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Russia Investigates Online Post By Journalist In Exile
The Russian government-linked Baza Telegram channel said on April 10 that the Investigative Committee had launched a probe against Zalina Marshenkulova, a self-exiled activist journalist, on a charge of justifying terrorism. The charge stems from Marshenkulova's online post last year in which she called the death of pro-Kremlin blogger Vladlen Tatarsky, who was killed in a blast in a restaurant in St. Petersburg after an explosive device in a gift handed to him detonated, "appropriate." Marshenkulova, a native of Russia's mostly Muslim Kabardino-Balkaria region, has a Telegram channel, Women's Power, with around 30,000 subscribers. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Russian Service, click here.
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Iran Vice President Zarif Resigns Amid Government Turmoil In Tehran
Iranian Vice President for Strategic Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif has stepped down on the "advice" of the country's judiciary chief, Gholam Hossein Mohseni-Ejei.
In a post on X on March 3, Zarif said he had been "invited" by Mohseni-Ejei for a chat during which he was "advised to return to academia to prevent further pressure on the government."
A former foreign minister, Zarif's appointment in reformist President Masud Pezeshkian's government has been a source of tension for months, with his hard-line critics insisting that it violates a 2022 law on appointments in key positions.
His critics argue that Zarif's American-born sons are dual Iranian-U.S. nationals, rendering him unfit to hold such a position.
Zarif has long been a target for hard-line conservatives in Iran who claim he has too many foreign contacts and has faced suspicions because his sons -- now in their 40s -- acquired U.S. citizenship when they were born while he was a student in the United States.
Zarif had attempted to resign in August 2024 after less than two weeks in office, blaming differences with Pezeshkian over his choice of conservative cabinet members.
It later emerged that he had stepped down due to growing pressure from critics over the law.
Zarif's resignation followed the impeachment of Economy Minister Abdolnasser Hemmati, who was sacked by lawmakers in a 182-82 vote on March 2.
The political turmoil represented another setback for Pezeshkian, who shocked the country with his election victory last July, giving hopes to some observers of the potential for improved relations with the West.
The moves come at a time of increased tensions among the population over surging inflation and a tumbling currency in Iran –- which despite its energy riches is suffering through unplanned blackouts that have hit more than half of the country.
AFP reported that on the domestic black market, Iran’s currency -- the rial -- was trading at more than 920,000 to the U.S. dollar, far worse than the rate of 600,000 to the dollar in mid-2024.
The falling value of the rial in recent years has exacerbated the cost of living in Iran. A recent report by Iran's statistical authority said that around one-third of Iranians earn less than $2 a day and struggle to afford basic necessities.
During Hemmati's impeachment hearing, Pezeshkian told parliament: "We are in a full-scale [economic] war with the enemy...We must take a war formation."
"The economic problems of today's society are not related to one person and we cannot blame it all on one person," the president added.
Much of the economic difficulties are tied to sanctions placed on the Iranian economy by the United States, which resumed its "maximum pressure" policy as President Donald Trump returned to the White House on January 20.
Pezeshkian also told lawmakers that he initially wanted dialogue with the United States, but changed his mind after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei opposed talks with the Trump administration last month.
UN sanctions against Tehran were lifted under the terms of a landmark 2015 nuclear deal in return for restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was signed by Iran with the United States, China, France, Russia, the U.K., Germany, and the European Union.
During his first term in office, however, Trump withdrew the United States from the agreement in 2018 and re-imposed crippling U.S. sanctions that have roiled the economy
Zarif, a well-known and controversial figure in Iran, was Tehran's top diplomat under moderate former President Hassan Rohani and played a key role in concluding the nuclear deal.
Meanwhile, Zarif has received international criticism for comments justifying human rights violations in Iran, the compulsory wearing of the hijab, and other nationalist remarks.
Kremlin-Favored Candidate Declared Winner In Georgia's Breakaway Abkhazia Region
Kremlin-favored candidate Badra Gunba won the presidential runoff in Abkhazia, a Russian-backed breakaway region that legally is a part of Georgia, de facto election authorities said on March 2.
Gunba, 47, failed to secure an outright majority in the first round on February 15, forcing the runoff against Adgur Ardzinba, a challenger critical of some Russian-backed economic policies.
Authorities said Gunba won almost 55 percent of the vote, while Ardzinba received 41.5 percent, and 2 percent voted against all, although there was no way to confirm the authenticity of the figures.
Turnout was reported at 70 percent.
In the first round, Gunba won 46.3 percent, while Ardzinba finished with 36.9 percent.
Gunba, who previously served as vice president, took over as acting leader on November 19 after Aslan Bzhania resigned amid mass protests against an investment deal with Russia. Opponents feared the agreement threatened Abkhazia's already fragile status under Russian control.
Ardzinba, a former de facto economy minister (2015–20) and leader of the Abkhaz People's Movement, ran on a platform opposing the deal, though he still pledged close ties with Moscow. Russian pro-government media attempted to frame him as "pro-Turkish."
The investment agreement aimed to strengthen economic ties between the breakaway region and Russia but was met with widespread opposition.
Critics, including opposition figures and civil society groups, labeled the deal "exploitative," claiming it would give undue advantages to Russian investors while undermining Abkhazia’s sovereignty. The deal was later rejected by the region's de facto legislature.
Georgia's Foreign Ministry has denounced the "so-called presidential elections in Russian-occupied Abkhazia," urging international condemnation of Moscow's ongoing violations.
The EU reiterated its support for Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty in a statement following the first round, saying it does not recognize the constitutional and legal framework in which the "so-called presidential elections in Abkhazia" took place.
"The European Union recalls its firm support for the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders," a statement said.
The Georgian government on March 1 stated that the "illegally" held election "contradicts fundamental principles of international law and represents another gross violation of Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders."
Abkhazia and South Ossetia broke away from Georgia's rule after the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s. While Russia recognized Abkhazia's independence after the 2008 Russo-Georgian War, most international community still views the region as part of Georgia.
Though the territory is politically and economically dependent on Russia, some Abkhazians have been critical of what they see as Moscow's growing influence.
Moscow welcomed Gunba's candidacy and his eventual victory.
Just days before the first round, on February 7, Russia carried out a test flight from Moscow Vnukovo Airport to the long-defunct Sukhumi Babushara Airport, bringing Gunba amid passengers and pledging to establish regular air connections later this year.
Gunba met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandr Novak. To bolster his position, Moscow announced the resumption of financial aid -- suspended since September -- and increased electricity supplies amid severe shortages.
Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Gunba following the election, according to the Kremlin press service.
"I expect that the friendly, allied Russian-Abkhazian relations will continue to strengthen for the benefit of our brotherly nations," a statement read.
With reporting by Reuters
- By RFE/RL
Trump Signs Order Declaring English As Official Language Of The U.S.
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order declaring English as the official language of the United States, saying it will help ensure a "unified and cohesive society” in a nation that has long prided itself on being the “melting pot of the world.”
The move marks the first time the United States has had an official language at the national level, although some 30 U.S. states have designated it as their official language.
“From the founding of our Republic, English has been used as our national language,” Trump said in the order published on March 1.
“Our Nation's historic governing documents, including the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, have all been written in English. It is therefore long past time that English is declared as the official language of the United States.”
“A nationally designated language is at the core of a unified and cohesive society, and the United States is strengthened by a citizenry that can freely exchange ideas in one shared language.”
Some activists have expressed concerns about the effect the action will have on non-English speakers when it comes to immigration matters, voting procedures, and access to assistance.
The move revokes a mandate from former President Bill Clinton that required government agencies and organizations that received federal funding to provide language assistance to non-English speakers.
It will allow such agencies and organizations to decide whether to continue offering documents and services in other languages.
The order stated that "agency heads are not required to amend, remove, or otherwise stop production of documents, products, or other services prepared or offered in languages other than English."
According to a U.S. government website, people in the United States communicate in more than 350 languages. The U.S. Census Bureau said some of the most widely spoken languages other than English are Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and Arabic.
Native North American languages, including Navajo, Yupik, Dakota, Apache, Keres, and Cherokee, are also spoken.
"Speaking English not only opens doors economically, but it helps newcomers engage in their communities, participate in national traditions, and give back to our society, Trump stated.
"This order recognizes and celebrates the long tradition of multilingual American citizens who have learned English and passed it to their children for generations to come."
With reporting by AP
Starmer Says 'Time To Act' On Ukraine As Europe At Crossroads
LONDON -- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has unveiled a four-step plan agreed with European leaders and top representatives of NATO and the EU to support Ukraine and show they remain united in the face of Russia's aggression.
The British leader said it was a "time to act" for Europe in ensuring Ukraine's security, backing up his call at a summit in London on March 2 by pledging 1.6 billion pounds ($2 billion) in export financing to supply 5,000 air defense missiles to Kyiv.
The summit agreed that military aid must continue to flow to Ukraine, that Kyiv must be at the table for peace talks with Russia, that Europe work to deter any future Russian moves against Ukraine, and the formation of a "coalition of the willing" that will defend and guarantee peace in Ukraine after a deal is reached.
"We are at a crossroads in history today," Starmer told a news conference after the summit of 19 leaders from across Europe, Canada, and the NATO military alliance.
"This is not a moment for more talk – it’s time to act and unite around a new plan for a just and enduring peace," Starmer added.
Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron both said they are ready to deploy their troops on Ukrainian soil to help back up any truce reached between Kyiv and Moscow.
France's Le Figaro newspaper quoted Macron as saying in an interview that the two countries would also propose a one-month "limited" truce "in the air, at sea" as it would be difficult to quickly implement a full peace agreement given the length of the front line running through eastern and southern Ukraine.
The summit assumed fresh urgency following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's disastrous visit to Washington earlier this week and growing concerns over the United States' commitment to European defense under President Donald Trump.
Starmer was quick to point out that he believes Washington remains a "reliable ally" that wants to see a lasting peace agreement to end Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine that is now in its fourth year.
The United States did not participate in the London talks. The summit was planned before Zelenskyy and Trump butted heads in a remarkably tense meeting in the Oval Office on February 28.
French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni were among the European leaders who joined Starmer and Zelenskyy for talks on March 2 at the historic Lancaster House near Buckingham Palace in London.
Prior to the summit, Starmer held bilateral talks with Meloni, who could be an important figure in Europe's ongoing attempts to convince Washington of the need to support Ukraine.
A staunch Ukraine supporter, she is also ideologically close to Trump, who has warmly praised her.
Appearing next to Starmer, Meloni said that London and Rome could "play a key role in bridge-building" after the Oval Office face-off, while adding that it was "very, very important" for Western partners to avoid a schism.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council President Antonio Costa also attended the summit.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the United States and Europe need to show Russian President Vladimir Putin "that the West has no intention of capitulating before his blackmail and aggression."
On the eve of the conference, Starmer welcomed Zelenskyy at his Downing Street residence, followed by the announcement of a 2.26 billion pound ($2.84 billion) loan to Ukraine to enhance its defensive capabilities.
Zelenskyy said on social media that the loan will be repaid using revenues from frozen Russian assets.
Resuscitating the Trump-Zelenskyy relationship was a key item on the summit's agenda with leaders urging a path to restore the relationship after the U.S. president said Zelenskyy could come back to the White House "when he wants peace."
Von der Leyen said after the meeting that "we’re ready together with you [the United States] to defend democracy, to defend the principle that there’s a rule of law that you cannot invade your neighbor or you cannot change borders with force."
"It’s in our common interest that we prevent future wars," she added.
Zelenskyy has declined to apologize for the U.S. talks breaking down but said he believed the relationship could still be salvaged.
Even before Zelenskyy's trip to Washington, European leaders had demonstrated a growing sense of urgency to make themselves relevant to the Trump administration.
This was spurred by statements from senior U.S. officials suggesting Europe would not be directly involved in Ukraine peace negotiations -- and by signs of warming U.S. ties with Moscow.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused European countries of seeking "a 'continuation of the banquet' in the form of war."
In comments that Russian media reported on March 2, Lavrov praised Trump as "a pragmatist."
"His slogan: common sense," said Lavrov.
Previous crisis talks in Paris last week focused on whether Europe could muster a credible military force to deploy to Ukraine after a cease-fire or peace deal, as well as a longer-term aim of pledges to boost defense spending.
Some progress was made, but there was no decisive breakthrough announcement.
The challenge for the London talks, after the debacle in the Oval Office, is to achieve something more tangible and impressive.
Alongside this, some European leaders are raising the prospect that this goes beyond proving their worth to Washington. Instead, it’s about preparing for a possible scenario in which they cannot rely on the U.S. security umbrella.
The winner of the recent German elections, Friedrich Merz, declared a week ago that Europe needed to achieve "independence" from the United States.
After Zelenskyy's Washington trip, German Foreign Minister Annalene Baerbock said she would back measures to help Ukraine "withstand Russia's aggression even if the United States withdraws support."
Here in Britain, Starmer's position has been echoed across the political spectrum. Prominent figures who have been close to Trump urged him not to burn bridges with Zelenskyy.
Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party and vocal Trump admirer, said: "This is not the end of the story, far from it. A peace deal is essential, and Ukraine needs the right security guarantees."
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "The best way forward now is for the minerals deal to be signed as soon as possible. There is still a path to peace."
He was referring to an agreement that was supposed to be the great diplomatic prize of Zelenskyy's Washington trip, heralding a renewed relationship with the United States.
Those high hopes have been dealt a body blow. In London, leaders are desperately seeking a response.
- By RFE/RL
Trump To Bolster Security At Mexican Border With 3,000 Additional Troops
The U.S. military on March 1 said it will deploy almost 3,000 additional troops to the country’s southern border with Mexico, bolstering the force there to some 9,000, as part of President Donald Trump’s efforts to combat illegal immigration.
"Approximately 2,400 soldiers from elements of the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT), 4th Infantry Division" will be sent to the border, along with "approximately 500 soldiers from the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade," U.S. Northern Command said in a statement.
The Defense Department said the “forces will arrive in the coming weeks and their deployment underscores the Department's unwavering dedication to working alongside the Department of Homeland Security to secure our southern border and maintain the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security of the United States under President Trump's leadership.”
Trump made border security a major priority during his presidential campaign and declared a national emergency at the 3,218-kilometer U.S. frontier with Mexican on his first day in office.
U.S. officials said the Stryker unit will aid in detection and monitoring, administrative duties, transportation, and engineering support, but "will not conduct or be involved in interdiction or deportation operations."
Strykers are armored personnel carriers and have also been supplied to Ukraine in its fight against Russia's full-scale invasion.
"These deployments will bring additional agility and capability to further efforts to stop the flow of illegal migrancy and drugs at the southern border," said General Gregory Guillot, the commander.
In a posting on his social media platform, Trump declared that "the Invasion of our Country is OVER."
"Thanks to the Trump Administration Policies, the Border is CLOSED to all Illegal Immigrants. Anyone who tries to illegally enter the U.S.A. will face significant criminal penalties and immediate deportation," he wrote.
The use of the U.S. military for civilian-related tasks is a controversial topic in the country, although military personnel have regularly been sent to the border over past decades to help fight illegal migration and drug trafficking and other international crime.
With reporting by AFP and AP
- By RFE/RL
Zelenskyy Gets 'Warm' Welcome, Big Loan From British PM On Eve Of Summit
Volodymyr Zelenskyy was welcomed by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for one-on-one talks, a day after the Ukrainian leader had an unprecedented White House clash with the U.S. president that threatened the future of U.S. support for Kyiv.
Starmer and Zelenskyy met behind closed doors at 10 Downing Street on March 1 for a little more than an hour before emerging. They gave no comments to the press outside before Zelenskyy drove away.
However, the two countries' finance chiefs -- Britain’s Rachel Reeves and Ukraine's Serhiy Marchenko -- announced they had signed a loan deal worth 2.26 billion pounds ($2.84 billion), aimed at boosting Kyiv's defenses.
London said the agreement was a sign of "our unwavering and ongoing support for the Ukrainian people" and added that the funds would be paid back through profits derived from frozen Russian sovereign assets.
Later, Zelenskyy posted on X that the session with Starmer was "a meaningful and warm meeting."
"During our talks, we discussed the challenges facing Ukraine and all of Europe, coordination with partners, concrete steps to strengthen Ukraine's position, and ending the war with a just peace, along with robust security guarantees," Zelenskyy said.
He added that the loan "funds will be directed toward weapons production in Ukraine. This is true justice -- the one who started the war must be the one to pay."
The warm welcome from Starmer was a major contrast to the acrimonious confrontation the previous day at the Oval House between Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump that was broadcast around the world.
Zelenskyy had traveled to Washington, D.C., with the expectation of signing a mineral deal aimed at opening up Ukraine's mineral resources to U.S. investment. The agreement would have also smoothed the way for continued U.S. support for Kyiv in its defense against Russia's 3-year-old all-out invasion.
But the Oval Office meeting turned extraordinarily tense as Trump and Vice President JD Vance confronted Zelenskyy, suggesting he was undiplomatic and ungrateful for U.S. support.
Afterward, Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged him to apologize for turning the White House meeting into a "fiasco."
Key U.K. Summit To Start
Zelenskyy, who arrived in London earlier in the day March 1, was greeted by Starmer outside of 10 Downing Street. The pair hugged, and smiled for news cameras before entering Starmer's residence.
On the streets outside, hundreds of people jammed sidewalks, most appearing to be in support of Ukraine and Zelenskyy.
"You're very, very welcome here at 10 Downing Street," Starmer told the Ukrainian leader in comments broadcast by the BBC before their meeting.
"That is the people of the United Kingdom coming out to demonstrate how much they support you and how much they support Ukraine," Starmer said, "and our absolute determination to stand with you, unwavering determination to achieve what we both want to achieve, which is a lasting peace, a lasting peace for Ukraine, based on sovereignty and security for Ukraine."
"We count on your support, and we really remain happy that we have such friends," Zelenskyy said in response.
The meeting concluded after about an hour, with neither leader making comments to media before Zelenskyy drove away.
The Ukrainian leader was also scheduled to meet on March 2 with King Charles III, the same day that the United Kingdom will host a key summit on Ukraine. More than a dozen European leaders, as well as NATO and EU representatives, were expected to discuss support for Ukraine and increasing economic pressure on Russia.
EU leaders were also expected to meet later next week to discuss an increase in defense spending.
Despite receiving support from European leaders, Zelenskyy's tense meeting at the White House has complicated Ukraine's desire to secure the United States as a reliable partner in helping the country's defense against Russia and ending the war on terms acceptable to Kyiv.
In an interview with Fox News just hours after the fiery exchange, Zelenskyy said that he respects Trump and, "of course" he believes the relationship can be fixed as Ukraine does not want to lose its partner.
'Thankful To President Trump'
In a series of posts on X, Zelenskyy also wrote: "We are very grateful to the United States for all the support. I’m thankful to President Trump, Congress for their bipartisan support, and [the] American people. Ukrainians have always appreciated this support, especially during these three years of full-scale invasion."
Days before Zelenskyy's visit to Washington, Starmer also traveled to meet Trump and he urged the U.S. president to guarantee Ukraine's security should a deal be reached to end the conflict, now in its fourth year.
Starmer also hailed the so-called special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom in what analysts said was an attempt to play the role of a "bridge" between Europe and Trump.
The U.K. prime minister also spoke separately with Trump and Zelenskyy and expressed his "unwavering support" for Ukraine.
However, when asked about U.S. security guarantees after meeting with Starmer, Trump said it was too early to discuss as a cease-fire had yet to be reached.
Though European allies have collectively supplied more aid to Kyiv, the United States is by far the largest single supplier of weaponry, which has bolstered Ukraine's defense against Russia's invasion.
During his election campaign, Trump repeatedly expressed skepticism about U.S. aid for Ukraine. At the same time, he indicated that resolving the conflict with Russia was a major priority for his administration.
Last month, a top-level delegation of U.S. officials met with Russian counterparts in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- the first such meeting since before the February 24, 2022, invasion.
Ukrainian officials were not present for the talks, stoking concerns that Washington and Moscow could seek to end the conflict to the detriment of Ukraine.
- By RFE/RL
Kurdish PKK Militants Declare Cease-Fire To End 40-Year Conflict
Kurdish militants who have been fighting in Turkey for 40 years have announced a cease-fire, two days after their imprisoned leader said that the group should put down their weapons.
The Firat News Agency, a media outlet affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militant group, published a statement saying, "We declare a cease-fire effective today to pave the way for the implementation of Leader Apo's Call for Peace and Democratic Society," a reference to Abdullah Ocalan, who has been detained by Turkey since 1999.
The group added that, "None of our forces will take armed action unless attacked."
Kurdish militants have fought for some 40 years for an independent state or autonomy, mainly in the east of Turkey.
On February 27, jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan called on his militant group to lay down its arms, a plea that was welcomed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as the start of a new phase in Ankara’s campaign to create a "terror-free" nation.
The Kurdish YPG, which leads U.S.-backed SDF fighters against the Islamic State extremist group in Syria, said Ocalan’s message did not apply to them. Turkey accuses the YPG of being linked to the PKK.
With several of its mayors ousted and replaced by government appointees in recent months, the cease-fire came as pressure mounted on Turkey's main pro-Kurdish political party.
Ocalan established the PKK in 1978 and launched an armed struggle in 1984, often from hiding places inside Turkey and in Syria, where he took refuge before being forced out in 1998.
He fled to Russia, Italy, and Greece before he was arrested in 1999 after being tricked into entering a vehicle by Turkish security forces outside the Greek Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya.
An estimated 40,000 people have been killed in the conflict -- some through PKK attacks on military and civilian targets, and others in Turkish military operations against the group and communities where it found support.
In the PKK's statement, the group also called for Ocalan to be released from prison.
With reporting by AFP, Reuters, AP, and dpa
- By Todd Prince
EU Support Pours In For Zelenskyy After Fiery Meeting With Trump
WASHINGTON — It was the White House clash watched around the world.
What many Americans and Europeans hoped would be a meeting demonstrating strong U.S. support for Ukraine at a critical time in its more than three-year-old war with Russia, turned into a debacle no one expected.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance slammed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy before domestic and international media as an ungrateful “tough guy” not interested in peace before cutting the meeting short.
As video of the astonishing tense exchange between what were considered two allies made its way around the world, European leaders, concerned about Trump’s outreach to Russia behind their backs, rushed to express support for Ukraine and its leader.
“We will continue our support to Ukraine so that they can continue to fight back the aggressor,” Kaja Kallas, the EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, said in a post on X.
“Today it became clear that the free world needs a new leader. It’s up to us, Europeans, to take this challenge,” she added.
Friedrich Merz, who is set to become the chancellor of Germany and recently raised concerns about the political trajectory of the United States, also rushed to say his country stands united with Ukraine.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, whose government has been a strong supporter of Ukraine in the war, told Zelenskyy and his "dear Ukrainian friends, you are not alone."
Ukraine Invasion: News & Analysis
RFE/RL's Ukraine Live Briefing gives you the latest developments on Russia's invasion, Western military aid, the plight of civilians, and territorial control maps. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here.
Zelenskyy's early departure followed a meeting in which he pressed for U.S. security commitments and said there should be "no compromises with a killer," a clear reference to Russian President Vladimir Putin,.
Trump, meanwhile, said Ukraine would need to make concessions and that Kyiv should be more grateful for U.S. support.
After shaking hands as they met on February 28 for the first time since Trump took office last month, the two leaders appeared at ease as they talked.
But then the exchange turned icy right in front of the cameras, raising their voices and reviving a dispute that Trump launched a week ago when he falsely blamed Ukraine for the war and called Zelenskyy a "dictator."
"You're not acting at all thankful. It's not a nice thing," said Trump, who has had a difficult relationship with Zelenskyy since the latter was elected in 2019.
"It's going to be very hard to do business like this," he added.
"You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people," Trump said.
"You’re gambling with World War III, and what you’re doing is very disrespectful to...this country that’s backed you far more than a lot of people say they should have.”
With the cameras running inside the Oval Office, Trump and Zelenskyy continued to interrupt each other with the U.S. president telling his visitor "your country's in big trouble. You're not winning.... You have a damn good chance of getting out of this OK because of us.... You don't have the cards."
The meeting was being closely watched for signs of whether the United States would commit to providing further aid to Kyiv or promise any specific security guarantees against further Russian aggression as part of any cease-fire or peace deal.
The two had been expected to sign a framework agreement on U.S. access to Ukraine's mineral resources. The agreement, now in at least its third version, was a source of contention between Trump and Zelenskyy earlier this month as they disagreed over the value of the deal and the absence of concrete security guarantees.
Before the clash, Zelenskyy told reporters inside the White House that he hoped the minerals deal would be a step forward for Ukraine and said he wanted to discuss in more detail with Trump what the United States is ready to do for his country.
Trump said the agreement with Kyiv would be "very fair" and that a truce in Russia's war against Ukraine is "fairly close." He said Ukraine would have to make compromises.
As he rejected Trump's call for compromise, Zelenskyy showed the U.S. president pictures of alleged Russian atrocities.
Zelenskyy's visit to Washington was aimed at shoring up U.S. support to repel Russia's assault at a time when Trump has shifted the White House's policy stance to end more than three years of isolation sparked by the Kremlin's unprovoked invasion.
Beyond his meeting with the president, Zelenskyy engaged with key U.S. lawmakers, influential religious figures, and a think tank to bolster support for Ukraine, especially within Trump's Republican Party.
Prior to arriving at the White House, Zelenskyy met with a bipartisan delegation from the Senate, where Ukraine enjoys strong support, to press for continued military aid. He also met with Franklin Graham, an evangelical leader who has sway within the Republican party.
However, following the tense White House encounter, a discussion scheduled with Zelenskyy at the Hudson Institute, a conservative think tank, was canceled. CNN reported that it was Zelenskyy who had called off the session.
'What Diplomacy?'
The clash began as the meeting with reporters present was about to wrap up, when Vice President JD Vance answered a question from a reporter who said Trump’s outreach to Putin unnerved Europeans. Vance said former President Joe Biden “talked tough” about Putin but didn’t stop the Russian leader.
“The path to peace, the path to prosperity, is maybe engaging in diplomacy,” Vance said. “What makes America a good country is America engaging in diplomacy. That’s what President Trump is doing.”
Zelenskyy then responded to Vance, saying he and European leaders had negotiated with Putin and agreed to a cease-fire in 2019, when Trump was president, but that Russia had violated it.
“He broke the cease-fire," Zelenskyy said of Putin. "He killed our people…. What kind of diplomacy, JD, you are talking about? What do you mean?”
Vance responded with apparent anger.
“I think it is disrespectful for you to come into the Oval Office and try to litigate this in front of the American media,” the vice president said. Trump then spoke sternly, telling Zelenskyy he holds no cards.
It was the second time in two weeks that the two leaders got into a fiery exchange, the first time a long-distance war of words. After Trump blamed Ukraine for the war, Zelenskyy said the U.S. president was being fed Russian propaganda.
Trump responded angerly in a February 19 social media post, calling Zelenskyy a "dictator" who risks losing his country if he doesn't act fast to accept a peace deal.
Trump played down the comments and struck a far softer tone at a joint news conference with visiting British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the eve of Zelenskyy's visit, saying, "Did I say that? I can't believe I said that."
Trump also said he had a "lot of respect" for Zelenskyy, adding that Ukrainians "have fought very bravely."
Ukrainian analyst Serhiy Harmash told Current Time he believes Trump stepped back from his earlier comments because meeting with a leader he had disparaged "would be a blow to his credibility."
"And he's interested in meeting [Zelenskyy] because he needs to sign this minerals framework agreement" to notch a diplomatic achievement and bolster his image as a dealmaker," said Harmash, who was in previous negotiations with Russia.
Nonetheless, Trump and Zelenskyy seemed at odds on some issues as they spoke to reporters before their White House meeting.
Besides disagreeing with Zelenskyy on the need to compromise with Putin, Trump warned the Ukrainian leader that he was "gambling with World War III" and "should be grateful" to the United States.
Minerals Deal
The main purpose of the meeting with Zelenskyy at the White House was to sign a framework agreement on the development of Ukrainian mineral deposits, including rare earth metals and fossil fuels.
Trump says the deal will allow the United States to recoup some of the aid it has sent to Ukraine over the past three years while also stimulating Ukrainian economic growth.
“It is like a huge economic development project. So it'll be good for both countries,” the U.S. president said. He said the United States working on mineral extraction in Ukraine would amount to “automatic security because nobody’s going to be messing around with our people when we’re there.”
The text of the agreement, a copy of which was obtained by RFE/RL, says the United States “supports Ukraine’s efforts to obtain security guarantees needed to establish lasting peace” and has “a long-term financial commitment to the development of a stable and economically prosperous Ukraine.”
But Washington has not promised concrete security guarantees, something Zelenskyy says is an absolute necessity if there is a cease-fire or peace deal due to concerns that Russia, which has been on the offensive since seizing Crimea in 2014 and holds about 20 percent of Ukraine, could build up its army and attack again.
"I’m not going to make security guarantees...very much,” Trump told reporters earlier this week. “We’re going to have Europe do that.”
What Did Starmer and Macron Hope To Achieve With Trump?
The meeting of Trump and Zelenskyy comes during a week of lightning diplomacy between Europe and the United States.
Meeting with Trump at the White House in a bid to mend a strained transatlantic relationship triggered by disagreements over Ukraine and trade, Starmer urged the U.S. president to guarantee Ukraine’s security should a deal be reached to end the fighting.
Trump, who took office a month ago, has moved aggressively to end the war in Ukraine, holding a lengthy phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this month and sending his national security team to Saudi Arabia to meet their Russian counterparts.
After a meeting of U.S. and Russian officials in Istanbul on February 27, aimed at resolving disputes over their respective diplomatic missions, the Russian Foreign Ministry said the United States had given Moscow its blessing to appoint a new ambassador to Washington, Aleksandr Darchiyev.
The outreach to the Kremlin turned the U.S. policy with Russia on its head and shocked European leaders, who feared Trump would cut a deal with Moscow behind their backs that could hurt Ukraine and weaken their own security.
Now, European leaders are traveling to Washington promising to step up their role in any settlement to steer the U.S. president away from what they worry could be an agreement that concedes too much to Russia and leaves them vulnerable.
At a White House news conference with Trump following their bilateral meeting, Starmer reiterated that Britain is ready to step up and contribute to a peacekeeping force in Ukraine if a deal is reached.
“The U.K. is ready to put boots on the ground and planes in the air to support a deal, working together with our allies, because that is the only way that peace will last,” Starmer said.
He cautioned against rushing to end the war at any cost.
“We have to get it right. We have to win the peace. It can’t be peace that rewards the aggressor. History must be on the side of the peacemaker, not the invader,” Starmer said.
Trump did not commit to backstopping a European troop presence, a key ask of Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, who traveled to Washington on February 24.
Starmer said he and Trump discussed a peace plan that "Ukraine will help shape" and that is "backed by strength to stop Putin coming back for more."
He added that teams from the United States and the U.K. "are going to be talking about how we make sure that deal sticks, is lasting, and enforced."
U.K. media said Starmer is seeking U.S. guarantees of air, intelligence, logistics, and communications support for a European peacekeeping force.
When asked about U.S. security guarantees, Trump said it was too early to discuss as a cease-fire had yet to be reached. Prior to his meeting with Starmer, Trump indicated a U.S. backstop wouldn’t be necessary because Putin could be trusted not to violate a peace deal.
That is not a view shared by European leaders or Zelenskyy. At his news conference with Trump, Macron said Putin had violated previous agreements with Ukraine, underscoring why strong deterrence that included a U.S. backstop was necessary.
Taliban Declares End To Doha Agreement With The United States
Afghanistan’s hard-line Islamist Taliban rulers say they no longer consider the Doha agreement -- a peace deal with the United States that paved the way for the withdrawal of Western forces from the country -- to be valid.
Speaking on February 28, the fifth anniversary of the agreement, chief Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the accord was limited to a particular time frame, which has now expired.
“The Islamic Emirate has its own governance system, and now we are no longer moving forward based on that agreement,” he told the state TV.
Mujahid said that the Taliban had fulfilled its key obligation under the agreement by preventing Afghanistan from becoming a launchpad for terrorist attacks against Washington and its allies.
He called on Washington to “take positive steps to engage with Afghanistan” and help in removing the Taliban leaders from international sanctions lists.
The Doha agreement paved the way for the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan in return for the Taliban’s counterterrorism guarantees.
However, crucial parts of the agreement requiring talks among Afghans to form a new transitional government were never fully implemented.
Some U.S. officials have blamed the Doha agreement for prompting the collapse of the pro-Western Afghan republic ahead of the final U.S. military withdrawal on August 31, 2021.
The agreement was negotiated and concluded by the first administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.
In a September presidential election campaign debate, he defended the deal as "a very good agreement" and blamed his successor, President Joe Biden, for the death of soldiers during the withdrawal, as well as for leaving behind weapons and failing to enforce the terms of the agreement.
Today, Afghans have mixed views about the agreement.
“The Doha agreement was a positive development because it ended the four-decades-long war in Afghanistan,” Anwar, a resident of the central Ghazni Province, told RFE/RL’s Radio Azadi.
One Kabul resident said negotiations among Afghans would have produced a better outcome for their country.
While the Taliban seized power in the wake of the U.S. withdrawal, no country has yet formally recognized its government.
Inside Afghanistan, the Taliban has established a government led by its clerical leadership.
It has implemented harsh bans on the education, employment, mobility and public role of Afghan women, which has turned it into an international pariah.
Deadly Blast Rocks Pro-Taliban Seminary In Pakistan
A powerful explosion at a seminary in northwestern Pakistan has killed at least seven people, including a top cleric.
The Jamia Haqqania seminary in Akkora Khattak, a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, is renowned for training key Taliban figures.
Local officials said that those killed in the blast on February 28 include Hamid ul-Haq Haqqani, a Pakistani politician and deputy head of the seminary.
Provincial police chief Zulfiqar Hameed told reporters that initial evidence suggests the explosion was caused by a suicide bomber specifically targeting Haqqani.
The Taliban, which returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, said in a statement that it "strongly condemns" the attack on the religious school
No group has claimed responsibility for the incident.
Bilal Faizi, a spokesperson for the local emergency services, told RFE/RL’s Radio Mashaal that least 20 people were injured in the explosion.
- By Todd Prince
Zelenskyy Says Relations With U.S. Salvageable Despite Heated Exchange In White House
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he believes relations with the White House can be salvaged despite a highly unusual public clash with U.S. President Donald Trump that derailed talks toward ending Russia's war against Ukraine.
The meeting with Trump on February 28 ended in acrimony after a very tense exchange in the Oval Office, with Zelenskyy leaving hastily and Trump saying the Ukrainian leader was disrespectful and could "come back when he is ready for peace."
Zelenskyy, who is set over the weekend to meet with European leaders in London -– where he likely expects a better reception -- departed the White House without signing a minerals deal with Trump that had been the main purpose of the meeting, and a joint press conference was canceled.
In his first public comments just hours after the fiery exchange, Zelenskyy told Fox News in an interview that he respects Trump and "of course" believes the relationship can be fixed as Ukraine does not want to lose its partner.
Ukraine Invasion: News & Analysis
RFE/RL's Ukraine Live Briefing gives you the latest developments on Russia's invasion, Western military aid, the plight of civilians, and territorial control maps. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio later added on to the administration’s admonitions of Zelenskyy, calling on the Ukrainian leader to apologize for turning the White House meeting into a "fiasco."
Rubio said on CNN that Zelenskyy should "apologize for wasting our time for a meeting that was going to end the way it did.” Zelenskyy earlier said in his Fox News interview that he didn’t feel he had anything to apologize for in the meeting.
The remarkable developments raised new questions about further U.S. support for Ukraine in its defense against Russia's full-scale invasion.
"We had a very meaningful meeting in the White House today,” Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform.
“It’s amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations."
"I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace.”
Zelenskyy told Fox News that it would be difficult for Ukraine to hold off the Kremlin's military might without U.S. support but said Kyiv would not enter peace talks with Moscow until it receives security guarantees against another Russian military offensive.
"Ukraine wants peace, and we will have peace," he said, adding, however, that it must be a "just and lasting peace" and that "we have to be in a strong position" to negotiate.
In comments to reporters as he left the White House for his estate in Florida, Trump said Zelenskyy did not appear to be a man who wanted peace and that he had "overplayed his hand" in their White House meeting.
"I want a cease-fire now ... immediately," Trump said as he left the White House for his Florida estate.
"He's looking to go on and fight, fight, fight," Trump said of Zelenskyy.
When asked by reporters if he was considering cutting off military aid to Ukraine, Trump said only that it "doesn't matter what I'm considering."
During the meeting, Zelenskyy pressed for U.S. security commitments and said there should be "no compromises with a killer," clearly referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin, while Trump said Ukraine would need to make concessions and that Kyiv should be more grateful for U.S. support.
After shaking hands as they met for the first time since Trump took office on January 20, the two leaders had an icy exchange before the cameras, raising their voices and reviving a dispute that Trump launched a week ago when he falsely blamed Ukraine for the war and called Zelenskyy a "dictator."
"You're not acting at all thankful. It's not a nice thing," said Trump, who has had a difficult relationship with Zelenskyy since the latter was elected in 2019. "It's going to be very hard to do business like this."
"You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people," Trump said. "You’re gambling with World War III, and what you’re doing is very disrespectful to...this country that’s backed you far more than a lot of people say they should have.”
In video footage from the Oval Office, Trump and Zelenskyy interrupted each other and the U.S. president told his visitor, "Your country's in big trouble. You're not winning.... You have a damn good chance of getting out of this OK because of us.... You don't have the cards."
The meeting had been closely watched for signs of whether the United States would commit to providing further aid to Kyiv or promise any specific security guarantees against further Russian aggression as part of any cease-fire or peace deal.
The two had been expected to sign a framework agreement on U.S. access to Ukraine's mineral resources. The agreement, now in at least its third version, was a source of contention between Trump and Zelenskyy earlier this month as they disagreed over the value of the deal and the absence of concrete security guarantees.
Before the clash, Zelenskyy told reporters inside the White House that he hoped the minerals deal would be a step forward for Ukraine and said he wanted to discuss in more detail with Trump what the United States is ready to do for his country.
Trump said the agreement with Kyiv would be "very fair" and that a truce in Russia's war against Ukraine is "fairly close." He said Kyiv would have to make compromises.
As he rejected Trump's call for compromise, Zelenskyy showed the U.S. president pictures of alleged Russian atrocities.
Beyond his meeting with the president, Zelenskyy engaged with key U.S. lawmakers, influential religious figures, and a think tank to bolster support for Ukraine, especially within Trump's Republican Party.
Zelenskyy met with a bipartisan delegation from the Senate, where Ukraine enjoys strong support, to press for continued military aid. He also met with Franklin Graham, an evangelical leader who has sway within the Republican party.
Biden 'Talked Tough' But...
The clash began as the meeting with reporters present was about to wrap up, when Vice President JD Vance answered a question from a reporter who said Trump’s outreach to Putin unnerved Europeans. Vance said former President Joe Biden “talked tough” about Putin but didn’t stop the Russian leader.
“The path to peace, the path to prosperity, is maybe engaging in diplomacy,” Vance said. “What makes America a good country is America engaging in diplomacy. That’s what President Trump is doing.”
Zelenskyy responded to Vance, saying he and European leaders had negotiated with Putin and agreed to a cease-fire in 2019, when Trump was president, but that Russia had violated it.
“He broke the cease-fire," Zelenskyy said of Putin. "He killed our people…. What kind of diplomacy, JD, you are talking about? What do you mean?”
Vance responded with apparent anger.
“I think it is disrespectful for you to come into the Oval Office and try to litigate this in front of the American media,” the vice president said. Trump then spoke sternly, telling Zelenskyy he holds no cards.
It was the second time in two weeks that Trump and Zelenskyy got into a heated exchange, the first time a long-distance war of words. After Trump blamed Ukraine for the war, Zelenskyy said the U.S. president was being fed Russian propaganda. Trump responded angrily in a February 19 social media post, calling Zelenskyy a "dictator" who risks losing his country if he doesn't act fast to accept a peace deal.
Trump played down the comments and struck a far softer tone at a joint news conference with visiting British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the eve of Zelenskyy's visit, saying, "Did I say that? I can't believe I said that."
Trump also said he had a "lot of respect" for Zelenskyy, adding that Ukrainians "have fought very bravely."
Ukrainian analyst Serhiy Harmash told Current Time he believes Trump stepped back from his earlier comments because meeting with a leader he had disparaged "would be a blow to his credibility."
"And he's interested in meeting [Zelenskyy] because he needs to sign this minerals framework agreement" to notch a diplomatic achievement and bolster his image as a dealmaker," said Harmash, who was in previous negotiations with Russia.
Oleksandr Merezhko, a Ukrainian deputy and the chair of the parliamentary committee on foreign policy, told an RFE/RL program that Zelenskyy "did not insult Trump, he defended Ukraine."
However, Andriy Veselovskiy, Ukraine's former representative to the European Union, told RFE/RL that "raising your voice in the Oval Office at the vice president and the president, and interrupting both, does not serve the interests of Ukraine. It's not about two or three people. It's about the interests of Ukraine."
Global Diplomacy
The talks between Trump and Zelenskyy came during a week of lightning diplomacy between Europe and the United States.
Meeting with Trump at the White House in a bid to mend a strained transatlantic relationship triggered by disagreements over Ukraine and trade, Starmer urged the U.S. president to guarantee Ukraine’s security should a deal be reached to end the fighting.
Zelenskyy is next due to travel to London, where Starmer is scheduled to host a meeting of European leaders on March 2 to discuss Ukraine and overall security matters for the Continent.
Following Zelenskyy's meeting with Trump, Downing Street said Starmer spoke by phone individually with both leaders.
Starmer "retains unwavering support for Ukraine and is doing all he can to find a path forward to a lasting peace based on sovereignty and security for Ukraine," a statement said.
"The prime minister looks forward to hosting international leaders on [March 2] including President Zelenskyy," it added.
- By Todd Prince
Starmer Tells Trump U.K. Ready To 'Put Boots On Ground' On Eve Of Zelenskyy Visit
WASHINGTON – British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailed the historically close U.S.-U.K. relationship at a White House meeting with President Donald Trump as he sought to mend a strained transatlantic relationship triggered by disagreements over Ukraine and trade.
Starmer traveled to Washington on February 27 to urge Trump to guarantee Ukraine’s security should a deal be reached to end Russia’s full-scale invasion of the country, now in its fourth year.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet with Trump in Washington on February 28.
Trump, who took office a month ago, has moved aggressively to end the war in Ukraine, holding a lengthy phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this month and sending his national security team to Saudi Arabia to meet their Russian counterparts.
Trump told reporters February 27 that Washington and Moscow have made "a lot of progress" toward a cease-fire.
The outreach to the Kremlin turned the United States's Russia policy of the past three years on its head and shocked European leaders, who feared Trump would cut a deal behind their backs that hurt Ukraine and weakened their own security.
Now, European leaders are traveling to Washington promising to step up their role in any settlement to steer the U.S. president away from what they worry could be an agreement that concedes too much to Russia and leaves them vulnerable.
At a White House news conference with Trump following their bilateral meeting, Starmer reiterated that Britain is ready to step up and contribute to a peacekeeping force in Ukraine if a deal is reached.
“The U.K. is ready to put boots on the ground and planes in the air to support a deal, working together with our allies, because that is the only way that peace will last,” Starmer said.
He cautioned against rushing to end the war at any cost.
“We have to get it right. We have to win the peace. It can’t be peace that rewards the aggressor. History must be on the side of the peacemaker, not the invader,” Starmer said.
Trump did not commit to backstopping a European troop presence, a key ask of Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, who traveled to Washington on February 24.
Starmer said he and Trump discussed a peace plan that "Ukraine will help shape" and that is "backed by strength to stop Putin coming back for more."
He added that teams from the United States and the U.K. "are going to be talking about how we make sure that deal sticks, is lasting, and enforced."
U.K. media said Starmer is seeking U.S. guarantees of air, intelligence, logistics, and communications support for a European peacekeeping force.
When asked about U.S. security guarantees, Trump said it was too early to discuss as a cease-fire had yet to be reached. Prior to his meeting with Starmer, Trump indicated a U.S. backstop wouldn’t be necessary because Putin could be trusted not to violate a peace deal.
That is not a view shared by European leaders or Zelenskyy. At his news conference with Trump, Macron said Putin had violated previous agreements with Ukraine, underscoring why strong deterrence that included a U.S. backstop was necessary.
Softer Language
In what perhaps is a positive sign for Kyiv, Trump noticeably softened his language on Ukraine during the news conference. He praised the country’s tenacity in defending its land and avoided criticizing the country or its leader when offered that chance by reporters.
Last week, Trump got into a spat with Zelenskyy, falsely blaming Ukraine for the war and calling the Ukrainian leader a “dictator” who doesn’t hold elections.
"I have a lot of respect for him. We've given him a lot of equipment and a lot of money, but they have fought very bravely," Trump said.
Trump is due to meet Zelenskyy at the White House to sign a framework agreement on the development of mineral deposits, including rare earth metals and fossil fuels.
Trump says the deal will allow the United States to recoup some of the aid it has sent to Ukraine over the past three years while also stimulating Ukrainian economic growth.
“"It is like a huge economic development project. So it'll be good for both countries,” the U.S. president said.
Zelenskyy is also expected to ask Trump to continue sending weapons to Ukraine while the fighting continues and offering his country a security guarantee once it ends.
'Unprecedented' Invite
As he reached out to Russia earlier this month, Trump slammed his European allies, accusing them of unfair trade practices and underinvesting in their own security.
His vice president, JD Vance, lectured Europe about democracy and free speech during his address at the Munich Security Conference, alarming European officials.
Starmer is seeking to play the role of a "bridge" between Europe and Trump, leveraging the U.S.-U.K. "special relationship" that goes back decades.
"We're the closest of nations," Starmer said during the news conference.
"In a moment of real danger around the world, the relationship matters more than ever," he said, recalling how the United States and U.K. stood "side by side" during previous wars and should do so now in Ukraine.
In an attempt to bolster ties at a difficult time for transatlantic relations, Starmer handed Trump an invite from King Charles to a state visit. It would be Trump's second state visit to the U.K., which Starmer stressed was "unprecedented."
- By RFE/RL
Kurdish Rebel Leader Ocalan Calls On PKK To Lay Down Arms, Disband
Imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan called on his rebel militant group lay down its arms and disband in a momentous announcement that could bring an end to a bloody decades-long conflict with the Turkish government.
Ocalan, writing from his prison cell on an island off of Istanbul, said the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) -- which has been designated as a terrorist group by Turkey, the United States, and EU -- should hold a congress with the aim of dissolving the organization.
“Convene your congress and make a decision. All groups must lay their arms and the PKK must dissolve itself,” Ocalan said.
The message was read in Kurdish and Turkish by pro-Kurdish party politicians who had visited the 75-year-old Ocalan earlier in the day.
Ocalan also called on the Turkish government to increase democratization and to ensure human rights in the country
Ocalan has been imprisoned on Imrali Island since 1999 after he was captured, tried, and convicted of treason.
Even from his cell, he holds massive influence over his supporters and the PKK. Many observers expect the group’s leaders will accept Ocalan’s call, although some splinter groups could resist.
Ankara late last year offered an olive branch to Ocalan, whose PKK has conducted a long insurgency against the Turkish state that has cost tens of thousands of lives. The group sought independence or autonomy for Kurds, who make up about 15 percent of Turkey's population.
“Today is a holy day, a blessed day," Emine Atac, 45, told AFP in Kurdish in the southeastern city of Diyarbakir, considered to be the center of Turkey’s Kurdish community.
"We are very happy. We want peace and freedom," she said.
The White House welcomed Ocalan’s call for the PKK to set down its weapons.
"It’s a significant development and we hope that it will help assuage our Turkish allies about U.S. counter-ISIS partners in northeast Syria,” said Brian Hughes, spokesman for the White House National Security Council.
“We believe it will help bring peace to this troubled region."
In Germany, which has a large Turkish population, the Foreign Ministry said, "This is a historic opportunity to break the decades-long spiral of terror, violence and retaliation that has cost tens of thousands of lives."
"Above all, this includes respecting and guaranteeing the cultural and democratic rights of Kurds in Turkey," a spokesman said.
A UN spokesman said Secretary-General Antonio Gutteres "welcomes" Ocalan’s announcement, calling it a "glimmer of hope."
Ocalan became a left-wing activist while a university student in Ankara and was first jailed in 1972.
He established the PKK in 1978 and launched an arm struggle in 1984, mainly from hiding places inside Turkey and in Syria, where he took refuge before being forced out in 1998.
He fled to Russia, Italy, and Greece before he was arrested in 1999 after being tricked into entering a vehicle by Turkish security forces outside the Greek Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya.
An estimated 40,000 people have been killed in the conflict – some through PKK attacks on military and civilian targets, and others in Turkish military operations against the group and communities where it found support.
With reporting by AP, dpa, Reuters, and AFP
Victims Recoil As Andrew Tate Arrives In U.S. Hours After Romania Lifts Travel Ban
Controversial Internet influencer Andrew Tate and his brother arrived in Florida after leaving Romania, where they have been embroiled in a legal case alleging human trafficking and sexual misconduct, after authorities lifted a travel ban on them.
The brothers touched down at Fort Lauderdale airport in a private jet on February 27 just hours after the dual British-U.S. citizens, who had been under house arrest because they were suspects in a criminal case, were told they were free to travel abroad.
NGOs and some of those involved in the cases expressed outrage over the removal of the travel ban, casting doubt over whether the brothers, who attracted millions of fans online through their promotion of an ultra-masculine lifestyle that detractors say belittles women, would return to Romania around the end of March when their next court hearing is expected.
After the two landed in Florida, James Uthmeier, the state attorney general, said his office would launch a “preliminary inquiry” into the brothers' situation.
“Florida has zero tolerance for human trafficking and violence against women. If any of these alleged crimes trigger Florida jurisdiction, we will hold them accountable,” Uthmeier said.
Romania's anti-organized crime prosecuting unit DIICOT gave no details on the reasoning behind dropping the travel ban but it comes after Romanian Foreign Minister Emil Hurezeanu said the case had been brought up by Richard Grenell, U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy, earlier this month.
Both Hurezeanu and Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu have said, however, that there was no pressure from U.S. officials to release the brothers.
Officials and prosecutors said that, while the Tate brothers were free to travel, "all of the other obligations have been maintained, including the requirement to check in with judicial authorities every time they are called."
Tate said in a brief statement at the airport that the charges against him and his brother were a conspiracy and that "we have no criminal record anywhere on the planet, ever."
Reporters at the airport shouted questions about why the brothers chose to come to Florida, or whether Trump had been involved in their case, but neither commented.
Speaking at the White House, Trump said he knew nothing about the case.
What Are The Charges Against Andrew Tate?
DIICOT filed charges against Tate, his brother, Tristan Tate, and two Romanian women after they were arrested in December 2022 on suspicion of human trafficking.
The four suspects were formally indicted last year and the Bucharest Tribunal ruled last year that a trial could start but did not set a date. All four deny the charges.
5 Things To Know About The Tate Brothers
Case In Romania: Andrew Tate, 38, and his brother Tristan, 36, are dual U.S.-U.K. citizens. They were arrested in December 2022 and indicted with two Romanian women on charges that include human trafficking and sexual misconduct. In December, a Bucharest court ruled the case couldn’t proceed due to legal and procedural irregularities but it remained open, alongside a separate case against them.
Infamy And Fame: Former kickboxers turned influencers, the brothers gained notoriety for Andrew’s controversial views and self-proclaimed misogyny. He has 10.7 million followers on X (formerly Twitter) but was banned from platforms like Facebook and TikTok for hate speech.
Support For Trump: During the 2024 U.S. presidential election, the Tates endorsed Donald Trump, and they have ties to his administration. One of Andrew’s lawyers, Paul Ingrassia, was recently appointed White House liaison for the Department of Justice.
A Sudden Departure: The Tates left Romania after Foreign Minister Emil Hurezeanu’s said that a U.S. official in Trump’s administration showed interest in their case at the Munich Security Conference. He denied any political pressure. The Tates have rejected all the charges they are facing, with Andrew claiming a political conspiracy against him.
Charges In Britain: Pending the resolution of their Romanian case, Britain is also seeking the extradition of the Tates in connection with rape and human trafficking allegations. Andrew also faces a civil lawsuit from four British women alleging sexual violence.
However, the Bucharest Court of Appeals said on December 19 that it found "irregularities" in the indictment issued by the Prosecutor-General's Office and sent the case back to prosecutors.
The court said prosecutors can now bring forth new evidence to back up their charges or amend the existing ones.
Andrew Tate, 38, has amassed more than 10 million followers on the social media platform X but has been kicked off other platforms, including Facebook and TikTok, over accusations of posting hate speech and misogynistic comments.
He has complained bitterly about the case, accusing prosecutors of trying to "target everyone I know, and even subpoena the mother of my child," while still having "nothing."
Andrew Tate in August was placed under house arrest and Tristan Tate under judicial control for 30 days after they were interrogated by Romanian anti-corruption prosecutors as part of an investigation into new allegations against them.
During the criminal investigation, prosecutors said they identified seven women who were sexually exploited "forcibly, in order to obtain significant financial benefits" for the defendants from people who accessed content on social media.
Prosecutors accused the Tate brothers of recruiting their victims using the so-called "lover boy" method -- seducing them and claiming to want a relationship or marriage.
The victims were then taken to properties outside Bucharest, where they were sexually exploited through physical violence and psychological intimidation as they were forced to produce pornographic content, the prosecutors said.
Romanian investigators carried out the interrogations and fresh searches at the brothers’ residences as part of the investigation into the new charges.
DIICOT said at the time that the new accusations included charges of forming an organized crime group, trafficking of minors, a sexual act with a minor, influencing statements, and money laundering.
They had been barred from leaving Romania as the proceedings against them continued but were set to be extradited to Britain once their case in Romania concludes.
They face further allegations of rape and human trafficking in Britain, where a court ruled on December 18 that police can seize more than 2.6 million pounds ($3.3 million) to cover years of unpaid taxes.
Also on February 18, four British women who allege they were victims of sexual violence by Andrew Tate and filed a civil suit against him, urged the United States not to intervene in legal proceedings, saying, “We hope that the Romanian and the U.K. authorities will be left alone to do their jobs.”
“We are in disbelief and traumatized by the news [of Tate leaving Romania],” the women said in a statement -- obtained by RFE/RL's Romanian service -- through their law firm, McCue Jury & Partners.
"We can only hope that the British authorities finally take action and do something about this terrifying unfolding situation to ensure he faces justice in the UK."
In an open letter to DIICOT, the VIF Network, an NGO dedicated to preventing and combating violence against women, demanded the publication of reasons why the travel ban was lifted "so that any doubt about the independence and impartiality of the Romanian judicial system is removed."
VIF added that it feared the removal of the travel ban could "undermine the trust in the judicial system of victims of crimes of sexual violence and human trafficking."
The Tate brothers have stated previously that they did not want to be extradited from Romania, which they said they consider their home.
- By Ray Furlong,
- Neil Bowdler and
- Current Time
Exclusive: Boris Nemtsov’s Mother Shares Memories, 10 Years After His Killing
The family of Boris Nemtsov, a Russian opposition leader gunned down in Moscow 10 years ago, has shared with Current Time an intimate video in which his mother shares memories of her son.
The video was recorded by Nemtsov’s daughter, Zhanna, in 2023, in the final months of his mother’s life. It provides a unique insight into a man who rose close to the summit of Russian politics under Boris Yeltsin, before becoming a prominent critic of President Vladimir Putin.
'The Important One'
“The teachers at school loved him. The girls called him ‘the important one,’” Dina Nemtsova says in the video. She herself died aged 96 in February 2024.
She paints a picture of a talented boy who rose from humble beginnings.
“It was very hard for him to work at home. He had a small place in the kitchen, but someone would always interrupt his work. Sometimes, when he needed to find space to work, he would lock himself in the bathroom.”
Nemtsov was raised in Gorky, which was renamed Nizhny Novogorod after the collapse of the Soviet Union, and studied physics at the city’s university.
“He was critical about what was happening in the country,” Dina says. “It was during [Soviet leader Leonid] Brezhnev's time when Boris was already aware that things were happening.”
But it was under a later Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, that Nemtsov became politically active. Gorbachev’s policies of glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) changed the political climate in the country, making it easier to speak out.
Political Awakening
“We started following politics when perestroika started. I can say it was that moment when he entered politics.”
Nemtsov had a successful career in the chaotic conditions of 1990s post-Soviet Russia, eventually rising to be deputy prime minister under Yeltsin.
Boris Nemtsov: A Life And Death In Pictures
But when Yeltsin appointed Putin as his successor, Nemtsov became a regular face at street protests against the Kremlin’s new, authoritarian turn.
“Putin is a KGB man full of Soviet manners,” he said in one interview.
Nemtsov was a major figure who gave Russia’s increasingly beleaguered opposition a face with global recognition and respect. In Western capitals, he was associated with the brief promise of a new, democratic Russia after decades of communism.
When he was gunned down in 2015, it was widely seen as a political assassination. Five Chechens were convicted for a contract killing, but Russian law enforcement never prosecuted anyone for ordering it.
In 2016, his mother wrote that she had last seen him in December 2014.
“He looked thin and distracted….” she said. “It just never occurred to me that everything was so dangerous.”
- By RFE/RL
North Korea Has Sent More Troops To Russia, Says South Korean Intelligence
North Korea has sent more soldiers to Russia and redeployed several to the front line in the Kursk region bordering Ukraine, Seoul's intelligence agency said on February 27.
The scale of the contingent was not immediately known, South Korea's YTN television reported, citing the intelligence agency.
South Korean and Western intelligence agencies have said that about 11,000 North Korean soldiers were sent to Russia last year to help it fight a Ukrainian offensive into the Kursk border region.
Seoul said earlier this month that North Korean soldiers previously fighting alongside Russia forces on the Kursk front line had not been in combat since mid-January. Ukraine said they had been withdrawn following heavy losses.
An official from Seoul's National Intelligence Agency was quoted by AFP as saying that said they had been "redeployed" to the region.
"Some additional troop deployments" appear to have taken place, the official added. "The exact scale is still being assessed."
Neither Moscow nor Pyongyang have confirmed the deployment.
But the two countries signed an agreement, including a mutual defense clause, when Russian President Vladimir Putin made a rare visit to North Korea last year.
Some intelligence sources have said many of the troops that arrived in Kursk last year have been rotated out of the front lines after suffering horrific losses in fighting against Ukrainian forces.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on February 8 vowed to maintain his country's support for Russia in the war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on the same day that Russia's "cooperation with North Korea will continue to expand."
With reporting by Reuters and AFP
Putin 'Hopes' Meeting Between U.S., Russian Officials Helps Thaw Relations
Diplomats from Russia and the United States have ended their talks on resolving disputes over their respective diplomatic missions in Washington and Moscow that Russian President Vladimir Putin said "inspire certain hopes."
The two sides held more than six hours of discussions in Istanbul on February 27 focused on mending diplomatic ties that coincide with recent bilateral talks to end the Ukraine war. Those talks have raised fears the two countries may reach a peace deal without the involvement of Kyiv or Brussels.
"I note that the first contacts with the new American administration inspire certain hopes," Putin said at a meeting he was attending at the Federal Security Service (FSB).
"There is a reciprocal mood to work to restore intergovernmental ties and to gradually resolve the huge number of systemic and strategic problems that have built up in the world's security architecture."
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova added that Moscow hopes the meeting will be the first in a series of expert consultations "to bring the U.S. side and us closer to settling differences, building confidence."
Speaking to reporters before the meeting, a State Department spokesperson told reporters that there were "no political or security issues on the agenda" and Ukraine, too, was not on the agenda.
Following the meeting, the State Department said U.S. representatives "raised concerns regarding access to banking and contracted services as well as the need to ensure stable and sustainable staffing levels at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow."
The statement added that Deputy Assistant Secretary Sonata Coulter and Russia's ambassador to the Washington, Aleksandr Darchiyev, agreed to hold a follow-up meeting in the near term, "with the date, location, and representation to be determined."
Five weeks after assuming office, U.S. President Donald Trump has upended his predecessor Joe Biden’s policy, which was aimed at isolating Moscow internationally for invading Ukraine three years ago.
The Istanbul discussions are part of an understanding between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. On February 18 delegations led by the two agreed in Saudi Arabia to begin discussions on diplomatic missions.
The Riyadh meeting followed a phone call between Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Trump described the call as “highly productive” and announced the beginning of talks to end the war “immediately.”
Rubio said on Fox News that the U.S. delegation which went to Riyadh asked the Russians whether they wanted to end the war or continue fighting, and they agreed to a follow-up involving teams of diplomats to talk about what it would take the end the war.
“If what they insist on is unrealistic, then we know they’re not real about it. But we have to test that proposition,” Rubio said.
“We need to know, and the president wants to know early in his presidency, are the Russians interested in ending this war or are they not,” Rubio said. “President Trump has made deals his entire life. He’s not going to get suckered into a bad deal.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated a Russian position that Kyiv has said is unacceptable, suggesting that Moscow would demand that Ukraine cede its Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhya, and Kherson regions in their entirety, including substantial parts that remain under Kyiv's control.
"The territories which have become subjects of the Russian Federation, which are inscribed in our country's constitution, are an inseparable part of our country," Peskov told reporters on February 27, referring to the regions that Russia baselessly claimed as its own in 2022. "This is undeniable and non-negotiable."
Earlier, Lavrov said the talks would focus on creating better conditions for Russian diplomats in the United States and their U.S. counterparts in Russia. The two countries have expelled diplomats and limited the appointment of new staff at each other's missions in a series of tit-for-tat measures since the war began three years ago.
The State Department spokesperson said the embassies and Russian consulates in New York and Houston would be discussed, but not Russia's mission to the United Nations.
The issues on the agenda include staffing levels, visas, diplomatic banking, and other operational issues, the spokesperson said.
Lavrov said the outcome of the talks "will show how quickly and effectively we can move."
The Istanbul talks took place a day before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is due in Washington to sign an agreement on rare earth minerals.
Under the deal, Kyiv would hand some revenue from its mineral resources to a fund jointly controlled by the United States.
The agreement is central to Ukrainian attempts to win strong support from Trump as he seeks a quick end to Russia's war. Trump said Zelenskyy would sign the agreement on rare earths and other topics during his visit.
With reporting by Reuters, AP, Interfax
Romanian Police Take Far-Right Presidential Frontrunner In For Questioning
Romanian far-right politician Calin Georgescu has been taken in by police for questioning as part of an investigation surrounding last November's presidential election, which was annulled by the Constitutional Court after he won the first round of voting.
Georgescu, who is critical of NATO and opposes Romanian support for Ukraine against Russia's invasion, was stopped and taken in for questioning by police while driving on February 26, his communications team said in a post on Facebook.
Hundreds of supporters greeted Georgescu with cheers and applause as he left the Prosecutor-General’s Office after hours of questioning. Addressing the crowd, Georgescu reaffirmed his intention to run in the upcoming presidential elections in May.
Although prosecutors did not detain him, they placed Georgescu under judicial supervision for 60 days. His restrictions include a travel ban preventing him from leaving Romania, a prohibition on using the Internet to post hate content, a ban on carrying weapons, and a requirement to report regularly to the police and appear before a judge when summoned.
The General Prosecutor’s Office said it charged Georgescu with six offenses, including "founding or supporting fascist, racist, xenophobic, or anti-Semitic organizations, as well as publicly promoting war criminals and extremist ideologies."
Georgescu and his supporters claim the prosecution is attempting to block his candidacy, which he planned to officially register on February 26.
The first round of the presidential election was canceled by the Constitutional Court on December 6 after Romanian intelligence reports said foreign actors had manipulated social-media platforms, especially TikTok, to benefit Georgescu, a far-right, pro-Russian candidate.
Prosecutors reportedly carried out 47 searches in five Romanian districts on February 26 with regard to the case, which prosecutors say involves crimes against the constitutional order, false information about the sources of campaign financing, and public incitement to commit a crime.
“Calin Georgescu was going to file his new candidacy for the presidency. About 30 minutes ago, the system stopped him in traffic […] Where is democracy, where are the partners who must defend democracy?” the statement on Facebook said.
Romanian news channel Digi24 reported that the prosecution has issued a warrant for Georgescu's arrest and started searching the premises of his aides, including his personal bodyguard, ex-mercenary Horatiu Potra.
Georgescu claimed the searches were aimed to block his new presidential candidacy.
The court ruling was followed by an announcement by Romanian prosecutors that an investigation into alleged computer-related crimes had been launched amid allegations of Russian influence on the election results.
Georgescu was a little-known figure in Romania until he unexpectedly won the first round of the presidential election on November 24 with about 22 percent of the vote.
The 62 year-old was to face pro-European centrist candidate Elena Lasconi in a runoff, which had been seen as a referendum on the future course of Romania, a member of NATO and the European Union.
While the annulment of the vote has exacerbated deep divisions in Romanian politics and sparked international concern, a new presidential election is scheduled for May 4, with a possible runoff on May 18.
Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, who supported the Constitutional Court's decision to annul the election, said the authorities have the right to present the public with extremely solid evidence in the investigation, "which involves a potential candidate in the May elections."
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis on February 10 said he was resigning from his post amid an effort by the opposition to have him impeached after he stayed in power following the Constitutional Court's election annulment.
On February 14, speaking at the Munich Security Conference, U.S. Vice President JD Vance criticized Romania for canceling the election, saying the decision was based on the "flimsy suspicions of an intelligence agency.”
"You can believe it’s wrong for Russia to buy social-media advertisements to influence your elections. We certainly do. You can condemn it on the world stage, even," Vance said.
"But if your democracy can be destroyed with a few hundred thousand dollars of digital advertising from a foreign country, then it wasn’t very strong to begin with.
Just days before the vote, Georgescu launched a TikTok campaign calling for an end to aid for Ukraine, apparently striking a chord with voters. He has also sounded a skeptical note on Romania's NATO membership.
His anti-Western messaging is routinely amplified on Russian, state-run media and Kremlin-friendly social media.
His other stances included supporting Romanian farmers, reducing dependency on imports, and ramping up energy and food production.
With reporting by AP and Agerpres
Bosnian Serb Leader Dodik Sentenced To Prison, Banned From Politics
SARAJEVO/BANJA LUKA -- A court in Sarajevo sentenced Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik to a year in prison and banned him from politics for six years for his defiance of an international peace envoy's orders, a ruling Dodik warned would radicalize the situation in the country.
Bosnia's top court in Sarajevo handed down the sentence on February 26 in a trial that began just over a year ago.
Dodik, who rejected the charges, was accused of failing to execute the decisions of the High Representative to Bosnia-Herzegovina Christian Schmidt in 2023.
"They say I am guilty, but now people here will say why I am not guilty," Dodik told a crowd that had gathered in Banja Luka, the capital of Republika Srpska.
"There is no reason to worry. I have learned to deal with tougher situations. It is important that you are here."
The indictment said Dodik, who has close relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, signed decrees on laws that had been annulled by Schmidt "even though he was aware that the decisions of [Schmidt] are legally binding."
Dodik's defense said that the evidence of the Prosecutor-General's Office wasn't "based on facts."
The court had guidelines to sentence Dodik to between six months and five years in prison, as well as implementing a ban on public duties. Dodik can appeal the court's February 26 ruling.
Dodik said the Bosnian Serb parliament will ban the operations of the state prosecutor, the state court, and the intelligence agency in the Serb area of Bosnia in response to the case.
The legislature has already instructed Serb representatives in state institutions to block decision-making and law reforms crucial for Bosnia's EU integration.
However, Dodik's stance did not receive the expected support from the opposition, which openly criticized him during an assembly session, highlighting tensions and divisions within the political landscape of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Dodik is under U.S. and U.K. sanctions for actions that Western governments say are aimed at the secession of Republika Srpska from Bosnia. He has denied that the Serb entity of Bosnia has ever pursued a policy of secession.
Bosnia has been governed under a power-sharing system established by the Dayton agreement, which ended the 1992-95 Bosnian War. It consists of a Bosniak-Croat Federation and the predominantly Serb Republika Srpska.
The country is overseen by a civilian high representative with UN backing and sweeping powers. That position is currently held by Schmidt.
Bosnia was given the status of candidate for European Union membership in December 2022 but has not fulfilled the criteria necessary to start accession talks.
- By RFE/RL
U.S. To Sell 'Gold Card' Visas For $5 Million
U.S. President Donald Trump on February 25 unveiled plans to sell "gold card" residency permits for $5 million each and said Russian oligarchs may be eligible.
Trump announced the program at the White House, saying the “gold cards” will be available in about two weeks.
"You have a green card; this is a gold card. We're going to be putting a price on that card of about $5 million," Trump said.
Proceeds from sales will be used to reduce the deficit, Trump said. The program will be aimed at “people with money” who will create jobs, the president said.
"They’ll be wealthy and they’ll be successful, and they’ll be spending a lot of money and paying a lot of taxes and employing a lot of people, and we think it’s going to be extremely successful,” Trump said.
Applicants for the new gold cards would be carefully vetted and it may be possible for wealthy Russians to apply.
"I know some Russian oligarchs that are very nice people. It's possible," Trump said. "They're not as wealthy as they used to be. I think they can. I think they can afford $5 million."
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told reporters that the “Trump Gold Card” would replace the EB-5 Immigration Investor Program, which was created by Congress in 1990 to generate foreign investment. EB-5 visas are available to people who spend about $1 million on a company that employs at least 10 people.
Lutnick said the new "gold card" would raise the price to $5 million and do away with fraud in the EB-5 program. He emphasized that money from the sale of the new cards will be used to reduce the deficit.
The Congressional Research Service reported in 2023 that some members of Congress and other observers have long expressed concerns about fraud in the EB-5 program. It said this occurs when applicants misrepresent their wealth, lie about their identity, or fail to make the required investments.
More than half of the EB-5 visas approved in 2022 went to citizens of China, according to the report.
Trump, who has made the deportation of undocumented migrants a priority, said the new card would be a route to U.S. citizenship.
"A lot of people are going to want to be in this country, and they'll be able to work and provide jobs and build companies," Trump said. "It'll be people with money."
Trump estimated that the United States would be able to “sell maybe a million of these cards.”
About 8,000 people obtained investor visas through the EB-5 program in the 12-month period ending September 30, 2022, according to the Homeland Security Department's most recent Yearbook of Immigration Statistics.
With reporting by Reuters and AFP
- By RFE/RL
U.K.'s Starmer Announces Defense Spending Boost Ahead Of Trump Meeting
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged the "biggest sustained increase" in defense spending since the end of the Cold War as he readies to meet NATO-skeptic U.S. President Donald Trump later this week in Washington.
Starmer, speaking before parliament on February 25, said defense spending would rise to 2.5 percent of economic output by 2027 from 2.3 percent this year, funding the increase with cuts in international aid.
European countries have ramped up defense budgets since Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine in 2022. And many leaders have said the increased spending must continue to counter the growing military threat from Moscow.
"We must go further still. I have long argued that...all European allies must step up and do more for our own defense," he said, adding the UK should aim for 3 percent by the end of the decade.
Starmer is on the eve of departing for Washington where he is set to meet Trump on February 27 to discuss ending Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, becoming the second major European leader to travel to Washington this week.
Trump met French President Emmanuel Macron on February 24 to discuss the same issue.
Since taking office a little over a month ago, Trump has aggressively pursued negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, starting his European allies by opening direct talks with Moscow and accusing Ukraine of starting the war.
European leaders are now scrambling to get a seat at the negotiating table to influence a deal that will directly impact European security.
Macron organized an emergency meeting with his European counterparts on February 17 -- the eve of the first official U.S.-Russia meeting in years -- before agreeing to fly to Washington a week later to meet Trump.
Trump, who has berated European allies for not spending enough on their own defense, shaking the foundations of the 75-year-old NATO alliance, has said he will not supply U.S. troops for any peacekeeping mission in Ukraine.
“We must reject any false choice between our allies. Between one side of the Atlantic or the other. That is against our history, country and party,” Starmer said, calling Britain’s relationship with America his country’s “most important bilateral alliance.”
“This week when I meet President Trump, I will be clear: I want this relationship to go from strength to strength.”
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who spoke with British Defense Minister John Healey on February 25, reacted positively to the announcement, saying in a post on X that it was "a strong step from an enduring partner."
Ukraine has demanded Western security guarantees be part of any negotiated settlement to deter Russia from invading again. Macron told Trump at their White House meeting that European leaders are willing to put peacekeeping troops in Ukraine as part of the security guarantee.
Starmer may seek to leverage his commitment to boost defense funding and deploy peacekeeping forces to Ukraine to convince Trump to backstop European security guarantees for Kyiv.
With reporting by Reuters
Serbian Police Raids Target NGOs Supported By USAID
Serbian police raided the offices of several NGOs after prosecutors opened an investigation into their usage of funds from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
The Public Prosecutor's Office in Belgrade said police on February 25 "began collecting information" regarding the work of four NGOs -- the Center for Research, Transparency and Accountability (CRTA), Civic Initiatives, the Center for Practical Politics, and the Trag Foundation.
Chief Public Prosecutor Nenad Stefanovic said there were orders that "for the time being, all documentation related to USAID donations be removed from these four organizations, as well as that interviews be conducted with the responsible persons."
CRTA and Civic Initiatives confirmed that police entered their premises on the morning of February 25. The Center for Practical Politics reportedly doesn't currently receive money from USAID.
"This is a serious attack on basic civil rights and the continuation of illegal pressure on civil society in Serbia. The ruling structures are trying to implement mechanisms of intimidation and persecution," Civic Initiatives said in a statement.
The raids came after U.S. President Donald Trump curtailed the work of USAID work when he ordered a 90-day spending freeze on January 24.
On February 3, employees were locked out of USAID's offices in Washington and many staff have been pulled from overseas deployments.
The administration is conducting a review of the agency, which was founded in the early 1960s to coordinate U.S. aid abroad.
Since Trump's return to the White House, his administration and people close to it have repeatedly called USAID a "criminal organization."
A day before the raids, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said Serbia "will assist" the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in its investigation into the financing of Serbian NGOs by USAID and the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).
"There is no doubt, we will cooperate very closely with the FBI on this issue," Vucic told Happy Television, adding that the FBI will receive any information it requests from Serbia.
Since 2000, USAID has invested more than $1 billion in Serbia, according to data from the U.S. State Department and USAID's website on foreign assistance.
In order to assist economic and democratic development, the agency cooperated primarily with state institutions in Serbia, as well as the private sector, civil society organizations, and the media.
Hope And Fear In Iran As Russia's Lavrov Visits Tehran
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, after a meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, said Tehran would not bow to pressure from the United States, a day after Washington imposed new sanctions on Iran's oil industry.
Lavrov's one-day trip to Tehran on February 25 comes a week after the first high-level talks between Moscow and Washington in three years.
The talks in Saudi Arabia on February 18 have raised hopes of a reset between Russia and the United States after tensions soared following the Kremlin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Analysts said the meeting in Tehran could be the Kremlin checking in to make sure Iran's stance on key issues is in line with Moscow -- especially regarding relations with Washington -- or that Lavrov could be delivering a message from the Saudi Arabian talks.
The potential rapprochement has fueled concerns in Iran that Moscow could abandon Tehran, an ally, to revive relations with Washington. Others in the Islamic republic hope Moscow can mediate an end to the standoff between Iran and the United States.
“They tend to send some diplomats to Iran at least assuage concerns because as you know there is a long-standing apprehension in Iran that the Russians may potentially sell out Iran to the United States,” Nicole Grajewski, a fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace’s Nuclear Policy Program, told Radio Farda.
Lavrov's visit came a day after Washington imposed a new round of sanctions targeting Iran's oil industry, the main source of the country's income.
Earlier this month, Trump restored his "maximum pressure" campaign on Iran, saying Tehran was "too close" to weaponizing its nuclear program.
In 2018, during his first term in office, Trump pulled the United States out of an agreement between Tehran and world powers that placed limits on Iran's nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions. Since then, the Islamic republic has ramped up its uranium enrichment, raising fears that it is close to developing a nuclear warhead.
"There is no possibility of direct negotiations with the U.S. as long as maximum pressure is being applied in this way," Araghchi said at a joint news conference with Lavrov
Lavrov said diplomatic measures were still on the table for resolving issues around Iran's nuclear program.
The prospect of improved relations between Washington and Moscow have raised concern among some in Tehran who feel it could impact Iran.
Iran's conservative daily Jomhuri Eslami on February 25 warned of a "grand bargain" between Washington and Moscow that could result in Russia "turning a blind eye" to any potential U.S. military action against Iran.
The daily Etemad suggested this week that Lavrov could carry a message from Washington that includes proposals for reducing tensions between Iran and the United States and paving the way for a new round of talks between the two countries.
The daily also said the aim of Lavrov's trip to Iran could be to become acquainted with Tehran's positions before a potential meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in the future.
"What Putin is pursuing is not a deal regarding Iran but merely the national interests of Russia," Hossein Shalevarzi, a former head of Iran's Chamber of Commerce, said on X last week.
Despite deep mistrust, Tehran and Moscow have grown closer and enhanced military cooperation since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and Moscow was hit by a slew of Western sanctions.
Iran has provided Russia with cheap but deadly drones that have been used against Ukraine, though both Tehran and Moscow deny it.
“The aim of the trip is to put pressure on Tehran to be in line with Moscow,” Damon Golriz, a lecturer at the Hague University of Applied Sciences, told Radio Farda.
Other Iranian observers say a potential U.S.-Russia reset could be an opportunity for Tehran.
Tehran-based analyst Abdolreza Farajirad said in an interview with Etemad that Lavrov's trip to Iran comes amid "a deadlock" between Tehran and Washington and a worsening economy that has turned into a major challenge for the Islamic republic.
"If Russia can act as a mediator between Tehran and Washington, it can be considered a positive development," Farajirad said.
Ukraine's Lawmakers Back Zelenskyy After Trump 'Dictator' Barbs
Ukraine's parliament, in a symbolic show of support, has approved a resolution reconfirming President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's legitimacy as the country's leader amid questions from the United States and Russia over his legal standing.
The resolution highlights tensions between Washington and Kyiv after U.S. President Donald Trump last week called Zelenskyy a "dictator without elections" for failing to hold a vote during wartime while also falsely accusing Kyiv of starting the war.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has also widely claimed there can't be peace talks with Ukraine because Zelenskyy is not the country's legitimate leader because his term was originally supposed to end in May 2024.
However, under the constitution, Zelenskyy is bound to remain in office as the country is under martial law because of Russia's full-scale invasion, a point Ukrainian lawmakers underlined in approving the resolution at a meeting of parliament, called the Verkohona Rada, in Kyiv on February 25.
"Martial law in Ukraine, introduced in response to Russia's full-scale invasion, does not allow for elections by Ukraine's constitution. At the same time, the Ukrainian people are united in the opinion that such elections should be held after the war's end," the resolution says.
Martial law was imposed by Kyiv just a day after the Kremlin launched its all-out war in February 2022.
Ukrainian officials have repeatedly noted that practical considerations, along with legal ones, make it impossible to hold elections.
They point to major security concerns saying packed polling stations would make tempting targets for a Russian military that has repeatedly struck civilian targets including schools, hospitals, and apartment buildings over the past three years.
In addition, millions of Ukrainians have fled the country because of the war and their participation must be accounted for, officials say.
Those concerns have been backed by dozens of civic groups, which last week issued issued a joint statement declaring the impossibility of holding elections under current circumstances.
"Only after the end of the war and the achievement of a stable peace…will it be possible to organize elections freely, fairly, democratically, and accessibly," they wrote.
Zelenskyy, who has not said whether he would run in a vote, has said elections could take place this year if martial law is lifted -- something that would be possible after a deal to stop the fighting.
Talk of a peace settlement has intensified in recent weeks, though how it will be achieved is unclear.
Top U.S. and Russian officials held talks last week in Saudi Arabia on ending the war -- the first formal high-level talks between Washington and Moscow since before the February 2022 invasion.
Despite some assurances, and calls from European leaders, to make sure Ukrainian officials are involved in the negotiations, Ukraine was pointedly been left out of those talks.
French President Emmanuel Macron on February 24, speaking to Fox News after meeting with Trump earlier in the day, said a truce between Ukraine and Russia could be agreed "in the weeks to come."
"After speaking with President Trump, I fully believe there is a path forward," Macron said.
Ukraine Scores Diplomatic Win With Passage Of Resolutions At UN
The United States on February 24 split with its European allies at the United Nations by rejecting wording that blamed Russia for its invasion of Ukraine in resolutions seeking an end to the war.
In a major shift of its position on the conflict, the United States joined Russia and Belarus in the UN General Assembly in voting against a Europe-backed Ukrainian resolution that calls out Moscow's aggression. The vote was 93-18 with 65 abstentions.
The United States then abstained from voting on its own competing resolution after language was added making clear that Russia had invaded its smaller neighbor in violation of the UN Charter. The vote on that resolution in the 193-nation world body was 93-8 with 73 abstentions. Ukraine voted yes and Russia voted no.
The United States sided with Russia a second time when it pushed for a vote on its original draft resolution in the UN Security Council. The vote in the 15-member council was 10-0 with five European countries -- Britain, France, Denmark, Greece, and Slovenia -- abstaining.
Senator John Curtis (Republican-Utah) said he was "deeply troubled" by the U.S. vote that "put us on the same side" as Russia and North Korea.
"These are not our friends. This posture is a dramatic shift from American ideals of freedom and democracy," Curtis said on X. "We all want an end to the war, but it must be achieved on terms that ensure Ukraine's sovereignty and security and that deter [President Vladimir] Putin from pursuing further territorial ambitions."
Resolutions passed by the General Assembly are not legally binding but are a closely watched way to gauge world opinion. Those passed by the UN Security Council are legally binding.
The divide represented a dramatic shift in transatlantic relations under President Donald Trump and follows his decision to open direct negotiations with Russia on ending the war in Ukraine without representatives of Ukraine and Europe at the table.
The votes also reflect tensions between Washington and Kyiv after Trump last week called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a “dictator" for not holding elections during wartime and falsely accused Kyiv of starting the war.
The U.S.-drafted resolution acknowledged "the tragic loss of life throughout the Russia-Ukraine conflict" and called for "a swift end to the conflict and further urges a lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia" but didn’t mention Moscow's aggression.
In a surprise move, France, on behalf of European states, proposed three amendments which added references to Moscow's full-scale invasion, Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the need for a "just, lasting and comprehensive peace" between Ukraine and the Russian Federation in line with the Charter of the United Nations.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, a strong ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, apologized on February 25 for his country's support for a resolution reaffirming support for Ukraine and its territorial integrity, saying the vote cast was a "mistake."
He told Happy Television that Serbia should have exercised restraint by abstaining from the vote, as it did with the U.S.-backed proposal.
"I think Serbia made a mistake, I apologize to the citizens for that and I bear the blame for it myself," Vucic said.
In the Security Council, Russia used its veto to prevent any changes to the U.S. resolution.
Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Mariana Betsa said her country is exercising its "inherent right to self-defense" following Russia's invasion. She told the General Assembly that the way Russian aggression is answered "will define the future of Ukraine…Europe and our common future."
As Ukraine marked the anniversary of the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, Kyiv called on all nations "to stand firm and to take…the side of the Charter, the side of humanity, and the side of just and lasting peace, peace through strength," she said.
U.S. Deputy Ambassador Dorothy Shea said multiple UN resolutions condemning Russia and demanding the withdrawal of Russian troops "have failed to stop the war" that "has now dragged on for far too long and at far too terrible a cost to the people in Ukraine and Russia and beyond."
"What we need is a resolution marking the commitment from all UN member states to bring a durable end to the war," Shea said.
Shea called it "a first step, but a crucial one," saying it "puts us on the path to peace."
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10Starmer Says 'Time To Act' On Ukraine As Europe At Crossroads
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