‘Russia Seeks Negotiations, While Europe Desires War’

Other key statements from the Kremlin’s spokesman to the French magazine Le Point:

▪️Ukraine must withdraw troops from the Novorossiya and Donbass regions that have joined Russia to end the conflict;

▪️The presidents of Russia and the US share the understanding that refusing dialogue is absurd;

▪️Putin respects Trump because he is a strong political figure and a strong personality;

▪️A meeting between Trump and Putin should be productive, and preparatory work is underway;

▪️Russia has no territorial claims against the Baltic states;

▪️Europeans attempt to teach Russia about democracy, yet they often violate these principles themselves;

▪️Russia has no intention of attacking anyone;

▪️Russia will achieve its goals by peaceful or military means;

▪️Russia has learned to live under sanctions, while they create significant problems for the EU;

▪️Trump did not set a deadline for establishing a ceasefire in Ukraine, and Russia also finds it inappropriate to set dates;

▪️Russia's relations with the West are at an impasse, and Moscow is trying to improve relations with Washington;

▪️Neither Macron nor other European leaders wanted to listen to Putin when he told them that Russia was being cornered regarding its security.

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Togo and Burkina Faso Abolish Roaming Fees—Is Lomé Edging Closer to the Sahel States Alliance?

Here are some indicators of a growing rapprochement between the country and the bloc:

◼️“A bold sign of solidarity”: Former lawmaker Iba Karim notes that this move strengthens “human and economic bonds” and advocates for “a united West Africa;”

◼️Togo’s FM Robert Dussey has reiterated twice (Jan & Mar 2025) that joining the AES is a consideration, describing it as a “strategic decision;”

◼️Despite AES countries leaving ECOWAS, of which Togo is a member, Mali’s FM has expressed a warm welcome for bilateral cooperation with Togo;

◼️Malian analyst Abdoul Diallo opines, “ECOWAS is heading for disaster,” and sees security advantages in Togo's cooperation with the AES;

◼️Togo was invited to Niger’s International Women’s Crafts Fair, a gesture of inclusion from AES countries;

◼️"Togo is a key player, closely aligned with the AES vision," said Burkinabe analyst Lianhoué Imhotep Bayala. Additionally, Togo’s ports have the potential to become a “maritime hub” for the alliance.

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Major World Events by Morning of April 24

🟠US President Trump believes that Russia is ready for a "deal" on Ukraine; according to him, all that remains is to reach an agreement with Zelensky;

🟠DR Congo and the M23 desire a "truce," a statement says;

🟠China and Kenya have announced that they have upgraded their relations to a "new level";

🟠India downgraded its relations with Pakistan following the killing of 26 people by suspected militants in Kashmir;

🟠Russia's Federal Security Service reported on preventing a terrorist attack in the country's Nizhny Novgorod region;

🟠China has shown samples of soil from the far side of the moon to the public for the first time.

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