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Kremlin says Russia is still ready for prisoner swap with Ukraine despite problems

Kremlin says Russia is still ready for prisoner swap with Ukraine despite problems

Daily Maverick2 days ago

The Kremlin said on Monday that Russia was still ready to honour agreements with Ukraine on a new prisoner of war exchange and on the repatriation of dead soldiers despite what it said was Kyiv's failure to so far honour its side of the bargain.
Russia accused Ukraine on Saturday of indefinitely postponing the exchanges, something Kyiv denied.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Monday repeated Russian accusations against Ukraine.
'We have seen and heard a hundred different excuses, justifications and so on, but it is difficult to view them as credible,' Peskov told reporters.
'The Russian side remains ready to implement the agreements reached in Istanbul.'
The exchanges were agreed to during a second round of direct peace talks in Istanbul on June 2 and are meant to see a new prisoner of war swap of at least 1,200 POWs – focusing on the youngest and most severely wounded – as well as the repatriation of thousands of bodies of those killed in the war.
The return of prisoners of war and the return of the bodies of the dead is one of the few things the two sides had been able to agree on, even as their broader negotiations have failed to get close to ending the war, now in its fourth year.
Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky said on Saturday that the Russian side had shown up at the agreed exchange point with the bodies of 1,212 Ukrainian dead soldiers only to find nobody from Ukraine to take them. He said a first list of 640 POWs had also been handed to Ukraine in order to begin the exchange.
Ukrainian officials rejected those accusations and President Volodymyr Zelenskiy vowed on Sunday to press on with prisoner exchanges despite tensions around the issue.
He said though that Ukraine had not yet received a full list of prisoners to be released and accused Moscow of 'trying to play some kind of dirty political and information game.'

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24 hours in pictures, 11 June 2025
24 hours in pictures, 11 June 2025

The Citizen

time5 hours ago

  • The Citizen

24 hours in pictures, 11 June 2025

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Russia hits Ukraine's Kharkiv with deadly night-time barrage of drones

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BRICS+ Series: India Taps BRICS to Strengthen Energy
BRICS+ Series: India Taps BRICS to Strengthen Energy

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BRICS+ Series: India Taps BRICS to Strengthen Energy

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As Western sanctions against Moscow intensified in 2023, Indian refineries leveraged discounted Russian oil. Consequently, Russia's share of India's total oil imports surged from under 2% before the Ukraine war to over 40% by mid-2024. This wasn't a simple chance to save money; it symbolised a larger strategy to break away from supply chains and financial networks dominated by the West. India's strengthening ties with Iran, a key energy provider in the Global South and recent BRICS addition, suggest a push to revitalise the stalled Chabahar Port project and restart oil imports previously stopped due to U.S. sanctions. BRICS collaboration provides a buffer against such unilateral limitations by promoting alternative trade methods, such as local currency settlements, the BRICS Pay system, and possible substitutes for SWIFT. These resources directly bolster India's energy independence. The partnership between India and the UAE, a fellow BRICS member, holds significant importance. Abu Dhabi is not just a key oil provider, but also invests in India's strategic petroleum reserves and related infrastructure. Further strengthening this robust South-South energy alliance, the UAE's sovereign wealth funds have jointly invested in India's renewable energy projects, demonstrating a comprehensive collaboration spanning both conventional and clean energy sectors. BRICS as a Platform for Energy Sovereignty BRICS transcends a mere convenient alliance, rapidly evolving into a powerful instrument for its members to achieve energy sovereignty. The group's advocacy for dedollarisation, balanced global governance, and cooperation among developing nations is significantly altering the structure of the global energy sector. For India, this shift means a broader range of energy providers, advantageous trade arrangements, and increased independence in its energy-related international relations. Established in 2015, the BRICS Energy Research Cooperation Platform has facilitated joint studies, technology exchanges, and policy dialogues that significantly contribute to India's energy planning. Notably, India hosted the BRICS Energy Dialogue in 2022, advocating for joint investments in upstream oil and gas exploration and South-South capacity building. This has led to tangible collaborative projects in Africa and Central Asia. In these regions, BRICS members, including Indian public sector undertakings such as ONGC Videsh, are jointly developing oil fields and refining infrastructure. India's dedication to energy transition gains significant backing from BRICS. Notably, India collaborates with China and Brazil to promote solar energy through the International Solar Alliance. Moreover, BRICS' green finance instruments, such as the New Development Bank (NDB), are channeling funds into India's clean energy ventures. These include solar parks in Madhya Pradesh and wind energy farms in Gujarat. Strategic Autonomy and Global Realignment India's energy security is intrinsically tied to the broader geopolitical shift towards a multipolar world. The Global South, historically marked by unequal dependencies, is now asserting its strategic independence. BRICS plays a pivotal role in this transformation, providing India with political and economic stability against the pressure tactics of established powers. This is especially crucial during global disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic, sanctions, or financial crises. While concerns exist that stronger energy partnerships with nations such as Russia or Iran could complicate India's relations with Western powers, India's foreign policy is driven by strategic autonomy, not non-alignment. Western nations must recognize that a self-assured Global South will not sacrifice its energy security to geopolitical maneuvers. Energy as Empowerment India's strategic energy realignment within BRICS signifies a profound move towards economic autonomy, not merely a simple shift. Through these alliances, India actively reduces price volatility, ensures stable, extended-term energy resources, and cultivates an energy sector that reflects both its developmental goals and its strategic position in global politics. As the Global South's influence grows, BRICS establishes a framework for a fairer, more secure energy future, positioning India – with its significant population and development goals – as a key player. In an era of energy instability and geopolitical competition, BRICS presents India with strategic advantages, extending beyond mere oil resources. Written By: *Dr Iqbal Survé Past chairman of the BRICS Business Council and co-chairman of the BRICS Media Forum and the BRNN *Sesona Mdlokovana Associate at BRICS+ Consulting Group UAE & African Specialist **The Views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of Independent Media or IOL. ** MORE ARTICLES ON OUR WEBSITE ** Follow @brics_daily on Twitter for daily BRICS+ updates and instagram @brics_daily

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