US-Russian Talks Shift to Moscow Amid Rising Tensions
Russia's new ambassador to Washington, Alexander Darchiev, has revealed that US-Russian talks will move to Moscow from Istanbul, telling the state TASS news agency that these talks aim to resolve bilateral issues. Darchiev noted that rebuilding Russian-American relations remains a distant goal. He added that anti-Russian factions in Congress and the US 'deep state' hinder this process. Darchiev confirmed that the next negotiations will happen soon in Moscow. Challenges in US-Russian Relations
The Ukraine war has caused a major confrontation between Moscow and the West, the worst since the Cold War. Diplomats in Moscow and Washington agree that relations have never been worse, a sentiment echoed in 2024.
The Ukraine war has intensified global tensions and strained US-Russian relations. This conflict has led to urgent diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation and maintain global stability.
The Trump administration views the Ukraine conflict as a proxy war between the US and Russia as President Trump has repeatedly warned about the potential for this conflict to escalate into a world war. He emphasizes the need for cautious and strategic diplomacy to avoid further escalation.
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Arab News
3 hours ago
- Arab News
Israeli court postpones Netanyahu appearance in graft trial
JERUSALEM: An Israeli court on Sunday postponed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's testimony in his corruption trial after he requested a delay, as US President Donald Trump called for the case to be thrown out. 'Following the explanations given... we partially accept the request and cancel at this stage hearings scheduled' for this week, the Jerusalem district court said in its ruling, published online by Netanyahu's Likud party. Netanyahu's lawyers had asked the court to excuse him from testifying over the next two weeks so he could focus on security issues following a ceasefire with Iran and amid ongoing fighting in Gaza where Israeli hostages are held. They had submitted Netanyahu's schedule to the court to demonstrate 'the national need for the prime minister to devote all his time and energy to the political, national and security issues at hand.' The court initially rejected the lawyers' request but said in its ruling on Sunday that it had changed its judgment after hearing arguments from the prime minister, the head of military intelligence and the chief of the Mossad spy agency. Trump on Saturday said in a post on his Truth Social platform that the United States was 'not going to stand' for the continued prosecution, prompting Netanyahu to thank him in a message on X. Earlier in the week, the US president had described the case against the Israeli premier as a 'witch hunt,' saying the trial 'should be CANCELLED, IMMEDIATELY, or a Pardon given to a Great Hero.' Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid reacted by saying that Trump 'should not interfere in a judicial trial in an independent country.' Netanyahu has denied any wrongdoing in the corruption affair and his supporters have described the long-running trial as politically motivated. In one of the cases, he and his wife, Sara, are accused of accepting more than $260,000 worth of luxury goods such as cigars, jewelry and champagne from billionaires in exchange for political favors. In two others, Netanyahu is accused of attempting to negotiate more favorable coverage from two Israeli media outlets. The prime minister has requested multiple postponements to the trial since it began in May 2020. During his current term, which started in late 2022, Netanyahu's government has proposed far-reaching judicial reforms that critics say were designed to weaken the courts and prompted massive protests that were only curtailed by the onset of the Gaza war. In an interview with Israel's Channel 12 that aired on Saturday, former prime minister Naftali Bennett accused Netanyahu of deepening divisions in Israeli society, and said that he 'must go.' Netanyahu 'has been in power for 20 years... that's too much, it's not healthy,' Bennett said. The former right-wing premier managed to form a coalition in 2021 that ousted Netanyahu from the premiership after 12 consecutive years, but it collapsed before the end of the following year. Bennett is rumored to be planning a comeback, with public opinion polls suggesting he may have enough support to oust Netanyahu again. He declined to comment on that prospect in Saturday's interview.
Saudi Gazette
6 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Ukrainian F-16 shot down in Russian strike; pilot killed after downing seven targets
CHERKASY, Ukraine — Ukraine's Air Force confirmed Sunday that an F-16 fighter jet was shot down in a Russian overnight airstrike in the central Cherkasy region, killing the pilot and injuring six civilians. The pilot was hailed for his efforts in diverting the aircraft from populated areas and downing seven Russian aerial targets before the crash. According to the Air Force statement, the pilot was engaging waves of incoming Russian drones and missiles when his aircraft sustained critical damage. He continued fighting and attempted to steer the plane away from residential zones, but was ultimately unable to eject in time. 'The pilot used the full arsenal of onboard weapons and shot down seven air targets,' the statement said. 'He died heroically in the line of duty.' President Volodymyr Zelenskyy paid tribute to the pilot on X, calling for a full investigation into the circumstances of his death. He also reiterated urgent appeals for enhanced air defense capabilities to counter the scale of Russian bombardments. 'Ukraine needs to strengthen its air defense — the thing that best protects lives,' Zelenskyy said. 'We are ready to purchase American systems and count on the leadership and political will of the United States, Europe, and all our partners.' The overnight Russian assault involved 477 drones and 60 missiles, of which Ukraine claims to have intercepted 211 drones and 38 missiles. Cherkasy Governor Ihor Taburets said the airstrike also injured six people in the city of Smila, where three nine-story buildings and a college were damaged. Emergency teams have set up a crisis response center and are assessing the full extent of the damage. Meanwhile, Russia's Defense Ministry said the strikes targeted Ukrainian military-industrial facilities and oil refineries, declaring the attack 'successful' with all intended sites 'hit.' The loss of the F-16 marks a significant moment for Ukraine, which has only recently begun integrating the advanced U.S.-made jets into its defense arsenal amid hopes of shifting momentum in the ongoing war. — Agencies
Saudi Gazette
6 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Trump calls Netanyahu corruption trial a ‘political witch hunt'
WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump strongly defended Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday, denouncing his ongoing corruption trial as a 'political witch hunt' that threatens to undermine key negotiations involving Iran and Hamas. 'It is terrible what they are doing in Israel to Bibi Netanyahu,' Trump wrote on Truth Social. 'He is a War Hero, and a Prime Minister who did a fabulous job working with the United States to bring Great Success in getting rid of the dangerous Nuclear threat in Iran.' The U.S. president also cited Netanyahu's role in negotiations to secure the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, questioning why the Israeli leader 'can be forced to sit in a Courtroom all day long, over NOTHING (Cigars, Bugs Bunny Doll, etc.).' Trump likened the proceedings against Netanyahu to his own legal battles, calling the Israeli prosecution 'INSANITY' and warning that it could 'interfere with both Iran and Hamas negotiations.' 'The United States of America spends billions of dollars a year, far more than on any other Nation, protecting and supporting Israel. We are not going to stand for this,' Trump added. 'LET BIBI GO, HE'S GOT A BIG JOB TO DO!' Trump had previously urged Israeli authorities to dismiss Netanyahu's case altogether, citing his wartime leadership and recent Israeli military victories. The Israeli prime minister is currently on trial in three separate corruption cases—known as Cases 1000, 2000, and 4000—filed in 2019. He is accused of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, charges he vehemently denies. The trial, which began in May 2020, has seen Netanyahu become the first sitting Israeli prime minister to take the stand as a criminal defendant. Under Israeli law, Netanyahu is not required to resign unless convicted by the Supreme Court, a process that could take many months. Separately, Netanyahu also faces charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity, after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against him and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in November for alleged atrocities in Gaza, where more than 56,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed since October 7, 2023. On Friday, Israel's Attorney General rejected Netanyahu's request to delay his trial for two weeks, after the prime minister claimed he needed to focus on national security matters following recent Israeli strikes on Iran and efforts to return hostages from Gaza. — Agencies
