RT News - "The Weekly" June 16th 2024 RAW

Two hostages being held in Southern Russia's Rostov have now been freed while the six ISIS-linked terrorists holding their prison guards for ransom have been neutralized. Roman Kosarev reports

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Twelve countries including key players of the global South, refuse to sign the final declaration of the so-called 'Peace summit' in Switzerland initiated by Ukraine.

Washington greenlights arms deliveries to Ukraine's infamous Azov battalion, despite its own legislation previously banning support of the neo-Nazi linked group.

Updates on Gaza

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Ukraine ‘peace summit’ is ‘Animal Farm’ – ex-Russian president 16 Jun, 2024 12:29

The Western-dominated event in Switzerland is “pure surrealism,” Dmitry Medvedev has said.

The Swiss-hosted Ukraine ‘peace conference’ has turned out to be an erratic and dysfunctional event whose participants have no clue what they are doing there, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has said.

The June 15-16 conference at the Burgenstock Hotel near Lake Lucerne has focused on three points of Vladimir Zelensky’s ‘peace formula’, including prisoner exchanges, nuclear and food security. The plan calls for Russia to withdraw from all territories claimed by Kiev, but it has been dismissed by Moscow as divorced from reality.

Russia was not invited to the event, which President Vladimir Putin has argued is simply an attempt by the West to create the illusion of a global anti-Russian coalition and distract attention from the root causes of the conflict.

Writing on Telegram on Sunday, Medvedev, who is currently the deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, compared the summit to George Orwell’s ‘Animal Farm’. The novel, which is considered to be a veiled reference to the Stalin-era Soviet Union, reflects on how ideals of equality and freedom can become distorted and betrayed after a ruthless leader takes over.

The ex-Russian president said the Swiss event is “pure surrealism” and that “none of the participants in the ‘peace forum’ know what they are doing there and what their role is.”

He went on to say that the Swiss “shepherd boys” invited only “trustworthy animals,” including a “crazy puny swine” and his sidekick, as well as “a flock of slow-witted Western Alpine sheep blithely bleating about peace, as well as a pack of European chained dogs to guard the livestock.” Medvedev did not specify who these remarks were directed at.

According to the former president, the ‘dogs’ are “barking and spitting poisonous saliva” to maintain order, which he said is warranted since the “sheep often bleat out of place and confuse the memorized statements.”

In an apparent reference to US President Joe Biden, he said the flock is led by “an elderly, weak-minded owner” suffering from “progressive dementia.” He added that the US, instead of sending Biden, sent “a soft-headed deputy who… said a phrase learned by heart and quickly went home,” referring to Vice President Kamala Harris.

”To sum it up, the grazing of cattle in the Alps is just a sad pile of poop that is burning up taxpayers’ money,” Medvedev said.

According to an earlier Bloomberg report, Biden skipped the summit because it overlapped with a campaign fundraiser in California ahead of the presidential election this November. Zelensky criticized the US president’s absence, suggesting it “would only be met with applause by Putin.”

A number of Western officials have acknowledged that the Ukraine conflict cannot be resolved without Moscow’s participation in talks.

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Kiev deals in illegal arms – procurement agency founder 16 Jun, 2024 13:01

Vladimir Pikuzo says his company is forced to scout murky parts of the world and pay extra to speculators to obtain critical weaponry.

Kiev has been forced to seek alternative and sometimes illegal sources of weapons to make up for insufficient Western supplies, Ukraine’s Defense Procurement Agency founder and deputy director Vladimir Pikuzo revealed in an interview with the British news outlet The Times, published on Sunday.

What led Ukraine to start looking further afield for weapons was the fact that in the first few months of the conflict only some 60% of the weapons used by the country’s armed forces were supplied by the West, while the rest Kiev had to purchase through other sources.

The agency, which Pikuzo founded in July 2022, drawing funds from Ukraine’s defence budget, has the aim of securing more weapons for the military. The organization scours the world for arms that are not stockpiled or manufactured in NATO countries, including Soviet-era weaponry. However, Pikuzo notes that this market is “dominated by middlemen and speculators,” which makes some of the deals bordering on illegal. He cited a case when his agency attempted to buy ammunition from a country where exports are banned.

“We get categorical refusal, but then we receive a call with advice that we have to send a letter of intent to a particular intermediary company… we immediately receive permission to deliver this batch into Ukraine,” he recalled, noting that his agency “understands” the situation was likely illegal, but calling it an “acceptable risk.”

“I will not name specific countries… but in many such countries, their corruption is our ally. In these countries, we sometimes do things that are prohibited by their own law,” he stated.

He also revealed that Kiev uses a network of Western officials and intelligence agencies to scout for weapons on the “grey” market and smuggle arms from countries that “refuse direct supplies to Ukraine.” However, he noted that this often leads to “pricing wars” and stretches the supply chain.

According to Pikuzo, the major problem with arms speculators is the price. According to The Times’ sources, the cost of some key weapons on the global market has spiked as much as six-fold since the start of the conflict. Pikuzo suggested that this is likely attributable to profiteering, calling the modern arms market “a weapons stock exchange.”

Pikuzo complained that neither Ukraine’s budget nor Western aid is currently enough to cover the army’s needs. According to the most recent calculations, the US, UK, and EU have jointly provided roughly $72 billion worth of military aid to Kiev since the start of the conflict, with $60 billion more from Washington incoming, and, potentially, €40 ($43) billion from NATO. Pikuzo estimates that, given the current costs, Ukraine needs a total of up to $800 billion in order to achieve its objectives in the conflict.

Kiev has complained that NATO countries have not provided it with enough aid. Moscow has called the Western arms shipments “completely irresponsible,” warning that the actions of Kiev’s Western backers may have “dangerous consequences” and will only worsen the plight of the Ukrainian people.

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No meaningful peace in Ukraine without Russia – Saudi Arabia 16 Jun, 2024 01:54

Moscow’s involvement in talks is essential to ending the conflict, the kingdom’s foreign minister has said.

Russia’s participation is critical to any credible negotiations aimed at ending the Ukraine conflict, Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud has said.

Speaking at the international Ukraine ‘peace conference’ in the Swiss resort of Burgenstock, Prince Faisal reiterated the kingdom’s commitment to “supporting all efforts at reaching an end” to the fighting between Moscow and Kiev and “achieving sustainable and just peace and security.”

He noted that any meaningful progress “will require difficult compromise” between the parties. “It is essential to emphasize that any credible process will need Russia’s participation.”

Faisal highlighted the importance of “peacefully resolving differences through dialogue,” expressing Saudi Arabia’s readiness to “mediate and bring the conflict closer to a solution.”

Several major countries, including Russia and China, did not attend the Swiss-held event promoted as a ‘peace conference’. Moscow was not formally invited and has accused the organizers of being unwilling to consider its terms for peace, arguing that the West was trying to use the summit to force “an ultimatum” on Russia.

The summit is thought to revolve around the ten-point ‘peace formula’ proposed by Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky, which Moscow has firmly rejected. Russian President Vladimir Putin laid out his own terms for a ceasefire on Friday. Ukraine and its Western backers have dismissed his proposals as well.

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‘ISIS terrorist’ inmates take hostages in Russian prison 16 Jun, 2024 06:59

The situation was resolved after several hours and law enforcement officers were not harmed, officials say

Two law enforcement officers have been freed after being taken hostage by a group of inmates at a prison in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, local officials have said.

The hostage situation began on Sunday when a group of prisoners, some with terrorism convictions, reportedly broke out of their cells and into the facility's duty station, overwhelming two officers.

The Russian Federal Penitentiary Service issued a statement confirming that two of its agents working with the penitentiary inspectorate were being held by undisclosed perpetrators. It noted that talks were underway and that law enforcement agencies were working at the scene.

Several outlets have reported that terrorists were among the hostage-takers. The Baza Telegram channel has claimed that there were six perpetrators, three of whom are serving sentences for belonging to Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) and preparing an attack on the Supreme Court in the Karachaevo-Cherkessian Republic in southern Russia.

The two hostages reportedly included the head of the operational department and a junior inspector of the duty service. The perpetrators reportedly demanded a vehicle to leave the prison.

A video shared on social media shows one of the assailants, armed with a knife and wearing a black do-rag with an inscription in Arabic, sitting next to one of the handcuffed hostages, who appeared to be unharmed. The other agent also appeared to be in unhurt, except for blood on his elbow.

The 112 Telegram channel reported that the inmates were blocked inside one of the areas of the detention centre, and were unable to reach the gun room. Later, it said law enforcement agencies launched an assault on the detention centre, as the talks did not yield any results. At least several shots were fired in the area, according to videos shared on social media. Baza noted that it took the law enforcement agents three minutes to storm the building.

The Federal Penitentiary Service confirmed that there had been “a special operation to free hostages in a detention centre” in Rostov Region, adding that “the criminals were eliminated” and the hostages were not injured.

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Russian news photographer killed in Ukrainian drone strike 16 Jun, 2024 16:20
Nikita Tsitsagi was fatally injured in an attack near Ugledar.

Russian news photographer Nikita Tsitsagi has died from injuries sustained in a drone strike in the Donetsk People’s Republic, the portal News.ru reported on Sunday. According to the publication, the correspondent was killed in an attack by Ukrainian drones in the area of the Nikolsky Monastery near the Donbass city of Ugledar, where he was filming a report.

The tragedy was confirmed by Tsitsagi’s colleagues working in the area and local operational services. The details of the incident are unclear so far.

Tsitsagi collaborated with several Russian media outlets, including TASS and Lenta.ru. In June last year, he received the ‘Editorial Board’ journalistic award for a report he did on the Ukraine conflict and its repercussions in the Russian border town of Shebekino in Belgorod Region.

Earlier this week, another photojournalist, NTV crew member Valery Kozhin, died from wounds he suffered in a Ukrainian drone attack on Gorlovka, also in the Donetsk People’s Republic. Kozhin was filming in the area when a mortar round exploded on top of his crew. Journalist Aleksey Ivliev and an accompanying Russian military officer were also injured.

At least 30 Russian journalists have lost their lives in the Ukraine conflict since it began in February 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a press briefing during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) earlier this month. Among them are Boris Maksudov, who worked for Russia 24 TV, RIA Novosti’s Rostislav Zhuravlev, Tavria TV’s Oleg Klokov, and RuBaltic’s Aleksey Ilyashevich.

Moscow has repeatedly accused Ukrainian forces of deliberately targeting members of the Russian press who are reporting from the frontline. Earlier this week, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova lashed out at international human rights organizations, including the UN, for remaining silent in the face of Ukrainian attacks. She accused them of becoming Kiev’s accomplices in “this monstrous hunt for our correspondents” and encouraging further atrocities.

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Twelve states refuse to sign Zelensky ‘peace conference’ declaration 16 Jun, 2024 14:58

The UAE, India, Saudi Arabia, and Brazil are among the countries that have not supported the Swiss summit’s final document.

Twelve countries attending the Swiss-hosted Ukraine ‘peace conference’ have refused to sign the final communique. This is based on the list of countries that approved the document, RIA Novosti reported on Sunday.

According to the list, Armenia, Brazil, India, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the UAE are among the states that did not sign the declaration, as well as four organizations, including the UN and OSCE. Meanwhile, 79 nations, including Hungary, Serbia, Argentina, Türkiye, and Georgia, as well as four international bodies, joined Ukraine in endorsing the document.

The final communique has not yet been made public, but according to Reuters, citing a June 13 draft, it places the blame for the “war against Ukraine” on Russia, accusing it of causing “large-scale human suffering and destruction” and “creating risks and crises with global repercussions.”

The document calls for Ukraine’s territorial integrity “within internationally recognized borders” to be respected – specifically, the restoration of Ukrainian control over the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant, as well as access to sea ports in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. The document also demands the release of all prisoners of war through a “complete exchange,” and the return of “deported and unlawfully displaced” Ukrainian children.

It is so far unclear why several attendees did not support the document. However, Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said earlier on Sunday that any meaningful progress toward a peaceful resolution to the conflict would require Russia’s participation.

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer earlier predicted that not all attendees would sign the declaration, because “it’s a question of the specific choice of words.”

Russia was not invited to attend the conference, and said it would not have taken part even if invited due to the exclusive focus on Kiev’s demands.

More than 160 participants were invited to the talks, but nearly half declined due to the absence of a Russian delegation. The final list of attendees included representatives from 92 countries and eight international bodies.

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Kremlin tells Zelensky to ‘think about’ Putin’s peace proposal 16 Jun, 2024 14:28

The current dynamics at the front do not favour the Ukrainian military, spokesman Dmitry Peskov says.

Vladimir Zelensky should seriously consider Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal to end the Ukraine conflict because Kiev’s battlefield situation will further deteriorate as time passes, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said.

On Friday, Putin stated that Moscow would immediately open peace talks with Kiev once it withdraws its troops from Russia’s Donbass, as well as Kherson and Zaporozhye Regions. According to the president, Ukraine must also commit to neutral status, “demilitarization” and “denazification” as part of a possible deal. An agreement would need to be followed by the lifting of Western sanctions against Russia.

Both Zelensky and NATO dismissed the offer out of hand. Kiev has insisted on the withdrawal of Russian troops to the Ukrainian borders as of 1991 as a precondition for peace talks.

In an interview with Russian journalist Pavel Zarubin released on Sunday, Peskov warned that “the current dynamics of the frontline situation clearly demonstrates that it will continue to worsen for the Ukrainians.”

He recalled that Zelensky’s rise to the presidency in 2019 was largely attributable to his promises to bring peace to Ukraine, adding that he has always said that he would do anything for his country.

“Perhaps, a politician who puts the interests of his motherland above his own and even above his masters will think about such a proposal. Let’s see what happens,” Peskov noted.

Asked whether Moscow considers Zelensky a viable negotiating partner, given that his presidential term expired last month, Peskov said that “this is not a person with whom agreements could be signed because de jure this would not be legitimate.”

According to the spokesman, however, Putin does not rule out any negotiating options, as Kiev has legitimate authorities that could appoint anyone to hold talks. “Negotiations are usually conducted by experts, and they are signed by the legitimate authorities.”

Zelensky’s presidential powers expired on May 20, after he opted not to hold a new election, citing martial law imposed after the start of the conflict with Russia in February 2022. Putin has said that Zelensky essentially usurped his post after that point and that the Ukrainian parliament is now the only legitimate authority in the country.

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Israel falling into Hamas ‘trap’ – Italian PM 16 Jun, 2024 12:24

The militant group is achieving success in isolating the Jewish state, according to Giorgia Meloni.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has voiced her support for Israel, insisting that the country was dragged into a war in Gaza by the surprise attacks by Palestinian militant group Hamas in early October.

Speaking on Saturday at a news conference following the G7 summit in southern Italy, Meloni called for recognizing the right of both Israel and Palestine to live in peace and safety.

“It looks like Israel is jumping into a trap. For the trap of Hamas was to isolate it. It seems it is working,” Meloni said, urging those who support West Jerusalem “to give clear words for its safety” and stressing that “this is exactly what Italy is doing.”

Responding to a reporter’s question on why the G7 leaders had not condemned the Israeli offensive in Gaza and the continuing humanitarian crisis in the enclave, the prime minister said that it had to be remembered “who started all this” and that “it wasn’t Israel, but someone who killed civilians, women and children.”

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched its operation in Gaza following the October 7 Hamas attack on villages in southern Israel, in which some 1,200 people were killed and another 250 were taken hostage. The latest data from the Gaza health authorities shows that more than 37,200 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 85,000 have been injured since the beginning of the military campaign.

Meloni also highlighted “the right of the Palestinians to have their own state in which to live peacefully.”

“It is the only way to address this problem, our job is to dialogue with everyone,” she concluded.

Israel’s war with Hamas and the siege of Gaza have drawn international criticism in recent months, including threats of sanctions. West Jerusalem has recently experienced a steady decline in Western support due to the mounting death toll and deepening humanitarian crisis in the enclave.

Israeli authorities have repeatedly defended their right to neutralize Hamas in an effort to protect the nation from terrorism. Earlier on Sunday, the IDF announced a “tactical pause” in military activity along a route in southern Gaza to allow aid to be distributed.

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Xi claimed US tried to provoke Beijing into Taiwan attack – FT 16 Jun, 2024 08:24

The Chinese president is reportedly wary of a clash with Washington, as it would ruin his plans for the nation’s “great rejuvenation”.

Xi Jinping has said that the US tried to provoke the Chinese military into attacking Taiwan but that Beijing did not take the bait, the Financial Times reported on Saturday, citing sources.

According to people allegedly familiar with the matter, Xi made the remarks during a private meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in April 2023. The Chinese president also reportedly relayed concerns about Washington’s alleged attempts to trick Beijing into invading the self-governed island to his officials.

Beijing considers Taiwan to be sovereign Chinese territory under its One-China policy. The island has been self-governing since 1949 when nationalists fled the mainland with US help after losing the Chinese Civil War to the communists.

Financial Times described Xi’s reported remarks to von der Leyen as the first known time he told a foreign leader that the US was trying to goad Beijing into invading Taiwan. The Chinese president also reportedly explained that a conflict with the US would be detrimental to China and derail its plans for a “great rejuvenation” by 2049. The project, also known as the ‘Chinese Dream’, aims at creating a “modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, civilized, and harmonious.”

China has long accused the US of fomenting tensions over Taiwan and has denounced Washington’s arms sales to Taipei. Beijing has also protested visits by top US officials to the island, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, claiming it violates China’s sovereignty. Against this backdrop, China regularly conducts military exercises in the Taiwan Strait.

In 2022, Xi said that while Beijing seeks peaceful reunification with the island, it is “not committed to abandoning the use of force” to accomplish that goal. In March, the head of the US Indo-Pacific Command, Admiral John Aquilino, suggested that the Chinese military would be prepared to invade Taiwan by 2027. Officials in Beijing have denied having any near-term plans to use force against the island, accusing the US of “hyping up the China-threat narrative.”

US President Joe Biden has said that Washington would defend Taiwan if it were attacked by China, although he later conceded that the exact response would “depend on the circumstances.”

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