US Pushing Israel and Palestine Towards Catastrophe - Russian FM Lavrov

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Russia does not see any prospects for a quick stabilization of the situation around the Gaza Strip, especially against the backdrop of Israeli plans to expand the military operation, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday.

Russia's top diplomat Sergey Lavrov has addressed attendees of the 13th annual Middle East Conference of the Valdai Discussion Club. The event entitled “Time for decisive action: a comprehensive settlement for the sake of stability in the region” is supported by the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

In his speech, Lavrov touched upon a variety of pressing issues about the unraveling developments in the Middle East.

No Prospects for Palestine-Israel Settlement at the Moment

The minister emphasized that the recent expansion of Israel's ground operation further into the Gaza Strip dramatically undermines a potential resolution to the ongoing conflict.

"Taking into account the uncompromising attitude of the Israeli leadership to continue the military operation in Gaza, now extending it to Rafah, we do not see prospects for the rapid stabilization of the situation in this sector," Lavrov noted.

It is necessary to look for a way out of this catastrophic situation, the minister said, adding that it is the US that is "pushing Palestine, Israel and the entire Middle East into a catastrophe."

US Seeks to Exclude Russia From MidEast Resolution

Washington intends to exclude Moscow from international efforts for a Middle East crisis settlement, as the US is betting on its own dominance in the region, Lavrov added.

The FM recalled that Washington effectively "blocked the work of international mediators on the Middle East settlement, consisting of Russia, the US, the UN and the EU." Lavrov added that in the current situation, the US applies "its recipes that are divorced from reality and one-sided solutions that ignore the specifics of either countries or the region as a whole."

Russia Suggests Holding Intra-Palestinian Dialogue

According to the Russian foreign minister, Moscow plans to hold an inter-Palestinian meeting in the "foreseeable future" with the support of the Palestinians themselves. "We propose holding an inter-Palestinian meeting with the participation of all leading factions to overcome the internal division," the minister shared. Lavrov also pointed out that at the UN, Russia had drawn attention to the long-standing Russian initiative to hold consultations involving key countries in the region in order to harmonize their approaches and support the creation of a Palestinian state.

Russia Keeps Working on Evacuating People From Gaza

Lavrov also noted that Russia continues to try to evacuate citizens of the Russian Federation and other countries from the Gaza Strip.

"We continue to work on the evacuation of citizens of Russia, Israel and other countries from the combat zone. We cooperate with Egypt, Israel, and the Palestinians from Gaza. We have evacuated about 1,200 of our compatriots and their families, including citizens of other countries... We keep pursuing these efforts," he concluded.

US House Speaker Says Will Not Take Up Senate's $95Bln Ukraine-Israel Aid Bill

©AP Photo/ Manuel Balce Ceneta

US House Speaker Mike Johnson said on Monday that he will not bring the Senate's $95 billion foreign aid bill to the House floor for consideration if it reaches the lower chamber.

The Senate could pass the foreign aid bill as early as Wednesday.

"In the absence of having received any single border policy change from the Senate, the House will have to continue to work its own will on these important matters," Johnson said in a statement.

"House Republicans were crystal clear from the very beginning of discussions that any so-called national security supplemental legislation must recognize that national security begins at our own border," Johnson said in a statement.

Johnson said the Senate's foreign aid bill fails to address the United States' most pressing issue: border security. The House Speaker added that the Senate should have pushed to include meaningful border security measures in the $95 billion foreign aid bill, which includes approximately $60 billion for Ukraine, $14 billion for Israel and additional funding to address US national security concerns in the Indo-Pacific region.

Last week, Senate Republicans blocked a $118 billion national security supplemental package that includes $60 billion for Ukraine, $14 billion for Israel and border policy reforms. Republicans claim the reforms in the bill would not do enough to deter illegal immigration on the US southern border. The House Speaker also said that the bill would be "dead on arrival" if it reached the House of Representatives.

Johnson had previously stated that the Senate's previous bill, which included immigration policy changes widely regarded as the harshest curbs in decades but which he said still did not go far enough, would be "dead on arrival" in his chamber.

His rhetoric matched that of former president Donald Trump, who forcefully called for the bill to be rejected as he runs for office again and seeks to exploit Joe Biden's perceived weakness on immigration.

Despite months of bipartisan negotiations over the bill, Senate Republicans ultimately voted to block it from proceeding.

Another bill excluding the immigration provisions however gained enough support from Republicans to move forward in the Democratic-controlled Senate, making it almost certain it will pass a final simple-majority vote around midweek.

"The Senate did the right thing last week by rejecting the Ukraine-Taiwan-Gaza-Israel-Immigration legislation due to its insufficient border provisions, and it should have gone back to the drawing board to amend the current bill to include real border security provisions," Johnson said.

"Now, in the absence of having received any single border policy change from the Senate, the House will have to continue to work its own will on these important matters," he added.

Ukrainian forces lose up to 240 troops in Donetsk area in 24 hours — Defense Ministry

©Russian Ministry of Defense

Russian forces destroyed two munitions depots of the Ukrainian army and neutralized up to 240 Ukrainian soldiers in the Donetsk area over the past day, the Russian defense Ministry said.

Here are the details of this and other combat actions that happened over the past 24 hours, according to the Ministry report.

Donetsk Area

"The enemy lost up to 240 soldiers, a tank, three cars, two US-made M777 artillery systems, and a D-20 howitzer. Apart from that, two field munitions depots were destroyed," the Ministry said.

The Russian army has taken more favorable positions near Donetsk in one day and also repelled 13 attacks by Ukrainian assault groups.

"In the Donetsk area, units of the southern group of forces have taken more favorable lines and positions, and also repelled 13 attacks by assault groups of Ukraine’s 42nd mechanized, 79th airborne assault, and 81st airmobile brigades and the 112th territorial defense brigade in the areas of Bogdanovka and Georgiyevka in the Donetsk People's Republic and Belogorovka of the Lugansk People's Republic," the news release reads.

Southern Donetsk Area

Russian forces repelled three Ukrainian army attacks in the south Donetsk area over the past 24 hours eliminating over 165 enemy’s troops.

"In the south Donetsk direction, units of the battlegroup East with the aviation fire support repelled three attacks by assault groups of the Ukrainian army’s 72nd mechanized and 127th territorial defense brigades near the settlements of Vodyanoye in the Donetsk People’s Republic [DPR] and Priyutnoye in the Zaporozhye Region," the Ministry stated.

The enemy’s losses totaled over 165 personnel, three motor vehicles and a D-30 howitzer, the Ministry specified.

Krasny Liman Area

Russian forces improved their positions in the Krasny Liman area and repelled 2 attacks by Ukrainian troops during the past day.

"In the Krasny Liman area, units of the Battlegroup Center improves their frontline positions and repelled two attacks by assault groups of the 60th and 63rd mechanized brigades of the Ukrainian army near the settlements of Yampolovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic and Chervonaya Dibrova in the Lugansk People’s Republic," the Ministry said.

According to the Ministry, Ukraine’s losses amounted up to 290 soldiers, four armored combat vehicles and nine cars.

Kupyansk Area

Russian forces repulsed three Ukrainian army attacks in the Kupyansk area, eliminating up to 60 enemy troops over the past day in the special military operation in Ukraine, the Defense Ministry reported.

"In the Kupyansk direction, units of Russia’s battlegroup West repelled three attacks by assault groups of the Ukrainian army’s 43rd mechanized and 25th airborne brigades near the settlements of Timkovka and Sinkova in the Kharkov Region," the Ministry stated.

"The enemy’s losses totaled up to 60 personnel, two pickup trucks and a Gvozdika motorized artillery system," the Ministry specified.

Kherson Area

The Russian forces hit Ukrainian brigades in the Kherson Region, wiping out up to 70 enemy servicemen.

"In the Kherson area, Russian units defeated the 35th Ukrainian marine brigade and 121st territorial defense brigade near Tokarevka and Mikhailovka in the Kherson Region. The enemy lost up to 70 servicemen and three vehicles," the Ministry said, adding that Russian forces also destroyed a Ukrainian Gvozdika howitzer, a Hyacinth-B gun and a D-30 howitzer.

Destroyed equipment tally

Russian air defense forces shot down 33 Ukrainian drones during the past day, the Defense Ministry said.

"Air defense systems destroyed 33 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles near the settlements of Novaya Kakhovka, Obryvka, Raiskoye, and Peschanovka in the Kherson Region," it said.

The Russian forces hit the Ukrainian manpower and equipment in 109 areas over the past 24 hours.

"Russia’s operational-tactical aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles and artillery hit the manpower and military equipment of the Ukrainian armed forces in 109 areas," the statement said.

Jordan’s king urges ceasefire in Biden meeting

Jordan's King Abdullah II delivers remarks, as US President Joe Biden stands, following their meeting at the White House in Washington, U.S., February 12, 2024 / Photo: Reuters

Speaking at the White House, the two leaders both warned however against any indiscriminate Israeli ground incursion into Gaza's southern city of Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians are trapped.

Discover the thrill of cricket like never before, exclusively on HT. Explore now! "We cannot afford an Israeli attack on Rafah. It is certain to produce another humanitarian catastrophe," said the Jordanian monarch, taking the lectern after Biden had spoken first.

"We cannot stand by and let this continue. We need a lasting ceasefire now -- this war must end," added Abdullah, who has repeatedly pushed for a full truce to end the conflict that started when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7.

The United States has angered some Middle East allies by consistently refusing to call for a full ceasefire, with Washington saying that it backs Israel's drive to defeat Hamas, and calling for shorter pauses with hostage deals instead.

But Biden, who is seeking reelection in November, has started to take a harder line with Israel on civilian casualties, saying last week that Israel's offensive was "over the top."

"The United States is working on a hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, which would bring in mediate and sustained period of calm to Gaza for at least six weeks," Biden said, adding that key elements were in place but "gaps" remained.

The warring parties could then "take the time to build something more enduring."

Biden also said civilians sheltering in Rafah, on the Egyptian border, "need to be protected" as Israel considers a ground incursion.

It was Biden and Abdullah's first face-to-face meeting since the October 7 attack, with the US president hailing his fellow head of state as a key player in a turbulent middle East.

Flanked by US and Jordanian flags, Biden and the king had earlier embraced as they met on the front steps of the White House, accompanied by First Lady Jill Biden, Queen Rania and Jordanian Crown Prince Hussein.

Biden joked during the arrival ceremony that "everybody does" when asked if Benjamin Netanyahu was following his advice on avoiding an offensive in Rafah.

The two leaders also discussed efforts to ensure that the conflict does not spread across a volatile region.

Three US troops were killed in a drone attack on a base in Jordan in January, triggering American airstrikes against Iranian-backed militant groups in Iraq and Syria.

Washington is the first stop of a tour by the Jordanian king that will also take in Canada, France and Germany, amid mounting international efforts for a deal to pause fighting in Gaza and free hostages held there by Hamas.

The bloodiest ever Gaza war broke out after Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on southern Israel that resulted in the deaths of about 1,160 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.

Israel has responded with a relentless bombardment and ground offensive in Gaza that the Palestinian territory's Hamas-run health ministry says has killed at least 28,340 people, mostly women and children.

Biden on Monday notably referred to the fact that there were "over 27,000 Palestinians killed," apparently accepting the Palestinian toll having questioned it back in October, and said that "too many" were children.

Biden was meant to travel to Jordan for talks with Abdullah when he visited Israel less than two weeks after the initial attack last year, but the meeting was canceled after an explosion at a Gaza hospital caused anger across the Arab world.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Abdullah in Amman in January. The Jordanian monarch urged the top diplomat to push for a ceasefire in Gaza and end the humanitarian crisis there.

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US presenter Tucker Carlson accuses US of ‘losing moral authority’ for not calling for a Gaza ceasefire

Provocative US right-wing commentator Tucker Carlson criticized the US government for its failure to advocate for a ceasefire in both Gaza and Ukraine, stating that the nation is “losing moral authority.”

Speaking at the World Government Summit in Dubai on Monday, the former Fox News political commentator emphasized the need for the US to refrain from supporting wars solely for its own interests, a strategy commonly referred to as proxy warfare.

“If you see a nation with awesome power, abetting war for its own sake, you have a leadership that has no moral authority, that is illegitimate,” Carlson said.

“(The US) has been a morally superior country. (But) if we allow our leaders to use our power to spread destruction for its own sake, that is shameful.”

Known for his longstanding criticism of the domestic and foreign policies of President Joe Biden’s administration, Carlson stands out by opposing Republican support for Israel in its self-defense against Hamas.

During a one-on-one session with Egyptian journalist Emad Eldin Adeeb, Carlson voiced frustration with the current state of American politics, criticizing Biden for incompetence and the lack of freedom to openly discuss such issues.

“The president is an unconscious menace, and ... in my country, it is considered very rude to say that and you sort of wonder, how did you get to a place where you have an incompetent president who’s driven not simply the standard of living but life expectancy downward?” Carlson said.

Offering a comparative analysis of living standards, he remarked on his recent trip to Moscow, a city of 13 million, which he found to be “much cleaner, safer, and more aesthetically pleasing” than numerous cities in the US.

“Isn’t that the ultimate measure of leadership?” he argued. “(Consider cities like) Singapore, Tokyo, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. These cities, no matter how we’re told they’re run and on what principles they’re run, are wonderful places to live, don’t have rampant inflation, (and) you’re not going to get raped.”

Discussing his recent interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a rare concession by the Russian leader to a Western journalist, Carlson addressed the criticism he faced for not delving into issues like freedom of speech or addressing accusations of political assassination.

He clarified that his goal was to understand the world from Putin’s perspective, rather than amplify Putin’s version of history.

In defense of the interview, Carlson accused Biden of lacking an understanding of history and international relations, asserting that American policymakers mistakenly believe Putin aims to expand his borders.

According to Carlson, Putin clarified during the interview that his intention to invade Ukraine was triggered by the open invitation from US Vice President Kamala Harris to Ukraine to join NATO, a privilege denied to Putin years earlier.

Carlson described this move as “a synonym for the plan to put nuclear weapons (on the border) with Russia.”

Citing censorship within the US media landscape, Carlson claimed to be the sole voice to underscore the significance of the NATO invitation in the context of potential conflict.

“This just tells you how constipated and restricted and censored the US media landscape is,” Carlson argued. “But I was the only one who said that.”

He added: “The purpose of diplomacy is to reach a peaceful, mutually — one hopes — beneficial, conclusion to a crisis.

“If you’re showing up voluntarily at the Munich Security Conference and saying, ‘Hey, Zelensky, why don’t you allow us to put nuclear weapons on Russia’s border?’, you’re cruising for a war because you know that’s the red line.”

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Kremlin Strikes Back at ‘Emotional’ Reaction of Scholz, Sunak to Putin-Tucker Interview

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The Kremlin considers reactions from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s interview with US journalist Tucker Carlson “emotional,” but believes that the most important thing is that they are aware of its content, Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday.

Scholz has called the Putin-Tucker interview “absurd” during his recent meeting with US President Joe Biden, while Sunak also condemned the interview when speaking on air to Sky News.

“Apparently, they are familiar with the content of the interview, and this is the main thing for us,” Peskov told reporters. The spokesman mentioned that Western leaders have heard Putin’s stance on the conflict in Ukraine “another time” and this is the main thing.

"And their emotional reactions likely stem from the current state of affairs in their respective countries and their attempts to justify their actions to their taxpayers." Peskov said.

Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson's interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin, released Thursday, lasted more than two hours and covered a range of topics, including the Ukraine conflict, sabotage of the Nord Stream pipeline, and Russia-NATO relations.

Putin wants to end Ukraine conflict – Tucker Carlson

Russian President Vladimir Putin is willing to engage in diplomacy to end the fighting in Ukraine, but the longer it continues the less likely he will be to compromise, US journalist Tucker Carlson said on Monday.

Carlson spoke at the World Government Summit in Dubai, where he flew after interviewing Putin in Moscow last week. The video has been viewed hundreds of millions of times.

“Putin wants to get out of this war. He’s not going to become more open to negotiation the longer this goes on,” Carlson said in response to a moderator's question.

The West needs to keep in mind that “Russia’s industrial capacity is a lot more profound than we thought it was,” and that Moscow is having a far easier time manufacturing weapons and ammunition than NATO countries that have been supplying Ukraine, the journalist continued. 

There are competent people in US President Joe Biden’s administration, Carlson noted, but they lack perspective and see international relations through a very narrow lens in which every foreign leader is Adolf Hitler and every day is Munich 1938. As a result, Western governments have no real sense of what is possible or achievable.

“Leaders of any country on the planet, other than maybe the United States during the unipolar period, are forced by the nature of their jobs to compromise. That’s what diplomacy is,” Carlson told the crowd in Dubai. Putin practices diplomacy just like everyone else, but “his position is hardening,” he added.

Following Carlson’s two-hour interview with Putin, the Kremlin said that Russia has communicated its stance to the US quite clearly, but that Washington did not appear interested in talks.

“The US authorities know our position very well, they are perfectly aware of all of Putin’s main points,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told TASS news agency on Saturday. However, the American leadership apparently lacks the “political will” for negotiations.

“This is not an issue of knowledge, but an issue of desire. The desire to do something to get on to the track of negotiations. We have not yet seen such a desire or the political will for this (in the US),” Peskov noted.