İrlandalı siyasetçi
Statement by President von der Leyen with Taioseach Martin on the occasion of the College visit to the Irish Presidency
European Commission Statement Cork, 03 Jul 2026 Thank you, dear Micheál, for welcoming us to your native Cork. Thank you very much for the visit over the last two days and the intense talks we had. And thank ...
Slovenian lawmaker questions idea of upping defense spending to please Trump
Slovenia could either "continue investing in projects that benefit the people" or "simply listen to what ‘daddy’ says and purchase only American weapons", said Martin Premk, a member of the Slovenian lower house of parliament representing the Freedom Movement, the largest opposition faction
KPMG appoints chair who claimed leak allegations were ‘completely false’ and called senator’s actions ‘inappropriate’
Greens senator says appointment of Michael Ebeid ‘risks entrenching the very culture and leadership that need to change’ Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast KPMG has appointed a new chair who previously claimed leak allegations were “completely false” and described a senator’s actions in revealing the scandal as “very inappropriate and unfair”. Michael Ebeid was appointed to lead the embattled firm on Thursday after the former chair, Martin Sheppard, resigned while under fire from a parliamentary inquiry into the firm’s ethical failings. Continue reading...
Singapore to buy more Hellfire missiles after US backs US$22.3 million package
Singapore is set to acquire additional Hellfire missiles after the United States backed a proposed package valued at US$22.3 million. The US State Department said on Tuesday that it has approved the potential sale of an additional 24 AGM-114R Hellfire missiles to Singapore, along with related support services and equipment, bringing the total package to 67 missiles. Hellfire missiles are a type of precision air-to-ground weapon manufactured by Lockheed Martin. The Ministry of Defence (Mindef)...
ABD, Singapur'a İlave Hellfire Füze Satışını OnayladıNew Appointments announced for Kordia and QV
Kordia Group Deputy Chair Ben Kepes will become Chair from today and two new directors have been appointed to the company’s Board, State Owned Enterprises Minister Simeon Brown says. Kordia provides critical communications infrastructure across New Zealand and Mr Kepes has strong leadership and governance expertise with extensive experience in technology strategy and digital transformation,” Mr Brown says. “His appointment will ensure Board continuity and stability as Kordia continues to implement its transformation programme.” David Boyes and Jason McDonald have been appointed as directors for three-year terms starting today. The new directors bring strong governance, financial stewardship, and risk management capabilities to the Board, Mr Brown says. “I thank outgoing Chair Sophie Haslem for her significant contributions to the Kordia Board over the past nine years. During her tenure, Kordia has achieved significant milestones and she has fostered a strong sense of unity and collaboration among Board members and the wider management team “I extend my best wishes to departing Board members Martin Matthews and Kent Pohio who have made significant contributions to the Board.” Quotable Value Ltd Carol Bellette has been appointed as a QVL director for a three-year term starting today. She brings governance and financial expertise with sound stakeholder relationship management in local and central government. Sharon Henderson has been reappointed as a QVL director for a three-year term from today. “These appointments and reappointments to the two Boards reflect the Government’s commitment to state-owned enterprises being led by highly skilled and experienced individuals who can drive innovation, ensure robust governance, and deliver value for New Zealanders,” Mr Brown says.
US State Department approves possible sale of Hellfire missiles to Singapore
The US State Department has backed a potential sale of AGM-114R Hellfire missiles to Singapore, valued at US$22.3 million, in a deal it said would strengthen the city state’s defences, a key US strategic partner in Asia. The department on Tuesday said the sale would include 67 Hellfire missiles – a type of precision-guided, air-to-ground missile – as well as spare parts and support equipment. Lockheed Martin will be the principal contractor. “This proposed sale will support the foreign policy...
US State Department green lights possible sale of Hellfire missiles to Singapore
The US State Department has backed a potential sale of AGM-114R Hellfire missiles to Singapore, valued at US$22.3 million, in a deal it said would strengthen the city state’s defences, a key US strategic partner in Asia. The department on Tuesday said the sale would include 67 Hellfire missiles – a type of precision-guided, air-to-ground missile – as well as spare parts and support equipment. Lockheed Martin will be the principal contractor. “This proposed sale will support the foreign policy...
Burnham left with £4.7bn bill for Starmer’s new defence investment plan
Ally of PM-in-waiting says four-year boost for the armed forces is an ‘unexploded bomb’ Britain has finally grasped the nettle on defence, but tough choices lie ahead Andy Burnham will have to find an extra £4.7bn for defence in his first budget, after Keir Starmer announced a £298bn defence investment plan (Dip) without having fully identified how it will be funded. Sources close to the Makerfield MP said he would not try to renegotiate the Dip after the outgoing prime minister announced its details at a press conference on Tuesday. £47bn on new nuclear submarines, including the Dreadnought replacement for the Trident submarines and the new Aukus attack submarine project, being developed with Australia and the US. £13bn on a new nuclear warhead and £1.7bn on nuclear fuels. Another promise to pay £1bn for 12 Lockheed Martin F-35A jets capable of carrying nuclear bombs will come after 2030. £8.6bn on the development of the Gcap next-generation fighter aircraft in a joint project with Italy and Japan, plus an extra £1.1bn to keep existing Typhoons in service until the 2040s. A total of £5bn more on drones, £1bn more than announced in last year’s strategic spending review, with investments in air, land, sea and underwater drones to operating alongside soldiers, warships and fighter jets. Continue reading...
- Ekonomik30 Haz
‘Am I losing this battle? Yes’: Martin Lewis on the online scams that steal his identity – and others’ life savings
Trusted by millions, the finance expert has seen his name and face used to mis-sell a string of fake investments. And yet, he says, it would be ‘very simple’ for the government to stop them This month, an email from a consumer landed in Martin Lewis’s inbox. It was from an elderly woman with a disability who had been scammed when she invested in a scheme purportedly endorsed by Lewis – and lost her life savings. “THEY ARE BASTARDS!” Lewis wrote at the top of his social media post about it. Even though the personal finance expert is a veteran campaigner against fraud, he says he had “tears running down my face”. He still sounds upset. “I felt a mixture of frustration, anger and sadness.” Not only for the plight of the woman, but for the “constant, ongoing deluge of shit from the scammers”. Lewis never advertises anything. To hammer home the point, his social media profile picture has the words “I don’t do ads” tattooed on his forehead. But still, people fall victim to deepfake videos and frauds that appear to show him offering investments. The scale of harm is great enough that MoneySavingExpert (MSE), the company Lewis founded in 2003 and sold in 2012 for up to £87m – he is now its executive chair – has someone full-time handling these cases. Continue reading...
- Diplomatik20 Nis
BM Güvenlik Konseyi MARTIN KOUMTAMADJI kişisini yaptırım listesine ekledi
Birleşmiş Milletler Güvenlik Konseyi, MARTIN KOUMTAMADJI adlı kişiyi konsolide yaptırım listesine ekledi (referans CFi.013). Yaptırım rejimi: CAR.
BM Güvenlik Konseyi MARTIN KOUMTAMADJI kişisini yaptırım listesine ekledi OFAC Fritz Martin GELOWICZ kişisini yaptırım listesine ekledi
ABD Hazine Bakanlığı Yabancı Varlıklar Kontrol Ofisi (OFAC), Fritz Martin GELOWICZ adlı kişiyi Özel Olarak Belirlenmiş Vatandaşlar (SDN) listesine ekledi. Yaptırım programı: SDGT.
OFAC’tan Terör ve Uyuşturucu Odaklı Kapsamlı Yaptırım HamlesiOFAC Martin MELGOZA TORRES kişisini yaptırım listesine ekledi
ABD Hazine Bakanlığı Yabancı Varlıklar Kontrol Ofisi (OFAC), Martin MELGOZA TORRES adlı kişiyi Özel Olarak Belirlenmiş Vatandaşlar (SDN) listesine ekledi. Yaptırım programı: SDNTK.
OFAC’tan Terör ve Uyuşturucu Odaklı Kapsamlı Yaptırım HamlesiFrance: Drowning deaths climb amid record-breaking heatwave
France's prolonged heatwave has now claimed the life of a fourth child, while the overall death toll continues to rise. In Paris, an adult man was found unresponsive in the Canal Saint-Martin after reportedly swimming outside the designated area. As Europe's most severe heatwave on record continues, hospitals are admitting growing numbers of patients and emergency departments remain under intense pressure. According to climatologist and former IPCC vice-chair Jean-Pascal van Ypersele, unless global CO₂ emissions are significantly reduced, future heatwaves are likely to become even more extreme.
Batı Avrupa'da rekor sıcaklıklar: Paris ilk kez Haziran'da 40 dereceyi görebilirWhat is a sixth-generation fighter jet? The US has a decade’s head start on Europe after the collapse of the FCAS project
The American giant Lockheed Martin is selling F-35s in droves, despite the jet’s operational problems, while Boeing is making progress in the development of the F-47
Europe is 'reading the tea leaves' on Trump's Ukraine policy, says ex-NATO envoy
NPR's Michel Martin speaks with Kurt Volker, former U.S. ambassador to NATO, about the dynamics between the NATO alliance, its leader, and President Trump.
- Güvenlik25 Haz
Lockheed Martin wins over $35 billion contract to quadruple THAAD production
As U.S. lawmakers worry over the munitions stockpile, Lockheed Martin announced a multiyear contract to increase THAAD production from 96 to 400 a year.
ABD-İran Çerçeve Anlaşması 300 Milyar Dolarlık Fon İçeriyor Ambassador Gaudiano Meets with Czech Minister of Agriculture
(ANSA) - ROMA, 25 GIU - The Italian Ambassador to Prague, Alessandro Gaudiano, met with the Czech Republic’s Minister of Agriculture, Martin Šebestyán. The discussion centered on the economic value of the Italian model linking agri-food production to local territories, the European Union’s upcoming multiannual financial framework, and the role of the United Nations Complex in Rome. Read article...
- Güvenlik24 Haz
Lockheed Wins $35 Billion US Deal to Boost Interceptor Output
Lockheed Martin Corp. has been awarded a contract worth as much as $35 billion from the US Defense Department to quadruple production of missile-defense interceptors as part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to bolster munitions output.
ABD-İran Çerçeve Anlaşması 300 Milyar Dolarlık Fon İçeriyor Switzerland starts talks to acquire non-US air defence system
ZURICH, June 24 (Reuters) - Switzerland has started contract negotiations with manufacturers from France, Israel and South Korea for a second air defence system following delays to its order of U.S. Patriot missile systems, the government said on Wednesday. Switzerland in 2022 ordered Patriot missile defence systems made by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin for expected delivery by 2026-2028, but the timeline was pushed back four to five years due to the war in Ukraine.
ABD yeni füze kalkanı Altın Kubbe'nin ilk testini yaptı
ABD Savunma Bakanı Pete Hegseth, Altın Kubbe füze savunma kalkanının ilk aşama testinin tam bir başarıyla sonuçlandığını açıkladı. ABD Savunma Bakanı Pete Hegseth, "Amerika için Altın Kubbe" (GDA) füze savunma sisteminin testinin tam başarıyla sonuçlandığını ve buna bizzat tanıklık etmekten onur duyduğunu açıkladı. Gelişmiş yönlendirilmiş enerji teknolojisinin kullanıldığı testte Dinamik Savunma Otonom Bertaraf (DDAD) sistemi; kusursuz ve otonom bir şekilde çok sayıda gelen tehdidi algıladı, hedef aldı ve ortadan kaldırdı. Belirlenen takvime uygun olarak gerçekleştirilen testte, elit askerlerin yeni nesil teknolojiyle entegre biçimde çalışarak gelen insansız hava araçları ile seyir füzelerini durdurduğu bildirildi. X hesabı üzerinden açıklama yapan Hegseth, bu tarihi başarının sadece "Tek Büyük Güzel Yasa" sayesinde mümkün olduğunu ve bu tasarının kendilerine Amerika'yı koruyacak nihai kalkanı inşa etmek için gereken fonu sağladığını belirtti. ABD Başkanı Donald Trump'ın önceliği doğrultusunda geleneksel ve yeni savunma sanayisi devlerinin rekabet ve işbirliği içinde çalıştığını kaydeden Hegseth, "Başkan Trump, Başkan Reagan'ın Stratejik Savunma Girişimi (SDI) vizyonunu gerçeğe dönüştürüyor. Altın Kubbe ile Savaş Bakanlığı, vatanımızı her zamankinden daha güçlü şekilde savunacaktır. Altın Kubbe gerçek, güçlü ve planlandığı gibi ilerliyor" dedi. MALİYETİ 1,2 TRİLYON DOLAR Buna karşılık, tarafsız Kongre Bütçe Ofisi (CBO) geçtiğimiz ay yayımladığı raporda, ABD Başkanı Donald Trump'ın Altın Kubbe füze savunma kalkanının 20 yıllık geliştirme, konuşlandırma ve işletme maliyetinin yaklaşık 1,2 trilyon doları bulabileceğini tahmin ediyor. Bu miktar, programın Pentagon direktörü tarafından sunulan 185 miyar dolarlık tahmini büyük ölçüde geride bırakıyor. CBO, sistemin sadece tedarik maliyetinin 1 trilyon doların üzerinde olacağını, bunun yaklaşık yüzde 70'ini ise 7 bin 800 uydudan oluşan uzay tabanlı önleyici katmanının oluşturacağını öngördü. Altın Kubbe projesi, karaya konuşlu önleyici füzeler, sensörler ve komuta kontrol sistemlerini genişletirken, uzaydan gelen tehditleri tespit etmek, izlemek ve yörüngeden vurmak amacıyla gelişmiş uydu ağları ve yörünge silahları gibi uzay tabanlı unsurları eklemeyi planlıyor. Sistemin, Alaska ve Hawaii dahil tüm ABD'yi kapsaması ve Kuzey Kore gibi bölgesel bir rakipten gelecek saldırılara karşı tam kapasiteyle devreye girmesi öngörülüyor. Ancak Bütçe Ofisi, sistemin Rusya veya Çin'den gelecek tam kapsamlı bir saldırının hedef yoğunluğu karşısında yetersiz kalabileceği uyarısında bulundu. UZAY VE KARA TABANLI DÖRT KATMADAN OLUŞACAK Pentagon'un geçen yıl ağustosta sektöre sunduğu taslağa göre sistem dört katmandan oluşacak. İlk katman uzay tabanlı önleyicilerden kurulurken, ikinci katman California ve Alaska'da bulunan Karaya Konuşlu Orta Yol Savunması (GMD) sisteminin geliştirilmesiyle oluşturulacak. Üçüncü katman, füzeleri henüz uzaydayken vurmayı amaçlayan, üçü ABD ana karasında, diğer ikisi Hawaii ve Alaska'da kurulacak beş karaya konuşlu fırlatma sahasından meydana gelecek. Dördüncü katman olan "Sınırlı Alan Savunması" ise nüfus merkezlerini korumak için yeni radarlar, mevcut ve gelecekteki önleyicileri fırlatacak yeni bir ortak fırlatıcı ile mevcut Patriot füze savunma sistemini bir arada kullanacak. Projenin temel amacı, yüzlerce uydudan oluşan bir ağ ile Çin, İran, Kuzey Kore veya Rusya gibi ülkelerden fırlatılan düşman füzelerini, kalkıştan hemen sonra, yani itki safhasında vurmak olarak açıklandı. Mevcut savunma sistemleri düşman füzelerini sadece uzaydaki yolculuklarının ortasında hedef alabilirken, Altın Kubbe füzeyi tespit ettikten sonra henüz uzaya girmeden bir önleyici veya lazerle ya da uzaya girdikten hemen sonra imha etmeyi amaçlıyor. REAGAN'IN 'YILDIZ SAVAŞLARI' PROJESİ İLE KARŞILAŞTIRILIYOR Trump, mayıs ayında yaptığı açıklamada, "Amerikan halkına, vatanımızı yabancı füze saldırısı tehdidinden korumak için en son teknolojiye sahip bir füze savunma kalkanı inşa edeceğime söz verdim" diyerek sistemi İsrail'in Demir Kubbe sistemiyle kıyaslamıştı. ABD desteğiyle İsrail'in Rafael Gelişmiş Savunma Sistemleri tarafından geliştirilen Demir Kubbe, kısa menzilli roket ve İHA'ları havada imha etmek üzere tasarlandı. Trump, "İsrail'e sistemleri konusunda yardımcı olduk, çok başarılı oldu ama şimdi bizim elimizde ondan çok daha gelişmiş bir teknoloji var" ifadelerini kullanmıştı. Proje, Ronald Reagan'ın 1983'te nükleer silahları işlevsiz kılmak amacıyla başlattığı ancak yüksek maliyet, teknolojik yetersizlikler ve anlaşma ihlalleri nedeniyle başarısız olan "Yıldız Savaşları" projesine benzerliğiyle de biliniyor. Projeye siyasi kanattan ise eleştiriler yükseliyor. Senato Bütçe Komisyonu Kıdemli Üyesi Demokrat Senatör Jeff Merkley, "Başkan'ın 'Altın Kubbe' dediği şey, çalışan Amerikalıların parasıyla tamamen savunma müteahhitlerine yapılan devasa bir hibeden başka bir şey değildir" dedi. Sistemin finansmanı belirsizliğini korurken, Cumhuriyetçi milletvekilleri Kongre'de engellerle karşılaşan uzlaşma tasarısına bağlı 150 milyar dolarlık savunma paketinin bir parçası olarak başlangıçta 25 milyar dolarlık yatırım teklif etti. 27 Ocak 2025'te imzalanan kararnameyle kurulan Altın Kubbe'nin, 2028 yılına kadar tamamlanması hedefleniyor. ABD Uzay Kuvvetleri, uzay tabanlı füze savunma önleyici sistemleri geliştirmek üzere 12 şirkete 3,2 milyar dolara kadar sözleşme imzaladı. Şirketlerin yıllık 1,8 milyar ila 3,4 milyar dolar değerinde üretim sözleşmeleri kazanabileceği belirtilirken, ilk aşamadaki yüksek geliştirme maliyetleri sebebiyle sektör oyuncularının en az 200 milyon ila 2 milyar dolar arasında öz kaynak kullanması bekleniyor. Projede Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, RTX ve Boeing gibi devlerin yanı sıra SpaceX, Palantir ve Anduril gibi firmaların da bazı bileşenler için yarışması öngörülüyordu; ancak Trump yönetiminin Altın Kubbe'yi devlet mülkiyeti dışı bir hizmet alımı olarak görmekten vazgeçmesiyle bu sürecin aksamış olabileceği ifade edildi. L3Harris Technologies ise hipersonik silahları tespit etmek için Indiana eyaletindeki Fort Wayne'de yer alan yeni tesisine 150 milyon dolar yatırım yaptı.
ABD, 'Altın Kubbe' Füze Savunma Sisteminin İlk Testini Başarıyla TamamladıKarachi police issue traffic plan for Muharram 8-10 processions
Karachi Traffic Police (KTP) have provided alternative routes for commuters to use as some roads will remain closed for the 8th, 9th and 10th Muharram processions. In a statement issued on X, the KTP said on Tuesday, “Special arrangements have been made to ensure the traffic flow and facilitate the citizens during the 8th, 9th, and 10th Muharram processions.” According to a press release issued by the Karachi deputy inspector general’s (DIG) office, attached to the post, “On 8/9/10 Muharram (June 24/25/26, 2026), the central procession will depart from Nishtar Park and conclude at Imambargah Hussainia Iranian via its traditional routes. “Due to security reasons, M.A. Jinnah Road will be closed to traffic from Gurumandir to Tower,” it added. The press release also shared the alternative routes for the commuters to reach their destinations. District Central: Commuters coming from Nazimabad can reach their destination from Lasbela Chowk via Nishtar Road heading to Garden. Commuters coming from Liaquatabad can turn left from Teen Hatti to Lasbela Chowk and then right towards Central Jail (Martin Road). Commuters heading from Hassan Square to PIB Colony can travel via Kashmir Road to Society Light Signal (Shahrah-i-Quaideen), and from Jail Chowrangi Flyover towards Nishtar Road (Lasbela Chowk). On Muharram 9, Gurumandir will be closed to traffic from 8:30am to 9:30am. District East Commuters going towards Numaish from Sharea Faisal via Shahrah-i-Quaideen can turn right from the Society Light Signal onto Kashmir Road to reach their destination. Commuters going from Central Jail Gate (Jamshed Road) towards M.A. Jinnah Road can go from Gurumandir towards Bahadur Yar Jang Road and Soldier Bazaar. On Muharram 9, the road from Jamshed Road to Gurumandir and Bahadur Yar Jang Road will be closed from 10:30am to 1:30pm, the KPT said. District South Commuters going from Garden Zoo to M.A. Jinnah Road can turn right from Anklesaria towards Gul Plaza and left towards Coast Guard and Holy Family. The press release further said that entry for all types of vehicles is prohibited on M.A. Jinnah Road, except for those participating in the procession that display a specific windscreen sticker. These authorised vehicles should enter via Shahrah-i-Quaideen and the Society Light Signal. Routes for procession participants Participants coming from Nazimabad will head to Numaish via Lasbela and Gurumandir. Those coming from Liaquatabad will pass via Teen Hatti, Jahangir Road and Gurumandir to reach Numaish. Another route is from Society Light Signal till Numaish. Those heading from Gulistan-i-Jauhar and Gulshan-i-Iqbal will take University Road, pass through Old Sabzi Mandi, Kashmir Road and Society Light Signal, to arrive at Numaish. Vehicles distributing Sabeel or Niaz will be part of the procession. Their entry points are: Saddar Dawakhana and Capri Light Signal. No vehicle is permitted to park anywhere along the procession route.
Alan Greenspan, longtime US Federal Reserve chairman, dies aged 100
Alan Greenspan, hailed as the greatest Federal Reserve chairman when he retired in 2006 but derided for a severe financial crisis that followed barely two years later, died on Monday aged 100, NBC News reported. Greenspan, who exerted a powerful influence on the US economy during his tenure at the helm of the Fed from August 1987 to January 2006, died at his home from complications of Parkinson’s disease, NBC reported, citing his wife, Andrea Mitchell, who is the outlet’s chief Washington correspondent. Greenspan oversaw the second-longest economic expansion in US history, an uninterrupted decade of growth from March 1991 to March 2001. His decision to let the economy run — despite pressure to raise interest rates against an inflation threat that never materialised — helped foster years of US prosperity and earned him rock star status as an economic “maestro”. The era was marked by his prescient judgment that a productivity surge in the mid-1990s would keep inflation contained. His intuition in that moment is still a touchstone for policymakers, and has been referred to by former Fed chair Jerome Powell as an example of how judgment can sometimes outperform technical models of the economy. However, the one-time jazz musician’s monetary policy acumen later came into question as critics attacked his policies for fueling a series of asset price bubbles and laying the groundwork for the 2007-2009 financial crisis. “I think the deification that came just before the financial crisis was never really deserved, and I think the lambasting that he took after he left was never fully deserved either,” said Stephen Oliner, a former senior Fed official. Greenspan, who fell in love with math through an obsession with baseball statistics, won quick plaudits for a strong response to the Black Monday stock market crash of 1987, just two months after he took office. He also steered the US economy through the 1990-91 recession, the 1997-1998 Asian and Russian financial contagion, the collapse of the dot-com stocks bubble in 2000 and the turbulent economic aftermath of the September 11, 2001, attacks. Along the way, biographer Sebastian Mallaby detailed, he became a consummate Washington power player able to manoeuvre presidents and cabinet secretaries into making the decisions he felt were best, sometimes without them realising who pulled the strings. Bursting bubble At the Fed’s vaunted Jackson Hole gathering in 2005, two leading economists billed him as perhaps the greatest central banker of all time. But when the housing price bubble that had grown during his final four years in office finally burst, it savaged his once-stellar reputation — along with the global economy. Whatever Greenspan’s merits in the moment, his successors steadily pushed the Fed in a new direction, rolling out financial crisis response tools to address problems Greenspan had never confronted, such as zero interest rates, and shifting from opaque communications to more frequent speeches, a set inflation target and regular press conferences. In addition to critiques of his monetary policy, critics slammed Greenspan, a powerful advocate for the light regulation of financial markets, for a hands-off attitude that allowed banks to make disastrous housing market bets. Greenspan subsequently admitted to being “shocked” that he was wrong in his assumption that bankers’ self-interest would deter them from taking actions that imperilled the survival of their own institutions. “Those of us who have looked to the self-interest of lending institutions to protect shareholders’ equity, myself included, are in a state of shocked disbelief,” he told the House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, in 2008. But as apologies go in Washington, it fell far short of what his most ardent critics sought. Some economists also felt the chairman, who never disguised he was a Republican, dented his political independence by backing tax cuts in 2001 proposed by President George W Bush, although he also worked closely with Democratic President Bill Clinton. The second-longest-serving Fed chair behind William McChesney Martin, Greenspan was first tapped by President Ronald Reagan in 1987 and was later re-appointed by Presidents George HW Bush, Bill Clinton and George W Bush. He was 80 when he left the Fed in 2006 but moved smoothly into a new career as a consultant and adviser with his own firm, Greenspan Associates, offering insights on where he thought the economy was going for big fees. 90s boom At the Fed, Greenspan built on the successes of his predecessor, Paul Volcker, who stamped out the raging inflation of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Indeed, in his final few years at the central bank, Greenspan spent more time worrying about the risks of deflation taking hold than about high inflation re-emerging. The ten-year expansion in the 1990s was fueled in part by a huge stock rally that Greenspan suggested in 1996 might reflect an “irrational exuberance”. He later backed away from that comment, saying it was not his role to second-guess investors. Greenspan was often referred to as the second most powerful person in the country, after the president, because of the central bank’s ability to influence the economy through changes in short-term interest rates. Pensive, serious and quiet, he laid out his views in elliptical testimonies and speeches that were parsed endlessly by pundits. He once warned an economists’ group that he spent a lot of his time worrying about being too clear. “What I’ve learned at the Fed is a new language called ‘Fed speak’. We learn to mumble with great incoherence,” he said. He could speak in such a roundabout way that his wife, Andrea Mitchell, said she “just didn’t get it” the first few times he proposed marriage. The couple dated for 12 years before they married in April 1997. It was the second marriage for both. Greenspan said he did his best thinking in the bathtub, indulging in baths that sometimes lasted two hours as he read reports and wrote speeches and public testimony. Music came first Born in New York City on March 6, 1926, Greenspan was the only child of Rose and Herbert Greenspan. His parents divorced when he was young, and he was raised in a small apartment in the Washington Heights section of New York with his mother and grandparents. Greenspan’s first love was music, and he spent two years at New York’s Juilliard School studying the clarinet. He toured briefly with a swing band as a saxophone player before turning to economics studies at New York University. In his youth, Greenspan was a friend and associate of the novelist Ayn Rand, who espoused the supremacy of the free markets and the profit motive in books such as Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead. Before his Fed years, he chaired the Council of Economic Advisers under President Gerald Ford in the 1970s. He also ran an economics consulting firm called Townsend-Greenspan and Co. for years. When Greenspan succeeded Volcker, some worried he might not live up to his tough-minded, cigar-chomping predecessor. But Greenspan soon proved his mettle by pumping liquidity into financial markets to calm the October 1987 stock crash. His quick action, which is now seen as a textbook example of how to handle such crises, was credited with staving off a recession.
Eski Fed Başkanı Alan Greenspan, Tartışmalı Mirasla Hayata Veda EttiRoyal Mail boss’s pay package soars to £6.9m despite profits slide
Martin Seidenberg, chief executive of parent company IDS, handed payouts after takeover of UK postal service Business live – latest updates The boss of the parent company of Royal Mail saw his pay and bonus package more than triple last year to almost £7m, despite group profits slumping by a fifth. Martin Seidenberg, the group chief executive of International Distribution Services (IDS), took home £6.9m in pay, bonus and long-term incentive scheme awards in the year to 31 March. This compares with the £2.1m he took home the previous year. Continue reading...
Dünyanın yıldızları İstanbul'da buluşuyor
Türkiye Turizm Tanıtım ve Geliştirme Ajansı (TGA) koordinasyonunda Go Türkiye tarafından yürütülen "What's On" stratejisi kapsamında İstanbul, Andrea Bocelli ve Kanye West konserleriyle dünya çapında yarattığı etkinin ardından 2026 yazında Scorpions, Moby, Ricky Martin, Tiesto, Zara Larsson ve birçok uluslararası yıldızı ağırlayarak küresel etkinlik ve kültür turizminin önde gelen merkezlerinden biri olmayı sürdürecek
Interstellar comet likely far older than Solar System, say astronomers
PARIS: An interstellar comet that blazed past the Sun last year could be nearly three times older than our Solar System and is unlike anything ever before seen in our cosmic backyard, astronomers said on Monday. The comet 3I/ATLAS is just the third visitor from beyond our Solar System that humanity has ever observed, its unusual brightness offering scientists an unprecedented opportunity to study something that came from elsewhere in the galaxy. After being spotted in July last year, the space rock prompted excitement online, with one prominent Harvard researcher speculating it could be an alien spacecraft — a theory that Nasa shot down. Now, observations by the world’s most powerful telescopes are revealing more about the unique comet. According to a new study published in the journal Nature, 3I/ATLAS could be up to 12 billion years old. Our Solar System is believed to have formed around 4.5 billion years ago. Lead study author Martin Cordiner of Nasa’s Goddard Space Flight Center said that “maybe it’s the oldest object to have been observed in our Solar System”. However there could be “edge-case scenarios” that offer other explanations for the comet’s unusual chemical composition, he added. The new research is based on the comet’s ratio of chemical elements called isotopes detected by the James Webb space telescope and the ALMA observatory in Chile. These measurements “reveal an elemental composition unlike any Solar System body”, the study said. Relic from ‘cosmic noon’? Compared to comets in our Solar System, 3I/ATLAS had around 30 times more deuterium, a type of hydrogen commonly seen in heavy water, according to a Nasa statement. “That high abundance of heavy water can only really happen, according to our understanding of astrochemistry, in a very cold environment,” Cordiner explained. This means the comet is also likely among the coldest objects ever seen in our Solar System, the isotopic evidence suggesting it formed in an environment that was minus 243 degrees Celsius. Exactly where this comet came from within the Milky Way remains a mystery. But these interstellar objects are thought to form in a similar way to the comets in our Solar System — being flung out during the violent formation of a new planet. Untethered to any star, 3I/ATLAS likely spent billions of years on “vast unimaginable trajectories around our galaxy,” Cordiner said. The scientists also detected a strange lack of chemical enrichment on the comet, which suggests it formed relatively close to stars being born. It could even be a “relic” from an era called “cosmic noon” when many stars were forming around 10 billion years ago, Cordiner said. The previous interstellar objects — 1I/’Oumuamua, which was spotted in 2017, followed by 2I/Borisov in 2019 — were not bright enough to gather isotopic evidence. Harvard professor Avi Loeb, who had previously sparked controversy by suggesting ‘Oumuamua could be an alien spacecraft, made similar suggestions about 3I/ATLAS. However Nasa has dismissed this possibility. The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Institute (SETI) said last month it had found “no evidence of extraterrestrial technology” on the comet. Steve Croft, an Oxford University researcher with SETI’s Breakthrough Listen Initiative, said that all observations of the comet “are consistent with it being a natural astrophysical object”. Published in Dawn, June 23rd, 2026
Yıldızlararası kuyruklu yıldız 3I/ATLAS, Güneş Sistemi'nden üç kat yaşlı olabilirMotoGP: Bezzechi remains top of standings despite Czech disqualification
(ANSA) - ROME, JUN 22 - Aprilia's Marco Bezzechi remains top of the MotoGP standings despite missing Sunday's Czech Grand Prix after being disqualified for pushing and slapping a trackside marshal who was trying to recover his bike following his crash in Saturday's sprint race. The Italian has 180 points, eight more than his Spanish team mate Jorge Martin, who was ninth in Sunday's race. The Grand Prix was won by Ducati's reigning world champion Spain Marc Márquez, who is now 40 points behind Bezzechi in fourth. An emotional Bezzechi went out on the track to find the marshal involved and apologize, hugging him several times. "I would like to apologize to the entire MotoGP community for my behavior toward the trackside marshal," the 27-year-old said in a statement. "I'm also sorry because I know how much effort and sacrifice marshals make to ensure our safety. "This behavior shouldn't happen and there is no justification for it. "I apologize to everyone, Aprilia Racing and all my fans". (ANSA). Read article...
Terma and MBDA Join Forces to Strengthen Europe’s Defense Capabilities
The partnership brings together MBDA, a global leader in complex weapon systems, and Terma, Denmark’s largest defense company, in strengthening European resilience and industrial base. The importance of the deal was underlined by the attendance of French Minister Delegate for Industry Sébastien Martin and Danish Minister of Business and Competitiveness Martin Lidegaard. The deal is ... The post Terma and MBDA Join Forces to Strengthen Europe’s Defense Capabilities appeared first on Naval News.
Terma ve MBDA Avrupa Savunma Sanayisini Güçlendirmek İçin Ortaklık KurduCongress loves to buy failed jets and ships then make your kids pay
As Congress debates the 2027 defense budget, members must confront an essential reality: their children and grandchildren will be left footing the bill. Many of the dollars that will be appropriated for military purposes in 2027 will be borrowed and tacked onto the ballooning national debt. But that is only part of the problem. Defense policies established today become spending obligations for future generations. If members of Congress are seriously considering $1.5 trillion in defense spending for 2027, it is in part because they must cover the expenses resulting from policy decisions made years ago by people who have long-since passed from the scene. To take just one example, Pentagon officials awarded the Joint Strike Fighter contract to Lockheed Martin nearly a quarter century ago. Much has been made about how expensive the program is and how its costs have more than doubled since 2001. But the real costs of the F-35 program are yet to come. Defense acquisition programs generally follow what is known as the “Rule of Thumb,” where one-third of a program’s total cost is the headline-grabbing development, testing, and acquisition expenses, while the other two-thirds are the far-less-interesting operations and support costs. In the case of the F-35 program, the front-end development and acquisition costs are approximately $442 billion. But the back-end operations and support costs over the lifetime of the program are estimated to be $1.58 trillion. Congress is now contending with the crashing “bow wave” of defense spending that started growing around the turn of the century. At the same time, they are also creating an entirely new bow wave of future spending as they continue to pour money into programs like nuclear triad modernization, the Golden Dome missile defense system, a new class of battleships, and the F-47 fighter jet program. All of these new programs are in the relatively inexpensive development and acquisition phase. When they become operational in the next 20-30 years, the American people will contend with their true costs. The only way to control those future costs is for policymakers today to make important tradeoffs. All of the current proposed programs need to be evaluated for practicality and genuine security needs. As good a place to start as any are the proposed aircraft programs currently in development. The B-21 and F-47 programs should face a fundamental reappraisal based on a cost evaluation that can be called the “platform/munition equation.” This simple assessment considers the cost of the delivery platform and the munition it launches towards a target. In the case of the B-21, the current estimated cost per jet is approximately $700 million. Joint Direct Attack Munitions, guided gravity bombs, cost between $25,000 and $84,000 each depending on the size of the bomb and how many the government buys at a time. In this case, the $700 million platform flown by two human beings flies through heavily defended airspace directly over the target to drop an $84,000 bomb. Contrast that with a B-52 with an inflation-adjusted cost of approximately $139 million per jet. A B-52 crew can remain outside of the enemy’s air defense zone and launch a $1 million AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile. The JASSM, or “Jazz-em,” has a range of at least 230 miles and was designed specifically to prevent manned aircraft from flying directly into heavily defended airspace. In the vast majority of cases, it is far preferable to use the less expensive launch platform in a manner that keeps the human beings safer, even if that means launching a more expensive munition. Beyond manned aircraft and long-range bombs and missiles, there are plenty of other ways to deliver munitions to distant targets in the 21st century. Military planners can decide between long-range rocket artillery like HIMARS, cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and drones. At some point in the near future, the military will also have an array of hypersonic missiles. Considering all the options available, the notion of sending manned aircraft like the B-21 or F-47 to accomplish the same mission that can be done by a cruise missile or a drone makes little sense. Policymakers should think very carefully about the future of military aviation when deliberating over the kind of obligations they contract for subsequent generations. The three individuals who saddled today’s Americans with the F-35 boondoggle were all from the Silent Generation. It would be a great shame if the Baby Boomers, Gen X, and Millennials in Congress now did the same to Generations Z and Alpha, as well as the generations that follow. Manned bombers are obsolete and have been for years. Strike aircraft face a similarly uncertain future. Just because the United States has maintained large fleets of such aircraft in the past doesn’t mean we need to continue doing so. The Army eventually abandoned horse cavalry. The Navy swapped aircraft carriers for battleships. It is long past time that policymakers undertake a similar process with aviation to ensure they make the platform/munition math work out right.
ABD Kongresi’nin Başarısız Askeri Harcamaları Gelecek Nesillere Borç YüklüyorTrump'ın yenilenmesi için milyonlar harcadığı Lincoln Anıt Havuzu krizi devam ediyor
ABD Başkanı Trump, Washington'daki Lincoln Anıtı Havuzu'nda tamamlanan 14,7 milyon dolarlık restorasyonun ardından yaşanan boya soyulması ve alg sorunlarından "vandalizmi" sorumlu tuttu. ABD Başkanı Donald Trump cumartesi günü yaptığı açıklamada, Washington'daki Lincoln Anıtı Havuzu'nda yürütülen restorasyon çalışmalarının ardından, "vandalizm" olarak nitelendirdiği olaylar nedeniyle havuzdaki suyun büyük kısmının onarım amacıyla muhtemelen tahliye edileceğini belirtti. Trump, kendi sosyal medya platformu Truth Social üzerinden yaptığı paylaşımda, "Bugün yüklenici firmalarla bir araya geldik. Gerekli onarımları yapmak için suyun büyük bir kısmını boşaltmak zorunda kalabiliriz ancak bu çalışmaları mümkün olan en kısa sürede tamamlayacağız" ifadelerini kullandı. Trump, olayla ilişkili olarak bazı şüphelilerin gözaltına alındığını iddia etti. Paylaşımında, "Güzel anıt havuzumuza yönelik utanç verici vandalizmle bağlantısı olan çok sayıda kişi daha gözaltına alındı" yazan Trump, havuzun içine aşındırıcı kimyasallar döküldüğü yönündeki iddialarına dair herhangi bir kanıt sunmadı. Ayrıca Trump, vandalizm gerçekleşmeden önce restorasyon çalışmalarının "kusursuz işlediğini" savunarak, kimliği belirsiz sabotajcıları havuza "bıçak veya benzeri bir kesici aletle" müdahale ederek "250 fit uzunluğunda bir yarık" açmakla suçladı. Konuya ilişkin olarak ABD Park Polisi, İçişleri Bakanlığı ve Columbia Bölgesi ABD Savcılığı yetkilileri, henüz açıklama yapmadı. ESKİ OLİMPİYAT SPORCUSU GÖZALTINDA Vandalizmle suçlanan kişilerden birinin eski olimpiyat sporcusu David Hearn olduğu bildirildi. The Washington Post gazetesine konuşan 67 yaşındaki Hearn, 84 kilometrelik bisiklet turu sırasında Lincoln Anıtı'nda durarak havuzdaki yenileme çalışmalarını incelemek istediğini belirtti. Havuzun dibinden kalkan mavi boyaya dokunmak için eğildiğini anlatan Hearn, bu sırada etrafının iki Ulusal Muhafız üyesi tarafından sarıldığını ve ABD Park Polisi ekiplerince "kamu malına zarar verme" suçlamasıyla gözaltına alındığını kaydetti. Hearn, "Hiçbir şeyi tahrip etmedim, kırmadım ya da sökmedim. Ne olduğunu anlayamadan kelepçelendim. Sadece suda dalgalanan ve zaten soyulmuş olan boya parçasının ucunu tuttum. Parça halen havuzun tabanına bağlıydı, hiçbir şeyi söküp çıkarmadım" dedi. Trump, 6 Haziran tarihinde havuzdaki 14,7 milyon dolarlık restorasyon projesinin tamamlandığını duyurmuştu. Ancak 610 metre uzunluğundaki havuzun "Amerikan bayrağı mavisi" rengine boyanmasının hemen ardından boyalar tabandan sökülerek soyulmaya başladı ve su yeşil renge büründü. Birçok gözlemcinin kötü işçiliğe bağladığı bu aksaklıklar karşısında Trump herhangi bir sorumluluk üstlenmedi. Görevlilerin yeşile dönen suyu temizlemek ve alglerle mücadele etmek için havuza hidrojen peroksit döktüğü belirtildi. Cuma günü olay yerinde bulunan bir AFP muhabiri, çalışanların sökülen mavi boya parçalarını ve yeşil algleri pompalayarak temizlemeye çalıştığını aktardı. Ayrıca havuzun dibindeki yeşil tortuların üzerine "TRUMP" yazıldığı görüldü. Trump ise cuma günkü paylaşımında alglerin yüzde 75'inin temizlendiğini ve sorunun yakında tamamen çözüleceğini öne sürerek, "Neyse ki hasar küçük bir bölgede ve önümüzdeki haftanın başlarında giderilmiş olacak" dedi. KİMYASAL MÜDAHALE YENİ BİR ALG TÜRÜNÜ TETİKLEDİ The Atlantic dergisi tarafından havuzdan alınan alg örnekleri üzerinde yapılan bilimsel incelemeler, temizlik için kullanılan hidrojen peroksitin farklı bir alg türünün üremesine yol açtığını ortaya koydu. Kuzey Karolina Üniversitesi deniz ve çevre bilimleri profesörü Hans Paerl, havuza dökülen kimyasalın ardından yeni ve oldukça agresif bir yeşil alg türünün alanı tamamen kaplamaya başladığını açıkladı. ABD medyasında yer alan haberlere göre, yaşanan bu aksaklıkların restorasyon bütçesine ne kadar ek maliyet getireceği henüz bilinmiyor. Tarihi öneme sahip Lincoln Anıtı Havuzu, sivil haklar lideri Martin Luther King'in 1963 yılında yüz binlerce kişiye hitaben yaptığı ünlü "Bir Hayalim Var" konuşmasına ev sahipliği yapmıştı. Bu restorasyon projesi, ABD'nin bu yaz 4 Temmuz'da kutlayacağı bağımsızlığın 250. yıl dönümü hazırlıkları kapsamında yürütülüyor. Kariyerine babasının emlak şirketinde başlayan ve ikinci başkanlık döneminde çeşitli restorasyon projelerine önem veren Trump'ın başkent Washington'ı yeniden şekillendirme planları arasında, Beyaz Saray'ın Doğu Kanadı'nın yıkılarak yerine yeni bir balo salonu yapılması ve ülkenin savaş kurbanları ile önemli isimlerinin anıldığı Arlington Ulusal Mezarlığı yakınlarında büyük bir anıt kemer inşa edilmesi de yer alıyor.
How Estonia prepares for possible Russian attack
The Kyiv Independent's Martin Fornusek travels across Estonia, from the streets of Tallinn to military exercises near the Russian border, to see how the Baltic country is preparing for potential threats.
Rusya'nın Kiev Saldırısında Dormition Katedrali Yandı, Son Yıkım Alman İşgalindeydiEU leaders sign joint statement in support of Ukraine - Europe live
It follows a similar move at the G7 earlier this week, where leaders calling on Russia to engage with the peace process Not many other leaders showed up to offer doorstep comments this morning – and can you really blame them, after they had just a few hours of sleep? But Ireland’s Micheál Martin popped in to tell reporters that “it’s imperative that we continue to make progress” on this budget. “There’s some distance to go yet before, before we get there [to negotiations], but opening up channels, in my view, given our own experience in conflict resolution, is not something that we would criticise or be negative about.” Continue reading...
AB liderleri Ukrayna’ya desteği yineleyen ortak bildiri imzaladıMedia union blasts Pauline Hanson’s ‘bitter, unprofessional’ attack on Guardian journalist
Union calls for journalists to stand with colleagues when they are targeted by politicians as Anthony Albanese says media organisations play ‘vital roles in our democracy’ Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast The media union has condemned One Nation leader Pauline Hanson’s attack on Guardian Australia senior correspondent Sarah Martin, as Anthony Albanese called on journalists to defend public broadcasters SBS and the ABC. After her landmark address to the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday, Hanson called Martin “trashy” for asking about her daughter Lee Hanson’s employment by a NSW One Nation senator, despite living and working in Tasmania. Continue reading...
Australia news live: police to investigate Gaza flotilla activist claims; Victorian law set to enshrine right to WFH
Police meet activists and will inquire into abuse and sexual assault allegations. Follow today’s news live Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories and then it will be Nick Visser with the main action. The Australian federal police will investigate alleged abuse and sexual assault by Israeli security forces against Australian members of the Global Sumud flotilla, it was announced last night. More coming up. Continue reading...
Avustralya Polisi Gazze Filosu Aktivistleri Hakkında Soruşturma Başlattı; Victoria'da Evden Çalışma Hakkı YasalaşıyorTaiwan Tests HIMARS Missiles on Island’s West Coast in Major Live-fire Drills
Taipei showcased its new American missile launchers through numerous live-fire salvos in a drill this week that Taiwanese troops claimed demonstrated the system’s mobility and long-range strike capabilities. The Republic of China Army fired its recently procured M142 High Mobility Rocket Artillery Systems (HIMARS) on Wednesday as the main highlight of a series of drills designed to validate the island’s precision strike capabilities, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense said in a news release. The Lockheed Martin-made missile systems rehearsed firing missions and rapid redeployment, with the HIMARS relocating to new firing positions within three minutes of launching, according to the
DoD not allowed to fix most of its own stuff. Guess who's cashing in?
Because defense contracts often prevent the military from repairing its own equipment, critics say weapons companies are price-gouging the Pentagon at every turn. As experts and observers tell RS, the military’s lack of a “right to repair” doesn't just allow defense contractors to charge thousands of dollars, for fixes that could be done for free or very cheaply. Rather, the Pentagon’s dependence on weapons makers for maintenance undermines military readiness. Namely, contractors’ extensive repair delays and sweeping decisions about whether to service gear routinely leave warfighters without critical equipment and weapons systems — even while deployed. Defense contractors rake in the dough Until the early 1990s, the Pentagon often purchased complete technical data packages for its equipment, allowing the military to handle its repairs as needed. But, as the number of major weapons contractors shrank during that time from dozens to just five major defense “primes,” the Department of Defense ultimately ceded some leverage over the issue. Consequently, many DoD contracts now leave repair and maintenance, which can make up as much as 70% of a military program’s lifetime cost, to the vendors. “It's a cash-cow for them,” Ben Freeman, director of the Quincy Institute’s Democratizing Foreign Policy Program, tells RS. “They can charge literally thousands of dollars to replace things that service members could replace for pennies.” Take the RQ-11 Raven drone, for example. After hard landings, it often has trouble starting back up again. But due to contractual restrictions, the military is barred from making repairs and must ship the drone to the contractor at a cost of $26,000, regardless of the issue. When an extensive repair backlog meant service members were temporarily allowed to fix the drone themselves, however, they found they could solve the problem — a broken connector — for free with hot glue. Sikorsky’s Black Hawk helicopter screen control knobs are also prone to breakage. Due to vendor repair restrictions, however, the military cannot fix the knobs. It instead must buy the knob from Sikorsky, which only sells it as part of an entire screen display assembly for the helicopter, for $47,000. The knob itself could be manufactured for about $15. Even repair and maintenance instructions are a chance for profit. Lockheed Martin has charged $900 per page for biannually updated maintenance manuals for the AC-130J Ghostrider program. And in 2020, the U.S. paid Boeing $84 million for Air Force One flight and maintenance manuals. Trade secrets at risk? Weapons contractors say that giving the DoD the information it needs for its own repairs may compromise their private intellectual property (IP) and trade secrets. But Freeman says that argument is “usually a load of crap.” “A lot of what we're talking about with right-to-repair, is stuff that service members already know how to do – there's no secret,” Freeman told RS in a written statement. “The only mystery is why they're not allowed to fix their own equipment.” What’s not a mystery is that contractors have pushed back fiercely against legislative reform. In a bipartisan effort, Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) introduced the Warrior Right to Repair Act last year — which would have made contractors hand over the technical data and other materials necessary for troops to fix their own gear. But weapons contractors successfully lobbied to remove it from the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY2026. “The truth is, the manufacturer has very little incentive to solve problems like this,” Nathan Proctor, a senior director at the Public Interest Research Group’s Right to Repair campaign, said at a recent virtual briefing on military right-to-repair. Contractors have “got quite a racket going on.” Saving money Renewing their push for the Warrior Right to Repair Act this year, Sens. Warren and Sheehy contend that a military right to repair will save the Pentagon, and taxpayers, billions of dollars. Recent examples of the military making its own parts and repairs support their argument. Now that the Marines can 3D print a communications antenna it needs, for example, its cost has dropped from $5600 to just $10 each. And the Marines can make the antenna immediately, rather than wait the 220 days the vendor typically takes to provide one. At the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting & Exposition last year, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll likewise explained that his team was able to 3D print a Black Hawk fuel tank prototype, which the vendor charges $14,000 to replace, for only $3,000. As Driscoll told War on the Rocks last year: “We’ve given away our right to repair our own equipment some of the time, which [means] we will have exquisite pieces of equipment sitting on the sidelines for 8 to 12 months, when we know how to 3D print [them much more cheaply]. That is a sin, and we’ve done it to ourselves.” Risks to military readiness Beyond weapons contractor profiteering, the DoD’s lack of right-to-repair threatens military readiness. Relying on vendors for repairs can often lead to equipment delays. For example, T-38 Talon engine repair delays in 2023 postponed Air Force pilot trainings, often by six months or more. Meanwhile, the F-35 fighter jet program repair backlog has grown so large — sometimes exceeding 10,000 parts — that the DoD has sometimes resorted to buying new parts from the contractor, rather than waiting for the planes to get fixed. The problem has also left armed service members without critical equipment while deployed. In 2019, former Marine logistics officer Elle Ekman wrote in The New York Times that Marines in Japan waited months for engine repairs because the engines had to be shipped back to the U.S. for repairs. Retired U.S. Army Master Sergeant Wesley Reid told RS that a vendor stopping him from repairing a military CT scanner while deployed in Afghanistan, had “significant impacts [on service members’] patient care, and…on the commander's ability on the battlefield.” During his deployment, Reid lost access to key diagnostic capabilities when the scanner’s microcontroller deactivated. The microcontroller’s one-year operational period, as per an agreement between the military and the vendor, Philips, had expired. But when Reid, who was trained to service the scanner, asked about getting a new microcontroller, Philips refused to send one. Philips insisted the scanner was too old and had to be replaced, despite how arduous doing that would be in a combat zone. Reid was still able to perform some diagnostic scans on wounded soldiers with the scanner, though it was much harder without the microcontroller. But “being told that [you’re] not able to work on something…that's very disappointing, especially when you're upholding your nation's promise to the other soldiers and sailors and airmen,” he stressed.
Pentagon'un Tamir Yasağı: Savunma Devleri KazanıyorMeeting with heads of international news agencies
Vladimir Putin’s meeting with heads of the world’s leading news agencies took place in the Constantine Palace. Director General of TASS News Agency, moderator of the meeting Andrei Kondrashov: Mr President, guests, Allow me to begin by expressing my deepest gratitude for upholding the steadfast tradition whereby the leaders of the world’s news agencies gather here, in the Northern capital, during the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, for an open dialogue with you. TASS has the honour of inviting our colleagues to this meeting. I would note that some of our guests have forewarned us that they have come prepared with some rather incisive questions. In turn, we have cautioned them that you too may have a few questions for certain journalists from various countries. President of Russia Vladimir Putin: No, I will not be asking questions. I am not a journalist. It is you who will be asking questions; I will be providing the answers. Andrei Kondrashov: In any event, let us strive to make our meeting today open, candid, and dynamic. The purpose of such gatherings is, as in previous years, that the discussions here will be rapidly disseminated in hundreds of news flashes across the globe for those present here today and the agencies they represent are responsible for generating more than three-quarters of the global information flow. Therefore, today, we will not follow any alphabetical order, but we will maintain one tradition. Let us begin our discussion with a representative of the fairer half of journalism – Ms Raushan Kazhibayeva, Director General of the Television and Radio Complex of the President of Kazakhstan. Please, Ms Kazhibayeva, you have the floor for the first question. Director of the Television and Radio Complex of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Raushan Kazhibayeva: Thank you very much. Mr President, I have two questions for you. Your recent state visit to Kazakhstan was a great success and undoubtedly one of the most significant events on our bilateral agenda this year. During the visit, you and our President, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, adopted a joint document on the seven foundations of friendship and good-neighbourly relations between the peoples of Kazakhstan and Russia. My first question: what, in your view, is the significance of this document? My second question relates to one of the most talked-about moments of the visit – the Amur tigers that Russia gifted to Kazakhstan. President Tokayev called this gift the highlight of the visit. Could you tell us whether this is not just an environmental project, but rather a symbol – a vivid symbol of trust between our countries? Thank you. Vladimir Putin: Our relations with Kazakhstan are advancing steadily; they are on the rise. That said, I should point out straight away that our Kazakhstani friends and partners are not easy partners. We always have very heated debates on almost every issue – whether it is financial relations, industrial cooperation, investment conditions, or major joint projects. But on both sides, there is a desire to find a compromise that doesn’t just satisfy both parties but also helps us achieve shared goals. And our shared goal is clear: development and prosperity for the citizens of Kazakhstan and Russia. We fully understand – we know that we are bound by centuries of shared history, no exaggeration here, and we have certain advantages inherited from the time we were part of a single state. What are those advantages? Cooperation, and particularly unified transport links. You asked your question in Russian, and I am grateful for that. That too is an important factor – one that, to some extent, and in many cases, takes on a purely economic dimension. Everything is clear: we understand each other, and we speak the same language. There is also enormous interest in continuing the benefits of education – both the evolving education system in Kazakhstan and the developments and new trends emerging in the Russian Federation. As you may recall, the President of Kazakhstan and I attended the launch of the Sirius system, which has proven successful in developing effective methods for identifying and supporting gifted children. Of course, Kazakhstan has many gifted children – they just need to be found – and this area of our cooperation will focus on this. Energy, as you know, industrial production, space, as well as our latest major project – the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan. I want to note that Kazakhstan is a country with abundant resources that are in high demand by the rest of the world. These resources include fuel for power plants and NPPs. We cooperate successfully with Kazakhstan in this area. I am confident that, by relying on its own resource base and developing our joint potential, Kazakhstan will achieve great success and tackle many tasks in energy, diversifying its energy resources. I believe Kazakhstan will obtain up to 20 percent of its electrical energy from the nuclear power plant. We produce uranium together, as I said, and will continue this production. But the most important thing is not the fact that NPP units will be built in Kazakhstan. Most importantly, a new industry will emerge. This new industry will provide for professional training, research and production activities. We will work on this together. It is an extremely important sector for both us and Kazakhstan. We will continue our cooperation in space, machine engineering, and many other industries. I have already talked about humanitarian links. Education plays an enormous role. A great number of Kazakhstani are enrolled to study in Russian universities, and we are very grateful to the President of Kazakhstan for launching an international body to support the Russian language. I believe it is a forward-looking initiative that will help preserve our relations and promote their development across all fields, including humanitarian cooperation. So, as concerns tigers, it is quite a natural thing. We are simply focused on the restoration of nature, the environment, flora and fauna. We also receive help – for example, Tajikistan has transferred snow leopards to us, for which we are immensely grateful to our Tajikistani friends. We have done a great deal to preserve the population of Amur tigers. By the way, they are the largest tigers in the world, second to none. Amur tigers are the largest. There were similar tigers in Kazakhstan in the past. If we can help our friends in Kazakhstan in any way, we will certainly do so. I have seen this picture, and it is impressive. By the way, we held an event called a tiger summit here. So many countries are concerned about preserving the population of these beautiful animals. I think our cooperation on this and other environmental projects is very important. This has to do with a very pragmatic matter of trans-border river resource utilisation. There is much to discuss in this area. Our work here is quite extensive. I am certain all the goals will be achieved. Thank you. Andrei Kondrashov: Mr President, to your left is Mr Fu Hua, representing the Xinhua News Agency from China. Just two weeks ago, if you recall, he helped organise an exhibition for you and President of China Xi Jinping, together with the TASS news agency. And now, two weeks later, he is here with us to ask his question. Please, go ahead, Comrade Fu Hua. President of Xinhua News Agency (PRC) Fu Hua (retranslated): Mr President, It was a real pleasure to have you visit us in China. A remarkable visit – and a highly successful one. This year, we held a very important exhibition marking the anniversary of our news agencies. Thank you for your special attention to it. May I take this opportunity to ask you a couple of questions? In May, you made your 25th visit to China, where you discussed major issues concerning our international relations with President Xi Jinping. We have counted: over the past 14 years, you have met more than 50 times. This is truly an extraordinary, unprecedented achievement. Our relationship is good-neighbourly, friendly, and truly at its peak. I believe this visit left a real mark. This close engagement at such a senior level – how did we achieve it? How did we reach this unprecedented level? That is my first question. My second question: We have jointly issued a new, comprehensive joint statement. We, of course, remain committed to the UN Charter, upholding its principles and purposes in full, and we defend the international order. We were the victors in World War II. What should we do to protect historical truth? How do we pass it on to future generations, without allowing anyone to distort or destroy it? Those are my two questions. Thank you. Vladimir Putin: First of all, I would like to thank you for the warm welcome during my visit to Beijing, and for the exhibition you organised together with your colleague, Mr Kondrashov. It was a fascinating and substantive exhibition. Thank you very much. As for the results of our cooperation, here is what I would say. In recent years, especially since the events still unfolding in Ukraine, people have increasingly said: “Russia has pivoted towards Asia. It has changed its policy.” But Russia has not changed anything, and it has not made any pivot. The agreement that underpins our cooperation – and is the foundation for our current results, which are impressive (according to various figures, our mutual trade is somewhere around $250 billion, and diversification is progressing strongly) – that agreement was signed back in 2001. We are natural allies and partners. Indeed, we are neighbours, sharing an extensive common border. One cannot choose one’s neighbours – that is a fact of life. Such is the course of history. Over the centuries, throughout our interactions, a particular system of principles governing our relations has emerged. Not yesterday, not today, and not five years ago – but over centuries, these principles have taken shape. China is progressing rapidly and dynamically, assuming an increasingly significant role in the global economy, world politics, and international affairs as a whole. Naturally, we have been observing this closely – and not merely observing; we have been engaging in close collaboration and cooperation. Twenty five years ago, we signed the foundational Treaty, which established favourable preconditions and a robust foundation for the development of bilateral cooperation in all areas. Such is the result. In recent years, as both the Chinese and Russian economies have expanded and diversified, new opportunities have emerged for us – encompassing a vast array of fields. I will refrain from enumerating everything I deem significant and important. The most crucial aspect is that in recent years, we have increasingly focused on matters relating to the new economy, which is rooted in artificial intelligence, information technology, advancements in biology, genetics, and so forth. We have always cooperated – not just in the last five years, but consistently – in the military sphere, and our interaction continues unabated. There is nothing new in this regard; it is simply a tradition of our relations, both military and military-technical cooperation. We are jointly considering certain developments in this domain. I reiterate, this is not connected to current events that are capturing global attention, including those in Ukraine or even in the Middle East. We simply cooperate and maintain friendship with China – not directed against anyone, as I have stated, but rather in each other’s interests. That is all. Here, particularly in the pursuit of advancements in the realms of artificial intelligence and high technology, lies the future of our collaboration. This is a subject we invariably discuss during our meetings with President Xi Jinping. Incidentally, we have truly trust-based relations. He addresses me as “my old friend,” and I reciprocate. This is neither an exaggeration nor a figure of speech. We have cultivated a relationship of trust. Naturally, we are guided first and foremost by the national interests of our countries, yet these interests often align, and personal relationships provide a solid foundation for reaching ever-new horizons. That is why I believe we have established favourable preconditions for enhancing our interaction with China. I am confident that all the tasks we have set during my visit will be accomplished, and all the objectives will be achieved. President Xi Jinping and I have outlined our schedule of bilateral contacts for this year – and this applies not only to us: the governments, ministries, and agencies, along with our leading companies, are meeting and collaborating, including in the energy sector, where, I am sure, we will soon delight the global energy market with new agreements between Russia and China. Andrei Kondrashov: Colleagues, who would like to speak next? Vijay Joshi, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of the Press Trust of India. CEO and Editor-in-Chief at The Press Trust of India (India) Vijay Joshi: Mr President, first of all, thank you for this opportunity and for your hospitality. Mr President, as you are preparing to travel to India for the BRICS summit in September and the global community is watching the evolving dynamics between Moscow and New Delhi very closely. While this special and privileged strategic partnership remains the cornerstone for both nations, some observers say that India’s alignment with Washington creates structural frictions with Russia. From your perspective, how will you seek to inject fresh momentum into the bilateral relationship? What steps can be taken to ensure that Russia-India ties remain resilient against external geopolitical pressures? And how would you describe Russia-India relations in this redrawn geopolitical landscape in your words? Thank you. Vladimir Putin: You have described these relations yourself, and you characterised them accurately. As you noted, this is a special and privileged strategic partnership. Such a relationship was not built overnight, or over the course of a few years. It is the result of decades of cooperation. The Soviet Union established diplomatic relations with India in 1947 and consistently supported the development of the young state. We are happy to see that, thanks to the tireless work, talent, and determination of the Indian people, India has achieved remarkable success and made tremendous progress in its development. Everyone present here knows that India is currently demonstrating the highest economic growth rates among the world’s major economies. This doesn’t fall out of the sky; it is the result of consistent and purposeful efforts, above all by the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The country’s strong economic performance reflects the successful implementation of the policies and development strategies pursued under his leadership. We still have a lot of work to do together, but we are confident that bilateral trade will reach $100 billion in the coming years. At present, trade turnover stands at approximately $58 – $60 billion. However, all the necessary conditions are in place to intensify our joint efforts and achieve even more ambitious goals. Our cooperation extends far beyond the energy sector, including nuclear power. The Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant is already operating and continues to expand, and we expect decisions on additional sites in the future. We will also continue to deepen cooperation in the hydrocarbon sector. Russia remains one of the largest foreign investors in the Indian economy, and we intend to further strengthen investment cooperation on a reciprocal basis. Everybody knows that we also maintain close cooperation in the pharmaceutical industry, where Russian companies are ready to offer a wide range of products and solutions. I will not go into details, but we have outlined a number of highly promising, long-term initiatives that are of mutual interest to both India and Russia. However, I find your question somewhat surprising. You suggested that India’s cooperation with the United States is creating difficulties in its relations with Russia. We do not see it that way at all. Where did you get that from? We are glad that India is developing relations with all countries. India is a major global power with a population of 1.5 billion people, a rapidly growing economy, and one of the world’s largest democracies. It is entirely natural for India to develop relations with a wide range of countries in accordance with its national interests. It is another thing that the United States is trying to pressure India on certain issues, particularly on certain issues of cooperation with Russia. But I think everyone has long since realised that pressuring Prime Minister Modi, who leads a country with a population of 1.5 billion, is futile. Moreover, it harms international relations and bilateral relations, no matter from which side this pressure comes. We do not see any negative consequences arising from the current situation. We believe that mutually acceptable solutions can be found with all parties involved. To date, we have not observed any serious adverse effects. Russia and India continue to strengthen their partnership, and we regard India as a reliable partner. Andrei Kondrashov: And here’s the United States. James Jordan is one of those who came from The Associated Press to ask tough questions. Please. Vladimir Putin: Go ahead, play hard ball. News Director for Europe & Africa at the Associated Press James Jordan: Thank you, Mr Kondrashov, for the organisation of this gathering. It is always fascinating to hear President Putin’s views on many global matters. I have been here for three years now and it is always an interesting experience, so thank you. President Putin, yesterday hundreds of drones were launched into Russia from Ukraine. Some struck a naval base nearby, some struck an oil depot nearby, causing a plume of smoke over St Petersburg, your home city. Flights were also disrupted into the airport here. More broadly, the Russian economy has dipped recently; your personal approval ratings have also dipped; and the US says the invasion has become a strategic disaster – those are the words of Marco Rubio. He also added that Russia won’t achieve its war aims by military means alone. Given this, is it still logical to pursue your war aim of controlling the hold of the Donbass region or are you ready to make a deal? Thank you. Vladimir Putin: First of all, one does not exclude the other. Controlling the entire Donbass region and making a deal are not mutually exclusive. Why do you think they are in conflict? You mentioned Mr Rubio’s statement. He is a serious partner; we are in contact with him. He recently spoke in the Senate or Congress. It is clear that the domestic political situation in the United States is complex – some support him, some attack him. What the Secretary of State says on a specific issue inside his home country is certainly of interest to us, but ultimately, we are more interested in the real situation. And if you are talking about the conflict in Ukraine right now, we are interested in the actual situation on the ground. What does that situation look like? It is as follows. First of all, and this needs to be emphasised, Russian troops are advancing along the entire line of contact. There is not a single place where Russian troops are not advancing. The biggest problem facing the Ukrainian Armed Forces today is a disastrous shortage of personnel. Recently, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have been reduced by 100,000 personnel. Monthly losses are around 40,000. As a result of forced mobilisation – people, as you know, are being snatched off the streets, like stray dogs, and forced into the army. I will tell you about the consequences now. Monthly losses are approximately 40,000. Forced mobilisation brings in around 15,000–16,000 per month, and about 14,000 return from hospitals after being wounded. So each month, there is a net loss of roughly 10,000 personnel. On top of that, around 20,000 desert each month. At the start of this year, the number of deserters was around 60,000. People are being forcibly taken – there is no motivation, no one wants to fight. The almost official figure is that 200,000 criminal cases have been opened for desertions. That is one of the problems, but the most significant one. It leads to the loss of territory and towns. Just recently – I will not give the exact number of communities now, in case I am mistaken – the Russian army has brought approximately 2,440 square kilometres under its control. The offensive, as I said, is ongoing daily. Since you mentioned Donbass, the Russian army is currently in full control of the Lugansk People’s Republic – 100 percent. Over 85 percent of the territory of the Donetsk People’s Republic is under our control. Only recently, Ukraine controlled some 25 percent of the territory, and now it’s down to less than 15 percent. We also control 80 percent of the Zaporozhye Region. This process continues on a daily basis. True, Western sponsors supply a great number of drones for Ukraine – different categories, including long-range UAVs. Unfortunately, some of them do break through. But Russia has its own air defence system. We must sure refine it. Yes, we must reinforce it, and we will by all means do it. Ukraine has no such system whatsoever. They have some of its elements but no system. They have Patriots and other types of weapons but the shortage is catastrophic. But the system as such does not exist. Similarly, Ukraine has no strike systems like those the Russian Federation has. By that I mean hypersonic missiles, cruise missiles – sea-, air- and ground-launched. We also have something vital – the Russian people’s patriotism and strong will that guarantee that we will achieve all the goals and objectives of the special military operation. While listing essential issues, I should mention one more circumstance. We have our own production, resource, research and workforce base to address all the objectives concerning the provisions of the Russian Armed Forces. This base is gaining strength with every passing month and, certainly, serves as the foundation for all the achievements and advances that I have just mentioned. To summarise, I would like to add the following: Without doubt, we are ready and willing to reach an agreement with Ukraine by peaceful means – and based on what we have discussed at the meeting with President Trump in Anchorage. At that meeting, certain questions were put before Russia so that we could agree on certain compromises. Russia agrees to the compromises discussed in Anchorage. It is necessary that Ukraine also agrees to make them. Then, the conflict will be resolved naturally and quickly. Andrei Kondrashov: Have you received answers to all your questions, Mr Jordan? Should time permit, you may pose additional queries, but for the moment, allow me, Mr President, to put my question to you. The retaliatory strikes we are carrying out today in response to the incessant terrorist assaults from Ukraine – targeting infrastructure used by the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) and military-industrial complex facilities – are, before our very eyes, taking on a systemic character. Indeed, one of our recent retaliatory strikes raises the question – was the Oreshnik used in that instance? Furthermore, what, broadly speaking, does the use of such weaponry afford us? Vladimir Putin: As for our new systems, they are being developed – this includes the Oreshnik. However, they differ somewhat from what we used to do prior to the conflict in Ukraine. What do I mean by this? You see, we tested such systems at proving grounds, but the Oreshnik was not tested in this way, and this did not constitute a combat use. Across the territory of Ukraine, there has essentially been no full combat use of the Oreshnik, and as for the latest instance – it is not quite that … To be perfectly candid, I will share a major state military secret with you: we simply struck locations where it was possible to observe the results. This applies to Belaya Tserkov and, even more so, to the DPR area within the main fortified zone. Afterwards, our drones flew into the structure we hit, and we meticulously observed how the separating warheads were dispersed, calculating everything to the millimetre. This is crucial for us to make future decisions on the full-scale employment of the Oreshnik against designated targets, including urban areas. Andrei Kondrashov: Thank you. Colleagues, who is next? Martin Romanczyk, Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA), Germany. But, you know, I would first like to put a question to Martin myself, if I may. You represent Germany’s largest and leading news agency. As a journalist, do you get the impression that your country is preparing for war? Is this really the case, or does it merely appear so to us? And is it truly gearing up to engage in conflict with Russia? Vladimir Putin: I object. There is no need for you to respond. You are not here to be interrogated – you are here as an investigator; interrogate others. Andrei Kondrashov: Then we will speak separately after this meeting. Please, go ahead. Head of the News Service of the Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA) (Germany) Martin Romanczyk (retranslated): I would like to respond to your question. No, I do not think so. Mr President, thank you very much for the invitation. I would also like to address the topic of Ukraine and return to a question that has already been asked here. You spoke about peace. Germany and many European countries wish to take part in these peace negotiations currently being mediated by the United States, despite the conflict in Iran. What role can Germany play, and what role can the Federal Chancellor assume? And, if I may, I would like to add to this question. You mentioned Gerhard Schröder as a negotiator on behalf of the Europeans. Apart from Gerhard Schröder, whom else can you envisage in this role – who could undertake these mediation functions on behalf of Germany? Thank you. Vladimir Putin: You raised two points that I would like to pay attention to. First, you said that Europe would like to participate in the negotiations. Right? Second, you asked who, apart from Mr Schroeder, could serve as a mediator. One thing is to participate in the negotiations, and another thing is to be a mediator. How can the European Union or separate countries of the European Union be a mediator if they directly abet the efforts of the country which we have an armed conflict with? What kind of mediators can they be? If you want to be a mediator, you have to be neutral.That is my first point. And secondly, I was surprised by the reaction to my mention of Mr Schroeder as a possible mediator. An immediate outcry followed: “No, Schroeder cannot be involved because he is Putin’s friend.” He is not Putin’s friend. He is a German statesman, and one of the best, in my view, because he has his own position and the courage to defend it. Unfortunately, there are not many politicians in Europe today who possess those qualities. Europe is currently facing significant energy challenges. However, it was Gerhard Schroeder who championed infrastructure projects such as Nord Stream, designed to provide the German economy with reliable and affordable energy supplies from Russia. Moreover, these projects were not only about securing deliveries; they also created a framework of mutual commitments and obligations between the parties involved. What matters is not that we have a good relationship with him. What matters is that, while pursuing his country’s national interests, he has demonstrated that he is a person whose word can be trusted. That is the essence of the matter. Any individual seeking to act as a mediator must be trusted by both sides. Frankly, I find it difficult to understand how Russia could trust people who, for years, have been saying about the need to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia. That is precisely the issue, Martin, das ist das Problem. Nevertheless, we are not refusing to talk. We have never refused contacts with representatives of the European Union in any format. As for the EU acting as a mediator in negotiations with Ukraine, there are obvious difficulties, as I have already mentioned, and I think that is difficult to dispute. But we are not rejecting contacts. If they want to talk, they know how to reach us. They can pick up the phone and call. If they want to come, they are welcome to do so. It is not Russia that is refusing engagement. I was also surprised to hear claims that the evil Russia had stopped supplying energy to Europe. We did not stop. Europe chose to stop buying, hoping that this would cause our economy to collapse. Well, they have seen that nothing has collapsed, that it’s time to stop, to realize that it was a wrong approach and perhaps make some adjustments. But instead we continue to hear the same rhetoric. They have made so many public statements and political commitments that it is difficult to change their position now. I’m not going to comment. I just want to say that we never rejected a dialogue. I want to reaffirm it. If anybody considers it reasonable to resume dialogue with Russia – go ahead. Who will be the negotiator from Europe? I don’t know. We are not imposing anything. I’ve heard this hubbub about Russia wanting to impose something, suggest some negotiators. We are not imposing anything or anyone. Naturally, we want to know who this could be. Let me repeat: It must be some people we could trust. It is just a working matter that could be discussed quietly and calmly, say, at the level of foreign ministers or intelligence services. The contacts between our intelligence agencies continue, by the way. Martin Romanczyk (retranslated): Mr President, you spoke about Nord Stream. Members of the Alternative for Germany party are present at this economic forum. They are supporting the resumption of Russia’s gas supplies via Nord Stream. What do you think of this party? We are holding regional and federal elections soon. What are your expectations of this party? What is your general attitude towards the Alternative for Germany party? Thank you. Vladimir Putin: I believe it would be improper for me to give assessments of the political forces of the Federal Republic. We know – and I know – that, if this corresponds to reality, or as far as I was informed, Alternative for Germany is currently ranked at the top among the political parties of the Federal Republic. It is ahead of CDU/CSU – in fact, quite significantly. It is also ahead of the Social Democratic Party of Germany by miles. I don’t want to comment, but I will say one thing. In my opinion, it is happening because this party’s leaders can formulate the interests of the German people and the German economy clearly and precisely. They are not afraid to declare them and they are willing to fight for them. Hence their rating and results. I don’t know and I don’t want to speculate about further developments on the political stage of the Federal Republic. As for opinions, we welcome any German political forces that are willing to restore and develop relations with Russia, be it Alternative for Germany or any other party. We will work with everybody who wants to work with us. Andrei Kondrashov: If there is a country that definitely wants to work with us, it is Belarus. I would like to give the floor to BelTA, the Belarusian news agency. Andrei Mokhor, go ahead, please. Director General of the Belarusian Telegraph Agency (BetTA) Andrei Mokhor: Good evening, Mr President. First, thank you for the opportunity to have this genuinely open discussion on topics that have been a matter of concern far beyond the circle of people sitting around this table. It has already been said on multiple occasions that the relations between Belarus and Russia can be regarded as a benchmark of sorts in terms of interstate relations and striking a balance between integration and the unconditional commitment to preserving sovereignty. Even the EAEU has yet to achieve this level of interaction. I would like to ask your opinion about ways of overcoming the emerging crisis of trust between long-standing partners, our partners, whose actions sometimes de facto amount to severing ties. Vladimir Putin: A crisis of trust with our partners? Andrei Mokhor: Yes. A crisis of trust with our partners within the post-Soviet space. In particular, I am referring to the developments concerning Armenia. Vladimir Putin: You know, there is nothing extraordinary about this. The political forces behind the current Prime Minister have been talking about this for quite some time now. They have no qualms and are open about it. In fact, there is nothing wrong with striving to follow Western standards, the European standards. I believe that any sovereign country, and Armenia is of course one of them – every sovereign country has the right to set what it views as priority standards which can benefit the country and reinforce its independence, sovereignty and, most importantly, its economy, as well as to choose its partners accordingly. What has raised our concerns? It was the fact that Armenia has adopted a law on launching the process to join the European Union – this is how it is titled, by the way, and it was Mr Lukashenko who drew our attention to this fact, while I even forgot about this, but he pointed out the actual title of the law. Business as usual, nothing extraordinary about this, if not for the fact that Armenia, as I have already said, and we discussed this in Kazakhstan too when we had a meeting with our colleagues – Armenia operates within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union. There are different standards, technical regulations in agriculture, transport, and logistics – there are so many divergences. I would very much like to see, at some point in the historical perspective, technical standards, logistics and all the other numerous factors involved – many of which may seem a mere formality at first glance but are in fact crucial to economic development – become aligned between the European Union and the EAEU. This would make us a truly vast economic space “from Lisbon to the Urals,” as De Gaulle said, though it would be even better if it extended all the way to Vladivostok. However, this is currently impossible for technological reasons, as the EAEU and EU free trade zones are incompatible. Of course, this is a concern for us. If a relevant law is adopted, this goes beyond mere talk – it is the law, and we would like to ask our Armenian colleagues to decide on their development path as soon as possible. The market organisation and the legal framework within the EAEU depend on this, because we debate every issue just as it is done in the EU. Without wishing to overstate this, our colleagues sometimes become quite animated in these discussions. Every comma is sometimes important. But it is also important for us to know how this interaction will be structured. This not only concerns energy, although this is important because the common energy market is one of the few issues that has not been coordinated in terms of our policy as a whole. As you can see, even our colleagues in Germany are concerned about Nord Stream. This [energy] is a crucial element today, and it is especially important in the post-Soviet space, that is, within the EAEU. Moreover, Prime Minister Pashinyan has said just recently that he considers it important to hold a referendum on this issue. Our only request is that this is clarified as quickly as possible. Nothing more. We have no objections. We will maintain good relations with Armenia no matter what development path it chooses to follow. As for other countries, as I said, we manage to come to terms, we always do, despite all the challenges of negotiations. I am confident that we will be able to do this in the future as well. As for Armenia, Russia advocated, at Armenia’s request, for its accession to the EAEU. I mean that, in terms of a number of economic indicators, Armenia did not fully fit the overall framework at the time. However, it has now decided that it should explore a different direction. We have no objection to that – it is entirely their choice. Our only request is that a decision be made as quickly as possible and that we proceed openly and transparently. That’s all. So I do not see any major political problem here. There are, of course, economic and technical issues to address, but I hope we will be able to resolve those as well. By the way, regarding Nord Stream. As you know, the Nord Stream pipelines were blown up, correct? But one string of Nord Stream 2 remains intact and undamaged. Through it, Russian gas could be pumped to the Federal Republic of Germany starting as early as tomorrow. You just need — and I am not joking — simply to press a button, and the gas will start flowing. But that requires a decision by the Government of the Federal Republic. We have an existing contract between Gazprom and its partner in the Federal Republic, and contacts with Gazprom are ongoing; they remain in communication. Gazprom has never refused supplies and is ready to deliver tomorrow. Its partners also want this. All that is needed is a decision by the Government of the Federal Republic. And here we come to the key issue – a political question, a question of sovereignty. Because this system was not only blown up – I consider it an act of state terrorism, and I think you would agree – but even though one line remains intact and operational, it is still subject to US sanctions. If the German government reaches agreement with its partners, the sanctions will be lifted, we will press the button, and gas will start flowing – tomorrow, if necessary. This is a matter of sovereignty: whether they agree or do not agree, or whether, without agreeing with anyone, they simply say no, or explain to their partners in Washington that they need this because they are going through a very difficult period. High energy prices are undermining the competitiveness of the German economy and harming the European Union as a whole, because Germany remains the locomotive of the European economy. This system needs to be put back into operation. They could reach an agreement peacefully, explaining the seriousness of the situation. That is all. With increased capacity, up to 25, and potentially 28 billion cubic metres per year could be supplied – starting tomorrow. But what Gazprom needs from its German partners is a clear answer: will they take the gas or not? Otherwise, we will redirect it to other markets and sell it to other partners. The contract remains in force. And it is not Gazprom that is failing to meet its obligations – Gazprom is ready. The German partner is not taking the gas, because there are instructions from Brussels and Berlin not to take it. That is all. Let’s continue. Andrei Kondrashov: Middle East News Agency MENA, Egypt. Shohrat Aref, please go ahead. Managing Editor for European and Middle Eastern countries at the Middle East News Agency (MENA) (Egypt) Shohrat Aref (retranslated): Thank you, Mr President, for inviting me to take part in this dialogue. I have the following question: What are your thoughts about President el-Sisi’s role in promoting stability in the Middle East? What role could Egypt and Russia play in reducing tension in the Middle East? Vladimir Putin: President el-Sisi is a good friend, and I have a very good relationship with him. I also hope this helps us expand our bilateral ties. Trade between our two countries has been stable and is enjoying positive momentum, and there are good prospects for undertaking major projects. For many years now, we have been discussing the project to create a Russian technology valley in Egypt’s Nile Valley. Today, we are working hard on the project to build a nuclear power plant in Egypt. I hope its first block becomes operational in 2028. There is significant, effective momentum in our relations. We have engaged quite a few local specialists to perform construction work, which means that this is a very impactful project. We are also working in other sectors. We have developed a relationship of trust in our political cooperation on the international stage. Russia appreciates President el-Sisi’s efforts to bring about a settlement in the Middle East. The Palestine tragedy has been somewhat relegated to the background considering the developments in and around Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, but the Palestine issue has not disappeared. It remains acute. In this regard, the President of Egypt has made and continues to make a meaningful contribution to achieving a settlement, which means arriving at a fair resolution regarding all Palestine-related matters. Of course, I would like to stress again that in the opinion of the Russian Federation, the creation of a viable Palestinian state is the only fundamental approach to resolving this issue. I know that the President of Egypt has been working hard on the agenda dealing with settling the Iranian crisis. He has been in touch with all parties to this process at all times, and we have also maintained contact. We seek each other’s advice, listen to each other, hear each other, and take our respective positions into account. I would like to thank President el-Sisi for attaching so much importance to strengthening Russia-Egypt ties. This is instrumental. Egypt is one of our priority partners in the region. Andrei Kondrashov: Spain has been a country that has protested conflicts in the Middle East. We have José Manuel Sanz Mingote, Editor-in-Chief of Agencia EFE, with us. You have the floor. Editor-in-Chief and Director of International Information at the Spanish news agency EFE José Manuel Sanz Mingote (retranslated): Thank you. I would like to thank our friends at the TASS News Agency for their hospitality. Mr President, my question concerns Ukraine. What is preventing the achievement of a durable peace in Ukraine, one that would allow all of Russia’s legitimate concerns related to the conflict to be discussed? We can see that some progress has been made, and you have told us about this. But it is taking too long to achieve these goals, especially in Donbass. We have seen numerous exchanges of strikes between the sides. Is now the right time for a ceasefire, for sitting down at the negotiation table to discuss all issues? Even if the EU and European countries cannot mediate the process, they could help look for a solution. Thank you very much. Vladimir Putin: I believe that the EU could indeed help look for a solution. In my opinion, a solution should be reached within the framework of the arrangements made in Anchorage, and the Ukrainian side is fully aware of this. I would like to reiterate that the question raised before the meeting in Anchorage was whether Russia was ready to make certain compromises. I said during my visit to Anchorage and my meeting with the US President that we were ready, and I specified the agreements and compromises we would be prepared to make. The issue is for the Ukrainian side to accept these compromises. However, judging by all indications, primarily the internal political situation, Kiev is not ready for this. The reason is that if peace is achieved, internal political strife and the struggle for power in Kiev will intensify dramatically, and the economic situation will further deteriorate against this backdrop. It seems to me that the ruling authorities [in Kiev] are not interested in stopping the hostilities because in this situation they are unlikely to have any good prospects – let’s put this tactfully – for retaining power. Furthermore, they will have to address economic matters. European experts know how much it will cost to rebuild the Ukrainian economy – hundreds of billions of euros – and how long this will take. I am aware of the German Chancellor’s proposals for making Ukraine an associated member, and so on. That is none of our business. We are not against this – go ahead. But we are against turning the EU into a military bloc. This is a matter of concern to us. But we are not against economic integration. Go right ahead. European experts know how much this will cost, and European farmers know what will happen if European markets open to Ukraine’s agricultural products. I could speak about this for a long time, but this is how I will reply to your question: Yes, the EU could potentially play a positive role, though not by supplying weapons but by trying to convince Kiev to accept the compromises we discussed in Anchorage. That is all. Andrei Kondrashov: Please, Chairman of the Board of AZERTAC news agency Vugar Aliyev, Azerbaijan. Please, go ahead. Chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijan State News Agency (AZERTAC) Vugar Aliyev: Good evening, Mr President. Thank you very much for taking the time to meet with us journalists. My question relates to relations between our countries. May I ask how you assess the prospects for developing relations between Azerbaijan and Russia? Vladimir Putin: I would rate them as highly favourable. Our relations with Azerbaijan have always been, and continue to be, very positive. This extends to both the economic and political spheres. We signed a Declaration on Allied Interaction a couple of years ago, and relations are developing accordingly. President Aliyev is making significant efforts to infuse this treaty with tangible substance. This is evident in the specific areas of our cooperation. I believe that accumulated Russian investment in the Azerbaijani economy exceeds 10 billion rubles. Numerous enterprises operate with Russian capital. We also have close cooperation on cultural and educational matters. A substantial number of Azerbaijanis, as is well known, work in the Russian Federation. They send money to support their families. We are striving to organise this in a proper, civilised manner. We have numerous areas of mutual interest in logistics, in particular, the North-South corridor providing access to Iran. At present, of course, this has been somewhat hampered due to the events surrounding Iran, yet it remains an area of significant mutual interest. We are deeply grateful to President Aliyev for assisting us in the delivery of humanitarian aid to Iran. It should be noted that the Azerbaijani side has been diligent and effective in this regard, responding promptly to our requests. This is crucial for alleviating the situation in that region as well. Trade turnover is on the rise, and it should be noted that additional opportunities for the mutual supply of goods are emerging. We are engaged in negotiations on a wide range of specific areas. At this stage, I deem it premature to elaborate on this, but it pertains primarily to the energy sector. We will meet with President Aliyev and will certainly discuss all matters in due course. On the whole, I believe that relations between the two countries are evolving – and evolving very positively. Andrei Kondrashov: Colleagues, the next question, please. Who is next? The Kyrgyz agency Kabar. Director Mederbek Shermetaliyev, please. Director of the Kyrgyz National News Agency Kabar Mederbek Shermetaliyev: Thank you, Mr Kondrashov. Good afternoon, Mr President. Thank you for this opportunity to take part in today’s meeting with you alongside the heads of news agencies. Allow me to ask two questions. Mr President, President Sadyr Japarov has repeatedly underscored that Central Asia should become a region of peace, neighbourliness, and shared development. Against this backdrop, Kyrgyzstan’s election to the UN Security Council was an important event not only for our country but also for the entire region. What role, in your opinion, can Central Asia play in strengthening international security in the coming years? That is my first question. My second question concerns the fact that this year, Bishkek is hosting the SCO summit. Against the backdrop of growing global challenges and instability, what joint initiatives within the SCO does Russia consider a priority for strengthening regional security, and what key proposals does the Russian side plan to put forward for discussion during the summit? Thank you. Vladimir Putin: As for what we intend to put forward at the summit, we will, first and foremost, be guided by the proposals of the Kyrgyz side as the host country of this event. We know that both the President of Kyrgyzstan and all our colleagues are giving this their close attention and working on it. Our respective government bodies are in constant contact, both through the foreign ministries and through the relevant economic agencies, coordinating their efforts. I am confident that this will lead to the necessary compromises being reached where required. More broadly, it will result not merely in formulations but in the definition of objectives for the further development of the association as a whole. What I would like to draw attention to is the following. It was initially established as a mechanism for resolving border issues between the People’s Republic of China and those republics of the former Soviet Union that share a border with China. Today, how many member states are there – 27 countries? It is, indeed, a major organisation. Few outside observers take note, but substantive work on economic integration is underway, and this is becoming a prominent factor in regional affairs, at the very least. And given that there are, after all, 27 countries involved, this is a significant undertaking. What is important is that Central Asia – with the resources of the Central Asian countries, its vast territory, and its growing population – is attracting ever-greater attention from the entire international community, primarily, of course, on the basis of the region’s economic potential. Everything that is being done within the framework of the organisation itself will undoubtedly be of interest both to Russia and to all our partners. Therefore, we certainly wish our Kyrgyz friends every success and will do everything we can to ensure that this significant event, in my view, proves a success. Andrei Kondrashov: We have not had questions from France or Great Britain yet. Let’s start with France. A major agency, Agence France-Presse – Pierre Ausseill, Regional Director for Africa and Europe, please. AFP Regional Director for Africa and Europe Pierre Ausseill (retranslated): Good evening, Mr President. I have a short question on Ukraine, covering the economy and Mr Zelensky. Russian military spending has risen considerably due to the special military operation, and the economy is showing signs of strain. Can the Russian economy withstand this? My second question concerns Mr Zelensky. If you were to sit down at the negotiating table with him to sign a peace treaty, what would you say to him? And do you consider him the legitimate representative of Ukraine? Vladimir Putin: On the question of his legitimacy, that is a matter for lawyers, for legal analysis. Of course, if we reach the point of signing any documents – and that is not a whim on our part; any country in our position would want to sign documents of this kind, which would be truly historic for both Russia and Ukraine – then we would want to sign them with someone who is legitimate under the other country’s constitution, the fundamental law of Ukraine. This requires careful legal analysis. I will not go into the details now – I have spoken on this before, and anyone can look up what I have said. Here is the core issue. Two years ago, in May 2024, President Zelensky’s term expired. At the end of last year and the start of this year, there was much talk of elections in Ukraine. Where is that talk now? Will there be elections or not? I suggest that you ask them these questions as well. That matters. Yet no one is asking these questions now. If elections are held, when? And of course, the outcome would be crucial. Under the Ukrainian Constitution, a president is limited to serving two five-year consecutive terms. If we accept the view of those who say that President Zelensky has legally extended his powers, two years [of his second term] are completed. Will he run for another five-year term? This is contrary to the Constitution, which only stipulates two five-year consecutive terms, 10 years altogether. What about the two years he has been in power now? There are many questions, but if we ever reach the stage of signing documents, I believe that if there is a desire to end this military conflict peacefully – and Russia would like to do this, we will find those who should sign the relevant document. When there is a will, there is a way. This is extremely important, but we must remember that it is a legal issue. As for what we could tell each other if we reach the end of the conflict, at the very least, we could and should say, Thank God it’s all over. However, the legal side of the matter should be analysed at the level of good experts. I believe this is obvious. I would like to reiterate that we can only sign such documents with those who are fully legitimate to do so. There are many options, such as the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, and possibly even Zelensky himself. We need to analyse the documents and what legal consequences their signing would have. Once again, there must be the will to do it. As for the procedure, there are ways to coordinate it. Pierre Ausseill: I also asked about the economy, if you recall. Vladimir Putin: Regarding the [Russian] economy, as Mark Twain said – I think it was he who said it, “The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.” That is how he joked about it once. The same here. There were forecasts of our defeat on the battlefield, and it was even said – I think it was the former US President who said it, that the Russian economy was in tatters. Don’t engage in wishful thinking. Make your assessments based on real figures, real trends and the real situation, in this case the real situation in our economy. How much has the EU’s economy grown over the past three years? Don’t wrack your brains – it has grown by about 3 percent. And how has the Russian economy grown? It has grown by 10 percent, three times more than the EU’s economy. Germany, the leading economy of the eurozone, has grown by less than 1 percent, while the Russian economy has grown by 1 percent last year, even if this is a modest figure, and it continues to grow. It is true that there are issues in terms of the overall macroeconomic landscape, primarily the rising inflation. It is for this reason that the Central Bank and the financial bloc have taken several decisions – and these decisions were quite harsh – to suppress inflation and improve macroeconomic indicators. The decision to raise the key interest rate was one of them. However, these measures have been effective and yielded results. As of April, the economy has not fully recovered to where it was a year before that, but we are making steady progress towards reaching the planned, or to be more exact target indicator of 5.4 percent. This is a positive development in itself. At the same time, industrial output has continued to grow, and so did real household incomes. In fact, real household incomes increased by over 28 percent which is largely due to higher salaries, and I am talking about real, not nominal, wages. There was an increase of over 25 percent. We have been fulfilling all the social commitments we have to the people of Russia, including by adjusting for inflation pensions, benefits, minimum wages, and entitlements to support families with children, and so on and so forth. We had a plan to reduce the number of people living below the poverty line to seven percent by 2030. In 2025, we achieved this objective ahead of schedule and went even further by reaching a level of 6.7 percent. I want to go back to Mark Twain’s quote. Let me reiterate that our economic and financial agencies have been effective in their actions and delivering results. It goes without saying that we intentionally went down this road, of course, when the Central Bank decided to significantly increase the key interest rate. It has already cut the interest rate several times and brought it down to 14.5 percent. Many believe that this is too little, and that we need more cuts. I will not make any comments in this regard right now, since this can turn into a lengthy debate. I have been following these discussions between the Government’s economic bloc and the Central Bank, etc. But the results are there. We did this on purpose while understanding that this would lead to a decrease in capital investment. How could it be otherwise? Of course, investment was expected to shrink with the Central Bank’s key interest rate at this level. Our decision to cool down the economy was intentional. Some may argue that there was too much cooling, or that more needs to be done in this regard. Still, we did this on purpose. We do not want hyperinflation of up to 30, 60, or 70 percent, as it happened in some countries. We are fighting for the overall health of the Russian economy. I would like to draw your attention to another important indicator. Our public debt is equal to 15.6 percent. How big is it in France? It exceeds 100 percent, probably. I think it is 112 percent, approximately. But we have 15.6 percent. All this gives us reasons to believe that we are headed in the right direction and can feel confident. Andrei Kondrashov: Reuters, UK, Mark Bendeich, please. Global Managing Editor, World News, at Reuters news agency (Great Britain) Mark Bendeich: Thank you, Mr President. I’ve got two questions. The first is on Ukraine. How do you rate President Trump’s performance in trying to end the conflict in Ukraine? Whether he has become distracted by the Iran war and indeed whether he miscalculated there, perhaps at the cost of pushing forward talks over Ukraine? My second question is about your own political future, Mr President. You have been running the country now, been in power for 26 years, and whether you plan to stay in office until 2036, I think under the Constitution. And if you don’t mind me saying so, you look quite fit, whether you feel you have the stamina and the health to go the distance to 2036? Thank you. Vladimir Putin: Only God knows whether any of us – you, me, everyone in this room – stay healthy enough to survive until tomorrow or the day after, let alone to solve the problems we face and reach the goals we have set. That is for starters. As for my own plans: yes, the Constitution allows me to run for re-election in 2030. But frankly, it is far too early to talk about that. I am not even thinking about it right now – I tell you completely honestly. The country faces many large, far-reaching, and urgent issues. The way to address them is not to think about that, it is to think about Russia’s future. That’s the first point. Now, on Ukraine and what the US President has done to try to resolve the conflict. I have said this before, and I do not mind repeating it. I believe President Trump is genuinely committed to resolving the Ukraine crisis. He has already said publicly that he did not expect it to be so difficult. And yes – from the outside, some things may look straightforward, but once you dig in, you realise there are many unknown factors, and they matter. Now, settling another crisis, the one concerning Iran is indeed urgent. We see that the US administration is distracted and forced to focus primarily on that issue. But here is the difference: the Ukraine crisis is primarily local, though I regret that European countries are trying to give it a global dimension. The crisis around Iran, by contrast, is clearly global. Just look at the impact the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has on the world economy. So of course, the administration is giving it serious attention. That said, President Trump’s proposals, as I have already mentioned, could very well form the basis of a peace agreement. So to answer your question of whether the administration was on the right track – yes. Those proposals require compromise – for both countries. For Russia, too. And we have broadly agreed to those compromises. We just need to convince the Ukrainian side. That’s all. Overall, I believe these proposals could serve as the foundation for an agreement between Russia and Ukraine, and could end the conflict. Global Managing Editor, World News, at Reuters news agency (Great Britain) Mark Bendeich: Sorry, just one follow-up question on Iran. Do you think Russia could play a role in terms of settling that dispute in particular in relation to the highly enriched uranium? Vladimir Putin: I believe so. We harbour no desire to impose our assistance; however, our proposal is well known to the US administration, as well as to our Iranian friends and partners. In 2015, Russia played an entirely positive role by facilitating the removal of enriched uranium from Iran to the Russian Federation, thereby establishing the foundation for the JCPOA– effectively resolving the crisis. This endeavour was supported by the American administration of the time, implemented successfully, and led to a de-escalation of the situation. What is the current state of affairs? The uranium is present on Iranian territory, a fact currently undisputed by any party. The question that therefore arises is: what follows? The uranium would immediately come under the control of the IAEA, and consequently, the entire international community – including the United States and Israel – would become engaged in the process of eliminating highly enriched uranium. This is because everything would be under their purview – effectively, under IAEA control – while all parties contribute to the IAEA’s efforts, and there is universal trust in the IAEA. Immediately, the uranium is accounted for in terms of volume and quantity, control is established, and the process of de-enrichment and dilution commences. We possess the capability to undertake this now as well – if you will. However, I reiterate, this decision rests with all parties seeking a resolution to the crisis. We have successfully implemented this before and stand ready to do so again. Our relations with Iran are good and based on trust; Iran is a friendly country. It is no secret that we are implementing a project there to construct the Bushehr nuclear power plant. We have completed one unit, which is now operational, and are continuing with further construction. I believe that the Iranian leadership and the Iranian people repose complete trust in us. Incidentally, this uranium could, in the future, be diluted and utilised for peaceful nuclear programmes within Iran under the oversight of the international community and the IAEA. I think that this constitutes a viable option. In this regard, I believe that Iran would find such a resolution acceptable, and all other parties involved – who may harbour certain suspicions – should also find it satisfactory. The uranium would be declared, removed, and placed under control. Wherein lies the problem? I see none. I may be mistaken in some respects, yet I struggle to see what could be objectionable to anyone in this scenario. Furthermore, initially – since we have broached the topic, I will elaborate – initially, and admittedly not this year – there was unanimous agreement. Subsequently, positions hardened on all sides. We said: “Very well. If not, then not. Please, resolve this among yourselves.” The proposals remain on the table – please, we are prepared to proceed as we did in 2015. If that is not the case, we hope that the parties involved in this conflict will find an alternative solution. Should another solution emerge, we would be most pleased. And if our assistance is required, we would gladly support any solution of this nature that leads to a de-escalation of the situation. Andrei Kondrashov: Mr President, we have already been speaking for an hour and a half. Would you allow us another 20 minutes? Vladimir Putin: We can do a couple of questions. The President of Uzbekistan is due to arrive shortly, and we have an event scheduled – the launch of a nuclear power plant construction project in Uzbekistan. Andrei Kondrashov: I have already caught the eye of three colleagues – Martin Romanczyk, Vijay Joshi, and Jose Manuel Sanz Mingote. Vladimir Putin: Well, by all means. Andrei Kondrashov: Three more questions, colleagues, and then we’ll conclude. Vladimir Putin: Please. Andrei Kondrashov: Martin, go ahead please. Martin Romanczyk (retranslated): Mr President, two years ago, when asked whether Russia was planning to attack NATO, you said that such claims were nonsense. At least, that is how your remarks were reported. Yet today, amid US plans not to deploy intermediate-range missiles in Germany and new details concerning the redeployment of American troops from Europe to Asia, there is still speculation that Russia could attack NATO territory in the foreseeable future. How do you assess such claims? Vladimir Putin: You know, anyone who seriously considers such claims should ask themselves a simple question: What for? Why would Russia need that? It’s clear – the conflict in Ukraine. At the heart of the conflict are the coup d’état and the subsequent suppression of everything associated with Russia as well as of a significant portion of the country’s population who refused to accept the outcome of that coup. Ukraine is, after all, a largely Russian-speaking country. Even those so-called nationalists speak Russian at home. But that is not really the point. The point is that the coup was followed by a series of developments inside Ukraine itself. In the end – and I will not go into all the details of how this unfolded, including the Minsk agreements and everything that followed – we found ourselves in a situation where it was necessary to support those people living in the territories that did not recognise the outcome of the coup. At the same time, there were ongoing efforts to bring Ukraine into NATO. Just think about it. We were simply deceived – openly deceived. You know that perfectly well. Since 1991, we were repeatedly told that NATO would not move one inch to the east. This was stated at the time by NATO Secretary General, a citizen of the Federal Republic of Germany – I must admit I cannot recall his surname at the moment. That was the assurance we were given. But what does Europe have to do with this? Why would Russia attack Europe or go to war with NATO? What would be the purpose? As I have said before, these claims are not merely nonsense. In my view, they are a deliberate provocation designed to create the impression of a threat that does not actually exist. The objective is to persuade their populations to increase defence spending and, as a first step, to pay for the regime that seized power in Kiev. That, I believe, is the real explanation. It is not simply nonsense; it is a provocation. What surprises me, however, is that some people in European countries appear to believe it. I find that astonishing. The whole notion is simply absurd. It would be amusing if it were not so sad. We have consistently stated that one of the objectives of our special military operation is the denazification of Ukraine. Yet, from various quarters, we have been asked: “What do you mean by denazification? What is this “denazification” you refer to? You are speaking irrationally. (And they say we are speaking irrationally.) Why denazify Ukraine?” Colleagues, let me be clear. This has been plain to see for all, yet scarcely anyone addresses it – the reburial of Nazis and nationalists who, during the Second World War, exterminated Jews, Poles, and Russians in Ukraine. How many, you ask? In my view, a million Jews were exterminated in Ukraine. A million innocent souls. And now, in Ukraine, their [Nazis’ and nationalists’] remains have been reburied with military honours and a gun salute, hailed as heroes of Ukraine. Only Poland reacted, albeit feebly; Israel – even more feebly. Everyone seeks not to notice, shamefully ignoring the truth. And who is responsible for this? The current head of the Kiev regime, ethnically Jewish. His grandfather, who fought against Nazism, must be turning in his grave. There exists an organisation of Ukrainian nationalists known as the UPA [Ukrainian Insurgent Army] – an entirely pro-Nazi entity. Its name is currently being bestowed upon active units within the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Observe: to the best of my knowledge, it has been enshrined in legislation, or is on the brink of being enshrined, that Nazi propaganda is forbidden. However, the Ukrainian authorities should be reminded that enshrining it into law is insufficient – the law must be implemented effectively. Listen, I understand that the so-called collective West does not want Russia to grow stronger. The collective West wants to use Ukraine so that Russia does not defend its national interests so vigorously, that it should know its place, and so forth. But you must understand what a threat the revival of Nazism poses to everyone. Not only is weaponry spreading from the territory of Ukraine across the world – that is already a matter of record. Not only is corruption flourishing there, it has taken over everything, it has sunk such deep roots. But Nazism is being revived. What then is to be done about that? Colleagues say that Ukraine should be part of the European Union, or an associated member, or in some other capacity. Very well, so be it. But one ought at least to reflect upon this. These are facts; this happened just recently. A few days ago, one of the Nazis was reburied. It was by his hands that Jews, Poles, Russians, and Roma people were exterminated – a million people. Yet he was reburied with military honours, with a gun salute, and – silence. I understand that some countries want to use everything in their fight against Russia. But this is a threat to everyone. One ought to think about this. Therefore, as regards the notion of Russia attacking Europe – this is, of course, nonsense, but not only that. It is also a provocation and misinformation aimed at deceiving their own populations in order to secure funding for the fight against Russia and for the militarisation of their own economies. CEO and Editor-in-Chief at The Press Trust of India (India) Vijay Joshi: Mr President, earlier in this interaction you spoke about Russia’s relations with China. You said it was not born yesterday; it has grown over and been fostered over centuries. India has a similar relationship with China, but probably of a different nature. It is a difficult relationship. At the same time, India has a difficult relationship on its western border with Pakistan. I think you see where I am going with this. Pakistan today is helped by China in military terms. About 80 percent of Pakistan’s military hardware is of Chinese origin. China is also supplying technology, advanced technology to Pakistan, intelligence, and military hardware. So, this is causing some concern in India. You have very good relations with both China and Pakistan. Is there anything you would like to do at all in ensuring that India’s security interests are not compromised? And a related question to that is that I just heard today that the S-400’s latest battalion has been delivered to India. A fifth one remains. What is the advanced technology that the fifth battalion will include? And if you can give maybe a definitive timeline on the joint development of the Su-57 stealth fighter and the delivery of the Akula-class nuclear submarine? Thank you. Vladimir Putin: Of course, we are well aware of all the potential issues and challenges, even if not all of them, but the main challenges dealing with the situation along the border and in terms of Pakistan – India relations – we know them. You said that China has Pakistan under its total control, but I do not think so. First, Pakistan is quite a big country, and Pakistan has multifaceted ties. Of course, matters dealing with Pakistan’s cooperation with the People’s Republic of China have a lot of importance for the country. But everyone seeks to expand relations with China. This is one of the world’s largest economies and it is second to none around the world in terms of purchasing power parity. It is the number one economy by this indicator. India is third, and Russia is fourth in terms of purchasing power parity. By the way, this also answers the question from your French colleague about the state of the Russian economy. China, the United States, India and Russia are the world’s top four countries in terms of purchasing power parity. By the way, we have surpassed all European countries, as well as Japan. What an ingrate thing it would be to interfere in these sensitive and multifaceted relations between two countries, India and China. That said, we maintain contacts with our friends in both India and China. What I would like to point out in this context without going into much detail, since it would be inappropriate for me, is that I can assure you that both Prime Minister Modi and President of the PRC Xi Jinping are both committed to addressing all matters of mutual interest, including in terms of border relations. I have no doubt about this whatsoever. Russia has special relations with both China and India, as you have said. This is not a problem for anyone, trust me. It took decades to forge these ties, decade after decade of work. It all came together quite naturally. Relations between Russia and India do not cause any trouble to China, and the same goes for Russia’s relations with China not causing any trouble to India, while everyone stands to benefit from the three countries working together. We are talking about BRICS. Do you know where BRICS was born? It was here, in St Petersburg. It was here that I suggested having a meeting between the Chinese leader, the head of the Indian Government and yours truly. And all three of us had a meeting here. This is how the RIC – Russia, India, China – format was born. It goes without saying that we found topics on which we could agree, and agree we did. Brazil joined us later by asking to become part of this trilateral format. This is how we got the BRIC group. After that South Africa followed, and we got BRICS. And the group continued expanding. This goes to say that when we come together and talk to each other, we are able to reach agreements. Let me reiterate that no one questions Russia’s cooperation with China or Russia’s cooperation with India. Everyone knows the multi-pronged ties we have in terms of military technical cooperation. It is true that we are working with India, including on developing the latest weapons systems. Everyone knows the BrahMos intermediate-range missiles. They now exist in sea-based and ground-based declinations. And the list goes on, and we are expanding it. As for the Su-57, there was a time when we offered our friends from India to work together on developing this plane. This is a fifth-generation plane, and I think that it is currently the best in the world. Our Indian friends told us to go ahead and do it on our own, while they would wait and see. This plane could have been our joint manufacturing venture, but we developed it on our own. Of course, we are ready to work with India by supplying these planes and developing them. The sky is the limit in this regard, and we are free from any restrictions. The same goes for air defence systems. Having specific hardware may be important, but creating an air defence system has even greater importance. What does this mean? This means being able to engage various types of targets at various altitudes, including low-altitude, slow-flying and high-altitude targets. It is instrumental that all these elements are part of a single information system working in real time. This is a formidable, tech-intensive task. Russia is now working on perfecting this system. There are still pending questions, but this is a unique experience. No one else has any experience of this kind. We have it, and we are ready to share it with both our Chinese and Indian friends. And share we do. There is work in progress on all these fronts, and we will continue working with India too. Andrei Kondrashov: Colleagues, one final question, please. Keep it brief. José Manuel Sanz Mingote of EFE news agency. José Manuel Sanz Mingote (retranslated): Thank you very much. I would like to ask a brief question to clarify whether I understood your answer correctly. Are you ruling out a suspension of military action for starting negotiations? My second question concerns Latin America. Over the past few months, have you had any contacts with the United States regarding Cuban issue? And regarding what happened in Venezuela. Have you mentioned the capture of President Nicolás Maduro? What will Russia’s response be? Vladimir Putin: As regards contacts on the Cuban issue, I will answer your question directly. You asked whether we have had contacts with the US administration regarding the Cuban issue. Yes, we had, but I do not wish to comment further. As you know, we recently delivered a tanker carrying oil products to Cuba. Cuba is our friendly nation; we have maintained longstanding relations with it for decades. The US administration is aware of this, and our contacts with Cuba continue. As for the suspension of hostilities in order to begin negotiations, such a suspension is not necessary for starting negotiations. Negotiations can take place while military actions continue. We have already had such a situation: negotiations took place while the military operations continued. So where is the issue? Speaking candidly, I have already outlined the key factors that shape the course of the conflict when answering the question posed by an American colleague. There are many factors at play. Russian forces are advancing every day, and anyone following developments closely can see that new settlements are coming under the control of the Russian Armed Forces on a daily basis. Recently, I repeat, nearly 2,500 square kilometres – specifically, 2,440 square kilometres – have come under Russian control. Under these circumstances, it is understandable that the Ukrainian side would prefer Russian troops to halt their advance. Our forces continue to make advances daily in the Zaporozhye Region by kilometres – say, by 1,200, 1,300 or 800 metres along the front and in depth. Obviously, there is a desire to stop this advance. However, rather than merely halting military actions, it would be better to end the war altogether by reaching the compromises that were discussed in Anchorage. Please go ahead. News Director for Europe & Africa at The Associated Press (USA) James Jordan: Thank you, Mr President. One more question about Russia’s relationships with its European neighbours. Associated Press reporting has tracked 191 incidents of malign or illegal activity across Europe since 2022. Western officials attribute these to Russia and its proxies, and they include…. Vladimir Putin: Do you mean Russia’s activity on the territory of European countries? James Jordan: Correct, Russia and its proxies. These actions include sabotage, attempted assassination, cyberattacks and influence operations. Western officials say this is just the tip of the iceberg, and these are the ones that have been tracked or proven. Does this mean that Russia is already waging a war against the West and does it not risk escalation? Vladimir Putin: This means only one thing: an attempt by certain political figures in Western European countries to push ahead with their aggressive plans against the Russian Federation. You mentioned cyberattacks and other attempts, and you pointed out that you are only talking about proven, verified facts. What does this prove? Name even one proven fact. How did one prime minister put it? She said: “highly likely.” Andrei Kondrashov: “Highly likely.” Vladimir Putin: “Highly likely.” Everything you have described is highly likely. Where is even one fact? There is not a single one. That means there is no desire to engage with Russia as an equal partner. But that will have to happen – we are in no hurry. As the saying goes, even if you put nine pregnant women together, the baby still will not be born in a month. The situation needs time to mature. I believe that is where we are heading. And it seems to me that it is gradually maturing. We, I repeat, are ready. We need to stop these mutual accusations. And if the Europeans want to work with us, then they should drop their colonial attitude, talk to Russia as an equal partner, and look for solutions together. Even with highly complex issues – issues that need to be resolved in the interests of both Russia and our European partners – we are ready for that. Please. Andrei Kondrashov: Thank you very much, Mr President. Vladimir Putin: You should’t treat women like that or end this meeting like that. Proceed, please. Shohrat Aref (retranslated): Thank you. I would like to hear your views on the energy crisis caused by the crisis around Iran and its outlook. Vladimir Putin: If you addressed this question to members of the US administration, they would probably not answer it because I have a feeling that they have not found the solution yet. However, it is obvious that the Iranian people have demonstrated that their interests must be also taken into consideration in the resolution of such crises. The Iranian people have demonstrated cohesion and determination to fight. This factor must certainly be taken into consideration in the final resolution of these problems. Of course, the situation is not simple for us from the political perspective, in part because we have developed very good and friendly relations with Arab countries, including Persian Gulf states, over the past decades. We always emphasise this in our contacts with our Iranian friends. I can tell you frankly that since the start of the conflict, especially since it began during the month of Ramadan, we have been urging our Iranian friends to refrain from military actions against other Islamic countries, especially in the holy month of Ramadan. But the logic and dynamics of events took a different turn. We hope that the efforts of the US administration and President Trump, and the consistent stance of Iran’s spiritual leader to protect the interests of his country and look for a compromise – we see that both sides are doing this – we hope that these efforts will succeed and an end will be put to the conflict. If anything depends on Russia, we are always ready to lend a hand. If not, we will celebrate together with everyone else when this crisis ends. It is nothing more than an unsubstantiated allegation that Russia is well-nigh the sole beneficiary of this conflict because of growing energy prices. It is true that prices are growing, which we can see, and we understand that our companies will benefit from this, to a certain extent. But such benefits are temporary and short-lived, whereas we would like to develop long-term relations with all our partners on the solid basis of mutual interest. In this case, we are interested in the conflict to end as soon as possible. It is gratifying that the ceasefire regime is being maintained, even if despite certain problems. We are doing everything we can to help this bring out an overall settlement. We maintain contacts with all our friends and, as I have said, we will do everything we can if our assistance is needed to end the conflict. This will be all. Thank you very much. Andrei Kondrashov: Mr President, thank you very much for this frank conversation. All the best.
Putin, St. Petersburg'da uluslararası haber ajansı liderleriyle görüştüInto the HyperVerse: inside a crypto scheme that cost investors millions of dollars – documentary
When Guardian Australia senior reporter Sarah Martin heard a friend’s hairdresser had invested in a cryptocurrency scheme called HyperVerse and potentially lost all her money, she decided to investigate. She soon found many more members of the scheme, in Australia and around the world. A person in the UK had lost £1m from the sale of his home that he’d put into HyperVerse; an Australian who had recruited his mates lost $100,000 – and lost his friendships too. In this short documentary, interviews with former HyperVerse participants are woven through Sarah’s recounting of the rabbit hole she fell down as she investigated the scheme, how it worked, and tried to find out who was responsible for it all. ‘They are so convincing’: Vera Gazzard lost her life savings to HyperVerse Investors lose millions as crypto schemes operate unchecked in Australia Continue reading...
How Trump failed to force Ukraine into a bad 'peace' deal
The Kyiv Independent’s Martin Fornusek speaks with Phillips O'Brien, a U.S. historian and professor of strategic studies, about U.S. policy on Ukraine under President Donald Trump, the future of transatlantic relations, and the state of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Australia news live: Australia joins sanctions against ‘extremist settlers’ in West Bank; Barbecues Galore no more
Penny Wong issues statement overnight announcing joint action with western allies to combat ‘horrific levels of settler violence against Palestinian civilians’ Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories and then it’ll be Nick Visser with the main action. Australia has joined the UK and other western allies in introducing sanctions against “extremist settlers” accountable for the “horrific levels of settler violence against Palestinian civilians”. More coming up. Continue reading...
Peru'da devlet başkanlığı seçiminin 2. turunda solcu aday Sanchez öne geçti
Peru'da 7 Haziran'da gerçekleştirilen devlet başkanı seçiminin ikinci turunda oy sayımı sürerken, solcu aday Roberto Sanchez, sağcı rakibi Keiko Fujimori'nin önüne geçti. Ulusal Seçim Süreçleri Ofisi'nin (ONPE) son güncellemesine göre, Peru'da sandıkların yüzde 95,22'si açıldı. Buna göre, Peru İçin Birlikte'nin (Juntos por el Peru) solcu adayı Sanchez, 8 milyon 884 bin 280 oyla yüzde 50,11 oranıyla önde görünüyor. Sağcı Popüler Güç Partisi (Fuerza Popular) adayı Fujimori ise 8 milyon 842 bin 993 oyla yüzde 49,88 oranıyla rakibini takip etti. Başkent Lima'daki tarihi San Martin Meydanı'nda toplanan destekçilerine konuşan Sanchez, seçimden zaferle çıkacaklarına inandıklarını söyledi. Sanchez, Peru için değişim zamanının geldiğini vurgulayarak, şunları ifade etti: "Peru'da değişime inanan, hükümeti yeniden halka devretmek için irade gösteren yerli topluluklarımıza, köylülerimize, işçilerimize ve toplumun en kırılgan kesimlerine sonsuz teşekkürlerimi sunuyorum. Aldığımız veriler bizi önde gösteriyor ancak biz hukuka ve kurumlara saygılıyız. Resmi sonuçlar tescil edilene kadar sandıkları korumaya devam edeceğiz ve zaferimizi sabırla ilan edeceğiz." HIZLI SAYIMA GÖRE KAZANAN SANCHEZ Bağımsız seçim gözlem kuruluşu Transparencia ile araştırma şirketi Ipsos'un ortak hızlı sayımına göre, Sanchez oyların yüzde 50,3'ünü alırken, Fujimori'nin oy oranı yüzde 49,7 olarak ölçülmüştü. Seçimin ikinci turunu kazanan yeni devlet başkanı, anayasa gereği Peru'nun bağımsızlık günü olan 28 Temmuz'da görevi resmi olarak devralacak.
Middle East war fuels global hunger crises: WFP
GENEVA: The Middle East conflict is pushing millions of people closer to hunger, as rising fuel and transport costs drive up food prices while funding shortfalls force aid agencies to scale back assistance, the UN World Food Programme said on Friday. Joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran in February triggered a regional conflict stretching across the Gulf and into Lebanon, disrupting key shipping routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, forcing vessels to reroute and sharply constraining global energy flows and supply chains. In March, the WFP forecast as many as 45 million people could fall into acute food insecurity if oil prices remained around $100 per barrel through June. That scenario is now unfolding, the agency said, with benchmark crude prices staying above that level since early March. Households in Afghanistan, Somalia and Sri Lanka are among the most seriously affected and face mounting pressure due to higher fuel costs, food price spikes, income losses and disrupted trade. In Somalia, 6.5m people — roughly a third of the population — are expected to face severe hunger in 2026, while Afghanistan could see 17.4m people affected, the WFP said. The situation is projected to worsen, with an additional 2.5m Somalis and 2.3m Afghans at risk of falling into food insecurity if disruptions persist. Both countries are reliant on imported energy and food. ‘Very vulnerable children’ The Middle East crisis comes amid a deep funding shortfall for aid agencies. The WFP said it expected to serve 1.5m fewer people globally in 2026, and 9m fewer if the situation persists for six months. In Somalia, supplies of nutritious food for children under 5 suffering from moderate malnutrition will run out as soon as July, as the WFP faces an 89 per cent funding gap in the country. “We are running out of food. The food is not available for distribution, and the ones who will experience the impact of this are going to be very vulnerable children,” said Jean-Martin Bauer, the director of WFP’s Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Service. The situation is being worsened by supply chain issues, with fewer ships stopping in Somalia. Published in Dawn, June 6th, 2026
Ireland bans entry of two Israeli ministers
DUBLIN: Ireland announced on Friday it has banned Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich from entering the country, slamming their behaviour towards pro-Palestinian activists. Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan “has instructed immigration officers to refuse entry to Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich should they seek to enter the state”, a justice ministry statement said. After the far-right minister Ben Gvir mocked activists seized by Israeli soldiers on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla last month, Irish taoiseach (prime minister) Micheal Martin said Ireland would act to bar entry of Israeli officials seen as fomenting conflict in Gaza. Firebrand Ben Gvir became a minister in 2022, after an alliance with the far-right Religious Zionist party of Bezalel Smotrich came third in legislative elections. France opens probe over treatment of flotilla activists Together, Ben Gvir and Smotrich form a cornerstone of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition government. The two ministers’ behaviour “not just in the context of the flotilla, but their consistent statements… essentially amount to a desire to see the elimination of Palestinians from Palestine”, Martin told reporters during a summit in Montenegro on Friday. “In my view, their behaviour justifies sanctions at the EU level as well,” he said. Last month, France also banned Ben Gvir from entry over his conduct. Britain barred the two from entry in June last year and other countries have followed, including Spain and Slovenia. Ireland has been among the most outspoken critics of Israel’s bombardment of Gaza and recognised the Palestinian state in 2024. Soon after, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar ordered the closure of its Dublin embassy. Flotilla activists France has opened an investigation into Israel’s treatment of French activists who took part in a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, a prosecutor’s office said on Friday. The probe was opened at the government’s request, the national counterterrorism prosecutor’s office (PNAT) said, after activists accused Israeli authorities of mistreatment during their detention last month. Israel detained more than 430 activists from countries around the world after intercepting them in international waters on May 18 as they made the latest in a string of attempts to break the blockade of the Palestinian territory. Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir sparked widespread condemnation after he posted a video mocking the flotilla activists while they were bound. France banned Ben Gvir from entry over the incident. Several French activists narrated a violent and humiliating ordeal when eight of them returned home on May 22. Two of the more than 30 French persons who were on board the flotilla were still in hospital in Turkiye, they told reporters. One returnee described a soldier slapping her in a dark container, and being terrified that she would be raped. Published in Dawn, June 6th, 2026
İrlanda İsrailli iki bakana ülkeye giriş yasağı getirdiSoykırım destekçisi İsrailli bakan Ben-Gvir'e bir ülkeden daha soğuk duş! Girişi yasaklandı
İrlanda Adalet Bakanlığı'ndan yapılan açıklamada, Başbakan Micheal Martin'in talimatıyla İsrail'in aşırı sağcı Ulusal Güvenlik Bakanı ItamarBen-Gvirve Maliye Bakanı Bezalel Smotrich'e seyahat yaptırımı uygulandığı belirtildi. 'TALİMAT VERİLDİ' İki bakanın, İrlanda'ya girişinin yasaklandığı aktarılan açıklamada, "Adalet ve İçişleri bakanları, Başbakan'ın Gazze'deki felaketin büyümesinde etkili olan İsrail hükümeti üyelerinin ülkemize girişini engellemek için harekete geçme yönündeki açıklaması doğrultusunda memurlarına,Ben-Gvirve Smotrich'in İrlanda'ya girme girişiminde bulunması halinde girişlerini önleme talimatı verdiler" ifadeleri yer aldı. 'AB SEVİYESİNDE YAPTIRIM GEREKİYOR' Başbakan Martin de Karadağ'daki Avrupa Birliği-Batı Balkanlar Zirvesi'nde konuya ilişkin değerlendirmesinde,Ben-Gvirve Smotrich'in sözlerinin Filistin halkını yok etme isteğini ortaya koyduğunu belirtti. Martin, uluslararası toplum nezdinde bu kararın alınması gerektiğini kaydederek, "Bana göre (Ben-Gvirve Smotrich'in) yaptıkları, AB seviyesinde yaptırım gerektiriyor. AB'den yeterli desteği alıp almayacağımıza bakmaksızın bunu yapmaya çalışacağız" diye konuştu. Adalet Bakanlığının aldığı karar, parlamento veya kabine onayına gerek olmaksızın yürürlüğe girdi.
İrlanda, İsrailli Bakanlar Ben-Gvir ve Smotrich’e Giriş Yasağı GetirdiLockheed Martin’s UK-led consortium unveils GBAD concept for NATO
While company representatives were tight-lipped about the exact technical details of their offering, they explained that a flexible, software-based system would allow individual member-nations to connect their sensors to another nation’s command nodes.