View: Russia is not isolated, despite Western sanctions, analyst says
The Ashgabat forum in Turkmenistan brought together Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Iranian President M...
Putin claims the Ukraine crisis might have been avoided if Trump had won in 2020, emphasizing Russia’s openness to talks and critiquing US sanctions under Biden.
Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested the Ukraine crisis of 2022 might not have occurred if Donald Trump had been reelected in 2020.
Speaking to Russia's Rossiya 1 TV channel, Putin said Russia remains open to peace talks on Ukraine and has never refused contact with the US administration, though the previous one chose not to engage.
Putin described his relationship with Trump as "strictly business-like, yet pragmatic and trust-based," adding, "I cannot but agree with him that if he had been president, if his victory had not been stolen from him in 2020, then maybe there would not have been the Ukraine crisis that broke out in 2022." He noted Trump had imposed many sanctions on Russia during his presidency, a decision Putin believes was not beneficial for either nation.
Putin criticized the Biden administration for imposing additional sanctions, arguing they weakened the US dollar’s global position. "We did not refuse to use the US dollar. The previous administration prevented us from using it as a unit of payment," he stated.
On Ukraine, Putin emphasized Russia's willingness for dialogue but highlighted obstacles, such as an executive order from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy prohibiting talks. "How can talks be resumed now that they have been outlawed?" Putin asked, urging Ukraine's financial backers to pressure Zelenskyy to act.
Putin expressed hope for constructive engagement with the US on strategic stability, economic issues, and energy production, emphasizing mutual benefits from balanced energy prices. He remained skeptical about Trump’s earlier threats of additional sanctions, doubting Trump would harm the US economy.
"It makes sense for us to meet based on the realities of today... We are ready to do that. But, again, this, first of all, depends on the decisions and choices of the current US administration," Putin concluded.
Japan has lifted a tsunami advisory issued after an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 hit the country's northeastern region on Friday (12 December), the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said. The JMA had earlier put the earthquake's preliminary magnitude at 6.7.
Iran is preparing to host a multilateral regional meeting next week in a bid to mediate between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The United States issued new sanctions targeting Venezuela on Thursday, imposing curbs on three nephews of President Nicolas Maduro's wife, as well as six crude oil tankers and shipping companies linked to them, as Washington ramps up pressure on Caracas.
Iran's President Massoud Pezeshkian has begun a two day visit to Kazakhstan, with officials from both sides describing the trip as an opportunity to advance cooperation in trade, transport, industry, mining and cultural exchanges.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve their tensions through dialogue and engagement, as it pledged to work with the international community to help improve relations between the two countries.
The Ashgabat forum in Turkmenistan brought together Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, raising questions about whether Russia remains connected to regional partners despite Western sanctions.
A bulk carrier struck during a Russian attack on Ukraine’s southern coast on Friday is owned by a Turkish company, a source familiar with the incident told Reuters.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has begun a multi-nation diplomatic tour of the Middle East, showing Beijing’s deepening engagement in a region undergoing conflicts, shifting alliances and major geopolitical realignments.
Pakistan and China are conducting a joint counterterrorism exercise, Warrior IX, to strengthen military cooperation. The drill comes at a time of renewed regional instability, with analysts saying it underscores both countries’ determination to deepen security ties.
A former estate of drug lord Pablo Escobar, now a wildlife park in Colombia, has marked Christmas by setting animals festive feeding challenges designed to boost their mental and physical health.
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