Latest news with #ArmedForcesofthe
Straits Times
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Congo, M23 rebels pledge in Qatar to reach peace deal next month
FILE PHOTO: Members of the M23 rebel group ride on a pickup truck as they leave their position for patrols amid conflict between them and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC), in Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, January 29, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo DOHA - Democratic Republic of Congo and the M23 rebel group pledged to sign a peace agreement by August 18, at a ceremony in Doha on Saturday, a sign of progress even as outstanding details need to be negotiated. Representatives of both sides signed a declaration of principles laying out the new timeline, a copy of which was obtained by Reuters, at the ceremony that followed months of Qatari mediation after talks began in April. The United States, which has hosted separate talks between the governments of Congo and Rwanda, has exerted pressure to finalise a durable peace deal in Congo. President Donald Trump has made clear he hopes that would spur Western investment into a country rich in tantalum, gold, cobalt, copper, lithium and other minerals. Last month, the Rwandan and Congolese foreign ministers signed a peace deal and met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House. Trump at the time invited Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame to Washington to sign a package of agreements potentially including economic deals. The rebel group M23, in the latest of a series of uprisings, has controlled Goma, eastern Congo's largest city, since late January and has also made gains across North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. Rwanda has long denied allegations that it has helped M23, which has seized more territory in Congo than it has ever previously held. The fighting has killed thousands and displaced hundreds of thousands more this year, while escalating the risk of a full-scale regional war. Several of Congo's neighbours had troops deployed in eastern Congo when the advance began. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Mindef, SAF units among those dealing with attack on S'pore's critical information infrastructure Asia How China's growing cyber-hacking capabilities have raised alarm around the world Asia Autogate glitch at Malaysia's major checkpoints causes chaos for S'porean and foreign travellers Singapore A deadly cocktail: Easy access, lax attitudes driving Kpod scourge in S'pore Singapore 'I thought it was an April Fool's joke': Teen addicted to Kpods on news that friend died Singapore Who decides when you can't? A guide on planning for end-of-life care Singapore Why hiring more teachers makes sense, even with falling student numbers Singapore Bukit Panjang LRT disruption: Train service resumes after power fault affects 13-station line Qatar's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi said at a news conference Saturday's declaration "lays the groundwork for a new phase of partnership among the various components of society in the Democratic Republic of the Congo - including armed movements that have chosen to prioritise the greater national interest." It was brought about by talks that followed a surprise meeting between Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame, brokered by Qatar in March, during which they called for an "immediate and unconditional" ceasefire. Congo had previously rejected the idea of holding talks with M23, branding it a terrorist group. While denying it has supported M23, Rwanda has said its forces have acted in self defence against Congo's army and ethnic Hutu militiamen linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide. POINTS OF CONTENTION Sources in both delegations have expressed frustration with the pace of negotiations in Doha and the lack of progress on confidence-building measures including the release of M23 members held by Congo and the re-opening of banks in rebel-held territory. The declaration of principles does not resolve those issues, instead committing the parties to "creating the necessary conditions" to eventually do so. It also does not address bigger questions concerning the possible Rwandan and M23 withdrawals from eastern Congo. It says Congo and M23 agree state authority should be restored "on all national territories" as part of an eventual peace agreement but does not give details. Congo government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya nevertheless said on X on Saturday that the declaration "takes into account the red lines we have always defended, including the non-negotiable withdrawal" of M23. Negotiations for a peace agreement are to start no later than August 8, according to the declaration, which would give the parties less than two weeks to finalise a deal if they stick to their new August 18 deadline. "We are confident and we are hopeful," Massad Boulos, Trump's senior adviser for Africa, told Reuters after Saturday's ceremony in Doha, adding that Tshiskedi and Kagame "have both committed to resolving this." REUTERS
Time of India
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Putin HAMMERS Ukraine With Hypersonic Missiles; Moscow Captures Ukrainian City
/ Jun 29, 2025, 05:53PM IST Russia confirmed that its forces bombarded Ukraine during night hours. According to Moscow military, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation delivered a mass strike by air, ground, and sea-based long-range precision weaponry, the Kinzhal hypersonic aero-ballistic missile system as well as unmanned aerial vehicles at Ukrainian defence industry and oil-refining enterprises. Watch the details for more.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Putin declares temporary truce during Victory Day anniversary celebrations
Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a temporary ceasefire to come into effect during the 80th anniversary commemoration of V Day, which celebrates the victory of the Soviet Union over Nazi Germany in 1945. The ceasefire will come into effect on May 8 and end on May 10, the Kremlin announced in a statement posted to its official Telegram channel Monday. "Based on humanitarian considerations, the Russian side declares a truce during the 80th anniversary of the Victory Day," the statement said, attributing the decision to Putin. "For this period, all hostilities are stopped," it added. "Russia believes that the Ukrainian side should follow this example," the statement continued. "In the event of violations of the truce by the Ukrainian side, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation will give an adequate and effective response." "Once again, the Russian side reiterates its readiness for peace talks without preconditions aimed at eliminating the root causes of the Ukrainian crisis and for constructive cooperation with international partners," the Kremlin wrote. There was no immediate response from Ukraine. On Sunday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy again suggested Moscow was feigning its readiness to negotiate a U.S.-brokered deal to end its 3-year-old invasion of Ukraine "We are keeping our positions strong so that we have every opportunity for proper diplomacy," Zelenskyy wrote in a message to Telegram. "The Russians talk a lot about their alleged readiness to accept American proposals, but so far, there have been no signs of the Russian army preparing for real silence," he added. "On the contrary, since Easter, the occupier has resumed its usual assault activity -- of course, at the cost of significant losses, the Russians are trying to advance." MORE: Putin says North Korean 'friends' helped Russia push Ukraine out of Kursk "Every day of such battles at the front proves that Russia is really trying to deceive the world -- to deceive America and others -- and to further prolong this war," the president said. "And that is why we need pressure. Pressure is indispensable to make the Russians take all the steps -- whatever is necessary to stop the war." This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. ABC News' Guy Davies and Tanya Stukalova contributed to this report. Putin declares temporary truce during Victory Day anniversary celebrations originally appeared on
Miami Herald
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Putin Declares Temporary Ukraine Ceasefire
Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine to time with commemorations marking 80 years since the end of the Second World War, state media reported. "Based on humanitarian considerations, during the days of the 80th anniversary of the Victory-from zero hours from May 7 to 8 to zero hours from May 10 to 11-the Russian side declares a truce," the Kremlin said in a statement, according to TASS. "For this period, all hostilities are stopped. Russia believes that the Ukrainian side should follow suit. In the event of violations of the ceasefire by the Ukrainian side, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation will give an adequate and effective response." The Kremlin added that it "once again declares its readiness for peace talks without preconditions, aimed at eliminating the root causes of the Ukrainian crisis, constructive interaction with international partners." Newsweek has contacted the State Department and Ukraine's presidential office for comment. Putin had previously declared a unilateral Easter truce for 30 hours, a move the Ukrainians said shows peace in Russia's hands. This is a breaking news story and more information will be added soon. Related Articles Ukraine Su-27 Fighter Jet CrashesRussia Posts North Korean Troops Highlights Reel After Months of DenialsRussia Launches Massive Ukraine Attacks After Trump Tells Putin To StopRussian Nuclear Submarine Fires Kalibr Cruise Missile Over 600 Miles 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Putin Declares Temporary Ukraine Ceasefire
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine to time with commemorations marking 80 years since the end of the Second World War, state media reported. "Based on humanitarian considerations, during the days of the 80th anniversary of the Victory—from zero hours from May 7 to 8 to zero hours from May 10 to 11—the Russian side declares a truce," the Kremlin said in a statement, according to TASS. "For this period, all hostilities are stopped. Russia believes that the Ukrainian side should follow suit. In the event of violations of the ceasefire by the Ukrainian side, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation will give an adequate and effective response." The Kremlin added that it "once again declares its readiness for peace talks without preconditions, aimed at eliminating the root causes of the Ukrainian crisis, constructive interaction with international partners." Putin had previously declared a unilateral Easter truce for 30 hours, a move the Ukrainians said shows peace in Russia's hands. This is a breaking news story and more information will be added soon.
