Latest news with #Russian
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Democrat Wyden presses Bessent to commit to US sanctions on Russia
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) speaks during a Senate Finance Committee hearing on the 2025 budget on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., March 21, 2024. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz/File Photo WASHINGTON - The top Senate Finance Committee Democrat pressed U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Friday to commit to enforcing Ukraine-related sanctions against Russia and to clarify comments about Russia rejoining an international bank payments network. In a letter to Bessent, Senator Ron Wyden also sought answers on how the U.S.-Ukraine critical minerals deal and investment agreement would help improve Ukraine's post-war security and not benefit any entity or country that aided Russia's war effort. Wyden cited Bessent's comments during his confirmation hearing that he was prepared to strengthen Russian sanctions, including on oil majors, if Trump requested this to help end the Ukraine war, which Bessent called "one of the greatest tragedies of my adult life." "I ask that you reaffirm your commitment to stringently enforce these sanctions and answer questions about how you envision other measures pursued by this administration, including agreements with Ukraine, potentially working in conjunction with these sanctions," Wyden wrote. The Oregon Democrat, who has opposed most of Trump's trade and tax agenda advanced by Bessent, asked the Treasury chief to explain comments he made to Fox News Channel in which he did not rule out bringing Russia back into the SWIFT international banking network. Russia was expelled from the payments messaging system after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. "Would Treasury allow Russian banks to rejoin SWIFT absent a comprehensive peace agreement with Ukraine that fully addresses Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine?" Wyden asked in a series of questions for Bessent to answer. Wyden also asked whether Bessent would continue the U.S. Treasury's implementation of commitments by G7 leaders to curtail Russia's use of the international financial system to support its war against Ukraine. A Treasury spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wyden's letter. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
RTHK
2 hours ago
- Business
- RTHK
Russia, Ukraine peace proposals contradictory: Putin
Russia, Ukraine peace proposals contradictory: Putin Russian President Vladimir Putin says Russian and Ukrainian negotiators are in constant contact. Photo: Reuters Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that Russia and Ukraine's demands for peace were "absolutely contradictory", after two rounds of peace talks had failed to bring the sides closer to an elusive ceasefire. Russian and Ukrainian negotiators swapped memoranda outlining their visions for how to end the three-year conflict at peace talks in Istanbul this month. But other than large-scale prisoner exchanges, the talks have failed to result in any progress toward ending the fighting, triggered by Russia launching its military offensive in February 2022. "As for the memorandums, as expected, nothing surprising happened... these are two absolutely contradictory memorandums," Putin said at a press conference in Belarus. At talks, Russia has demanded Ukraine cede even more land and give up Western military support as a precondition to peace -- terms Kyiv says are unacceptable. Putin has repeatedly rejected calls for an immediate ceasefire and has escalated his aerial attacks as his army advances across the battlefield. He also said Russia was looking to cut its military expenditure from next year. "Next year and the year after, over the next three-year period, we are planning for this," Putin said. "6.3 percent of Russia's GDP goes on defence needs. That is 13.5 trillion rubles (US$172 billion). It's a lot," Putin said, acknowledging it had the potential to create headaches for the government budget. (AFP)
Nikkei Asia
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Nikkei Asia
Putin tells Trump that Russia has to respond to Ukrainian attacks
Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a video meeting with members of the government on June 4. (Sputnik/Gavriil Grigorov/pool via Reuters) MOSCOW/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin told U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday that he would have to respond to high-profile Ukrainian drone attacks on Russia's nuclear-capable bomber fleet and a deadly bridge bombing that Moscow blamed on Kyiv. The war in Ukraine is intensifying after nearly four months of cajoling and threats to both Moscow and Kyiv from Trump, who says he wants peace after more than three years of the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War Two.
Nikkei Asia
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Nikkei Asia
Intense Russian air attack on Ukraine's capital kills four
Fire and smoke rise in Kyiv, Ukraine, after a Russian drone strike on June 6. © Reuters KYIV (Reuters) -- Russia mounted an intense missile and drone barrage of the Ukrainian capital overnight, killing four people, Ukrainian officials said, as powerful explosions reverberated across the city. The attack followed a warning from Russian President Vladimir Putin, conveyed via U.S. leader Donald Trump, that the Kremlin would hit back after Ukrainian drones destroyed several strategic bomber aircraft in attacks deep inside Russia.
India Gazette
2 hours ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Why Modi government has failed to take swift action to bring back our missing citizens from Russia?": Congress
New Delhi [India], June 28 (ANI): Congress on Friday demanded government reveal data on the number of Indian citizens stranded in Russia amid conflict with Ukraine in the region. Addressing a press conference at the AICC headquarters, Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring claimed that 126 Indian citizens, including young men from Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu-Kashmir, and Maharashtra, were 'trafficked into the Russian Army to fight the war'. He said, among them, 'at least 14 remain missing.' 'These men were tempted by agents who promised them employment in Singapore, Malaysia, or Italy, but instead sent them to Russia, where they were handed rifles to fight after 15 days of training, pushing them into a brutal conflict, despite a few of them having physical disabilities,' he said. Warring said that their families have only received assurances from the government of India, and 'they were forced to find out the truth by themselves'. 'The Indian Embassy officials in Moscow didn't help him at all, they refused to provide even the address of the Russian External Ministry office,' he said. Warring claimed that agents charged around Rs 35 lakh for sending people to their preferred countries, but 'instead pushed them into Russia's war'. 'Despite multiple appeals to the Ministry of External Affairs, no concrete help has been extended,' he said, adding it raises serious questions. The Punjab Congress president asked, 'why the Modi government has failed to take swift action to bring back our missing citizens. Why was Russia allowed to recruit Indian civilians in its Army without due permission?' he asked, adding, 'Why have families not received official updates?' The senior Congress leader demanded updated information from the MEA on the status of all missing Indians in Russia. He also demanded action against agents who have already been named by the victims' families. (ANI)
