Xi Jinping holds a phone conversation with Zelensky

April 26- President of China, Xi Jinping held a phone conversation with Ukrainian President Zelensky for the first time since Moscow launched its military operation in Ukraine.

It is said that Chinese President Xi Jinping has told his Ukrainian counterpart Zelensky that China will push for an early ceasefire in Ukraine and China is determined to facilitate the peace process and a ceasefire as soon as possible.

“Chinese authorities have no intention to quietly observe the escalation of the Ukrainian crisis, but at the same time will not fuel the flame,” President Xi said during a phone call with Ukrainian President Zelensky.He aslo said that “dialogue and negotiations are the only viable way out.”

President Zelensky also tweeted that the dialogue was “long and meaningful.” He said the call, along with the appointment of an ambassador to China, will “give a powerful impetus to the development of our bilateral relations.”

NATO closer to direct confrontation with Russia: Russian Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, said the flow of NATO weapons into Ukraine and military support for Kyiv raised the possibility of direct military confrontation between the NATO alliance and Russia.

She said that while NATO countries are moving ahead with planning how to conduct military operations against Russia by supplying arms and ammunition to Kyiv as well as providing intelligence training personnel, it increases the possibility of direct armed conflict between NATO countries and Russia.

Zakharova also drew attention to the fact that according to the latest statistics, Western military aid for Ukraine reached 42.3 billion dollars.

Zakharova said that NATO countries are not only accomplices in the crimes committed by the Kiev regime, but also sponsors of terrorist activities.

Prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine

According to the Ministry of Defense of Russia, 110 Russian citizens returned to Russia as part of the exchange of prisoners between Russia and Ukraine.

In exchange for 110 Russian citizens under a prisoner exchange, Russia has released 108 Ukrainian female soldiers it had detained. It is said that 2 of the released female soldiers decided not to return to Ukraine because they wanted to stay in Russia.

Kyiv detained dozens of Russian citizens who had been in boats that stopped at Ukrainian ports in late February after the war broke out.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Moscow and Kyiv have frequently exchanged prisoners since the conflict between the two neighbours began in late February.
At the end of last September, Ukraine released 55 Russian soldiers from Donbas, and Russia also released Ukrainian opposition leader Viktor Medvedchuk.

According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, since the war began, Russia has released 215 Ukrainian soldiers under prisoner exchange.

image:sputnik

Declining influence of American power

Despite the US opposition, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies have agreed to cut oil production by more than expected. Experts said that this move by OPEC confirms the declining influence of American power in the world order and this move will increase the distance between OPEC member countries and the US.

Experts say that the Biden administration, in the face of inflation, will have to face more political pressure before the upcoming mid-term elections, and the energy prices will increase and will affect the economic situation of Europe. It is estimated that this decision will further weaken the European countries that are supporting American power economically and socially. For this reason, recently, the differences between the European countries on whether to accept the decision of America or not have started to be clearly seen on the surface.

OPEC and its allies have decided to cut oil production by two million barrels a day, which equates to 2 per cent of global oil supplies. After this decision of OPEC, the price of oil has increased in the world market.

Deputy Secretary General of the Digital-Real Economy Integration Forum, said that in the background of the US shifting its strategic focus from the Middle East to the Asia Pacific region, Middle Eastern countries no longer need to rely on the US for geopolitical protection as before.

He also said that American policies are becoming increasingly self-centered and that they are building economic development on the foundations of the collapse of the other countries. Analysts have also said that, although there were many countries around the dominance of American national power in the past, in today’s environment where the world order is shaky, American power is declining due to economic problems such as weak international foreign policy and inflation.

Image:financial times

USA taking advantage of Europe’s energy crisis

As the European Union faces an energy crisis due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the US must not be allowed to dominate the global energy market, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire has said.

Addressing the French National Assembly, he also said that the Russia-Ukraine conflict should not end with US economic dominance and EU weakness. He said that the US took advantage of the energy crisis in Europe caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the EU countries are now forced to purchase the same gas at a price four times higher.

Before the Russia-Ukraine conflict, most of Europe’s energy was imported from Russia. But due to the sanctions imposed by the European Union countries including the United States on Russia and the explosion of the Nord Stream gas pipeline that happened only a short time ago, Russian gas supplies to the European Union have been significantly reduced.

US issues visa to Lavrov for UN visit

Washington has granted visas to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and other high-level diplomats. The decision will allow Moscow’s representatives to visit New York for the United Nations General Assembly, despite being under US sanctions.

Moscow had repeatedly criticized Washington for refusing to grant visas to the Russian diplomats to attend the 77th session of the assembly.

The US slapped personal sanctions on high-level Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, following the launch of Moscow’s military offensive in Ukraine in February.

Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov accused Washington earlier on Tuesday of “breaking their obligations” by delaying the granting of visas.“Let’s hope that the United States will deliver on its duties,” he said, saying that Washington must grant visas to everyone scheduled to attend the General Assembly.

The 77th session of the UN General Assembly will open on September 13, 2022, though the main event of this session will be the ‘High-Level week’ from September 20 to 26, which will be attended by many world leaders and foreign ministers.

NATO increases its presence in Kosovo

US troops have reportedly been sent to northern Kosovo after talks between the Serbian and Kosovo leaders collapsed

The NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) has increased its patrols of the northern part of the province amid ongoing tensions between Belgrade and Pristina.

Troops were deployed in significant numbers to two checkpoints at the border between Serbia and Kosovo, the reports said, adding that KFOR had vowed to “intervene” if necessary.

The move follows the collapse of talks between Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti on Thursday.

“We would like to assure everyone that KFOR is ready to intervene, if necessary,” the NATO-led force said. The development comes just three days after NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg vowed that the military bloc would take action if “stability” in Kosovo is jeopardized. He also urged “all sides” to “show restraint and avoid violence.” The NATO chief also met both Vucic and Kurti earlier this week.

Meanwhile,Moscow has accused the West of fueling the conflict between Belgrade and Pristina and pressuring Serbia to adopt anti-Russian sanctions supported by much of the continent.

China to send troops to Russia for joint military exercises

Beijing’s Ministry of Defense said Chinese troops will travel to Russia to take part in joint military exercises starting later this month. India, Belarus, Mongolia and Tajikistan will also be involved in the Vostok military exercise.

Beijing and Moscow have close defence ties and China has said it wants to take bilateral ties to a “higher level” despite Moscow facing international sanctions and widespread condemnation over its February 24 attack on Ukraine.

A statement issued by China’s Ministry of Defense said, “The aim is to strengthen practical and friendly cooperation with the militaries of the participating countries, increase the level of strategic cooperation between the participating parties, and strengthen the ability to deal with various security threats”.

Relations between Russia and China have grown increasingly close under Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, and Beijing has come under pressure to oppose sanctions imposed by many Western countries over the war. Beijing said its decision to participate in the joint exercises was “irrelevant to the current international and regional situation”.

A year ago, Russia and China held joint military exercises in north-central China involving more than 10,000 troops. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu praised the exercise conducted in China’s Ningjia and suggested that it could be further developed.

In October, Russia and China held joint naval exercises in the Sea of ​​Japan..The Vostok exercise is the second joint military exercise by the Chinese and Russian forces this year.

Gas prices in Europe hit all-time high after Russia cut gas supplies

Gas prices rose after Russia cut gas supplies to Germany and other Central European countries.

European gas prices rose 2% to an all-time high after Russia invaded Ukraine. Critics have accused the Russian government of using gas as a political weapon. Similarly, Ukraine has accused Moscow of cutting gas supplies to spread terror among people.

On the other hand, Russian energy firm Gazprom has said that the gas supply has been reduced due to maintenance work on turbines.

China’s response to the proposed Russian oil embargo

China has opposed a bill introduced by US Senator Marco Rubio to punish Beijing for buying oil from Moscow.

Beijing opposed a proposal by US Senator Marco Rubio to ban any entity that buys oil or other energy supplies from Russia and delivers them to China. Speaking at a regular press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said, “China has always been against unilateral and illegal sanctions that have no basis in international law.” He also said that the general economic and trade cooperation between China and Russia is not against any third party and it will not be affected by any kind of external interference. He also said that Senator Rubio, who knows no political ethics, wants to blame China for everything.

The anti-China proposal, introduced by Rubio along with fellow Republicans Rick Scott and Kevin Cramer, aims to punish any entity that insures or registers tankers carrying oil or liquefied natural gas from Russia to China.

Iran to start trading in Russian ruble


Iran’s foreign currency exchange starts trading in the riyal-ruble currency pair.

Iran’s official foreign exchange has listed the Russian currency and said it will begin trading in the ruble-riyal currency pair. The listing came ahead of President Putin’s visit to Tehran, and the head of Iran’s central bank described it as “an important step in the development of economic relations between Iran and Russia.”

Moscow had previously promised to phase out the use of the US dollar in its trade with Iran. Trade between the two countries has grown by 31% in the first four months of this year.

Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow and Tehran are preparing a major new cooperation agreement, saying that Russia and Iran are among the most sanctioned countries in the world and that both countries will work together to reduce the impact of international sanctions on the economy.

This war is the beginning of the complete dissolution of American world order: Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Russia is ready to engage in peace talks with Ukraine, but those who deny the possibility of talks and try to prolong the ongoing conflict will only make the situation worse.

President Putin has challenged those who say Russia has lost its grip on the Ukraine conflict can try and defeat us on the battlefield. He also said that those who think we are loosing our grip should know that we haven’t started anything yet.

Putin said it is a tragedy for the Ukrainian people that the West is willing to fight till the last Ukrainian. He also said that NATO had jeopardized Russia’s consistent efforts to create a fair international security system .

He said the West’s goal of provoking a conflict between Russia and Ukraine had clearly succeeded, but that Moscow’s launch of a military operation in Ukraine was a defeat of the West. He also said that the beginning of this war is the beginning of the complete dissolution of the American world order.

US to send long-range rockets to Ukraine


President Biden has announced to send more advanced rocket system in Ukraine to help defend itself.Mr Biden said the lethal aid would strengthen Kyiv’s negotiating position against Russia and make a diplomatic solution more likely.

The weapons will help to strike enemy forces more precisely from a longer distance.New weaponry will include the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).The systems can launch multiple precision-guided missiles at targets as far as 70km (45 miles) away – far further than the artillery that Ukraine currently has.
Helicopters, anti-tank weapons, tactical vehicles and spare parts are to be included in what will be the 11th package of military aid approved by the US for Ukraine since the invasion began in February.

Previously Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has accused the West of “pumping up the Ukrainian nationalists with weapons” and said that any cargo of arms bound for Ukraine would become a legitimate target for Moscow.The ministry has said that Nato countries are “playing with fire” by sending weapons to Ukraine.

Russia must return to pre-invasion position for agreement – Zelensky

Ukraine’s president has said any peace deal with Russia will depend on whether the Russian military returns to its pre-invasion position or not.

Speaking to a London think tank, Volodymyr Zelensky said that it is the minimum condition that he and his country could accept. He did not mention the annexation of Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014, although he said he is the leader of the whole of Ukraine, not of mini-Ukraine.

In an interview with the London House of Think Tank, Zelensky said that the war between Russia and Ukraine could be stopped only if Russia agrees to come to the position before February 23. which clearly means that Russia must be ready to return the territory it occupied after Russia invaded Ukraine.

Leaders of the G7 countries to hold talks with Ukrainian President

Leaders of the world’s seven major nations(G7 Countries) are set to hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The leaders of G7 countries will discuss possible assistance to Ukraine. According to the spokesperson of the German government, talks would be held on Sunday.

It is reported that Germany, which is currently chairing the G7 will coordinate the meeting. This will be the third virtual meeting, held within a year.The main focus of the meeting will be on the Ukraine crisis and President Zelensky of Ukraine will brief the current situation and needs of the country.

G7 leaders have been in favor of aiding Ukraine and pressuring Russia to end its aggression.

Meeting between Prime Minister Deuba and the US Parliamentary Delegation

A meeting between Prime Minister Deuba and a delegation of US lawmakers was held at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar this morning.

According to the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, the two sides exchanged views on Nepal-US friendship and measures for multi-dimensional partnership involving the government, parliament and the people, as well as global issues including climate change.

After the meeting with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Khadka, the visiting US Parliamentary delegation and the Nepal-US Parliamentary Friendship Group are currently in a meeting at Hotel Marriott in Kathmandu.

Chairman of the Nepal American Parliamentary Group and leader of the Nepali Congress Dr. Minendra Rijal welcomed the US delegation.

Nepali MPs including Shakti Basnet, Jeevan Ram Shrestha, Binda Pandey and Nawaraj Silwal are present in the meeting. US Ambassador to Nepal Randy Berry and embassy officials are also present at the meeting.

Senators Sheldon Whitehouse, Corey Booker, Mark Kelly and Monder Jones, a member of the lower house of the House of Representatives, arrived in Kathmandu yesterday evening.

Biden hits Russia with sanctions, shifts troops to Germany

President Joe Biden unleashed new sanctions against Russia and ordered the deployment of thousands of additional troops to NATO ally Germany.

He also acknowledged that the invasion — and efforts to thwart Putin — will have a cost for Americans. But he sought to reassure the public that the economic pain that may come with rising energy prices will be short-lived in the U.S.

Targeting Russia’s financial system, Biden said, the United States will block assets of Large Russian banks, impose export controls aimed at the nation’s high-tech needs and sanction its business oligarchs.

The president said the U.S. also will be deploying additional forces to Germany to bolster NATO after the invasion of Ukraine, which is not a member of the defense organization. Around 7,000 additional U.S. troops will be sent.

Russia announces military action in Ukraine

Russia has announced military action against Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced military action as the crisis in Ukraine was being discussed in UN Security Council. Putin announced in a televised address that a special military operation had been launched in the Donbas area.

Meanwhile, large explosions were heard in the capital Kyiv, Donetsk, and Luhansk, the BBC reported. Russia has recognized Donetsk and Luhansk as independent states.

US imposed sanctioned on Russia

The United States has imposed sanctions on Russia over its intervention in Ukraine.

The United States has objected to Russia’s role in recognizing two rebel-held territories in Ukraine as an independent state.
Many other countries, including Europeans, have expressed support for the US sanctions, and have announced sanctions on their behalf.

The United States and European nations have warned that sanctions could be imposed longer if Russia invades Ukraine.