Latest news with #MarkRutte
Time of India
24 minutes ago
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Melania made me rethink Putin': Trump credits First Lady for tougher Russia stance over Ukraine war
First Lady Melania Trump is making headlines for her unexpected influence on US foreign policy. During a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, President Donald Trump revealed that Melania played a key role in changing his stance on Vladimir Putin. Trump said the First Lady questioned his trust in Putin after repeated broken promises on Ukraine peace talks. Her doubts, he said, led him to take a harder line against the Russian leader. Show more Show less
Russia Today
24 minutes ago
- Business
- Russia Today
Trump sprang Ukraine surprise on NATO states
Several NATO member states were not notified in advance that they would be asked to fund new arms deliveries to Ukraine under US President Donald Trump's latest proposal, Reuters has reported, citing European officials. On Monday, Trump pledged to provide more US-made weapons to Kiev through a new scheme funded by European NATO members. 'We're not buying it,' Trump said during an Oval Office meeting with the bloc's secretary-general, Mark Rutte. 'We will manufacture it, and they're going to be paying for it.' Trump noted that the plan is seen by Washington as a business opportunity. Rutte said six countries – Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, and Canada – were willing to take part in the arms procurement scheme. However, high-ranking sources at the embassies of two of those countries told Reuters they only learned of their supposed participation when the announcement was made. 'It is my clear sense that nobody has been briefed about the exact details in advance,' one European ambassador told Reuters. 'And I also suspect that internally in the administration they are only now beginning to sort out what it means in practice.' Several countries have already distanced themselves from Trump's plan. According to Politico and La Stampa, France and Italy will not be financially supporting the effort. Hungary and the Czech Republic have also declined to participate, with Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala saying Prague is focusing on other projects. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, on the other hand, has welcomed the proposal but emphasized that Washington should 'share the burden,' stating that if European countries pay for the weapons, it should be considered as 'European support.' Since taking office in January, Trump has renewed pressure on NATO members to increase defense spending and warned that the US may not defend allies who do not meet their obligations. Russia has repeatedly condemned Western arms supplies to Ukraine, arguing that it only prolongs the bloodshed and does not change the course of the conflict. The Kremlin maintains that foreign military aid is being used to escalate the hostilities rather than seek a diplomatic resolution.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Cracks in most powerful alliance? France, Italy break ranks — refuse to join US-led NATO arms deal for Ukraine
France and Italy have revealed that they will not join a new American-led NATO program to fund the delivery of sophisticated American arms to Ukraine, even though they are long-standing supporters of Ukraine, as per a report. What's the New NATO Arms Plan About? The proposal, pitched by Germany and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and unveiled by US President Donald Trump on July 14 in Washington, aims to buy new air defenses for Ukraine, as reported by Kyiv Independent. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category CXO Degree healthcare Data Analytics Management Cybersecurity MBA Others Data Science Leadership Product Management Operations Management Design Thinking Public Policy Healthcare Digital Marketing others PGDM MCA Technology Finance Artificial Intelligence Project Management Data Science Skills you'll gain: Digital Strategy Development Expertise Emerging Technologies & Digital Trends Data-driven Decision Making Leadership in the Digital Age Duration: 40 Weeks Indian School of Business ISB Chief Digital Officer Starts on Jun 30, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Operations Strategy for Business Excellence Organizational Transformation Corporate Communication & Crisis Management Capstone Project Presentation Duration: 11 Months IIM Lucknow Chief Operations Officer Programme Starts on Jun 30, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Customer-Centricity & Brand Strategy Product Marketing, Distribution, & Analytics Digital Strategies & Innovation Skills Leadership Insights & AI Integration Expertise Duration: 10 Months IIM Kozhikode IIMK Chief Marketing and Growth Officer Starts on Apr 7, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Technology Strategy & Innovation Emerging Technologies & Digital Transformation Leadership in Technology Management Cybersecurity & Risk Management Duration: 24 Weeks Indian School of Business ISB Chief Technology Officer Starts on Jun 28, 2024 Get Details The new arms plan for Ukraine comes as Russia has increased its attacks against Ukrainian cities in recent week, according to the report. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like La app de IA que está cambiando vidas — ¿por qué de repente está en todas partes? Finanzas y economía Prueba ahora Undo Why Are France and Italy Saying No? France has rejected joining the plan because of French President Emmanuel Macron's efforts for European nations to strengthen their own defense industries by buying domestically produced arms, as reported by Kyiv Independent. While France is also facing issues with budgets and increasing defense spending targets amid broader economic pressures, according to the report. Even Italy has taken a similar stance, as Italian officials dismissed directly buying US weapons because of fiscal limitations and the country's focus on different technological systems, such as the Italian-French-made SAMP/T air defense system already supplied to Ukraine, as reported by Kyiv Independent. Live Events ALSO READ: Jerome Powell's job on the line? Scott Bessent confirms Fed chair replacement process is underway However, Kyiv Independent's Italian Defense Ministry sources have highlighted that the decision must not be considered as a lack of support for Ukraine but rather as a way to find alternative ways to contribute to the broader effort, according to the report. Italy is also considering a NATO request to support the logistical transport of US-supplied weapons to Ukraine, whether by air, rail, or sea, and has indicated that it will not "shy away" from contributing, according to the Kyiv Independent report. Poland Says Make Russia Pay, Not European Taxpayers While Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski has pointed out that the cost of arming Ukraine should not fall on European taxpayers but be covered by Russia's frozen assets instead, as per the report. Sikorski said that, "I asked my fellow foreign ministers: Who should pay for American equipment? Should it be European taxpayers, or, in my opinion, should the aggressor pay for it using its frozen funds?" as quoted by the Polish Press Agency. Germany Takes the Lead and Brings Donald Trump Onboard Rutte revealed that Germany is "massively" invested in the new arms plan, and also said that Trump's support came after extensive coordination with Berlin, as per Kyiv Independent report. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has pointed out that the new initiative serves Europe's own interests and increases pressure on Russia to negotiate peace, according to the report. While Trump recently said that additional deliveries of Patriot air defense missiles and other weapons are already underway, as reported by Kyiv Independent. ALSO READ: Is the Gen Z stare a sign of declining social skills or a new form of expression? More Countries Step Up Other European countries, such as the US, the Netherlands, and several Nordic nations, have backed the arrangement, according to the Kyiv Independent report. FAQs Is France pulling back support for Ukraine? No. France is still backing Ukraine, but it's prioritizing its own defense industry. President Macron wants European nations to strengthen their manufacturing of weapons and reduce dependency on outside suppliers, including the US, as per the Kyiv Independent report. Does this mean France and Italy are against NATO's mission in Ukraine? No. Both countries remain committed to NATO and Ukraine's defense. They're just choosing different ways to help — like supporting logistics or using European-made weapons.
Times of Oman
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Times of Oman
"US using rhetoric to pressure Russia," says expert on NATO sanctions warning
New Delhi: Senior journalist and foreign affairs expert Waiel Awwad on Wednesday slammed NATO's recent warning of sanctions against India, China, and Brazil over their trade ties with Russia, calling it part of the United States' pressure rhetoric against Moscow. He said the US has failed to isolate Russia despite trying for over three years and is now resorting to such tactics. "There's a lot of rhetoric coming from the US and NATO forces because they know the war with Russia will continue. They will send more advanced weapons to hit Moscow. It seems the US President has given up," Awwad said, reacting to NATO's latest comments. "They wanted to isolate Russia, but they have failed. This is all rhetoric to put pressure on Russia," he added. Awwad's comments come after NATO chief Mark Rutte, during a press conference in Washington alongside US Senators Thom Tillis and Jeanne Shaheen, urged India, China, and Brazil to reconsider their economic ties with Moscow or face "100 per cent secondary sanctions" if Russia does not commit to peace talks on Ukraine. Rutte echoed the position taken by Trump, who earlier this week threatened severe tariffs on countries maintaining trade with Russia. "My encouragement to these three countries, particularly, is that if you live now in Beijing or in Delhi, or you are the President of Brazil, you might want to take a look at this because this might hit you very hard," Rutte said. He further appealed to these nations to pressure Russia into talks. "Please make the phone call to Vladimir Putin and tell him that he has to get serious about peace talks, because otherwise this will slam back on Brazil, on India and on China in a massive way," he warned. The statement follows Trump's announcement on supplying Ukraine with additional military aid, including air defence systems, missiles, and ammunition, largely funded by European allies. Trump also gave Russia a 50-day deadline to enter serious peace negotiations or face full secondary sanctions. Adding to the pressure, US Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal issued a warning that nations purchasing Russian oil and gas, including India, are 'propping' up 'Putin's war machine'. The two lawmakers are pushing for the swift passage of the "Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025", which calls for imposing penalties and tariffs as high as 500 per cent on any country aiding Russia economically.
Russia Today
5 hours ago
- Business
- Russia Today
NATO state opts out of Trump's Ukraine arms plan
The Czech Republic will not participate in a new initiative proposed this week by US President Donald Trump to supply American weapons to Ukraine, Prime Minister Petr Fiala said on Tuesday. Trump unveiled the plan during a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, proposing that American arms be delivered to Kiev with funding from other NATO members. Rutte named Germany as the primary donor, with funding also offered by Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Canada. 'The Czech Republic is focusing on other projects and ways to help Ukraine,' Fiala told the news outlet Publico. 'Therefore, at this moment we are not considering joining this project.'Trump pitched the initiative as both a commercial opportunity for the US defense industry and a means for NATO countries to increase pressure on Russia. Moscow has likened the effort to the US preparing a deadly meal for Ukraine and forcing others to pay for it. Rutte said the participating nations represent the initial wave of contributors, with more expected to join. Politico reported on Tuesday that France, one of the EU's largest economies, would not be financially supporting the effort. According to the outlet, citing two French officials, Paris prefers to develop its own defense industry to meet European security needs. A similar position has reportedly been taken by Italy. The government believes it lacks the financial resources to commit to the plan, according to the Italian newspaper La Stampa. Fiala said his government will continue to back the Czech ammunition initiative, a program launched in early 2024. The initiative to provide artillery shells to Kiev has drawn support from more than a dozen countries, though it has also faced criticism over cost overruns, quality issues, and delivery delays. In an interview last week, Czech President Petr Pavel said the EU should reassess its approach to the Ukraine conflict, asking, 'What alternatives do we have, both us and Ukraine? To fight Russia endlessly?'
