Nations around the world are picking sides…. Russia/Brics or America/Nato…. Thailand looking to join BRICS
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Spain is expected to deploy a tactical subgroup of the Tercio de Armada in Romania in October to integrate into the deployment of NATO forces "as part of Spain's contribution to the deterrence and defense of the eastern flank."
The subgroup will be made up of the Tenth Company of the Third Mechanized Battalion of the TEAR and will be made up of 205 troops and may be expanded to up to 250.
Regarding the capabilities that will be brought to Romania, thirteen Piranha IIIC combat vehicles, 12.70 mm caliber heavy machine guns, mounted on Urovesa Vamtac ST5 4x4 vehicles, Spike anti-tank weapons, unmanned aircraft systems (RPAS), bomb disposal of the Amphibious Mobility Group, a logistics support unit of the Combat Services Support Group and medical personnel
The subgroup will be made up of the Tenth Company of the Third Mechanized Battalion of the TEAR and will be made up of 205 troops and may be expanded to up to 250.
Regarding the capabilities that will be brought to Romania, thirteen Piranha IIIC combat vehicles, 12.70 mm caliber heavy machine guns, mounted on Urovesa Vamtac ST5 4x4 vehicles, Spike anti-tank weapons, unmanned aircraft systems (RPAS), bomb disposal of the Amphibious Mobility Group, a logistics support unit of the Combat Services Support Group and medical personnel
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that nearly 40% of the country’s trade turnover is now in rubles as the share conducted in dollars, euros and other “non-friendly” Western currencies has fallen away.
Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Putin said countries “friendly to Russia” were the ones that deserved special attention as they will define the future of the global economy, “and they already make up three-quarters of our trade volume.”
He added that Russia would seek to boost the share of settlements conducted in the currencies of BRICS countries, referring to an economic coalition of emerging markets which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
Putin said payments for Russian exports in “so-called ‘toxic’ currencies of non-friendly states” had halved over the last year.
Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Putin said countries “friendly to Russia” were the ones that deserved special attention as they will define the future of the global economy, “and they already make up three-quarters of our trade volume.”
He added that Russia would seek to boost the share of settlements conducted in the currencies of BRICS countries, referring to an economic coalition of emerging markets which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
Putin said payments for Russian exports in “so-called ‘toxic’ currencies of non-friendly states” had halved over the last year.
Yea true but
French and Americans been asked to leave many central Africa nations.
“The United States announced the beginning of a complete withdrawal of American troops from Niger.
The United States will leave all its military bases in the country, as Niger's new military leadership insisted on.”
No way we sent Zelensky over there to try make a deal for the petrodollar life line
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky is welcomed by Mecca deputy governor Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud at Jeddah airport. © Ahmed Nureldine, SPA via AFP
Zelensky landed in the Red Sea city of Jeddah for the unannounced trip and was greeted by Saudi officials, including the national security adviser and ambassador to Kyiv, the official Saudi Press Agency said.
The Saudi foreign ministry posted pictures on X of Zelensky meeting Saudi de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, though details of their discussion were not immediately available.
Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest crude exporter, works closely with Moscow on oil policy and has touted its ties to both Moscow and Kyiv since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, positioning itself as a possible mediator in the war.
Zelensky has travelled the world in recent weeks to rally support and attendance for a peace summit scheduled to take place in Switzerland at the weekend.
He has visited traditional allies in the European Union as well as countries in the Middle East and Asia with closer relations with Russia.
Earlier this month, he visited Singapore, the Philippines and Qatar.
Representatives from about 90 countries are expected to gather in Switzerland to discuss Kyiv's plan to end the war.
Zelensky has convinced many officials to attend after in-person visits.
Saudi Arabia has not yet confirmed whether it will take part in the summit, diplomats in the Gulf region told AFP last week.
It will take place as Russia has made some gains on the battlefield in eastern Ukraine, with Kyiv's forces struggling with a lack of troops and ammunition.
As Zelensky arrived in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, Kyiv said a Russian strike on his hometown of Kryvyi Rig killed eight people and wounded two dozen more.
In September 2022, Riyadh played an unexpected role in brokering the release of foreign fighters detained in Ukraine, including two from the United States and five from Britain.
A Saudi official said in March 2023 that Riyadh remained open to contributing to mediation to end the conflict, especially "on important minor issues that may help cumulatively in the end to have a political solution of the whole issue".
Zelensky then attended an Arab Leaguesummit in May 2023 in Jeddah where he accused some leaders of turning "a blind eye" to the horrors of Russia's invasion.
In August last year, Saudi Arabia hosted talks on the war that drew representatives of more than 40 countries, excluding Russia.
Saudi officials said at the time that the meeting, which included officials from Chinaand Brazil, demonstrated the benefits of its "multi-polar" approach to foreign policy.
Zelensky most recently visited Saudi Arabia in February, when he held talks Prince Mohammed to promote his peace plan and discuss a potential exchange of prisoners of war.
Saudi Arabia has pledged hundreds of millions of dollars in relief to Ukraine, including allocations for Ukrainian refugees who fled to neighbouring countries.
Zelensky lands in Saudi Arabia for unannounced visit
12/06/2024 - 19:13
Zelensky landed in the Red Sea city of Jeddah for the unannounced trip and was greeted by Saudi officials, including the national security adviser and ambassador to Kyiv, the official Saudi Press Agency said.
The Saudi foreign ministry posted pictures on X of Zelensky meeting Saudi de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, though details of their discussion were not immediately available.
Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest crude exporter, works closely with Moscow on oil policy and has touted its ties to both Moscow and Kyiv since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, positioning itself as a possible mediator in the war.
Zelensky has travelled the world in recent weeks to rally support and attendance for a peace summit scheduled to take place in Switzerland at the weekend.
He has visited traditional allies in the European Union as well as countries in the Middle East and Asia with closer relations with Russia.
Earlier this month, he visited Singapore, the Philippines and Qatar.
Representatives from about 90 countries are expected to gather in Switzerland to discuss Kyiv's plan to end the war.
Zelensky has convinced many officials to attend after in-person visits.
Saudi Arabia has not yet confirmed whether it will take part in the summit, diplomats in the Gulf region told AFP last week.
It will take place as Russia has made some gains on the battlefield in eastern Ukraine, with Kyiv's forces struggling with a lack of troops and ammunition.
'Multi-polar' diplomacy
Zelensky has called on Ukraine's allies to step up air defence deliveries for Kyiv.As Zelensky arrived in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, Kyiv said a Russian strike on his hometown of Kryvyi Rig killed eight people and wounded two dozen more.
In September 2022, Riyadh played an unexpected role in brokering the release of foreign fighters detained in Ukraine, including two from the United States and five from Britain.
A Saudi official said in March 2023 that Riyadh remained open to contributing to mediation to end the conflict, especially "on important minor issues that may help cumulatively in the end to have a political solution of the whole issue".
Zelensky then attended an Arab Leaguesummit in May 2023 in Jeddah where he accused some leaders of turning "a blind eye" to the horrors of Russia's invasion.
In August last year, Saudi Arabia hosted talks on the war that drew representatives of more than 40 countries, excluding Russia.
Saudi officials said at the time that the meeting, which included officials from Chinaand Brazil, demonstrated the benefits of its "multi-polar" approach to foreign policy.
Zelensky most recently visited Saudi Arabia in February, when he held talks Prince Mohammed to promote his peace plan and discuss a potential exchange of prisoners of war.
Saudi Arabia has pledged hundreds of millions of dollars in relief to Ukraine, including allocations for Ukrainian refugees who fled to neighbouring countries.
Thailand is pushing ahead with its application to join BRICS, the group of developing countries that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, but experts say they are skeptical about whether it is the right move.
Since Thailand’s Cabinet approved a draft application in late May, the effort to join BRICS has developed quickly.
Thailand’s new foreign minister, Maris Sangiampongsa, returned to Thailand last week following a BRICS meeting in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura said in a written statement to VOA that Maris had met with his Russian counterpart regarding BRICS.
“At the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meeting this week, the minister of foreign affairs delivered to H.E. Mr. Sergey Lavrov, minister of foreign affairs of the Russian Federation, as the current BRICS president, Thailand’s formal letter of intent to join BRICS, for the grouping's consideration. We anticipate that BRICS will now consider Thailand’s request based on its processes.”
“Thailand views that BRICS has an important role to play in strengthening the multilateral system and economic cooperation between countries in the Global South, which aligns with our national interests.”
“As for economic and political benefits, joining BRICS would reinforce Thailand's role on the global stage, and strengthen its international cooperation with emerging economies, especially in trade, investment, and food and energy security.”
Since Thailand’s Cabinet approved a draft application in late May, the effort to join BRICS has developed quickly.
Thailand’s new foreign minister, Maris Sangiampongsa, returned to Thailand last week following a BRICS meeting in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura said in a written statement to VOA that Maris had met with his Russian counterpart regarding BRICS.
“At the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meeting this week, the minister of foreign affairs delivered to H.E. Mr. Sergey Lavrov, minister of foreign affairs of the Russian Federation, as the current BRICS president, Thailand’s formal letter of intent to join BRICS, for the grouping's consideration. We anticipate that BRICS will now consider Thailand’s request based on its processes.”
“Thailand views that BRICS has an important role to play in strengthening the multilateral system and economic cooperation between countries in the Global South, which aligns with our national interests.”
“As for economic and political benefits, joining BRICS would reinforce Thailand's role on the global stage, and strengthen its international cooperation with emerging economies, especially in trade, investment, and food and energy security.”
Nato in talks to put nuclear weapons on standby
Stoltenberg insists bloc must show its nuclear arsenal to the world and gives stark warning about threat from China
Joe Barnes,BRUSSELS CORRESPONDENT
16 June 2024 • 3:33pm
Nato is in talks to deploy more nuclear weapons in the face of a growing threat from Russia and China, the head of the alliance has said.
Jens Stoltenberg added that the bloc must show its nuclear arsenal to the world to send a direct message to its foes in an interview with The Telegraph.
He revealed there were live consultations between members on taking missiles out of storage and placing them on standby as he called for transparency to be used as a deterrent.
Mr Stoltenberg said: “I won’t go into operational details about how many nuclear warheads should be operational and which should be stored, but we need to consult on these issues. That’s exactly what we’re doing.”
In a wide-ranging interview at the Nato headquarters in Brussels, he gave a stark warning about the threat from China. He also said he expected a Labour government to be a staunch Nato ally and defended new plans to Trump-proof weapons deliveries to Ukraine.
Mr Stoltenberg said nuclear transparency should be the cornerstone of Nato’s nuclear strategy to prepare the alliance for what he described as a more dangerous world.
A decade ago when the 65-year-old assumed his role at the top of the bloc, nuclear exercises were conducted in complete secrecy.
Now he openly praises a number of its 32 allies for contributing to the deterrent, including most recently The Netherlands for investing in dual-capable fighter jets that can host US nuclear weapons.
“Transparency helps to communicate the direct message that we, of course, are a nuclear alliance,” Mr Stoltenberg said. “Nato’s aim is, of course, a world without nuclear weapons, but as long as nuclear weapons exist, we will remain a nuclear alliance, because a world where Russia, China and North Korea have nuclear weapons, and Nato does not, is a more dangerous world.”
He warned that China in particular was investing heavily in modern weaponryincluding its nuclear arsenal, which he said would grow to 1,000 warheads by as early as 2030.
Netherlands Air Force F-16 jetfighter taking part in Nato exercises Credit: JOHN THYS/AFP
“And that means that in a not-very-distant future,” he said, “Nato may face something that it has never faced before, and that is two nuclear-powered potential adversaries – China and Russia. Of course, this has consequences.”
Mr Stoltenberg’s warnings come after the G7 sharply criticised China and Russia in a communique last week that called on Beijing to stop supplying weapons technology to Moscow and opposed China’s “militarisation” in the Pacific.
Both the US and UK have committed their nuclear deterrents to Nato, while other European allies share the burden of the responsibility by storing weapons on their territory and investing in the systems to launch them.
The number of operational nuclear weapons is top secret but estimates suggest the UK has about 40 of 225 deployed at any one time. The US has about 1,700 of 3,700.
France, Nato’s third nuclear power, does not make its atomic arsenal available to the alliance because of a long-held decision to maintain independence over its own deterrence.
Mr Stoltenberg insisted that the US and its European allies were now modernising their nuclear deterrent in the face of increased threat from Russia.
He said: “The US is modernising their gravity bombs for the nuclear warheads they have in Europe and European allies are modernising the planes which are going to be dedicated to Nato’s nuclear mission.
“Then, of course, you have the United Kingdom, which is special because the United Kingdom has its own nuclear weapons.”
On Sunday, the BBC reported that a Russian submarine that is now in Cuba was seen off Scotland’s coast last week.
The Kazan is capable of carrying advanced weapons, according to Russia’s defence ministry, but it did not enter UK waters. The Ministry of Defence nevertheless briefed the prime minister.
Vladimir Putin has repeatedly threatened to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine and has deployed warheads closer to Europe’s borders. However, he has more recently dialled down his threats.
The head of Nato refused to discuss how many warheads should be pulled from storage warehouses and put on standby, but revealed there were live consultations on the issue.
Before the invasion, Nato was struggling to convince the majority of its allies to hit the minimum threshold of two per cent expenditure as a share of their GDP for defence spending.
When the latest figures are released ahead of the Nato summit in Washington next month, Mr Stoltenberg believes more than 20 will hit the goal – a decade since the target was established.
In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Britain was put on a trajectory to increase spending on defence to 2.5 per cent of national wealth by 2030.
But with Rishi Sunak’s Conservatives expected to be replaced by the Labour Party, there are doubts whether the pledge will stick.
Sir Keir Starmer has said his party wanted to reach the 2.5 per cent target as soon as resources allow that to happen, rather than a fixed date.
Mr Stoltenberg, who served as the leader of Norway’s Labour Party between 2002 and 2014, would not be drawn on the politics of Britain’s election campaign.
However, he said: “I expect that the UK, regardless of the outcome of the election, will be as strong, staunch Nato ally, and also an ally that will lead by example of defence spending, as the UK has done for many years.
“The reality is that we all reduced defence spending when tensions went down after the end of the Cold War. And now we need to increase defence when tensions are going up again.
“I have been prime minister for 10 years, I know that it’s hard to find money for defence because most politicians always prefer to spend money on health, on education, infrastructure and other important tasks.
“But when we reduce defence spending when tensions go down, we have to be able to increase them when tensions go back up – and that’s exactly what allies now are doing, the United Kingdom, but also other allies.”
Mr Stoltenberg has not always been so reticent to wade into domestic politics in recent months.
When Republicans loyal to Donald Trump held up a $60 billion £47 billion) aid package for Ukraine, the Nato chief repeatedly warned the delays were helping Putin’s Russia seize territory.
HMS Vigilant, which carries the UK's Trident nuclear deterrent, at its Faslane base on the Clyde Credit: WPA POOL/GETTY IMAGES
He then came out in support of Kyiv over its request to use Western weapons on targets inside Russia.
And now ahead of the next Nato summit, he has tabled proposals for the alliance to play a greater role in the West’s support for Ukraine.
About 99 per cent of the weapons deliveries to Kyiv are done so by Nato allies, he says.
His new Nato security assistance and training for Ukraine scheme – downgraded from the Mission to Ukraine because of German fears over Russian escalation – will have 700 Nato personnel stationed at its headquarters in Wiesbaden, Germany, take over the bulk of the coordination of aid from the Americans.
Mr Stoltenberg said, cautious not to mention the looming prospect of the election of Mr Trump: “This is a proposal which is about making the support for Ukraine more robust, more long term, more predictable, and that’s something which is important regardless of the outcome of the elections in the United States.
“We saw the gaps and delays this winter, where several allies were not able to deliver the support they had promised. We have to minimise the risk of something like that happening again.”
He added: “If we have a Nato support, security assistance and training effort combined with a long-term financial pledge, I think we will give a much stronger message to Moscow that President Putin cannot wait us out.”
But it is not just the US where support for Ukraine could be flipped on its head.
Last week, France’s Emmanuel Macron called snap elections after his party was defeated in the EU voting by far-Right leader Marine Le Pen, who has previously enjoyed close ties with Putin and called for closer relations between Nato and Moscow.
Mr Stoltenberg said: “I believe it is in the interest of all allies, including France and others, to keep Nato strong because we live in a more dangerous world.
“In a more dangerous world, it’s even more important that North America and Europe stand together.
“Then, of course, we are 32 democracies and it’s part of democracies that we have different parties, different views, different opinions, but experience over these decades is that despite all these differences, there has always been strong support for Nato.”
And in a call for them to continue arming Ukraine, he concluded: “I strongly believe that if Putin prevails in Ukraine, we will become more vulnerable, and then we will need to invest even more in our defence.”
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The EU is doubling down, giving Ursula von derIncompetent Leyen another mandate as president while replacing Josep "Gardener" Borrell with Kaja "Nazi" Kallas, according to multiple outlets citing diplomatic sources. This was reportedly arranged by Scholz, Macron, Tusk, Sanchez, Mitsotakis and Rutte — representing the three major blocks in the European Parliament, the EPP, the Socialists and liberals.
Keep in mind that this freezes out the nationalists/populists completely, even though they won a major chunk of votes two weeks ago, while all three mainstream factions lost ground — most of all the socialists and the liberals. So of course the EPP (which is NEITHER of those things) went and made a pact with the losers, to freeze the "right-wingers" out. Because the EU and democracy are a contradictio in adjecto.
Having the deranged Russophobe Kallas at the helm of "diplomacy" in Brussels just means that for Moscow, "no end to our struggle there shall be/ till the EU's perished, or have we," to borrow a stanza from a famous Serbian epic poem”
The EU is doubling down, giving Ursula von der
Keep in mind that this freezes out the nationalists/populists completely, even though they won a major chunk of votes two weeks ago, while all three mainstream factions lost ground — most of all the socialists and the liberals. So of course the EPP (which is NEITHER of those things) went and made a pact with the losers, to freeze the "right-wingers" out. Because the EU and democracy are a contradictio in adjecto.
Having the deranged Russophobe Kallas at the helm of "diplomacy" in Brussels just means that for Moscow, "no end to our struggle there shall be/ till the EU's perished, or have we," to borrow a stanza from a famous Serbian epic poem”
Ukraine's membership in the alliance is a duty of all member countries, and NATO allies have to commit to bolster its army, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said on Thursday.
"Defence deterrence begins in Ukraine. The price we pay in supporting Ukraine in its efforts to defeat Russian imperialism is little compared to what would follow if aggression pays off," Kallas said at a joint press conference at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Kallas and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
"We must demonstrate through our words and actions that Ukraine's path to NATO is irreversible," Kallas added.
"A long-term strategy to counter and contain Russia's aggressive actions is needed. We are also seeing a coordinated policy of hybrid activities by Russia across Europe. There are more and more attempts to destroy civilian infrastructure and sabotage facilities related to arms deliveries."
"Defence deterrence begins in Ukraine. The price we pay in supporting Ukraine in its efforts to defeat Russian imperialism is little compared to what would follow if aggression pays off," Kallas said at a joint press conference at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Kallas and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
"We must demonstrate through our words and actions that Ukraine's path to NATO is irreversible," Kallas added.
"A long-term strategy to counter and contain Russia's aggressive actions is needed. We are also seeing a coordinated policy of hybrid activities by Russia across Europe. There are more and more attempts to destroy civilian infrastructure and sabotage facilities related to arms deliveries."
Ukraine will not be invited to NATO at the July summit, but they will promise a mission to help
The New York Times writes about this, citing sources. At the summit, which will be held in Washington on July 9-11, a new structure for coordinating assistance to Kyiv in the long term will be announced.
The NSATU (NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine) structure will be established at a US military installation in Wiesbaden, Germany. It will be led by an American general, reporting to the top NATO and US general in Europe, Christopher Cavoli.
The group is under the auspices of the alliance in order to work even if Trump wins the US elections. They did not officially call it a mission because of Germany’s objections - so that there would be no hint of a NATO war with Russia
The New York Times writes about this, citing sources. At the summit, which will be held in Washington on July 9-11, a new structure for coordinating assistance to Kyiv in the long term will be announced.
The NSATU (NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine) structure will be established at a US military installation in Wiesbaden, Germany. It will be led by an American general, reporting to the top NATO and US general in Europe, Christopher Cavoli.
The group is under the auspices of the alliance in order to work even if Trump wins the US elections. They did not officially call it a mission because of Germany’s objections - so that there would be no hint of a NATO war with Russia
NATO is afraid of France leaving if the “National Rally” wins
This was reported by the Euractiv portal. According to one of the sources, NATO diplomats do not exclude the possibility that France, after the elections and the victory of the right , may decide to withdraw from the military command of the alliance, as it already did in 1966.
“The troops that France contributes to NATO missions may be of a lower rank. France may also contribute fewer troops overall,” says military expert Michel Duclos .
This was reported by the Euractiv portal. According to one of the sources, NATO diplomats do not exclude the possibility that France, after the elections and the victory of the right , may decide to withdraw from the military command of the alliance, as it already did in 1966.
“The troops that France contributes to NATO missions may be of a lower rank. France may also contribute fewer troops overall,” says military expert Michel Duclos .
Nikkei Asia reports that NATO plans to publish its first joint document on expanding cooperation with Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea next week, as the organization invites the heads of the four Asia-Pacific nations to the summit in Washington.
"The document will clarify the cooperation frameworks between NATO and the four countries, allowing them to respond to threats, including cybersecurity and disinformation," the publication continues.
"The document will clarify the cooperation frameworks between NATO and the four countries, allowing them to respond to threats, including cybersecurity and disinformation," the publication continues.
Jens Stoltenberg:
▪️The UK will continue to play a key role in NATO, despite the change in leadership;
▪️If we want to achieve a negotiated solution, we must provide military support to Ukraine, and that is what NATO allies are doing;
▪️The alliance “does not need Minsk-3” in the conflict in Ukraine, it needs security guarantees for Kiev.
Regarding Orbán's visit to Moscow, Stoltenberg said that he does not represent NATO, "but only his country."
Furthermore, he reminded Orbán that “the territorial integrity of Ukraine must be respected.”
▪️The UK will continue to play a key role in NATO, despite the change in leadership;
▪️If we want to achieve a negotiated solution, we must provide military support to Ukraine, and that is what NATO allies are doing;
▪️The alliance “does not need Minsk-3” in the conflict in Ukraine, it needs security guarantees for Kiev.
Regarding Orbán's visit to Moscow, Stoltenberg said that he does not represent NATO, "but only his country."
Furthermore, he reminded Orbán that “the territorial integrity of Ukraine must be respected.”