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Miami Herald
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Ukraine Rebukes NATO Member For Plea To Forgive Putin
Russia could be forgiven for its aggression in Ukraine if such a move could usher in peace talks, Slovakia's foreign minister Juraj Blanár has said in comments that have prompted a rebuke from Kyiv. In an interview with Slovak broadcaster STVR, Blanár said that the war in Ukraine could not be resolved militarily and that as part of a return to diplomacy, the West could forgive Russia. The comments from the top diplomat of a NATO member sparked anger among Ukrainian voices on social media and comes as Slovakia's prime minister, Robert Fico, faces criticism among Kyiv's supporters over his relationship with Russia's Vladimir Putin. Newsweek has contacted the Slovakian Foreign Ministry for comment. The war Putin started continues with no clear path to negotiations following Moscow's rejection of a ceasefire deal. Blanár's comments add to European concerns about the stance of an EU and NATO country toward Ukraine given Fico's opposition to continuing military aid for Kyiv and sanctions on Moscow. As negotiations remain stalled, Blanár said Sunday the international community may need to "perhaps" forgive Russia's actions and resume dialogue with Moscow. In a translation of his comments, he said that "diplomatic solutions" could be sought and that there should be "communication" with Russia to prevent a third world war, which could involve "even" forgiveness. But Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on X Monday that "Russia's sense of impunity is the root cause of its crimes." Sybiha's post added that it was naive to expect a criminal to stop if their crime is forgiven instead of punished and that Moscow will "hit the other cheek as well." The remarks came after Slovakia requested an 18th package of EU sanctions against Russia be postponed until a decision is reached over on the consequences of the European Commission's initiative to end dependence on Russian fossil fuels by 2030. Since taking office in 2023, Prime Minister Fico has halted Slovak military aid to Ukraine and unlike the EU increased diplomatic engagement with Russia, attending the Victory Day Parade in Moscow in May and meeting with Putin. Russia and Ukraine have held two rounds of face-to-face talks in Istanbul on May 16 on June 2, resulting in prisoner exchanges but no steps toward a ceasefire. During the latter meeting, both sides presented proposals for ending the war, which Putin said were incompatible. Kyiv had demanded an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, which is backed Western partners, while Russia insisted on a limited truce to recover the bodies of fallen soldiers. Slovakian Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár: "We want the conflict in Ukraine to be resolved peacefully, even though it will be difficult, and then look for ways to consolidate relations with must find some form of cooperation and maybe even forgiveness for everything that has happened here." Former Ukrainian presidential spokesperson Iuliia Mendel on X: "Slovak FM Juraj Blanár says resolving the Ukraine war (Russian aggression against Ukraine) requires communication with Russia and suggests the West may need to 'forgive' Russia. He emphasizes diplomacy and international law over military solutions." Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on X: "It's naive to expect a criminal to stop if their crime is forgiven instead of punished. Russia will hit your other cheek as well." Pro-Ukrainian X user Devana: "If Russia received a harsh punishment for every crime, it would act differently. The world is partly complicit in Russian crimes and some countries should be put on trial together with the Russian Federation." Russia said it is open to a third round of negotiation and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed his country is willing to host and that efforts are underway to arrange a direct meeting between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky—possibly with involvement from President Donald Trump. Related Articles Betting Market in Disarray Over Zelensky Suit That's Also Maybe Not a SuitUkrainian President Moves to Withdraw From Ottawa Convention: What to KnowNATO Scrambles Fighter Jets After Russia's Largest Air Assault on UkraineF-16 Pilot Killed As Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Hans India
02-06-2025
- Hans India
Mandya Tragedy: State DGP Issues Strict Guidelines to Curb Unsafe Vehicle Checks
Bengaluru: In the wake of public outrage over the tragic death of a child during a traffic check in Mandya, Karnataka's Director General and Inspector General of Police (DGP-IGP), Dr. M. A. Saleem, has issued a stringent circular aimed at reforming traffic enforcement practices across the state. The circular, released on Monday, explicitly prohibits arbitrary vehicle checks, sudden roadblocks, and the practice of forcibly removing vehicle keys during inspections. It directs traffic police to prioritise road safety and ensure accountability during all enforcement activities. Key directives from the DGP's circular includes: No Random Checks: Police are barred from stopping vehicles solely for document verification unless a visible traffic violation has occurred. Stop Only With Just Cause: Vehicle checks must be conducted only when a clear offence is observed. During such checks: Barricading on highways must be avoided. Vehicles must not be stopped abruptly on main roads. Officers are prohibited from chasing vehicles or seizing their keys. The DGP has also given elaborate Mandatory Use of Safety Equipment: All personnel must wear reflective jackets, carry LED batons during evening checks, and use body-worn cameras to ensure transparency and safety. Technology-Driven Enforcement: Traffic management centres and the Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) units are directed to adopt contactless enforcement using technology. Public Awareness Campaign: The police will soon launch an awareness drive to educate citizens about traffic rules and promote voluntary compliance. No Interception on Highways: Under no circumstances should speeding vehicles be stopped on national or state highways. Instead, enforcement must rely on Speed Traffic Violation Recording (STVR) systems for prosecution. Precautions at Check Posts: At least 100 to 150 metres ahead of any check-post, police must place reflective cones and warning signage to alert drivers in advance. Safe Night Checks: Where necessary, night-time vehicle checks must be conducted near traffic junctions or signal points, not in isolated areas. Law and Order Police Not to Block Roads: Police officers assigned to law and order duties must not carry out vehicle checks or set up roadblocks on highways. Any such operations for security purposes must involve traffic police coordination. The circular follows mounting concerns over unregulated and often hazardous traffic enforcement measures that have resulted in public inconvenience—and in extreme cases, tragedy. The new directions are seen as part of the state police's effort to ensure citizen safety without compromising law enforcement standards.
Russia Today
13-02-2025
- Business
- Russia Today
Ukraine purchasing Russian gas from EU
Ukraine has been purchasing Russian gas via EU energy companies, Slovakia's minister of foreign and European affairs, Juraj Blanar, stated on Wednesday. Kiev recently refused to renew a contract to transit Russian gas through its territory. Blanar was commenting on a recent media report by the local broadcaster STVR that alleged that Slovakia was supplying Russian gas to Ukraine. The Slovak minister blasted the report as 'false and manipulative.' 'The truth is that Russian gas, which Ukraine purchased from abroad, flows to Ukraine through Slovak territory,' Blanar stated in a Facebook post. 'Even an average educated person can see the huge difference between this reality and the misleading headline,' he wrote. Slovak Economy Minister Denisa Sakova has also denied the report, claiming that Czech and German companies have been supplying Kiev with Russian gas that merely passes through the Slovak system. According to Slovak media outlets, reverse flows to Ukraine – estimated at 17 million cubic meters daily – started on February 6. Most of the imports reportedly go through the Hungarian, Slovak and Polish gas transportation infrastructure. On Monday, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced that Slovakia has started receiving Russian natural gas via the TurkStream pipeline, averting an energy crisis in the country after Kiev halted transit. Fico also confirmed that Ukraine was receiving gas from foreign suppliers, without which he said the country 'would freeze.' READ MORE: Russian gas exports via key Black Sea pipeline hit historic high – Reuters He emphasized that Slovakia was not involved in those supplies, which, according to the Slovak prime minister, have pushed European gas prices even higher. Fico, however, argued that Slovakia has 'a moral right to consider measures such as stopping foreign gas deliveries to Ukraine,' while the EU 'is making a fool of itself.' The prime minister previously accused Zelensky of exacerbating Slovakia's energy crisis and undermining EU interests. TurkStream, a crucial energy corridor for transporting gas from Russia to Türkiye under the Black Sea, has become the main route for Russian gas to reach southern and southeastern Europe following Kiev's refusal to renew the transit deal with Moscow. The decision forced Slovakia and several other EU states to seek alternative supply routes. Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky defended the decision, arguing that halting Russian gas transit would deprive Moscow of crucial energy revenues. However, Slovakia and Hungary accused Kiev of deliberately triggering an energy crisis for political leverage. Despite the developments, Moscow has reiterated its commitment to maintaining stable gas supplies via TurkStream, ensuring continued energy security for the countries that depend on it. Data analyzed by Reuters shows that deliveries of Russian natural gas via the TurkStream pipeline have reached a historic high, exceeding 50 million cubic meters per day in January. The figure marked a 27% year-on-year increase.
