Latest news with #VyacheslavVolodin
Saba Yemen
a day ago
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
Volodin: Missile production plans in Ukraine dragging Germany into conflict with Russia
Moscow - Saba: Russian State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin announced on Saturday that missile production plans in Ukraine are increasingly pushing Germany toward conflict with Russia. Sputnik News Agency quoted Volodin as saying in a letter addressed to Bundestag President Julia Klöckner and leaders of political parties in the German parliament: "We know that the German government is planning to start missile production in Ukraine, and in doing so, it is increasingly dragging Germany into military action against Russia. You understand what this could lead to." The Russian State Duma Speaker asserted that the ruling elite in Germany is currently creating the preconditions for escalating the situation, provoking clashes between the two countries. He added: "The question is, do the German people want this or not? We don't want it, but if it happens, we are ready." The German Defense Ministry announced at the end of May, following a meeting between German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and his Ukrainian counterpart, Rustam Umerov, that Germany and Ukraine had signed an agreement to finance the production of long-range weapons within Ukraine. It was also announced that approximately €5 billion ($5.7 billion) in military aid would be allocated to Kyiv, including the provision of air defense systems and ammunition. No precise details were disclosed regarding the type of systems or the value of the contracts. Russia had previously sent a memorandum to NATO countries regarding the flow of Western weapons to Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized that any shipment containing weapons to Ukraine would become a legitimate target for Russian forces. Lavrov previously indicated that the United States and NATO were directly involved in the conflict in Ukraine, "not only by sending weapons, but also by training military personnel in Britain, Germany, Italy, and other countries." Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov previously asserted that the West's supply of weapons to Ukraine contradicts a settlement, does not contribute to negotiations, and will even have a negative impact. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print more of (International)
Russia Today
5 days ago
- Business
- Russia Today
Russian MPs back complete ban on vapes
Russian lawmakers are ready to support a blanket ban on vape sales, Russian State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin has said. He pointed to the obvious health risks associated with vaping, stressing that only strict measures could shield minors from 'liquid poison.' On Monday, Industry and Trade Minister Anton Alikhanov called for prohibiting the sales of vapes, arguing that the current age limits 'do not always work effectively.' He added that the issue concerns him directly as a father of several children and noted that he is well aware that vape sellers target minors. The next day, Volodin voiced support for the initiative and signaled that the parliament 'expects a corresponding legislative initiative from the government,' adding that lawmakers 'will support it, and will consider the bill as a priority.' The speaker noted that the health dangers of vaping are beyond doubt. 'Vape liquids contain heavy metals, and toxic compounds,' he said, recalling that the earlier legislation banning vape sales to minors did not yield the desired result. 'Even under threat of penalties, dishonest sellers continue to offer this liquid poison to teenagers. Only a complete ban and removal of vapes from store shelves will help protect children from their harmful effects,' he said. In April 2023, Russia passed a law prohibiting the sale of vapes to minors, including nicotine-free products. Penalties include heavy fines or correctional work. In 2024, the excise tax on nicotine liquids was doubled, a move the Finance Ministry described as 'prohibitive.' According to a SuperJob poll in 2023, the share of Russian smokers using vapes has nearly tripled in recent years. The survey suggested that 21% of smokers now use only electronic vaporizers, and another 16% use both vapes and traditional cigarettes. In 2019, those figures stood at just 8% and 12%, respectively. The same year, RIA Novosti reported that between 3.5 and 4 million Russians use electronic nicotine delivery systems. Critics of the harsh measures, however, have warned that a full ban could backfire by driving users to the black market. In addition, the Russian Finance Ministry projected a potential revenue loss of 15 billion rubles ($189 million) annually if vapes are banned outright. To offset the loss, the Health Ministry proposed raising the excise tax on traditional cigarettes.
Russia Today
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
EU investigating MEPs over Moscow visit
A member of the European Parliament claims he and other lawmakers who recently traveled to Moscow are facing an EU investigation over their diplomatic outreach to Russia. Independent Cypriot MEP Fidias Panayiotou visited the Russian capital with other lawmakers during Victory Day celebrations, where he met with the chairman of the lower chamber of the Russian parliament, Vyacheslav Volodin. In a video posted to X on Monday, Panayiotou said his trip 'was not liked at all in the European Parliament, and they have already started an investigation against us.' Panayiotou has openly criticized the EU's combative stance on Russia and the Ukraine conflict. He argues that Brussels should prioritize diplomacy over supplying weapons to Kiev. During last Saturday's meeting, Volodin lauded international dialogue that allows officials 'understand each other and come up with decisions important for their peoples and states,' according to the State Duma's website. Other guests at the Russian parliament reportedly came from Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Serbia. The Moscow visit coincided with Russia's Victory Day commemorations marking the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. The event drew 28 foreign leaders, including Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic – both of whom ignored threats from Brussels should they go. 'I consider today's trip to Moscow to be extremely successful,' Fico said, noting he held talks with senior officials from Brazil, China, and other countries on the sidelines of the event. Vucic, speaking from Moscow's Red Square, said he was proud to represent Serbia – an EU candidate – at the ceremony, even though he expected to face personal consequences from the EU for his attendance. Russian President Vladimir Putin praised visiting foreign leaders who attended Victory Day celebrations, calling them 'leaders not through their office, but through strength of character, convictions, and readiness to defend those convictions.'
Russia Today
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
EU investigating MEPs for Moscow trip
A member of the European Parliament claims he and other lawmakers who recently traveled to Moscow are facing an investigation by the EU legislature over their diplomatic outreach to Russia. Fidias Panayiotou, a Cypriot politician who won election last year as an independent MEP, went to Moscow alongside other lawmakers and met Vyacheslav Volodin, the chairman of the lower chamber of the Russian parliament. In a video posted to X on Monday, Panayiotou said his trip 'was not liked at all in the European Parliament, and they have already started an investigation against us.' Panayiotou has openly criticized the EU's combative stance on Russia and the Ukraine conflict. He argues that Brussels should prioritize diplomacy over supplying weapons to Kiev. During last Saturday's meeting, Volodin expressed support for international dialogue, saying such exchanges allow officials to 'understand each other and come up with decisions important for their peoples and states,' as quoted by the State Duma's website. Other guests came from Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Serbia, the report noted. The Moscow trip coincided with Russia's Victory Day commemorations marking the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. The event drew 28 foreign leaders, including Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic – both of whom attended despite pressure from Brussels to stay away. 'I consider today's trip to Moscow to be extremely successful,' Fico said, noting he held talks with senior officials from Brazil, China, and other countries on the sidelines of the event. Vucic, speaking from Moscow's Red Square, said he was proud to represent Serbia – an EU candidate – at the ceremony, even though he expected to face personal consequences from the EU for his attendance. Russian President Vladimir Putin praised visiting foreign leaders who attended Victory Day celebrations, calling them 'leaders not through their office, but through strength of character, convictions, and readiness to defend those convictions.'
Saba Yemen
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
Al-Ra'i Congratulates Russian Counterpart on 80th Anniversary of Victory Day
Sana'a (Saba) – Speaker of the House of Representatives Yahya Ali Al-Ra'i sent a congratulatory cable to the Chairman of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, Vyacheslav Volodin, on the occasion of the Russian people's celebration of the 80th anniversary of Victory Day. The Speaker of the House of Representatives expressed his wishes for good health to his Russian counterpart and for further development and prosperity for parliamentary relations between the two countries. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
