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Ukraine Russia Negotiations - No Peace Yet
Source: The Times of Israel
On 21 April 2022, the Kremlin’s spokesperson said that Russia had presented Ukraine with a draft document outlining its demands as part of peace talks and is awaiting a response from Kyiv. A Ukrainian presidential adviser said Kyiv was reviewing the proposals. The spokesperson blamed Ukraine for the slow progress, claiming Kyiv constantly deviates from confirmed agreements.
Ukraine presented Russia with its own draft last month in Istanbul. Moscow’s long-stated demands have been that Ukraine drops any bid to join NATO. Ukraine has said it would agree to that in return for security guarantees from a number of other countries. The current Ukrainian position is centred around two main issues: neutrality and territorial integrity. President Zelensky has vowed not to cede an inch of territory to Russia.
The situation has further become difficult, with Russia now claiming to control 80% of the strategic port city of Mariupol. Recent days have also seen further airstrikes bombarding cities and a continuing offensive in Eastern Ukraine to claim control of the Donbas region. Both sides have criticized each other for going back on their commitments, but there presently looks little chance of an immediate deal even after multiple rounds of peace talks.
By Rishav Gupta - Batch 21-23
Violence erupts as the Qurans are burnt in Sweden
Caption.
Source: Publication (link)
During this holy month of Ramadan, the Muslims fast and pray to Allah or rather plead for some mercy from the rising Islamophobia in the Western European countries.
The Scandinavian country of Sweden witnessed the burning of Qurans on the Easter weekend organized by the anti-immigration and anti-Islam group Hard Line, led by the Danish-Swedish politician Rasmus Paludan which snowballed into violent clashes. Around 40 people were injured during these riotous events, and at least 26 were arrested in the wake of weekend clashes in the cities of Norrkoping and Linkoping.
In an attempt to gain support for the Danish legislative elections in September, Paludan declared a “tour” of Sweden, planning to visit cities and towns with large Muslim populations with the intent of burning copies of the Quran during the holy month of Ramadan. As a former Youtube content creator, he said, in a December 2018 video, “The enemy is Islam and Muslims. The best thing would be if there were not a single Muslim left on this Earth, then we would have reached our final goal.” This clearly defines the right-winged political agenda of scapegoating the Muslims and weaving a narrative with the purpose of ‘othering’ them. Therefore, breeding a prejudiced society.
The Iraqi Foreign Minister expressed his contempt regarding these via tweets. He pointed out the lack of the principles of humanity and the increasing intolerance towards other religions was a sensitive offence. These clashes would mar the relations between the Swedes and Muslims, including the Islamic and Arab countries.
By Nikita Varghese - Batch 20-22
Israeli attack on Al-Aqsa mosque
Source: Middle East Eye (https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-palestine-jerusalem-aqsa-mosque-storm-attack-worshipper)
In the early hour of 15 April 2022, devotees woke up to a horrifying nightmare when the holy grounds of the Al-Aqsa mosque were brutally invaded and attacked by Israeli forces. During the morning prayers, unarmed devotees resorted to stone pelting while they were met with rubber bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades. The third most holy site for Islam, the mosque at the West Bank, saw several protestors with Palestinian and Hamas flags, chanting, "With our souls, with our blood, we sacrifice for you, Al-Aqsa".
This show of brutality by Israeli forces was a serious provocation on religious grounds. Over 150 Palestinians were injured, while nearly 300 were taken into custody despite evidences showing Israeli officers attacking unarmed people. The attack was condemned by Jordan, the holy site's custodian, and Egypt. At the same time, the international community remained silent as Israel failed to take responsibility for the attack and instead advocated for the freedom of Jews and Muslims alike.
By Ruchhika Dasgupta - Batch 20-22
Sri Lanka heads to the IMF: Faces twin budget shortfalls and current account deficits
Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/sri-lanka-beyond-chinese-hand-feeds-crisis-1933822-2022-04-05
Sri Lankan authorities, headed by Finance Minister Ali Sabry, have started negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as it has defaulted on its external borrowings. The country is currently plagued with widespread protests over food and fuel shortages. The talks with the IMF are at a very early stage. The IMF has warned the Lankan government that the debt of U.S $ 51 billion is not sustainable. The country cannot apply for emergency financing due to its existing debt. The Lankan government has also attempted to depreciate the currency to encourage foreign currency inflows.
The country is on the brink of shortages of essential items, including dollars. In a recent development, one man was shot, and twenty-nine people were wounded as demonstrators continued to protest before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s house. The crisis is blamed on the successive governments in Sri Lanka for mishandling the economy suffering from the twin problems of the budget shortfall and current account deficits.
By Anirban Dutta - Batch 20-22
The first nationwide truce in Yemen in six years continues
United Nations Special Envoy to Yemen – Hans Grundberg briefs the United Nations Security Council on the situation in Yemen
Source: https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/04/1116282
A United Nations (U.N) brokered truce was called at the start of the month of April and it seems to be holding still for three weeks. Yemen is the poorest Middle Eastern country which has been ravaged by the devastating war since late 2014. The U.N has welcomed the two month truce but is cautious. U.N special envoy to Yemen – Hans Grundberg has stated that continued commitment is required from the Saudi-led coalition, the Houthis, the region as well as international communities to ensure that truce is maintained to pursue peace. The newly forged truce is already alleviating humanitarian conditions while hostilities have decreased. Grundberg informed the United Nations Security Council that “there is light at the end of the tunnel”. However, maintaining a truce in not without challenges. Reports of military operations near Marib might risk upsetting any progress made so far and might trigger a slide back into fighting. Grundberg stressed that the truce is “still fragile and temporary” and the following weeks will test the resolve of the concerned parties’ to uphold their obligations to maintain truce. The coming time will tell whether the truce is truly the light at the end of the tunnel.
By Yasmeen Cheema - Batch 20-22
Wang Yi's visit to India: China's attempt to reestablish diplomatic relations?
Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, landed in India on the evening of 24 March 2022, for the highest-level meeting between the two countries since the stand-off along the Sino-Indian border almost two years ago. He arrived in New Delhi from Kabul, and it is known that he met with Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on 25 March, 2022. According to reports, the Chinese foreign minister's secret visit was more about geopolitical power play in the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with China also signalling its readiness to aid Moscow in dealing with severe economic sanctions. During the negotiations, it seems unclear that India moved its focus away from the eastern Ladakh border dispute and instead sought for comprehensive troop withdrawal from all places of contention in the region. Considering Wang and Doval have been working as special representatives for boundary discussions, the border issue would have come up frequently during their encounter. Both parties kept the visit under wraps, although Wang Yi acknowledged the visit and stated that more details would be revealed in due course.
By Aishwarya Nagar - Batch 20-22