Latest news with #Javelins
Otago Daily Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Defence Force could get more 'killer drones'
By Phil Pennington of RNZ The Budget shows the Defence Force's growing push into the drone warfare will focus first on "counter-drone" systems. This is one of about a dozen initiatives in the Budget signalled already in the Defence Capability Plan last month. All up, there is $4.2 billion in capital and operating funding for the initiatives, most of it being spent over four years, although, in many cases, just how this is divvied up is withheld due to commercial sensitivities. The government already signalled the NZDF could get more 'killer' drones, to add to its existing small stable of surveillance drones. However, the Budget documents referred instead to a counter-uncrewed aerial system that "can be set up in fixed locations and is able to disable drones". Companies in Australia have been working on these, and they have become a fixture in the Ukraine-Russia war. The projects under the Defence Capability Plan dominate the Budget: The biggest capital spend over the four years, as signalled, is to replace eight old maritime helicopters with five new ones - no new details are forthcoming on that. An upgrade of anti-armour Javelin weapons and replacing the two old 757s that are routinely experiencing embarrassing breakdowns, make the list. The Javelins would allow defence to engage tanks "at longer ranges". However, there is no mention of other new missile strike capability, though both the DCP and Defence Minister Judith Collins have repeatedly referred to getting new missiles. There is also no mention of spending on space capabilities, which the DCP had envisaged hundreds of millions going towards. Large sums are set aside with $60 million a year for maintaining the air force's capability, $50 million for the army and $39 million for the navy. Defence Minister Judith Collins said earlier a key constraint on the extra spending is having the personnel to handle that. The Budget provides $8 million for pay rises per year for civilian personnel, and $38 million a year for military allowances (these range up to about $100 a day for uniformed staff in the field or at sea). Savings include $13 million from 2024-27 on the army's new Bushmasters getting high-tech communications installed. These vehicles would likely be crucial for any peacekeeping in Ukraine. The project had been rephased, the Budget said, but it is not clear what that means. There is $16 million across four years for the project to fix many leaky and substandard homes for personnel; and $25 million to planning and design to revamp the Devonport Naval base. Unlike the UK that slashed its international aid budget to fund more defence spending, the Budget maintains the foreign aid budget at about what it was - $1 billion a year. The Budget halves the amount that had been going into a special climate aid fund, reducing it from $200 million a year to $100 million, and also expands what that money can be spent on. This fund had faced a cut-off in January.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Minerals deal 'important part' of future security guarantees, ambassador says
The minerals deal signed between Ukraine and the U.S. is "an important part of... future security guarantees," Ukraine's ambassador to the U.S., Oksana Markarova, said on May 4 in an interview with CBS News. "So this economic partnership deal in itself is a very important part of the broader security... architecture... frankly, that fund will be successful if Ukraine is stable and peaceful. So in a way, it's an important part of... future security guarantees," Markarova . "(T)his is an economic partnership agreement to create an investment fund... for both of our nations to benefit from amazing investment opportunities that Ukraine has," Markarova added. Ukraine and the U.S. on April 30 signed a that establishes a joint investment fund in Ukraine. The deal was negotiated over several months and led to a low point in bilateral relations following the infamous between President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump on Feb. 28. Markarova noted the minerals agreement is an "economic partnership agreement" beyond just rare earths. "(I)t's a true partnership where we would be able to put resources together in order to invest into a wide range of projects, including , including rare earths, including critical minerals, and both of our nations will benefit from it," Markarova said. "Ukraine has agricultural land and black soil... even during the war, we feed more than 400 million people. We have , we have... critical mineral deposits. We have so much, including... human talent, and we can develop it together," she said. Markarova noted the minerals deal builds on U.S. support for Ukraine throughout Russia's full-scale against Ukraine. "(W)e might have some disagreements... in some areas, but Ukraine is committed to peace. Ukraine wants more than anyone. We are defending freedom in Ukraine. We are not the ones who started this war," Markarova said. Markarova described the relationship between Ukraine and the as a "strategic partnership." "Look, our partnership with the U.S. is very important... We are really grateful to (the) American people for all the support that we are getting from the U.S. It would not be possible for us to defend ourselves without those Javelins, without those that (the) U.S. has provided us," Markarova said First Deputy Prime Minister and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent signed the minerals deal in Washington on April 30. The could begin operating within months of its ratification by the Verkhovna Rada, Svyrydenko said on May 1. Read also: 'I just hate the Russians' — Kyiv district recovers from drone strike as ceasefire remains elusive We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
CBS News
04-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Transcript: Ambassador Oksana Markarova on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," May 4, 2025
The following is the transcript of an interview with Oksana Markarova, Ukrainian ambassador to the U.S., that aired on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" on May 4, 2025. MARGARET BRENNAN: We turn now to Ukraine's ambassador to the United States, Oksana Makarova. Ambassador, good to have you back. I understand Russia has been attacking Kyiv as recently as overnight. What can you tell us? AMB. MARKAROVA: Good morning, Margaret. Yes, another very difficult day and night in Kyiv, and not only Kyiv, Cherkasy and some other places, more than 165 Shahed drones, Iranian drones, have been deployed again against completely civilian targets. So unfortunately, this is a horrible reality during the past 1,166 days. Every day, regardless of Russia says, there are some attacks and there are civilian casualties and there are civilian destructions. And for the same 1,166 days, we work diligently on getting- not only defending us, but getting to peace. And Ukraine is devoted to peace. MARGARET BRENNAN: There has been a shift, in tone, at least, between the Trump administration and your president. President Zelenskyy told reporters Friday that his conversation with President Trump at the Pope's funeral was the best meeting they've ever had, and he's confident things will look different now. What is he indicating? What's coming next? When do they speak next? AMB. MARKAROVA: Look, our partnership with the U.S. is very important for us. U.S. has been and is a strategic partnership. We are really grateful to American people for all the support that we are getting from the U.S. It would not be possible for us to defend ourselves without those Javelins, without those weapons that U.S. has provided us, and it was President Trump who decided to provide us Javelins, as- when- when I was still a finance minister-- MARGARET BRENNAN: Back in 2017. AMB. MARKAROVA: --and it was back in 2017, and then large support from American people during the past three years have really been a game changer, and we are very grateful for it. The meeting was great. And you know, as you know, after that meeting, we have signed, really, a great agreement, economic partnership agreement, between our two nations, which will take that partnership to a new level. So look, we might have some disagreements on- on- in some areas, but Ukraine is committed to peace. Ukraine wants peace more than anyone, and we need U.S. We- we- our countries are based on the same values. We are defending freedom in Ukraine. We are not the ones who started this war. And now it's not only the right or moral thing to do, to- the fact to support Ukraine, but also, U.S. has, as your Secretary of Treasury said, an interest and specific economic interest in Ukraine. MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, I want to ask you about that deal. This is what's often described as a minerals agreement, but it's a broader economic partnership that's going forth for ratification in your government this week, I understand. This was agreed to, but Russia's Foreign Minister has said that the mineral deposits that exist in Ukraine, in the east, are one reason his country wouldn't withdraw from that area. So can the U.S. and Ukraine make this deal work if Russian troops are still in the area where those mineral deposits largely are? AMB. MARKAROVA: Margaret, as you said, this is an economic partnership agreement to create an investment fund to- for both of our nations to benefit from amazing investment opportunities that Ukraine has. We discussed before, and I'm so glad that we can not only discuss the horrible tragedy and destruction brought by a Russian unprovoked invasion, but also of the bright future that we, together with America, and- and other countries, can have. Ukraine has agricultural land and black soil, and with the technologies, even during the war, we feed more than 400 million people. We have energy, we have mineral- critical mineral deposits. We have so much, including the human talent, and we can develop it together. So look, when Russians criticize something, it's a sign for all of us that we are doing something right. This deal will work, and it will work if Ukraine is peaceful. MARGARET BRENNAN: Let's talk- Let's talk more on the other side of this commercial break, we'll be right back. (ANNOUNCEMENTS) MARGARET BRENNAN: Welcome back to "Face the Nation." We return now to our conversation with Ukrainian ambassador, Oksana Makarova. We've been discussing the deal that the United States and Ukraine came to in regard to this economic partnership. I've read that the deal counts future U.S. military assistance in the form of ammunition, weapons systems, and training as a contribution to the investment fund, and that Ukraine will not reimburse Washington for past military aid. Is that how it's set up? AMB. MARKAROVA: Well, we- first of all, it's important that it's going to be, as we say, 50/50 deal. So we, together, will set up that fund. We will run it together, and all the future contribution that- or investments that U.S. will be providing us, including military deals, will be counted as contribution to that fund, and Ukraine will be also committing the proceeds from the new licenses and new developments into the fund. So essentially, it's- it's a true partnership where we would be able to put resources together in order to invest into a wide range of projects, including infrastructure, including rare earths, including critical minerals, and both of our nations will benefit from it. MARGARET BRENNAN: When does that get up and running? AMB. MARKAROVA: We are working very actively on it. As you saw, the deal between the governments have been signed. It's going to be ratified by our parliament, hopefully soon. You have seen strong messages from President Zelenskyy, and it's his vision and vision of President Trump behind the deal that is moving it forward. Of course, there will be the creation of the fund, the setup of the fund. I used to work in private equity in my previous life. That takes a little bit of time, but we are moving very fast, so hopefully the teams will come, put everything together, and we'll start working. MARGARET BRENNAN: But within this there aren't security guarantees. Are there promises of future military aid from the United States? Because if this pea- effort to get a peace deal together doesn't work, the fate of the war is still in- in question. AMB. MARKAROVA: Well, you know this- the situation with Russian aggression towards Ukraine is so complex. There are many- we're discussing the potential possible peace deals. We are discussing this economic partnership deal, which is already signed. We're discussing other possible scenarios and security guarantees and involvement of other friends and allies. And you know, Europe has been more active and proactive in- in a number of areas. So this economic partnership deal in itself is a very important part of the broader security- security architecture, if- if I may say so. And frankly, that fund will be successful if Ukraine is stable and peaceful. So in a way, it's an important part of the future security guarantees. MARGARET BRENNAN: Vladimir Putin told Russian state TV he thinks that he can bring this war to a logical conclusion- he avoided the word war, he said, this thing that started in 2022. But he said, there has been no need to use nuclear weapons. And quote, "I hope they will not be required." How do you interpret that? AMB. MARKAROVA: Well, it's very difficult to interpret a man and a so-called leader of the nation who attacked Georgia in 2008, attacked Ukraine in 2014, conducted two genocidal wars on his own, in his own Federation, against Chechnya. Did war crimes in Syria, poisoned people in- in Great Britain. I mean, I think at this point it doesn't matter how we interpret what he says. We just have to believe what he says and understand what he says. He is a threat, not only to Ukraine, but also to anyone who believes that nations should live peacefully, do not challenge each other's borders, and just focus on the economic cooperation. That's what we are doing with the United States, and hopefully our collective efforts, and with Europe, with all the Baltic and Nordic states, with all the friends and allies, including Japan, including UK, including so many people that are coming together in order to bring peace, not only to our part of the world, but globally. Because it's- it's important. Putin is doing it together with Iran and North Korea. They are not hiding it. They are supporting other terroristic regimes, and we should also stay together in order to bring peace. MARGARET BRENNAN: Ambassador, thank you for your time today. We'll be right back.
India.com
27-04-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Russia-Ukraine Conflict: After Meeting Zelenskyy, Trump Shows Frustration With Putin Over Latest Airstrikes, Threatens To...
Russia-Ukraine War: US President Donald Trump expressed more frustration with Russia and questioned President Vladimir Putin's willingness to stop the war after recent airstrikes on Ukraine. He also threatened to deal 'differently' with Moscow through 'banking' and 'secondary' sanctions. Trump's remarks came after he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Vatican on the sidelines of Pope Francis' funeral on Saturday. The latest meeting between the two leaders was the first since their meeting in the White House, when Zelenskyy faced heat from Trump and Vice President JD Vance over what they saw as a lack of gratitude for the support from Washington. In a post shared on his social media platform, Truth Social, as he was heading back to Washington from Rome, the US President hinted at imposing sanctions against Moscow after Russia's latest missile attack on Ukraine and questioned whether Putin wants to stop the war. After Trump's criticisism of Zelenskyy over his recent remarks on Crimea, calling them "harmful to peace negotiations" with Russia, he had highlighted that Ukraine has upheld a complete ceasefire for 44 days following a proposal from Washington, while Moscow continued its attacks, launching nearly 70 missiles and around 150 attack drones during that time. Donald Trump even criticised former US President Barack Obama and suggested that he "made it possible for Russia to steal Crimea from Ukraine without even a shot being fired." In a post shared on Truth Social on Saturday, Trump shared, "No matter what deal I make with respect to Russia/Ukraine, no matter how good it is, even if it's the greatest deal ever made, The Failing New York Times will speak BADLY of it. Liddle' Peter Baker, the very biased and untalented writer for The Times, followed his Editor's demands and wrote that Ukraine should get back territory, including, I suppose, Crimea, and other ridiculous requests, in order to stop the killing that is worse than anything since World War II. Why doesn't this lightweight reporter say that it was Obama who made it possible for Russia to steal Crimea from Ukraine without even a shot being fired. It was also Liddle' Peter who wrote an absolutely fawning, yet terribly written Biography, on Obama. It was a JOKE! Did Baker ever criticize the Obama Crimea Giveaway? NO, not once, only TRUMP, and I've had nothing to do with this stupid war, other than early on, when I gave Ukraine Javelins, and Obama gave them sheets." "This is Sleepy Joe Biden's War, not mine. It was a loser from day one, and should have never happened, and wouldn't have happened if I were President at the time. I'm just trying to clean up the mess that was left to me by Obama and Biden, and what a mess it is. With all of that being said, there was no reason for Putin to be shooting missiles into civilian areas, cities and towns, over the last few days. It makes me think that maybe he doesn't want to stop the war, he's just tapping me along, and has to be dealt with differently, through "Banking" or "Secondary Sanctions?" Too many people are dying," he added. Trump and Zelenskyy spoke ahead of the funeral of Pope Francis. Describing his meeting with Trump as "good," Zelenskyy said that talks focused on "full and unconditional ceasefire." He expressed hope to see results on everything they discussed. In a post on X, Zelenskyy said, "Good meeting. We discussed a lot one-on-one. Hoping for results on everything we covered. Protecting lives of our people. Full and unconditional ceasefire. Reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from breaking out. Very symbolic meeting that has potential to become historic, if we achieve joint results. Thank you POTUS." Trump and Zelenskyy had a "very productive" meeting in Rome, a White House official said - their first meeting since a tense meeting in the White House in February this year.
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
JD Vance pushes F-35s 'to help IAF secure India's airspace'
JAIPUR: While praising PM Modi repeatedly for his leadership, J D Vance said President Trump wanted to rebalance global trade, and not launch a trade war, as he believed this could produce benefits for not just the people of the US but also India. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Urging India to consider acquiring F-35 fighter jets , the vice-president hardsold the fifth-generation American jets and said the aircraft would significantly enhance the Indian Air Force's ability to secure the country's airspace. Referring to India as the US's only "major defence partner" with whom the country shares defence infrastructure, technology, and planning on par with America's other allies, Vance pointed to "dire" consequences for the world if India and the US "fail to keep pace" with the need to scale up across sectors, including manufacturing, energy, cutting-edge technologies, and defence. Addressing a gathering of business leaders, diplomats, academicians, bureaucrats, state ministers, and students at the Rajasthan International Centre in Jaipur, his only public engagement during his maiden four-day visit to India since assuming office as vice-president, Vance set the tone for a future-ready US-India partnership rooted in mutual respect and shared strategic interests. He also contrasted Modi's assertiveness with the previous US leadership. "President Trump and I know that PM Modi is a tough negotiator. He drives a hard bargain - it's one of the reasons why we respect him," he said. "We don't blame Modi for fighting for Indian industry but we do hold previous American leaders accountable for failing to do the same for our workers. We believe that can change, to the mutual benefit of both the US and India," Vance added. He also referenced President Trump's predecessor, Joe Biden, underscoring the clear shift in how the American administration now treats India. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "Too often in the past, Washington approached PM Modi with an attitude of preachiness, or even condescension. Prior administrations saw India as a source of low-cost labour, even as they criticised the PM's govt - arguably the most popular in the democratic world," Vance said. He also emphasised Modi's political capital. "As I told PM Modi last night, he's got approval ratings that would make me jealous," Vance said. Calling the US-India partnership "one of the closest in the world", Vance highlighted the expanding US-India partnership spanning energy, defence, technology, and economic infrastructure. "From Javelins to Stryker combat vehicles, our nations will co-produce critical equipment - not to provoke war but to secure peace through mutual strength," he said. Vance added, "This designation means that India now shares with the UAE a defence in technology, infrastructure, and partnership with the US, on par with America's closest allies and friends." "It's fitting that India this year is hosting the Quad Leaders Summit this fall. Our interests in a free, open, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific are in full alignment. Both of us know that the region must remain safe from any hostile powers that seek to dominate," he said. Vance also said India and the US have finalised the terms of reference for a bilateral trade agreement after a high-level meeting with PM Modi in Delhi on Monday. "This is a vital step toward realising President Trump's and PM Modi's vision," he said, highlighting shared priorities of job creation, resilient supply chains, and prosperity for workers. Vance also urged India to ease non-tariff barriers that currently limit American market access and pitched increased US ethanol exports as a cleaner, cost-effective energy solution. Welcoming Modi govt's budget decision to amend India's civil nuclear liability laws, which currently inhibit US firms from exporting small modular reactors or constructing larger US-designed nuclear plants in India, he said, "These reforms are vital for India's energy goals and AI ambitions. There is no AI future without energy security and dominance." Vance, who is scheduled to fly back to Washington on Thursday, also stressed the importance of deepening energy ties. "Expanding energy exports will help India build more, make more, and grow more - all at lower energy costs," he said. He also supported India's energy exploration efforts and reaffirmed Washington's interest in facilitating cleaner alternatives such as ethanol.
