News

Russia: French proposals could form basis to end standoff with Ukraine

Published

2 years ago

08/02/2022

MNN

French President Macron makes several proposals of “concrete security guarantees” to Russian leader Putin during nearly six hours of their talks in Moscow.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said several proposals put forward by his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron at talks could form a basis for moving forward on the crisis over Ukraine.

“A number of his ideas, proposals… are possible as a basis for further steps,” Putin said on Monday after more than five hours of talks with Macron in the Kremlin.

He did not provide any details but said the two leaders would speak by phone after Macron meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday.

Putin said he was grateful to Macron for his efforts to solve the security crisis.

“I would like to thank Mr. Macron for the efforts France is making to resolve the acute issue of our relations with NATO, to create an environment of stability on the European continent, to resolve the crisis in southeastern Ukraine,” Putin said.

Putin denied that Russia was acting aggressively towards Ukraine or the West.

“It is not us who are moving towards NATO’s borders,” he said.

If Ukraine joins the Western military bloc, Russia could get sucked into a conflict with European countries, he added.

“Do you want France to go to war with Russia?” Putin said.

Putin said there would be no winners should European countries be drawn into a military conflict with Russia in the event Ukraine joins NATO and tries to retake Crimea.

Macron says diplomatic push on Ukraine will get results

Macron flew into Moscow at the start of a week of intense Western diplomacy aimed at easing fears of a Russian invasion of its pro-Western neighbour.

With tens of thousands of Russian troops camped near the Ukrainian border, Macron was the first top Western leader to meet Putin since the crisis began in December.

Flanked by Putin, Macron said he had made proposals of “concrete security guarantees” to Russian leader at talks in Moscow.

“President Putin assured me of his readiness to engage in this sense and his desire to maintain stability and the territorial integrity of Ukraine,” Macron said.

Macron said he was sure that ramping up diplomatic contacts over the Ukraine standoff will produce results.

“Together… I’m sure we will get a result, even if it’s not easy,” Macron said.

Demands for security guarantees

Putin described his lengthy talks with Macron at the Kremlin as businesslike. He noted that the US and its NATO allies have ignored Moscow’s demands for security guarantees.

He said that NATO’s expansion eastward to Russia’s border has violated the security principles of international agreements and scoffed at Western assurances that it is a defensive alliance that doesn’t threaten Russia.

“People of Iraq, Libya and Afghanistan have had learned it from their own experience,” the Russian leader said in a sarcastic reference to the US allies’ involvement in military campaigns in those countries.

He also referenced NATO’s 1999 bombing campaign in the former Yugoslavia.

Russia has denied any plans to attack its neighbour but demands that the US and its allies bar Ukraine and other former Soviet nations from joining NATO, halt weapons deployments there and roll back NATO forces from Eastern Europe.

Washington and NATO reject those demands.

Source: TRTWorld and agencies

World

One-China principle anchor of peace across Taiwan Straits: Chinese FM

Published

5 hours ago

20/05/2024

The one-China principle is the solid anchor for peace across the Taiwan Straits, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed on Monday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks on the sidelines of the meeting of the SCO Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan.

No matter how the situation on the Taiwan island changes, it will not change the historical and legal facts that Taiwan is part of China, or the historical trend that China will inevitably be reunified, Wang added.

Recently, political leaders and people from all walks of life in many countries, including the SCO member states, have voiced their support for China’s just cause of opposing “Taiwan independence” and promoting reunification, which once again shows that the international community’s adherence to the one-China principle is unshakable, Wang said.

Any attempt to dispute or deny the one-China principle will only end in failure, he stressed.

Wang noted that the 1943 Cairo Declaration and the 1945 Potsdam Proclamation clearly stipulate that Taiwan, a Chinese territory stolen by Japan, shall be restored to China. These documents with international legal effect formed an integral part of the post-WWII international order and are also the collective memory of the international community, he added.

The separatist activities of “Taiwan independence” forces are the most serious challenge to the international order and the greatest threat to peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, Wang said.

The one-China principle is the political premise on which China establishes and develops diplomatic relations with other countries, and also the solid anchor for peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, Wang said.

The Chinese nation always holds the common belief that the homeland cannot be divided, the country cannot be destabilized, its ethnic groups cannot be separated, and its civilization cannot be disrupted, Wang said.

Emphasizing that the Taiwan question is China’s internal affair, Wang said that realizing China’s complete reunification is a shared aspiration of all the sons and daughters of the Chinese nation and also a historical trend that no force can stop.

Source(s): CGTN

News

Court warns against conviction rumors of FAM ex-President

Published

5 hours ago

20/05/2024

Criminal Court on Monday, has warned against spreading rumors or issuing public opiniong claiming conviction of Bassam Adeel Jaleel, former President of Football Association of Maldives (FAM).

The court warned against spreading such rumors since it has not arrived at verdict on Bassam’s case.

The former FAM President is facing money laundering charges for depositing USD 10,000 extended by FIFA, to his bank account, for personal use, which Prosecutor General’s Office claimed on April 18, 2024.

While his case is pending, Bassam has been facing constant slandering and libel on social media.

Criminal Court Judge Ismail Shafeeu on Monday’s order, said defendants have the right to be treated as innocent until convicted at a court of law, despite facing criminal allegations or charges.

Besides issuing the warning against slandering the former FAM president, the court declared any such attempts would be regarded as a contempt of court and will be held as an offense.

PG earlier claimed its investigations had found Bassam had bought and registered properties after siphoning money from FAM accounts, used the misappropriated funds for his own business ventures, family expenses and for trips abroad.

PG Office also confirmed it has not completed the investigation on the matter, adding it would be pressing additional charges as the investigation proceeds.

Apart from facing money laundering charges for mishanding FAM funds, Bassam earlier faced allegations of money laundering and graft related to MMPRC, which is is currently investigated by Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

Source(s): sun.mv

News

Ministry confirms actions against unpermitted drone use

Published

5 hours ago

20/05/2024

The Ministry of Defense has announced that measures will be enforced against any drones flown across the Maldives without the required permits.

Moreover, the Ministry had previously urged individuals to seek permission before flying drones in areas near airports, as they could pose a threat to air traffic. However, it has recently observed flying of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones in military security areas and near airports.

Furthermore, the Ministry further emphasised that permit applications should be submitted at least three days in advance, excluding non-governmental holidays, to ensure timely processing. It warned that strict actions would be implemented against those who operate drones without the necessary permits.

Source(s): PsmNews