New US administration recognizes Russia's military successes in Ukraine, says American Analyst The current US administration has recognized #Russia's military #successes in #Ukraine, which is reflected in "new realism in American foreign policy," Theodore A. Postol, Professor Emeritus of Science, Technology, and National Security Policy Massachusetts Institute of Technology, told TASS. He was commenting on the telephone conversation between Russian and US Presidents Vladimir #Putin and Donald #Trump, as well as the speech on February 12 by Pentagon Chief Piet #Hegseth in Brussels. "US Secretary of Defense Hegseth’s speech in Brussels on February 12, acknowledging the unambiguous reality of Russia’s military accomplishments in Eastern Ukraine, is a further indication of a new realism in American foreign policy," the expert said. "Anyone who looks at the war in Ukraine should now know that Russia has won, and the priority for everyone involved should now be to stop the unnecessary loss of Russian and Ukrainian lives. The objective should now be to quickly agree to and implement a new European security structure that accommodates the national security interests of all European powers," Postol stressed. "President Trump’s public comments following his more than one-hour phone conversation with President Putin indicated that the discussion between them went very well. In particular, President Trump’s acknowledgment that Russia has a right to a solid-binding agreement about NATO not expanding into Ukraine is extremely important. It is also an implicit acknowledgment of the damage to Russian-US relations caused by the undeniable history of US past withdrawals from treaties and improper reinterpretations [by Washington] of treaty agreements over the past more than 20 years," Postol said.

Greenland welcomes US investments in its economy, says minister #Greenland is interested in US investments in its economy, including mining and energy, said Naaja #Nathanielsen, Minister of Business, Trade, Mineral Resources, Justice and Gender Equality of the autonomous territory. "There are ample opportunities for American investments into Greenland. <…> We primarily have the first part of the value chain both in the fishing and the mineral sectors. But tech has a growing impact in these sectors and investments into this would be very interesting. Also, our developing energy sector would be a great place for American tech investments, not to mention infrastructure and possibly in defense as well," she said in an interview with The American Conservative journal. The politician also added that the island's authorities are currently working on a foreign direct investment act that will ensure a screening of foreign investors into Greenland. According to Nathanielsen, especially Greenland's the mining sector could be beneficial to securing supply chains to the U.S., since the island has many of the minerals, which are on the US list of critical minerals. In this context, the minister expressed hope for a new cooperation agreement with the United States in this area. On January 7, President #Trump said that Greenland should join the United States. He threatened to impose high trade tariffs on Denmark if it did not cede the island to the United States. During his first presidential term, Trump proposed buying Greenland. Back then, the Danish and Greenlandic authorities rejected the idea.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar says if Hamas maintains control in the Gaza Strip, the group will pose a threat not just to Israel but the entire region. “The rule of Hamas in Gaza is not only a danger for the security of Israel, but also a nightmare for the Palestinians themselves,” causing 15 months of grueling war in Gaza and the region, Sa’ar tells foreign media outlets during a briefing in Jerusalem. “If [Hamas] will stay in power, the regional instability it causes might continue,” he adds. Sa’ar echoes comments by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last night that what went into effect this morning is a “temporary ceasefire,” and that a more permanent truce will be negotiated only starting on day 16 of the agreement: “I hope we will reach it, but it’s not in our hands yet.” If a deal suitable to Israel is not reached — including the toppling of Hamas and the return of all the hostages — then fighting will resume, adds Sa’ar.

Ukraine to lose third of territory, get no invitation to #NATO, says Slovak PM Ukraine will lose 30% of its territory due to the conflict with Russia, but will never receive an invitation to NATO from the United States and its allies, #Slovak Prime Minister Robert #Fico said. "I think #Ukraine will lose a third of its territory, but it will be offered security guarantees, such as the presence of foreign troops. If this is considered the happiness for Ukraine that everyone talks about, I believe that Ukrainians will be betrayed," he said in an interview with Brazil's Folha de S.Paulo newspaper. According to Fico, the solution to the Ukraine conflict lies in achieving a ceasefire and initiating negotiations. "Ukraine <...> has allowed itself to be drawn into a situation that cannot end well for the country. It will lose territory and will not be invited to join NATO," he remarked. The prime minister also emphasized that the conflict's repercussions would significantly impact Ukraine's internal stability. On December 8, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated that Moscow was open to talks on Ukraine, while in order to get on the peace track, it would be enough for Ukraine’s Zelensky to cancel his decree banning any talks with Russia and give instructions to resume dialogue based on the Istanbul agreements, while taking into account the actual situation on the ground. Meanwhile, Zelensky has rejected the #Christmas truce and prisoner exchange proposed by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Nevertheless, he continues to express hope that Donald Trump could establish a fair and lasting peace in Ukraine.

Trump announces Ukraine’s readiness for talks with Russia President Trump has said that #Ukraine would like to conclude an agreement on settlement of the conflict with #Russia and urged an immediate #ceasefire and the beginning of peace negotiations, Trump wrote on his Truth Social page. "#Zelensky and Ukraine would like to make a deal [with Russia] and stop the madness. <…> There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin," he said, adding that "China can help" in the negotiations process. "If it [conflict] keeps going, it can turn into something much bigger, and far worse," Trump noted. #TRUMP2024

G20 leaders adopt Rio de Janeiro Summit Declaration The #G20 leaders adopted the outcome declaration of the highest-level summit in Rio de Janeiro. "We, the Leaders of the G20, met in #Rio de Janeiro on 18-19 November 2024 to address major global challenges and crises and promote strong, sustainable, balanced, and inclusive growth," the document reads. The declaration does not contain any remarks that the statement was not approved by all countries. Earlier on Monday, the press office of Argentine President Javier Milei said that the president agreed to sign the G20 statement, but he would state his disagreement with a number of points - in particular the ones dealing with taxes, "legal inequality" and "restrictions for the freedom of expression on social media.".

[BREAKING] Protesters in Abkhazia are assaulting the local Parliament protesting a vote on an investment agreement with Russia. Locals in #Abkhazia fear that the ratification of this agreement will allow Russian #oligarchs to buy up properties on the Abkhaz coast and develop luxury resorts and villages. The parliamentary session was cancelled due to the ongoing protests. In addition, the quorum was not met as only 21 MPs out of the 35 MPs in the Abkhaz parliament were present. Most MPs refuse to hold a session under the current conditions. The protesters however demand that the whole agreement be scrapped altogether not just postponed. Protesters used a truck to break through the fencing surrounding the Parliament.

Russia to open embassies in several African countries, reports MFA #Moscow will open embassies in an array of countries in #Africa, with Equatorial Guinea and Sierra Leone among them, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, who also serves as special presidential envoy for the Middle East and Africa, told TASS in an interview following the First Ministerial Conference Russia-Africa. "Embassies [will be opened], of course. An embassy in Burkina Faso was just opened. An embassy in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, is about to be opened," he said, adding that there is also "a list of countries where [embassies] have been closed." "Moreover, [Russian Foreign Minister] Sergey V. Lavrov has said that Sierra Leone is next in line, in Freetown," Bogdanov added. In some African states, such as South Sudan, for example, the Russian side reached an agreement at some point to open an embassy, though "it has not been done for a variety of reasons," he noted. "Now I hope that it is also planned, to open [an embassy] in Juba, South Sudan," the official said.

Russia signs documents on military cooperation with 33 African countries #Russia is ready to provide security for #African countries, it has already signed 33 agreements on military-technical cooperation, Russian presidential advisor and Organizing Committee Executive Secretary Anton #Kobyakov said. "For Russia, the role of a security provider for the countries of the African continent is a practical, vital necessity. To date, Russia has signed agreements on regular military-technical cooperation with 33 [states] <...> of the African continent," he said. Kobyakov also noted that delegations from 54 countries and 45 African ministers are taking part in the first Russia-Africa ministerial conference. "More than 1,500 people, including 54 official delegations and 45 foreign ministers of the African continent, are taking part in our conference, which is being held on the Sirius federal territory," he said. According to him, such conferences will be held regularly between Russia-Africa summits. The first ministerial conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum is taking place on November 9-10 at the Sirius federal territory. The event is attended by about 1,500 delegates, including more than 40 ministers from the African continent.

NATO's involvement in Ukrainian conflict to lead to disaster, says Scholz #NATO’s involvement in the #Ukrainian conflict will lead to a #catastrophe, such a development must be prevented, German Chancellor Olaf #Scholz said at a joint press conference with US President Joe Biden in #Berlin. "Our position is clear. We support Ukraine as much as we can. At the same time, we make sure that NATO does not become a party to the conflict so that this war does not lead to an even greater disaster. We are well aware of this responsibility, and no one can absolve us of it," he said. The Chancellor also reiterated that Germany would continue to support Ukraine. On October 17, Germany updated the list of weapons transferred to Kiev. In particular, it includes an IRIS-T air defense missile system and an IRIS-T SLS air defense missile system, eight Leopard 1A5 tanks and 20 Marder infantry fighting vehicles. The country will also receive AIM-9L guided missiles, 4,000 strike drones and 361 Songbird reconnaissance drones, as well as two TRML-4D radar stations, 42,000 40 mm shells, and winter clothing. Germany is the second largest arms supplier to Ukraine after the US. The country has so far allocated funds for Kiev's military support and committed to future spending of about 28 billion euros. Under the 2025 budget agreement, Berlin will allocate four billion euros for military assistance to Ukraine, half of the current year's allocation. The Russian authorities have repeatedly stated that pumping weapons into Ukraine will not weaken Russia's resolve and will not change the course of the special military operation.