calls to make Canada the 51st American state, Canadians have become accustomed to fighting talk from politicians and diplomats recently. So, remarks from Ottawa this week were not out of the ordinary. “Faced with the US’s...
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1 day ago
China using ‘mysterious structures’ to claim territory
Satellite imagery of a Chinese structure in the provisional measures zone in the Yellow Sea. South Korea fears China is using a series of steel structures to lay claim to a disputed area of the Yellow Sea. Seoul’s foreign ministry on Thursday expressed “deep concern” to...
https://afriprime.net/posts/356737
1 day ago
Revealed: How China is fuelling Putin’s war
Ukrainian special forces soldiers operating around the city of Kreminna in Russian-annexed Luhansk uncovered evidence of Chinese involvement in supplying Russia. It’s the summer of 2023 and Ukrainian troops are furiously digging trenches under Russian fire in the pine forests outside...
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1 day ago
China's national space agency announced on Thursday it would let scientists from the U.S. and allied countries analyse rocks it retrieved from the moon, Beijing's latest move to increase the international influence of its lunar exploration programme.
The announcement highlights how U.S.-China cooperation in some areas like space has not completely ended, despite tensions between the two countries over geopolitics and tariffs.
Two U.S. universities that receive NASA funding, Brown University and the State University of New York at Stony Brook, are among the seven institutions that have been allowed to borrow lunar samples China retrieved from the moon in 2020.
The remaining authorised institutions are from Japan, France, Germany, Britain, and Pakistan.
With its uncrewed Chang'e-5 mission in 2020 China became only the third country to collect rocks from the lunar surface, joining the Soviet Union and the United States, which last went to the moon and retrieved samples in 1972.
The announcement highlights how U.S.-China cooperation in some areas like space has not completely ended, despite tensions between the two countries over geopolitics and tariffs.
Two U.S. universities that receive NASA funding, Brown University and the State University of New York at Stony Brook, are among the seven institutions that have been allowed to borrow lunar samples China retrieved from the moon in 2020.
The remaining authorised institutions are from Japan, France, Germany, Britain, and Pakistan.
With its uncrewed Chang'e-5 mission in 2020 China became only the third country to collect rocks from the lunar surface, joining the Soviet Union and the United States, which last went to the moon and retrieved samples in 1972.
1 day ago
Two Chinese officials said that there are no ongoing talks with the US.
Their comments come after President Donald Trump said the two countries were "actively" talking.
The White House has signaled hope for a deal in recent days.
Bejing is throwing cold water on President Donald Trump's hopes for lessening tensions between the world's two largest economies, whose trade war has roiled global markets.
On Wednesday, Trump told reporters that the two sides were "actively" talking. On Thursday, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said conversations had yet to begin.
"None of that is true," Spokesperson Guo Jiakun told reporters during the Foreign Ministry's daily news conference. "For all I know, China and the U.S. are not having any consultation or negotiation on tariffs, still less reaching a deal."
Their comments come after President Donald Trump said the two countries were "actively" talking.
The White House has signaled hope for a deal in recent days.
Bejing is throwing cold water on President Donald Trump's hopes for lessening tensions between the world's two largest economies, whose trade war has roiled global markets.
On Wednesday, Trump told reporters that the two sides were "actively" talking. On Thursday, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said conversations had yet to begin.
"None of that is true," Spokesperson Guo Jiakun told reporters during the Foreign Ministry's daily news conference. "For all I know, China and the U.S. are not having any consultation or negotiation on tariffs, still less reaching a deal."
1 day ago
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Thursday he was ready to travel to Europe for talks on Tehran's nuclear programme, with France indicating European powers were also ready for dialogue if Tehran showed it was seriously engaged.
Iran is looking to build on the momentum of nuclear negotiations with the United States that resume in Oman on Saturday and after talks with Russia and China earlier this week. Its reach out to the European powers that are party to a 2015 nuclear deal suggests Tehran is keeping its options open.
Since September, Tehran and the three European powers, known as the E3, have already held several rounds of discussions over their ties and the nuclear issue.
European diplomats had said they were seeking a new meeting with Iran, although that appeared on ice when Tehran began indirect talks on its nuclear programme with U.S. President Donald Trump's administration earlier this month.
Iran is looking to build on the momentum of nuclear negotiations with the United States that resume in Oman on Saturday and after talks with Russia and China earlier this week. Its reach out to the European powers that are party to a 2015 nuclear deal suggests Tehran is keeping its options open.
Since September, Tehran and the three European powers, known as the E3, have already held several rounds of discussions over their ties and the nuclear issue.
European diplomats had said they were seeking a new meeting with Iran, although that appeared on ice when Tehran began indirect talks on its nuclear programme with U.S. President Donald Trump's administration earlier this month.
1 day ago
The United States has piled pressure on Ukraine and Russia to find a peace agreement, with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance threatening to walk away if a deal is not made.
So what does Washington want? Some official demands have already been made public-
- Ukraine gives up territory -
- Russia gets Crimea -
- Ukraine can't join NATO -
- Ukarine gets security guarantee -
- End Russia sanctions, reconstruct Ukraine -
- US gets Ukraine minerals -
US plan presented to Ukrainian officials last week, said that Washington could offer "de facto" recognition of Russia's occupation in Ukraine's Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.
The US plan refers to a Trump-backed proposal that would give the United States royalty payments on profits from Ukrainian mining of resources and rare minerals.
Trump has framed the minerals deal as compensation for military and financial aid given to Kyiv by his predecessor, Joe Biden.
So what does Washington want? Some official demands have already been made public-
- Ukraine gives up territory -
- Russia gets Crimea -
- Ukraine can't join NATO -
- Ukarine gets security guarantee -
- End Russia sanctions, reconstruct Ukraine -
- US gets Ukraine minerals -
US plan presented to Ukrainian officials last week, said that Washington could offer "de facto" recognition of Russia's occupation in Ukraine's Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.
The US plan refers to a Trump-backed proposal that would give the United States royalty payments on profits from Ukrainian mining of resources and rare minerals.
Trump has framed the minerals deal as compensation for military and financial aid given to Kyiv by his predecessor, Joe Biden.
1 day ago
President Xi Jinping is seeking to repair ties with the European Union, painting China as the more reliable partner as Donald Trump alienates the bloc over issues from tariffs to defense.
Faced with an effective trade embargo from the US, Chinese policymakers and business leaders are searching for new markets in Europe and beyond. To help smooth those ties, Xi is preparing to lift sanctions on several EU lawmakers, according to one European official—a largely symbolic gesture of good will as the measures had little impact
“As the world’s major economies, China and Europe will jointly safeguard the multilateral trading system,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement Thursday, adding that it would welcome more European members of parliament to visit China, without addressing reports on sanctions being lifted.
While leaders in Europe remain fiercely opposed to Beijing’s support for Russian President Vladimir Putin, they’ve indicated a willingness to move forward on some iss
Faced with an effective trade embargo from the US, Chinese policymakers and business leaders are searching for new markets in Europe and beyond. To help smooth those ties, Xi is preparing to lift sanctions on several EU lawmakers, according to one European official—a largely symbolic gesture of good will as the measures had little impact
“As the world’s major economies, China and Europe will jointly safeguard the multilateral trading system,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement Thursday, adding that it would welcome more European members of parliament to visit China, without addressing reports on sanctions being lifted.
While leaders in Europe remain fiercely opposed to Beijing’s support for Russian President Vladimir Putin, they’ve indicated a willingness to move forward on some iss
1 day ago
Poland's foreign minister on Wednesday used an annual address to parliament to send a sharp message to Russian leaders as war continues in neighboring Ukraine, asking: “Don’t you have enough land?”
Foreign Minster Radek Sikorski described the difficult situation Poland faces with the war across the border and the threat of its expansion, and voiced concerns about the “disintegration" of Western unity.
Poland, on NATO’s eastern flank, is one of Kyiv’s strongest supporters, and Sikorski used his speech to strongly criticize Russia.
He said, addressing Russian leaders: “Don’t you have enough land? Eleven time zones and still not enough? Take care of better governing what is within your borders according to international law.”
Sikorski described the deteriorating security situation with a war next to Poland's border: “Anxiety, and the question of what will happen, have settled in Polish homes. Are we also at risk of Russian aggression?
Foreign Minster Radek Sikorski described the difficult situation Poland faces with the war across the border and the threat of its expansion, and voiced concerns about the “disintegration" of Western unity.
Poland, on NATO’s eastern flank, is one of Kyiv’s strongest supporters, and Sikorski used his speech to strongly criticize Russia.
He said, addressing Russian leaders: “Don’t you have enough land? Eleven time zones and still not enough? Take care of better governing what is within your borders according to international law.”
Sikorski described the deteriorating security situation with a war next to Poland's border: “Anxiety, and the question of what will happen, have settled in Polish homes. Are we also at risk of Russian aggression?
1 day ago
Boris Johnson has issued stern criticism of Donald Trump’s Ukraine peace proposals in one of his first apparent censures of the US president, saying under his terms the Ukrainians would “get nothing”.
The former British prime minister, a strong supporter of Ukraine who remains close to Ukraine’s president, Volodomyr Zelenskyy, has previously said there is “method in the madness” of Trump’s approach and that he believed the US president could bring peace.
But in a post on X, Johnson criticised the apparent terms of a deal that Trump is pushing Kyiv to accept.
Overnight, Trump accused Zelenskyy of jeopardising what he claimed was an imminent peace deal to end the war in Ukraine as he gave the clearest hint yet that the US would be willing to formally recognise Russia’s seizure of Crimea as part of any agreement.
The former British prime minister, a strong supporter of Ukraine who remains close to Ukraine’s president, Volodomyr Zelenskyy, has previously said there is “method in the madness” of Trump’s approach and that he believed the US president could bring peace.
But in a post on X, Johnson criticised the apparent terms of a deal that Trump is pushing Kyiv to accept.
Overnight, Trump accused Zelenskyy of jeopardising what he claimed was an imminent peace deal to end the war in Ukraine as he gave the clearest hint yet that the US would be willing to formally recognise Russia’s seizure of Crimea as part of any agreement.
1 day ago
President Donald Trump has lashed out at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, saying the Ukrainian leader is prolonging the “killing field” after he pushed back on ceding Crimea to Russia as part a potential peace plan.
Mr Zelensky on Tuesday ruled out the idea of Ukraine ceding territory to Russia as part of any agreement before high-level talks set for Wednesday in London among US, European and Ukrainian officials.
“There is nothing to talk about — it is our land, the land of the Ukrainian people,” Mr Zelensky said.
During similar talks last week in Paris, US officials presented a proposal that included allowing Russia to keep control of occupied Ukrainian territory as part of a deal.
“This statement is very harmful to the Peace Negotiations with Russia in that Crimea was lost years ago under the auspices of President Barack Hussein Obama, and is not even a point of discussion,” Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday.
Mr Zelensky on Tuesday ruled out the idea of Ukraine ceding territory to Russia as part of any agreement before high-level talks set for Wednesday in London among US, European and Ukrainian officials.
“There is nothing to talk about — it is our land, the land of the Ukrainian people,” Mr Zelensky said.
During similar talks last week in Paris, US officials presented a proposal that included allowing Russia to keep control of occupied Ukrainian territory as part of a deal.
“This statement is very harmful to the Peace Negotiations with Russia in that Crimea was lost years ago under the auspices of President Barack Hussein Obama, and is not even a point of discussion,” Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday.
1 day ago
Russia on Thursday accused Japan of treachery and complicity in theft after Tokyo last week signed an agreement to lend Ukraine over $3 billion for reconstruction, backed by the proceeds from frozen Russian assets.
Japan signed an agreement with Ukraine on April 18 for the loan of 471.9 billion yen ($3.3 billion). Under the terms of the arrangement, the loan will be repaid with proceeds from Russian assets worth tens of billions of dollars which have been frozen in the European Union because of the war in Ukraine.
The money is part of the G7's Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration for Ukraine (ERA) programme, which aims to provide Kyiv with $50 billion for reconstruction.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters at a briefing in Moscow on Thursday that the loan would damage already poor relations between Japan and Russia which are strained by Tokyo's support for Ukraine against what the Japanese Foreign Ministry calls Russian aggression.
Japan signed an agreement with Ukraine on April 18 for the loan of 471.9 billion yen ($3.3 billion). Under the terms of the arrangement, the loan will be repaid with proceeds from Russian assets worth tens of billions of dollars which have been frozen in the European Union because of the war in Ukraine.
The money is part of the G7's Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration for Ukraine (ERA) programme, which aims to provide Kyiv with $50 billion for reconstruction.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters at a briefing in Moscow on Thursday that the loan would damage already poor relations between Japan and Russia which are strained by Tokyo's support for Ukraine against what the Japanese Foreign Ministry calls Russian aggression.
1 day ago
Russia's illegal seizure of Crimea from Ukraine 11 years ago was quick and bloodless. But Kyiv — and most of the world — never recognized Moscow's annexation of the strategic peninsula, which is now a major focus of U.S.-led efforts to end Russia's war in Ukraine.
U.S. President Donald Trump lashed out at Ukraine’s president Wednesday, accusing Volodymyr Zelenskyy of prolonging the “killing field” after he insisted he would not give up any Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, to Russia as part of a potential peace plan.
“There is nothing to talk about. It is our land, the land of the Ukrainian people,” he said.
Trump called Zelenskyy’s pushback “very harmful” to talks.
“Nobody is asking Zelenskyy to recognize Crimea as Russian Territory but, if he wants Crimea, why didn’t they fight for it eleven years ago when it was handed over to Russia without a shot being fired?” he wrote on social media.
During Trump's first term, the U.S. said it would never recognize Crimea as Russ
U.S. President Donald Trump lashed out at Ukraine’s president Wednesday, accusing Volodymyr Zelenskyy of prolonging the “killing field” after he insisted he would not give up any Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, to Russia as part of a potential peace plan.
“There is nothing to talk about. It is our land, the land of the Ukrainian people,” he said.
Trump called Zelenskyy’s pushback “very harmful” to talks.
“Nobody is asking Zelenskyy to recognize Crimea as Russian Territory but, if he wants Crimea, why didn’t they fight for it eleven years ago when it was handed over to Russia without a shot being fired?” he wrote on social media.
During Trump's first term, the U.S. said it would never recognize Crimea as Russ
1 day ago
Jim Cramer questioned whether China is miscalculating during the ongoing United States-China trade war, saying that if China decided to avoid talks, consequences could favor the hardliners in the White House.
"Chinese overplaying their hand? Do they really want to be the country that doesn't talk as we go into the most fraught moments? The hardliners in the White House will win if the Chinese do not play ball... Don't they see that?" said Cramer.
These comments come amid an escalating trade mess, with tariffs as high as 245% imposed by the United States on Chinese goods and a 125% tariff imposed by China on U.S. goods. However, on April 22, Trump wanted to ease the ongoing tension between China and U.S.
Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, has stated he is open to talks but, like Washington, has vowed to "fight to the end" if provoked.
"Chinese overplaying their hand? Do they really want to be the country that doesn't talk as we go into the most fraught moments? The hardliners in the White House will win if the Chinese do not play ball... Don't they see that?" said Cramer.
These comments come amid an escalating trade mess, with tariffs as high as 245% imposed by the United States on Chinese goods and a 125% tariff imposed by China on U.S. goods. However, on April 22, Trump wanted to ease the ongoing tension between China and U.S.
Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, has stated he is open to talks but, like Washington, has vowed to "fight to the end" if provoked.
1 day ago
China called for all "unilateral" U.S. tariffs to be cancelled on Thursday, as signs emerged that the Trump administration may de-escalate its trade war with Beijing.
China also clarified it has not held trade talks with Washington despite repeated comments from the U.S. government suggesting there had been engagement.
U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly said that the U.S. will have a deal with China and on Wednesday said there was "direct contact" between both countries. Trump, who calls his tariffs "reciprocal", says the duties aim to correct unfair trade imbalances with the U.S.
The U.S. should remove all "unilateral tariff measures" against China "if it truly wanted" to solve the trade issue, Commerce Ministry spokesperson He Yadong said on Thursday.
"The person who tied the bell must untie it," he said.
China also clarified it has not held trade talks with Washington despite repeated comments from the U.S. government suggesting there had been engagement.
U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly said that the U.S. will have a deal with China and on Wednesday said there was "direct contact" between both countries. Trump, who calls his tariffs "reciprocal", says the duties aim to correct unfair trade imbalances with the U.S.
The U.S. should remove all "unilateral tariff measures" against China "if it truly wanted" to solve the trade issue, Commerce Ministry spokesperson He Yadong said on Thursday.
"The person who tied the bell must untie it," he said.
1 day ago
The Pentagon will resume gender-affirming care for transgender service members, an embarrassing setback to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s efforts to restrict their participation.
The memo says the Defense Department is returning to the Biden-era medical policy for transgender service members due to a court order that struck down Hegseth’s restrictions as unconstitutional. The administration is appealing the move, but a federal appeals court in California denied the department’s effort to halt the policy while its challenge is pending.
As a result, the administration is barred from removing transgender service members or restricting their medical care, a priority of President Donald Trump and Hegseth. The administration insisted its restrictions were geared toward people experiencing medical challenges related to “gender dysphoria,” but two federal judges said in March that the policy was a thinly veiled ban on transgender people that violated the Constitution.
The memo says the Defense Department is returning to the Biden-era medical policy for transgender service members due to a court order that struck down Hegseth’s restrictions as unconstitutional. The administration is appealing the move, but a federal appeals court in California denied the department’s effort to halt the policy while its challenge is pending.
As a result, the administration is barred from removing transgender service members or restricting their medical care, a priority of President Donald Trump and Hegseth. The administration insisted its restrictions were geared toward people experiencing medical challenges related to “gender dysphoria,” but two federal judges said in March that the policy was a thinly veiled ban on transgender people that violated the Constitution.
2 days ago
India-Pakistan Row: “Heavens Will Not Fall If Pak...
Predictably, the Pakistan government has denied any role whatsoever in the dastardly killing of the 28 tourists in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on April 22. That the Islamic fundamentalist outfit, the “Resistance Front”, which has claimed responsibility for the heinous crime, is an...
https://afriprime.net/posts/352139
2 days ago
After ‘Multiple Setbacks’, Why A Nuclear Deal With The...
During his first term in office, President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal. Iran and the P5+1 (the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council—China, France, Russia, the...
https://afriprime.net/posts/352138
2 days ago
China Puts Its ‘Mammoth’ Warship, Type-075, On Open...
As the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) commemorates its 76th founding anniversary on April 23, its cutting-edge warship, the Type 075, has been opened for public viewing for the first time. The Type 075 amphibious assault ship will descend its gangplank (a movable bridge...
https://afriprime.net/posts/352136
2 days ago
F-35 “Ferrari”: After NGAD Loss, Lockheed Plans To...
American defense giant Lockheed Martin, which lost the closely-contested Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) contract to Boeing, could now upgrade its existing fifth-generation fighter—the F-35 Lightning II—with sixth-generation technology it developed for NGAD. Lockheed...
https://afriprime.net/posts/352134
