Kremlin confirms imminent Russia-Ukraine talks
DETAILS TO FOLLOW
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Russia Today
an hour ago
- Russia Today
Vucic says no to EU bargain over Moscow
Belgrade will not impose sanctions on Russia under any circumstances, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Saturday, rejecting remarks by his government minister, who suggested the country could align with EU policy in exchange for faster membership talks. However, Belgrade will not betray its principles in pursuit of some short-term gains, Vucic added. According to the president, Serbia would continue to seek good relations with both Russia and the EU as this policy 'has proven to be correct so far.' 'It is the policy of the independent and sovereign state of Serbia,' he said. The president also called EU Integration Minister Nemanja Starovic's words 'careless' and maintained that some media at home and abroad were just too quick to jump to conclusions. 'Serbia will not impose sanctions on the Russian Federation,' Vucic stated. Speaking to the Austrian news agency APA earlier this week, Starovic said that Belgrade opposes sanctions against Russia because they 'would not affect Russia at all' but would hit the Serbian economy 'on a massive scale.' He maintained that Serbia would be ready to fully comply with Brussels' policies once 'EU membership is in sight.' Serbia remains one of the few European countries that has refused to impose sanctions on Russia or openly side with Ukraine in the ongoing conflict. Vucic had previously stated that the EU has pressured Belgrade to abandon its neutral stance and sever ties with Moscow. In May, Vucic became one of the few European leaders to attend the Victory Day celebrations in Moscow. The Serbian president, along with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, visited Russia despite facing significant pressure from Brussels. During the visit, he reaffirmed Belgrade's commitment to long-term energy cooperation with Russia following a meeting with President Vladimir Putin.
Russia Today
3 hours ago
- Russia Today
Thailand and Cambodia agree to talk after Trump threat
Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to start talks on a ceasefire. US President Donald Trump had warned that he would not pursue trade agreements with either country if they continued fighting. However, the sides have continued to exchange fire. A territorial dispute had been simmering between the countries since the colonial era, as an early 20th century French map left some parts of the border ill-defined. On Wednesday, five Thai soldiers were wounded by landmines in the disputed area, prompting Thailand to allege that they were newly laid. A skirmish ensued the next day that escalated into sustained fighting, with each side accusing the other of provoking the conflict. Since the start of hostilities, at least 34 people have been killed, including civilians and soldiers on both sides; tens of thousands have been displaced. On Saturday, Trump posted on Truth Social that he had spoken with both countries' leaders and urged an 'immediate ceasefire.' 'We happen to be, by coincidence, currently dealing on Trade with both Countries, but do not want to make any Deal, with either Country, if they are fighting — And I have told them so,' he wrote. He later added that the countries 'have agreed to immediately meet and quickly work out a ceasefire and, ultimately, PEACE.' Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said on Sunday that his country has agreed to an 'immediate and unconditional ceasefire,' adding that Trump told him Thailand had also agreed to halt attacks. Thailand's Foreign Ministry confirmed that Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai had spoken with Trump and 'in principle' accepted the ceasefire proposal. However, it added that Thailand expected 'genuine commitment from Cambodia.' Despite the statements, the two countries exchanged fire on Sunday. Cambodia accused Thailand of launching a 'large-scale incursion' with tanks and heavy shelling. Bangkok countered that a cessation of hostilities 'cannot be reached while Cambodia is severely lacking in good faith' and accused the opposing forces of violating humanitarian law. Meanwhile, Malaysian Foreign Affairs Minister Mohamad Hasan announced that the two countries will hold talks in his country on Monday, adding that Kuala Lumpur should guide the settlement process.
Russia Today
7 hours ago
- Russia Today
‘Corrupt' Ukraine cannot be trusted – ex-Trump advisor
Kiev's recent crackdown on anti-corruption agencies is yet more proof that Ukrainian leaders are leaning towards authoritarianism and 'cannot be trusted,' Steve Cortes, a former advisor to US President Donald Trump, has said. Earlier this month, Ukraine's Vladimir Zelensky moved to place the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) under executive oversight – which would essentially strip them of any independence – while claiming the agencies were under Russian influence. The move, however, prompted mass protests at home and Western criticism, with EU officials warning that they could reconsider further aid to Kiev. In an op-ed for Newsweek on Friday, Cortes, who is now the president of the League of American Workers advocacy group, described the crackdown as 'an extra-judicial attack on decency.' 'This raid reeks – and it smells like gangsterism, not democracy.' The move by Zelensky, reportedly backed by his chief of staff, Andrey Yermak – whom Cortes described as 'co-president' – shows that they 'act in very authoritarian ways themselves – and increasingly reveal to the world that they are not transparent, reliable partners for the United States.' Cortes went on to accuse Kiev of entrenched high-level corruption and argued that continued US aid is unjustified. 'It is no wonder that Americans increasingly realize that sending $175 billion of borrowed money to corrupt leaders in Ukraine is just not sound policy,' he wrote. 'Sending mountains of borrowed funds to kleptocrats actually harms America's national security, all while making our country poorer,' he said while urging Americans to stop lionizing Zelensky and comprehend the reality of Ukraine's corruption. The American people have been unbelievably generous, but our patience is wearing thin... In this case, given the latest tactics and optics of the Zelensky/Yermak regime, it becomes ever clearer that these counterparts cannot be trusted. Following domestic and international backlash, Zelensky backpedaled on the crackdown, proposing that the independence of Ukraine's anti-graft institutions be restored. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova suggested that neither NABU nor SAPO is really fighting corruption but rather are used by Kiev's backers as tools 'to control the flow of money coming to Ukraine from the West.'
