Pakistani Lawmaker Urges Withdrawal of Trump's Nobel Peace Prize Nomination: 'Trump's Hands Are Stained With Blood'
Chief of Pakistan's Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) party Maulana Fazlur Rehman criticized the Pakistani government's nomination of the U.S. president, stating that it insulted those who have been victimized by wars facilitated by the United States, according to Dunya News.
"Neither past nor present establishments have accepted seminaries. But we will not let anyone infringe on their independence," he said.
"Trump's hands are stained with the blood of Palestinians, Iraqis and Afghans. By attacking Iran, he violated both national and international laws. If we don't stand with Iran, should we support Israel?" Rehman continued.
The Pakistani government has been incredibly vocal in its support of Palestine and criticism of Israel, especially following the bombardment of the Gaza Strip conducted by Israel in the wake of the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas.
"We state our deep concern at the continuing brutal aggression and genocide being committed by Israel against the Palestinians, despite repeated calls for a ceasefire from the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), UN General Assembly, UN Security Council, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the international community," President Asif Ali Zardari wrote in a statement released on the first anniversary of October 7.
"We express our profound alarm at the impunity with which Israel is expanding the war theatre and threatening regional peace and security, and its continued violations of international law and the UN Charter, including its recent aggression against Lebanon, attacks in the West Bank, the assassinations of Hamas leader in Tehran, and the Secretary General of Hezbollah in Lebanon which constitutes a threat to regional peace and security," the statement continues.
Rehman insisted the country supports "friendship with the United States, not slavery," and argued that the U.S. had begun championing "un-Islamic and unconstitutional legislation."
Originally published on Latin Times
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The Hungarian leader has consistently opposed EU measures to punish Russia over its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, launched in February 2022. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine and its allies must pressure Russia to ensure a just peace. "We must learn from the experience of Ukraine and our partners to prevent deception on the part of Russia. There are currently no signs that the Russians are preparing to end the war," Zelenskyy said on social media. The Ukrainian president was traveling to Berlin to join Chancellor Merz in video calls with European leaders and US President Donald Trump ahead of a US-Russia summit at a US military base outside Anchorage, Alaska. Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will hold a media conference in Berlin this afternoon, according to the German Chancellery's schedule. The conference, scheduled for 4 p.m. local time (1400 GMT), will follow virtual talks with US President Donald Trump ahead of his planned summit on Friday with Russian President Vladimir Putin. With Donald Trump's summit with Vladimir Putin in Alaska approaching, territorial concessions in exchange for peace are high on the agenda. Trump has talked about Russia and Ukraine "swapping land," but how feasible is that? To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will attend a trio of video calls in person with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who is hosting the meetings with US President Donald Trump as well as European leaders. "The president is working in Berlin today," Zelenskyy's spokesperson said, adding that a bilateral meeting with Merz is also planned. US President Donald Trump will speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a virtual meeting hosted by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The meeting comes two days before Trump is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday. Merz has invited Zelenskyy, along with leaders from France, the United Kingdom, and other EU and NATO officials, to join the call ahead of the talks with Trump. Trump and Vice President JD Vance will then participate in a second round of discussions. Afterward, Ukraine's military European backers, including Germany, France and the UK, will also convene. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The talks come ahead of Trump's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, their first since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than three years ago. EU leaders have reaffirmed Ukraine's right to self-determination and rejected any changes to borders by force. Zelenskyy has ruled out withdrawing troops from the Donbas region. Merz's office said Wednesday's discussions will focus on increasing pressure on Russia and preparing for potential peace negotiations. Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to deepen cooperation during a phone call on Tuesday. North Korea's state news agency KCNA later reported the two leaders confirmed "their will to strengthen cooperation in the future." The Kremlin confirmed the call, noting Putin shared details about his scheduled meeting with US President Donald Trump about the war in Ukraine on Friday. Putin expressed appreciation for "the self-sacrificing spirit displayed by service personnel of the Korean People's Army in liberating Kursk," KCNA said. Kim, in turn, pledged that North Korea would "fully support all measures to be taken by the Russian leadership in the future, too." North Korea has deployed an estimated 10,000 troops to support Russia's war effort in Ukraine.
