Latest news with #PetersburgInternationalEconomicForum
Business Times
6 hours ago
- Business
- Business Times
Indonesia's Prabowo pledges to strengthen ties with Russia
[MOSCOW] Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto pledged to strengthen relations with Russia at a meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Ties between the two nations are developing 'extremely actively,' he said in St Petersburg at the start of their talks on Thursday (Jun 19). Putin highlighted 'large and growing cooperation' in space, energy, agriculture and defence. 'We have an opportunity to talk in depth about the whole range of ties,' the Russian president said. Prabowo's visit, coming as he passed up an invitation to attend the Group of Seven summit in Canada, is his first state trip to Russia since taking office last year. He will also speak on Friday at Putin's flagship St Petersburg International Economic Forum, where he's expected to court investment and signal the country's continued engagement with non-Western partners. Prabowo has been seeking to deepen ties with Russia. As defence minister and president-elect last year, he met Putin in Moscow and called for stronger cooperation. Since his presidency began, the two countries held their first joint naval exercises, and the head of Russia's Security Council, Sergei Shoigu, visited Jakarta to discuss military cooperation, marking one of the most senior Russian visits to South-east Asia since Moscow began its war in Ukraine in 2022. Prabowo's visit also follows Indonesia's entry into the Brics group of economies earlier this year, highlighting his push to diversify Indonesia's partnerships. BLOOMBERG
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Putin refuses to address speculations on plot against Khamenei, backs peace between Iran and Israel; here's what we know
Russian President Vladimir Putin declined to engage with questions suggesting the possibility of Israel or the United States targeting Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Speaking to international journalists at the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin stated plainly, 'I do not even want to discuss this possibility. I do not want to.' His comments come as tensions escalate in the Middle East, particularly between Iran and Israel. Israeli strikes and U.S. position amid growing tensions The question posed to Putin followed remarks by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who suggested that the current conflict could result in regime change in Iran. Recent Israeli strikes have targeted Iranian senior military leaders and nuclear scientists. A U.S.-based Iranian human rights group reported that since last Friday, at least 585 people have been killed in these attacks, including 239 civilians. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Washington knows Khamenei's whereabouts. Though Trump said the United States would not intervene immediately, he did not rule out the possibility of supporting Israel in a future military campaign. Putin highlights Iran's internal unity Despite international threats, Putin said Iran's internal political dynamics have shown resilience. 'We see that today in Iran… there is a consolidation of society around the country's political leadership,' he said. Putin has positioned himself as a mediator, but his proposals have faced resistance from Western leaders, particularly due to Russia's alliance with Tehran. Russia's role and nuclear concerns Putin reiterated that Russia has not supplied weapons to Iran, even after signing a strategic partnership agreement in January. However, Russia continues to support Iran's nuclear programme, which Tehran insists is for civilian purposes only. Israel, on the other hand, claims Iran aims to develop nuclear weapons. Putin acknowledged that despite Israeli air strikes, Iran's nuclear activities remain unaffected. 'These underground factories, they exist, nothing has happened to them,' he said. Over 200 Russian nationals are currently working at the Russian-constructed Bushehr nuclear power plant in southern Iran. According to Putin, their safety has been assured through coordination with Israeli leadership. Push for a balanced political solution Putin emphasised the need for a peaceful solution that respects both Iran's right to peaceful nuclear development and Israel's security needs. 'This is a delicate issue… but in my opinion, a solution can be found,' he stated. Despite geopolitical complications, Russia continues to advocate for dialogue between the two nations.
Saba Yemen
7 hours ago
- Business
- Saba Yemen
Putin: NATO's plans to increase military budgets are irrational, pointless
Moscow - Saba: Russian President Vladimir Putin warned on Thursday that increasing defense spending by NATO countries will not benefit anyone and will create additional risks. Putin said during a meeting with heads of international news agencies on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, according to Sputnik News Agency: "If NATO countries want to increase their defense budgets further, that's their business, but it will not benefit anyone and will inevitably create new risks." Putin described NATO's plans to increase military spending as "irrational and pointless." Earlier, French media reported, citing unnamed diplomats, that "the main focus at the NATO summit in The Hague will not be on Ukraine, but on reaching an agreement that satisfies US President Donald Trump regarding increased defense spending among NATO member states." The NATO Summit is scheduled to be held in The Hague on June 24-25. Saint Petersburg, Russia, will host the 28th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum from June 18-21, under the theme "Shared Values - The Foundation of Growth in a Multipolar World." Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Exclusive-Russia's Dmitriev says Russia, US and Saudi Arabia could act jointly to stabilise oil markets
By Gleb Bryanski ST PETERSBURG (Reuters) -Russia, the United States and Saudi Arabia could act jointly to stabilise oil markets if needed, Russia's investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev told Reuters. Oil prices surged on Thursday after Israel said it attacked Iranian nuclear sites in Natanz and Arak overnight and as investors grappled with fears of a broader conflict in the Middle East that could disrupt crude supplies. Dmitriev, chief of Russia's sovereign wealth fund, said there was a precedent for similar joint action in 2020. "There was an example when (Russian) President Putin, (U.S.) President Trump and (Saudi) Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman played a key role in stabilising markets," Dmitriev said on the sidelines of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum. "It is early to talk about concrete joint action yet but based on an earlier precedent, such action is possible." In the spring of 2020, as oil prices plummeted amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Trump brokered a deal with top crude producers Russia and Saudi Arabia to cut output and calm the markets. "Events in the Middle East create conditions for oil price rises. The dynamics of these events will define how dramatic this rise will be," Dmitriev said. "The dynamics of such rises sharply reduce the possibility of further restrictions on Russia's energy sector," he said, referring to European Union deliberations on tightening sanctions against Moscow.
Barnama
10 hours ago
- Business
- Barnama
19th OANA General Assembly Opens In St. Petersburg
By Arul Rajoo Durar Raj ST. PETERSBURG (Russia), June 19 (Bernama) -- The 19th General Assembly of the Organisation of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA), a major gathering of news agencies, kicked off in Russia's second-largest city on Thursday. Hosted by the country's TASS agency under the theme "News Agencies and Challenges in the Modern World', the first plenary session of the general assembly started with an opening speech by TASS Director General Andrey Kondrashov. bootstrap slideshow It was followed by a video address by Hossein Jaberi Ansari, IRNA (Iran) Managing Director and current President of OANA. The Iranian delegation was unable to travel to the former imperial city due to the ongoing conflict between the country and Israel. More than a hundred representatives of news agencies from more than 30 countries are attending the assembly here. Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) is represented by Chief Executive Officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin and Editor-in-Chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj. The 54th OANA Executive Board meeting in Kuala Lumpur last February decided to grant TASS the right to host the 19th General Assembly in St. Petersburg. According to TASS, OANA delegates are also expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) taking place here.
