The Kremlin denounced Thursday a lack of “willingness to listen to Russia” after the visit to the United States of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, while Vladimir Putin said he wanted the conflict to end “as soon” as possible. In addition, Russia threatened on Friday to cut its oil production.
- No “significant” will to end the war in Ukraine, according to Blinken
The Kremlin has shown no “significant” desire to end the war in Ukraine, the head of American diplomacy Antony Blinken said on Thursday, shortly after statements by Vladimir Putin who assured that he wanted the conflict to end “on as soon as possible”.
“Basically today, Russia has shown no interest (in engaging) in meaningful diplomacy” to end the war, the secretary of state said at a press conference, the day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to Washington.
- Russia will find an ‘antidote’ to US Patriot missiles, Putin says
President Vladimir Putin assured Thursday that the Russian army would find an “antidote” to bypass the Patriot air defense system that the United States will provide to Ukraine in the grip of bombing. “As for the Patriot, it’s a pretty old system. It doesn’t work like our S-300 (system). But our opponents assume it’s a defensive weapon. Alright, we’ll keep that in mind. mind. And there is always an antidote,” Vladimir Putin told a news conference.
He added that Patriot’s delivery was “vain”. “It’s only a way to prolong the conflict.” “Our goal is not to spin the conflict like a flywheel, but, on the contrary, to end this war and we aspire to that,” said the Russian president. “We will strive to make sure this ends. And the sooner the better, of course.”
- Towards a reduction in Russian oil production
Russia could cut oil production by 500-700,000 barrels a day in early 2023 in response to the EU, G7 and Australia introducing a cap on the price of Russian black gold, it said. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak on Friday.
At the beginning of December, the 27 countries of the European Union, the G7 and Australia had agreed on a maximum price of 60 US dollars for crude oil of Russian origin transported by sea, in order to limit the income from Moscow to finance its military offensive in Ukraine.
- Iran seeks to increase military support for Russia: Mossad
Iran is seeking to “deepen and expand” its advanced arms deliveries to Russia, which is currently at war in Ukraine, the head of the Mossad, the Israeli foreign intelligence service, argued Thursday evening. At the end of October, Israeli President Isaac Herzog said he shared information with the United States showing, according to Israeli intelligence, the use of Iranian drones in the war in Ukraine.
In a speech Thursday evening at the Israeli presidency on the occasion of a ceremony linked to Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of Lights, the head of Mossad, David Barnea, quoted by the local press, affirmed that Iran had the intention to deliver more advanced equipment to Russia, without detailing this armament. “We caution against Iran’s future intentions, which this country is trying to keep secret, which is to deepen and expand its shipments of advanced weapons to Russia,” Barnea said.
“We had already turned the spotlight on arms deliveries to Russia, despite Iran’s lies (…) which are familiar to us”, added Mr. Barnea, affirming that his services, accused by Tehran of sabotaging some of its nuclear sites and murdering scientists, had “extensive” knowledge of Iran.
- White House warns of Wagner’s rise
The White House on Thursday issued a serious warning against the rise of the Russian paramilitary group Wagner, according to it “rival” of the Russian regular army in Ukraine, and which now receives armament from North Korea. “North Korea made a first delivery to Wagner, who paid for this equipment. Last month, (it) delivered shells and missiles to Russia intended for Wagner,” said John Kirby, spokesman for the National Security Council of the United States Executive.
The United States believes that Pyongyang “is considering delivering more equipment”, he said in an interview with reporters. “This is a clear violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions. The fact that President Putin is asking for help from North Korea shows that Russia is alone and desperate”, commented for his part the head of British diplomacy James Cleverly.
- He launches an anti-war pirate radio and gets three years in prison
A Russian court on Thursday sentenced to three years in prison a man who had broadcast messages via pirate radio denouncing the offensive in Ukraine, followed in Russia in recent months by a strong acceleration of repression. Vladimir Roumiantsev, a 61-year-old worker living in Vologda (north-west), was found guilty of spreading “false information” with “hateful motives” about the Russian army, the press service of the courts of the region.
