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Germany under pressure to explain intercepted phone call

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Germany is currently facing scrutiny after a leaked conversation among air force officials discussing the possibility of providing long-range missiles to Ukraine was made public by Russian sources. The recording, aired by Russia’s state-run RT channel, captured high-ranking German military officers discussing the potential use of Taurus cruise missiles to target the Kerch Bridge, which links Russia to Crimea.

The breach has raised significant concerns among Germany’s allies regarding its security measures. The discussion also touched on alleged British operations in Ukraine, further complicating matters.

While Germany’s defense ministry acknowledged the interception of the conversation, it could not confirm if the recording had been altered. The meeting was reportedly conducted on the Webex conference platform instead of a secure military platform, adding to Berlin’s embarrassment.

Germany’s Military Counterintelligence Service is investigating the security breach, though it remains uncertain if the findings will be disclosed publicly. Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s allies have rejected calls for a parliamentary inquiry.

The incident has underscored divisions over Scholz’s reluctance to supply Taurus missiles to Ukraine, citing concerns about their potential use against Russian territory. France and Britain have provided Kyiv with missiles of shorter range.

The leak has exposed a rift between senior German military officials advocating for Taurus deployment and Chancellor Scholz, whose focus appears to be on political survival rather than continental interests, according to critics.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has labeled the hack as a Russian attempt to sow discord, characterizing it as a “hybrid disinformation attack” aimed at undermining unity. He cautioned against falling for Russian manipulation.

In response, the Kremlin has seized upon the leak to portray Western involvement in the Ukraine conflict. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov suggested that the leaked conversation indicated the Bundeswehr’s deliberation over plans to strike Russian territory, further fueling tensions between Russia and the West.

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Alexei Navalny: Putin critic about to be freed in prisoner swap when he died, says ally

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Maria Pevchikh, an ally of Alexei Navalny, revealed that plans were underway for Navalny’s release in a prisoner exchange deal. The exchange was intended to involve Vadim Krasikov, a Russian serving a life sentence in Germany for murder, along with two detained US citizens in Russia. Negotiations for this swap had been ongoing for two years but gained momentum after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Concrete plans for the exchange were reportedly made in December, with American and German officials involved in the talks.

However, according to Pevchikh, Russian President Vladimir Putin changed his mind at the last minute, leading to Navalny’s sudden death in prison. Pevchikh claimed that Putin’s deep-seated animosity towards Navalny, driven by the perceived threat he posed to Putin’s power, motivated the decision to sabotage the deal. Despite the existence of a firm agreement, Putin allegedly opted to eliminate Navalny rather than allow him to be released.

These revelations come amid continued speculation and international scrutiny surrounding Navalny’s death. While the German government has refrained from commenting on Pevchikh’s claims, the Kremlin has yet to provide an official response. However, Dmitry Peskov, President Putin’s spokesperson, had previously dismissed allegations of government involvement in Navalny’s death as absurd.

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Putin gifts luxury Aurus car to North Korea’s Kim

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Russian President Vladimir Putin recently presented North Korean leader Kim Jong Un with a luxurious Russian-made car, as reported by Pyongyang’s state media. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed the gift, specifying that it was an Aurus, a high-end luxury sedan similar to those favored by Putin himself.

This gesture highlights the deepening relationship between the two nations, particularly in light of Russia’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine. Despite facing international sanctions, suspicions persist regarding military collaboration between Russia and North Korea, with allegations of North Korea providing artillery and missile support to Russia for its war efforts.

The exchange occurred during Kim’s visit to the Vostochny Cosmodrome last September, which marked his first trip abroad in four years. During this visit, Putin personally showed Kim his Aurus limousine and gifted him firearms, further solidifying their rapport.

Kim’s sister, Yo Jong, praised the car gift as emblematic of the close personal bond shared between the two leaders. However, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry criticized the gesture, citing UN sanctions that prohibit the supply of luxury vehicles to North Korea.

While the relationship between Putin and Kim may not display the same level of camaraderie seen between Kim and former US President Donald Trump, both leaders recognize the strategic benefits of fostering closer ties. Plans for Putin to visit Pyongyang in the future have been hinted at by both sides, indicating the ongoing development of their diplomatic relationship.

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Alexei Navalny’s body to be held for two weeks for ‘chemical analysis’, family told

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The family of Alexei Navalny, a prominent critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin who recently died in a Russian prison, has reportedly been informed that his body will not be released for two weeks. According to a representative for Navalny, his mother was told that his body is being held for “chemical analysis”. Despite efforts to locate the body, there has been no confirmation of its whereabouts from Russian authorities, and attempts to find it have been repeatedly blocked. Navalny’s wife has accused Russian authorities of concealing his body and alleged that it is being held until traces of Novichok, the nerve agent used in a previous poisoning attempt on Navalny, disappear.

In a video statement, Navalny’s wife, Yulia Navalnaya, accused President Putin of being responsible for her husband’s death and called on viewers to join her in seeking justice. Navalny’s death was announced on Friday, with authorities stating that he had never regained consciousness after collapsing during a walk in the Siberian penal colony where he was imprisoned. His mother and lawyer rushed to the colony upon hearing the news, but their attempts to locate the body have been thwarted by prison officials and local authorities.

The Kremlin has stated that an investigation into Navalny’s death is ongoing, but no results have been reported thus far. Navalny’s spokeswoman has said that investigators informed Navalny’s mother that the body would not be released for two weeks due to “chemical analysis”.

Western leaders have blamed President Putin for Navalny’s death and are considering imposing new sanctions on Russia in response. The UK Foreign Secretary has indicated that Britain and other G7 nations are likely to impose fresh sanctions on individuals implicated in Navalny’s death. However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has dismissed these statements as “arrogant” and “unacceptable”, while Russian prison authorities have attributed Navalny’s death to “sudden death syndrome”.

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Russia formally withdraws from the grain contract with Ukraine

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Russia has informed the United Nations, Turkey, and Ukraine that it will not extend a crucial grain deal that allowed Ukraine to export grain through the Black Sea. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that the agreements had effectively ended on Monday. The deal permitted cargo ships to pass through the Black Sea from the Ukrainian ports of Odesa, Chornomorsk, and Yuzhny/Pivdennyi. However, Russia stated that it would reconsider the agreement if certain conditions were met.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously expressed dissatisfaction with parts of the deal, claiming that the export of Russian food and fertilizers had not been fulfilled. He specifically mentioned that grain had not been supplied to poorer nations, which was a condition of the agreement. Russia also complained about Western sanctions limiting its agricultural exports and repeatedly threatened to withdraw from the deal.

On Monday, the Russian foreign ministry reiterated these concerns, accusing the West of “open sabotage” and prioritizing commercial interests over humanitarian goals. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his belief that Putin still wanted to continue the agreement and stated that they would discuss its renewal during their upcoming meeting.

The grain deal is significant because Ukraine is one of the world’s largest exporters of sunflower, maize, wheat, and barley. Following Russia’s invasion in February 2022, Ukrainian ports were blockaded, trapping 20 million tonnes of grain and causing a sharp increase in global food prices. The blockade also posed a threat to food supplies in Middle Eastern and African countries heavily reliant on Ukrainian grain.

Nikolay Gorbachev, the president of the Ukrainian Grain Association, mentioned that alternative methods of exporting grain had been identified, including through Danube River ports. However, he acknowledged that these ports would be less efficient, leading to reduced grain exports and increased transportation costs.

Western leaders swiftly criticized Russia’s decision, with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemning it as a “cynical move” and emphasizing the EU’s efforts to ensure food security for vulnerable populations.

Russia’s announcement coincided with Ukraine claiming responsibility for an attack on a bridge in Crimea that resulted in the deaths of two civilians. Peskov stated that Russia’s decision to let the deal expire was unrelated to the attack, as President Putin had already declared the position before the incident.

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Russian parliament bans gender reassignment surgery for trans people

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Russia’s lower house of parliament has passed a law that bans gender reassignment surgery and prevents individuals from changing their genders on state documents. The bill, which also needs approval from the upper house and President Vladimir Putin, was justified by the Speaker of the Duma, Vyacheslav Volodin, as a means to protect citizens and children and preserve traditional values.

The legislation includes additional amendments such as prohibiting individuals who have undergone gender changes from adopting children and annulling marriages where one party has undergone gender reassignment. LGBT rights groups have criticized the law, stating that it will negatively impact the health and rights of transgender individuals.

Critics view the law as an infringement on basic human rights and an attempt to further discriminate against an already marginalized group. This law follows previous legislation passed last year that banned the public expression of LGBT culture and propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations. President Putin has expressed opposition to LGBT lifestyles, aligning with the Orthodox Church’s conservative social views.

Additionally, a transgender rights activist was recently arrested on charges of treason for supporting Ukraine, further raising concerns about human rights in the country.

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