Trump pauses plans to hike US tariffs on China and most countries

President Donald Trump said Wednesday he was halting higher tariffs for 90 days on most countries, and is now reviewing higher tariffs on China as well, a stunning reversal in his trade war that has rattled markets.

After days of insisting he would stick to his aggressive trade strategy, Trump announced that all countries that did not retaliate against US tariffs would receive a reprieve and today, like a spit-take, he delayed the imposition of high tariffs.

China on Friday struck back at President Trump's ballooning tariffs, raising its duties on imports of US goods to 125% from 84%.

The Trump administration warned Chinese officials against retaliation before the measures were announced and said that Chinese President Xi Jinping should request a call with President Trump, CNN reported Friday.

Beijing hinted it would not engage in further tariff hikes — even if Washington continues its escalations.

Trump finally suspended tariffs on cellphones, chips and laptops from China. US President Donald Trump's administration has exempted smartphones, computers and some other electronic devices from "reciprocal" tariffs, including the 125% levies imposed on Chinese imports.

In a notice, US Customs and Border Patrol said that the goods would be excluded from Trump's 10% global tariff on most countries and the much larger Chinese import tax.

It marks the first significant reprieve of any kind in Trump's tariffs on China, with one trade analyst describing it as a "game-changer scenario".

Late on Saturday, while travelling to Miami, Trump said he would give more details of the exemptions at the start of next week.

"We'll be very specific," he told reporters on Air Force One. "But we're taking in a lot of money. As a country we're taking in a lot of money."

The move came after concerns from US tech companies that the price of gadgets could skyrocket, as many of them are made in China.

Exemptions - backdated to 5 April - also include other electronic devices and components, including semiconductors, solar cells and memory cards.

"This is the dream scenario for tech investors," Dan Ives, who is the global head of technology research at Wedbush Securities, posted on X. "Smartphones, chips being excluded is a game-changer scenario when it comes to China tariffs."

Big tech firms such as Apple, Nvidia, Microsoft and the broader tech industry can breathe a huge sigh of relief this weekend, he added.

"President Trump has made it clear America cannot rely on China to manufacture critical technologies such as semiconductors, chips, smartphones, and laptops," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement.

"At the direction of the president, these companies are hustling to onshore their manufacturing in the United States as soon as possible."

Trump, who is spending the weekend at his Florida home, told reporters on Friday he was comfortable with the high tariffs on China.

"And I think something positive is going to come out of that," he said, touting his relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

These electronic goods are still subject to the 20% tariff on China related to fentanyl, White House Deputy Chief of Staff on Policy Stephen Miller posted on X.

Some estimates suggested iPhone prices in the US could have as much as tripled if costs were passed on to consumers.

The US is a major market for iPhones, while Apple accounted for more than half of its smartphones sales last year, according to Counterpoint Research.

It says as much as 80% of Apple's iPhones intended for US sale are made in China, with the remaining 20% made in India.

Like its fellow smartphone giant Samsung, Apple has been trying to diversify its supply chains to avoid an over-reliance on China in recent years.

India and Vietnam emerged as frontrunners for additional manufacturing hubs.

As the tariffs took effect, Apple reportedly looked to speed up and increase its production of India-produced devices in recent days.

Trump had planned for a host of steep tariffs on countries around the world to take effect this week.

But on Wednesday he announced he would implement a 90-day pause for countries hit by higher US tariffs - except China, whose tariffs he raised to 145%.

Trump said the tariff increase for China was because of the country's readiness to retaliate with its own 84% levy on US goods.

In a dramatic change of policy, Trump said all countries that had not retaliated against US tariffs would receive the reprieve – and only face a blanket tariff of 10% – until July.

The White House then said the move was a negotiating tactic to extract more favourable trade terms from other countries.

Trump has said his import taxes will address unfairness in the global trading system, as well as bring jobs and factories back to the US.

Russian military confirms shooting down Ukrainian F-16 jet

FILE PHOTO: F-16 fighter jets operated by Ukraine.
©Getty Images/Ukrainian Presidency

Russian forces have shot down a US-designed F-16 fighter jet operated by Ukraine, the Defense Ministry in Moscow has said.

It is the first time that the Russian military has announced the destruction of an F-16 since Kiev’s Western backers began deliveries of the fourth-generation aircraft to Ukraine last summer.

“An F-16 aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force was shot down by air defense means,” the ministry said in its daily briefing on Sunday without revealing any further details.

On Saturday, the Ukrainian Air Force reported the loss of one of its F-16 fighters. An interdepartmental commission was then established to find out what caused the plane to go down, it added.

Vladimir Zelensky later confirmed that Ukrainian pilot Pavel Ivanov had been killed “during an F-16 combat mission.” He promised a “strong and precise” response, implying Russia was behind the destruction of the jet.

A government source told BBC Ukraine on Saturday that the F-16 had been shot down by the Russian military. “In total, the Russians fired three missiles at the plane. It was either a guided anti-aircraft missile from a S-400 ground-based system or an R-37 air-to-air missile,” the outlet claimed.

The source also ruled out friendly fire as a reason for the loss of the jet, claiming that Ukrainian air defenses have not been active in that area.

It marks the second confirmed loss of an F-16 by Ukraine. The first was destroyed and its pilot killed under unclear circumstances last August. The results of an investigation into the incident were never announced to the public. However, multiple media reports indicated that the plane was likely shot down by the country’s own anti-aircraft defenses by mistake.

Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway pledged to supply Kiev with up to 80 F-16s after receiving permission to do so from the previous administration of US President Joe Biden, though most of them will take years to arrive. In 2024, Ukraine received about 18 aircraft.

The Kiev authorities once claimed that the US-designed jets would become a game-changer in the conflict with Russia. But since the loss of the first aircraft, their use in combat has been limited, with the F-16 being mainly deployed away from the contact line for air defense purposes.

No winner in a tariff war - Xi Jinping

President Xi Jinping meets with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on Friday. Liu bin/Xinhua

There are no winners in a tariff war and China is not afraid of unreasonable suppression, President Xi Jinping said on Friday, calling on the European Union to work with China to jointly resist unilateral bullying.

Xi made the remarks during a meeting in Beijing with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, the first time the Chinese leader has spoken in public on the tariff war launched by the United States on April 2.

There is no winner in a tariff war and going against the world ultimately results in self-isolation, Xi said.

He emphasized that China's development over the past 70 years and more has been through self-reliance and hard work, never on others' mercies, and it certainly does not fear unreasonable suppression.

Whatever changes may take place in the external environment, China will remain confident, resolute and focused on running its own affairs effectively, Xi said.

The president noted that both China and the EU are major world economies and staunch supporters of economic globalization and free trade, with their combined economic output accounting for over one-third of the global total, forming a deep economic interdependence.

China and the EU should fulfill their international responsibilities, jointly uphold the trend of economic globalization and the international trading environment, and resist unilateral bullying in order to safeguard their legitimate rights and interests, while upholding international fairness and justice and maintaining international rules and order, Xi said.

Xi's remarks came as the US tariff war with China escalates. The White House clarified on Thursday the 125 percent tariffs on Chinese imports announced on Wednesday were on top of a previous 20 percent, adding up to a whopping levy of 145 percent against China.

In response to a question about the US tariff hike, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Friday that China's countermeasures are not only aimed at safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests, but also at upholding international rules and order. "In the face of US bullying and arrogance, there is no way forward through compromise and concession," Lin said at a regular news conference.

Sanchez was the first European leader to visit China following the US announcement of sweeping tariffs. The two-day official visit, starting on Thursday, marks his third trip to China within three years.

He told Xi that China is an important partner for the EU, and Spain consistently supports the stable development of EU-China relations.

The EU remains committed to open and free trade, is dedicated to upholding multilateralism and opposes unilateral tariff increases, Sanchez said, adding there are no winners in a trade war.

Faced with a complex and challenging international situation, Spain and the EU are willing to strengthen communication and cooperation with China, uphold the international trade order, and jointly cope with the challenges of climate change and poverty to safeguard the common interests of the international community, he said.

On Friday, Premier Li Qiang held talks with Sanchez. They witnessed the signing of an array of cooperation agreements in the economy, trade, and science and technology.

Both sides issued an action plan (2025-28) on strengthening their comprehensive strategic partnership. They agreed to enhance cooperation on the economy, trade, investment and technological innovation, and jointly support free trade and open cooperation and uphold multilateralism.

China and the EU have been closely coordinating on trade issues over the past few days.

Premier Li held a phone call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday, with both sides pledging to promote bilateral ties and uphold the multilateral trading system.

Commerce Minister Wang Wentao held a video meeting with European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic on Tuesday, during which the two sides agreed to promptly initiate consultations to thoroughly discuss market access-related issues.

Observers said that the US tariff war may provide an opportunity to bring Brussels and Beijing closer together and has given China the opportunity to position itself as a potentially more reliable partner for the EU.

Cui Hongjian, professor of the Academy of Regional and Global Governance at Beijing Foreign Studies University, said that it is imperative for China and the EU to jointly confront this challenge, as US unilateral policies would severely damage globalization and the multilateral trading system that underpins China-EU cooperation.

‘Not good for China’ to retaliate over tariffs – White House

The White House has warned China that further retaliation through tariff hikes would not serve Beijing’s interests, as the world’s two largest economies clash over trade.

Press secretary Caroline Leavitt has stated that over 75 countries reached out to US President Donald Trump’s administration to initiate trade talks, a sign that Washington’s tariff policy is working, she argued.

“The phones have been ringing off the hook to make deals,” she said on Friday during a press briefing at the White House. “These countries wisely heeded President Trump’s warning not to retaliate… and were rewarded with a 90-day pause and substantially lower reciprocal tariff rates,” she added.

In early April, Trump imposed a universal 10% tariff on all imports and higher “reciprocal” tariffs on select countries to promote domestic manufacturing and address trade imbalances. While most elevated tariffs were paused for 90 days, China was excluded from this reprieve. The total tariff on Chinese goods has been hiked to 145%. In response, China imposed a 125% tariff on US imports, while criticizing Washington’s actions as “economic bullying” and warning that continued escalations would render the US a “joke” in global economic history.

When asked directly about China, Leavitt reiterated Trump’s stance. “The tariff rate on China remains where it was yesterday at the 145 percent level,” she confirmed.

Beijing has signaled that its recent tariff hike might be the last, and that further increases would not make economic sense.

When asked if this meant China was backing down, Leavitt said the US president had made it very clear that “when the United States is punched, he will punch back harder.”

Leavitt said the administration remains open to negotiations, claiming Trump would “be gracious if China intends to make a deal with the United States,” but added without elaborating, “If China continues to retaliate, it’s not good for China.”

She also rebuffed critics who said the US administration had not pushed China hard enough with tariffs, saying “Trump is finally taking bold and courageous action.” She added that both Democrats and Republicans have talked tough on China for years, but “no other president had the courage, the work ethic, or the stamina to take on such a task.”

Xi Jinping warns against trade war fallout risks U.S will isolate itself

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a warning to the world during his meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Beijing today, framing trade wars as a self-defeating exercise that isolates aggressors rather than empowering them.

Xi Jinping remarks, delivered in his trademark measured yet firm diplomatic tone, highlighted China’s growing frustration with Washington’s combative trade policies—a stance that has increasingly positioned the U.S. as a rogue actor in the global economic order.

"There are no winners in the tariff war and standing against the world ultimately results in self-isolation,” Xi said, as cited by Xinhua news agency.

Sanchez’s visit, his third to China in as many years, highlighted the deepening ties between Beijing and Madrid, a relationship China views as a cornerstone of its European strategy. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian emphasised Spain’s role as a “significant partner” within the EU, a bloc that Beijing has cautiously courted amid escalating tensions with Washington. As the U.S. escalates its economic confrontations, China is doubling down on diplomacy, presenting itself as the steady hand in an era of volatility.

Xi’s assertion that “there are no winners in a trade war” was not merely rhetoric—it was a direct rebuttal to the protectionist policies championed by U.S. President Donald Trump, whose “reciprocal tariffs” have rattled global markets. The Chinese leader’s warning that “by opposing the world, one only isolates oneself,” carries particular weight as the US continues to weaponise trade, imposing punitive levies that critics argue defy both economic logic and international law.

The symbolism of this meeting at Beijing’s Diaoyutai State Guesthouse was unmistakable. Xi positioned China and Spain as stabilising forces in a world veering toward fragmentation, stressing their shared commitment to “mutual respect, trust, and benefit.” His praise for the 20th anniversary of their comprehensive strategic partnership was a not-so-subtle contrast to Washington’s transactional, zero-sum approach to diplomacy—one that has eroded America’s credibility and moral authority.

The discussion inevitably turned to Trump’s turbulent tariff regime, described by economists as a crude form of economic coercion masquerading as strategy. His administration’s fixation on trade deficits—widely misunderstood as a metric of national weakness rather than macroeconomic imbalances—led to a cascade of retaliatory measures, with China bearing the brunt of punitive duties exceeding 100%. Yet, as Xi noted, the results have been counterproductive: U.S. trade deficits ballooned, inflation surged, supply chains convulsed, and allies grew wary of American unreliability.

Trump’s approach, likened by analysts to a neo-mercantilist tribute system, demanded unilateral concessions from trading partners while offering little in return. Smaller nations, fearing exclusion from U.S. markets, reluctantly acquiesced—Vietnam eliminated tariffs on U.S. imports overnight, while Cambodia slashed duties preemptively. But China, with its vast domestic market and technological resilience, refused to capitulate, instead framing its defiance as a principled stand for multilateralism.

China’s strategy has been twofold: resist immediate economic pressure while cultivating a narrative of responsibility. By retaliating proportionally—reducing Hollywood film quotas, for instance—Beijing reinforced its image as a defender of fairness. This contrasts sharply with Trump’s erratic policymaking, which critics argue lacks coherence beyond a penchant for maximalist threats.

Xi’s emphasis on “asymmetric countermeasures” signals China’s long-game approach: diversify trade partnerships, accelerate domestic reforms, and diminish reliance on U.S.-dominated supply chains. Europe, a key battleground, has watched cautiously; while Brussels shares Washington’s concerns about Chinese subsidies, it balks at Trump’s indiscriminate protectionism. Spain, wary of being caught in the crossfire, appears receptive to Beijing’s overtures.

China recognises that outright decoupling remains unlikely—Washington lacks the leverage to sever ties with the world’s second-largest economy, and U.S. businesses still crave access to Chinese markets. Instead, Xi’s calibrated defiance aims to expose the fragility of American strategy: tariffs hurt U.S. consumers, alienate allies, and accelerate the decline of dollar hegemony.

As global markets brace for further turmoil, Xi’s message to Sanchez—and the world—was unequivocal: unilateralism is unsustainable. The U.S. may wield tariffs as a cudgel, but in doing so, it risks transforming itself into an isolated island, adrift in a sea of resentment. History, he implied, will judge this moment not by who shouted loudest, but by who forged enduring alliances. China, it seems, is betting on the latter.

Timnas Indonesia 2 Vs Afghanistan 0 - King Garuda Muda Tak Terkalahkan

Turun dengan para pemain cadangan Timnas Indonesia U-17 menutup laga Grup C Piala Asia U-17 2025 dengan hasil gemilang usai menaklukkan Afghanistan dengan skor 2-0 di Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium, hari Jumat, 11/04/2025, dini hari WIB. Tiga poin ini membuat Garuda Muda menjaga rekor tak terkalahkan dalam tiga laga terakhir.

Pertandingan pemungkas Grup C Piala Asia U-17 2025 berjalan cukup sengit. Meskipun sudah memastikan diri lolos ke babak perempat final sebelum laga ini, Timnas Indonesia U-17 tampil dengan semangat juang tinggi.

Pelatih Nova Arianto memberikan kesempatan bermain kepada beberapa pemain yang sebelumnya belum mendapatkan banyak menit bermain, namun king Garuda Muda tetap menunjukkan organisasi permainan yang solid.

Afghanistan U-17, yang sudah dipastikan tersingkir dari turnamen, juga tampil tanpa beban dan memberikan perlawanan yang cukup menyulitkan bagi lini serang Indonesia. Beberapa kali mereka mampu menciptakan peluang, namun penyelesaian akhir yang kurang tenang membuat skor tetap imbang.

Secara statistik, Afghanistan U-17 tampil lebih dominan. Namun, Timnas Indonesia U-17 beberapa kali mampu memberikan serangan balik yang berbahaya.

Di babak pertama, kedua tim saling jual beli serangan. Indonesia U-17 mencoba membangun inisiatif serangan melalui kecepatan para pemain sayap, namun rapatnya pertahanan Afghanistan mampu meredam upaya tersebut.

Sementara itu, Afghanistan mengandalkan serangan balik cepat yang beberapa kali mengancam gawang Indonesia. Memasuki babak kedua, tempo permainan sedikit meningkat.

Timnas Indonesia U-17 melakukan beberapa pergantian pemain untuk menambah daya gedor. Beberapa peluang emas sempat tercipta, namun belum mampu berbuah gol.

Afghanistan juga tidak menyerah dan terus memberikan tekanan. Lini belakang Indonesia U-17 yang dikomandoi oleh Putu Panji tampil cukup disiplin dalam mengamankan area pertahanan dari ancaman serangan lawan.

Di pengujung laga, penggemar Timnas Indonesia U-17 bersorak setelah Fadli Alberto (90+4') dan Zahaby Gholy (90+6') mencetak gol dramatis. Kemenangan ini membuat Garuda Muda mengunci posisi sebagai juara Grup C dengan nilai sempurna sembilan poin. Sementara Korea Selatan mengamankan status runner up.

Berikut Susunan Pemain Timnas Indonesia U17:

Timnas Indonesia U-17 XI: Dafa Al Gasemi (Dafa); Ida Bagus Pramana (I.B. Cahya), I Putu Apriawan (Panji) (C), Putu Ekayana (Ekayana); Dafa Zaidan El Fikri (Dafa Zaidan); Nazriel Alfaro Syahdan (Nazriel), Ilham Romadhona (Ilham), Daniel Alfrido (Daniel); Fandi Ahmad Muzaki (Fandi), Rafi Rasyiq (Rafi Rasyiq), Josh Holong Junior (Josh Holong).

Cadangan: Rendy Razzaqu Mochtar (Rendy), Mathew Ryan Baker (Baker), Evandra Florasta (Evandra), Muhamad Zahaby Gholy (Gholy), Mochamad Mierza Fijatullah (Mierza), Fadly Alberto Hengga (Alberto), Muhammad Aldyansyah Taher (Aldyansyah), Fabio Azkairawan (Fabio), Muhamad Al Gazani (Al Gazani), Fardan Farras (Fardan), Faaris Nurhidayat (Faaris Silva), Muhammad Rhaka (Rhaka).

Pelatih: Nova Arianto.

Semalam Kota Bogor Diguncang Gempa 4 Kali Gempa Susulan Jumat Pagi

Sejumlah warga Kecamatan Bogor Selatan, Kota Bogor keluar rumah saat merasakan gempa Kamis (10/4/2025) malam. (Foto: Kiriman warga)

Setelah semalam diguncang gempa utama berkekuatan magnitudo 4,1 pada hari Kamis malam, 10 April 2025, pukul 22.15 WIB, wilayah Bogor dan sekitarnya kembali mengalami sejumlah gempa susulan.

Berdasarkan catatan Badan Meteorologi, Klimatologi, dan Geofisika (BMKG), hingga hari Jumat, 11/04/2025, pukul 06.00 WIB, telah terjadi empat kali gempa susulan.

Catatan BMKG

• Pukul 23.12 WIB (Magnitudo 1,9)


• Pukul 23.14 WIB (Magnitudo 1,7)


• Pukul 01.04 WIB (Magnitudo 1,6)


• Pukul 01.38 WIB (Magnitudo 1,7)

Gempa bumi pertama kali terjadi pada hari kamis malam, 10/04/2025, sekitar jam 22.15 WIB, gempa bumi yang berkekuatan magnitudo 4,1 mengguncang Kota Bogor, Jawa Barat, dan sekitarnya.

Menurut peringatan Badan Meteorologi, Klimatologi, dan Geofisika (BMKG) Kota Bandung, pusat gempa berada sekitar 2 kilometer tenggara Kota Bogor dengan kedalaman 5 kilometer.

Pusat gempa berada di koordinat 6.62 LS dan 106.80 BT, atau tepatnya 2 kilometer tenggara Kota Bogor, dengan kedalaman dangkal 5 kilometer.

"Info Gempa Mag:4.1, 10-Apr-25 22:16:13 WIB, Lok:6.62 LS - 106.80 BT (2 km Tenggara KOTA-BOGOR-JABAR), Kedlmn: 5 Km ::BMKG," bunyi peringatan BMKG Bandung.

Guncangan cukup terasa di beberapa titik padat pemukiman, di semua kawasan kota Bogor. Sejumlah warga berhamburan keluar rumah karena terkejut dan panik.

“Tadi getarannya gede banget, rumah bergoyang, serasa sekali jadi kami langsung keluar rumah,” kata Deni, warga Tajur.

Pantauan di lokasi, sepanjang jalan Tajur, Lawang Gintung, Jalan pahlawan, Jembatan Merah, Kebon jahe, Panaragan, Gunung Batu warga terlihat berkumpul di pinggir jalan dan area terbuka.

Hingga berita ini ditulis, belum ada laporan kerusakan atau korban jiwa akibat gempa tersebut. BMKG mengimbau masyarakat tetap tenang dan tidak terpengaruh informasi yang tidak dapat dipertanggungjawabkan.

Sesar Citarik

Direktur Gempabumi dan Tsunami BMKG, Daryono, menjelaskan bahwa gempa yang terjadi merupakan jenis gempa kerak dangkal (shallow crustal earthquake) yang dipicu oleh aktivitas Sesar Citarik, sesar aktif yang melintas di wilayah Bogor.

"Pembangkit gempa Bogor diduga kuat adalah Sesar Citarik dengan mekanisme geser mengiri (sinistral strike-slip) sesuai dengan hasil analisis menanisme sumber gempa oleh BMKG," ujar Daryono lewat keterangan tertulis, Jumat.

‘European aggression’ behind all global tragedies – Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. ©Getty Images/Mert Gokhan Koc/dia images

Western European countries have once again “taken up arms” against Russia, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said, commenting on the increasingly hostile stance of many governments toward Moscow.

Addressing the constant calls to prepare for a presumed Russian attack – a notion which Moscow has dismissed as baseless – Lavrov said all previous global conflicts were sparked by similar aggressive actions from Europe.

“We are witnessing another wave in which Europe is taking up arms against Russia, and by the looks on some faces, even growling at Russia. After all... all global tragedies began with aggressive actions by Europeans: The Napoleonic Wars, World War I, and World War II,” he said in an interview for the TASS Children project released on Wednesday.

Lavrov added that during World War II, nearly all “neutral” European countries, in addition to those officially aligned with Nazi Germany, fought alongside Germany – including France.

“They did have a resistance movement, but like most other European countries, the official authorities in Paris meekly surrendered to the will of the victors... and French troops fought battles on the side of Hitler’s Germany, taking part in a number of punitive operations,” he said, adding that “there were many examples of this.”

Lavrov went on to say that France and the UK are “obsessed” with “defeating Russia on the battlefield,” as evidenced by the billions they have spent on Kiev’s war effort and recent discussions about deploying troops to Ukraine, supposedly in a peacekeeping role.

He accused the West, including Washington, of installing what he called an “openly Russophobic Nazi regime” in Ukraine as part of its goal of defeating Russia.

“Some want to quickly and finally erase from history the pages of their national shame, collaborationism, connivance with the Nazis,” he said. “While others see in Nazi ideology some new instrument for maintaining their positions on the European political scene.”

Lavrov added that Russia has long tried to warn the West against rewriting history.

“Consigning history to oblivion, one’s spiritual and moral values, one’s roots, if you will, all this has become one of the main reasons for what we are now seeing in Ukraine,” he said, in reference to the authorities in Kiev who honor World War II Nazi collaborators as national heroes and “undermine and denigrate” the role of the Soviet Union in defeating Nazi Germany.

“We will fight against this,” Lavrov said, expressing hope that“not everyone has forgotten the lessons of history.”

“Many leaders... are beginning to understand the dead end and catastrophic consequences,” he said, referring to attempts to defeat Russia.