Latest news with #pro-Moscow
DW
03-07-2025
- Politics
- DW
Why are Malaysia and Indonesia boosting ties with Russia? – DW – 07/03/2025
The leaders of Malaysia and Indonesia have warm words for President Putin, while seeking to expand trade and business with Russia. What's the backstory? Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto skipped a G7 summit last month to visit Russia, where he and his counterpart, Vladimir Putin, agreed that bilateral ties are "getting stronger again." "My meeting with President Putin today was intense, warm and productive. In all fields of economics, technical cooperation, trade, investment, and agriculture, they all have experienced significant improvements," Prabowo's office said in a statement after the visit. Officially part of the 75th anniversary of Indonesia–Russia diplomatic ties, Prabowo's three-day visit last month meant he missed a chance to meet US President Donald Trump for the first time at the G7 summit in Canada. Standing next to Putin, Prabowo said Indonesia would not follow the philosophies of "the biggest and most powerful power in the world" and described Russia and China as without "double standards" and as defenders of "the downtrodden and the oppressed." Prabowo's trip came a month after Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's latest visit to Russia, his third in two years. Although Indonesia and Malaysia did initially condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, they have typically taken a neutral position on the ongoing war. Beginning early 2024, their public statements have also become noticeably more pro-Moscow. During his trip to Vladivostok in September last year, Anwar praised Putin for his "vision and leadership" and for his "determination…to survive," presumably referring to Western sanctions. He also championed Moscow for its "remarkable soft power" that has earned it "global respect and admiration, influencing the hearts and minds of people around the world." Prabowo and Anwar "are keen to strengthen their countries' non-alignment by pursuing a more balanced foreign policy, including closer ties with both Russia and China," Ian Storey, senior fellow at Singapore's ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute and author of the newly-released book, 'Putin's Russia and Southeast Asia,' told DW. "A more balanced foreign policy includes strengthening economic engagement with Moscow, even though the opportunities for growing trade and investment ties with Russia are quite limited," he added. Despite the limitations, Russia's bilateral trade with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries grew to a record high of $22 billion in 2023, according to Russian data cited by the Lowy Institute, an Australian think tank. That represents more than 14% year-on-year growth. This growth trend is expected to continue. Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta are exploring possible ways to expand trade, including in arms imports. Energy is another important area of cooperation, especially for Indonesia, which still heavily relies on coal as a source of power. Several Southeast Asian states have an interest in exporting electrical goods and machinery to Russia, which has faced crippling Western sanctions since 2022. They are keen on utilizing Russian expertise to develop their civilian nuclear energy sectors. Last month, Vietnam and Moscow agreed to fast-track agreements that could see Russian firms help build Vietnam's first nuclear power plants. In February, ASEAN Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn opened an exhibition on ASEAN-Russia Cooperation in Civilian Nuclear Energy and Technologies at the regional bloc's headquarters in Jakarta. In St. Petersburg last month, Indonesia's sovereign wealth fund, Danatara, and the Russian Direct Investment Fund signed an agreement to create an investment fund worth €2 billion. While several Southeast Asian countries are looking to join multilateral organizations, such as Thailand's successful bid to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), many have looked to the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) grouping as an alternative arena for global politics. Indonesia is now a formal member of BRICS, while Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam are partner countries. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Although Malaysia and Indonesia's governments began their overtures with Russia before Donald Trump's return to the White House in January, Washington turning away from international institutions since then has convinced many Asian leaders that they can no longer count on US support and that the future of the Western-backed international order might soon be over, analysts say. "The recent change in US administration and opportunities like BRICS membership have provided both governments with more space to engage Russia," Prashanth Parameswaran, founder of the weekly ASEAN Wonk newsletter, told DW. However, it remains unclear to what extent Malaysia and Indonesia are merely engaging with Russia out of geopolitical necessity to diversify their bilateral relations and avoid entanglement in the US-China rivalry, or how much they have a deeper affinity with Moscow's vision for the world. When asked by reporters why he turned down a G7 invitation to instead visit Russia, Prabowo replied, "Don't read too much into it …We want to be friends with everybody." However, attending the G7 event in Canada would have given him his first opportunity to meet US President Donald Trump. However, the speech in St. Petersburg "did not come across as convincing that Indonesia would remain neutral in the ongoing big power rivalry, with veiled criticisms of the US on the one hand, and a lavishing of praise for China and Russia on the other," according to a analysis piece published this week. Zachary Abuza, a professor at the National War College in Washington, said that Russia provides an "interesting model" for Indonesia and Malaysia. It is a country "that can act independently, poke America and the West in the eye, and try to establish a new international order," he told DW. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar's several visits to Russia over the past two years have motivated the party by a desire to gain a more prominent position on the world stage, Bridget Welsh, an honorary research associate at the University of Nottingham's Asia Research Institute Malaysia, told DW. But it is also because Russia is "popular at home due to anti-westernism, with many Malaysians believing that the US provoked the Ukraine War," she added. This year's State of Southeast Asia Survey, a poll of "elite" opinion in the region conducted by the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, found that anti-Western feeling is riding high in Muslim-majority Indonesia and Malaysia, in large measure due to the West's support for Israel in its Middle Eastern wars. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
DW
03-07-2025
- Politics
- DW
Why are Malaysia and Indonesia building Russia ties? – DW – 07/03/2025
The leaders of Malaysia and Indonesia have warm words for Russian President Putin, and are looking at ways to expand trade and business. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto skipped a G7 summit last month to visit Russia, where he and his counterpart, Vladimir Putin, agreed that bilateral ties are "getting stronger again." "My meeting with President Putin today was intense, warm and productive. In all fields of economics, technical cooperation, trade, investment, and agriculture, they all have experienced significant improvements," Prabowo's office said in a statement after the visit. Officially part of the 75th anniversary of Indonesia–Russia diplomatic ties, Prabowo's three-day visit last month meant he missed a chance to meet US President Donald Trump for the first time at the G7 summit in Canada. Standing next to Putin, Prabowo said Indonesia would not follow the philosophies of "the biggest and most powerful power in the world" and described Russia and China as without "double standards" and as defenders of "the downtrodden and the oppressed." Prabowo's trip came a month after Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's latest visit to Russia, his third in two years. Although Indonesia and Malaysia did initially condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, they have typically taken a neutral position on the ongoing war. Beginning early 2024, their public statements have also become noticeably more pro-Moscow. During his trip to Vladivostok in September last year, Anwar praised Putin for his "vision and leadership" and for his "determination…to survive," presumably referring to Western sanctions. He also championed Moscow for its "remarkable soft power" that has earned it "global respect and admiration, influencing the hearts and minds of people around the world." Prabowo and Anwar "are keen to strengthen their countries' non-alignment by pursuing a more balanced foreign policy, including closer ties with both Russia and China," Ian Storey, senior fellow at Singapore's ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute and author of the newly-released book, 'Putin's Russia and Southeast Asia,' told DW. "A more balanced foreign policy includes strengthening economic engagement with Moscow, even though the opportunities for growing trade and investment ties with Russia are quite limited," he added. Despite the limitations, Russia's bilateral trade with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries grew to a record high of $22 billion in 2023, according to Russian data cited by the Lowy Institute, an Australian think tank. That represents more than 14% year-on-year growth. This growth trend is expected to continue. Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta are exploring possible ways to expand trade, including in arms imports. Energy is another important area of cooperation, especially for Indonesia, which still heavily relies on coal as a source of power. Several Southeast Asian states have an interest in exporting electrical goods and machinery to Russia, which has faced crippling Western sanctions since 2022. They are keen on utilizing Russian expertise to develop their civilian nuclear energy sectors. Last month, Vietnam and Moscow agreed to fast-track agreements that could see Russian firms help build Vietnam's first nuclear power plants. In February, ASEAN Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn opened an exhibition on ASEAN-Russia Cooperation in Civilian Nuclear Energy and Technologies at the regional bloc's headquarters in Jakarta. In St. Petersburg last month, Indonesia's sovereign wealth fund, Danatara, and the Russian Direct Investment Fund signed an agreement to create an investment fund worth €2 billion. While several Southeast Asian countries are looking to join multilateral organizations, such as Thailand's successful bid to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), many have looked to the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) grouping as an alternative arena for global politics. Indonesia is now a formal member of BRICS, while Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam are partner countries. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Although Malaysia and Indonesia's governments began their overtures with Russia before Donald Trump's return to the White House in January, Washington turning away from international institutions since then has convinced many Asian leaders that they can no longer count on US support and that the future of the Western-backed international order might soon be over, analysts say. "The recent change in US administration and opportunities like BRICS membership have provided both governments with more space to engage Russia," Prashanth Parameswaran, founder of the weekly ASEAN Wonk newsletter, told DW. However, it remains unclear to what extent Malaysia and Indonesia are merely engaging with Russia out of geopolitical necessity to diversify their bilateral relations and avoid entanglement in the US-China rivalry, or how much they have a deeper affinity with Moscow's vision for the world. When asked by reporters why he turned down a G7 invitation to instead visit Russia, Prabowo replied, "Don't read too much into it …We want to be friends with everybody." However, attending the G7 event in Canada would have given him his first opportunity to meet US President Donald Trump. However, the speech in St. Petersberg "did not come across as convincing that Indonesia would remain neutral in the ongoing big power rivalry, with veiled criticisms of the US on the one hand, and a lavishing of praise for China and Russia on the other," according to a analysis piece published this week. Zachary Abuza, a professor at the National War College in Washington, said that Russia provides an "interesting model" for Indonesia and Malaysia. It is a country "that can act independently, poke America and the West in the eye, and try to establish a new international order," he told DW. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar's several visits to Russia over the past two years have motivated the party by a desire to gain a more prominent position on the world stage, Bridget Welsh, an honorary research associate at the University of Nottingham's Asia Research Institute Malaysia, told DW. But it is also because Russia is "popular at home due to anti-westernism, with many Malaysians believing that the US provoked the Ukraine War," she added. This year's State of Southeast Asia Survey, a poll of "elite" opinion in the region conducted by the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, found that anti-Western feeling is riding high in Muslim-majority Indonesia and Malaysia, in large measure due to the West's support for Israel in its Middle Eastern wars. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
Miami Herald
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Map Reveals Scale of Russia's Summer Offensive Against Ukraine
Russian forces have advanced along parts of the frontline in Ukraine, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), as a map by Newsweek shows the latest developments in Moscow's summer offensive. The think tank said there were Russian advances in the Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia regions on Monday in the push, which began in May to break through Ukrainian defenses across multiple fronts. Newsweek has contacted the Russian defense ministry for comment. Russia's summer offensive launched in May is part of Vladimir Putin's push to fully control the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. Moscow has made some gains, although analysts say the operation will be held back by troop shortages and a lack of expertise. The operation comes as Kremlin officials describe wider territorial ambitions in Ukraine beyond Crimea and the four oblasts that Moscow has illegally annexed, signaling that the prospect of peace negotiations is distant. According to the ISW on Monday, there were Russian advances in the Novopavlivka direction in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, where Moscow's forces raised a Russian flag in the settlement of Novomykolaivka, according to geolocated footage. Russian gains were also recorded in western Zaporizhzhia, with pro-Moscow bloggers recording advances near three settlements, including Stepove. Newsweek's map shows some of these developments, including Russia's move to push Ukrainian troops out of Russia's Kursk region and Kyiv's attacks near the border in Russia's Belgorod region. The map also shows Russian advances in Borova in the Kharkiv region and Lyman and Siversk in Donetsk oblast. It outlines unconfirmed claims by Russian sources that Moscow's forces had seized Novoukrainka, south of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region. It comes as Putin referred in a meeting to the four partially occupied regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts as "Donbas and Novorossiya" in reference to Kremlin rhetoric about historic Russian lands, which denigrates Ukraine's sovereignty. Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov also said the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa was "inextricably linked" with Russia, while presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky claimed that Russians and Ukrainians are "one people" with a "historical homeland." But Ukraine is still fighting hard in the Donbas region. Ukrainian forces struck a Russian logistics hub and an oil depot in Russian-occupied Luhansk and a military base in occupied Donetsk Monday and Tuesday, sparking fires in the cities, according to local reports. Institute for the Study of War (ISW): "Russian forces recently advanced near Kupyansk and Novopavlivka and in western Zaporizhzhia Oblast." Independent Russian military analyst Ian Matveev, per The Washington Post, cast doubt on the effectiveness of Moscow's summer offensive: "What we have in the Russian army now is a lot of soldiers, but they have no training." Angelica Evans, a Russia analyst, told The Telegraph: "The summer offensive is just going to be the continuation of what they've (Russia) been doing in spring." Independent Russian military analyst Ian Matveev told The Washington Post that Russia's offensive won't lead to a big breakthrough but could gain some territory, although complex operations in Ukraine will be hampered by weaknesses in intelligence, shortages, corruption, logistical failures and poor training. Related Articles Trump Reacts as Russia Deploys 50K Troops Near UkraineUkraine Sees Mixed Results at the 2025 NATO Summit | OpinionWhat F-16 Loss Means For Ukraine's Air PowerNATO Ally Seeks Women to Fight Russia Threat 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Map Reveals Scale of Russia's Summer Offensive Against Ukraine
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Russian forces have advanced along parts of the frontline in Ukraine, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), as a map by Newsweek shows the latest developments in Moscow's summer offensive. The think tank said there were Russian advances in the Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia regions on Monday in the push, which began in May to break through Ukrainian defenses across multiple fronts. Newsweek has contacted the Russian defense ministry for comment. A map, based on data provided by the Institute for the Study of War and the American Enterprise Institute's Critical Threats Project, shows Russian control of territory in Ukraine, with arrows highlighting the direction of... A map, based on data provided by the Institute for the Study of War and the American Enterprise Institute's Critical Threats Project, shows Russian control of territory in Ukraine, with arrows highlighting the direction of Russia's cross-border summer offensive into Ukraine's northern Sumy region. More Newsweek/ISW/AEI Why It Matters Russia's summer offensive launched in May is part of Vladimir Putin's push to fully control the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. Moscow has made some gains, although analysts say the operation will be held back by troop shortages and a lack of expertise. The operation comes as Kremlin officials describe wider territorial ambitions in Ukraine beyond Crimea and the four oblasts that Moscow has illegally annexed, signaling that the prospect of peace negotiations is distant. What To Know According to the ISW on Monday, there were Russian advances in the Novopavlivka direction in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, where Moscow's forces raised a Russian flag in the settlement of Novomykolaivka, according to geolocated footage. Russian gains were also recorded in western Zaporizhzhia, with pro-Moscow bloggers recording advances near three settlements, including Stepove. Newsweek's map shows some of these developments, including Russia's move to push Ukrainian troops out of Russia's Kursk region and Kyiv's attacks near the border in Russia's Belgorod region. The map also shows Russian advances in Borova in the Kharkiv region and Lyman and Siversk in Donetsk oblast. It outlines unconfirmed claims by Russian sources that Moscow's forces had seized Novoukrainka, south of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region. It comes as Putin referred in a meeting to the four partially occupied regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts as "Donbas and Novorossiya" in reference to Kremlin rhetoric about historic Russian lands, which denigrates Ukraine's sovereignty. Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov also said the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa was "inextricably linked" with Russia, while presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky claimed that Russians and Ukrainians are "one people" with a "historical homeland." But Ukraine is still fighting hard in the Donbas region. Ukrainian forces struck a Russian logistics hub and an oil depot in Russian-occupied Luhansk and a military base in occupied Donetsk Monday and Tuesday, sparking fires in the cities, according to local reports. What People Are Saying Institute for the Study of War (ISW): "Russian forces recently advanced near Kupyansk and Novopavlivka and in western Zaporizhzhia Oblast." Independent Russian military analyst Ian Matveev, per The Washington Post, cast doubt on the effectiveness of Moscow's summer offensive: "What we have in the Russian army now is a lot of soldiers, but they have no training." Angelica Evans, a Russia analyst, told The Telegraph: "The summer offensive is just going to be the continuation of what they've (Russia) been doing in spring." What Happens Next Independent Russian military analyst Ian Matveev told The Washington Post that Russia's offensive won't lead to a big breakthrough but could gain some territory, although complex operations in Ukraine will be hampered by weaknesses in intelligence, shortages, corruption, logistical failures and poor training.
Winnipeg Free Press
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
An adviser to an ex-Ukrainian president is killed near an American school in Spain, officials say
POZUELO DE ALARCON, Spain (AP) — An adviser to former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych was shot to death Wednesday outside the American School of Madrid, where at least one of his children was enrolled, Spanish authorities and witnesses said. Andrii Portnov, 51, was shot at 9:15 a.m. (0715 GMT) as students were arriving, Spain's Interior Ministry said. Portnov was a former politician tied closely to Yanukovych, the pro-Moscow president of Ukraine from 2010 until he was ousted in a popular uprising in 2014 after shelving plans to bring the country closer to the European Union and instead deepen ties with President Vladimir Putin's Russia. Yanukovych's ouster in February 2014 followed a brutal crackdown on anti-government protesters, with dozens of people killed, many by police snipers. Portnov was deputy head of the presidential office in that period and was involved in drafting legislation aimed at punishing participants of the uprising. Ukrainian authorities opened a treason case against him, which was later closed, and he also was the subject of U.S. sanctions involving corruption in Ukraine. Ukrainian officials did not immediately comment on Portnov's killing. Witnesses said Portnov was shot several times in the head and body by more than one gunman when he was getting into a Mercedes Benz registered to him, police said. The unidentified assailants then fled on foot, and local media reported police helicopters later flew over a nearby park. Portnov died in the parking lot with at least three shots to his body, Madrid's emergency services said. He had one child enrolled at the school, according to a parent and an uncle of students there who spoke with The Associated Press. The school declined to comment. Portnov's past After fleeing Ukraine in 2014, Portnov reportedly lived in Russia in 2015 before relocating to Austria. It wasn't immediately clear when he moved to Spain. In 2018, when pro-Western Petro Poroshenko was president of Ukraine, the country's Security Service, or SBU, opened an investigation against Portnov on suspicion of state treason, alleging his involvement in Russia's illegal annexation of the Crimean Peninsula. The criminal case was closed in 2019, three months after Volodymyr Zelenskyy came to power. The United States imposed personal sanctions on Portnov in 2021, designating him as someone 'responsible for or complicit in, or (who) has directly or indirectly engaged in, corruption, including the misappropriation of state assets, the expropriation of private assets for personal gain, corruption related to government contracts or the extraction of natural resources, or bribery.' High-profile killings Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, there have been a number of killings of high-profile figures linked to Moscow and Kyiv. The killings have included Darya Dugina, the daughter of a prominent Russian nationalist; military blogger Vladlen Tatarsky; and several high-ranking Russian military officers. In those instances, Ukraine denied involvement. One exception was former Ukrainian lawmaker Illia Kyva, who fled to Russia before the invasion and was killed there in 2023. The SBU said in a statement that its chief, Vasyl Maliuk, has said the enemies of Ukraine 'will definitely be held accountable for their crimes.' One killing that prompted speculation of retaliation by Moscow was the shooting death in Spain last year of Russian pilot Maxim Kuzminov, who defected to Ukraine in 2023, although there was no independent confirmation of Russia's involvement. A school in shock Police cordoned off a crime scene in a parking lot outside the gate of the American School of Madrid, located in the upscale town of Pozuelo de Alarcón, north of Madrid. Luis Rayo, 19, who lives in a neighboring building, said he was sleeping when he heard gunfire and went to see what happened. One student, who is in 11th grade, said he was 20 minutes into his first class when he and his classmates heard of the shooting. School administrators told students that a man had been shot and pronounced dead outside. 'I thought it was a drill,' he said. 'I was worried because at first I thought it might be a parent of someone I know.' His mother, who is originally from Azerbaijan, said she knew someone through the emigre community with the same first name as the victim, but did not know him well. 'I didn't know there were Ukrainian politicians there,' she said, adding that the man she knew had a son in the fourth grade. 'I was in shock. Like how is it possible that this happens here?' ___ This story has been updated to clarify that the woman from Azerbaijan said she knew someone with the same first name as the victim. It also clarifies that her acquaintance has a son in the fourth grade. ——— Wilson reported from Barcelona, Spain, and Novikov reported from Kyiv, Ukraine. Yuras Karmanau in Tallinn, Estonia, contributed.
