RUSSIA offers Ukraine to resume direct talks on 15 May in Istanbul, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
President Vladimir Putin is delivering a key statement, concluding four days of high-level talks with world leaders gathered in Moscow for the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s defeat.
The Kremlin-confirmed address comes as international attention remains sharply focused on Russia’s geopolitical stance. “In this regard, despite everything, we propose that the Kiev authorities resume the talks they interrupted at the end of 2022, resume direct talks, and without any preconditions. We propose to begin without delay next Thursday, 15 May, in Istanbul, where they were held earlier and where they were interrupted,” Putin said in a statement following a series of international talks in the Kremlin.
Russia is ready for serious negotiations with Ukraine, the point is to eliminate the root causes of the conflict, Putin said. “We are ready for serious negotiations with Ukraine, their point is to eliminate the root causes of the conflict, to establish a long-term, lasting peace for the historical perspective,” the president told journalists.
Putin said that Russia’s proposal to resume negotiations with Ukraine was on the table. The Kremlin will announce who will lead the Russian delegation to the Istanbul talks on Ukraine, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said on Sunday. — SPUTNIK

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing who attended the military parade to mark the 80th Anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945 of the Russian Federation held a meeting with President of the People’s Republic of China Mr Xi Jinping at the Beijing Hall of Soluex Hotel Moscow yesterday evening.
At the meeting, President of the People’s Republic of China Mr Xi Jinping expressed his deep condolences to the government and people of Myanmar for the damage and losses caused by the recent major earthquake in Mandalay, Myanmar. He stated that he firmly believes the government and people of Myanmar will work hand in hand to carry out reconstruction and recovery efforts effectively. He also affirmed that China will provide necessary assistance as needed. He noted that this year marks the 75th anniversary of China-Myanmar relations and reaffirmed China’s consistent support for Myanmar’s development, sovereignty, and stability. Furthermore, he pledged continued Chinese assistance in Myanmar’s development and peace-building efforts.
In his response, the Senior General said that during this difficult time in Myanmar caused by the natural disaster of an earthquake, China has expressed its deep condolences and solidarity with the people of Myanmar. As a close friend, China offered heartfelt sympathy and best wishes for a swift recovery. Furthermore, recognizing the ‘Golden Hour’ – the most critical time for rescue efforts after an earthquake — Chinese rescue teams arrived in Myanmar just 18 hours after the quake and immediately began carrying out necessary relief operations. The Chinese government also provided emergency humanitarian assistance to Myanmar. The government and people of Myanmar remain deeply grateful for China’s continuous support. Since reconstruction is a long-term process, Myanmar earnestly hopes to continue offering support and assistance from China as needed in the days to come.
He continued to say that Myanmar expresses gratitude to China for its support of Myanmar’s stance on regional and international fronts regarding the country’s affairs. Myanmar is currently undertaking preparations to successfully hold a multiparty democratic general election by the end of this year and is also planning to invite international observation missions during the election period. Myanmar also supports China’s efforts to build a community with a shared future with its neighbouring countries and to establish new foundations for cooperation with neighbouring states. Today’s meeting has been very beneficial for enhancing bilateral relations and cooperation, and both countries will be able to continue working closely together in the future.
The Chinese President discussed that it is following the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence in international relations, continues to stand by Myanmar both regionally and internationally, and supports and encourages Myanmar’s preparations for the upcoming multiparty democratic general elections.

The Senior General and the Chinese President exchanged views on promoting bilateral relations, enhancing cooperation in all sectors, initiating a Pauk-Phaw relationship between Myanmar and China, shaping a society through thick and thin, and cooperating in regional stability and peace.
After the meeting, the Senior General and the Chinese President cordially greeted each other.
Also, present at the meeting were Council Joint Secretary General Ye Win Oo, Council members General Maung Maung Aye, Dr Ba Shwe and Khun San Lwin, Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Than Swe, senior Tatmadaw officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, deputy ministers, the Myanmar Ambassador to the Russian Federation, and officials.
The President of PRC was accompanied member of the Standing Committee of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, member of the Secretariat of the Chinese Community Party, Head of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China Mr Cai Qi, member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China Head of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Wang Yi, ministers and senior officers of China, the Chinese Ambassador to Russia and officials. — MNA/TTA

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing attended the military parade to mark the 80th Anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945 of the Russian Federation, together with Heads of State and officials from international countries, at the Red Square in Moscow yesterday morning.

President of the Russian Federation Mr Vladimir Putin warmly welcomed the Prime Minister and Heads of State from other countries at the Senate Place of the Kremlin Palace. The Russian President, together with the Prime Minister and Heads of State of international countries and officials, arrived on the dais where they will view the military parade to mark the 80th Anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945.

Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Ground Forces Army General Oleg Salukov took the position while the clock tower from the Kremlin Palace rang rings of 10 o’clock. The military parade was launched, and all participants saluted the flag of the Russian Federation and the flag to mark the 80th Anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

Russian Minister of Defence Mr Andrei Ramovich Belousov took the salute of the parade units and inspected them in a motorcade. He delivered a speech in honour of the 80th Victory Day, and the parade units shouted Hooray three times. They all observed a one-minute silence in memory of heroes who were posthumous in the Great Patriotic War and the heroes who sacrificed their lives for Russia.

Supreme Commander-in-Chief Mr Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin delivered a speech in honour of the 80th Anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, while the military parade units shouted Hooray three times. The military band played the national anthem of Russia, and then, guns were fired.

Military parade units, including those from foreign countries, led by the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Ground Forces, marched past the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of Russia. Also, tanks, armoured vehicles, artillery units, air defence units, and strategic ballistic missile corps marched past the Supreme Commander-in-Chief while aircraft from the air force flew over the parade. Meanwhile, the military band played the honorary song to mark the 80th Anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

After the ceremony, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Mr Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin greeted leaders of parade units from the Russian Federation and foreign countries.

The Prime Minister, Heads of State of foreign countries and officials proceeded to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier near the wall of the Kremlin and waved to attendees to the parade.

The Prime Minister, Heads of State from foreign countries, officials and Russian President Mr Vladimir Putin laid wreaths at the Tomb. They all had documentary photos taken.

At the Office of President Putin of the Kremlin Palace, they had a luncheon hosted by President of the Russian Federation Mr Vladimir Putin.

While attending the military parade and related ceremonies, the Senior General cordially greeted Heads of State from foreign countries and officials and reciprocally discussed diplomatic relations, friendship and promotion of cooperation with these countries.

The Soviet Union participated in the Great Patriotic War in 1941-1945 to drive out invasion of Fascist Nazis on 11 June 1941. On the morning of 9 May 1945, Nazi Germans signed the German Instrument of Surrender in Berlin of Germany, and the Second World War came to an end. At about 2 am on 9 May 1945, the people living in the Soviet Union learned of Nazi Germany’s defeat in the war. That afternoon, Soviet citizens gathered in Moscow’s Red Square to celebrate by singing songs, playing musical instruments, dancing, launching fireworks, and firing 36 celebratory salutes into the sky using guns. The Victory Day celebrations were filled with joy and enthusiasm. As a result, the Soviet Union officially designated 9 May as a public holiday known as Victory Day, commemorating their triumph over Fascist Nazi Germany. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, starting from the 60th Anniversary Victory Day celebration in 2005, the 9th May Victory Day has become one of the most popular ceremonies and a public holiday in the Russian Federation. It is commemorated as the day of victory in the Great Patriotic War, 1941-1945, and military parades are held to mark the occasion. It is a tradition for military parade units from various countries to participate in these events. Military parade members from Myanmar also marched for the first time alongside contingents from other countries in this year’s military parade commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945 of the Russian Federation. MNA/TTA

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

A Myanmar high-level delegation led by Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and his wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla left Nay Pyi Taw Tatmadaw Airport by special aircraft yesterday morning to attend the parade to mark the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945) to be held in the Russian Federation at the invitation of President of the Russian Federation Mr Valadimir Putin.
The Senior General and his wife and party were seen off at the airport by SAC Vice-Chairman Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win and his wife Daw Than Than Nwe, Council Secretary General Aung Lin Dwe and his wife, council members, Union ministers, the Nay Pyi Taw Council Chairman, senior Tatmadaw officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and their wives, the commander of Nay Pyi Taw Command, officials from the Embassy of the Russian Federation to Myanmar and the Military Attache Office to Myanmar.
The Senior General and his wife were accompanied by Council Joint Secretary General Ye Win Oo and his wife, Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Defence General Maung Maung Aye, Dr Ba Shwe and Khun San Lwin, Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Than Swe, Chief of the General Staff (Army, Navy and Air) General Kyaw Swa Lin and his wife, senior Tat-
madaw officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, deputy ministers and military and civilian officials.
During the trip, the Senior General will attend the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945) and related ceremonies, and hold separate meetings with attendees to the ceremonies. Moreover, the Senior General will carry out cementing strategic cooperation measures in friendly relations, economic and security sectors and other sectors between governments and people of both countries.
Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, the wife of the Senior General, will hold meetings with Speaker of the Federation Council Mrs Valentina Matvienko and Chairperson of the Russian Chapter of the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance Ms Anna Nesterova. The Myanmar high-level delegation led by the Senior General arrived at Vnukovo International Airport in Moscow in the afternoon and was welcomed by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Andre Rudenko and officials of the Russian Federation, Myanmar Ambassador to the Russian Federation U Thit Linn Ohn and Myanmar Military Attaché (Army, Navy and Air) Brig-Gen Kyaw Soe Oo.
At the welcome ceremony, the Senior General and party were flanked by the State Guard of Honour of the Russian Federation along the passage. — MNA/TTA

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

PEZESHKIAN cordially congratulated Putin and all Russian citizens on the 80th anniversary of Victory Day. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian have discussed the development of bilateral cooperation based on the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement, the Kremlin said on Tuesday. The leaders have also discussed the progress of the Oman-mediated negotiations between Iran and the United States on the Iranian nuclear programme, the statement said, adding that Putin confirmed Russia’s readiness to promote dialogue to achieve a fair agreement on the Iranian nuclear programme.
Additionally, Putin expressed sincere condolences to Pezeshkian over deaths as a result of the explosion that happened on 26 April at the Shahid Rajaee port in southern Iran, while the Iranian leader thanked the Russian president for assistance in eliminating the consequences of the explosion. — SPUTNIK

Ref : The Global New Light of Myanmar

Photo: Euronews.com

“MAKE no mistake: A military solution is no solution,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on the tensions between India and Pakistan, at a press encounter on Monday.
“Tensions between India and Pakistan are at their highest in years,” the UN chief said. “And so it pains me to see relations reaching a boiling point,” he added.
Guterres once again strongly condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam on 22 April, and extended his condolences to the families of the victims. “Targeting civilians is unacceptable — and those responsible must be brought to justice through credible and lawful means,” he said.
The UN chief stressed that it was essential, “especially at this critical hour, to avoid a military confrontation that could easily spin out of control,” and “now is the time for maximum restraint and stepping back from the brink.” “That has been my message in my ongoing outreach with both countries,” said Guterres.
The UN secretary-general once again offered his good offices to both India and Pakistan in the service of peace. “The United Nations stands ready to support any initiative that promotes de-escalation, diplomacy, and a renewed commitment to peace,” he said. Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated following a deadly attack on tourists in Pahalgam in the Indian-controlled Kashmir on 22 April. — Xinhua

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

Russia says Ukraine has launched an overnight drone attack targeting Moscow for the second night in a row.

All four of the capital's major airports were closed for several hours to ensure safety but later reopened, Russia's aviation watchdog Rosaviatsia said on Telegram.

Moscow's mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, said on social media at least 19 Ukrainian drones had been destroyed before they reached the city "from different directions". He said some of the debris had landed on one of the key highways into the city, but there were no casualties.

Ukraine has not yet commented. But the mayor of Kharkiv said Russia had also carried out drone strikes in the city overnight, as well as in the Kyiv area.

The governor of Ukraine's Odesa region, Oleh Kiper, said one person was killed in a drone strike.

It is the second night in a row that Russia has reported a drone attack by Ukraine - on Monday, Russia's defence ministry said it had destroyed 26 Ukrainian drones overnight.

Unconfirmed reports by Russian military bloggers suggested windows of an apartment in the south of Moscow were smashed.

As well as in Moscow, the governors of other Russian cities, including Penza and Voronezh, also said they had been targeted by drones overnight into Tuesday.

Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than three years ago, Kyiv has launched several drone attacks on Moscow. Its biggest attack in March killed three people.

Source: BBC

WORLD leaders remembered Pope Francis as “a beacon of compassion”, as the death on Monday of the leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics prompted a global outpouring of grief. Here are some of the first reactions to the death of the 88-year-old pontiff:
‘Rest in Peace’: Trump
“Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!,” US President Donald Trump, who clashed with the Argentine pontiff on a number of issues, wrote on his Truth Social platform.
‘Prayed for peace in Ukraine’: Zelensky
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Francis “prayed for peace in Ukraine and for Ukrainians”. “We grieve together with Catholics and all Christians,” Zelensky wrote on social media.
‘Defender of justice’: Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Francis was a “wise” religious leader, a “statesman” and a “consistent defender of the high values of humanism and justice,” who “actively promoted dialogue between the Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches”.
‘Consequential leader’: Biden
Former US president Joe Biden said Francis was “unlike any who came before him”, hailing his record of fighting for peace and equity. “Pope Francis will be remembered as one of the most consequential leaders of our time and I am better for having known him,” Biden, a staunch Catholic, wrote on X alongside a picture of him and the Pope.
‘Courageous’: Britain
“His leadership in a complex and challenging time for the world and the church was courageous, yet always came from a place of deep humility,” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said.
King Charles, who is also the head of the Church of England, said he was “deeply saddened” by Francis’s death, adding: “Through his work and care for both people and planet, he profoundly touched the lives of so many”.
Wise despite ‘differences’: Argentina’s leader
“In spite of differences that today seem minor, to have known him in his goodness and wisdom was a true honor for me,” Argentine President Javier Milei posted on X of his countryman Francis.
‘Dialogue between faiths’: Turkey -
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan praised Francis as a “respected statesman”. The leader of the Muslim-majority nation also called Francis “a spiritual leader who placed great importance on dialogue between different faith groups”, who took “initiative in the face of humanitarian tragedies, especially the Palestinian issue”. — AFP

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

Brussels (TDI): The European Union has announced €2.5 Million in humanitarian aid to Myanmar for the people affected by a 7.7 magnitude earthquake that hit the country on Friday.

According to Hadja Lahbib, the EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness, and Crisis Management, “EU is already providing €2.5mil in emergency aid for people affected by this morning’s earthquake in Myanmar. This will help address the immediate needs of the most vulnerable.”

She further announced that the European Union has activated its Copernicus satellite service to facilitate earthquake impact assessment.

The European Union has released €2.5 million as immediate emergency aid for the victims of  the earthquake.

Source : The Diplomatic Insight

Read more: https://thediplomaticinsight.com/eu-provides-2-5m-euros-to-myanmars-earthquake-victims/

The Chinese government has pledged emergency humanitarian assistance amounting to 100 million yuan (approximately $13.78 million) for earthquake-stricken Myanmar. Additionally, two rescue teams have been sent, along with urgently needed relief supplies such as tents, blankets, first aid kits, food, and drinking water, according to Li Ming, spokesperson for the China International Development Cooperation Agency, on Saturday, March 29.
The first team arrived in Yangon on Saturday, Li confirmed, adding that China is prepared to provide further assistance to Myanmar as needed.
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson already emphasized on Friday that China is fully committed to offering humanitarian aid and support to help Myanmar’s disaster relief and rescue efforts during this challenging time.
"We hope and believe that the government and people of Myanmar will overcome these difficulties and rebuild their country at the earliest opportunity," the spokesperson said.
"The people of China and Myanmar share a deep 'pauk-phaw' (fraternal) friendship, and we stand in solidarity with the people of Myanmar in the wake of this disaster," the spokesperson added.

Source : NP News