Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu in Moscow on Sunday, praising the “very productive” visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping last month and noting that relations between Russia and China are developing well in all areas. Li Shangfu said that the relations between Moscow and Beijing “have very strong relations, that far surpass the military-political alliances of the Cold War.” The meeting is the latest sign of the deepening ties between Russia and China, which have increased their military cooperation in recent years.
Posts tagged as “Vladimir Putin”
President Joe Biden has shown his commitment to protecting the rights of journalists by calling the family of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been wrongfully detained in Russia. The Biden administration has also designated Gershkovich’s case as a priority and Biden is expected to discuss the matter with Russian President Vladimir Putin when they meet in Geneva. As Biden embarks on his trip to Ireland and the United Kingdom, he is likely to continue to advocate for the release of Gershkovich and other journalists wrongfully detained around the world.
Russian prosecutors have requested a 25-year prison sentence for Kremlin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza, in a case widely condemned by international human rights organizations. Kara-Murza has been a vocal opponent of President Vladimir Putin and has been arrested multiple times for his activism against the government. The sentencing request comes amid escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, with Chinese President Xi Jinping expressing willingness to speak to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
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.
Finland has officially become the 31st member of NATO, a move seen as a major shift in Europe's security landscape and a strategic blow to Russia. The decision to join the alliance comes after months of tension between Russia and its neighbors, and signals a shift away from Finland's traditional neutrality. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Finland's membership, saying it would "strengthen our partnership and contribute to stability in the wider region."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that if his nation does not win the battle in the key eastern city of Bakhmut, Russia could use the victory to build international support for a deal that could require Ukraine to make unacceptable compromises. The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has been ongoing since 2014, with both sides accusing the other of violating the ceasefire. The United Nations has called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, and has urged both sides to return to the negotiating table. Zelenskyy's warning is a stark reminder of the potential consequences of a prolonged conflict.
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.