Gleb Karakulov, a former captain and engineer in Putin's elite security unit, has defected and labeled the Russian leader a "war criminal" for his actions in Ukraine. Karakulov said he had witnessed the "inhumanity and cruelty" of the Russian military in Ukraine, and that he could no longer remain silent. His defection and criticism of Putin is a rare event and is likely to be seen as a major blow to the Russian president's reputation.
Posts tagged as “Mariupol, Putin”
In response to the West's increasing military support for Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced plans to station tactical atomic weapons in Belarus. The U.S. has not seen any indications that Russia is preparing to use its weapons, but Ukraine has called for an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council to "counter the Kremlin's nuclear blackmail." It is unclear how the U.N. Security Council meeting will address the situation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a deal with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to station tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, a move that is likely to further escalate tensions between Russia and the United States. The European Union has expressed opposition to the move, calling on Russia to adhere to its international commitments and refrain from any actions that could destabilize the region. Putin has said the agreement will see Russia construct a special storage facility for tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus by the beginning of July.
Prince William made a surprise visit to Poland on Tuesday, where he met with President Andrzej Duda and thanked the Polish people for their support of those who have fled Ukraine. The Prince of Wales discussed the importance of ongoing support to Ukraine and its people, and will attend King Charles' coronation in May as a sign of the UK's commitment to the region.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has changed his stance on the war in Ukraine, calling Russian President Vladimir Putin a "war criminal" and arguing that US support of Ukraine is of "vital" national interest. He has also noted that the US should remain engaged in the conflict and continue to provide support to Ukraine, including military aid. His comments come as the US and other countries have increased their involvement in the conflict, with the US imposing sanctions on Russia and the European Union taking steps to support Ukraine.
Key takeaways: Xi and Putin discussed a range of issues, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Xi made a strong show of solidarity with Putin…
Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping held a face-to-face meeting in Moscow on Monday, days after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the visit indicates China's support for Russia in the face of international criticism. The three-day state visit is seen as a sign of strengthening ties between the two countries, and the outcome of the visit will be closely watched.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin held informal talks in Moscow on Monday, discussing topics such as the war in Ukraine and the strengthening of ties between the two countries. Xi invited Putin to visit China later this year, and the two leaders will hold a second round of talks in the afternoon, followed by a ceremony for signing joint agreements and a state dinner. The visit has been met with skepticism from Western allies, but is seen as an important step in strengthening ties between China and Russia.