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Yulia Navalnaya Blames Putin for Husband’s Death, Vows to Fight On

She said that the most important thing “we can do for Alexei and for ourselves is to continue to fight more desperately, more fiercely than before.”…reports Asian Lite News

Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who was reported to have collapsed after a walk, has accused Russian President Valadimir Putin of her husband’s murder and pledged to continue his work, a media report said.

In a nine minute video on Monday, 47-year-old Navalnaya, said: “Three days ago, Vladimir Putin killed my husband Alexei Navalny, the father of my children and took away the most important thing I had. The person who was closest to me and whom I loved most.

During an interview, Navalnaya, an economist who had left her job for raising her kids, said: “When you are not a politician but you see the darkest things against your family then, of course, it radicalises you.”

She said that the most important thing “we can do for Alexei and for ourselves is to continue to fight more desperately, more fiercely than before.”

She also accused the authorities of hiding her husband’s body. Authorities told Navalny’s mother that his body will not be handed over to family for two weeks as they are conducting chemical analysis, Navalny’s spokewoman Kira Yarmysh was quoted as saying by BBC.

Navalny, who has been Putin’s most prolific critic for over a decade, was confirmed dead by the opposition on Saturday.

Earlier, the Western leaders, including US President Joe Biden have blamed Puting for Navalny’s death, which Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said were “arrogant” and “unacceptable”.

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Putin Plans to Double Troops Along NATO Border Post-Ukraine

The intelligence agency said that Russia could double the 19,000 troops positioned near Estonia…reports Asian Lite News

Estonia Foreign Intelligence Service on Tuesday said that Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to double his military deployment along the NATO border with the Baltic states and Finland as part of Moscow’s potential assault on a long term basis after Ukraine is over, media reports said.

The intelligence agency said that Putin still harbors an appetite for conflict and represents an unpredictable threat nearly two years after the invasion of Ukraine.

Estonia gained its independence from the former Soviet Union in 1991. It became a NATO member in 2004.

The intelligence agency said that Russia could double the 19,000 troops positioned near Estonia.

“Russia’s troop presence near Finland, with whom it shares an 830-mile border, has so far been fairly small,” the intelligence report said.

The report said that this scenario is going to change now because Finland recently became a NATO member.

The report said that Russia’s new military formation will be built around at least two or three maneuver units with around a dozen fire support and combat support units.

Western officials said Putin’s veiled threats to attack NATO countries could turn out to be real. Under NATO’s Article 5, an attack on one NATO member is deemed an attack on all.

Estonia Foreign Spying Director General Kaupo Rosin said that Russia has chosen a path with long-term confrontation.

“Russia is highly unlikely to attack a NATO country in the short term,” Rosin has said.

He said that the Russians in their own thinking are calculating that military conflict with NATO is possible in the next decade.

“Russians are planning to increase the military force along the Baltic states’ border but also the Finnish border. We will highly likely see an increase of manpower, about doubling perhaps. We will see an increase in armed personnel carriers, tanks, and artillery systems over the coming years,” he said.

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EU agrees massive Ukraine aid deal in ‘message’ to Putin

EU flags are seen outside the European Commission in Brussels, Belgium, Jan. 6, 2023.(Xinhua/Zheng Huansong/IANS)

Zelenskyy noted, “It is very important that the decision was made by all 27 leaders, which once again proves strong EU unity.”…reports Asian Lite News

All 27 European Union countries have reached consensus on an additional 50 billion euros (USD 54 billion) aid package for Ukraine, overcoming potential vetoes, notably from Hungary, Al Jazeera reported.

European Council President Charles Michel announced the breakthrough after a special summit of EU leaders in Brussels, stating, “We have a deal.”

The approved aid package is seen as a commitment to providing steadfast, long-term, and predictable funding for Ukraine. Michel emphasized that this decision reflects the EU’s leadership and responsibility in supporting Ukraine, emphasizing the gravity of the situation at hand, as reported by Al Jazeera.

Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the unanimous approval, emphasising the strengthened long-term economic and financial stability for Ukraine as it navigates the complexities of the ongoing conflict with Russia.

Zelenskyy noted, “It is very important that the decision was made by all 27 leaders, which once again proves strong EU unity.”

The urgency for financial support from Western countries has intensified for Ukraine, given recent political delays in both US and EU aid, bolstering Russian confidence amidst the prolonged conflict.

The EU had previously agreed on the aid package in December, extending support until 2027 and designating Ukraine as a candidate for EU membership, a decision reluctantly accepted by Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban, known for his close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

However, Orban’s discontent arose from the European Commission’s decision to restrict his government’s access to certain bloc funds, citing concerns about potential threats to the EU budget by Hungary. Orban’s subsequent veto of several EU issues created a diplomatic standoff, with Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas stating, “I don’t want to use the word blackmail, but I don’t know what other better word might fit.”

Following intense negotiations, the deal’s finalisation was met with relief in Ukraine, ensuring funding for the next four years and providing a longer-term sense of security. The first tranche of 4.5 billion euros (USD 4.9 billion) from the EU facility is expected to reach Ukraine in March.

Orban, after lifting the veto, cited guarantees about the sensible use of the funds and reassurances that Hungary’s money would not end up in Ukraine. The EU’s united front in approving the aid package aims to send a clear message of solidarity, especially considering the challenges posed by the upcoming US elections and the ongoing uncertainty in the geopolitical landscape.

While a similar aid package from the US faces internal political disputes and complications due to the upcoming presidential election in November, the EU’s decisive action ensures crucial financial support for Ukraine during these challenging times, Al Jazeera reported. (ANI)

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Modi, Putin agree to strengthen partnership

In a telephone conversation, the two leaders reviewed progress on a number of issues of bilateral cooperation in follow-up to recent high-level exchanges between the two countries…reports Asian Lite News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he had “good conversation” with Russian President Vladimir Putin and both leaders agreed to develop a roadmap for future initiatives to further strengthen the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. He also exchanged views on various regional and global issues, including Russia’s Presidency of the BRICS.

“Had a good conversation with President Putin. We discussed various positive developments in our Special & Privileged Strategic Partnership and agreed to chalk out a roadmap for future initiatives. We also had a useful exchange of views on various regional and global issues, including Russia’s Presidency of the BRICS,” said PM Modi in a post on X. In a telephone conversation, the two leaders reviewed progress on a number of issues of bilateral cooperation in follow-up to recent high-level exchanges between the two countries. “They positively assessed the developments in bilateral relations and agreed to develop a roadmap for future initiatives to further strengthen the India-Russia Special & Privileged Strategic Partnership,” the PMO added.

Notably, during Putin’s visit to India in December 2010, the Strategic Partnership was elevated to the level of a “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.” They also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. The PM also conveyed his best wishes for Russia’s presidency of BRICS in 2024 and assured Russia of India’s full support. The two leaders agreed to remain in touch. As Russia has begun the 2024 BRICS chairmanship, Putin has emphasised that, under the motto “Strengthening Multilateralism for Equitable Global Development and Security,” they will act precisely in this manner and focus on positive and constructive cooperation with all countries concerned.

“On January 1, Russia was passed the baton of the BRICS chairmanship, an association that, according to the decision adopted by the 15th BRICS Summit in August 2022, now includes 10 countries,” Russian President Putin said in his remarks on January 2.

Furthermore, as Russia assumes its chairmanship, it looks forward to working productively with all countries in the BRICS orbit. Russia has been a longstanding and time-tested partner for India. Development of India-Russia relations has been a key pillar of India’s foreign policy, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. Since the signing of “Declaration on the India-Russia Strategic Partnership” in October 2000 during the India visit of Russian President Putin, India-Russia ties have acquired a qualitatively new character with enhanced levels of cooperation in almost all areas of the bilateral relationship including political, security, trade and economy, defence, science and technology, and culture. In biggest election year ever, politics may impact India’s foreign policy the most  Modi also conveyed his best wishes for Russia’s Presidency of BRICS in 2024 and assured India’s full support, the MEA statement said, adding that the two leaders agreed to remain in touch. Russia assumed BRICS presidency from January 1, 2024. During his visit to Russia last month, Jaishankar held a “wide-ranging and useful” meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov. Jaishankar said he and Lavrov discussed the international situation and contemporary issues and exchanged views on the Indo-Pacific, the Ukraine conflict, the Gaza situation, Afghanistan and Central Asia, BRICS, SCO, G20 and the UN.

Addressing a joint press conference with Mr. Jaishankar in Moscow, Lavrov had said he had talked with Jaishankar about the prospects of military and technical cooperation, including the manufacturing of modern weaponry. “We also have [taken] specific steps in this area,” Lavrov had said. Jaishankar had also called on Putin, who invited Modi to visit Russia. “We know the position of Prime Minister Modi and have talked about this more than once. I am referring to his position, his attitude to complicated processes, including hot spots, the situation in Ukraine. I have repeatedly informed him about the situation around this conflict. I know about his striving to resolve this problem through peaceful means,” Putin had said.”I ask you to give him my best wishes and please tell him that we are waiting for him in Russia,” Putin told Jaishankar, adding, “Although I know that India next year will have a busy political schedule” (referring to the 2024 Lok Sabha Election). The summit between PM Narendra Modi and Putin is the highest institutional dialogue mechanism in the strategic partnership between the two sides. So far, 21 annual summits have taken place alternatively in India and Russia. The last summit took place in New Delhi in December 2021. Putin also said that the trade turnover between Russia and India is growing, particularly on account of crude oil and high technology areas.The ties between India and Russia remained strong notwithstanding Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

ALSO READ- Russia has free hand in Ukraine conflict now, says Putin

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Russia has free hand in Ukraine conflict now, says Putin

In his speech, Putin stressed that the country had no intention to change the objectives that it set for itself when it decided to deploy troops against Ukraine in early 2022…reports Asian Lite News

Russia now has the initiative in the Ukraine conflict and is at liberty to conduct military action as it sees fit, President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday.

Participating in a Defense Ministry meeting on Tuesday, the President analysed the frontline situation as part of a report on Russian military achievements in 2023, RT reported.

In his speech, Putin stressed that the country had no intention to change the objectives that it set for itself when it decided to deploy troops against Ukraine in early 2022.

Describing the current advantage of Russian troops, Putin said: “In essence, we are doing what we consider necessary, what we want. Wherever… commanders decide active defense is best, it takes place. And where it is needed, we improve our positions.”

Meanwhile, Ukraine has suffered significant casualties and is running out of reserves, he added. He claimed that Kiev’s military strategy was motivated by a wish “to show to their true masters at least some results of their much-hyped so-called counteroffensive”, RT reported.

Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu previously estimated that Ukrainian casualties between early June and late November had surpassed 125,000. During the event on Tuesday, the ministry estimated Kiev’s losses since the start of the hostilities to be over 383,000, the report said.

Putin declared that Western attempts to inflict a “strategic defeat” on Russia in the Ukraine conflict were thwarted by the bravery and resolve of Russian soldiers. The country’s military has become more powerful and its defense industry more capable, he said.

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Putin rejects Biden’s claim that Russia could attack NATO

Vladimir Putin further emphasised that Russia has no reason or interest to fight with NATO countries…reports Asian Lite News

Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected the assertions by the United States that Moscow might launch an attack on a NATO country in the future, dismissing such claims as “complete nonsense,” Al Jazeera reported.”

Vladimir Putin made this statement in a recent interview with Russian state TV.

This comes as US President Joe Biden warned that if Putin achieved victory in Ukraine, he might be emboldened to attack a NATO ally, triggering a third world war.

Following Biden’s warning, Russian President Putin made his statement in an interview with Russian state TV on Sunday.

“It is complete nonsense, and I think President Biden understands that,” Putin told state television channel Rossiya.

Vladimir Putin further emphasised that Russia has no reason or interest to fight with NATO countries.

“Russia has no reason, no interest–no geopolitical interest, neither economic, political nor military–to fight with NATO countries,” he said.

He added that Biden may be trying to stoke such fears to justify his “erroneous policy” in the region, according to Al Jazeera.

Notably, US-Russia relations have sunk to their lowest level in decades since Moscow invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

Throughout their 22-month war, the US has provided Ukraine with USD 111 billion in weapons and equipment, along with other aid, helping the Ukrainians fend off Russia’s advance and regain some territory.

US President Biden is looking forward to sending more aid to war-torn Ukraine, which is running short on supplies as it fights back in deadly winter, reported Al Jazeera.

He had asked US Congress to approve USD 61.4 billion in support of Ukraine as part of a larger USD 110 billion package that includes more funds for Israel and other issues.

Earlier on December 12, Biden said that right-wing lawmakers’ refusal to approve the package also risked handing President Putin a “Christmas gift” of victory.

“Putin is banking on the United States failing to deliver for Ukraine,” Biden said during a news conference with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. “We must … prove him wrong,” he added. (ANI)

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Putin says 617,000 Russian soldiers now in Ukraine

In discussing the ongoing war, Putin noted that Ukraine had lost some of its best troops in attempting to secure a foothold in the Kherson region. “It is a tragedy, I believe, for them,” he said…reports Asian Lite News

Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed that there are currently about 6,17,000 Russian soldiers in Ukraine, including 2,44,000 who were mobilised to support professional Russian military forces, Al Jazeera reported.

However, he stated that there is no immediate need for further mobilisation of reservists. The Russian president also emphasised that Russia’s goals in Ukraine remain unchanged, and peace will only be possible after the “denazification, demilitarisation, and a neutral status” of Ukraine, conditions he has consistently repeated since the invasion began in February 2022.

Addressing the public and media in his first end-of-year news conference since the offensive started, Putin asserted that achieving peace depends on Ukraine meeting these conditions. He accused Ukraine’s government of being influenced by “radical nationalist” and neo-Nazi groups, a claim disputed by Kyiv and the West. Putin has consistently demanded Ukraine’s neutrality and non-membership in the NATO military alliance, as reported by Al Jazeera.

“As for demilitarisation, they don’t want to negotiate, so we are then forced to take other measures, including military measures,” Putin said.

“Either we agree or we need to resolve (the issue) by force,” he added.

It was the first time in a decade that Putin cancelled the event last year December. This year, key themes of the conference were the war in Ukraine, payments to soldiers and their families and the economy.

In discussing the ongoing war, Putin noted that Ukraine had lost some of its best troops in attempting to secure a foothold in the Kherson region. “It is a tragedy, I believe, for them,” he said.

Despite approaching the end of its second year, the war has seen limited gains by Ukraine in its counteroffensive since June. Russia, while occupying about a sixth of Ukraine’s territory, has not fully controlled any of the four Ukrainian regions it claimed last year.

Putin attributed the conflict to the West’s “unbridled desire” to expand towards Russia’s borders, particularly Ukraine’s potential NATO membership. He defended Russia’s actions, stating they were compelled by external pressure.

“The unbridled desire to creep towards our borders, taking Ukraine into NATO, all this led to this tragedy … They forced us into these actions,” Al Jazeera quoted Putin as saying.

Regarding Russia’s relations with China, Putin highlighted that the ties between the two countries are at an all-time high.

On other international matters, Putin commented on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, expressing a hope to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in early 2024. Regarding Argentina’s plan to dollarise its economy, he warned that it could jeopardise the country’s sovereignty.

Addressing the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, Putin suggested that Russians might participate, but raised concerns about the International Olympic Committee’s conditions, suggesting they may portray Russian sport as “dying”. The IOC recently allowed qualifying athletes from Russia and Belarus to participate as neutrals without flags, emblems, or anthems.

As the news conference covered a wide range of topics, Putin underscored the importance of maintaining United Nations mechanisms, including the veto power of permanent member states of the UN Security Council.

Putin concluded the conference by emphasising the need for careful analysis of the IOC’s conditions regarding Russian athletes’ participation in the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, Al Jazeera reported (ANI)

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Zelensky says US delays in Ukraine aid fulfill Putin’s ‘dreams’

Republican senators last week blocked a White House request for $106 billion in emergency aid primarily for Ukraine and Israel…reports Asian Lite News

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made an impassioned plea for continued US military support Monday in a Washington speech, warning that failure to help his country defeat Russian invasion is fulfilling the Kremlin’s “dreams” of wrecking democracy in Europe.

Addressing an audience of US officers at the National Defense University, Zelensky said Ukraine is fighting not just for its own existence but in defense of the freedoms that opened up across Europe in the wake of the Soviet collapse.

In a rebuke to Republicans in Congress who have turned against US funding for the Ukrainian war effort, Zelensky said politicians should not “betray the soldier” — and he said the drying up of US aid was being cheered by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“If there’s one inspired by unresolved issues on Capitol Hill its just Putin and his sick clique,” he said. “They see their dreams come true when they see delays.”

“You can count on Ukraine and we hope just as much to be able to count on you,” Zelensky said. “Putin must lose.”

The Ukrainian leader, who wore his trademark army style green sweatshirt, emblazoned with the words “I’m Ukrainian,” flew into Washington after a round of diplomacy this weekend in Argentina.

He was due to meet Tuesday with President Joe Biden and congressional leaders from both parties, including Republican House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the visit came at “a critical time” and that Biden would make it clear he was “standing firm” on his bid to get Ukraine the aid it needs to resupply its troops and expand efforts to drive back Russian forces.

Zelensky was also meeting the heads of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank as he seeks to shore up his embattled nation’s economy in the midst of the all-out war. The IMF announced the release of a new $900 million tranche in an ongoing longterm loan.

Throughout the bloody conflict, which has seen swaths of Ukraine destroyed and millions driven from their homes, Ukrainian forces have depended heavily on a US-led coalition of countries delivering tens of billions of dollars in ammunition, weaponry, and economic and social aid.

Now the flow of US aid — described by Biden as part of an existential fight between the democratic world and Putin’s aggressive autocracy — is on the verge of drying up.

Republican senators last week blocked a White House request for $106 billion in emergency aid primarily for Ukraine and Israel.

Conservatives said they would refuse the package for the close foreign allies if Democrats and the White House did not also agree to far-ranging immigration reforms targeting security on the politically sensitive US-Mexican border.

More broadly, the Republican right-wing, led by 2024 presidential candidate Donald Trump, has dramatically soured against Ukraine’s cause.

“What’s in America’s best interest is to accept Ukraine is going to have to cede some territory to the Russians and we need to bring the war to a close,” Senator JD Vance, a close Trump ally, said Sunday.

He dismissed as “preposterous” White House warnings that allowing Russia to win in Ukraine would put other eastern European countries, including NATO members, at risk.

There should be no “blank check” for Ukraine, Vance said. “You need to articulate what the ambition is. What is $61 billion going to accomplish that $100 billion hasn’t?“

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Raisi meets Putin, calls cooperation with Russia important  

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi (R) shakes hands with visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Tehran, Iran, on July 19, 2022. (Iranian Presidential Website/Handout via Xinhua/IANS)

Raisi expressed satisfaction with the growing bilateral relations, saying cooperation with Russia was important in line with Iran’s neighbour-oriented policy…reports Asian Lite News

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has stressed that “the ground is prepared” for taking more effective steps to expand cooperation between Iran and Russia in line with the interests of both sides.

Raisi made the remarks in a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Thursday while commenting on the two countries’ good bilateral cooperation in the energy and agriculture sectors as well as the area of knowledge-based firms, Xinhua news agency reported, citing a statement issued on the Iranian presidency’s website.

Raisi expressed satisfaction with the growing bilateral relations, saying cooperation with Russia was important in line with Iran’s neighbour-oriented policy.

Turning to the regional and international developments, Raisi said what had caused humanity suffering were unilateralism and an unjust world order, “one of the manifestations of which can be seen today in Gaza.”

He denounced Israel’s “crimes against the defenceless people of Gaza as genocide and crimes against humanity”, referring to Israel’s ongoing strikes on the Gaza Strip.

“Israel’s crimes, including the killing of over 6,000 children in military strikes on Gaza, were supported by the United States and (some) Western countries,” Raisi said.

He regretted that “one child is dying every 10 minutes in Gaza”, highlighting the necessity to stop “the bombardments and crimes” against Palestinians in the coastal enclave.

Putin, for his part, said that the relations between the two countries were “at the best possible level”. Putin added that Russian traders’ eye-catching presence in Iran’s trade exhibitions and the 20 per cent rise in bilateral trade with an annual turnover of $5 billion in the past year was indicative of the determination of Moscow and Tehran to open a new chapter in bilateral ties.

He said joint transportation, road, and railroad projects were progressing well and the two countries’ cooperation in the energy sector was witnessing continuous growth.

Putin pointed to the two countries’ common positions on regional issues, emphasizing that exchanging views on Palestine’s issue and the Gaza Strip was also among the topics of negotiations between Russia and Iran.

Iran and Russia, both being sanctioned by the United States, have recently expanded bilateral political and economic relations to counter the US moves.

The two countries on Tuesday signed a joint declaration of cooperation to counter the sanctions and reduce the unilateral coercive measures’ negative impacts, according to Iran’s official news agency IRNA.

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Putin to seek another term as Russian president

About 80% of the populace approves of Putin’s performance, according to the independent pollster Levada Center…reports Asian Lite News

Vladimir Putin on Friday moved to prolong his repressive and unyielding grip on Russia for at least another six years, announcing his candidacy in the presidential election next March that he is all but certain to win.

Putin still commands wide support after nearly a quarter-century in power, despite starting an immensely costly war in Ukraine that has taken thousands of his countrymen’s lives, provoked repeated attacks inside Russia — including one on the Kremlin itself — and corroded its aura of invincibility.

A short-lived rebellion in June by mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin raised widespread speculation that Putin could be losing his grip, but he emerged with no permanent scars. Prigozhin’s death in a mysterious plane crash two months later reinforced the view that Putin was in absolute control.

Putin, who was first elected president in March 2000, announced his decision to run in the March 17 presidential election after a Kremlin award ceremony, when war veterans and others pleaded with him to seek reelection in what Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described as “spontaneous” remarks.

His candidacy announcement is his bid to remain in power until 2030. “I won’t hide it from you — I had various thoughts about it over time, but now, you’re right, it’s necessary to make a decision,” Putin said in a video released by the Kremlin after the event. “I will run for president of the Russian Federation.”

Tatiana Stanovaya of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center noted that the announcement was made in a low-key way instead of a live televised speech, probably reflecting the Kremlin’s spin effort to emphasize Putin’s modesty and his perceived focus on doing his job as opposed to loud campaigning.

“It’s not about prosperity, it’s about survival,” Stanovaya observed. “The stakes have been raised to the maximum.”

About 80% of the populace approves of Putin’s performance, according to the independent pollster Levada Center. That support might come from the heart or it might reflect submission to a leader whose crackdown on any opposition has made even relatively mild criticism perilous.

Whether due to real or coerced support, Putin is expected to face only token opposition on the ballot. Putin, 71, has twice used his leverage to amend the constitution so he could theoretically stay in power until he’s in his mid-80s. He is already the longest-serving Kremlin leader since Soviet dictator Josef Stalin, who died in 1953.

In 2008, he stepped aside to become prime minister due to term limits but continued calling the shots while his close associate Dmitry Medvedev served as a placeholder president. Presidential terms were then extended to six years from four, while another package of amendments he pushed through three years ago reset the count for two consecutive terms to begin in 2024.

“He is afraid to give up power,” Dmitry Oreshkin, a political analyst and professor at Free University of Riga, Latvia said.

At the time of the amendments that allowed him two more terms, Putin’s concern about losing power may have been elevated: Levada polling showed his approval rating significantly lower, hovering around 60%.

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