JERUSALEM, Jan. 23, 2020 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during the 5th World Holocaust Forum at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem, on Jan. 23, 2020. Dozens of world leaders gathered on Thursday in Jerusalem to commemorate 75 years for the liberation of the Auschwitz camp and called on to combat the resurgence of modern-day anti-Semitism. (Yonatan Sindel/JINI via Xinhua/IANS)
According to German newspaper Der Spiegel, the US Secret Service, CIA and the Pentagon are said to have received intel of an “exceptionally detailed” invasion plan, scheduled for February 16.
Russia is planning to invade Ukraine on February 16, a credible intelligence report has claimed, as US President Joe Biden urgently arranged a telephone call with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Saturday in a bid to prevent war, the Daily Mail reported.
According to German newspaper Der Spiegel, the US Secret Service, CIA and the Pentagon are said to have received intel of an “exceptionally detailed” invasion plan, scheduled for February 16.
The plans were passed on to Biden’s government and discussed in a series of secret briefings with NATO allies, the Daily Mail reported.
They are said to contain specific routes that might be taken by individual Russian units and detail what roles they might play in the conflict.
Ukrainian border patrol troops guard the country’s border to Hungary (Photo: -/Ukrinform/dpa/IANS)
Der Speigel suggests the US is mulling whether to make the plans public in a bid to undermine them.
The White House confirmed that Biden and Putin would discuss the crisis by phone today – just hours after thousands of Britons and Americans were warned to get out of Ukraine while they still can, as tensions reached boiling point.
The warning came amid fears that Putin could launch an “aerial bombardment” of Kiev, risking a high civilian death toll.
Several other countries have now told their citizens to get out of the country, including Belgium, who on Saturday warned there would be “no guarantee of evacuation” following a “sudden deterioration”, as “communication links including internet and telephone lines could be seriously affected” and air travel hampered.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on June 13, 2019. (Photo IANSPIB)
With the defence ties being an integral pillar of the ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership’ between the two countries, India has welcomed Russia’s willingness to actively engage in its ‘Make in India’ initiative for co-development and production of high technology defence items, a report by Ateet Sharma
The Military-Technical Cooperation (MTC) between India and Russia is expected to grow stronger when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin hold the 21st India-Russia Annual Summit in New Delhi on Monday.
Delivery of the S-400 air defence system and purchase of nearly seven lakh Kalashnikov assault rifles from Moscow, along with plans on joint research and development activities to create new weapons and military equipment systems, will be at the top of the agenda of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Russian counterpart Sergey Shoigu when they both meet for the inaugural 2+2 Dialogue.
With the defence ties being an integral pillar of the ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership’ between the two countries, India has welcomed Russia’s willingness to actively engage in its ‘Make in India’ initiative for co-development and production of high technology defence items.
“A lot of preparatory work has been done, during which Russian specialists, together with Indian partners, have developed an effective production model,” Bekkhan Ozdoev, Industrial Director of the weapons complex of Russian state-owned technology conglomerate Rostec, told Moscow-based media group RBC last week on India signing a $590 million contract with Kalashnikov during Putin’s New Delhi visit.
(Photo_India Narrative)
India has last month carved out seven new defence companies out of the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) which, as PM Modi said on Vijayadashami, would play an important role in import substitution, in line with the vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.
If all goes well, the production of the latest AK-203 series of the iconic Kalashnikov rifles will begin in the first quarter of 2022 at Korwa Ordnance Factory in Uttar Pradesh’s Amethi.
Expanding Indian-Russian military cooperation
The growing Modi-Putin camaraderie, and the increasing multifaceted bilateral cooperation, is highlighted by the fact that the two leaders have met each other 19 times since 2014.
After their last meeting at the BRICS Summit in Brasilia in November 2019, both have had six telephonic conversations during the Covid-19 pandemic and several virtual interactions on various multilateral platforms.
This year marks the 21st anniversary of the establishment of the India-Russia Strategic Partnership and the 11th anniversary of its elevation to a Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.
Russian RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missile systems are seen on the Red Square for the Victory Day parade in Moscow, Russia, May 9, 2019. (XinhuaBai XueqiIANS)
Russia ranks first in the field of military-technical cooperation between India and foreign countries, acquiring more than 60% of military and technical equipment, including the procurement of spare parts and components for licensed production of weapons and military equipment.
New Delhi has stressed that over the years that the partnership with Moscow has gone from simple buyer-seller relationships to collaborative research, development and production of first-class combat platforms.
The production of supersonic cruise missile BrahMos, jointly developed by India’s DRDO and NPOM of Russia, and the licensed production in India of SU-30 aircraft and T-90 tanks remain a standout example of India-Russia defence cooperation.
Both parties are also involved in the joint design and development of the Fifth Generation Fighter and the Multipurpose Transport Aircraft, supply of MiG-29K aircraft, MI-17 and Kamov-31 helicopters, modernization of MiG-29 aircraft, manufacturing of frigates and supply of Multiple Launch Missile Systems.
“In our January 26 parade this year, a lot of exhibits were Russian made.that is the measure of cooperation that we have in defence sector,” said Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla at Moscow’s Russian Diplomatic Academy, earlier this year.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the Russian President Vladimir Putin visiting the ‘Zvezda’ Shipbuilding Plant, at Vladivostok, in Russia on September 04, 2019. (PIB)
India has also taken a number of steps to expedite the collaboration between the Indian and Russian companies after the Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) on the joint manufacturing of spares in India signed in Vladivostok on September 4, 2019.
The IGA provides a framework for partnership of Russian Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEMs) with Indian industry for manufacturing of spare parts of Russian origin equipment in use by the Indian defence forces under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
Besides conducting INDRA joint military exercises, the Defence Ministers of both the countries continue to hold their annual meetings, alternately in Russia and India, even during the ongoing pandemic.
Last year, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, during his visit to Moscow to participate in an event to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Victory Day Parade at Red Square, had discussed a broad range of areas of cooperation between the two countries in a meeting with Russian Defence Minister, General Sergei Shoigu.
Putin hopes consistent policy of Israel towards Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he hopes the Israeli government will pursue a policy of continuity with regard to bilateral relations…reports Asian Lite News
“We have developed sufficiently business-like and trust-based relations with the previous government,” Putin said during a meeting with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett in the resort city of Sochi.
Putin noted that trade and economic ties between the two countries are developing successfully, and bilateral trade grew by 50 per cent in the first seven months of this year despite pandemic-related restrictions.
He also voiced readiness to exchange views with Bennett on the situation in the region, including issues regarding Syria.
For his part, Bennett said he wanted to discuss with Putin the development of the Israel-Russia cooperation in economic, scientific and cultural spheres, as well as the situation in Syria and the Iran nuclear program.
For the first time after taking office earlier this year, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett departed for Sochi on Friday where he will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin…reports Asian Lite News
Bennett will pay a one-day visit to the seaside resort city of Sochi and has only one scheduled meeting, his office said in a statement.
Before his departure, Bennett told reporters at the airport that “the ties between Russia and Israel are a significant element in the foreign policy of the State of Israel” due to Moscow’s regional and international role, and to the Russian-speakers in Israel who constitute “a bridge between the two countries”, reports Xinhua news agency.
Earlier this week, Bennett’s office said that the two leaders will discuss political, security and economic issues involving both countries and regional matters, “primarily Iran’s nuclear program”, according to the statement.
This is Bennett’s first official trip to Russia after becoming Prime Minister in June.
His predecessor, Benjamin Netanyahu, held many meetings with Putin.
NATO responsible for the current situation in Afghan
Putin said it is necessary to unfreeze Afghanistan’s assets so the country could begin to tackle urgent social and economic challenges…reports Asian Lite News
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) bears primary responsibility for the current situation in Afghanistan, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
“While the participation of both China and Russia and other Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) countries is important, those countries that were fighting there (in Afghanistan) for 20 years bear primary responsibility for what is happening there,” Xinhua news agency quoted Putin as saying at the plenary session of the 18th annual meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi on Thursday.
The President said Moscow and Beijing will continue to work together with the aim of promoting dialogue with relevant structures in Afghanistan and ensuring the safety of both countries’ citizens.
VLADIMIR PUTIN, RUSSIAN PRESIDENT: “We will continue to do this within the framework of the SCO by allocating the necessary resources and creating conditions so citizens of our countries feel safe, regardless of what is happening in Afghanistan.”
Putin said it is necessary to unfreeze Afghanistan’s assets so the country could begin to tackle urgent social and economic challenges.
The leaders are expected to talk for four or five hours at a stately lakeside Geneva villa, reports Asian Lite News
President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin face off on Wednesday in their first meeting since Biden took office with wide disagreements likely and expectations low for any breakthroughs.
Both have said they hope their talks in a stately lakeside Geneva villa can lead to more stable and predictable relations, even though they remain at odds over everything from arms control and cyber-hacking to election interference and Ukraine.
“We’re not expecting a big set of deliverables out of this meeting,” a senior US official told reporters aboard Air Force One as Biden flew to Geneva, saying the two are expected to talk for four or five hours.
Relations have deteriorated for years, notably with Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, its 2015 intervention in Syria and US charges – denied by Moscow – of its meddling in the 2016 election that brought Donald Trump to the White House.
They sank further in March when Biden said he thought Putin was a “killer”, prompting Russia to recall its ambassador to Washington for consultations.
The United States recalled its ambassador in April. Neither has since returned.
Arms control is one domain where progress has historically been possible despite wider agreements.
In February, Russia and the United States extended for five years the New START treaty, which caps their deployed strategic nuclear warheads and limits the land- and submarine-based missiles and bombers to deliver them.
The senior US official said Biden would also define areas of vital national interest where Russian misconduct would bring a response.
Biden signed an executive order in April giving Washington wide latitude to impose sanctions on Moscow.
Vladimir-Putin-
Biden will hold a solo news conference after meeting
Biden does not plan to hold a joint press conference with Putin following the summit, choosing instead to speak to reporters solo.
Officials say Russia pushed for a joint press conference during negotiations about the summit. But the US resisted because they did not want to give Putin a platform like he had after a summit with former President Donald Trump in Helsinki.
Officials also said they were mindful of Putin’s desire to appear like he’d gotten the better of a US president, and wanted to avoid a situation that devolved into a tit-for-tat playing out in public.
“This is not a contest about who can do better in front of a press conference or try to embarrass each other,” Biden said on Sunday, explaining the decision.
What to expect
The Nation Security Council’s Senior Director for Russia, Eric Green, laid out the planned agenda for the Biden-Putin summit earlier this month, emphasizing that the main goal for the meeting is to establish “very clear lines of communication” with Russia “starting at the presidential level.”
Green said the agenda “will cover the waterfront,” to include future arms control arrangements, the recent ransomware attacks that the US believes have been carried out by criminal groups in Russia, climate change, and the Kremlin-imposed restrictions on the US diplomatic presence in Russia.
Biden and his aides will also “be advocating on behalf of” the American citizens currently detained by Russia, Green said, and will reaffirm the US commitment to Ukrainian sovereignty. The White House also wants to discuss areas of mutual interest in Iran, North Korea, Syria, Afghanistan and the Arctic, Green said.
“We are not interested in a reset nor do we want escalation with Russia,” Green said, adding that “this is a much different Russia” than it was back in the era of the Barack Obama-led reset in 2009.
The US President is all set to meet Putin on June 16 in Geneva….reports Asian Lite News
Three days before the US-Russia Summit, President Joe Biden said that “autocrat” Vladimir Putin was right to say that relations were at their lowest point in years, media reported.
He also suggested that Russia might be weaker than it seemed and that Moscow had overreached in the Middle East, it was reported.
During the G7 summit in UK, Biden said that the world’s richest democracies now faced an existential contest with “autocrats” that would define the 21st Century, according to reports.
Biden was quoted as saying: “Autocrats have enormous power and they don’t have to answer to a public and the fact is that it may very well be if I respond in kind, as I will, that it doesn’t dissuade him – he wants to keep going.”
The US President is all set to meet Putin on June 16 in Geneva.
According to reports, the meeting is expected to be a combative encounter after disputes over spying, hacking, election meddling, Ukraine, Belarus and human rights.
On Sunday, Putin said that the two countries need to engage in a constructive dialogue and establish mechanisms for interaction as there are areas in which Moscow and Washington can cooperate.
“[We need] to restore our personal contacts, relations, establish a direct dialogue, create really functioning mechanisms of interaction,” Putin said in an interview broadcast by the Smotrim.ru media outlet.
The president noted that the US side is well aware that there are a number of areas that are of mutual interest, such as strategic stability, regional conflicts, environmental protection measures, and climate.
“There are areas in which we can really work effectively,” Putin added
Putin made the comments during a press briefing late on Friday as he spoke about US sanctions against Moscow…reports Asian Lite News
Russian President Vladimir Putin said the United States was wrong to think that it is “powerful enough” to get away with threatening other countries, a mistake, he said, that led to the downfall of the former Soviet Union.
Putin made the comments during a press briefing late on Friday as he spoke about US sanctions against Moscow, according to Russia’s news agency TASS.
He was speaking just days before a meeting with President Joe Biden whose cabinet in April imposed a broad array of sanctions on Russia, including curbs to its sovereign debt market.
“We hear threats from the Congress, from other sources. It is all done within the context of the United States’ domestic political process,” Putin was quoted as saying.
“The people who do this, they probably assume that the United States has such economic, military and political might that it can get away with that. It is no big deal, that is what they think.” Putin said such behaviour reminded him of the Soviet Union.
“The problem with empires is that they think they are powerful enough to make some mistakes. We will buy these (people), bully them, make a deal with them, give necklaces to them, threaten them with battleships. And this will solve all the problems. But problems accumulate. A moment comes when they cannot be solved anymore.”
Biden and Putin will meet in Geneva on June 16, the White House and the Kremlin have said, to discuss “the full range of pressing issues”, according to Washington.
Both Pakistan and Russia have been working to materialise Putin’s visit….reports Asian Lite News
After Pakistan and Russia signed a fresh agreement to lay a gas pipeline, prospects of Russian President Vladimir Putin visiting Islamabad for the very first time were on the cards.
The project, previously named The North-South Gas Pipeline, has now been renamed as Pakistan Steam Gas Pipeline, in which a gas pipeline will be laid from Pakistan’s Karachi city to Kasur.
It is a flagship project between the two countries, which intends to remove the memories of rivalry of the Cold War and bring both countries on the road to bilateral ties.
Both Pakistan and Russia have been working to materialise Putin’s visit.
In April, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visited Islamabad after a gap of at least nine years.
As per official details, Lavrov came with a message that Moscow was willing to extend all possible help to Islamabad and create pathways for bilateral relations.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has already extended a formal invitation to President Putin.
Experts have said that with the signing of the Pakistan Steam Pipeline agreement, the visit of President Putin has become even more significant and important.
Pakistan is anxious to have President Putin inaugurate the groundbreaking of the gas pipeline project, which is expected to be held later this year or in early 2022.
Pakistan and Russia are also seeking more avenues of cooperation.
As per sources, Russia is keen on selling arms to Pakistan, something it avoided in the past because of opposition by India.
It is pertinent to mention that both countries have been holding regular joint military exercises since 2016.
Russia and Pakistan are also in close contact in the peace process and ongoing regional security issues including Afghanistan.
The Pakistan Steam Gas Pipeline is a stepping-stone in normalisation of relations between the two countries, which has been strained for years due to Cold War rivalry.
Russian President Vladimir Putin
The project was originally signed in 2015. However, it could not be initiated due to possible sanctions by the US on Russian companies.
Initially, Russia was to built 100 per cent of the pipeline under the “build, operate and transfer” model.
However, with the new and amended agreement, Pakistan will have at least 74 per cent stakes.
The total cost of the project is around $2.25 billion. It will be beneficial in meeting the gas shortage in Pakistan’s Punjab province.
Analysts say that the project not only has economic significance but also holds great strategic importance for Pakistan.
The reports came as National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan held consultations with his Russian counterpart Nikolai Patrushev…reports Asian Lite News
US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin will likely hold a summit in Geneva in June, US media reported on Monday.
Citing sources familiar with the matter, several media outlets said that the Swiss city of Geneva is expected to be the venue for Biden’s first in-person meeting with Putin as President, the Xinhua news agency reported.
The reports came as National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan held consultations with his Russian counterpart Nikolai Patrushev. “The meeting was an important step in the preparation for a planned US-Russia summit, the date and location of which will be announced later,” the White House said in a statement on Monday.
The meeting between Sullivan and Patrushev was “constructive” despite “outstanding differences,” according to the statement. The two officials also discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interest, with a high priority given to the topic of strategic stability.
President Joe Biden (www.instagram.comwhitehouse)
“The sides agreed that a normalisation of US-Russian relations would be in the interest of both countries and contribute to global predictability and stability,” it added.
Relations between Washington and Moscow have been adversarial in recent years. The two sides have obvious differences on issues related to Ukraine, cybersecurity, human rights, and US election interference.
The Biden administration noted it seeks “a more predictable, stable relationship” with Russia. During their meeting in Iceland last week, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov expressed willingness to cooperate while admitting “serious differences” amid the two countries’ tense relations.
Biden said earlier this month that he expected to meet with Putin during his trip to Europe in June, when he would attend the Group of Seven Summit in Britain and then the NATO Summit in Brussels, Belgium.
