Latest news with #DefenseMinisters'Meeting
Newsweek
6 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Russia Announces Nuclear Deployment Planning With Top Ally
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. Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin announced Wednesday that nuclear weapons exercises practicing deployment will soon be held near Borisov in the Minsk Region, occurring as U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are scheduled to meet in the United States. Why It Matters The latest nuclear exercises follow Russia's formal revision to its own nuclear doctrine in late 2024, to lower the threshold for potential use of nuclear weapons—a change that Western officials and analysts said was meant to deter expanded military support for Ukraine. Belarus has been one of Russia's staunchest allies throughout the yearslong war between Russia and Ukraine that escalated when Putin invaded sovereign territory across the border in Eastern Europe. Putin and Trump are slated to meet one-on-one this Friday at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska—the largest military facility the state—as the world leaders intend to discuss options for ending the conflict in Ukraine that began in February 2022. European venues such as Vienna and Geneva were ruled out as a meeting spot due to the legal risks of hosting Putin, who faces an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for war crimes. In July, Trump and former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev engaged in a back-and-forth about a peace deal and nuclear provocations, with Trump telling Putin's confidant that he should "watch his words" and that he is straying into "dangerous territory." Belarus' Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin attends the Defense Ministers' Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Member States in Qingdao in eastern China's Shandong province on June 26, 2025. Belarus' Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin attends the Defense Ministers' Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Member States in Qingdao in eastern China's Shandong province on June 26, 2025. PEDRO PARDO/AFP via Getty Images What To Know Khrenin said Wednesday that main troop maneuvers for the Belarus-Russia Zapad-2025 exercises would include use of the Oreshnik system, according to Belarusian and Russian state media. The primary active events and troop operations for Zapad-2025 would be concentrated on training grounds near Borisov in the Minsk Region, with the larger exercise set for September 12-16, according to Belarusian officials. "As it was previously stated by the head of state, all major operational activities and troop maneuvers will be concentrated in the central part of our country, at our main training grounds near Borisov," Khrenin told Today, adding that four of the five fortified areas, established on presidential directives for national defense operations, are fully prepared. "Currently, four of these five fortified zones are operational; they have been handed over for use and are actively engaged in combat training exercises," he added. "During Zapad-2025, we also plan to conduct troop training in two of these areas, where small units will execute practical tasks aimed at repelling potential adversaries." This is part of a planned event with exercises held every two years, he added, rather than "some sudden decision." Belarus reported that all components of its armed forces would participate, with core contingents from the Western and North-Western Commands and special operations forces taking part in the maneuvers near Borisov. Minsk announced that participants would practice countering airstrikes, combating enemy sabotage groups, and planning nuclear-weapons deployment—including with the Oreshnik system, an intermediate-range weapon Russia previously used in strikes targeting Ukraine. 'Fundamentally Irreconcilable' Worldviews Russia showed "utter disrespect" of Trump and the U.S. when it launched the largest combined drone and missile attack on Ukraine hours after Trump and Putin ended their phone call on July 3, Mikhail Alexseev, political science professor at San Diego State University, told Newsweek via email. "This comes after months of Moscow delaying and obstructing Trump's bold and noble efforts to bring the war to end through negotiations," Alexseev said. "This disrespect is not surprising. Putin's anti-Americanism is deep-seated, though often skillfully disguised when he wants to manipulate other leaders. "It goes back to his days feeling humiliated and infuriated by the Soviet Union's collapse while he served as a KGB officer in the communist East Germany." Alexseev said one of Russia's underlying objectives as part of its invasion of Ukraine goes beyond conquering people and territory "but to signal to the rest of the world that America will never again be first, that it cannot protect its friends and allies, even those who share its fundamental values, such as freedom of speech and religion." "In that sense, Putin's goals and Trump's worldview are fundamentally irreconcilable," he said. What People Are Saying U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told BloombergTelevision in an interview on Wednesday morning: "I think everyone has been frustrated with President Putin. We expected that he would come to the table in a more fulsome way. It looks like he may be ready to negotiate, and we put secondary tariffs on the Indians for buying Russian oil. And I could see, if things don't go well, then sanctions or secondary tariffs could go up." Bessent added: "I'm not going to get ahead of the president, but the president is the best at creating leverage for himself, and he will make it clear to President Putin that all options are on the table." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, during a meeting with European leaders, he believes Putin "is bluffing" ahead of his talks with Trump—accusing Putin of "trying to apply pressure on all sectors of the Ukrainian front" to project that Russia is "capable of occupying all of Ukraine." What Happens Next Belarus reported that three Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) exercises—Search, Echelon, and Interaction—would take place from August 31 to September 6 at the Vitebsk training ground. Russian units had already arrived with other CSTO contingents expected to join. NATO and neighboring countries said they would continue to monitor troop movements and exercises. Western officials reiterated public statements that doctrinal changes by Moscow increased the need for vigilance.
Newsweek
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
China Issues Update on 'Complicated' Border Tensions With India
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. China's foreign ministry described the country's territorial dispute with India as "complicated" following last week's meeting between the two countries' defense chiefs. Newsweek reached out to the Indian defense ministry via emailed request for comment. Why It Matters The world's longest disputed land border, stretching roughly 2,100 miles, has been a flash point for decades, leading to military buildups and periodic skirmishes—including a deadly melee in the Galwan Valley along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in June 2020. Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh met with his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun in Qingdao on Friday on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) defense ministers' summit—the first such visit to China by a senior Indian minister since the 2020 crisis. During the meeting, Singh called for "bridging the trust deficit" that has persisted since the 2020 incident and pushed for a permanent solution to the border delimitation issue, according to an Indian defense ministry press release. Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh attends the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Defense Ministers' Meeting in Shanghai, China, on June 26, 2025. Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh attends the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Defense Ministers' Meeting in Shanghai, China, on June 26, 2025. Fu Tian/VCG via Associated Press What To Know Asked to respond to Singh's remarks during the Chinese Foreign Ministry's regular press briefing on Monday, spokesperson Mao Ning pointed to communications mechanisms the neighbors have established at various levels as a sign of progress. Pressed further on the prospect of a timeline for resolving issues related to the poorly defined border, Mao described the matter as "complicated" and said it would take time to settle. "We hope that India will work with China in the same direction, continue to stay in communication on relevant issues, and jointly keep the border areas peaceful and tranquil," she added. The 2020 clash in Galwan Valley in the India-administered territory of Ladakh was the deadliest in decades, with India reporting 20 troops killed and China reporting four. Since then, India and China have held over 20 rounds of commander-level talks, with periodic announcements on agreements regarding disengagement and patrolling management. What People Are Saying Jayadeva Ranade, a former Indian intelligence official, wrote in April for New Delhi-based think tank the Vivekananda International Foundation: "While Chinese leaders are making statements that attempt to gloss over the developments of recent years and seek to convey that China is keen on normalizing relations…the reality is quite different. "At no point since April 2020 have Chinese leaders conceded their error in launching a military operation to 'teach India a lesson.' On the contrary, a recent report by a Chinese think-tank reveals that China's People's Liberation Army has been augmenting its forces in Tibet and upgrading war preparedness." What Happens Next The two defense ministers agreed to continue consultations on multiple levels to make further progress on matters related to de-escalation, disengagement, and eventual delimitation of border areas, India's defense ministry said.
Express Tribune
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
China is a friend, brother, says Asif
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) can help promote peace and serve as an important tool for safeguarding the development of countries in the region, said Defense Minister Khawaja Asif when attending the SCO Defense Ministers' Meeting in Qingdao, East China's Shandong Province. Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun met with Asif on the same day. Asif praised China's efforts in preventing the escalation of regional tensions, noting that recent months have seen rising instability and conflict across the region. He said Pakistan highly values its ironclad friendship with China and is willing to work closely with Beijing to implement three major global initiatives.
Nikkei Asia
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Nikkei Asia
India rejects signing Shanghai Cooperation Organization statement
India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, left, attends the Defense Ministers' Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Members States in Qingdao in eastern China's Shandong province on June 26. © AP NEW DELHI (AP) -- Beijing's bid for enhanced regional leadership suffered a setback Thursday when India rejected signing a joint statement put before members of the China-backed Shanghai Cooperation Organization, saying it was pro-Pakistan in not mentioning April's terror attack on Indian tourists. Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said the statement diluted India's position on critical issues such as terrorism and regional security, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to speak to the media.
Hindustan Times
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Rajnath Singh refuses to sign SCO statement as cross-border terrorism concerns remain unaddressed
Jun 26, 2025 12:18 PM IST Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday has reportedly refused to sign the joint statement of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). As per reports, the defence minister refused to dot India's name on the document due to its failure to address India's concern regarding cross-border terrorism. India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attends the Defense Ministers' Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Members States in Qingdao (AP) At the SCO Summit, India raised its concerns regarding cross-border terrorism, citing the Pahalgam attack and conflict with Pakistan. However, as per PTI, Rajnath Singh refused to endorse the joint statement as it not did explicitly address India's concerns. Citing sources close to the matter, PTI reported that India's refusal comes due to no clear-cut approach to combat terrorism, including cross-border terror attacks. With Singh's refusal, the SCO Defence Ministers' Meeting concluded with no joint statement from the participants. The meeting was held from June 25 to 26 in Qingdao, China. Defence leaders from member states such as India, China, Russia, and other Central Asian nations came together to discuss issues related to regional and international peace and security.
