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Tag: Ukraine

Putin Visits India Amid Renewed Ukraine Peace Push — What’s on the Agenda?

Fola Badmus07 mins

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in India on Thursday for a high-level diplomatic visit—his first trip to the country since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine nearly four years ago. The visit comes as the United States intensifies pressure on Russia to end the war, while also targeting India with tariffs and sanctions threats over its continued energy and defence ties with Moscow. Putin’s 30-hour working trip also coincides with rising tensions between Washington and New Delhi. The U.S. has recently imposed punitive tariffs on Indian goods and warned of sanctions because of India’s increased purchases of discounted Russian crude oil during the war. India’s Delicate Balancing Act India has long walked a tightrope between its deepening strategic partnership with the United States and its decades-old defence and diplomatic ties with Russia. Since independence in 1947, New Delhi has avoided formal alliances, leaning towards the Soviet Union during the Cold War before later strengthening ties with Washington in the post-Cold War era. But Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has placed enormous strain on that balancing act. Putin’s visit is now seen as a critical indicator of how Prime Minister Narendra Modi plans to manage these competing relationships without jeopardising crucial partnerships. Putin’s Schedule in New Delhi The Russian president will arrive Thursday evening and attend a private dinner with Modi at the Prime Minister’s residence. The Kremlin has described the visit as “of great importance,” noting that it provides an opportunity to review the “extensive agenda” of the Russia-India “special and privileged strategic partnership.” Putin is accompanied by Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, Rosoboronexport executives, and the heads of major sanctioned oil companies, including Rosneft and Gazprom Neft. Why the Timing Matters This year marks 25 years of the Russia-India Strategic Partnership, signed during Putin’s first year in office. But recent years have disrupted a previously consistent pattern of annual summits. 2022: Modi was scheduled to visit Russia, but the summit was cancelled following the Ukraine invasion. 2023: Putin skipped the G20 Summit in New Delhi amid the ICC arrest warrant. 2024: Modi travelled to Russia, reviving the summit tradition. 2025: Putin is now returning after a four-year gap. Defence and Trade Expected to Dominate Talks Analysts say Putin hopes to: Expand defence exports to India, including missile systems and fighter jets. Strengthen cooperation in pharmaceuticals, agriculture, machinery, and energy. Counter U.S. efforts to isolate Moscow. The visit offers significant political optics for Putin. “President Putin can send a message that Russia is not isolated,” said Rajan Kumar, professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University. However, discussions will unfold under the shadow of shifting global energy dynamics—and the growing assertiveness of U.S. President Donald Trump. The Trump Factor Following Russia’s invasion, India became the second-largest buyer of Russian crude, with imports surging by 2,250%. The U.S. initially tolerated the increase, arguing it helped stabilise global oil markets. But Trump now views India’s purchases as leverage over Moscow. He has: Imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods as a penalty. Sanctioned Russia’s biggest oil firms, including Rosneft and Lukoil. Threatened sanctions on countries still trading with them. As a result: India’s imports of Russian crude are projected to fall to a three-year low. Reliance Industries, India’s largest refiner, has said it will stop exporting products made from Russian crude. India recently signed a major agreement to ramp up U.S. natural gas imports. Nevertheless, experts say India will not abandon Moscow entirely. Defence: The Strongest Pillar of India-Russia Ties Despite diversification into U.S. and European arms markets, Russia remains: India’s largest defence supplier (36% of imports) The source of over 60% of India’s military arsenal The partnership was further solidified during India’s four-day air conflict with Pakistan in May, when the Russian S-400 missile defence system played a crucial role. India is considering purchasing additional S-400 units. Russia is also keen to sell its Su-57 fifth-generation stealth fighter jets. “The SU-57 is the best plane in the world,” Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said before the visit. “And it will be on the agenda.”

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Zelenskyy’s Top Aide Resigns After Home Search by Anticorruption Investigators

Fola Badmus05 mins

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced the resignation of his powerful chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, amid an escalating corruption investigation that has shaken Kyiv and raised concerns among Western allies. The announcement came on Friday, just hours after Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) searched Yermak’s apartment in connection with an ongoing inquiry. “The Office of the President of Ukraine will be reorganised. The head of the office, Andriy Yermak, has submitted his resignation,” Zelenskyy said in a televised address, adding that consultations on a possible replacement would begin on Saturday. Yermak, a central figure in Ukraine’s wartime diplomacy and the president’s closest adviser, confirmed earlier that investigators had searched his home, saying he was fully cooperating. “There are no obstacles for the investigators. They have been given full access… my lawyers are cooperating with law enforcement,” he wrote on social media. NABU and SAPO said the search was authorised and linked to an active investigation, though the details of the case were not immediately disclosed. Wider corruption probe The search follows a sweeping investigation unveiled earlier this month into an alleged $100m kickback scheme involving Energoatom, Ukraine’s state nuclear power operator. The probe has implicated former senior officials and Tymur Mindich, a past business partner of Zelenskyy. The developments come as Kyiv faces mounting pressure from the administration of US President Donald Trump to accept a revised peace proposal aimed at ending the four-year war with Russia. Ukraine and European allies have expressed concerns that earlier versions of the US plan included concessions favourable to Moscow. Political pressure rising Zelenskyy is also facing domestic criticism, with opposition lawmakers faulting Yermak’s influential role in peace negotiations and calling for greater political transparency. Despite the turmoil, Zelenskyy urged unity:“Russia very much wants Ukraine to make mistakes. There will be no mistakes on our part. Our work continues.” A key but controversial figure Yermak, 54, a former film producer and copyright lawyer, has been widely regarded as the second-most powerful man in Ukraine. Since joining Zelenskyy’s political circle in 2019, he has acted as the president’s gatekeeper and chief strategist, playing a crucial role in shaping diplomacy, security policy and wartime negotiations. His resignation comes at a critical moment, as Ukrainian, US and European officials work to refine a potential peace framework and as Russia intensifies military and political pressure. According to Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Kyiv, Yermak’s departure marks a serious setback:“It couldn’t be more critical for Ukraine. It is negotiating its very survival as a sovereign nation.” The corruption investigation, meanwhile, continues. Authorities say Mindich is suspected of orchestrating the alleged Energoatom scheme, which remains under intensive scrutiny.

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Russia-Ukraine War Live: US Envoy Steve Witkoff Heads to Moscow as Trump Pushes for Rapid Peace Deal

Kamal Yalwa03 mins

At least 19 civilians have been wounded following a series of overnight Russian drone strikes on Ukraine’s southeastern Zaporizhzhia region, authorities said, as heavy fighting continues along the front lines. The attacks came amid intensifying diplomatic activity, with the United States confirming that special envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to Moscow for high-level talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin as part of Washington’s push to secure a ceasefire agreement. Ukraine signals openness to US plan The Ukrainian government said it supports the “essence” of a new US-backed proposal aimed at ending the nearly four-year war. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that “progress” is being made, even as negotiations drag on in Geneva and other European capitals. Witkoff’s visit is the most direct engagement yet between Washington and Moscow under the Trump administration’s peace initiative. Russia accuses Europe of undermining peace efforts Russia’s Foreign Ministry claimed that European politicians and media outlets are attempting to undermine US-led efforts to broker a settlement, accusing Western governments of trying to prolong the conflict to weaken Moscow. The EU, UK and other Western partners have publicly expressed concerns about parts of the US plan, warning that any agreement must protect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Russian air defences repel multiple drone attacks Russia’s Defence Ministry said its air defence units intercepted 33 Ukrainian drones across the Belgorod, Voronezh, Lipetsk, and Bryansk regions on Tuesday night. No casualties were reported. As diplomatic efforts resume and battlefield intensity escalates, the coming days are expected to be pivotal in determining whether the warring parties move closer to a negotiated settlement or brace for another winter of fighting.

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Zelenskyy Says Ukraine Faces ‘Difficult Choice’ as Trump Pushes for Rapid End to War

Kamal Yalwa07 mins

Kyiv weighs US plan seen as endorsing key Russian demands; European allies express concerns. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that Kyiv is approaching a defining moment in its war with Russia as it considers a United States peace proposal that critics say aligns closely with Moscow’s demands. Speaking on Friday in the street outside his presidential office, Zelenskyy urged national unity and insisted he would not betray Ukraine’s core values. “Now is one of the most difficult moments of our history,” he said. “Ukraine can face a very difficult choice — either losing dignity or risk losing a major partner. I will fight 24/7 to ensure that at least two points are not overlooked: the dignity and freedom of Ukrainians.” Trump Sets Deadline for Acceptance The statement comes as US President Donald Trump appears to be tightening pressure on Kyiv to accept his 28-point proposal to end the nearly four-year war. Trump told Fox News Radio on Friday that next Thursday was “an appropriate” deadline for Ukraine to accept the deal. Reuters, citing two people familiar with the matter, reported that the Trump administration has threatened to cut off intelligence support and weapons supplies if Kyiv refuses. According to multiple media reports, the US plan includes terms long demanded by Russia, such as: Ukraine ceding more territory Limits on the size of Ukraine’s military A ban on Ukrainian membership in NATO Lifting Western sanctions on Moscow Reintegration of Russia into the G8 Putin Calls Proposal ‘A New Version’ of Earlier Plans Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow had received the “modernised” US plan, calling it “a new version” of what was discussed earlier this year before the Alaska summit. He added that the text had not been negotiated directly with Russia, “and I can guess why,” noting that Washington has not yet secured Kyiv’s approval. “Ukraine is against it,” Putin said. “Apparently, Ukraine and its European allies are still under illusions of inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia on the battlefield.” Battlefield Pressures Intensify Ukraine is facing growing military challenges as Russian forces continue to make gains. At least 31 people were killed and 94 wounded in a Russian missile strike on an apartment block in the western city of Ternopil earlier this week. The Kremlin claimed that 5,000 Ukrainian soldiers were trapped on the eastern bank of the Oskil River in Kharkiv region — a claim Kyiv has not commented on. Fighting continues around the eastern cities of Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad, with Russian advances also reported in Zaporizhzhia. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said battlefield gains should convince Zelenskyy that “it is better to negotiate now rather than later,” adding that “the space for freedom of decision-making is shrinking” as Ukraine loses territory. Jim Townsend, former US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Europe and NATO, told Al Jazeera that Ukraine faces increasing pressure. “If the US pulls back and says, ‘If you’re not going to agree to this, we won’t support you,’ then Zelenskyy will be under tremendous pressure to accept — no matter how hard it feels,” he said. European Leaders Push Back, Call for ‘Just Peace’ Key European leaders — French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz — held talks with Zelenskyy on Friday.They welcomed US efforts but stressed that any peace must protect European and Ukrainian security interests. In a joint message, they reiterated their “unwavering and full support for Ukraine” and its path toward a “lasting and just peace.” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned of the dangers of accepting a deal dictated by Russian aggression. “We all want this war to end, but how it ends matters,” she said. “Russia has no legal right whatsoever to concessions from the country it invaded.” Reporting from Berlin, Al Jazeera’s Dominic Kane noted that while Europe is presenting a united front, its leaders are unlikely to determine the final terms. “Ultimately, the capitals where everything will be decided are Moscow, Kyiv, and Washington,” he said.

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Ukraine Endures ‘Exhausting Battles’ as Russia Pushes Deeper Into Zaporizhia and Donetsk

Fola Badmus05 mins

Ukrainian forces are locked in intense fighting across the eastern Donetsk and southern Zaporizhia regions, as Russian troops increase pressure on the strategic towns of Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad. Kyiv’s military leadership said the two towns have become the focus of almost half the battles along Ukraine’s 1,200km (745-mile) front line. Commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskii reported that Russia has deployed roughly 150,000 troops—nearly a quarter of its forces in Ukraine—to seize control of the area. Russia views Pokrovsk as a key route to the remaining parts of Donetsk region not yet under its control since declaring the area annexed in 2022. Fierce Urban Combat Fighting in Pokrovsk remains fluid and highly destructive. Ukrainian and Russian units trade control of streets and even individual buildings, according to soldiers speaking to Reuters.“One building is held by our side, the next by the enemy, and hours later it swaps,” said “Hus,” a drone squad commander with the 68th Jaeger Brigade. Russian forces captured the town centre earlier in November and are now pushing east and west. Ukrainian defenders continue to hold strong positions in the north of Pokrovsk. In nearby Myrnohrad, Russian troops have made limited gains in the town’s eastern and northern sections, but Ukraine still controls most of the area. Both towns remain vulnerable, with Russia attempting to encircle them from the north, south, and east, leaving only narrow routes open for Ukrainian resupply and evacuation. The Institute for the Study of War said the strategic value of these towns will depend on whether Ukraine can conduct an orderly withdrawal if required, and whether Russia can exploit any collapse in Ukrainian lines. Pressure Mounts in Zaporizhia To the southwest, Russia also stepped up its offensive around Huliaipole, straddling the boundary between Donetsk and Zaporizhia. Syrskii said the situation there had “significantly worsened,” with “exhausting battles” taking place for Rivnopillia and Yablukove. Geolocated footage indicates Ukrainian forces withdrew from Rivnopillia on Tuesday. Drone Warfare Intensifies Despite Russian advances, Ukrainian drone units continued to inflict significant losses, Syrskii said.He reported that Ukraine’s short-range drones struck 77,000 Russian targets in October, up from 66,500 in September and 60,000 in August. The rising figures suggest Russia’s attempts to destroy Ukrainian drone teams have been only partially successful. Russian Claims of Gains Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed its forces had captured several settlements across multiple regions, including Uspenovka, Novoye and Sladkoye in Zaporizhia, Volchye in Dnipropetrovsk, and Gnatovke in Donetsk. The claims could not be independently verified. Ukraine Strikes Russian Infrastructure Beyond the front line, Ukraine continued targeting Russian energy infrastructure to disrupt fuel supplies. A drone attack forced Lukoil’s Volgograd refinery to halt operations on November 6 after damaging major processing units, according to sources cited by Reuters. Ukraine also struck electrical substations near Belgorod over the weekend, causing a citywide blackout, and triggered a fire at the port and oil terminal in Tuapse on the Black Sea during another drone operation.

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Iraqi Man Sentenced to Life for Trafficking Fighters to Join Russian War in Ukraine

Fola Badmus04 mins

An Iraqi man has been sentenced to life in prison for trafficking individuals to fight for Russia in its ongoing war against Ukraine, in what is believed to be the first case of its kind in Iraq. The Najaf Criminal Court announced on Monday that the man had organized and sent groups of people to fight in a foreign conflict in exchange for money. The court issued the life sentence under a 2012 law that criminalizes recruiting or transporting individuals for exploitation. Judicial and security sources later identified the man as Risan Falah Kamel, though no further names or details about the network have been released. The official text of the indictment has not been made public. According to Iraqi officials, many of those recruited were reportedly promised financial rewards or hoped to use Russia as a stepping stone to reach Europe. Local media have estimated that thousands of Iraqi nationals may be fighting on the Russian side, though this has not been independently verified. Earlier this month, Iraq’s parliamentary Foreign Relations Committee confirmed the presence of Iraqis in the conflict and pledged to investigate further. The issue reflects a broader trend in the conflict, which has entered its fourth year. Thousands of foreign fighters have joined both Russian and Ukrainian forces since the war began. In recent months, Ukraine has reported detaining Chinese nationals fighting for Russia, and last year, a British national fighting for Ukraine was captured in the Russian border region of Kursk. North Korea has also reportedly sent thousands of soldiers and large volumes of ammunition to aid Russian forces, especially during Ukraine’s offensives in the border areas. This military cooperation was recently affirmed during talks in Beijing between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Both leaders praised their growing alliance, with Kim calling it a “fraternal duty” to support Russia. China, meanwhile, continues to back Russia economically but has avoided direct military involvement, maintaining a formal position of neutrality and calling for diplomacy to end the conflict. The case in Iraq underscores the increasingly global dimensions of the war in Ukraine and the complex networks now involved in recruitment and participation. Iraqi authorities say further legal actions are likely as investigations continue.

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Russia Claims Gains in Ukraine as Lavrov Calls for Renewed Dialogue With U.S. at UN

Russia Claims Gains in Ukraine as Lavrov Calls for Renewed Dialogue With U.S. at UN

Fola Badmus04 mins

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told delegates at the United Nations headquarters on Saturday that there is still hope for renewed Russian-American dialogue, particularly following the recent summit in Alaska. “We have some hopes for the continuation of the Russian-American dialogue, especially after the summit in Alaska,” Lavrov said during his speech. He suggested the Trump administration was taking a more “realistic” approach to resolving the ongoing war in Ukraine. “Russia and the US bear a special responsibility for the state of affairs in the world and for avoiding risks that could plunge humanity into a new war,” he added. Lavrov’s UN address came amid new battlefield claims by Moscow. The Russian military announced on Saturday that its forces had captured three more villages in eastern Ukraine: Derylove and Maiske in the Donetsk region, and Stepove in the Dnipropetrovsk region. These gains come as part of a continued Russian push in the southeast, with fighting intensifying in multiple directions. In response, Ukraine claimed to have successfully carried out a drone strike on an oil pumping facility in Russia’s Chuvashia region. A Ukrainian official told Reuters: “The SBU [Ukrainian Security Service] continues to impose sanctions on the Russian oil sector, which brings the aggressor country excess profits that go to the war against Ukraine.” Meanwhile, an overnight Russian artillery and drone barrage killed one person and wounded 12 others in Ukraine’s Kherson region, with rail infrastructure also damaged in the neighbouring Odesa region, Ukrainian officials said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that a Ukrainian delegation would travel to the U.S. in late September or early October for high-level arms negotiations. He also confirmed that Ukraine had already received one U.S.-made Patriot air defence system from Israel, with two more expected to arrive before the end of the year. Tensions remain high around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which has experienced a four-day blackout, the longest since the war began in February 2022. Both Russia and Ukraine are blaming each other for the disruption at the Russian-occupied facility. Though the plant’s six reactors have been offline since early in the war, it still requires electricity to maintain cooling and safety systems to prevent reactor meltdown.

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Ukraine Is Only First: Zelenskyy Warns of Putin’s Expansionist Agenda at UNGA

Ukraine Is Only First: Zelenskyy Warns of Putin’s Expansionist Agenda at UNGA

Fola Badmus04 mins

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a stark warning to the international community, declaring that Russia’s war in Ukraine is only the beginning of a broader plan by President Vladimir Putin to expand military aggression across Europe. Speaking during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Wednesday, Zelenskyy described the current moment as part of “the most destructive arms race in history,” urging world leaders to act decisively before the conflict spreads further. “Ukraine is only the first, and now Russian drones are already flying across Europe. Russian operations are already spreading across countries, and Putin wants to continue this war by expanding it,” Zelenskyy said from the UN headquarters in New York. Testing NATO and Undermining Europe Zelenskyy’s comments come amid growing concerns about Russian incursions into European Union and NATO airspace, testing the alliance’s eastern flank. Although Moscow has denied these allegations, European leaders have expressed alarm over the increasing scope of Russia’s military and cyber operations. The Ukrainian president also referenced an alleged Russian plot to destabilize Moldova, accusing the Kremlin of threatening the small nation’s sovereignty by supporting unrest and maintaining troops in the breakaway region of Transnistria. “Europe cannot afford to lose Moldova too,” Zelenskyy warned. “Supporting Moldova’s stability is not costly—but ignoring the threat will be.” Meeting with Trump, Plea for Weapons Over Words Zelenskyy’s UNGA appearance followed a high-profile meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday. The U.S. leader, who previously urged Ukraine to consider territorial concessions, appeared to take a firmer stance in support of Kyiv. “Yesterday, we had a good meeting. President Trump and I also spoke with many other strong leaders, and together, we can change a lot. I appreciate the support we are receiving,” Zelenskyy said. In a sobering moment during his speech, Zelenskyy stressed that weapons—not diplomacy—will determine the outcome of the war. “If a nation wants peace, it still has to work on weapons. It’s sick, but that’s the reality. Not international law, not cooperation—weapons decide who survives,” he said. AI and Global Security at Risk Turning his focus to emerging technologies, Zelenskyy called for urgent global regulation of artificial intelligence in warfare, comparing its risks to nuclear proliferation. “We need global rules now for how AI can be used in weapons. This is just as urgent as preventing the spread of nuclear weapons,” he said. “Without real security guarantees and international cooperation, there will be no place left on Earth that’s still safe.”

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