Author: AFP
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Sunday told Russian and French leaders that a “historic turning point” has been reached in efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war and that Ankara was ready to host talks between the two warring parties, his office said. NATO member Türkiye has sought to maintain good relations with both of its Black Sea neighbours since the Russian invasion began and has twice hosted talks aimed at ending the war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday he expected Moscow to commit to a 30-day ceasefire, adding that Kyiv was “ready” to meet Russia for direct…
France on Sunday backed calls for a review of the cooperation agreement between the European Union and Israel over a blockade of aid to Gaza. The Netherlands has called for an urgent review of the association agreement between the bloc and Israel. “This is a legitimate request, and I invite the European Commission to examine it,” said French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, speaking to broadcaster France Info. He stressed that relations between the EU and Israel were based on respect for human rights and democratic principles. Asked whether this meant that France was in favour of challenging the agreement, Barrot…
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Sunday that the world’s “most dangerous regime”, Iran, must not be allowed to obtain the world’s “most dangerous weapon”, amid ongoing nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran. “Iran is the most dangerous state in the world… the most dangerous regime must not be allowed to obtain the world’s most dangerous weapon,” Saar said at a press conference in Jerusalem, adding that Tehran’s “uranium enrichment facilities must be dismantled” and that it must be prevented from obtaining any new weapons.
French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday insisted on “the necessity for a ceasefire” before a meeting between Russia and Ukraine proposed by Vladimir Putin and accepted by Volodymyr Zelensky can be held. “The president of the Republic insisted on the necessity for a ceasefire which will allow a Russian-Ukrainian meeting at the highest level to take place Thursday,” said a statement from the presidency, adding that Macron had spoken earlier Sunday to his German, British and Polish counterparts, as well as US President Donald Trump and the Ukrainian president.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Sunday that unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state would force Israel to take “unilateral actions”, following announcements by several countries that they plan to take such a step. “There have been talks about an initiative to unilaterally recognise a Palestinian state… any attempt to do so unilaterally will only harm future prospects for a bilateral process and will push us for unilateral actions in response,” Saar said. During a press conference in Jerusalem with his German counterpart, Johann Wadephul, Saar added that such initiatives were “not constructive but counterproductive” and served “as a prize…
President Vladimir Putin’s proposal for direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, after Kyiv and its European allies called for a 30-day ceasefire, is “not enough”, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday. “An unconditional ceasefire is not preceded by negotiations, by definition,” Macron told reporters as he stepped off a train in the Polish city of Przemysl on his return from a trip to Ukraine, adding that Putin was “looking for a way out, but he still wants to buy time”. Western allies have repeatedly accused Putin of delaying tactics with regards to any potential bid to end the conflict…
The Israeli military is planning to expand strikes in Yemen and potentially target certain locations inside Iran, according to Israeli media. Israel’s attacks on the Houthis in Yemen will proceed “without any restrictions,” said a report in the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, citing unnamed security sources. “Iran will not emerge unscathed from this exchange of attacks with Yemen,” said the report, that suggested in response to missiles launched by the Houthi, which Israel claims are Iranian-made, Tel Aviv is considering direct retaliation against Iran. The Israeli military is reportedly preparing to respond to Houthi attacks with “stronger and broader” operations. Security…
Hamas’s armed wing released a video on Saturday showing two hostages alive in the Gaza Strip with one of the two men calling for an end to the war in the Palestinian territory. Israeli media identified the pair in the undated video, released by the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, as Elkana Bohbot and Yosef Haim Ohana, who were kidnapped in Israel during the attack carried out by Hamas on October 7, 2023.
The Kremlin on Saturday criticised Europe’s “confrontational” attitude towards Russia, when asked about the potential for dialogue with European leaders. “We hear contradictory statements from Europe. They are generally confrontational rather than orientated towards attempts to somehow resuscitate relations,” spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, answering a question not directly related to a 30-day ceasefire proposed by Kyiv’s allies.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed a ceasefire announced by India and Pakistan on Saturday, calling it a “positive step” that should lead to peace, his spokesperson said. Guterres “hopes the agreement will contribute to lasting peace and foster an environment conducive to addressing broader, longstanding issues between the two countries,” Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.