Latest news with #US-led
Express Tribune
an hour ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Pakistan to restore full diplomatic ties with Afghanistan
China, which hosted an informal meeting last week between the Pakistani government and the Afghan Taliban administration, said afterward that the two countries planned to upgrade their diplomatic ties. PHOTO: FILE Listen to article Pakistan has decided to upgrade its Chargé d'Affaires in Kabul to the rank of Ambassador, announced Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on X, Radio Pakistan reported on Friday. He expressed confidence that the upgrade would enhance engagement and deepen Pakistan-Afghanistan cooperation in economic, security, counter-terrorism, and trade sectors. Additionally, it is expected to promote further exchanges between the two fraternal countries. Announcing the decision to upgrade diplomatic representation, Dar said bilateral relations had been on a positive trajectory since he visited Kabul with a Pakistani delegation last month. "I am confident this step would further contribute towards enhanced engagement," he said on X. Pakistan-Afghanistan relations are on positive trajectory after my very productive visit to Kabul with Pakistan delegation on 19th April 2025. To maintain this momentum, I am pleased to announce the decision of the Government of Pakistan to upgrade the level of its Chargé… — Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) May 30, 2025 China, which hosted an informal meeting last week between the government and the Afghan Taliban administration, said afterward that the two countries planned to upgrade their diplomatic ties. Pakistan and Afghanistan have had a strained relationship since the Taliban administration took power after the withdrawal of US-led NATO forces. Islamabad says that Islamist militants who launch attacks inside Pakistan use Afghan soil. Kabul denies this, saying such militancy is Pakistan's domestic problem to handle. No country has formally recognised the Taliban administration since it took power, with foreign powers calling for it to change course on women's rights. Pakistan becomes the fourth country after China, UAE and Uzbekistan to designate an ambassador to Kabul. Although those governments say they have not formally recognised the Taliban's government, diplomats and experts say that having an ambassador officially present their credentials represents a step towards recognition.
Express Tribune
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Trump envoy backs Russia's fears over NATO's eastward push
Listen to article US President Donald Trump's envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, said Russia's concern over NATO's eastward expansion was 'fair' and made clear that Washington does not support Ukraine joining the US-led military alliance. In an interview with local media, Kellogg said Ukraine's accession to NATO was 'not on the table,' aligning with several other member states that reportedly hold the same position. 'We've said that to us, Ukraine coming into NATO is not on the table, and we're not the only country that says that – I could probably give you four other countries,' Kellogg said. 'It takes 32 of the 32 to allow you to come into NATO.' He remarks that Moscow is seeking a written assurance from the United States that NATO will not expand to include Ukraine or other former Soviet states. 'They're not just talking Ukraine, they're talking the country of Georgia, they're talking Moldova,' Kellogg added. Kellogg also outlined the next steps in ongoing peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, saying the US would attempt to unify two draft memorandums from both sides into a single document. Talks are expected to continue Monday in Istanbul, involving national security advisers from Germany, France, Britain, and the United States. Kellogg described Trump as 'frustrated' with Russia's conduct in the war, particularly over missile strikes on Ukrainian cities. 'He's seen a level of unreasonableness from President Putin,' Kellogg said, noting that Trump urged Ukrainian officials to attend upcoming talks. Kellogg cited a 'conservative estimate' of 1.2 million dead and injured in the Ukraine conflict from both sides combined. 'That is a stunning number – this is war on an industrial scale,' he said.
AsiaOne
10 hours ago
- Politics
- AsiaOne
Trump envoy says Russian concern over Nato enlargement is fair, World News
MOSCOW — US President Donald Trump's envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, said Russia's concern over the eastward enlargement of Nato was fair and the United States did not want to see Ukraine in the US-led military alliance. Asked by US network ABC News about a Reuters report that Russia wanted a written pledge over Nato not enlarging eastwards to include Ukraine and other former Soviet republics, Kellogg said: "It's a fair concern." "We've said that to us, Ukraine coming into Nato is not on the table, and we're not the only country that says that — you know I could probably give you four other countries in Nato and it takes 32 of the 32 to allow you to come in to Nato," he told ABC late on Thursday (May 29). "That's one of the issues that Russia will bring up." "They're not just talking Ukraine, they're talking the country of Georgia, they're talking Moldova," Kellogg said, adding that a decision on US views of Nato enlargement was for Trump to make. Kellogg said the sequencing of the peace talks would include an attempt to merge the two memorandums drafted by Ukraine and Russia into one single document with talks in Turkey on Monday. "When we get into Istanbul next week we'll sit down and talk," Kellogg said, adding that the national security advisers from Germany, France and Britain would join discussions on the memorandum with the United States. Kellogg said Trump was "frustrated" with Russia because he had seen "a level of unreasonableness" from Russian President Vladimir Putin. He scolded Russia for striking Ukrainian cities and said he had told Ukraine to turn up to talks. A conservative estimate of dead and injured in the Ukraine war — from both sides combined — totals 1.2 million, Kellogg said. "That is a stunning number — this is war on an industrial scale," Kellogg told ABC. [[nid:718485]]
New Straits Times
11 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Trump envoy says Russian concern over Nato enlargement is fair
MOSCOW: United States President Donald Trump's envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, said Russia's concern over the eastward enlargement of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) was fair and the US did not want to see Ukraine in the US-led military alliance. Asked by US network ABC News about a Reuters report that Russia wanted a written pledge over Nato not enlarging eastwards to include Ukraine and other former Soviet republics, Kellogg said: "It's a fair concern." "We've said that to us, Ukraine coming into Nato is not on the table, and we're not the only country that says that -- you know I could probably give you four other countries in Nato and it takes 32 of the 32 to allow you to come into Nato" he told ABC yesterday. "That's one of the issues that Russia will bring up." "They're not just talking Ukraine, they're talking the country of Georgia, they're talking Moldova," Kellogg said, adding that a decision on US views of Nato enlargement was for Trump to make. Kellogg said the sequencing of the peace talks would include an attempt to merge the two memorandums drafted by Ukraine and Russia into one single document with talks in Turkiye on Monday. "When we get into Istanbul next week we'll sit down and talk," Kellogg said, adding that the national security advisers from Germany, France and Britain would join discussions on the memorandum with the US. Kellogg said Trump was "frustrated" with Russia because he had seen "a level of unreasonableness" from Russian President Vladimir Putin. He scolded Russia for striking Ukrainian cities and said he had told Ukraine to turn up to talks. A conservative estimate of dead and injured in the Ukraine war -- from both sides combined -- totals 1.2 million, Kellogg said. "That is a stunning number -- this is war on an industrial scale," Kellogg told ABC.
Mint
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Mint
Is China's mediation game a hegemony play?
China is reportedly set to launch what it portrays as a multilateral platform for the peaceful settlement of international disputes. Called the International Organization for Mediation, it will be based in Hong Kong. Countries of the Global South with which Beijing has close ties, such as Indonesia and Pakistan, among others, are said to be backing this initiative. Also Read: The time is right for a reset of India's trade ties with China As stated, its aim is to help settle disputes amicably through negotiation rather than bitter court battles. While this is not a direct gauntlet thrown down to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) set up by the West, let alone to the United Nations, the move still amounts to upping the geopolitical ante on disagreements. Also Read: China's latest naval exercises have shown how far it can project power Unlike the ICJ, it won't issue judicial orders that find one side right and the other wrong. Instead, it will offer win-win solutions out of court. While we have only sketchy details of its authority structure, it could act as a vehicle for China to play an enlarged role in world affairs. Also Read: China began de-risking its economy well before Trump's trade fury Indeed, the platform's conceptual moorings suggest an effort to rally various nations to challenge Western hegemony over major institutions. Should a US-led upheaval make space for a new hegemon, China might be preparing to grab its chance.
