I'm sure, this is going to go over "really big" with the anti-Trump - anti-Putin crowd in Washington!
02.11.2018 - Putin, Trump to hold Long and Substantive Meeting on Sidelines of G20 - Kremlin
Putin, Trump to Hold Long and Substantive Meeting on Sidelines of G20 - Kremlin
In October, Putin said that Moscow was ready to discuss the possible US withdrawal from the INF Treaty with Washington’s partners without any "hysteria" and expressed hope that he would be able to touch upon this issue during his meeting with Trump in Paris.
The Putin-Trump meeting in Paris will be brief. The two presidents will have a full-scale meeting at the G20, according to a Kremlin aide.
"The G-20 meeting will be long and thorough, and in Paris, it will be short, brief," presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said.
According to him,
a meeting in Buenos Aires is still being agreed upon.
"It’s hard to say an approximate meeting time, it’s impossible at present," Ushakov noted.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump will meet on the sidelines of events to commemorate the centenary of the end of World War I in Paris on November 11.
On October 20, Trump said the United States would
withdraw from the INF, claiming that Moscow was not complying with the agreement.
The Kremlin rejected the accusations, adding that Russia would be forced to take measures to ensure its security if the treaty is terminated by the United States. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on October 28 that Washington had handed over to Russia a list of complaints regarding the implementation of the accord and that Moscow was preparing its response to the US concerns.
02.11.2018 - Lavrov: Russia ready to Renew Dialogue with US on INF, START, ABM Treaties
Lavrov: Russia Ready to Renew Dialogue With US on INF, START, ABM Treaties
President Trump has threatened to scrap the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, which has served to guarantee European security against the threat of nuclear annihilation, accusing Russia of violating the treaty's terms.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has indicated that Russia's proposals aimed at reducing risks of military incidents in the Euro-Atlantic region are still on the table, and that Moscow remains prepared to talk with the US about preserving the INF and New START Treaties, as well US missile defense.
"We are interested in saving [the INF] and regret the US' announced intention to withdraw from the treaty," Lavrov said, speaking at a press conference after talks with OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger in Moscow on Friday.
"We have expressed our readiness to discuss the present situation, but as we understand it, the US decision is final. It will be announced officially soon, and a six-month countdown will begin, after which the decision to terminate the contract will become a reality," Lavrov lamented.
Russia also remains ready to prolong the New START strategic arms reduction treaty after it expires in 2021. "But in order to realize this possibility, it's necessary to settle the existing problems related to the implementation of the agreement," Lavrov said.
Russia also remains ready to prolong the New START strategic arms reduction treaty after it expires in 2021. "But in order to realize this possibility, it's necessary to settle the existing problems related to the implementation of the agreement," Lavrov said.
"We have regularly proposed unfreezing those channels of dialogue which are now frozen, and to begin a dialogue on all aspects of strategic stability, including the INF, START, and the ABM, or rather the non-treaty, which doesn't exist because Washington unilaterally withdrew from it, and the situation which is arising in connection with the creation of a global US missile defense system," Lavrov said. These systems naturally have a direct impact on strategic stability, according to the foreign minister.
Russia Wants Talks on Militarization of Space
Moscow is interested in the resumption of a variety of formats on dialogue with Washington on strategic stability after the US midterms, the Russian foreign minister said.
In particular, Russia considers it vital to engage in a serious dialogue aimed at preventing the militarization of space, including the deployment of space-based weapons, with this issue said to be in danger of spinning out of control.
"We are very concerned about the danger of the transformation of outer space into a sphere of armed confrontation. This subject has become more and more worrisome recently," the Russian foreign minister said.
According to Lavrov, the subject "requires a professional, responsible discussion. Otherwise, the situation can get out of control and then, as some experts say, we can forget about stability and security."
Background
President Trump announced US plans to terminate the INF Treaty last month, accusing Moscow of violating its terms. The treaty, signed in 1987, required the Moscow and Washington to destroy their stocks of ground-based short and intermediate-range nuclear-capable missile systems in the 500-5,500 km range and restricted their development. Washington's European allies, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the Czech Republic have voiced concerns about Washington's intention to scrap the treaty. The UK, for its part, supported Trump's move, echoing US claims about Russian violations.
The Trump administration officially
established the Space Force as the sixth branch of the US Armed Forces in June after accusing Russia and China of militarizing space. Russian officials have voiced concerns over the US decision, citing the dangers of a space-based arms race. Russia and the United States are both parties to the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, which obliges parties not to station weapons of mass destruction in outer space and prohibits military maneuvers, military bases, and the testing of weapons of any kind on celestial bodies, including the Moon.
02.11.2018 - Russia backs making INF Treaty Multilateral to include NATO, China - Envoy
Russia Backs Making INF Treaty Multilateral to Include NATO, China – Envoy
Russia supports making the Intermediate Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty a multilateral agreement to include not only China, but also NATO states, Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov told reporters.
Russia has been and is in favor of making this treaty multilateral. To ensure that not only the People's Republic of China would enter it, but that all NATO states and, primarily, France and the United Kingdom, should be part of it," Antonov said.
The diplomat noted that the idea to make the INF Treaty multilateral is not new, but some 10 years old.
"It was Russia's initiative when we proposed to make the treaty multilateral. Then, we first addressed it to the countries of NATO and, of course, to France and the UK. These are nuclear states. We said that it would be great if they joined this conversation. However, back then we were told that no one had such missiles and that they would not need to join. We were refused. Unfortunately, our efforts did not succeed and we could not make it multilateral," Antonov explained.
Washington has still not given notice to Moscow about its intentions to leave the Intermediate Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov told reporters.
"The United States still has not given us any notice, required in accordance with the provisions of the INF, of their intention to withdraw from the treaty … As I understand, the United States is continuing consultations with its allies on the issue. We have already heard the concerns of European countries regarding a possible pullout of the United States from the INF," Antonov said.
The diplomat pointed out that the INF Treaty did not concern the security of the United States, as it provided for the security of Europe, NATO countries in Europe and Russia.
"Of course, a sensitive issue arises for us — the issue is under what circumstances and if the United States considers deploying medium and short-range missiles in Europe. For us it is not just a challenge; for us, it will be a national security threat. It is very serious … Therefore, we consider it important and necessary to sit at the negotiating table with the United States and we have repeatedly spoken about this. We believe that if there is political will, then any problem can be solved," Antonov underlined.
On October 20, US President Donald Trump announced that the United States would withdraw from the INF, claiming that Moscow was not respecting the agreement.
Russia Sees Conflicting Info on New US Sanctions, Surprises Possible
"As for other sanctions, after November 6, we need to wait a bit and see what decisions will be made. Unfortunately, there is conflicting information as to what can be expected about the set of possible sanctions," Antonov said.
The Russian ambassador noted, however, that surprises related to anti-Russia sanctions were still possible.
"We hear that the administration has already completed the maximum of opportunities, but surprises are possible. I just want to say — and we have repeatedly spoken about this at various levels — that it will not be possible to establish good relations with Russia by sanctions," the ambassador added.
The United States imposed sanctions on Russia in August over its alleged use of a nerve agent in an attack on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in the UK town of Salisbury. Moscow has categorically denied all the allegations, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov saying that the Skripal affair was falling apart due to the lack of evidence proving Russia's involvement. The Russian Foreign Ministry said that it had sent about 60 diplomatic notes to the UK Foreign Office demanding that Russia be given access to the investigation, as well as offering cooperation, but to no avail.
Russia has been given until November to prove that it is complying with international rules on chemical weapons and to allow inspections, or face a new round of even more severe sanctions.
Moscow to Work With People Elected by US Citizens in Upcoming Midterms
"We will work with the people that the American people elect," Antonov stated.
On November 6, US voters will cast ballots in the midterm elections to fill the 435 seats in the US House of Representatives, one-third of the 100-member Senate, and a number of local and statewide positions, including governorships.
All three major groups of voters — Republicans, independents and Democrats — are showing record enthusiasm for voting this year compared with the 1994-2014 trend, potentially reflecting a more highly charged political atmosphere than in the past, according to a Gallup poll published on Thursday.
The outcome will determine whether the Republican Party retains control of Congress. The midterm elections are often regarded as a referendum on the president’s performance.
02.11.2018 - Behind-the Scenes Diplomacy: Trump's 'Great Deal' with China may soon take shape
Behind-the-Scenes Diplomacy: Trump's 'Great Deal' With China May Soon Take Shape
Donald Trump's statement of a possible "great deal" between Washington and Beijing that came out of the blue on October 30 may come true after months of tensions over a US-China tariff spat. Speaking to Sputnik, CCTV editor Tom McGregor has shared his views on the diplomatic "chess game" between Xi and Trump.
Asian shares have gone up on the news of a "long and very good conversation" between US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping amid the ongoing trade frictions between Washington and Beijing.
Just had a long and very good conversation with President Xi Jinping of China. We talked about many subjects, with a heavy emphasis on Trade. Those discussions are moving along nicely with meetings being scheduled at the G-20 in Argentina. Also had good discussion on North Korea!
Earlier, on October 30, the US president dropped a hint that
he was expecting a "great deal" with China and threatened to impose more tariffs on the People's Republic if it fails to reach the agreement. His statement came out of the blue.
Speaking to Sputnik, Tom McGregor, a Beijing-based political analyst and senior editor for China's national TV broadcaster CCTV, presumed that "US President Donald J. Trump [had] received messages from China's trade negotiations' team behind-the-scenes that they have delivered hints on hoping to seek areas of consensus and to find grounds for compromise."
"There was no reason for President Trump to make praiseworthy comments unless he had received a more positive message and tone from Beijing in recent days. Part of being a great negotiator is not to make bold lies and outrageous promises or bluffs, because the other side on the negotiating table can so easily call your bluff," the Beijing-based political commentator said.
McGregor opined that Trump "would not make such a tactical blunder unless he had good reason for saying both the US and China will sign a 'great deal.'"
According to the analyst, Trump's message was "more intended to calm the Chinese" amid
a recent diplomatic row over Taiwan and Vice President Mike Pence's tough speech targeting Beijing in October.
"Last month,
Vice President Mike Pence delivered an anti-China speech at the Hudson Institute and calling for stronger American support for the island of Taiwan. The Chinese viewed that as a declaration of war and Pence's speech came at around the same time when there was a standoff between the Chinese and US naval ships in the South China Sea," the journalist explained.
On the other hand, the Chinese worried that National Security Adviser John Bolton was taking charge of US-China trade talks and were similarly displeased with Peter Navarro, director of Trade and Industrial Policy, McGregor remarked. Both politicians are very well known in the People's Republic for their hawkish stance towards Beijing.
"Navarro has no prior experience in negotiating deals," the commentator opined. "He had spent much of his professional career as a professor and even when he had written his book, 'Death by China,' he never bothered to visit China when conducting his research."
The journalist believes that "Navarro had proven incompetent and way too emotional as a negotiator for the US side, so the Chinese felt it was a loss of face for them to continue trade talks while Navarro and Bolton were acting so belligerent towards the Chinese."
He presumed that in contrast to Navarro and Bolton, White House economic advisor Lawrence Kudlow was the man for the job: "Kudlow has much more experience at deal-making and the Chinese appear to trust talking to him more," he said.
According to McGregor, Trump's October 30 statement became "a fitting reminder to the Chinese that it's Trump, not Bolton and Navarro, who will be in charge of bilateral trade talks for the US side."
Was It Trump Who Blinked First?
In his October 24
op-ed for Channel New Asia on the ongoing trade war, McGregor suggested that though there was no need for Beijing to give up at this stage, Chinese President Xi Jinping "should make a phone call to the White House, so the two leaders can become personal friends again and make continued progress on bilateral trade talks."
Eventually, on November 1, Trump and Xi did hold a phone conversation that may pave the way for a new trade deal between Beijing and Washington.
According to Bloomberg, Trump asked his administration official to start drafting the terms of a possible trade agreement.
The question then arises as to whether it was Trump who blinked first on the eve of the November midterm elections. According to McGregor that's not the case.
The Chinese have more to lose," he said. "When negotiating, whomever has the more to lose is obligated to blink first. That's common sense. If Trump blinks first that exposes him as weak and Trump is not a weakling at the negotiating table."
Apparently therefore, speaking to Fox News on October 30, the US president threatened to further raise the stakes.
President Trump would continue to raise tariffs until both Xi and Trump sign a win-win trade deal," the journalist suggested. "Even as both sides start talking again, Trump has promised more tariffs unless Beijing signs an agreement and Trump has to move forward on that to strengthen his leverage at the negotiating table."
Now all eyes are on the upcoming G20 summit, scheduled to be held from November 30 to December 1 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where the US president and his Chinese counterpart are expected to proceed with the negotiations. Besides, a number of American companies are going to take part in the first China International Import Expo (CIIE) to be held from November 5-10 in Shanghai.
"Economic teams from the two countries should strengthen contact and conduct consultations on issues of mutual concern in order to reach a mutually acceptable solution to China-US economic and trade issues," Xi said on November 1.
02.11.2018 - US Grants Temporary Waivers on Iran Sanctions to Eight Countries - Pompeo
US Grants Temporary Waivers on Iran Sanctions to Eight Countries - Pompeo
The sanctions against Tehran, previously announced by Washington, will be re-imposed on November 5, affecting shipbuilding, shipping, energy, and the banking sector.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, commenting on the anti-Iranian measures, stated that eight countries are to be temporarily spared the secondary sanctions. He also stated that almost 700 people and entities would be included in the sanctions.
"On November 5, the United States will re-impose sanctions that were lifted as part of the nuclear deal on Iran’s energy, shipbuilding, shipping, and banking sectors," Pompeo said. "We expect to issue some temporary allotments to eight jurisdictions, but only because they have demonstrated significant reductions in their crude oil and cooperation on many other fronts, and have made important moves toward getting to zero crude oil importation. These negotiations are still ongoing."
The official also added that he would release the list of all eight jurisdictions receiving exemptions from Iranian sanctions on Monday, but added that the European Union would not be one of them.
Commenting on the statement, Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Fatih Dönmez claimed that Ankara to be granted waiver on the anti-Iranian sanctions.
The US Treasury, in the meantime, has also announced that the
SWIFT international payment system could be subject to the sanctions in the event it does not cut off the sanctioned entities.
In early October, Pompeo had noted Washington would grant waivers for some importers of Iranian oil, including India, in order to give them time to adjust to the new conditions, adding that eventually, they would have to reduce their oil imports from Iran to zero.
The US exit from the Iranian nuclear deal was announced by President Donald Trump on May 8, when he also vowed to reinstate economic sanctions on Tehran and all those companies that continue to cooperate with the Islamic Republic. The first round of restrictions was implemented by Washington in August.
02.11.2018 - Washington, Ankara lift Sanctions on Top Officials after release of US Pastor
Washington, Ankara Lift Sanctions on Top Officials After Release of US Pastor
The United States has lifted sanctions imposed on two senior Turkish officials over the detention of an American pastor who was released and returned to the United States earlier this month, the Treasury Department stated.
According to the Office of Foreign Assets Control’s (OFAC) website, Turkish Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul and Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu are no longer on the Global Magnitsky Act sanctions list
The two Turkish officials were accused of human rights violations and sanctioned in August in response to the detention of American Pastor Andrew Brunson, who was released on October 12.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry has responded by
removing sanctions from US Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen and Attorney General of the United States Jeff Sessions, Turkey's Daily Sabah newspaper reported.
The sanctions on Kirstjen Nielsen and Jeff Sessions included a travel ban to the country and freezing of assets in Turkey.
