diplomacy
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At an annual conference today, Moscow-based journalist and Sky News correspondent Ivor Bennett asked the Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, about how Donald Trump will affect potential peace negotiations. Lavrov says the Kremlin will study any peace initiative for Ukraine put forward by Washington once the president-elect takes office next Monday. The Russian diplomat also…
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President Bola Tinubu on Thursday urged the government of the People’s Republic of China to increase the $2 billion currency swap between Nigeria and China to enhance trade between the two countries. He also called for an upward review of the $50 billion aid package for Africa, which China’s President Xi Jinping announced last year.…
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Australia said on Friday (Dec 20) it has agreed to boost Solomon Islands’ police force with a finance and training package for the Pacific nation, which has fostered close ties with China. The deal includes A$190 million (US$118 million) in financing over four years and will see the construction of a new police training centre…
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As we reported earlier, Andrii Sybiha, a former ambassador to Turkey, is Ukraine’s new chief diplomat. This morning, Mr Sybiha said he had held a meeting with his Polish counterpart Radek Sikorski and “looked forward” to welcoming Mr Sikorski to Kyiv soon. He also said he updated Mr Sikorski on the frontline situation, and “noted…
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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, responding to a question about the potential delivery of long-range U.S. missiles to Ukraine, warned the United States on Wednesday not to joke about Russia’s “red lines”. Lavrov said the U.S. was losing sight of the sense of mutual deterrence that had underpinned the balance of security between Moscow and…
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White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan will meet with top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi in China next week to discuss issues ranging from Taiwan to US-China military talks and the US fentanyl crisis, a senior US administration official said on Friday (Aug 23). In the Aug 27 to 29 talks in Beijing the two will…
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Mali’s transitional government on Sunday announced it would sever diplomatic relations with Ukraine “with immediate effect,” citing Ukraine’s acknowledged involvement in an act of aggression against Mali, said Abdoulaye Maiga, the Malian Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralization, in a statement. This decision was taken in response to “subversive remarks” made by Andriy Yusov, spokesperson…
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Norway has officially closed its embassy in Uganda, marking the end of 19 years of diplomatic presence in the east African country. The embassy posted on its official handle on X, formerly Twitter, Friday, saying that the country’s flag had been formerly lowered. “It is with mixed emotions as we lower the Norwegian flag for…
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Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that the development of Russia-China relations, based on profound common interests, is conducive to world stability. The development of Russia-China relations is not a short-term behavior, but is based on profound common interests, and the bilateral relations rely on prudent decision-making and accumulated joint efforts, Putin said when…
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Britain’s ambassador to Mexico was removed from his post after allegedly pointing an assault rifle inside a vehicle carrying embassy staff, reports said on Friday (May 31). The UK government said it had taken “appropriate action” after the incident, without confirming that Jon Benjamin had been sacked. Benjamin was on a work trip to a…
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Argentina on Wednesday described as “absurd” Spain’s decision to withdraw its ambassador to the South American country over statements Argentine President Javier Milei made Sunday in the Spanish capital Madrid. “Despite the Spanish government having been involved in our internal politics, it would never have occurred to us to withdraw our ambassador, because relations between…
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Discussions about a possible prisoner exchange involving the Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich should be completed “in silence”, the Kremlin has said. The journalist, a US citizen, was arrested in Russia in late March 2023 on suspicion of espionage. The 32-year-old was on a reporting trip at the time. Both Gershkovich and his employer…
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Rising Iranian and Pakistani tensions appear to have eased after Tehran’s top diplomat visited Islamabad today. Tit-for-tat airstrikes threatened to escalate tensions in the Middle East, leading Iran to send Hossein Amirabdollahian for “in-depth” talks with his counterpart Jalil Abbas Jilani in the Pakistani capital this morning (see 8.16am post). After the meeting, the pair…
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In a surprising turn on January 16, Iran launched missile strikes into Pakistan’s Baluchistan province, claiming it had hit two strongholds of anti-Iran insurgent group Jaish al-Adl (Army of Justice). Iran announced the attack in Pakistan concurrent to its strikes in Iraq and Syria. Less than two days later, Pakistan hit back with not only missiles but also fighter jets in…
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Buoyed by the successful launch of a reconnaissance satellite and at least five intercontinental missiles, North Korea has described the outgoing year as one of “great turn and great change.” In a report to the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea, which began a key meeting on Tuesday, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said 2023 was…
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Azerbaijan on Tuesday declared two French diplomats persona non grata for activities incompatible with their diplomatic status. The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it summoned French ambassador Ann Buayon to protest the behavior of the employees of the French mission. Buyanon was informed that the expelled diplomats have to leave Azerbaijan within 48…
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