News Analysis India

Tag: vladimir putin

  • Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in North Korea for his first visit in 24 years |

    WASHINGTON: Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in North Korea on Wednesday morning (local time) on his first official visit to the East Asian nation in 24 years and is expected to meet with his counterpart Kim Jong Un, CNN reported. This is a rare overseas trip for Putin since he launched the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and a key moment for Kim, who has not hosted another world leader in his politically isolated country since the COVID-19 pandemic.

    This visit comes after North Korea’s supreme leader Kim Jong Un extended an invitation to Putin in September 2023. Putin last visited Pyongyang in July 2000 and this trip is a sign of the two countries’ deepening alignment and Moscow’s need to source weapons from Pyongyang to sustain its war on Ukraine, reported CNN.

    Putin’s aide Yuri Ushakov also commented on his trip to North Korea during a press conference Monday and stated that his trip will have an eventful agenda. Both leaders plan to sign a new strategic partnership. Ushakov insisted the agreement is not provocative or aimed against other countries, but is meant to ensure greater stability in northeast Asia. He said the new agreement will replace documents signed between Moscow and Pyongyang in 1961, 2000 and 2001.

    Putin arrives in North Korea on first state visit for over 20 years. Both of them thinking “finally someone as short as me” when they saw each other. They’re a perfect 69.

    Getting desperate isn’t he. It’s like asking your neighbour for a cup of sugar. But it’s the neighbour who… pic.twitter.com/FClY7Oe5M6 — Imtiaz Mahmood (@ImtiazMadmood) June 18, 2024

    The streets of Pyongyang were decorated with Russian flags and posters of Vladimir Putin ahead of his early Wednesday morning arrival, his first visit to North Korea since 2000. Putin’s visit will be closely watched across the world and is expected to cement further the burgeoning partnership between the two powers that is founded on their shared animosity toward the West and driven by Moscow’s need for munitions for its war in Ukraine.

    Following his visit to North Korea, Putin is scheduled to travel to Hanoi in a display of Communist-governed Vietnam’s ties to Russia that is likely to rankle the United States. Regarding Putin’s visit US national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters on Monday the Biden administration wasn’t “concerned about the trip” itself, but added, “What we are concerned about is the deepening relationship between these two countries.”

    The US, South Korea and other countries have accused North Korea of ​​providing substantial military aid to Russia’s war effort in recent months, while observers have raised concerns that Moscow may be violating international sanctions to aid Pyongyang’s development of its nascent military satellite program. Both countries have denied arms transfer.

    Putin’s trip reciprocates one Kim made last September, when the North Korean leader travelled in his armoured train to Russia’s far eastern region, for a visit that included stops at a factory that produces fighter jets and a rocket-launch facility.

  • Who Are Nikolai Patrushev, Anton Vaino And Aleksey Dyumin, Russian Officials With New Responsibilities in President Vladimir Putin’s Government? , world news

    Amid the Russia-Ukraine crisis, President Vladimir Putin is reshuffling people in his official circle. While Putin replaced his army chief days ago, he has now demoted one of the key aides while promoting two younger officials. President Vladimir Putin demoted Nikolai Patrushev to a job overseeing the shipbuilding industry, he elevated two younger lieutenants to senior Kremlin posts.

    Who Is Nikolai Patrushev?

    Nikolai Patrushev is a Cold War warrior who crafted the Kremlin’s national security strategy for a long time and was considered close to President Putin. According to Reuters, Patrushev also served in KGB – the Russian spy agency. Patrushev was moved from the heart of the modern-day politburo to oversee shipbuilding after serving as secretary of the Security Council for 16 years.

    Who Is Alexey Dyumin?

    President Vladimir Putin promoted Aleksey Dyumin to oversee a key Kremlin job. Dyumin was one of the bodyguards of Putin. Dyumin has been brought into the Kremlin after serving as a regional governor of Russia’s Tula region. As per the promotion, he would now oversee the defense industry, the State Council advisory body and sport.

    According to Reuters, Dyumin entered Russia’s Federal Guards Service (FSO), which ensures the security of the Kremlin elite, in 1995 and guarded Putin during his first and second terms. He has also worked as deputy head of the GRU (Russian military intelligence). As per experts of the Russian political circle and Kremlin insiders, many believe Putin sees Dyumin as his successor.

    Other Reshuffles

    Vladimir Putin retained Anton Vaino, 52, as chief of staff and Alexei Gromov, 63, and Sergei Kiriyenko, 61, as first deputy chiefs of staff and elevated Maxim Oreshkin, 41, to deputy chief of staff. Patrushev’s 46-year-old son, Dmitry, was, however, promoted to the job of deputy prime minister in charge of agriculture. Oreshkin, born only nine years before the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, was promoted from Kremlin economic aide to the job of deputy chief of staff.

    In the government, Denis Manturov, 55, was given the role of first deputy prime minister and will run industry while Alexander Novak, 52, will remain as deputy prime minister overseeing energy but will get additional duties for running the economy.

  • Russia-Ukraine War: Putin Reshuffles Defense Ministry Amid Gains In Kyiv | world news

    Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday night replaced the current defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, with Andrey Belousov amid Moscow achieving advancements against Kyiv at the warfront, CNN reported.

    Following his dismissal from the position of defense minister, Shoigu has been made secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation and will act as Putin’s deputy in the Military-Industrial Commission of the Russian Federation.

    As per ANI’s report, “Sergei Shoigu was relieved of his post as Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation by presidential decree and was also appointed by decree of the President of the Russian Federation as Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.

    The spokesperson further added that the decision to appoint Belousov is linked to the necessity of incorporating the economy of the security sector into the nation’s economy. Peskov said that the budget of the Russian military department has almost reached the level of the 1980s. He emphasized that although this is not critical, it is significant.

    Belousov, assuming his role at a critical moment, has a diverse professional background, which includes being Russia’s former first deputy Prime Minister. The 65-year-old has also served as an aide to President Vladimir Putin on economic matters, as the Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, as the Director of the Department of Economics and Finance of the Russian Government, as the General Director of the Center for Macroeconomic Analysis and Short-Term Forecasting, and he also worked at the Russian Academy from 1981 to 2006 (until 1991, it was the USSR Academy of Sciences), as reported by ANI citing TASS.

    As per the report, the position of the rest of the heads of security ministers and services remains unchanged.

    The Russia-Ukraine War started in 2022 on February 24 and has entered its third year.

  • Russia’s Putin Blames ‘Radical Islamists’ For Moscow Terror Attack, Questions Ukraine’s Role | world news

    New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday held radical Islamists responsible for deadly terrorist attack in the Crocus City Hall in Moscow’s outskirts, leaving several unresolved issues. “We know that the crime was committed by the hands of radical Islamists, whose ideology the Islamic world itself has been fighting for centuries,” Putin said during a Monday briefing on the post-attack measures.

    Putin said it is already known who carried out the terrorist attack, but now “we are interested in who ordered the crime”, as reported by Xinhua news agency. Putin criticized the US for its attempts to persuade the global community of the absence of any connection to Kiev in the tragic event.

    Putin pointed out that there are still unanswered questions. He emphasized the need to determine whether radical Islamic groups, including those with terrorist links, have a vested interest in targeting Russia, a nation advocating for equitable resolutions to the intensifying Middle East crisis.

    He also highlighted the necessity to understand the rationale behind the terrorists’ attempt to flee to Ukraine post-attack in Crocus, and who might have been expecting them there. Putin described the incident as a scare tactic and posed the question of who stands to gain from such acts.

    Putin insisted that the probe into the attack must be conducted with utmost professionalism, impartiality, and devoid of political slant, despite the widespread clamor for retribution against the culprits.

    In a sharp retort, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy mocked Putin’s assertions in his evening address, labeling the Russian president as the sole non-terrorist in his view, despite Putin’s long history of fostering terror over the past two decades.

    Zelenskiy’s remarks alluded to claims that Putin has orchestrated numerous violent incidents within Russia since his rise to power in 2000.

    Zelenskiy predicted that the end of Putin’s reign would also mark the cessation of the need for terror and violence. Ukraine has refuted any involvement in the recent shooting, with Zelenskiy accusing Putin of deflecting culpability.

    The US has expressed its belief in the Islamic State’s involvement. American authorities have disclosed that they had forewarned Russia of potential imminent threats earlier this month, with intelligence suggesting that the Afghan-based Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K) was the likely perpetrator.

  • In Conversation With Ukrainian President Zelensky, Russian President Putin, PM Modi Emphasises On Dialogue For Conflict Resolution

    PM Modi reiterated India’s people-centric approach and called for dialogue and diplomacy for the resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. 

  • Putin Mentions 'World War 3' After Claiming Landslide Election Win Without Facing Serious Competition | world news

    New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday issued a caution to Western nations, stating that any direct engagement between Russia and the NATO forces led by the US could precipitate the globe to the brink of a third world war, a situation he believes is undesirable. tomost. The conflict in Ukraine has escalated tensions between Moscow and Western countries to levels not seen since the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. Despite frequently highlighting the dangers of nuclear conflict, Putin asserts that the use of nuclear arms in Ukraine has never been a necessity for him. .

    In a historic victory, President Vladimir Putin secured an unprecedented win in Russia's recent election, reinforcing his strong hold on power. This triumph, he stated, validates Moscow's stance against the West and its decision to deploy forces to Ukraine.

    Putin, who ascended to power in 1999 after a career as a KGB lieutenant colonel, emphasized that the election outcome is a clear signal to Western leaders that they must engage with a more assertive Russia for the foreseeable future.

    At 71, Putin is poised to begin a new six-year term, which could make him the longest-serving Russian leader in over two centuries, surpassing Josef Stalin.

    With an 87.8% vote share according to the Public Opinion Foundation (FOM) and 87% according to the Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM), Putin achieved the highest post-Soviet electoral result. Initial official results seem to confirm these figures. However, several countries including the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom have questioned the election's integrity, citing political detentions and media restrictions.

    The Communist contender Nikolai Kharitonov came in second with nearly 4%, followed by the newcomer Vladislav Davankov, and the ultra-nationalist Leonid Slutsky, as indicated by preliminary results.

    In his victory address in Moscow, Putin pledged to focus on the challenges linked to Russia's ongoing military actions in Ukraine and to bolster the Russian armed forces. Putin declared to his audience that unity is Russia's strength, and that no adversary has ever, or will ever, succeed in intimidating or subduing them.

    The crowd erupted into chants of “Putin” and “Russia” as he took the stage and concluded his speech.

    Despite the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in an Arctic prison, which sparked protests against Putin across Russia and internationally, Putin dismissed the impact of these demonstrations on the election results, calling Russia's electoral process democratic.

    Addressing Navalny's death for the first time, Putin expressed sorrow and revealed that he had been open to a prisoner exchange involving Navalny shortly before his passing.

  • Russia’s Vladimir Putin Warns Of Nuclear War If NATO Troops Are Sent To Ukraine | world news

    New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin warned NATO nations on Thursday (February 29) that they could trigger a nuclear war if they deployed troops to Ukraine, saying that Russia needed to fortify its western military district in response to Finland and Sweden joining the Atlantic alliance. . The United States and major European allies this week ruled out sending ground forces to Ukraine, following France’s suggestion of the option. Putin delivered the caution during his annual speech to Russia’s lawmakers and other members of the country’s establishment.

    The war in Ukraine has caused the worst crisis in Moscow’s ties with the West since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. Putin has already warned of the perils of a direct clash between NATO and Russia, but his nuclear caution on Thursday was one of his most blunt. Speaking to lawmakers and other members of the country’s elite, Putin, 71, reiterated his claim that the West was intent on weakening Russia, and he implied that Western leaders did not grasp how risky their intervention could be in what he portrayed as Russia’s own domestic affairs.

    He preceded his nuclear caution with a specific reference to an idea, proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday, of European NATO members sending ground troops to Ukraine – a suggestion that was swiftly dismissed by the United States, Germany, Britain and others.

    “(Western nations) must understand that we also have weapons that can strike targets on their territory. All this really risks a conflict with the use of nuclear weapons and the annihilation of civilization. Don’t they understand that?!” said Putin.

    Ahead of a March 15-17 presidential election when he is sure to be re-elected for another six-year term, he praised what he said was Russia’s greatly modernized nuclear arsenal, the largest in the world.

    “Strategic nuclear forces are in a state of full readiness,” he said, noting that new-generation hypersonic nuclear weapons he first mentioned in 2018 had either been deployed or were at a stage where development and testing were being finished.

    Visibly furious, Putin suggested Western politicians remember the fate of those like Nazi Germany’s Adolf Hitler and France’s Napoleon Bonaparte who had unsuccessfully invaded Russia in the past.

    “But now the consequences will be far more dire,” said Putin. “They think it (war) is a cartoon,” he said, accusing Western politicians of forgetting what real war meant because they had not faced the same security challenges as Russians had in the last three decades.

    Russian forces now had the upper hand on the battlefield in Ukraine and were advancing in several places, Putin said. Russia must also increase the troops it has deployed along its western borders with the European Union after Finland and Sweden decided to join the NATO military alliance, he added.

    The veteran Kremlin leader rejected Western suggestions that Russian forces might go beyond Ukraine and attack European countries as “nonsense”. He also said Moscow would not repeat the mistake of the Soviet Union and allow the West to “drag” it into an arms race that would consume too much of its budget.

    “Therefore, our task is to develop the defence-industrial complex in such a way as to enhance the scientific, technological and industrial potential of the country,” he said.

    Putin said Moscow was open to discussions on nuclear strategic stability with the United States but implied that Washington had no genuine interest in such talks and was more focused on making false claims about Moscow’s alleged aims.

    “Recently there have been more and more unfounded accusations against Russia, for example that we are allegedly going to deploy nuclear weapons in space. Such innuendo… is a ploy to draw us into negotiations on their terms, which are favorable only to the United States,” he said.

    “…On the eve of the US presidential election, they simply want to show their citizens and everyone else that they still rule the world.”

  • US President Joe Biden Says Vladimir Putin Responsible For Navalny’s Death world news

    WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden said that he is “outraged” by the reported death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. He blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for Navalny’s death. In his remarks on Navalny’s death, Biden said, “Reports of his death if they’re true and I have no reasons to believe that they’re not – Russian authorities are going to tell their own story but make no mistake Putin is responsible for Navalny’s death. Putin is responsible. What has happened to Navalny is yet more proof of Putin’s brutality no one should be fooled not in Russia not at home not anywhere in the world.

    Outspoken Kremlin critic Alexey Navalny, Putin’s most formidable domestic opponent, fell unconscious and died on Friday, according to state media reports. “Putin does not only target citizens of other countries as we’ve seen what’s going on Ukraine right now he also inflicts terrible crimes on his people and as people across Russia and around the world are mourning Navalny today because he was so many things that Putin Wasn’t,” he added. He said Navalny “bravely stood up to the corruption the violence and all the bad things that the Putin government was doing.”

    Biden stated that Navalny could have lived safely in exile. However, he returned to Russia knowing that he would likely be imprisoned or even killed if he continued to work. Putin praised Navalny for being the powerful voice for the truth even in prison. Biden said that like millions of people around the world, “I’m literally both not surprised and outraged by the reported death of Alexei Navalny. He bravely stood up to the corruption the violence and all the bad things that the Putin government was doing. In response, Putin had him poisoned, he had him arrested. He had him prosecuted for fabricated crimes. He sentenced him to prison he was held in isolation. Even all that didn’t stop him from calling out Putin’s lies.”

    The US President said that Navalny was a powerful voice for the truth even in prison and did not fear returning to Russia. “Even in prison, he was a powerful voice for the truth which is kind of amazing when you think about it and he could have lived safely in exile after the assassination attempt on him in 2020which nearly killed him I might add and but he was traveling outside the country at the time. Instead, he returned to Russia knowing he’d likely be imprisoned or even killed if he continued his work but he did it anyway because he believed so deeply in his country, in Russia,” he added.

    Calling him “brave, principled and dedicated to building a Russia where the rule of law existed and where it applied to everybody,” Biden said Navalny believed in Russia, a cause worth fighting for. In his remarks, he offered condolences to Navalny’s family. Biden called for providing funding for Ukraine so that it can defend itself “against Putin’s vicious onslaughts and war crimes.” He stressed the need to reject the statements made by former US President Donald Trump that he said invited Russia to invade NATO allies if they were not paying.

    He said, “Now as I’ve said before and I mean this in a literal sense history is watching the House of Representatives the failure to support Ukraine at this critical moment will never be forgotten it’s going to go down on the pages of history. ” “It is, it’s consequential and the clock is ticking and this has to happen. We have to help now you know we have to realize what we’re dealing with with Putin all of us should reject the dangerous statements made by the previous president that invited Russia to invade our NATO allies if they weren’t paying,” Biden added.

    Asked whether Navalny was assassinated, Biden said, “We don’t know exactly what happened, but there’s no doubt that the death of Navalny was the consequence of something that Putin and his thugs did.” Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has died in prison, Al Jazeera reported on Friday, citing state media. The death of the jailed Russian opposition leader, 47, has been reported by state media which further cited the prison service of the Yamalo-Nenets region where he had been serving his sentence.

    Al Jazeera cited a statement put out by state media quoting the prison service of the Yamalo-Nenets region which said that Navalny “felt bad” after a walk and lost consciousness “almost immediately.”

  • Russian Opposition Leader And Vladimir Putin Critic Alexei Navalny Dies In Prison | world news

    MOSCOW: In a shocking political development, Russian Opposition leader Alexei Navalny, a known critic of President Vladimir Putin, has tragically passed away while in prison. The announcement, made by the country’s prison service on Friday, has sent shockwaves across the nation and the international community, raising serious questions about political motivations and accountability. Navalny, a prominent figure known for his relentless criticism of President Vladimir Putin, was serving a lengthy sentence under harsh conditions when news of his death broke. His imprisonment has long been viewed as politically motivated, with many attributing it to Putin’s desire to silence dissent and quash opposition voices.

    Details surrounding Navalny’s death remain murky, with the Kremlin stating it has no information on the cause. This lack of transparency only adds to the suspicion surrounding the circumstances of his passing, fueling speculation of foul play and potential state involvement.

    Throughout his career, Navalny emerged as a vocal advocate for democracy and transparency in Russia. His fearless activism and relentless pursuit of justice garnered widespread support both domestically and internationally, making him a symbol of resistance against authoritarianism.

    Navalny’s demise comes amid a backdrop of ongoing persecution by the Russian government. His previous brushes with death, including a near-fatal poisoning in 2020, underscore the grave risks faced by those who dare to challenge the status quo in Putin’s Russia.

    Despite facing constant threats and intimidation, Navalny remained steadfast in his commitment to exposing corruption and holding those in power accountable. His legacy as a fearless dissident and champion of democracy will endure, inspiring future generations to continue the fight for a free and just society.

    Meanwhile, President Putin’s grip on power shows no signs of loosening. With aspirations for a fifth term in office, he has cemented his status as one of Russia’s longest-serving leaders, wielding unprecedented control over the country’s political landscape.

    As the world mourns the loss of Alexei Navalny, calls for a thorough and impartial investigation into his death grow louder. The international community must demand accountability and justice for this tragic loss, ensuring that those responsible are held accountable for their actions.

  • India-Russia Trade Surpasses USD 50 Bn: Jaishankar Highlights Progress, Key Sector Cooperation | India News

    New Delhi: During a meeting with President Vladimir Putin, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlighted the substantial advancement in bilateral trade between India and Russia, exceeding USD 50 billion. Jaishankar underlined the potential for continued growth and stressed the importance of fostering a more sustainable character in the trade relationship.

    “I would like to highlight the progress we have and trade, which is in excess of a turnover of USD 50 million, and we believe that this is something whose potential is now only beginning to be visible. It is important that we give it a more sustainable character, and we discussed how we should do that,” said Jaishankar.

    Covering pivotal areas of collaboration, the External Affairs Minister (EAM) delved into discussions on the nuclear sector, emphasizing the signing of vital agreements linked to the Kudankulam project. He disclosed the completion of a significant accord pertaining to nuclear fuel supply, signaling progress in India-Russia cooperation within the nuclear domain.

    Honored to call on President Vladimir Putin this evening. Conveyed the warm greetings of PM @narendramodi and handed over a personal message.

    Appraised President Putin of my discussions with Ministers Manturov and Lavrov. Appreciated his guidance on the further developments of… pic.twitter.com/iuC944fYHq — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) December 27, 2023

    “The second aspect pertains to the nuclear side and we signed agreements yesterday that would take the Kudakulam project forward. And also, we have finalized a very significant agreement on nuclear fuel supply,” he added.

    During the meeting, Jaishankar conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s personal greetings to President Putin. He mentioned that PM Modi had sent a letter expressing thoughts on the state of cooperation and recent progress.

    “Please allow me to convey the personal greetings of Prime Minister Modi and he has also, through me, sent a letter to you, a letter expressing his thoughts about, the state of our cooperation and the progress that we have made in recent days. And I will have the honor to give you the letter,” said Jaishankar.

    “Certainly, he (PM Modi) looks forward to visiting Russia next year. And I’m sure that we will find a date that is mutually convenient from the political calendars of both countries,” the EAM said, responding to President Putin’s invitation to PM Modi.

    Jaishankar took the opportunity to update President Putin on the progress made over the last two days, including discussions with Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

    A wide ranging and useful meeting with FM Sergey Lavrov of Russia.

    As strategic partners, discussed the international situation and contemporary issues. Exchanged views on Indo-Pacific, the Ukraine conflict, the Gaza situation, Afghanistan and Central Asia, BRICS, SCO, G20 and… pic.twitter.com/Uk9VTbZm5y — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) December 27, 2023

    “I would also, extensively, like to take the opportunity to share with you aspects of the progress that we have made and in the last 2 days, I had a chance to discuss it with Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov and today with Lavrov,” the EAM said.

    Following his meeting with the Russian President, Jaishankar took to his social media handle on X and said that he appreciated Putin’s guidance on the further developments of India-Russia ties.

    “Honored to call on President Vladimir Putin this evening. Conveyed the warm greetings of PM Narendra Modi and handed over a personal message. Appraised President Putin of my discussions with Ministers Manturov and Lavrov. Appreciated his guidance on the further developments of our ties,” the EAM posted on