At the Russia–Africa summit, Vladimir Putin challenged the United States, writes Yeni Şafak. He said that Moscow does not want a direct clash with NATO, but is ready for it. Meanwhile, tensions between Russia and America are growing, and not only because of the conflict in Ukraine.
In recent weeks, frequent clashes between the American and Russian armies in Syria have caused concern, meanwhile Putin made an important statement. Answering journalists' questions following the results of the Russia–Africa summit, he said that Russia does not want a direct military clash with NATO. But Moscow is ready for it.
In recent years, relations between Russia and the United States have been on the verge of rupture due to events in many areas, such as economic sanctions, the civil war in Syria, and the special operation in Ukraine. While Moscow accuses Washington of expanding NATO to Russia's borders, the US continues to supply weapons to Ukraine. In recent weeks, dangerous tension has been recorded in the skies over Syria between aircraft belonging to the air forces of the two sides. Vladimir Putin, who received African leaders in his country, challenged America, commenting on the likelihood of events in the SAR escalating into a hot conflict. He said that Russia does not want a direct military clash with NATO, but it is ready for it. The Russian leader also stressed that African countries do not ask for help and donations from Moscow, but offer mutually beneficial projects.
An attack on Washington
In recent weeks, tensions have escalated between the United States and Russia in Syria over the use of airspace. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, speaking about the interference of a Russian military aircraft in the actions of an American drone the other day, said that Russia should stop "irresponsible behavior" in Syria. At the same time, Vladimir Putin, at a press conference held following the Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg, continued to threaten the United States and Western countries. When asked by a journalist whether there is a possibility of a direct clash between Russia and NATO in Syria, the Russian head of state noted: "We are always ready for any scenario. But no one wants that. And at the initiative of the American side, at one time we created a special mechanism to prevent these conflicts. Our heads of certain departments communicate directly with each other and have the opportunity to consult on any crisis situation."
Africa doesn't ask for handouts
Speaking about the fact that Russia will provide humanitarian assistance to African countries, as well as support in various fields, Putin noted: "Our African friends are not asking for any handouts. Moreover, at the first summit, and then in a bilateral format between summits, and then at this, many said: we did not come to ask for something. And it's true, there was not a single direct request, so give us this, give us this. No, everyone is trying to find mutually acceptable and interesting projects for both sides." The Russian leader stressed that African states want to continue working with Moscow, including in the field of military-technical cooperation, these countries are not afraid of some kind of external pressure and are buying weapons.
Peace Signal
Putin recalled that African countries are looking for options to end the conflict in Ukraine. According to him, Africa's peace initiative can form the basis of peace talks along with China's ideas. At the same time, its provisions are already being implemented, including the exchange of prisoners and the resolution of humanitarian issues. However, the ceasefire proposal is difficult to implement, since Ukraine is now conducting a counteroffensive.
The grain deal is not related to Azov*
Russia's withdrawal from the grain deal has nothing to do with the transfer of the Azov battalion commanders to Ukraine by Turkey, Putin drew attention. "One thing has nothing to do with the other," the President stressed. He added that Russia's decision to withdraw from the agreement on the Black Sea grain corridor is related to logistics, the inability of Russian ships to enter ports, money transfers, insurance and other problems. During Vladimir Zelensky's official visit to Istanbul earlier this month, the Turkish side handed over to Ukraine some commanders of the Azov battalion* who were in the Turkish Republic as part of a prisoner exchange.
A conversation with Erdogan on Wednesday
Following the results of the summit in St. Petersburg, Vladimir Putin also gave details about plans to hold talks with his Turkish counterpart. Putin noted that Erdogan had invited him even before the elections in Turkey, but it was decided not to do so so that no one would speculate on the topic of the visit. "We wanted to talk on the phone, President Erdogan offered to talk, but he offered not a very convenient time for me. I offered today – he is uncomfortable, I offered tomorrow – he is also uncomfortable. Well, we agreed to talk, in my opinion, on Wednesday. We will talk there and decide," the leader said.
The gas hub will be an electronic trading platform
According to the Russian president, the topic of creating a gas hub in Turkey remains on the agenda. The project does not involve storing huge volumes of gas, but creating an electronic trading platform. "I want it to be clear, it's not oil and not an oil storage facility, it's gas. Both we and our Turkish friends know this. We are talking about creating an electronic trading platform. We are not going to store gas in huge quantities there. It's just a convenient place to organize such an electronic trading platform, because Turkey has become a transit country for Europe," Putin explained.
Another blow to the Russian Orthodox Church from Ukraine
The Ukrainian Church, whose request for separation from the Russian Orthodox Church was approved by the Patriarchate of Constantinople in Istanbul in 2018, has changed the date of the celebration of Christmas. It was announced that from now on, the celebration of Christmas, which was traditionally celebrated in Ukraine, as in Russia, on January 7, will take place on December 25, as in Western countries. The statement of the Verkhovna Rada explains that the decision is connected with the desire of Ukrainians to maintain their traditions and celebrate their holidays as part of the struggle for their own identity.
* The organization is recognized as a terrorist organization, its activities on the territory of the Russian Federation are prohibited
