Latest news with #Russian-Swedish
Kuwait Times
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
Peace talks, spies, extremists: Europe roundup
KYIV/STOCKHOLM/BERLIN: Ukraine urges new momentum for peace talks amid war fatigue; Sweden grapples with a high-level espionage case; and German authorities crack down on a radical anti-state group. A look at Tuesday's top developments across Europe. Zelensky presses Trump to help secure Putin talks Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is urging former U.S. President Donald Trump to help secure a long-sought meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as efforts to end the war in Ukraine face renewed uncertainty. Speaking to reporters in Kyiv on Tuesday, Zelensky said, 'I do not know the US president's decision, but if he confirms his participation, I think it would give additional impetus for Putin to come.' He added that he would 'do everything' to make the meeting happen and secure a ceasefire. Zelensky also warned that if Putin fails to attend, it would signal an unwillingness to end the conflict: 'Putin does not want the war to end, does not want a ceasefire, does not want any negotiations.' In that case, Zelensky called for the United States to impose its 'strongest' sanctions yet on Russia, saying Putin's absence would be 'a clear signal that they do not want and are not going to end the war.' The Kremlin has not confirmed whether Putin will travel to Turkey, despite having proposed talks in a televised weekend address. If it happens, the meeting would mark the first formal negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian officials since the early months of the war in 2022. Trump, who reentered office in January promising a quick resolution to the war, has expressed frustration with both Kyiv and Moscow over their lack of compromise. On Monday, he said he was 'thinking' about attending the Turkey talks and urged both leaders to go. Spy arrested in Sweden is senior diplomat A senior diplomat arrested in Sweden on suspicion of spying is a senior diplomat, Swedish authorities said. Public broadcaster SVT reported Tuesday that the individual held multiple overseas postings during a 24-year diplomatic career, though officials have not released the suspect's name. The Swedish Security Service (Sapo) confirmed on Monday that it had made the arrest in Stockholm. A spokesperson for Sapo, Johan Wikstrom, told AFP that an "espionage" case had been opened. Sweden has experienced several espionage-related incidents in recent years. In 2023, a former Swedish intelligence officer received a life sentence for spying for Russia, while a Russian-Swedish national was tried for allegedly passing Western technology to Moscow. Earlier this year, Sweden's faith agency cut funding to the Russian Orthodox Church, citing Sapo's concerns that it was being used for intelligence purposes. Contacted by AFP, Sweden's foreign ministry declined to comment on the case and referred questions to the justice ministry. Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer did not respond immediately. Germany Bans 'Kingdom of Germany' group German authorities have banned the far-right group 'Kingdom of Germany' and arrested four of its top members, including founder Peter Fitzek, in a large-scale police operation on Tuesday. Fitzek, a former chef and karate instructor, declared himself 'king' of the organization in 2012 and is accused of building a parallel state structure. The Interior Ministry said the group issued its own currency and IDs, ran a private insurance scheme, and operated outside the law. The group was accused of 'attacking the liberal democratic order' of Germany. Prosecutors described Fitzek as the 'so-called supreme sovereign' who exercised 'control and decision-making power in all key areas.' Authorities said the group financed itself through 'prohibited banking and insurance transactions' and donations. The "Kingdom of Germany" is part of the broader "Reichsbuerger" (Citizens of the Reich) movement, which denies the legitimacy of the modern German state. In 2022, German intelligence counted roughly 23,000 members in the movement, including more than 2,000 considered potentially violent.
Local Sweden
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Local Sweden
Spy suspect is high-ranking Swedish diplomat, according to media reports
A person recently arrested in Sweden on suspicion of espionage is a top-level diplomat who has held several postings around the world, according to media reports. Advertisement The diplomat is suspected of spying that took place in Stockholm during the period May 1st to 11th, public broadcaster SVT said. A spokesman for the Swedish Security Service (Säpo), Johan Wikström, told AFP on Monday that "an operation was carried out the other day in the Stockholm area, after which one person is under arrest", adding that Säpo had opened an "espionage" case. Säpo has provided no other details about the case. According to court documents obtained by AFP on Tuesday, the suspect has been assigned a court-appointed lawyer, Anton Strand. Contacted by AFP on Tuesday, the foreign ministry refused to answer questions about the case and referred media to the justice ministry. Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer has yet to reply to AFP. "A number of measures have been taken as part of the Swedish Security Service's preliminary investigation, among other things a person has been arrested suspected of espionage," Strömmer told SVT. "This is of course a serious suspicion." "The investigation will now follow its course and I can't prejudge it. The government is being kept abreast of developments and is in close contact with the relevant authorities," he said. Advertisement A video clip published by SVT showed what it said was the diplomat's apartment door forcibly opened by police. Sweden has in recent years seen several high-profile spying cases. In January 2023, a former Swedish intelligence officer was handed a life sentence for spying for Russia. And in September of the same year, a Russian-Swedish national went on trial accused of passing Western technology to Russia's military. A Stockholm court found he had exported the material but ruled his actions did not amount to intelligence-gathering. In February 2024, the Swedish Agency for Support for Faith Communities cut funding to the Russian Orthodox Church in Sweden, after Säpo warned that it believed the church was being used for intelligence activities. In its annual assessment, published in March, Säpo spotlighted Russia, China and Iran as the primary actors directing intelligence activities targeting the Nordic country.
Local Sweden
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Local Sweden
Swedish security police arrest person in Stockholm for espionage
Swedish intelligence said Monday it had arrested one person suspected of spying in the capital, declining to give any more details. Advertisement "An operation was carried out the other day in the Stockholm area, after which one person is under arrest," Johan Wikström, spokesman for the Swedish Security Service (Säpo) told AFP, adding it had opened an "espionage" case. Wikström said the operation had "proceeded calmly," but declined to disclose the nationality or gender of the suspect, or any other details. Sweden has in recent years seen several high-profile spying cases. In January 2023, a former Swedish intelligence officer was handed a life sentence for spying for Russia. And in September of the same year, a Russian-Swedish national went on trial accused of passing Western technology to Russia's military. A Stockholm court found he had exported the material but ruled his actions did not amount to intelligence gathering. Advertisement In February 2024, the Swedish Agency for Support for Faith Communities cut funding to the Russian Orthodox Church in Sweden, after Säpo warned that it believed the church was being used for intelligence activities. In its annual assessment, published in March, Säpo spotlighted Russia, China and Iran as the primary actors directing intelligence activities targeting the Nordic country.
