Report Wire

Tag: Sergey Lavrov

  • Jaishankar meets Russian counterpart Lavrov in South Africa

    By Press Trust of India: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday met his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in South Africa and talked about issues with bilateral and world pursuits.

    Jaishankar, who’s proper right here to participate in a conclave of the five-nation grouping BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa), held talks with Lavrov on the sidelines of the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

    “Good to meet FM Sergey Lavrov of Russia in Cape Town this morning on the BRICS FMM sidelines. Our discussions covered bilateral matters, BRICS, G20 and SCO,” Jaishankar talked about in a tweet.

    Good to fulfill FM Sergey Lavrov of Russia in Cape Town this morning on BRICS FMM sidelines.

    Our discussions coated bilateral points, BRICS, G20 and SCO. pic.twitter.com/sgClHv3iSn
    — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) June 1, 2023

    India will preserve the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and G-20 summits in July and September respectively.

    In the previous couple of months, India has flip right into a primary importer of discounted crude oil from Russia nonetheless rising displeasure inside the West over the procurement in view of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

    India’s monetary engagement with Russia has been on a big upswing inside the last one yr, largely on account of its procurement of discounted Russian oil.

    India has not however condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and it has been pushing for choice of the battle by dialogue and diplomacy.

    On Wednesday, Jaishankar talked about these are nonetheless “early days” for battle choice between Ukraine and Russia as, presently, the principle goal is on points corresponding to a grain corridor, nuclear factors and points related to the alternate of prisoners of battle.

    In an interview with DD India, Jaishankar well-known that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had met every Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

    The (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) brings collectively 5 of the most important rising nations of the world, representing 41 per cent of the worldwide inhabitants, 24 per cent of the worldwide GDP and 16 per cent of worldwide commerce.

    Jaishankar may be anticipated to hold bilateral conferences alongside along with his completely different BRICS counterparts.

  • US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in South Africa on Africa tour

    US Secretary of State Antony Blinken started his three-nation tour of Africa along with his arrival in South Africa on Sunday.

    Blinken’s go to to Africa is seen as a part of a contest between Russia and Western powers for assist from African nations over the battle in Ukraine. Blinken’s journey to Africa follows current excursions by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and French President Emmanuel Macron.

    South Africa is considered one of many African nations which have maintained a impartial stance on the battle and haven’t publicly criticized Russia.

    On Sunday after an early morning arrival, Blinken is to go to the Hector Pieterson memorial in Soweto township, which commemorates a scholar killed in 1976 when protesting South Africa’s regime of racial oppression, apartheid, which led to 1994.

    On Monday, Blinken will describe the United States’ methods for sub-Saharan Africa in a serious coverage speech on the University of Pretoria. Africa has been hard-hit by the impact of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic and the rising meals and oil costs attributable to Russia’s battle in Ukraine.

    Blinken and Pandor may also maintain a press convention Monday through which the 2 nations’ completely different positions on the Ukraine battle are anticipated to be seen.

    Blinken will go on to go to Congo and Rwanda this week to finish his worldwide tour which additionally took him to Cambodia and the Philippines.

  • Each SCO nation ought to determine by itself whether or not to make use of greenback: Lavrov

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: During the course of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers assembly in Tashkent on Friday, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov instructed that every SCO member determine whether or not they need to use the greenback for transactions.

    Each member-state of the SCO ought to determine by itself whether or not to make use of the greenback or not, however information are sufficient that this foreign money is unreliable, Lavrov is reported to have mentioned whereas talking with the media on the sidelines of the SCO. He instructed additional that there must be a roadmap of transitions to broader use of nationwide currencies in mutual settlements.

    Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, mentioned that Iran’s entry into the SCO will strengthen the discussion board’s affect on the earth market. “The SCO members will have the opportunity to use the facilities of the Chabahar port in Iran,” he added.

    Jaishankar additionally spoke in regards to the disaster that Afghanistan is dealing with and mentioned that the SCO should fight the starvation disaster there. He additionally highlighted the truth that India prolonged humanitarian help to Afghanistan to assist it combat starvation.

    “Began my SCO visit with a bilateral meeting with DPM and FM Mukhtar Tileuberdi of Kazakhstan. We recognised the progress made out since the last meeting in Delhi in December last year. The current situation calls for stronger Indo-Kazakh cooperation across all domains,” he mentioned.

    China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto have been amongst different members who attended the assembly.

    Meanwhile, the SCO is increasing its community and is about to signal pacts to incorporate Egypt, Qatar, Bahrain, Maldives band Saudi Arabia as dialogue companions. The course of has additionally began for granting Belarus as a full member. Azerbaijan, Armenia, Cambodia and Nepal are set to get observer standing.

    The Foreign Ministers assembly is the ultimate stage in preparation for the SCO Summit set for September 15-16 in Samarkand in southern Uzbekistan. This is prone to be attended by Prime Minister Modi, who will meet his counterparts from China, Pakistan, Iran and Russia.

    NEW DELHI: During the course of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers assembly in Tashkent on Friday, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov instructed that every SCO member determine whether or not they need to use the greenback for transactions.

    Each member-state of the SCO ought to determine by itself whether or not to make use of the greenback or not, however information are sufficient that this foreign money is unreliable, Lavrov is reported to have mentioned whereas talking with the media on the sidelines of the SCO. He instructed additional that there must be a roadmap of transitions to broader use of nationwide currencies in mutual settlements.

    Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, mentioned that Iran’s entry into the SCO will strengthen the discussion board’s affect on the earth market. “The SCO members will have the opportunity to use the facilities of the Chabahar port in Iran,” he added.

    Jaishankar additionally spoke in regards to the disaster that Afghanistan is dealing with and mentioned that the SCO should fight the starvation disaster there. He additionally highlighted the truth that India prolonged humanitarian help to Afghanistan to assist it combat starvation.

    “Began my SCO visit with a bilateral meeting with DPM and FM Mukhtar Tileuberdi of Kazakhstan. We recognised the progress made out since the last meeting in Delhi in December last year. The current situation calls for stronger Indo-Kazakh cooperation across all domains,” he mentioned.

    China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto have been amongst different members who attended the assembly.

    Meanwhile, the SCO is increasing its community and is about to signal pacts to incorporate Egypt, Qatar, Bahrain, Maldives band Saudi Arabia as dialogue companions. The course of has additionally began for granting Belarus as a full member. Azerbaijan, Armenia, Cambodia and Nepal are set to get observer standing.

    The Foreign Ministers assembly is the ultimate stage in preparation for the SCO Summit set for September 15-16 in Samarkand in southern Uzbekistan. This is prone to be attended by Prime Minister Modi, who will meet his counterparts from China, Pakistan, Iran and Russia.

  • Russia scraps higher age restrict for navy service

    Russia has handed a invoice abolishing the higher age restrict for navy service.

    A Russian soldier within the Kherson area of Ukraine (AP Photo)

    Russia has abolished the higher age restrict for navy service within the nation. A doc launched on the official web site stated President Vladimir Putin signed the legislation abolishing the higher age restrict.

    As per a report by CGTN, the brand new legislation eradicated the age restrict for each Russian residents and foreigners of working age.

    The Russian parliament handed a invoice on Wednesday to abolish the higher age restrict for individuals who want to serve within the military underneath a contract.

    Previously, Russian residents aged 18-40 and foreigners aged 18-30 have been entitled to conclude the primary contract for navy service.

    The information comes even because the Russia-Ukraine conflict entered its fourth month on Tuesday.

  • Actively helps Russia’s transfer to develop BRICS bloc, says China

    China, which is holding the rotating Presidency of BRICS bloc this 12 months, mentioned on Friday that it actively helps the growth of the five-member group, a day after Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov mentioned that Saudi Arabia and Argentina desired to hitch the grouping.

    Riyadh and Buenos Aires have proven curiosity in BRICS actions, Russia’s state-run Tass information company quoted Lavrov as saying in an interview on Thursday.

    “The interest in it (BRICS) is shown by our Saudi friends and Argentina, which stated the desire to become a full-fledged BRICS member, coming from the mouth of its (Argentina) Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero,” Lavrov mentioned.

    The subsequent BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) summit is being ready, Lavrov mentioned. “The outreach format will be established within its framework, where around a dozen developing economies will participate,” he added.

    Responding to Lavrov’s BRICS growth feedback, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin instructed a media briefing right here that “as the BRICS Chair this year, China actively supports the start of the BRICS expansion process and broadens ‘BRICS Plus’ cooperation”.

    ALSO READ | Japan says China, Russia jets flew close by as Quad met

    Wang mentioned the recently-held assembly of BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs reached consensus on the BRICS growth course of and held the first-ever ‘BRICS Plus’ international ministers’ assembly, “which fully shows that the BRICS cooperation is open and inclusive”.

    “China will work on BRICS-related parties to continue to have in-depth discussions on BRICS expansion and determine the standards and procedures for that on the basis of consensus.

    “We look forward to more like-minded partners joining the big family of BRICS,” he said.

    Foreign Ministers and top officials of Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Egypt, Nigeria, Senegal, the UAE and Thailand took part in the foreign ministers meeting of the five-member group held virtually on May 19 under Beijing’s ‘BRICS Plus’ initiative.

    External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar took part in the BRICS Foreign Ministers meeting convened by his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.

    China is making preparations to hold this year’s BRICS summit, dates for which are yet to be announced.

    ALSO READ | Moscow turned out to be very bad at cyber: Fareed Zakaria on Russia-Ukraine war

    BRICS’ New Development Bank (NDB) has already admitted Bangladesh, the UAE, Egypt and Uruguay as its members.

    Russian foreign minister Lavrov in his interview to TASS had also indicated that many countries of the Arab world are showing interest in establishing partner relations with the eight-member Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in which India and Pakistan are members besides China. The other members are Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

    “These are processes of increase significant and optimistic, non-antagonistic alliances, not aimed in opposition to anybody,” Lavrov mentioned.

    The joint assertion issued after the May 19 BRICS’ international ministers assembly mentioned, “The ministers recalled the BRICS efforts of extending its cooperation to other developing countries and emerging markets and supported further promoting the BRICS Outreach and BRICS Plus Cooperation, in line with the updated Terms of Reference adopted by the BRICS Sherpas in 2021through inclusive and equal-footed and flexible practices and initiatives.”

    “The ministers supported promoting discussions among BRICS members on the BRICS expansion process. They stressed the need to clarify the guiding principles, the standards, criteria and procedures for this expansion process,” in accordance with the joint assertion posted on the Chinese Foreign Ministry web site.

  • No one desires to see third World War: China on Lavrov’s warning of danger of nuclear battle ‘real’

    China on Tuesday performed down Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s warning of a “serious” chance of nuclear battle over the Ukraine conflict, saying nobody desires to see a third World War.

    “No one wants to see the outbreak of a 3rd World War,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin informed a media briefing right here reacting to Lavrov’s remarks of the true menace of a third World War breaking out following the Russia-Ukraine battle.

    “We hope that relevant parties can keep cool-headed and exercise restraint, prevent escalation of tension, realise peace as soon as possible and avoid inflicting a heavier price on Europe and the world,” Wang stated.

    Russian information company Tass quoted Lavrov as saying in a media interview that the inadmissibility of a nuclear conflict is the principled place of Moscow, nevertheless, the hazard of such a battle shouldn’t be underestimated.

    “This is our principled position, we are guided by this, and of course I would not want to see these risks artificially inflated now, when the risks are rather significant,” Lavrov stated.

    “The danger is serious, it is real, it should not be underestimated,” Lavrov stated.

    Outlining the place of China, which is an in depth ally of Russia, Wang stated “under the current circumstances, all parties should, first and foremost, support dialogue and negotiation to prevent the expansion and prolongation of conflicts”.

    But on the identical time, he laid the blame for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on the European Union (EU).

    “At the same time, we should reflect on why Europe has again got caught up in the geopolitical conflict more than 30 years after the end of the Cold War, on how to build a balanced, effective and sustainable European security architecture, and on how to strengthen the global security governance system,” he stated.

  • Ukraine battle rooted in want of US, West to rule world: Russian overseas minister | Exclusive

    In an unique interview with India Today, Russian overseas minister Sergey Lavrov mentioned the West’s want to rule the world was responsible for the scenario in Ukraine.

    Russian overseas minister Sergey Lavrov (Photo: Reuters)

    According to Russian overseas minister Sergey Lavrov, the present scenario in Ukraine is a direct results of the US and West’s want to rule and dominate the world.

    In an unique interview with India Today, he mentioned, “The current events are rooted in the US and West’s desire to rule the world. They wanted to show the world there would be no multipolarity, only unipolarity, and created a springboard [Ukraine] against us [Russia] at our borders. They pumped arms into Ukraine.”

    It is at all times horrible when army actions deliver injury to civilians: Sergey Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister.@Geeta_Mohan #RussiaUkraineWar #Russia #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/hDpJ8Utqpa

    — IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) April 19, 2022

    He added, “The real reason [for the war] is the complacency of most countries after World War II. They violated their promises to Russian leadership and started moving Nato eastward after the Soviet Union disappeared. They said it’s a defensive alliance and not a threat to Russian security.”

    On February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin introduced a ‘particular army operation’ in Ukraine. He mentioned the army motion sought to “demilitarise and denazify” Ukraine and got here in response to threats from Ukraine. Since then, a number of folks – together with civilians – have been killed in Ukraine and thousands and thousands of others have fled the nation.

    ‘NO CIVILIANS TARGETED’

    Responding to the allegations of battle crimes dedicated by the Russian military, Sergey Lavrov mentioned, “Our army has only been targeting military infrastructure and not civilians. The Ukrainian army has been using civilians as human shields.”

    He added, “The West is not paying attention to our facts. They are placing attention on false things like what they said about Bucha. They brought up Bucha three days after the Ukrainian mayor of Bucha proudly said the city was back under their control.”

    Several pictures of corpses mendacity within the streets of Bucha in Ukraine had emerged in worldwide media, triggering international outrage in opposition to Russia.

  • Britain imposes sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s daughters

    Britain has added two grownup daughters of Russian President Vladimir Putin to its sanctions record, following comparable strikes by the US and the European Union.

    The authorities stated Friday it’s imposing asset freezes and journey bans on Putin’s daughters Katerina Tikhonova and Maria Vorontsova, in addition to Yekaterina Vinokurova, daughter of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

    🗞️ Subscribe Now: Get Express Premium to entry the perfect Election reporting and evaluation 🗞️

    Britain says it has sanctioned greater than 1,200 Russian people and companies because the invasion of Ukraine on Feb 24, together with 76 oligarchs and 16 banks.

    It says Western nations have collectively frozen 275 billion kilos ($360 billion), amounting to 60% of Russian overseas forex reserves.

  • India, Russia spotlight want for preserving bilateral financial contacts ‘steady, predictable’

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: India and Russia on Friday emphasised the necessity for preserving bilateral financial, technological and people-to-people contacts “stable and predictable”, signalling an intent to hold on with their cooperation, however western sanctions on Moscow.

    External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his visiting Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov held wide-ranging talks, masking varied facets of the bilateral ties together with commerce and funding, a day after the US warned of penalties for international locations for any try and “circumvent” the American sanctions in opposition to Moscow.

    Following the talks, Lavrov referred to as on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

    Hours earlier than the Russian overseas minister landed in India, US Deputy National Security Adviser Daleep Singh cautioned that there shall be penalties for international locations actively making an attempt to “circumvent or backfill” the American sanctions in opposition to Moscow.

    Referring to the disaster in Ukraine, Jaishankar, within the talks, emphasised the significance of cessation of violence and ending hostilities, and famous that variations and disputes needs to be resolved via dialogue and diplomacy.

    “The ministers assessed the overall state of cooperation. They considered the implications of recent developments on trade and economic relations,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) mentioned in an announcement.

    It mentioned Jaishankar underlined that as a creating financial system, world volatility in numerous domains is of explicit concern to India.

    “It is important for both countries that their economic, technological and people to people contacts remain stable and predictable,” it mentioned in an announcement.

    The MEA mentioned the 2 sides mentioned developments pertaining to Ukraine and Lavrov briefed the Indian aspect on the Russian perspective of the state of affairs, together with the continuing peace talks.

    “The exterior affairs minister emphasised the significance of cessation of violence and ending hostilities.

    Differences and disputes needs to be resolved via dialogue and diplomacy and by respect for worldwide regulation, UN Charter, sovereignty and territorial integrity of states,” it added.

    The high-level talks occurred within the backdrop of indications that India may purchase better volumes of discounted Russian oil and either side have been eager on having a ruble-rupee association for bilateral commerce.

    The two sides additionally mentioned the state of affairs in Afghanistan and Lavrov conveyed his evaluation of a current convention on the war-torn nation in China.

    “Concluded talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Discussed bilateral cooperation and developments in Ukraine, Afghanistan, Iran, Indo-Pacific, ASEAN and the Indian sub-continent,” Jaishankar mentioned in a tweet.

    In his opening remarks on the talks, the exterior affairs minister mentioned preserving common contact between the 2 sides is one thing “that is in our mutual interest”.

    “Our meeting today takes place in a difficult international environment quite apart from the pandemic. India, as you are aware, has always been in favour of resolving differences and disputes through dialogue and diplomacy,” he mentioned.

    On his half, Lavrov mentioned the ties between India and Russia have been “very sustainable” throughout many “difficult times” previously and that he didn’t have the slightest of doubts about continued cooperation.

    He mentioned strengthening of ties with India has been a key precedence of the Russian overseas coverage.

    “We are interested in having a balanced world order, which makes it sustainable,” Lavrov mentioned.

    “These days, our western colleagues would like to reduce any meaningful international issue to the crisis in Ukraine. We do not fight anything and we appreciate that India is taking this situation in the entirety of effect and not just in a one-sided way,” he added.

    In the talks, Jaishankar famous that the UN Security Council Resolution 2593 expressed the issues of the worldwide group and spoke of humanitarian assist for the Afghan folks.

    The UNSC decision, adopted on August 30, 2021 beneath India’s presidency of the worldwide physique, talked in regards to the want for upholding human rights in Afghanistan, demanded that Afghan territory shouldn’t be used for terrorism and {that a} negotiated political settlement to the disaster needs to be came upon.

    “Iran and JCPoA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) difficulty additionally featured within the talks.

    The exterior affairs minister welcomed the Russian briefing on the matter,” the MEA mentioned.

    The JCPoA is a pact finalised in 2015 between Iran and several other world powers, together with the European Union (EU).

    It was geared toward curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

    The US had withdrawn from the deal in May 2018.

    There have been recent efforts now to revive the deal.

    Modi on Friday referred to as for early cessation of violence in Ukraine and expressed India’s readiness to contribute to the peace efforts to resolve the battle, throughout a gathering with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

    According to an announcement by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the visiting Russian Foreign briefed Modi on the state of affairs in Ukraine, together with Moscow’s ongoing peace negotiations with Kyiv.

    Lavrov referred to as on the Prime Minister after holding wide-ranging talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

    “Foreign Minister Lavrov briefed the Prime Minister on the situation in Ukraine, including the ongoing peace negotiations,” the assertion mentioned.

    “The Prime Minister reiterated his call for an early cessation of violence, and conveyed India’s readiness to contribute in any way to the peace efforts,” it mentioned.

    It mentioned the Russian Foreign Minister additionally up to date Modi on the progress of choices taken through the India-Russia bilateral summit held in December final 12 months.

    On Thursday night, Lavrov arrived in New Delhi after concluding a two-day go to to China.

    Unlike many different main powers, India has not but criticised Russia for its invasion of Ukraine and it abstained from the votes on the UN platforms in condemning the Russian aggression.

    However, final Thursday, India abstained on a decision pushed by Russia on the humanitarian disaster in Ukraine, which was seen as reflective of its impartial place on the battle.

    India has been urgent for the decision of the disaster via diplomacy and dialogue.

    Modi has held cellphone conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 24, March 2 and March 7.

    Modi had additionally spoken to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy twice.

    Last week, Jaishankar mentioned in Parliament that India’s place on the Ukraine battle has been “steadfast and consistent” and that it has been searching for fast cessation of violence.

  • Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov arrives in India, to satisfy PM Modi, Jaishankar on Friday

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in India on Thursday on a two-day official go to, his first journey to the nation since Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine final month.

    Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated Lavrov will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Foreign Minister S Jaishankar on Friday.

    A media advisory on Lavrov’s go to issued by the Ministry of External Affairs has not talked about any assembly between the Russian overseas minister and the prime minister.

    People accustomed to the preparations for the talks stated India can also be more likely to press for guaranteeing well timed supply of varied navy {hardware} in addition to parts of the S-400 missile techniques by Russia.

    The Russian overseas minister arrived in India after concluding a two-day go to of China.

    His go to to India coincides with that of US Deputy National Security Adviser Daleep Singh and British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss.

    Last week, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited India.

    EU Special Envoy for the Indo-Pacific Gabriele Visentin visited New Delhi this week.

    Unlike many different main powers, India has not but criticised Russia for its invasion of Ukraine and it abstained from the votes on the UN platforms in condemning the Russian aggression.

    However, final Thursday, India abstained on a decision pushed by Russia on the humanitarian disaster in Ukraine, which was seen as reflective of its impartial place on the battle.

    India has been urgent for the decision of the disaster by means of diplomacy and dialogue.

    Modi has held cellphone conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 24, March 2 and March 7.

    Modi had spoken to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy twice.

    Last week, Jaishankar stated in Parliament that India’s place on the Ukraine battle has been “steadfast and consistent” and that it has been in search of fast cessation of violence.