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Zelenskyy Slams Carlson-Putin Interview as ‘Nonsense

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.(photo: https://www.instagram.com/zelenskiy_official/)

In Carlson’s recent interview with Putin, the Russian president spouted propaganda about his country’s current war with Ukraine and went after the U.S….reports Asian Lite News

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the recent interview between former Fox News host Tucker Carlson and Russian President Vladimir Putin, denouncing it as “two hours of nonsense” during an exclusive interview with Fox News’s “Special Report” anchored by Bret Baier, as reported by The Hill.

“I don’t have time to hear more than two hours of bull–about us, about the world, about the United States, about our relations and this interview with a killer,” Zelenskyy said during an interview in Ukraine on Fox News’s “Special Report” with anchor Bret Baier.

In Carlson’s recent interview with Putin, the Russian president spouted propaganda about his country’s current war with Ukraine and went after the U.S. The former cable TV host was quickly criticized for giving Putin a platform.

Zelenskyy’s comments also follow the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, whose passing President Biden has blamed on Putin.

“Reports of his death, if they’re true, and I have no reasons to believe they’re not–Russian authorities are going to tell their own story,” Biden said in remarks from the White House.

“But make no mistake: Putin is responsible for Navalny’s death. Putin is responsible. What has happened to Navalny is yet more proof of Putin’s brutality. No one should be fooled,” he continued.

The president also referred to Putin as a “crazy SOB,” at a fundraiser in San Francisco on Wednesday when speaking about climate change.

“This is the last existential threat, it is climate. We have a crazy SOB like that guy Putin, and others, and we always have to worry about nuclear conflict, but the existential threat to humanity is climate,” Biden said.

The Kremlin hit back at Biden for the “SOB” comment Thursday, saying that he was trying “to look like a Hollywood cowboy.”

The tensions between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States continue to escalate amidst political rhetoric and geopolitical maneuvers, underscoring the complex dynamics shaping international relations in the 21st century. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Kremlin slams Biden’s comments on Putin

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‘Make No Mistake, Putin is Responsible’: Biden on Navalny’s Death

 Russia’s most significant opposition leader for the past decade, Alexei Navalny, has died in prison inside the Arctic Circle

US President Joe Biden said that he is “outraged” by the reported death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. He blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for Navalny’s death.

In his remarks on Navalny’s death, Biden said, “Reports of his death if they’re true and I have no reasons to believe that they’re not – Russian authorities are going to tell their own story but make no mistake Putin is responsible for Navalny’s death. Putin is responsible. What has happened to Navalny is yet more proof of Putin’s brutality no one should be fooled not in Russia not at home not anywhere in the world.

Outspoken Kremlin critic Alexey Navalny, Putin’s most formidable domestic opponent, fell unconscious and died on Friday according to state media reports.

“Putin does not only target citizens of other countries as we’ve seen what’s going on in Ukraine right now he also inflicts terrible crimes on his people and as people across Russia and around the world are mourning Navalny today because he was so many things that Putin was not,” he added.

He said Navalny “bravely stood up to the corruption the violence and all the bad things that the Putin government was doing.”

Biden stated that Navalny could have lived safely in exile. However, he returned to Russia knowing that he would likely be imprisoned or even killed if he continued to work. Putin lauded Navalny for being the powerful voice for the truth even in prison.

Biden said that like millions of people around the world, “I’m literally both not surprised and outraged by the reported death of Alexei Navalny. He bravely stood up to the corruption the violence and all the bad things that the Putin government was doing. In response, Putin had him poisoned, he had him arrested. He had him prosecuted for fabricated crimes. He sentenced him to prison he was held in isolation. Even all that didn’t stop him from calling out Putin’s lies.”

The US President said that Navalny was a powerful voice for the truth even in prison and did not fear returning to Russia.

“Even in prison, he was a powerful voice for the truth which is kind of amazing when you think about it and he could have lived safely in exile after the assassination attempt on him in 2020

which nearly killed him I might add and but he was traveling outside the country at the time. Instead, he returned to Russia knowing he’d likely be imprisoned or even killed if he continued his work but he did it anyway because he believed so deeply in his country, in Russia,” he added.

Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny

Calling him “brave, principled and dedicated to building a Russia where the rule of law existed and where it applied to everybody,” Biden said Navalny believed in Russia, a cause worth fighting for. In his remarks, he offered condolences to Navalny’s family.

Biden called for providing funding for Ukraine so that it can defend itself “against Putin’s vicious onslaughts and war crimes.” He stressed the need to reject the statements made by former US President Donald Trump that he said invited Russia to invade NATO allies if they were not paying.

He said, “Now as I’ve said before and I mean this in a literal sense history is watching the House of Representatives the failure to support Ukraine at this critical moment will never be forgotten it’s going to go down on the pages of history.”

“It is, it’s consequential and the clock is ticking and this has to happen. We have to help now you know we have to realize what we’re dealing with with Putin all of us should reject the dangerous statements made by the previous president that invited Russia to invade our NATO allies if they weren’t paying,” Biden added.

Asked whether Navalny was assassinated, Biden said, “We don’t know exactly what happened, but there’s no doubt that the death of Navalny was the consequence of something that Putin and his thugs did.”

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has died in prison, Al Jazeera reported on Friday, citing state media. The death of the jailed Russian opposition leader, 47, has been reported by state media which further cited the prison service of the Yamalo-Nenets region where he had been serving his sentence.

Al Jazeera cited a statement put out by state media quoting the prison service of the Yamalo-Nenets region which said that Navalny “felt bad” after a walk and lost consciousness “almost immediately.” (ANI)

ALSO READ: Putin Plans to Double Troops Along NATO Border Post-Ukraine

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Kremlin Denies Knowledge About ‘Missing’ Putin Critic Navalny

Alexei Navalny’s lawyers have not been able to see him since December 6, reports Asian Lite News

The Kremlin has said that it has “no information” about jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who reportedly has been missing from prison since December 6, Al Jazeera reported.

Navalny’s lawyers have not been able to see him since December 6.

The prison authorities moved him from the penal colony, where he was serving his sentence for multiple charges, including extremism, but have not said where he was transferred to.

Prison officials told a court on Friday (local time) that Navalny had left the IK-6 facility in the town of Melekhovo in the Vladimir region, about 230 km (140 miles) east of Moscow, Al Jazeera reported, citing Vyacheslav Gimadi, the head of the legal department at Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation.

On being asked if the Kremlin had any information about Navalny, spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said: “No. I repeat again: we do not have the capacity, or right, or desire to track the fates of those prisoners who are serving sentences by order of a court.”

Navalny, who rose to prominence by lampooning President Vladimir Putin’s “elite” and alleging “extensive corruption” was sentenced in August to an additional 19 years in prison on top of the 11 and a half years he was already serving, Al Jazeera reported.

Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov

“We don’t know [where he is] for the 10th day,” Navalny’s lawyer posted on X.

The allies of the Putin critic had been preparing for his expected transfer to a “special regime” high-security facility, the harshest grade in Russia’s prison system, before he was moved.

“Where he was taken is not known,” Navalny’s spokeswoman, Kira Yarmysh, posted on X, saying he was moved on December 11. “Let me remind you that the lawyers have not seen Alexei since December 6.”

Earlier, Navalny’s team had alleged that the jailed Russian leader suffered a serious health incident.

Meanwhile, another Navalny ally, Maria Pevchikh, has urged the United Nations Human Rights Committee to help them locate the jailed leader.

“What is happening with Alexei is, in fact, an enforced disappearance and a flagrant violation of his fundamental rights. Answers must be given,” she said on Thursday.

Several rights groups have also weighed in on Moscow’s criticism. Amnesty International acknowledged “the possibility that he may be in transit to another prison colony.”

“As if attempted poisoning, imprisonment and inhumane conditions of detention were not enough, Alexei Navalny may now have been subjected to an enforced disappearance,” it added.

The dissident was taken from Russia to Germany in 2020 after he was poisoned with Novichok, a Soviet-era nerve agent. Navalny had to be airlifted from the Siberian city of Omsk and arrived comatose at a hospital in Berlin, CNN reported.

Navalny was immediately incarcerated upon his return to Russia in January 2021 on charges of violating the terms of his probation related to a fraud case brought against him in 2013, which he also dismissed as politically motivated.

He has also campaigned from prison against Russia’s war against Ukraine and has even attempted to mobilise public opposition to the war.

According to CNN, Navalny posed one of the most serious threats to Putin’s legitimacy during his rule, which has spanned more than two decades.

When Navalny was sentenced to 19 years in a maximum-security penal colony in August, he said, “the number of years does not matter.” (ANI)

ALSO READ: Putin says 617,000 Russian soldiers now in Ukraine

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Putin: Modi Cannot Be Intimidated, Stands Firm for India

Also underlining the bilateral ties between India and Russia, Putin said the relations between the two nations have been “developing progressively” in all directions….reports Asian Lite News

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday heaped praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that he cannot be intimidated or forced to take decisions that are contrary to national interests.

He also spoke favourably of PM Modi’s tough posturing and stance when it comes to defending the national interests.

“I cannot imagine that Modi could be intimidated, intimidated or forced to take any actions, steps and decisions that are contrary to the national interests of India and the Indian people. And there is such pressure, I know. By the way, he and I never even talk about this. I just look at what is happening from the outside, and sometimes, to be honest, I’m even surprised at his tough position on defending the national interests of the Indian state,” the Russian President’s Office quoted Putin as saying at the 14th VTB Investment Forum ‘Russia Calling’.

Also underlining the bilateral ties between India and Russia, Putin said the relations between the two nations have been “developing progressively” in all directions.

Addressing the forum, the Russian President said the ‘policy’ pursued by PM Modi is the main ‘guarantor’ of relations between the two countries.

On what the two nations could do to accelerate the expansion of bilateral trade, Putin said, “I would like to say that relations between Russia and India are developing progressively in all directions, and the main guarantor of this is the policy pursued by Prime Minister Mr. Modi. He belongs precisely to that cohort of world political figures about whom I spoke without naming names.”

Noting that the trade turnover between India and Russia was ‘growing’, the Russian President added, “Last year it was 35 billion dollars per year, and in the first half of this year it was already 33.5 billion. That is, the growth will be significant. Yes, we all understand that, to a large extent, India receives preferences due to discounts on Russian energy resources. Well, he’s actually doing the right thing.”

“If I were them, I would also do the same if the situation develops this way. They make money, and rightly so. But, of course, this is not enough. We have much more opportunities. In the global ranking of the world’s economies by purchasing power parity and by economic volume, India ranks third in this list and Russia fifth,” he added.

“Let me remind you, China, the United States, India, Japan, Russia. The three largest economies in the world by purchasing power parity. Of course, if our trade turnover with China this year is close to 200 billion, it would be right for us to increase it with India,” the Russian President noted further.

Stating that he would discuss the North-South Corridor with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Putin added that India is interested in implementing routes of this kind, according to the Russian President’s Office.

He stressed that the Northern Sea Route needs to be developed, calling it a “very promising direction in the field of logistics.”

The Russian President also underscored the need to develop the financial infrastructure and use more national currencies in mutual settlements. He called for paying more attention to investments and investment flows.

It is not the first time that a Russian leader has praised India’s foreign policy. Earlier in November, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov cited the statement of External Affairs Minister S Jaishanakar while elaborating on the change in global structure and multipolarity due to the rise of players like Global South and Global East.

He quoted Jaishankar’s remarks that the “world is much more than Europe” and the “world is much more than the West.”

Lavrov made the remarks while speaking at the Primakov Readings International Forum in Moscow.

“The key difference of the current edition of multipolarity is the chance to acquire genuinely global proportions, relying on the fundamental principle of the UN Charter: the sovereign equality of states. Previously, decisions of global importance were driven by a small group of countries with the predominant voice coming from the Western community, for obvious reasons,” the Russian Foreign Ministry quoted Lavrov as saying at the event.

EAM Jaishankar, while defending India’s position to buy Russian oil amid the conflict in Ukraine, had made a similar statement.

“Europe has to grow out of the mindset that Europe’s problems are the world’s problems but the world’s problems are not Europe’s problems,” Jaishankar had said. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Cost-of-Living Hike for International Students in Canada

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Putin Set for Gulf Diplomatic Outreach

In Riyadh, President Putin and Mohammed bin Salman will discuss “issues of bilateral cooperation in trade…reports Asian Lite News

Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit Saudi Arabia and the UAE for the first time since 2019, with meetings scheduled with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman al Saud and the President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Wednesday, Russian news agency TASS reported.

It quoted the Kremlin as saying in a press statement, “During the negotiations with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, [Putin is] expected to review the state and perspectives of further development of the multifaceted Russian-Emirati cooperation, as well as the current international agenda with an emphasis with the situation in the Middle East (amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict).”

In Riyadh, President Putin and Mohammed bin Salman will discuss “issues of bilateral cooperation in trade, economy and investments, as well as various aspects of cooperation in multilateral formats.” The sides also plan to have “an exchange of opinion on regional and international agenda.”

Previously, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said oil would also be on the agenda of these visits. He pointed out that while such discussions are being carried out within the OPEC+ format, the national leaders will discuss this topic as well.

The spokesman also noted that Putin’s visit to both countries will happen “effectively within a 24-hour timespan.”

Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Russia are all members of OPEC+, the alliance between the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and other major oil producers, which last week agreed to extend and deepen its production cuts.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday rejected the idea that an international force could be responsible for security in the Gaza Strip after the war, saying that the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) should retain control of the disarmament of Gaza, CNN reported on Wednesday.

According to CNN, this is not the first time Netanyahu has called for post-war Israeli military control in Gaza.

“On the day after, Gaza must be disarmed. And in order for Gaza to be disarmed, there’s only one force that can ensure that — and this force is the IDF,” Netanyahu said on Tuesday during a news conference. “No international force can be responsible for that,” he said, adding, “We saw what happened to other places where international forces were brought for disarmament purposes.”

In November, Netanyahu told CNN that Israel’s security role in a post-war Gaza would be an “over-riding, over-reaching military envelope,” but did not explain what that meant.Meanwhile, the Israeli military encircled the city of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces’ chief of the general staff said, CNN reported.

“Sixty days after the war began, our forces are now encircling the Khan Yunis area in the southern Gaza Strip,” IDF chief Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said on Tuesday, adding, “Simultaneously, we continue to secure our accomplishments in the northern Gaza Strip.” (ANI)

ALSO READ: UAE President, UN Chief Discuss COP28 Agenda

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‘Putin won’t make peace in Ukraine before 2024 polls’

Zelensky has invited Trump, who has said he could end the war in 24 hours if reelected…reports Asian Lite News

Russian President Vladimir Putin will not make peace in Ukraine before he knows the results of the November 2024 US election, a senior US State Department official said on Tuesday, amid concerns that a potential victory for former President Donald Trump could upend Western support for Kyiv.

Trump, who is seeking reelection in 2024 and is the leading candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, has been sharply critical of US support for Kyiv.

A senior official briefing reporters after a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels said the alliance reiterated its support for Ukraine knowing that a peace agreement in the next year is unlikely.

“My expectation is that Putin won’t make a peace or a meaningful peace before he sees the result of our election,” said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the outcomes of the meeting.

Asked whether they were expressing a personal opinion or the view of the US government, the official said it was a “widely shared premise.”

“That was the context in which the allies all expressed strong support for Ukraine” in the NATO meeting on Tuesday, the official added, without mentioning Trump by name or explicitly saying how the election result would affect support for Ukraine.

President Joe Biden, a Democrat, has given massive military aid and other support to Kyiv since Russia’s February 2022 full-scale invasion, but additional funding for Ukraine is being held up by the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier this month invited Trump, who has said he could end the war in 24 hours if reelected, to Ukraine to see the scale of the conflict for himself.

Russia has never refused talks, says Putin

Earlier, Putin had said that Moscow has never refused peace negotiations with Kyiv and blamed Ukraine for pulling out of the negotiation process. He called military actions a tragedy for people and stressed that the world must think about how to stop this tragedy.

In his virtual address at the G20 Leaders Summit, Putin said that some of the leaders in their speeches said that they are “shocked by Russia’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine.”

Putin said, “Of course, military actions are always a tragedy for people, families, and the country as a whole. And, of course, we must think about how to stop this tragedy.”

“By the way, Russia has never refused peace negotiations with Ukraine. It is not Russia, but Ukraine, that has publicly announced that it is withdrawing from the negotiation process. And moreover, a decree was signed by the head of state prohibiting such negotiations with Russia,” he added.

Putin emphasised that the situation in the world requires collective and consensus decisions that reflect the opinions of the majority of the international community, including developed and developing nations.

He said, “Now the situation in the global economy and in the world as a whole requires collective, consensus decisions that reflect the opinions of the overwhelming majority of the international community–both developed and developing countries.”

“The world is undergoing processes of radical transformation. New powerful centres of global economic development are emerging and strengthening. A significant share of global investment, trade and consumption activity is shifting to Asian, African and Latin American regions, where the majority of the world’s population lives,” he added.

He stated that the first ships with free Russian grain had been sent to Africa. He stressed that the turbulence in the markets is increasing. Putin noted that the world economy is experiencing a “direct consequence of the ill-conceived macroeconomic policies of some states.”

“Turbulence in the markets is increasing. Chronic problems in the international financial sector, energy and food security are worsening. By the way, Russia fulfills all its obligations in this area and remains one of the largest food exporters. And today, I want to inform you that the first ships with free Russian grain have been sent to Africa, for example, to countries in need,” he said.

Putin said that “unlawful restrictions” on trade for the sake of strengthening their own competitiveness continue to have a negative impact. He also spoke about the explosion of the Nord Stream gas pipeline system.

The Russian President said, “Unlawful restrictions on trade and the biased-climate agenda of some countries for the sake of strengthening their own competitiveness continue to have a negative effect.To eliminate competitors and gain advantages, unfair methods of competition are also used.”

He further said, “I mean, in particular, not only the destruction of transport and logistics chains and international payment channels, but also acts of state terrorism. A blatant example of this is the explosion of the Nord Stream gas pipeline system, laid along the bottom of the Baltic Sea.”

ALSO READ: Sisi and Putin Push for Gaza Ceasefire in Urgent Phone Call

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Putin Officials Filmed in China with ‘Nuclear Briefcase’

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping posed for a family photograph ceremony at the 3rd International Forum “One Belt, One Road” on Wednesday….reports Asian Lite News

Rare video footage captured Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing, flanked by officers carrying the the “nuclear briefcase,” a crucial tool for authorising a nuclear strike. Following his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Putin was observed proceeding to another engagement, surrounded by security personnel, while two Russian naval officers, each holding a briefcase, accompanied him.

Russia’s nuclear briefcase, known as the “Cheget” and traditionally entrusted to a naval officer, remains in the president’s vicinity at all times but is seldom seen on film. According to Kremlin correspondents from the state news agency RIA, these briefcases are indispensable companions on Putin’s trips. In a separate clip, Putin exits a meeting in Beijing, with the naval officers once again accompanying him as he descends a flight of stairs.

The US president also possesses a similar device, referred to as the “nuclear football,” which contains the codes required for authenticating an order to launch nuclear missiles if the president is not at the White House.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping posed for a family photograph ceremony at the 3rd International Forum “One Belt, One Road” on Wednesday.

Various heads of delegation participated in the event with the two leaders during the forum being held in China.

Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs took to X to post, “President of Russia Vladimir Putin took part in an official family photo ceremony with heads of delegations participating in the III International Forum “One Belt, One Road”.

Earlier on Tuesday, Putin attended the official meeting ceremony with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan, heads of delegations participating in the “Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF).”

Sharing it on their social media ‘X’, formerly known as Twitter, Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed his visit to the forum.

“President Vladimir Putin arrives at the Third #BeltandRoad Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing, takes part in the welcome & family photo ceremonies,” the post said.

Putin arrived in Beijing for a two-day visit to China. Xinping greeted President Putin on his arrival, following which the two leaders held a brief conversation.

ALSO READ: BRICS now richer than G7, says Putin

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Dollar-Centric System Faces ‘Gradual Collapse,’ Putin Predicts

The Russian President says dollar-based global financial system does not meet the interests of all countries

The dollar-based global financial system is not balanced as it does not meet the interests of all countries, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the plenary session of the Valdai Discussion Club.

According to Putin, the dominance of the American currency has to end, which is already happening, while the US authorities are “shooting themselves in the foot”, RT reported.

“The Bretton Woods system — it was once created on the basis of the dollar, but all this is gradually collapsing. Currency is a derivative of the power of the country’s economy, which issues this currency,” the Russian leader pointed out.

In addition, the share of the US economy in global GDP is declining, as evidenced by statistical data, Putin emphasized.

According to the President, Washington is used to printing money in order to cover its budget deficit, and will continue this policy as long as needed, RT reported.

“They will print more. They printed, well, more than $9 trillion during the Covid and post-Covid period. Therefore, it costs them nothing to print something else and scatter it all over the world, thus increasing food inflation. They will do it for sure,” Putin predicted.

ALSO READ: Putin: Ukraine Won’t Last A Week Without Western Aid

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Putin: Ukraine Won’t Last A Week Without Western Aid

Earlier this week, US President Joe Biden said that he “does worry” US support for Ukraine might get derailed, reports Asian Lite News

As the West continues to provide aid for war-torn Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed that Ukraine would not survive for more than “a week” without Western military and financial aid, reported Al Jazeera.

Putin made this claim on the same day when the European Union official warned that the bloc could not replace the funding gap if the US’s support dries up for Kyiv.

Earlier this week, US President Joe Biden said that he “does worry” US support for Ukraine might get derailed.

Putin while speaking at the meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club, said that Ukraine was being propped up “thanks to multi-billion donations that come each month”.

“If one just stops, it will all die in a week,” Putin said.

“The same applies to the defence system. Just imagine the aid stops tomorrow. It will live for only a week when they run out of ammo,” he added.

Additionally, Putin further noted that Ukraine had lost over 90,000 troops since Kyiv’s counteroffensive against Russian forces till date.

Moreover, while addressing a meeting of the European Political Community (EPC) in Spain on Thursday, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said that the EU could not replace the US as Kyiv’s primary donor.

At a meeting of the European Political Community (EPC) in Spain on Thursday, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the EU could not replace the US as Kyiv’s primary donor.

“Can Europe fill the gap left by the US? Well, certainly Europe cannot replace the US,” Borrell said.

War in Ukraine. (Photo: Instagram)

Moreover, the EU and the US, which includes most NATO members are crucial in Ukraine’s fight against Russia.

Over this period of time, the EU and its member states have promised over USD 100 billion of aid to Ukraine, including financing weapon deliveries.

Meanwhile, Washington has committed USD 43 billion in military assistance, whereas, Congress has approved USD 113 billion, including humanitarian aid.

However, following the weekend deal struck with opposition Republicans to avert the US government shutdown, the new US funding for Ukraine has been at a standstill.

Following the US House of Representatives on Tuesday voted to oust Republican Kevin McCarthy as Speaker, it has made the Ukraine support even more uncertain.

Hours after the short-term spending bill was passed to avoid a government shutdown, US President Joe Biden assured that Washington will “not walk away” from supporting Ukraine, CNN reported.

“I want to assure our American allies and the American people and the people of Ukraine that you can count on our support. We will not walk away,” CNN quoted Biden as saying.

Moreover, some of the hardliners also want US aid to Ukraine to cease, according to Al Jazeera.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking to the meeting in Spain of European leaders on Thursday expressed concerns about Washington’s “political storms” but noted that he was confident that he still had US bipartisan backing.

Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron reassured Zelenskyy of further support and pledged “tireless” support for Ukraine.

French President Emmanuel Macron reinforced that message in a meeting with Zelenskyy, pledging “tireless” support for Ukraine. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Ongoing War Costs Ukraine’s Infrastructure $151.2 Billion

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Putin Hints at Russia’s Return to Nuclear Testing

Putin highlighted that Russia has tested a new nuclear-powered missile delivery system but had not decided whether to resume explosives testing…reports Asian Lite News

Russian President Vladimir Putin while speaking at a meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club, suggested that Russia could return to nuclear weapons testing and might withdraw from the nuclear test ban treaty, reported Al Jazeera.

Putin on Thursday spoke about concerns regarding nuclear weapons, energy and the war in Ukraine.

Russian President said that it was “theoretically” possible for Russia to withdraw from the nuclear test ban treaty, pointing out that it generally prohibits the testing of nuclear weapons, but that no decision has been made yet, Al Jazeera reported.

He further highlighted that Russia has tested a new nuclear-powered missile delivery system but had not decided whether to resume explosives testing, Al Jazeera reported.

“I think no person of sound mind and clear memory would think of using nuclear weapons against Russia,” Putin said in his speech at a foreign policy forum experts in Sochi.

“I hear calls to start testing nuclear weapons, to return to testing,” he added. “I am not ready to say whether we really need to conduct tests or not.”

He later announced that Russia has effectively completed the development of the Burevestnik cruise missile and the Sarmat heavy intercontinental ballistic missile. Moreover, he said that he would work on putting them into production.

“We conducted the last successful test of the Burevestnik nuclear-powered global-range cruise missile,” he said. It was the first announcement of a successful test of the Burevestnik and is translated as “Storm Petrel.

Burevestnik was code-named Skyfall by NATO and many Western experts have been sceptical about it, stating that a nuclear engine could be highly unreliable, reported Al Jazeera.

Putin highlighted the country’s nuclear capabilities in his speech, as relations between Russia and Western powers remain tense over the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

On February 24, 2022, Russia send troops into Ukraine in an escalation of the Russia-Ukrainian War which began in 2014. The ‘invasion’ killed tens of thousands on both sides.

Russian forces have been accused of mass civilian casualties and of torturing captured Ukrainian soldiers, reported Al Jazeera.

Since then, thousands of civilians have been killed and millions of others have fled the country, according to the United Nations.

On Thursday, a Russian missile strike resulted in the deaths of at least 50 people in a village near the eastern Ukrainian city of Kupiansk, marking one of the most devastating attacks on civilians since the conflict’s onset.

Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said that Moscow’s forces targeted a cafe and a shop in Hroza, located in the Kharkiv region, just after midday local time.

Putin also reiterated Russia’s opposition to Ukraine’s accession to NATO, which he considered as a tool of US foreign policy, according to Al Jazeera.

However, he said that he has no objections to Ukraine joining the European Union. (ANI)

ALSO READ: ‘Leadership led by national interests’: Putin Heaps Praise on India