IndianRepublic.in

In a coordinated front emerging from London, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and leaders from Ukraine, the UK, France, and Germany signaled both urgency and clarity as Ukraine’s war with Russia enters what all sides agree could be a decisive phase.  With indirect talks unfolding between the U.S. and Russia, and battlefield losses mounting, the Coalition of the Willing reiterated its unified commitment to Kyiv while raising flags about the shape and speed of evolving diplomatic efforts. Image Source: Zelenskyy on X Ursula von der Leyen briefed the coalition on two central pillars: unwavering support for Ukraine and increasing European defence preparedness. “We all know what is at stake and we know we do not have any more time to lose,” she said. Framing Ukraine’s survival as “a crucial act of European defence,” von der Leyen detailed a Reparations Loan proposal aimed at escalating economic pressure on Russia.  “The longer Putin wages his war, spills blood, ta...

French President Emmanuel Macron has sharply condemned Russia’s latest wave of missile and drone attacks on Ukraine, accusing Moscow of locking itself into a strategy of escalation that defies peace efforts and threatens the wider security of Europe.  Image Source: Visegrad24 The renewed violence comes just days before Macron travels to London for a high-level meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, British Prime Minister, and German Chancellor to assess the status of U.S.-led mediation efforts for a possible ceasefire. I condemn in the strongest possible terms the massive strikes that targeted Ukraine this night, particularly its energy and railway infrastructure, Macron said in a social media post, warning that Russia “is not seeking peace” and must be pressured into negotiations.  The French president stressed that Ukraine could rely on the "unwavering support" of France and its partners, reiterating the role of the Volunteers’ Coalition in advancing discussi...

Amid intensifying global fragmentation and rising strategic autonomy across the Global South, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed a landmark roadmap to deepen their bilateral economic engagement through 2030, aiming to take trade beyond $100 billion.  Prez Putin and PM NaMo attended the Plenary Session of the India-Russia Trade Forum The wide-ranging Programme for the Development of Strategic Areas of India–Russia Economic Cooperation till 2030 was the centrepiece of the 23rd Annual Summit held in New Delhi on December 5, with the two sides signing 29 agreements spanning energy, mobility, healthcare, customs, polar training, labour migration, media, and advanced scientific cooperation. The summit, Putin’s first visit to India since the Ukraine war began, saw both leaders publicly reaffirm the “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership” between their countries, even as global alignments continue to shift.  “India-Russia ties have...

In a summit thick with strategic symbolism and sweeping bilateral action, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed 29 agreements and issued a joint declaration pledging to elevate their “time-tested progressive partnership” into a deeper geopolitical alignment rooted in sovereignty, stability, and multipolarity.  Indian PM NaMo with Russian Prez Putin At the center of the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit, held in New Delhi on December 5, was a key policy milestone: the formal adoption of the Program for the Development of Strategic Directions of Russian–Indian Economic Cooperation until 2030.  This is  a forward-looking document that defines new rules of engagement across trade, defence, energy, migration, and critical technologies amid shifting global power centres. The two leaders met at Hyderabad House for in-depth talks before witnessing the signing of wide-ranging intergovernmental and institutional agreements, including on labo...

In a highly choreographed display of diplomatic warmth and strategic alignment, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin held bilateral talks in New Delhi this week. Together the Russian President and the Indian Prime Minister sent a clear signal of continuity and deepening ties between the two long-standing partners even as global tensions mount over the ongoing war in Ukraine and shifting geopolitical alliances. PM NaMo welcoming President Vladimir Putin at Hyderabad House Greeting Putin with a handshake and a rare protocol-breaking hug upon his arrival, Modi hosted the Russian leader at Hyderabad House for the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit.  “India is on the side of peace,” Modi said firmly, reiterating New Delhi’s consistent message throughout the Ukraine conflict.  “The welfare of the world is only through the path of peace… together, we must look for the pathways to peace.” Putin, addressing the crisis directly, thanked Modi for his att...

US President Donald Trump has claimed that the United States is “working very hard” to end the Ukraine conflict and expressed optimism that a peace agreement involving Russia and Ukraine could soon be reached.  Image Source: FanTrumpArmy Speaking ahead of the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony at the White House on December 3, Trump stated, “We're making peace all over the world… We're settling wars at levels that nobody's ever seen before. Eight of them.  We're looking for one more. That's Russia-Ukraine… and I think we’ll get there eventually.” Trump’s comments came amid intensifying diplomatic contacts between Washington and Moscow, including a five-hour meeting at the Kremlin on December 2 between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff, accompanied by Trump’s son-in-law and former White House adviser Jared Kushner.  According to Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov, the discussions focused on a revised US peace proposal com...

In a pointed message amid growing Western pressure on both New Delhi and Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Thursday that the India–Russia partnership remains focused solely on mutual interests and is not targeted at any third country.  Indian PM NaMo presenting a copy of the Gita to Russian Prez Vladimir Putin His remarks came during a high-profile two-day visit to India for the 23rd Annual Summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as both nations seek to expand their decades-old strategic collaboration in the face of increasingly fractious geopolitical alignments. Putin’s visit, his first to India since the Ukraine war began, coincides with a visible downturn in India–US relations.  Tensions escalated after Washington imposed sweeping tariffs on Indian goods, including penalties for importing Russian crude oil — a punitive move widely interpreted as a warning shot to New Delhi for its continued economic cooperation with Moscow.  In response, Putin dismi...

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi on Thursday evening for a tightly choreographed two-day state visit. This marks a significant reaffirmation of the India–Russia strategic partnership at a time of deepening geopolitical rifts and growing divergence between India and the West over Ukraine.  Image Source: PM NaMo As Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Putin with a warm embrace at Palam Airport, the visit--Putin’s first to India since 2021 and his first anywhere in the region since the invasion of Ukraine--set in motion a high-stakes diplomatic engagement that signals India’s intent to maintain and expand its historical ties with Moscow despite rising pressure from Western capitals. The visit comes at a time when India–US relations have faced visible strain, with tensions emerging around Ukraine diplomacy, defence alignment, and global leadership postures.  Against this backdrop, the Putin-Modi summit on Friday is expected to focus on expanding bilateral de...

The European Commission on Wednesday unveiled a long-anticipated plan to provide Ukraine with a multibillion-euro loan backed by profits from frozen Russian assets. This move is framed as both an economic lifeline for Kyiv and a geopolitical message to Moscow that prolonging war will carry escalating costs. Image Source: Visegrad24 Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc is aiming to provide €90 billion to cover two-thirds of Ukraine’s estimated funding needs for 2026 and 2027, using a dual structure: EU market borrowing and cash balances generated by Russian assets immobilised in European financial institutions. “Pressure is the only language the Kremlin responds to,” von der Leyen told reporters. “We want peace, but peace must come from a position of strength.” The proposal, released ahead of a decisive EU summit later this month, comes amid signs of deadlock in international peace efforts.  Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed Wednesday that President V...

Russian President Vladimir Putin used a high-profile international investment forum in Moscow to reinforce his country’s defiant economic narrative and shift in geopolitical orientation, positioning India and China as key pillars of Russia’s external economic strategy.  At the same time, in a parallel engagement, Putin reviewed efforts to rebuild the conflict-affected Kursk region, linking local revival with broader themes of national resilience and historical memory. Addressing foreign investors and delegates at the 16th VTB Investment Forum and the “Russia Calling!” plenary, Putin laid out an assertive economic vision grounded in sovereignty, self-reliance, and what he described as the rejection of “anti-competitive practices” by Western powers.  He accused Western nations of attempting to preserve global dominance through “non-market restrictions” and reiterated that Russia would continue to pursue independent economic policies, deepen trade with non-Western partners, and a...

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed that his government is actively reviewing a US-drafted plan to end the nearly four-year war with Russia, as Kyiv grapples with renewed battlefield assaults and growing diplomatic pressure from Washington. Image Source: Zelenskyy In a post shared on Friday, Zelenskyy said his team was “working on the document prepared by the American side,” adding that discussions were ongoing with France, Germany, and the UK to ensure that “principled stances are taken into account.”  The plan, widely attributed to US President Donald Trump, outlines 28 points that include conditions Ukraine is expected to accept in exchange for peace, among them territorial concessions, limits on its military, and permanent exclusion from NATO. Reports suggest the proposal would allow Russia to retain control of Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk, and to maintain influence over parts of Zaporizhia and Kherson by freezing battle lines. In return, the West would lift ...

The UK has accused Russia of escalating its intelligence operations after a Russian surveillance vessel, the Yantar , repeatedly entered British waters and targeted Royal Air Force pilots with lasers , in what Defence Secretary John Healey described as a “deeply dangerous” provocation.  Image Source: Deborah Hannes The incident, which unfolded in the UK's exclusive economic zone north of Scotland, is being treated as a significant breach of military conduct and a direct threat to British national security. Speaking from Downing Street, Healey confirmed the UK government was monitoring the Yantar’s movements closely, with a Royal Navy frigate and RAF P-8 surveillance aircraft tracking the ship.  “We deployed a Royal Navy frigate and RAF aircraft to monitor and track this vessel’s every move, during which the Yantar directed lasers at our pilots,” he said. “Anything that disrupts or endangers our pilots is taken extremely seriously.” This marks the first time Russia’s Yantar...

Poland has directly accused Russia of orchestrating a sabotage attack on its national rail network, calling it “an act of state terrorism” and taking the retaliatory step of closing the last remaining Russian consulate in the country.  The attack, which took place over the weekend near the town of Mika, targeted a strategic railway line linking Warsaw to eastern Poland, a critical logistics corridor to Ukraine. Image Source: Radosław Sikorski Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski announced the closure of the Russian consulate in Gdańsk, stating that the explosive devices planted on the tracks were meant to cause mass casualties.  Although no injuries occurred--thanks to a vigilant train driver who spotted the damage in time--Polish authorities view the incident as part of a broader Russian campaign to destabilize European infrastructure. Polish security services have already arrested four individuals in connection with the attack. Two of the prime suspects, Ukrainian nation...