01/07/2025

TUESDAY | JULY 1, 2025

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‘Pace of talks hinges on efforts of Ukraine, US’ MOSCOW: The pace of talks to resolve the war in Ukraine depends on Kyiv’s position, the effectiveness of US mediation and the situation on the ground, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said in remarks televised on Sunday. Five months into US President Donald Trump’s term, there is no clear end to the war between Russia and Ukraine, despite his 2024 campaign vow to end it in one day. Trump, who has pushed both sides towards ceasefire talks since his January inauguration, said on Friday he thinks “something will happen” about a settlement of the war. Peskov did not elaborate on what Moscow expects from Washington or Kyiv. Moscow has been demanding that Ukraine cede more land and abandon Western military support, conditions Kyiv calls unacceptable. While no date has been set for the next round of talks, Peskov said Russia hopes that dates would become clear “in the near future”. After a gap of more than three years, Russia and Ukraine held face-to-face talks in Istanbul on May 16 and June 2 that led to a series of prisoner exchanges and the return of their dead soldiers. The blueprints for a peace deal shared at the June 2 talks were “contradictory memorandums”, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday. Turkey, which hosted the previous round of talks, is ready to host them again, it said on Friday. – Reuters EGYPT WORKING ON 60-DAY CEASEFIRE ISTANBUL: Egypt’s foreign minister said on Sunday his country is working on a new Gaza deal that includes a 60-day ceasefire in exchange for the release of some Israeli hostages and the rapid entry of humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave, Anadolu Ajansi reported. “We are working towards a durable solution and a permanent ceasefire,” Badr Abdelatty said in a televised interview with the local OnTV television. He said the proposal is a joint effort by Egypt, Qatar and the United States, and represents “a first step”towards a sustainable ceasefire. This move, he said, “would create momentum to move towards a lasting ceasefire, eventually leading to the implementation of the Jan 19 agreement”. – Bernama-Anadolu MOSCOW: Russian warships and coastal missile systems struck simulated maritime targets with cruise missiles during exercises in the Sea of Japan, TASS state news agency reported yesterday, citing Russia’s Defence Ministry. The ships and missiles systems, all part of Russia’s Pacific Fleet forces, “carried out a joint missile strike against a complex target setup in the Sea of Japan, simulating enemy ships”, TASS cited the ministry’s statement as saying. “All targets were successfully hit.” The Fleet’s flagship, the Varyag Guards missile cruiser, carried out a live launch of a Vulkan anti-ship cruise missile. – Reuters RUSSIA CONDUCTS MARITIME DRILLS

Netanyahu eyes Gaza hostage return after Iran war Children fleeing their homes with their belongings after the Israeli army issued evacuation orders in Gaza City on Sunday. – REUTERSPIC

many opportunities have opened up following this victory. “First of all, to rescue the hostages. Of course we will also have to solve the Gaza issue, to defeat Hamas, but I estimate that we will achieve both tasks.” The Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters, made up of Israeli advocates for the 50 hostages remaining in Gaza, said his statement prioritising the hostages was a first. “The families of the hostages welcome the fact that after 20 months, the return of the hostages has finally been designated as the top priority by the prime minister. “This is an important statement that must translate into a single comprehensive deal to bring back all hostages and end the fighting in Gaza.” Trump said on Saturday the notification. But according to the convention itself, if “on the expiry of that six-month period, the withdrawing state party is engaged in an armed conflict, the withdrawal shall not take effect before the end of the armed conflict”. Zelensky said Ukraine is “aware of the complexities of the withdrawal procedure when it is carried out in wartime. “We are taking this political step and sending a signal to all our partners on what to focus on,” he added. Confronted with the invasion,

details and officials on both sides have voiced scepticism over prospects for a ceasefire soon. The United States has proposed a 60-day ceasefire and a release of half the hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and the remains of other Palestinians. Hamas has said it would release the remaining hostages once a permanent ceasefire was in place. On Sunday, the Israeli military ordered Palestinians to evacuate areas in northern Gaza before intensified fighting against Hamas. A Hamas official told Reuters that the group had informed mediators that it is ready to resume ceasefire talks but reaffirmed the group’s outstanding demands that any deal must end the war and secure an Israeli withdrawal from the coastal territory.

o ‘Many opportunities have opened up following this victory’

JERUSALEM: Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday the 12-day war with Iran has created opportunities for Israel, and the first is the return of hostages held in Gaza. His remarks, coupled with the Jerusalem District Court’s postponement of his testimony this week in his long-running corruption trial, gave rise to speculation that progress may be made to end the Gaza conflict and secure the hostages’ release. The court accepted on Sunday Netanyahu’s request for the delay, citing classified diplomatic and security grounds. US President Donald Trump had suggested on Saturday that the trial could interfere with the Israeli Prime KYIV: President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday signed a decree putting his country on track to leave an international anti-landmine treaty, according to a document published on his website. The Ottawa Convention bans signatories from acquiring, producing, stockpiling or using anti-personnel mines, which are designed to be buried or hidden in the ground. They often leave victims mutilated if they are not immediately killed, and unexploded mines cause long-term risks for civilians. Ukraine’s

leader’s ability to negotiate. Israel’s military Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said on Friday the war in Iran, which ended on June 24, could help advance Israeli objectives against the Iranian-backed Hamas group in the Gaza Strip. Israeli public radio Kan said Israel’s Security Cabinet met on Sunday and would meet again yesterday. Israel’s Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer was expected yesterday at the White House for talks on Iran and Gaza, Israeli media said.

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On a Sunday visit to a security facility of Israel’s Shin Bet domestic intelligence service, Netanyahu said: “I want to inform you that Zelensky begins withdrawal from anti-landmine treaty Israel says it can only end the war if Hamas is disarmed and dismantled. Hamas refuses to lay down its arms. – Reuters Netanyahu was “right now” negotiating a deal with Hamas, although neither leader provided

“Ukraine is compelled to give unconditional priority to the security of its citizens and the defence of the state,” Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement. It said the decision to withdraw was “difficult but necessary” in order to “protect our land from occupation, and our people from horrific Russian atrocities”. The move follows similar decisions by Kyiv’s allies Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, all neighbours of Russia. In March, human rights groups condemned their intention to pull out from the convention. – AFP

Russia “is extremely cynical in its use of anti-personnel mines”, Zelensky said in his daily address. “This is the trademark of Russian killers, to destroy life by any means at their disposal.“ More than 160 countries and territories are signatories to the Ottawa Convention, although neither the United States nor Russia have joined. To enter into force, the decision must be ratified by the Ukrainian parliament and notified to the United Nations. The withdrawal would normally come into effect six months after