Author: Steven Sahiounie

Moscow will respond in kind if the West goes through with threats to confiscate Russian assets blocked abroad, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov warned in an interview with RIA Novosti published on Monday. He noted that Western states themselves still have assets in Russia that could be jeopardized if the frozen funds are tapped.

Sanctions are a tool used by the “slowing” West to stall the growth of developing countries, Anton Siluanov has said

US lawmakers who visited Taiwanese leaders this week have reportedly been met with apprehension and questions over Washington’s security commitments amid its stalled support for Ukraine. “Taiwan is extremely interested in Ukraine, and extremely worried that we might walk away from Ukraine,” US Representative Mike Gallagher, who led the congressional delegation’s visit to Taipei, told reporters on Friday. Gallagher, a Wisconsin Republican who chairs the House Select Committee on China, said the visit was meant to demonstrate Washington’s unflinching support for Taiwan, regardless of who wins the US presidential election in November. The five-member delegation met with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-win and President-elect…

Saudi Deputy Minister for International Multilateral Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Rassi on Sunday received the Ambassador of Tunisia to the Kingdom Hichem Fourati, it was reported on X. The two sides discussed bilateral relations, along with the latest developments of common concern. Deputy Gov. of Eastern Province Prince Saud bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz in a separate meeting received the Director General of the UNESCO Regional Center for Quality and Excellence in Education Abdulrahman Al-Mudaires, who presented a report on the center’s work and projects, the Saudi Press Agency reported. source: Arab News

In Riyadh, Volodin will meet with Abdullah Al ash-Sheikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s Consultative Assembly Russian State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin and delegates from the lower house of Russia’s parliament have arrived in Saudi Arabia. This is the first visit at the level of the State Duma speaker to the kingdom, the website of the State Duma said. In Riyadh, Volodin will meet with Abdullah Al ash-Sheikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s Consultative Assembly, according to the State Duma. source: TASS

Jake Sullivan, the White House national security adviser, says that Israel, Egypt, Qatar and the United States have come to an understanding of the “basic contours” of a deal for a temporary ceasefire. Speaking to US broadcaster NBC, Sullivan said that the deal was still under negotiation and there would have to be indirect discussions between Qatar and Egypt with Hamas. Sullivan also said that US President Joe Biden has not yet been briefed on Israel’s Rafah operational plan. “We do not believe the Rafah operation should proceed unless there is a plan to protect civilians,” he said. source: AlJazeera

Jordan’s foreign minister has said that Israel’s aggression during the Muslim holy month, Ramadan, that is expected to start on March 11 “will place the entire region at the risk of an explosion”. Ayman Safadi made the remarks at a joint press conference in Amman with his Bulgarian counterpart Mariya Gabriel. “Every day [that] passes with the war going unabated increases the risk of explosion and mounts its casualties,” he added. The Bulgarian foreign minister, for her part, voiced concern about the humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip. “Jordan has proven itself as a peacemaker in the region and we…

Ukraine is getting prepared for a new counteroffensive and already has a clear plan, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said. “We have a plan, a clear plan. I cannot reveal details, I have no right to do this. This plan is linked with some changes in the command,” he told a news conference when asked about Ukraine’s strategy for 2024. He noted, however, that in view of possible data leaks several plans will be drafted. “And I why I make any reshuffles, this is our domestic affair,” he said, commenting on the recent changes in the country’s military command. Earlier, Zelensky…

An Israeli military offensive in the southernmost city of Rafah could be “delayed somewhat” if a deal for a weekslong ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is reached, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday, but claimed that total victory in Gaza is “weeks away” once the offensive begins.Netanyahu confirmed to CBS that a deal is in the works, with no details. Israeli media reported that mediators were making progress on an agreement for a ceasefire and release of dozens of hostages held in Gaza as well as Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Several Israeli media outlets, citing unnamed officials, said the War…

Head of the internationally-recognized Yemeni government Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak has set off for an official visit to Moscow, the Yemeni Saba news agency reported. According to the news agency, the Yemeni prime minister plans to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk, speaker of the State Duma, or lower house of parliament, Vyacheslav Volodin, and speaker of the Federation Council upper house of parliament Valentina Matviyenko. Among the topics to be discusses in Moscow are issues of bilateral relations, certain aspects on the regional agenda, as well as “Russia’s role in promoting security and…