Latest news with #PeaceNegotiations
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kremlin blames Trump's Putin comments on 'emotional overload'
U.S. President Donald Trump's recent comments criticizing Russian President Vladimir Putin are the result of "emotional overload," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on May 26. The previous day, Trump wrote on social media that Putin had gone "absolutely crazy" and could be triggering "the downfall of Russia." The comments came after Russia heavily bombarded Ukrainian cities for three consecutive nights. When asked about Trump's criticism of Russia's mass attacks, Peskov thanked Trump for his involvement in peace negotiations and attributed the U.S. president's comments to emotion. "We are really grateful to the Americans and to President Trump personally for their assistance in organizing and launching this negotiation process," Peskov said, according to the Russian state news agency TASS. "Of course, at the same time, this is a very crucial moment, which is associated, of course, with the emotional overload of everyone absolutely and with emotional reactions." Read also: 'I don't know what the hell happened to Putin,' says Trump as Russia unleashes 3rd consecutive attack on Ukraine The Trump administration has been attempting to secure a peace deal in Ukraine for months, after campaigning on promises to end the war in 24 hours if elected. Direct negotiations in Istanbul failed to produce a ceasefire agreement and Putin once again rejected calls for a 30-day truce in a phone conversation with Trump on May 19. Instead, Putin offered to present a "memorandum regarding a potential future peace treaty" — something the Kremlin has yet to deliver. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Russia would submit a document outlining its settlement terms after Ukraine and Russia concluded their 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange. The swap was completed on May 25. Peskov said on May 26 that Russia was still "working on the text of a memorandum." Trump has previously criticized Putin and threatened sanctions against Moscow in public comments, but has not gone so far as to impose actual penalties on Russia. Russia has consistently refused to accept international calls for an unconditional ceasefire, insisting that it will only impose such a truce if Ukraine stops receiving all foreign military aid, among other extreme concessions. Ukraine has been ready to declare a 30-day ceasefire since March, when the U.S. first proposed a month-long truce. Read also: Ukraine war latest: West no longer imposing range restrictions on arms for Ukraine, Germany's Merz says We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The Guardian
24-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Labour figures urge recognition of Palestinian state at UN conference
Ministers are under pressure from inside and outside Labour to recognise Palestinian statehood at a UN conference next month, with party grandees arguing it would bolster prospects for peace and demonstrate moral leadership amid escalating tensions. Alf Dubs, the veteran Labour peer and Holocaust survivor, said the symbolic recognition of a Palestinian state would offer Palestinians 'the self-respect they'd have if they had a proper state,' and provide them a stronger footing in any future peace negotiations. 'Even if it doesn't lead to anything immediately, it would still give Palestinians a better standing,' Lord Dubs said. 'Symbols matter.' The former cabinet minister Peter Hain echoed the call, warning that 'delaying recognition until negotiations are concluded simply allows Israel's illegal occupation to become permanent'. Lord Hain argued that formal recognition should be 'a catalyst, not a consequence' of peace talks. At the first preparatory meeting in New York before a UN conference on a two state solution due to be held between 17 and 20 June, Saudi Arabia urged countries to recognise Palestine as a state, saying that 'recognition should be seen as a precondition for peace, and not its product'. The conference is seen as a potential moment when states such as France and the UK that have yet to recognise Palestine take what would be a momentous diplomatic step. The French president, Emmanuel Macron, indicated last month that Paris may recognise Palestine, joining 147 other countries, but said he wanted to do so at a UN conference in New York in June as part of a wider process. The UK foreign secretary, David Lammy, has confirmed to parliament he has been in discussions with the French about recognition, but also said he would not simply support a gesture with no practical impact. The Guardian reported last week that the British view is that France was very likely to decide the time was not right to make the announcement. The UK's official position is that it will recognise a Palestinian state, but only at the point of maximum impact. The pressure has been building within Labour's parliamentary ranks as 69 MPs and six peers earlier this month signed a joint letter urging the prime minister to seize what they described as a 'unique window of opportunity' to recognise Palestinian statehood. The Guardian understands that the letter – which was coordinated by the chairs of Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East, Sarah Owen and Andrew Pakes – was also signed by several serving ministers. In a concept note for June's UN conference, France and Saudi Arabia, the two co-chairs of the conference say the ambitious aim of the international conference in June 'would not be to 'revive' or to 'relaunch' another endless process, but to implement, once and for all, the two-state solution'. The call to implement the two-state solution has become even more urgent in the context of illegal settlements and other illegal unilateral measures, violence, hate speech and the ongoing plans and actions undertaken for the forcible displacement and dispossession of Palestinians. With eight working parties covering all the issues surrounding a two-state solution, each nation has been asked 'to highlight the actions they are willing to undertake, individually or collectively, in fulfilment of their obligations and in support of the international consensus on the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine and the two-state solution'. Alex Ballinger, a Labour backbencher and member of the foreign affairs select committee, said it was time for the UK to 'show principled leadership,' adding: 'We can no longer speak in platitudes about two states while blocking the very steps that could help make one of them real.' Afzal Khan, a former shadow minister and longtime campaigner on Palestinian rights, said Labour must act on its internationalist values. 'Recognition would now be a positive first step towards securing a peaceful two-state solution, end unlawful settlement expansions and blockades, and unlock the diplomatic and humanitarian pathways to lasting justice,' he said, warning that the UK risks 'dragging its feet' while 147 other countries have already recognised a Palestinian state.
Al Arabiya
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
US expects Russia offer soon as Zelenskyy sounds warning
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday he expected Russia to present a Ukraine ceasefire outline within days that will show if it is serious, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Moscow of buying time. President Donald Trump spoke separately by telephone on Monday to Zelenskyy and Russia's Vladimir Putin, after Russian and Ukrainian officials met in Istanbul on Friday for their first direct talks on the conflict in three years. Putin has consistently rejected proposals for a 30-day truce put forward by Kyiv and its Western allies. But Rubio said that Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov indicated they would present their own terms 'maybe in a number of days, maybe this week hopefully.' The Russians will offer 'just broad terms that would allow us to move toward a ceasefire, and that ceasefire would then allow us to enter into detailed negotiations to bring about an end of the conflict,' Rubio said. He said that the presentation will 'tell us a lot about their true intentions.' 'If it's a term sheet that's realistic and you can work off of it, that's one thing. If it makes demands that we know are unrealistic, I think that will be indicative.' Putin after Trump's call said he was ready to work with Ukraine on a 'memorandum' outlining a possible roadmap and different positions on ending the war. And Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Tuesday said that Pope Leo XIV was willing 'to host upcoming discussions between the parties at the Vatican,' according to her office. Rubio insisted to critical lawmakers that Putin 'hasn't gotten a single concession' from Trump. But Russia has also not indicated any new flexibility since Trump took office in January with vows to end the war through dialogue. 'It is obvious that Russia is trying to buy time in order to continue its war and occupation,' Zelenskyy said in a post on social media. Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told Rubio that Putin's refusal to go to Istanbul despite the stated willingness of both Zelenskyy and Trump to meet showed 'he believes it's in Russia's interest to carry out this war as long as possible.' The European Union formally on Tuesday adopted its 17th round of sanctions on Moscow, targeting 200 vessels of Russia's so-called shadow maritime fleet. Kirill Dmitriev, the head of Russia's Direct Investment Fund and lead economic negotiator with Washington, attacked the move, saying: 'Western politicians and the media are making titanic efforts to disrupt the constructive dialogue between Russia and the United States.' Rubio said that Trump for now opposed new sanctions for fear that Russia would no longer come to the table. Moscow appears confident, with its troops advancing on the battlefield and Trump ending Western isolation of the Kremlin. The memorandum mentioned by Putin 'buys time for Russia,' Russian political analyst Konstantin Kalachev said. 'The cessation of hostilities is not a condition for it, which means that Russia can continue its offensive,' he added. Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and has since destroyed swathes of the country's east, killed tens of thousands and now controls around one-fifth of its territory. – Trump is no 'messiah' – People who spoke to AFP both in Kyiv and Moscow were skeptical about peace prospects and thought the Putin–Trump call had not brought them closer. 'I never had any faith in him and now I have none at all,' retired teacher Victoria Kyseliova said in Kyiv, when asked if she was losing confidence in Trump. Vitaliy, a 53-year-old engineer from Kyiv, said Trump was no 'messiah' and that his flurry of diplomacy has changed little. Ukrainian political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko said Trump's latest calls had only added to the uncertainty. 'This conversation not only failed to clarify the future of the negotiations but further confused the situation,' he said. He said Trump had fallen for Putin's tactics of trying to use talks 'as a cover to continue and intensify the war.' In Moscow, there was defiance and confidence.
Malay Mail
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Ceasefire on the table? Rubio awaits Russia's terms, Zelensky warns of delay tactics
WASHINGTON, May 21 — US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said yesterday he expected Russia to present a Ukraine ceasefire outline within days that will show if it is serious, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow of buying time. President Donald Trump spoke separately by telephone on Monday to Zelensky and Russia's Vladimir Putin, after Russian and Ukrainian officials met in Istanbul on Friday for their first direct talks on the conflict in three years. Putin has consistently rejected proposals for a 30-day truce put forward by Kyiv and its Western allies. But Rubio said that Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov indicated they would present their own terms 'maybe in a number of days, maybe this week hopefully.' The Russians will offer 'just broad terms that would allow us to move towards a ceasefire, and that ceasefire would then allow us to enter into detailed negotiations to bring about an end of the conflict,' Rubio said. He said that the presentation will 'tell us a lot about their true intentions.' 'If it's a term sheet that's realistic and you can work off of it, that's one thing. If it makes demands that we know are unrealistic, I think that will be indicative.' Putin after Trump's call said he was ready to work with Ukraine on a 'memorandum' outlining a possible roadmap and different positions on ending the war. And Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni yesterday said that Pope Leo XIV was willing 'to host upcoming discussions between the parties at the Vatican,' according to her office. 'Trying to buy time' Rubio insisted to critical lawmakers that Putin 'hasn't gotten a single concession' from Trump. But Russia has also not indicated any new flexibility since Trump took office in January with vows to end the war through dialogue. 'It is obvious that Russia is trying to buy time in order to continue its war and occupation,' Zelensky said in a post on social media. Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told Rubio that Putin's refusal to go to Istanbul despite the stated willingness of both Zelensky and Trump to meet showed 'he believes it's in Russia's interest to carry out this war as long as possible.' The European Union formally yesterday adopted its 17th round of sanctions on Moscow, targeting 200 vessels of Russia's so-called shadow maritime fleet. Kirill Dmitriev, the head of Russia's Direct Investment Fund and lead economic negotiator with Washington, attacked the move, saying: 'Western politicians and the media are making titanic efforts to disrupt the constructive dialogue between Russia and the United States.' Rubio said that Trump for now opposed new sanctions for fear that Russia would no longer come to the table. Moscow appears confident, with its troops advancing on the battlefield and Trump ending Western isolation of the Kremlin. The memorandum mentioned by Putin 'buys time for Russia,' Russian political analyst Konstantin Kalachev said. 'The cessation of hostilities is not a condition for it, which means that Russia can continue its offensive,' he added. Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and has since destroyed swathes of the country's east, killed tens of thousands and now controls around one-fifth of its territory. Trump is no 'messiah' People who spoke to AFP both in Kyiv and Moscow were sceptical about peace prospects and thought the Putin-Trump call had not brought them closer. 'I never had any faith in him and now I have none at all,' retired teacher Victoria Kyseliova said in Kyiv, when asked if she was losing confidence in Trump. Vitaliy, a 53-year-old engineer from Kyiv, said Trump was no 'messiah' and that his flurry of diplomacy has changed little. Ukrainian political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko said Trump's latest calls had only added to the uncertainty. 'This conversation not only failed to clarify the future of the negotiations but further confused the situation,' he said. He said Trump had fallen for Putin's tactics of trying to use talks 'as a cover to continue and intensify the war.' In Moscow, there was defiance and confidence. 'I believe that we don't need these negotiations. We will win anyway,' said Marina, a 70-year-old former engineer. — AFP
Russia Today
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Medvedev issues warning about peace talks
Ultimatums from the West will not help resolve the Ukraine conflict, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has warned, after the EU and the US threatened Moscow with additional sanctions. As Russia and Ukraine held their first direct talks in three years in Istanbul on Friday, US President Donald Trump said he could impose 'crushing' restrictions on Russia if it failed to reach a peace deal. EU member states also agreed on a 17th sanctions package, which is expected to be formally approved next week. 'All enemies of Russia that issue negotiating ultimatums should remember a simple thing: peace negotiations alone do not always lead to the end of hostilities,' Medvedev, now deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, wrote on X on Saturday. 'Unsuccessful negotiations can lead to the onset of a more terrible stage of the war with new weapons and participants,' he added. The West has urged Russia to accept an unconditional 30-day ceasefire proposed by Ukraine and the US. Moscow, however, has argued that Kiev would exploit the pause in combat to rearm and regroup its forces. President Vladimir Putin has insisted that a lasting settlement would require Ukraine to halt its mobilization drive, stop receiving weapons from abroad, and withdraw its troops from Russian territory. The head of Russia's negotiating team in Istanbul, Vladimir Medinsky, said the two sides had agreed to conduct a prisoner swap involving 1,000 POWs from each side, and to continue contacts once both parties have prepared detailed ceasefire proposals.
