05:52: Weapons company rules out quick arms shipments to Ukraine
The chief executive officer of KNDS, a German arms manufacturer, Ralf Ketzel, claims they can't supply Ukraine with more equipment right away. "We've reached the point where we can't deliver quickly anymore," Ketzel explains to the German website web.de. "We should've made the strategic decision two years ago: This is a long war. We could've been providing new materials today." However, this couldn't be certain back then.
Russian President Vladimir Putin supports expanding relations with the Taliban, who are now in power in Afghanistan. During a conference held in St. Petersburg, Putin mentions to the attendees, "We've always believed that we need to face reality." Moscow intends to remove the Taliban from the list of banned terrorist organizations they've been on since 2003.
Julia Nawalnaya, the widow of the Kremlin critic Alexei Nawalny, as well as the foundation of the deceased Nawalny, have been awarded the Freedom Prize by Deutsche Welle. After Nawalny's death under suspicious circumstances in a Siberian prison on February 16, Nawalnaya declared during her acceptance speech that they'll continue his work. "Putin killed my husband Alexei Nawalny, but he didn't silence his ideas," she states. While warning against Russian disinformation and the rise of false experts in the European Union ahead of the European elections, Nawalnaya adds, "We will keep fighting." She ends her speech with the remark, "Freedom of speech will overcome the 'poison of propaganda.' "
A fire has reportedly erupted in an oil refinery located in the Russian city of Novoshakhtinsk. Explosions also occurred previously. The governor of the region boarding Ukraine, Rostov, mentions a drone attack and notes that rescue services are active. The refinery had been targeted by Ukrainian drone attacks in March.
The USA predicts Russia to conduct military exercises in the Caribbean with a focus on naval and air force activities near the United States this summer. "It's part of Russia demonstrating its global power," acknowledges a US government official. Nonetheless, the US Navy will oversee these activities.
Putin expresses his support for Russian cooperation with the AfD, saying, "We will collaborate with all those who wish to work with Russia." The Russian president also declares that he perceives no neo-Nazism in AfD actions. "There's no indication of it," Putin disclosed. Regarding any systemic connections between the Russian government and AfD, he states, "There are no connections." Instead, if a party advocates for a general cooperation with Russia, Moscow will support them.
Putin rejects accusations of a Russian invasion against NATO as "nonsense" and "bullshit." He calls out those making these claims, saying, "Have you all gone mad? Do you believe this nonsense? It's a ridiculous concept." Furthermore, he dismisses allegations of any nuclear threats, adding, "I've never brought up the idea of using atomic weapons."
Putin offers to investigate the death of the AFP journalist Arman Soldin. "We're willing to look into it," he said during his meeting with international journalists in St. Petersburg. "But it's complicated, since he passed away in a war zone," the Russian president explains. Video journalist Soldin died at the age of 32 on May 9, 2023, due to a rocket attack near the disputed Ukrainian city of Bachmut while reporting on the Ukrainian soldier's situation near the front line.
Moscow Plans to Send More Military Equipment and Trainers to Burkina Faso
According to Russian state media, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has stated that the country will provide additional military tools and trainers to Burkina Faso. The intention is to fortify the defense capabilities of this West African nation. This statement comes as Lavrov is on his ninth visit to Africa as a part of a diplomatic mission by the Kremlin. Russia is actively pursuing new alliances.
When speaking with Russian news agency TASS, Lavrov remarked, "Since our initial interactions with your country shortly after the 2022 military coup, Russia and Burkina Faso have collaborated intimately in all areas, including the development of military and military-technical relations." With Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Lavrov's recent travel to Africa, it is evident that Moscow is cultivating partnerships although they do not support nor condemn the conflict.
Putin Unfazed by US Election Outcomes on Russian Policy
Russian President Vladimir Putin expresses no concern about potential shift in American policy towards Russia following the US presidential election. "For us, the outcome doesn't carry much significance," expressed Putin at a St. Petersburg press conference.
Putin mentioned that more than 6,000 Ukrainian prisoners of war are in Russian custody, while a little over 1,300 Russians are in Ukrainian captivity. While the validity of these numbers is yet to be verified, Putin did state that the ratios between prisoners are consistent with the casualties in the conflict. The Ukraine, on the other hand, claims to have captured far more Russian soldiers than their own people.
Caution in Using German Weapons Against Russian Targets
Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a warning against Ukrainian forces utilizing German weaponry against targets within Russia's borders. "Such actions would be highly risky," Putin stated during a meeting with international representatives at the Lachta Center of Gazprom in St. Petersburg. The transfer of German tanks to Ukraine in 2022 took many in Russia by surprise, leading them to question the state of Russian-German relations. Putin further noted that if Ukrainian troops fired missiles on Russian territory, it would utterly destroy the connection between these two nations.
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Ketzel's comments come as the ongoing Ukraine conflict sees limited weapon supply from Western nations, with Russia continuing its military operations and cyberwar. Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, has repeatedly called for international support against Russia's unprovoked attack. Despite NATO's presence and military capabilities, there seems to be a stalemate in resolving the Ukraine conflict.
