Pangeran Faisal bin Farhan mengatakan insiden berulang di mana kitab suci umat Islam dibakar berkontribusi pada "memicu kebencian dan membatasi upaya dialog antar manusia." (Reuters/File Foto)
The Saudi foreign minister spoke with his Swedish counterpart over the phone on Friday during which he renewed the Kingdom’s “total rejection” of all attempts to offend the Holy Qur’an, Saudi Press Agency reported.
Prince Faisal bin Farhan said repeated incidents in which the Muslim holy book had been burnt contributed to “fueling hatred and limiting efforts for dialogue between peoples,” while calling on Sweden to take measures to stop extremist acts.
Sweden’s Tobias Billstrom condemned and denounced attempts to burn copies of the Qur’an, stressing that his country would seek to stop all acts that offend religions and their sacred books.
He expressed his “deep regret” over what he called “open exploitation” of the Swedish constitution regarding freedom of opinion and expression, SPA added.
In recent weeks, extremists have burnt copies of the Qur’an outside embassies of predominantly Muslim countries and mosques in Sweden and Denmark.
Last Saturday, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement expressing its strong condemnation towards the recent actions by hate groups
Ukraine abandoned the agreements reached after the withdrawal of Russian troops from the Kiev area and Moscow does not understand why Western countries are dragging Ukraine into NATO, creating a security threat, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
"Not everyone knows this, but we know it well, that Kiev received its sovereignty and independence during the collapse of the Soviet Union on the basis of a declaration of independence, and in this declaration it was written in black and white that Ukraine is a neutral state. And for us, it is of fundamental importance," Putin said at a Friday meeting in St. Petersburg with the heads of African delegations.
"Why the West began to draw Ukraine into NATO is not very clear to us."
The Russian leader added that Moscow has repeatedly publicly voiced its readiness for talks with Kiev.
"But after the withdrawal of our troops from near Kiev - and we were asked to do this in order to create conditions for the conclusion of a final agreement - the Kiev authorities abandoned all previous agreements," Putin said, adding that now, "the ball is completely on their side."
He further underscored that despite the West's failure to comply with the UN Charter, Russia is in fact ready to seek a peaceful settlement to the Ukraine Conflict.
"They do not care for the UN Charter, they refer to the international law only when they believe that these tools can be used against someone, in this case against Russia. They will not succeed, it is too primitive," he stated.
"If they really want someone to comply with the UN Charter and other documents of international law, they have to comply with the same norms themselves. But this, nevertheless, does not mean that we do not want and do not seek a peaceful resolution of the conflict."
Doubling down, Putin noted that Russia has not in any regards violated the UN Charter and acts in full accordance with it, adding that its principles should be respected by all. "There should not be any double standards, unilateral sanctions and attempts to ensure their own security at the expense of others," he said.
Moscow Values African Countries’ Approach in Finding Ukraine Solution
The Russian president went on to state during the Friday meeting that Russia has carefully analyzed the thoughts and considerations of African countries on Ukraine, and appreciates their determination to find a just and fair solution to the Ukraine crisis.
During the meeting dedicated to the topic of Ukraine, the Russian leader expressed the hope that African colleagues understand the nature and origins of the Ukraine crisis.
"We tried to convey our vision of this problem. We believe that the problem did not arise yesterday, and was provoked by some forces in the West, who had been preparing for a hybrid war with our country for many years, doing everything to turn Ukraine into a tool to undermine the foundations of Russia's security, to damage Russian positions in the world, and to undermine our statehood," Putin said.
The Russian president emphasized that it was the coup in Ukraine in 2014, which Western countries actively supported, that led to the current crisis.
Putin also thanked African leaders for their approach in seeking a just and fair solution to the Ukraine crisis.
"I know that you are sincerely striving to render possible assistance in achieving a just and sustainable solution to the conflict, and we, of course, greatly appreciate your balanced approach, as well as the fact that you did not support and do not support the anti-Russian rhetoric, anti-Russian campaign," Putin said.
Putin's comments came amid the Russia-Africa Summit 2023 and Economic and Humanitarian Forum, which was held July 27-28. The event has called on delegates from nearly 50 African nations to discuss all matters food security and bolstering ties between Russian and African states.
Kunjungan Ketua DPP PDI Perjuangan, Puan Maharani ke kediaman Ketua Umum Partai Golkar, Airlangga Haratarto, dinilai sebagai desakan bergabung dalam barisan koalisi.
Pengamat politik Citra Institute, Efriza mengamati, Puan menemui Airlangga sebagai representasi rezim.
"Ini menunjukkan Golkar memang diharapkan, karena itulah rezim ini mendesak dengan berbagai jebakan," ujar Efriza, yang dilansir Rmol.id, pada hari Jumat, 28/07/2023.
Dia mengurai, rezim menekan Golkar melalui isu penggulingan Airlangga sebagai Ketum, sehingga wacana yang berkembang adalah Munaslub.
Di samping itu, dosen ilmu pemerintahan Universitas Sutomo itu juga memaknai pemanggilan Airlangga oleh Kejaksaan Agung adalah bentuk penekanan, tepatnya menggunakan instrumen hukum yang dipolitisasi.
"Ini agar Airlangga menyadari dengan posisi yang kian merepotkan dan terjepit, akhirnya pilihan kepada PDIP adalah hal terbaik," tuturnya.
Maka dari itu, Efriza meyakini koalisi yang terbentuk nanti tidak akan harmonis, apabila Golkar benar-benar berlabuh dalam koalisi PDIP.
"Golkar dan PDIP bersatu ibarat berkoalisi dalam dua rasa. Karena di satu sisi PDIP merindukan dan membutuhkan Golkar," urainya.
"Tapi di sisi lain Golkar kesal, jengkel, dan benci dengan perjodohan koalisi paksaan ini," demikian Efriza menambahkan.
A group of Ukrainian infantry troops were taken out their own mines while attempting an attack in the direction of Ugledar in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), a Russian soldier with the call sign "Buka" from the 2nd Dmitry Donskoy Rifle Battalion said.
"Just a few days ago, there was another attempt by the Ukrainian forces to launch an offensive in the direction of Ugledar. A group of infantry accompanied by three units of heavy equipment tried to advance, but the attempt was unsuccessful as they couldn't reach our positions; instead, they triggered their own mines."
"In addition, our Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) quickly responded with additional air strikes, once again thwarting their offensive," the source said.
He emphasized that the Ukrainian armed forces are constantly trying to launch offensives against the Russian positions, but to no avail.
Last Thursday, the Russian Defense Ministry reported the elimination of Ukrainian troops and equipment in the area of Ugledar and Makarovka.
Yesterday, on the sidelines of the Second Russia-Africa Summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin commented on the intensification of Ukrainian Armed Forces activity in the special operation zone, saying that Russian forces had stopped their counteroffensive attempts and pushed Ukrainian troops back, causing them heavy losses.
Kiev's main attack was in Zaporozhye Region. In just one day of the counteroffensive, Ukraine lost 39 pieces of military equipment, including 26 tanks, and over 200 men in battles in the region.
Despite much hype, the Ukrainian counteroffensive, which began in June, has failed to achieve any meaningful objectives and resulted in significant losses of troops and equipment.
Russian Army Destroys 3 German Leopard Tanks and 2 French AMX Wheeled Tanks in South Donetsk
The Ukrainian military lost nearly 300 soldiers and five tanks in the South Donetsk direction in the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday.
The ministry mentioned that the Ukrainian forces have continued to make attempts to attack in South Donetsk, Donetsk, and Krasny Liman directions. The ministry mentioned that all attacks have been repelled.
"Up to 180 Ukrainian servicemen [in Zaporozhye and South Donetsk area], five tanks, including three German Leopards and two French AMX wheeled tanks, 17 infantry fighting vehicles, two armored fighting vehicles, a US-made M777 artillery system, and an anti-aircraft missile system combat vehicle were destroyed, as well as the fighting vehicle of the anti-aircraft missile system Strela-10," the ministry said in a statement, adding that another attack was repelled near Vremevka Ledge, where Ukraine lost up to 110 soldiers after its sabotage group was neutralized.
According to the ministry, Ukraine lost 90 soldiers in Krasny Liman direction following four failed attacks and 260 soldiers in Donetsk direction, where Russia repelled seven attacks. In addition, Russian forces managed to advance in Sergeevka area in the Lugansk People’s Republic by 1 mile.
Ukraine Bombed Residential Area With Cluster Munitions, Killing One Woman
The Ukrainian Armed Forces three times shelled the town of Tokmak in Zaporozhye with cluster munitions, killing a civilian woman, the acting governor of the region, Yevgeny Balitsky, reported on his Telegram channel.
"Yesterday, the enemy launched three rocket attacks with cluster munitions on the residential area of Tokmak. As a result of the shelling, a private residential building caught fire and a woman was killed," he posted on social media.
Another local resident was injured and has been hospitalized.
Balitsky noted that the second missile was intercepted by air defense systems, and the third projectile did not explode, and will be safely disposed of by sappers.
Since March 2022, Tokmak has been under the control of Russian forces.
In July, US President Joe Biden announced the White House's decision to supply Kiev with cluster munitions. Commenting on the supplies, Russian President Vladimir Putin recalled that previous US administrations had called such actions criminal. According to him, "this is how it should be treated."
The peculiarity of these munitions is the lack of self-destruct mechanisms. According to the US military, between 5 and 14 percent of these munitions may not detonate at all due to prolonged storage. In this case, they function as mines and pose a threat to civilians even after the conflict is over.
Russia and African countries are calling for the formation of a just multipolar world order based on the principles of equality of countries, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a reception in honor of the participants of the Russia-Africa summit.
"Russia and African countries are now jointly calling for the formation of a just multipolar world order based on the principles of sovereign equality of countries, non-interference in their internal affairs, respect for the right of peoples to determine their own fate," he said.
Putin said Russia will continue to make "a real contribution to resolving current crises and preventing new hotbeds of tension on the continent." Russia will also help "in the fight against terrorism and extremism, against pandemics and famine, in addressing issues of environmental, food and information security," the president said.
The second Russia-Africa summit is taking place at St. Petersburg’s Expoforum convention center from July 27-28. An economic and humanitarian forum is running in parallel to the event. Like the previous summit, the upcoming one will be held under the motto For Peace, Security and Development. The Roscongress Foundation is the summit’s organizer while TASS is the summit’s photo hosting agency and media partner. TASS is also holding the second Russia-Africa Media Forum
Ex-Austrian FM Kneissl Hails Russia-Africa Summit as Outshining EU's 'Negative Approach
The second Russia-Africa Summit, aimed at improving rapport between Moscow and African states, kicked off in St. Petersburg on July 27, 2023.
The event, which attracted nearly 50 delegations from African countries and regional and sub-regional integration associations, is expected to help enhance economic, cultural and security cooperation between Russia and African states, as well as to aid the continent in attaining “food sovereignty.”
Former Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl who attended the plenary session at the summit, told Sputnik about the “good atmosphere” at the event and about “lots of very solid projects” being discussed there, with everybody at the summit “getting along in a very smooth and cool way.”
“Plus, I enjoyed very much listening to Dilma Rousseff, the former Brazilian president who was appointed director of the BRICS bank. She elaborated a lot on this watershed line that we are currently observing, which is called de-dollarization,” she added.
Comparing Russia’s approach in dealing with African states with the approach adopted by the European Union, Kneissl said that the EU seems to care only about “migration” and, unlike Russia, does not appear to be interested in engaging in business projects with African nations as equals.
“Now the EU is concluding contracts with Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco. But it's a very negative approach. It's something like 'you keep your refugees and we will then do some sort of business.' Because it is not real business. It's not a true equal footing business,” said Kneissl who was involved in the EU-Africa Summit of 2018.
Regarding the activity of Russian companies on the African continent, Kneissl pointed out that “they are now fully engaged” there, pointing out that, while it was “mostly about oil and gas” in the past, now their interests have also expanded to “metals.”
“It's uranium for Rosatom in Namibia. It is metals for the new age artificial intelligence and all whatever you need in that segment. So I would say companies are quicker than other institutions such as universities, which are lagging behind,” she remarked. “But the companies had the presence, are present, and I think they are simply enlarging their cooperation.”
Ka-52 helicopter crews are essential units the Russian Armed Forces uses on a daily basis to achieve goals of the special operation in Ukraine. Russian 'Alligator' helicopters control the Ukrainian air space, rendering Kiev's military actions entirely futile.
A clip published by the Defense Ministry shows Russian Aerospace Forces destroying a Ukrainian Army command post and armoured vehicles.
The Ka-52 helicopter is a unique weapon designed in the Soviet period, and has continued to dismantle modern NATO armored vehicles and ravage Ukrainian positions.
The counteroffensive effort launched by the Kiev regime in June has resulted in severe losses in Ukrainian servicemen and Western military equipment.
Msta-B Howitzer Blast Ukrainian Positions to Kingdom Come
Not a day passes without Russia's Armed Forces unleashing their Msta-B 152 mm howitzers against the Ukrainian adversary. Combat artillery work is crucial in the special operation to suppress the enemy's firepower and advance further.
A clip released by the Defense Ministry shows Russian artillerymen using high-explosive fragmentary shells to inflict maximum damage on the enemy.
The Msta howitzers are Russian artillery weapons designed to be deployed as an unarmored towed gun, or to be fitted in armored self-propelled artillery vehicles. The Msta howitzers are widely used in the special op zone due to their high fire rate of up to 8 rounds per minute and a considerable range of over 24 km.
The Kiev regime was hyping its counteroffensive effort for months, but, after its launch in June, it has been floundering, while suffering heavy losses in troops and West-supplied military equipment.
Almost 20% of NATO supplies to Ukraine already lost – FT
The Ukrainian military is changing its tactics in an attempt to avoid the significant casualties that have so far blighted its counteroffensive against Russian forces, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday, citing officials in Kiev and the West.
The outlet’s sources claimed that Ukrainian losses had been “heavy” in the first weeks of its much-anticipated operation, with attempts to penetrate Russian defensive lines so far costing Kiev “almost a fifth of NATO kit” provided for the effort.
The FT report follows a similar article by the New York Times earlier this month, which claimed that Kiev had lost almost 20% of the weapons it sent to the battlefield in just the first two weeks of the counteroffensive. White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has also confirmed that Ukraine has lost a “significant” number of troops, but claimed it still had “substantial” reserves.
After failing to achieve significant progress in the first phases of the operation, Ukrainian commanders have now begun to adopt new tactics, according to the FT. The shift reportedly involves a focus on bombarding Russian positions with artillery fire instead of trying to break through Russian minefields with NATO armored vehicles.
Ukrainian soldiers told the FT that while the resistance they have faced from Russian forces was stiffer than expected, they have started losing significantly fewer tanks and combat vehicles since adopting a more reserved strategy.
However, the more cautious approach has come at the expense of speed, with President Vladimir Zelensky admitting that the counteroffensive is developing “slower than we would like.”
The Ukrainian leader attributed the lackluster results of the operation to insufficient military support and training from Kiev’s Western backers, insisting that the Ukrainian army did not have enough weapons to carry out the counteroffensive on the scale initially intended.
Washington, however, has insisted that it is too early to call the counteroffensive a “failure,” with top Pentagon officials insisting that they always expected the operation to be bloody and protracted.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Sunday that the Ukrainian operation has failed after suffering “catastrophic” losses of over 26,000 active service members as well as large numbers of foreign fighters.
Saudi Arabia on Thursday condemned what it described as the “provocative act” of “extremist” Israeli minister in storming Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem.
Israeli Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, and a group of settlers had earlier visited Al-Aqsa Mosque amid rising tensions between the Israeli army and Palestinians in the West Bank.
In a statement, the Saudi foreign ministry said the visit was a “flagrant violation” of international law and “provocation” to Muslims across the world.
“The Kingdom holds the Israeli army accountable for the consequences of such repeated violations,” the foreign ministry said.
It urged the international community to interfere in ending the Israeli army’s escalation and providing the necessary protection for Palestinian civilians.
Jordan has also condemned the minister’s visit, warning that breaches on holy sites could lead to further escalation.
In a statement, Jordan “warned of the serious consequences of allowing extremists to break into the holy shrine and carry out provocative practices under the protection of the Israeli occupation police.”
Thursday was Ben-Gvir’s third known visit to the contested site since becoming a minister in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right government.
The Israeli minister was joining what will likely be hundreds of Jews visiting the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound to mark the Jewish holiday of Tisha B'Av, a day of mourning and repentance when Jews reflect on the destruction of the First and Second Temples, key events in Jewish history.
Muslim Countries Condemn Israeli Minister’s ‘Storming’ Of Al-Aqsa Mosque
Muslim countries on Thursday condemned what they described as the “provocative act” of “extremist” an Israeli minister in storming Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem.
Israeli Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, and a group of settlers had earlier visited Al-Aqsa Mosque amid rising tensions between the Israeli army and Palestinians in the West Bank
Thursday was Ben-Gvir’s third known visit to the contested site since becoming a minister in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right government.
The Israeli minister was joining what will likely be hundreds of Jews visiting the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound to mark the Jewish holiday of Tisha B’Av, a day of mourning and repentance when Jews reflect on the destruction of the First and Second Temples, key events in Jewish history.
In a statement, the Saudi foreign ministry said the visit was a “flagrant violation” of international law and “provocation” to Muslims across the world.
It urged the international community to interfere in ending the Israeli army’s escalation and providing the necessary protection for Palestinian civilians.
Jordan has also condemned the minister’s visit, warning that breaches on holy sites could lead to further escalation.
In a statement, Jordan “warned of the serious consequences of allowing extremists to break into the holy shrine and carry out provocative practices under the protection of the Israeli occupation police.”
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry said “the Israeli government provides official backing for continued raids and aggression against the Al-Aqsa Mosque and attempts to change the status quo,” referring to the 1967 agreement between Israel and Jordan which prohibits Jews from praying at the holy site.
“We call on Israeli authorities to take necessary measures in a serious manner to restrain these provocations which violate the sanctity of Al Aqsa Mosque and its historical status based on the international law, and to prevent escalation of the tension,” a Turkish foreign ministry statement said.
