Failing to end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours, as he had promised, Donald Trump said Thursday, January 23, being ready to an immediate meeting with Vladimir Putin. “I think, from what I hear, that Putin wants to meet me, we will meet as soon as possible,” he said to journalists in the oval office. “Every day we do not meet, soldiers are killed on the battlefield,” he said, judging that it was “a ridiculous war”. Since its re -election, Russia, Ukraine and their allies have been waiting to see what position will adopt the unpredictable American leader, in particular on crucial military aid for Ukraine, especially since he boasts of having a good Relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ukraine fears to be pushed to the negotiating table in an unfavorable position, because it is struggling on the front, and of being forced to sell its territories occupied by Russia.
Info to remember
⇒ Kremlin calls for nuclear disarmament negotiations “as soon as possible”
⇒ Ukraine claims a drone attack on a refinery in Russia
⇒ Hungary sets conditions for the maintenance of EU sanctions
The Kremlin calls Washington to initiate nuclear disarmament negotiations “as soon as possible”
The Kremlin called on the United States to initiate nuclear disarmament negotiations “as soon as possible”, a few days after Donald Trump’s return to the White House. “We have an interest in launching the negotiation process as quickly as possible,” the spokesman for the Kremlin Dmitri Peskov told the press, believing that “the ball is in the camp of the Americans who suspended all substantial contacts” on this Subject with Moscow. “It is in the interest of the whole world,” he added. According to Dmitri Peskov, “one cannot” however carry out negotiations “without taking into account the nuclear potentials of France or the United Kingdom”. “Current realities dictate this necessity, which is why we have enough to speak and we must do it,” insisted the spokesperson for the Russian presidency, deploring that “time has been lost”.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is “ready” to speak to Donald Trump but awaits “signals” from Washington, the Kremlin also said, also retorting the latter that a drop in oil prices would have no impact on conflict in Ukraine. “Putin is ready. We expect signals,” spokesman for the Russian presidency Dmitri Peskov told journalists. He added that the conflict in Ukraine “does not depend on the prices of oil”, answering the remarks made Thursday by the American president according to which the fighting would cease “immediately” if these prices dropped.
Ukraine claims a drone attack on a refinery in Russia
The Ukrainian army claimed on Friday a nocturnal drone strike on a refinery in the Russian Riazan region south of Moscow, as well as a microcomponent factory used for the production of weapons in that of Britansk southwest of the Russian capital. “The Ukrainian defense forces have struck important targets of the occupants in the Russian regions of Riazan and Britak,” the Ukrainian staff said in a statement.
Earlier this morning, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed to have killed 120 Ukrainian drones overnight over 12 of its regions, including Moscow, one of the most important attacks of this type against its territory since the beginning of the conflict.
Hungary sets conditions for the maintenance of EU sanctions
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban maintained his threat on Friday to block the renewal of European sanctions against Russia but could lift his veto if Brussels convinces kyiv to restore the Russian gas transit to Central Europe. Europeans “should not try to convince us not to end the sanctions, but convince the Ukrainians to ensure that the sanctions are maintained,” he told a radio close to power. “We ask them to tell the Ukrainians to restore gas delivery,” he added.
Last week, the head of the European Union (EU) Kaja Kallas called not to “give up” the sanctions. And on Wednesday, American president Donald Trump, of which Viktor Orban is one of the closest allies within the EU, threatened Russia himself with taxes, customs duties and sanctions for lack of rapid agreement on conflict in Ukraine. The EU has imposed fifteen Salves of sanctions since the Russian invasion on February 24, 2022. The next decision on their renewal must be taken unanimously by the 27 EU member states by January 31. A meeting of European foreign ministers is scheduled for Monday.