Russia says security discussions without Moscow are 'road to nowhere'
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov asserted on Wednesday that any attempts to address security concerns related to Ukraine without Moscow's involvement are futile. He criticized the recent U.S.-led discussions on security guarantees for Ukraine, emphasizing that Russia's participation is essential for any meaningful resolution.
Reuters FILE PHOTO: Spokesperson of Russia's Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova attends the annual press conference held by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow, Russia, January 14, 2025. REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina/File Photo Russia said on Wednesday that attempts to resolve security issues relating to Ukraine without the participation of Moscow was a "road to nowhere". Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov made the comments two days after U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Ukraine's president and European leaders for discussions about security guarantees for Ukraine that could help to end the war.
"We cannot agree with the fact that now it is proposed to resolve questions of security, collective security, without the Russian Federation. This will not work," Lavrov said. "I am sure that in the West and above all in the United States they understand perfectly well that seriously discussing security issues without the Russian Federation is a utopia, it's a road to nowhere."
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Time of India
17 minutes ago
- Time of India
EU gets 15% US tariff for cars, fails to secure wine reprieve
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First Post
17 minutes ago
- First Post
Does Sheikh Hasina's party have office in Kolkata?
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India rejects Bangladesh's charge India on Wednesday (August 20) responded to Dhaka's accusations that offices linked to the Awami League in Kolkata and New Delhi were involved in 'anti-Bangladesh activities.' The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) called Dhaka's allegations 'misplaced,' underlining that no such activity is permitted from Indian soil. 'Many of the senior leaders of the Party, absconding in several criminal cases in Bangladesh on account of grievous crimes committed against humanity, remain in the Indian territory. Earlier, on 21 July 2025 evening, under the garb of an indescript NGO, some of the senior leaders of this banned Party planned to hold a public outreach at the Delhi Press Club and eventually distributed booklets among the attending members of the Press. To date, several reports in Indian media affirm increasing overtures of the Party while being on the Indian soil,' the Bangladesh foreign affairs ministry said in a statement earlier on Wednesday. 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The Government does not allow political activities against other countries to be carried out from Indian soil,' the MEA said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Describing Bangladesh's allegation as 'misplaced,' New Delhi reiterated the need for 'free, fair and inclusive elections" at the earliest in the neighbouring country to 'ascertain the will and mandate of the people.' Our response to media queries on the Press Statement issued by the Interim Government of Bangladesh⬇️ 🔗 — Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) August 20, 2025 Does Awami League have offices in India? Bangladesh's allegations come amid some reports in the Bangladeshi press about a 'discreet 'party office' of Bangladesh Awami League' in Kolkata that Indian intelligence agencies are 'aware' of. As per a BBC Bangla report, cited by Bangladesh's The Business Standard, Hasina's party office has been 'operating for months' out of a commercial complex on the outskirts of Kolkata. 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They spend their time in offering namaz, going to gym or morning walks and attending online meetings with other party leaders and workers in Bangladesh and other parts of the world. A former Awami League MP living in New Town told the digital outlet that he regularly meets former Bangladesh home minister, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, who he claimed has rented a spacious apartment in the area. As per ThePrint, Khan, his wife and daughter are residing in Kolkata. He goes to Delhi every week for party meetings and to 'meet high-level functionaries of the Indian establishment'. Another former Awami League MP from Cox's Bazar said, 'I wake up at the crack of dawn and offer my Fajr prayers at the 3BHK apartment I share with another Awami League MP. Then we both head to the neighbourhood fitness studio, which is rather impressive. I do weight training while my flatmate has enrolled for Pilates classes.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD During the online evening meetings, the Awami League members share and analyse political news from their homeland and discuss their next move. However, the leaders deny that they have an office in Kolkata. 'Yes, there is space we have rented in New Town where all of us meet. There are almost 1,300 party leaders in Kolkata. We can't possibly meet at the former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal's living room! But to call it an office would be a gross exaggeration,' Mohammad A Arafat, former Bangladesh Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, told ThePrint. With inputs from agencies
News18
an hour ago
- News18
US, EU frame ongoing deal between trading partners, solidify some commitments
Last Updated: Washington, Aug 21 (AP) The United States and the European Union on Thursday issued a joint statement that frames the ongoing deal between the trading partners and solidifies some trade commitments. 'This Framework Agreement will put our trade and investment relationship — one of the largest in the world — on a solid footing and will reinvigorate our economies' reindustrialisation," the document reads. Together, the US and the EU have 44 per cent of the global economy. Key points in the letter include a 15 per cent US tariff rate on most European goods, with specifics on auto tariffs tied to EU legislative actions. In addition, the EU agrees to eliminate tariffs on industrial goods and many agricultural products, while the US will reduce tariffs accordingly. The agreement also covers USD 750 billion in energy purchases and USD 600 billion in EU investments by 2028. The agreement also addresses non-tariff barriers, digital trade and environmental regulations. In July, President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met briefly at Trump's Turnberry golf course in Scotland and announced a sweeping trade deal that imposes 15 per cent tariffs on most European goods, warding off Trump's threat of a 30 per cent rate if no deal had been reached by August 1. Before the Republican US president returned to office for his second term, the US and the EU maintained generally low tariff levels in what is the largest bilateral trading relationship in the world, with about USD 2 trillion, around 1.7 trillion Euros, in annual trade. (AP) SKS NPK NPK view comments First Published: August 21, 2025, 18:00 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Loading comments...
