Page 51 - Vladimir Putin

Ukraine claims to uncover $40 million corruption in weapon procurement

Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) said it has discovered a mass corruption scheme in the purchase of weapons amounting to nearly USD 40 million by the country's military, CNN reported

Putin commends privileged strategic ties between Russia and India on R-Day

Extending his greetings on India's 75th Republic Day, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday said India enjoys a "deserved influence in the international arena" and is playing "an active role" in solving the most important issues on the international agenda. Putin also commended the privileged strategic partnership with India as he congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the 75th Republic Day, the state-run TASS news agency reported. We value the privileged strategic partnership between our countries. I am confident that, through joint efforts, we will continue to systematically boost the constructive cooperation between Russia and India across the board, the Russian leader said in a telegram message. This fully meets the interests of our friendly peoples as it in line with strengthening security and stability both regionally and globally, he added. According to Putin, India has achieved impressive success in the socio-economic sphere, as well as in the fields of research

Putin's opponent offers hope though only few expect him to win election

They have lined up by the thousands across Russia in recent days, standing in the bitter cold for a chance to sign petitions to support an unlikely challenger to President Vladimir Putin. Boris Nadezhdin has become a dilemma for the Kremlin as he seeks to run in the March 17 presidential election. The question now is whether Russian authorities will allow him on the ballot. The stocky, bespectacled 60-year-old local legislator and academic has struck a chord with the public, openly calling for a halt to the conflict in Ukraine, the end of mobilising Russian men for the military, and starting a dialogue with the West. He also has criticised the country's repression of LGBTQ+ activism. The collection of signatures has gone unexpectedly well for us, Nadezhdin told The Associated Press in an interview on Wednesday in Moscow. We didn't expect this, to be honest. Nadezhdin's name is a form of the Russian word for hope, and although he is highly unlikely to defeat the still-popular Putin,

Russian government proposes extending capital controls until end-2024

The measures, ordered by President Vladimir Putin in an October decree, have been effective, the government said on the Telegram messaging app. They are currently set to expire in April

Russia-linked group attacked corporate systems, hacked emails: Microsoft

The group that Microsoft deemed responsible, also known as "Nobelium," is a sophisticated nation-state hacking group that the US government has tied to Russia

2 yrs into war, West seeks ways to steer frozen Russian assets to Ukraine

It's been nearly two years since the United States and its allies froze hundreds of billions of dollars in Russian foreign holdings in retaliation for Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. That roughly USD 300 billion in Russian Central Bank money has been sitting untapped as the war grinds on, while officials from multiple countries have debated the legality of sending the money to Ukraine. The idea of using Russia's frozen assets is gaining new traction lately as continued allied funding for Ukraine becomes more uncertain and the US Congress is in a stalemate over providing more support. But there are tradeoffs since the weaponisation of global finance could harm the US dollar's standing as the world's dominant currency. At this week's World Economic Forum meetings in Davos, Switzerland, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for a strong decision this year for the frozen assets in Western banks to be directed towards defense against the Russian war and for reconstruction of ...

Confiscating $300 bn of Russian assets no panacea, West cautions in Davos

The lion's share of the assets - essentially securities in which the Russian Central Bank had invested - are frozen in Euroclear, a depository based in Brussels

At Davos, Zelenskyy lashes out at Putin, urges support for Ukraine's fight

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy huddled with corporate executives and world leaders in a frenzied first full day of the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in the Swiss ski resort of Davos, where top officials from the United States, European Union, China, the Middle East and beyond spoke Tuesday about tackling conflict and embracing technology like artificial intelligence. Zelenskyy is endeavoring to keep his country's long and largely stalemated defense against Russia on the minds of political leaders, just as Israel's war with Hamas, which passed the 100-day mark this week, has siphoned off much of the world's attention and sparked concerns about a wider conflict in the Middle East. "It is important that you stand with us, I thank you for your support. It is very important to be here, to boost investment in Ukraine and support our economy, Zelenskyy said at an invitation-only CEOs for Ukraine session, according to his office. It is Zelenskyy's first trip to Davos as ...

PM Modi speaks with Putin, assures support for Russia's presidency of Brics

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday agreed to chalk out a roadmap for future initiatives to further strengthen the "special and privileged strategic partnership" between the two nations. Modi said he had a "good conversation" with Putin and exchanged views on various regional and global issues, including Russia's Presidency of the BRICS in 2024. Last month, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited Russia, during which the two countries decided to step up military and technical cooperation, including manufacturing of modern weaponry. "Had a good conversation with President Putin. We discussed various positive developments in our Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership and agreed to chalk out a roadmap for future initiatives. We also had a useful exchange of views on various regional and global issues, including Russia's Presidency of the BRICS," the Prime Minister said on X. Later in a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs sai

NSAs of several countries meet in Davos to discuss Ukraine peace formula

National security advisors of several countries met here on Sunday to discuss a peace formula for Ukraine, with India and many other nations pushing for the restoration of peace in the war-hit country. A representative of the Swiss Foreign Ministry, which co-hosted the meeting along with Ukraine, said, "By organising the meeting, Switzerland continues to support Ukraine in achieving this goal". This was the fourth NSA meeting on the peace formula proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in 2022, which follows ten principles aimed at ensuring a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. Earlier meetings have been held in Copenhagen, Jeddah and Malta. India has always pitched for restoration of peace in Ukraine, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his discussions with Zelenskyy said that India was ready to help in all possible manner to help restore peace. During his conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin also, Modi said that it is not a time of war. Sources sai

Despite pressure, we are largest economy of Europe: President Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that the country has become Europe's first economy and stands at number fifth in the world in terms of purchasing power parity

India likely to resist Pakistan's bid to be a full-fledged member of Brics

Pakistan has sought Russia's help to become a member during its Brics presidency which began on Monday with the motto of "Strengthening Multilateralism for Equitable Global Development and Security"

Ukraine's 2 largest cities under heavy Russian missile attack, 1 killed

Ukraine's two largest cities came under heavy Russian missile attacks on Tuesday, killing one person and injuring dozens. Oleh Syniehubov, the governor of the Kharkiv region, said one person died and 41 were injured in Russian missile strikes that hit the centre of Kharkiv city and other areas. In Kyiv, the capital, five areas of the city were hit in the strikes and at least 12 people injured, according to mayor Vitali Klitschko. The barrage of the cities continued Russia's escalated attacks on Ukraine in recent days that began on Friday with its largest single attack on Ukraine since the war started, in which at least 41 civilians were killed. The following day, shelling of the Russian border city of Belgorod that Russian officials blamed on Ukraine killed more than two dozen people. Russia has struck back repeatedly since. The attack on Belgorod was one of the deadliest to take place on Russian soil since Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine started more than 22 months ago. ..

Ready for peace in Ukraine but only on Russia's terms, says Putin

"We also want to end the conflict, and as soon as possible" - but "only on our terms," Putin said. The Russian leader didn't specify what conditions must be met for peace

Putin lauds Russian unity in New Year's address as war shadows celebration

Russian President Vladimir Putin praised Russia's united society in his prerecorded New Year's address to the nation, the country's state news agencies reported Sunday. Putin addressed Russians in a video that ran under four minutes long, significantly shorter than the New Year's speech he gave last year, according to state news agency RIA Novosti. Millions of people were expected to watch the new address when it airs on TV as each Russian time zone region counts down the final minutes of 2023 on Sunday. The first to see it were residents of the Kamchatka Peninsula and the Chukotka region in Russia's Far East, some nine hours ahead of Moscow. Returning to tradition after speaking flanked by soldiers last year, Putin delivered his address to the nation against the backdrop of a snowy Kremlin. In remarks carried by RIA Novosti, he described 2023 as a year marked by high levels of unity in Russian society. What united us and unites us is the fate of the Fatherland, a deep understandin

Russia unleashes one of biggest aerial barrages against Ukraine: Zelenskyy

Russia launched about 110 missiles as well as drones against Ukrainian targets during the night Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday, killing at least seven civilians in what appeared to be one of the biggest aerial barrages of the 22-month war. Most of the incoming missiles and drones were shot down during the roughly 18-hour onslaught, according to Zelenskyy. However, scores of people were injured and an unknown number of people were buried under rubble, Ukrainian officials said. Among the buildings damaged across Ukraine were a maternity hospital, apartment blocks and schools. Zelenskyy said the Kremlin's forces used a wide variety of weapons, including ballistic and cruise missiles. Today, Russia used nearly every type of weapon in its arsenal, Zelenskyy said on sopcial media platform X, formerly Twitter. Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yurii Ihnat said Russia apparently launched everything they have in the attack. If Zelenskyy's count is confirmed, it would be the

Jaishankar visits school named after Rabindranath Tagore in Russia

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday visited a school named after Rabindranath Tagore in St Petersburg city in Russia and paid homage to the Nobel laureate. Posting a video clip of his visit to the school on X, Jaishankar, currently on a five-day visit to Russia, wrote, "Their passion for India was truly moving. See for yourself." "Delighted to visit the School #653 named after Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore in St. Petersburg," he said. In the video, the minister was seen being welcomed by the students dressed in both Indian and Russian traditional attire. He was also offered a traditional delicacy. Jaishankar paid homage to a statue of Tagore installed in the school. A cultural programme was also organised for the event. Tagore had spent a significant amount of time in Russia, where he was influenced by its culture and literary traditions. His book 'Letters on Russia', written during his travels, vividly describes the details of the Soviet Russian scene of that time. I

Russia-India ties going strong despite turbulences: Putin to Jaishankar

Russia's relations with India and its people are making "steady headway" despite the "current turbulences" in the world, President Vladimir Putin has said and expressed confidence that the two countries will maintain their traditionally friendly ties in "any alignment of political forces" after elections in India. Putin's remarks came on Wednesday when visiting External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called on him at the Kremlin. "We are very pleased to note that despite the current turbulences in the world, relations with our traditional friends in Asia, with India and the Indian people are making steady headway," Putin said. The ties between India and Russia remained strong notwithstanding Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. India has not yet condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and it has been maintaining that the crisis must be resolved through diplomacy and dialogue. "We know Prime Minister Modi's position and we have repeatedly spoken about this the position concerning his ...

Will be glad to see our friend: Putin invites PM Modi to visit Russia

President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Russia next year as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called on the Russian leader at the Kremlin. "We will be glad to see our friend, Mr. Prime Minister Modi in Russia," Putin told Jaishankar. Jaishankar, who is here on a five-day official visit to Russia, earlier met with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov. During a joint media appearance along with Lavrov after their talks, Jaishankar said he was confident that Prime Minister Modi and President Putin will meet for an annual summit next year. In his opening remarks earlier, Jaishankar said that the two leaders have been in frequent contact. The summit between the prime minister of India and the Russian president is the highest institutional dialogue mechanism in the strategic partnership between the two sides. So far, 21 annual summits have taken place alternatively in India and Russia. The last summit took place in New Delhi in December

Russia backs India's UNSC, 'Make in India' bid amid Jaishankar's trip

Russia on Wednesday said it supports India's aspirations to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and also praised New Delhi's deft handling of the contentious issues at the G20 Summit as a "true triumph" of its foreign policy. The Security Council has 5 permanent and 10 non-permanent members. India has long been seeking a permanent membership at the UNSC, strongly calling for reform of the United Nations in line with the changing realities of the world. The five permanent members are the UK, China, Russia, the US and France. "We support India's candidacy for joining" the UN Security Council as a permanent member, Lavrov said after holding talks with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar here. Jaishankar is on a five-day visit to Russia. Lavrov said the G20 Summit that took place in New Delhi earlier this year was a "true triumph of India's foreign policy; it was a triumph of multilateral diplomacy, which has become possible, to a decisive degree, because t