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Russian President Vladimir Putin Ukraine

Modi Stresses Dialogue, Diplomacy For Ukraine Crisis Resolution With Putin

By LokMarg 20th March 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday and reiterated India’s stand on dialogue and diplomacy as a way for the resolution of the ongoing war against Ukraine, said an official release.

“The two leaders agreed to make concerted efforts towards further strengthening the Special & Privileged Strategic Partnership between the two countries in the years to come. They also reviewed progress in various issues of bilateral cooperation, and exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest,” an official release said.

“While discussing the Russia-Ukraine conflict, PM reiterated India’s consistent position in favour of dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward. The two leaders agreed to remain in touch,” it added.

Meanwhile, Kremlin also shared details of President Putin’s conversation with PM Modi and said that the former informed the latter about the ongoing situation in the war-torn region of Ukraine.

President Putin also emphasised Ukraine’s refusal to take political and diplomatic steps to settle the conflict.

“The President of Russia gave his assessment of the current state of affairs in the zone of the special military operation. He emphasised Kiev’s categorical refusal to take political and diplomatic steps to settle the conflict,” the President of Russia said in a statement.

“In connection with the events of June 24, Narendra Modi expressed understanding and support of the resolute actions by the Russian leadership to protect law and order and ensure stability in the country and security of its people,” it added.

On June 24, 2023, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the chief of the Wagner Group, led an armed rebellion against the Russian defense minister. The rebellion started in Rostov-on-Don, in southern Russia, and forces loyal to Prigozhin marched toward Moscow.

The rebellion was called off after Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko intervened. In a televised address on June 24, President of Russia Vladimir Putin denounced Wagner’s actions as treason and pledged to quell the rebellion.

Further in the conversation, both leaders discussed the bilateral cooperation between the two countries and expressed their satisfaction over the increase in trade.

“During the discussion of topical issues of bilateral cooperation, the leaders noted the importance of further consistent implementation of large-scale joint projects in different areas and voiced their satisfaction over a tangible increase in trade in 2022 and the first quarter of the current year,” Kremlin said.

“Special attention was paid to interaction in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the G20, in which India is holding the rotating presidency this year, and in the BRICS format. In addition, Narendra Modi told Vladimir Putin about his international contacts, including his recent visit to Washington,” it added.

The statement said further, “The conversation was substantive and constructive. The leaders confirmed their mutual desire to strengthen the Russia-India specially privileged strategic partnership and planned future contacts.”

Earlier in 2022, PM Modi’s advice to Russian President Vladimir Putin over the Ukraine war during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s summit in Uzbekistan’s Samarkand has grabbed the attention of leading international media organisations.

“Today’s era is not of war and I have spoken to you about it on the call. Today we will get the opportunity to talk about how we can progress on the path of peace. India and Russia have stayed together with each other for several decades,” PM Modi told Putin expressing his concerns about the impact of the war on food and energy security.

“We spoke several times on the phone about India-Russia bilateral relations and various issues. We should find ways to address the problems of food, fuel security and fertilizers. I want to thank Russia and Ukraine for helping us to evacuate our students from Ukraine,” he added.

International media praised PM Modi’s diplomatic acumen, who in a friendly tone pushed the concerns of the global community to its long-standing friend Russia.

American publication -CNN praised PM Modi’s hold on world politics and reported ” Indian leader Narendra Modi tells Putin: Now is not the time for war.” (ANI)

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Russian President Vladimir Putin world war III

Russia-NATO Conflict Is One Step Away From World War III: Putin

By LokMarg 18th March 2024

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday warned the Western powers that any direct conflict between Russia and the NATO alliance, led by the US, would mean the world will be “one step away” from a full-scale World War III, TASS reported.

However, he also said that it is “unlikely” that anyone is interested in this.

The Russia-Ukraine war has sparked the most severe strain in Moscow’s relations with the West since the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. Putin has frequently highlighted the dangers of nuclear warfare but asserted that he has never deemed it necessary to employ nuclear weapons in Ukraine, according to TASS.

Speaking to reporters, here, after emerging victorious in the post-Soviet Russian history, Putin said that in the future, a direct conflict between Russia and NATO cannot be ruled out, although no one is interested in this.

“I think that everything is possible in the modern world. But <…> it will be one step away from a full-scale third world war. I think it’s unlikely Is anyone interested in this?” TASS quotes Putin as saying.

Before Russia’s March 15-17 elections, Ukraine had ramped up its attacks against Russia.

On Kyiv sending a large number of soldiers on the border zone, Putin said that “somewhere up to 5 thousand people” are present here.

The Russian Volunteer Corps (recognised as a terrorist organization in the Russian Federation) and similar groups include 2.5 thousand, who are now, “like meat… thrown into assaults,” in the latest attacks these “so so-called volunteers” lost approximately 800 people, according to TASS.

Securing a crushing victory in the Russian Presidential elections, Putin also said that he had agreed to a prisoner swap involving Alexei Navalny before the opposition leader’s sudden death in an Arctic prison in February.

Calling Navalny’s death a ‘sad event’, Putin said there were other cases of people in prisons passing away.

In his address at his election headquarters on Sunday, Putin said, “As for Mr. Navalny–yes, he passed away. It is always a sad event. And there were other cases when people in prisons passed away. Didn’t this happen in the United States? It did, and not once.”

Putin added that he was told of a proposal to exchange Navalny for prisoners held in Western nations days before the Opposition leader died in prison.

On February 16, jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny died.

Putin won the presidential elections, receiving 87.17 per cent of the votes based on the result of processing 70 per cent of the electoral protocols, Russia-based TASS reported, citing data from the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation.

The Communist Party of the Russian Federation candidate Nikolai Kharitonov secured the second spot with 4.1 per cent of the votes while New People Party candidate Vladislav Davankov stood third with 4.8 per cent votes.

The Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) candidate, Leonid Slutsky, received a mere 3.15 per cent of the votes counted. According to preliminary data as of 6 pm (Moscow time) on Sunday, the voter turnout in the presidential elections, which for the first time took place over three days from March 15-17, stood at 74.22 per cent. (ANI)

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People Are Source Of Power In Russia: Putin

By LokMarg 18th March 2024

Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his victory speech, extended his gratitude to the citizens of Russia for their active participation in the recently concluded presidential election, state-controlled media reported.

Following the conclusion of the election, Russia’s Central Election Commission showed Putin securing a fifth term in office with over 87 per cent of the vote.

Speaking from the election headquarters, Putin emphasised the importance of every voice in shaping the destiny of the nation, Russia Today reported.

“I would like to thank citizens of Russia, all of them, because we are one team,” said Putin, acknowledging the collective effort of the Russian people in exercising their democratic right. “The source of power in a country is the Russian people and the voice of every citizen of Russia,” he added, underscoring the fundamental role of public participation in governance.

Reflecting on the significance of the election, Putin remarked, “Out of every voice, we are building one commonwealth of the people of the Russian Federation.” He stressed the role of citizen engagement in driving the country’s progress across various sectors, including defence, science, and education, as reported by Russia Today.

Amid challenging circumstances, Putin extended a special appreciation to the armed forces, acknowledging their dedication in safeguarding the nation’s interests. “I would like to express a special gratitude to our warriors, to those lads who are at the line of contact ensuring the conditions for the development and existence of our country,” Putin affirmed, highlighting the sacrifices made by those serving on the front lines.

Russia has finished voting in its seventh modern presidential election, spanning three days and including four new regions: Kherson, Zaporozhye, Donetsk, and Lugansk People’s Republics.

The recent election witnessed a historic turnout, with over 74 per cent of Russia’s 112.3 million eligible voters participating between March 15 and 17, according to the Russian Central Election Commission (CEC) on Sunday. This level of engagement marks the highest in the country’s modern history, unmatched for over two decades, as reported by Russia Today.

Securing a crushing victory, Putin also said that he had agreed to a prisoner swap involving Alexei Navalny before the opposition leader’s sudden death in an Arctic prison in February.

Calling Navalny’s death a ‘sad event’, Putin said there were other cases of people in prisons passing away.

Putin added that he was told of a proposal to exchange Navalny for prisoners held in Western nations days before the Opposition leader died in prison.

On February 16, jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny died. (ANI)

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US Congressman Hails Modi’s Engagement In Averting Russia’s Nuclear Threat

By LokMarg 12th March 2024

In light of a recent report that credits outreach by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, among other global leaders, to Russian President Vladamir Putin in helping to prevent a “potential nuclear attack” on Ukraine, two US Congressmen opine that India, known for Mahatma Gandhi and his ideology of nonviolence, is growing into a power which will be looked at for resolving global conflicts.

Highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s active role on the global stage and India’s rapid economic growth, US Representative Congressman Rich McCormick envisioned India as a key player in conflict resolution, competing with major economies like China and the United States.

“I think India is just getting started in this. PM Modi is engaged internationally. He has a rapidly growing economy. One of the fastest in the world, is soon to be the third largest GDP in the world. It is going to compete with China and eventually the United States, depending on what the United States does in their economy. The more powerful you get, the more people pay attention to you,” he told ANI.

McCormick also emphasised India’s significant leverage as Russia’s largest energy consumer and stressed the importance of ensuring that diplomatic efforts align with the best interests of all parties involved.

“India is their (Russia’s) largest energy consumer, so it gives them incredible leverage,” Congressman McCormick said.

The US Congressman also underscored the importance of ensuring everyone’s best interests are considered and leveraging diplomatic power effectively. “We just need to make sure that everybody’s best interests are at hand and that we’re doing it in the right way. Leverage only applies if you’re willing to use it,” he added.

Addressing the gravity of the situation, McCormick warned against succumbing to idle threats and stated the need to avoid self-assured mutual destruction. “Now, Putin’s leveraging the fact that he has nuclear arms, but we’ve seen this used by nefarious actors in North Korea. Think that it’s really important as we go forward that we don’t succumb to just idle threats. And maybe this is not an idle threat. If it’s not an idle threat, we have a bigger problem. We have to, as a world, realize that self-assured mutual destruction is not the way to go going forward,” the US Congressman said.

Another US Congressman, Raja Krishnamoorthi, echoed thesentiment, expressing confidence in India’s ability to broker peace.

“Yes, definitely. And I hope that India continues to play its role,” Krishnamoorthi affirms. Drawing inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence, he highlighted the need for peaceful conflict resolution, irrespective of the parties involved.

“India is known for Mahatma Gandhi, and Mahatma Gandhi believed in non-violence,” Krishnamoorthi said, adding, “We can’t settle scores through violence. It has to be done peacefully and at the bargaining table, regardless of who you are, whether you’re the Chinese Communist Party, whether you’re Russia, or whether you’re any other actor.”

A recent CNN report said that outreach from PM Modi and other countries played an important role in averting a ‘potential’ nuclear strike by Moscow against Kyiv, in what would have been the first nuclear attack since the US dropping atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki nearly eighty years before. The report also claimed that as the Russia-Ukraine war raged in 2022, the United States started “preparing rigorously” for a potential nuclear strike by Moscow against Kyiv.

The Biden administration was specifically concerned Russia might use a tactical or battlefield nuclear weapon, CNN cited two officials. Amid the fears, the US sought to enlist the help of non-allies including India, to discourage Russia from such an attack, as reported by the US media outlet.

“One of the things we did was not only message them directly but strongly urge, press, encourage other countries, to whom they might be more attentive, to do the same thing,” the senior administration official said.

US officials say that outreach and public statements from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and others helped avert a crisis. “I think we believe showing the international community the concern about this, particularly the concern from key countries for Russia and the Global South, was also a helpful, persuasive factor and showed them what the cost of all this could be,” CNN quoted a senior administration official as saying.

Regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict, India has always condemned civilian killings and called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

In a major statement, PM Modi told President Putin that “this is not the era of war” on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Uzbekistan last year. The statement even made to the G20 communique under the presidency of India. (ANI)

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Russian Mercenary Rebel Chief Says ‘We Are Patriots, Putin Mistaken’

By LokMarg 24th June 2023

Hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin slammed the Wagner group for their “armed rebellion” and vowed to punish those who were on the “path of treason”, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the mercenary group, said that the Russian President is “deeply mistaken” and the group is a patriot, the Washington Post reported.

He was referring to Putin’s remarks alleging that the Wagner group betrayed Russia by “staging hostilities” inside the country.

In an audio message posted by his press service, Prigozhin said on Saturday, “Regarding the betrayal of the motherland, the president is deeply mistaken”.

Calling Russia, a country of “corruption, deceit and bureaucracy”, he said that the group will continue to fight.

“We are patriots of our motherland, we have been fighting and continue to fight, all Wagner fighters, and no one plans to go and confess at the request of the president, the FSB [Federal Security Service] or anyone else, because we do not want the country to continue to live in corruption, deceit and bureaucracy,” the Post quoted Prigozhin.

Earlier in the day, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin in a televised address to the nation said that the “armed mutiny” by the Wagner Group is a “stab in the back” and vowed to punish those who were on the “path of treason” or anyone who takes up arms against the Russian military.

He said in a televised address, “Renegade actions against those fighting in the front is a stab in the back of our country,” CNN reported. Putin also pledged a harsh response and punishment to those who plan “an armed rebellion”.

“We will defend both our people and our statehood from any threats, including internal treachery. What we have been confronted with can be precisely called treachery. The unbounded ambitions and personal interests have led to treason and a betrayal of the country and its people,” Putin was cited by TASS.

This comes after, Prigozhin, the alleged head of the Wagner mercenary group, in a series of recordings released on social media on Saturday, announced that his troops had taken control of military facilities in two Russian cities.

Wagner on Saturday claimed to have taken control of Russian military facilities in Voronezh, including the airfield in Rostov-on-Don.

Prigozhin noted that planes that leave for combat work have no problems and the medical flights were also leaving, according to CNN. He further said, “All we did was to take control so that the attack aviation would not strike us but strike in the Ukrainian direction.” (ANI)

Putin Expected To Address Nation Soon, Says State Media

By LokMarg 24th June 2023

Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to deliver a televised address to the nation “soon,” state news agency TASS reported citing Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

“Indeed, Putin will deliver an address shortly,” Peskov said in response to a question as reported by TASS.
The news follows claims of the Wagner private military group taking military control of a Russian city, reported CNN.

Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin has said that his forces have taken control of military facilities in Rostov-on-Don and of the airfield as well.

According to the CNN, Prigozhin has in a series of messages on Telegram accused the Russian forces of striking a Wagner military camp and killing a “a huge amount” of his fighters.

A CNN report said that Prigozhin in a video posted on the Wagner official Telegram channel stated, “We are at headquarters at 7:30 a.m. Military facilities in Rostov, including the airfield are under [our] control.”

“Planes that leave for combat work leave as usual no problems. Medical flights are leaving as usual. All we did was to take control so that the attack aviation would not strike us but strike in the Ukrainian direction,” he added.

Prigozhin said he is in Rostov-on-Don and his men are not stopping the officers from carrying out their duties.

“The main headquarters, the main control point is working as normal, there are no problems. No officers have been cut off,” Prigozhin said, CNN reported.

Earlier, Prigozhin said that his men had crossed the border from Ukraine into Russia and were ready to go “all the way” against the Russian military.

As a long-running standoff between Prigozhin and the military top brass appeared to come to a head, Russia’s FSB security service opened a criminal case against him, TASS news agency said. It called on the Wagner private military company forces to ignore his orders and arrest him.

The move came not long after the Kremlin accused Prigozhin of calling for armed mutiny.

Prigozhin, whose frequent tirades on social media belie his limited role in the war as head of the Wagner private militia, has for months been openly accusing Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Russia’s top general, Valery Gerasimov, of rank incompetence and of denying his forces ammunition and support, reported CBC News.

Prigozhin urged Russians to join his forces and punish Moscow’s military leadership in the most audacious challenge to President Vladimir Putin since the start of the offensive in Ukraine last year. (ANI)