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♦️ Breaking & exclusive stories, analysis, opinions 👉 About Africa in other languages: Amharic: @sputnik_ethiopia French: @sputnik_afrique 💬 Contact us https://t.me/Africa_Sputnik_bot
Ibrahim Traoré returns to Ouagadougou after a significant visit to Moscow
Upon his arrival on Sunday, he was welcomed by the Prime Minister, his collaborators, and the Russian ambassador to Burkina Faso.
👇His stay in the Russian capital included several notable events:
🟡Ibrahim Traoré attended the military parade on Red Square,
🟡He met with Vladimir Putin,
🟡The president gave a lecture for students at a prestigious Moscow university,
🟡Traoré held discussions with ministers of the AES regarding security in the Sahel.
🟡Additionally, the captain granted an exclusive interview to Sputnik Africa, excerpts of which have already been published.
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Sputnik is 'Voice of the Voiceless': Chief of SA National Defense Force
"This is an avenue that will now be open for all of us to get objective reporting that is not biased, reporting of things as they happened. That is now going to be the voice of the voiceless," General Rudzani Maphwanya told Sputnik Africa.
Maduro Supports Putin's Idea of Peace Talks Between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul
Both countries need direct dialogue without outside interference, the Venezuelan president added.
"We must embark on a peaceful path, a path of just peace... Russia has the right to peace, and other countries also have the right to peace."
Zelensky Rejects Putin's Proposal in Order to Stay Alive, Ex-Pentagon Analyst Says
"Zelensky does not want to meet only alone with Mr. Putin. He's been relying on the European countries," Michael Maloof, former senior security policy analyst at the Pentagon, told Sputnik.
"If he [Zelensky] decides to go ahead and... negotiate something, first of all, I question whether he'll be allowed to do that," he pointed out.
Putin's Peace Talks Proposal is Counterstrike—Not With Missiles, But With Diplomacy
However, Ukraine doesn’t want peace, it wants "time to rearm and readjust their forces," retired US Army Lt. Col. Earl Rasmussen told Sputnik.
"Don’t expect Kiev or its NATO patrons to bite. They’re not looking for peace. They’re looking for an opening shot in the next round," the retired officer noted.
❗️Erdogan Held a Telephone Conversation With Putin
He confirmed Turkey's readiness to host talks between Russia and Ukraine, the Turkish leader's office reported.
The Turkish president said that a "window of opportunity" had opened for resolving the conflict in Ukraine.
Erdogan also told the Russian president that a comprehensive ceasefire would provide the necessary atmosphere for negotiations.
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❗️Turkey is ready to hold negotiations on the Ukrainian settlement
"A historic turning point" has just been reached to end the war in Ukraine, Erdogan told Macron, according to the Turkish leader's office.
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Did Ukraine Even Read Putin's Peace Talks Proposal?
"Based on the response [from Zelensky’s office], it appears they failed to properly engage with the transcript of the Russian president’s statement [on peace talks] and the numerous statements and media reports from around the world endorsing it," Russian FM spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Sputnik.
Putin's Peace Proposal is Real Opportunity for Resolution of Ukrainian Conflict, Political Scientist Says
This opportunity should be taken very seriously, Raed Jabr told Sputnik.
"The Ukrainian side may still have some conditions to impose, but the Russian president's proposal could be an important starting point for launching a new peace process that takes into account the interests of all sides," the expert noted.
Moscow Considers 'Nigeria as a Promising Partner on the African Continent'
Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov made this statement during a meeting with his Nigerian counterpart, Christopher Gwabin Musa.
🔸The minister noted that Russia supports the Nigerian authorities' desire to strengthen the national army in order to protect the country's sovereignty and security within the region.
🔸He praised Nigeria's intention to cooperate with Russia in the military and technical fields.
🔸 For his part, the Nigerian minister stated that Nigeria values its friendship with Russia and highly appreciates Russian assistance.
"You don't just make promises; you keep them. And everyone knows that Russia works for peace and stability," he added.
Not So Easy To Solve: Trump Faces Reality on Ukrainian and Gaza Conflicts, Report Says
Donald Trump admitted that resolving the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza has proven more difficult than he imagined, despite earlier promises of quick resolutions, a US newspaper reported, citing sources.
The president reportedly noted that US efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine have become a growing disappointment that "keeps him up at night."
Regarding the conflict in Gaza, he also said it was especially challenging as "they’d been fighting for a thousand years," the publication said.
🔺Russian FM Lavrov has previously stated that lasting peace in Ukraine requires addressing the root causes—particularly NATO’s eastward expansion, which threatens Russia’s security—as well as ensuring the protection of human rights in territories under Kiev's control.
Putin proposed on Sunday unconditional direct talks between Russia and Ukraine on May 15 in Istanbul, but the offer has not yet been accepted.
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❗️❗️❗️Moscow's Victory Parade is 'Beautiful' Reminder of Peace: SA Defense Minister
"I was very proud to see the parade. It was well structured, well organized. But also to see the world coming together to remind itself about the dangers of a war and the importance of peace," — Angie Motshekga told Sputnik Africa.
'Potentially Great Day for Russia and Ukraine,' Trump Says on Putin's Talks Proposal
"It will be a whole new, and much better, world," Donald Trump said on Truth Social.
📹 WATCH: Putin’s full statement proposing peace talks with Ukraine without preconditions
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Stereotype That Africa Cannot Gain Tech Sovereignty is Outdated: Nigerian Entrepreneur
Beyond the headlines, tech sovereignty is already happening in Africa, with infrastructure, talent, and platforms being built, Benjamin Oyemonlan, Nigerian technology leader and entrepreneur, told Sputnik Africa.
He explained that his startups are contributing by building secure, scalable, self-owned systems to solve financial problems.
🗣 "Sovereignty to me starts with ownership, and we're claiming it already," Oyemonlan stated.
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Multipolarity in Motion: How Russia's Leverage in Global Diplomacy is Growing, Mexican IR Experts Assess
"Vladimir Putin has more room for maneuver in negotiations," Carlos Manuel Lopez Alvarado of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) told Sputnik.
"Putin feels confident, first and foremost, in the position of someone who can make proposals reflecting his own perspective," the expert said.
Putin's Proposal Signals Russia's Openness to Direct, Unmediated Dialogue With Ukraine
Vladimir Putin's proposal for peace talks with Ukraine without preconditions counters a European 30-day ceasefire ultimatum, Christelle Neant, a French war correspondent in Donbass, told Sputnik Africa.
"Putin is addressing Kiev directly, which is extremely striking. In other words, he no longer addresses Ukraine’s Western bosses, but speaks directly to Ukraine itself," the journalist emphasized.
"Russia is extending a hand to Kiev to try to resolve the conflict before it ends in Ukraine’s unconditional surrender later, when its entire army will simply be destroyed," she added.
From World War II to Mine Clearance in Algeria: Fate of a Russian Veteran, Part 2
Andrey Yakovlevich Pavlenko, a veteran of the Great Patriotic War, a retired colonel, participated in demining the territory of Algeria in the 1960s.
In an interview with Sputnik, the Soviet sapper spoke about the difficulties they encountered during the unique humanitarian operation, the warm welcome from the Algerians, and shared his opinion on bilateral relations today.
#Victory80
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'Never Again Must Fascism Be Back in Our Midst,' SA General Says
"Victory over fascism is not solely a Russian or a Soviet Union victory, but it is the victory for the entire world." — General Rudzani Maphwanya, Chief of the South African National Defense Force, told Sputnik Africa.
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'Many Western Countries Want the Conflict to Continue,' Slovakian PM Says
This is why they do not agree to direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, said Robert Fico.
"I believe that this point of view will change."
"There is only one type of diplomacy: direct dialogue in spite of everything. This is what Moscow is proposing."
Direct Negotiations: Putin's Proposal is 'Very Solid'
In an interview with Sputnik Africa, Florian Philippot, president of the French Patriots party, analyzed the Russian leader's call for direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.
"Putin has stated that fundamental issues need to be resolved. This is essential, because if we avoid addressing the underlying problems in the relationship between Ukraine and Russia—issues that have existed for years, even decades, long before 2022—we will never reach a solution."
Russian Defense Minister Meets Libyan National Army Commander
▫️Andrey Belousov and Khalifa Haftar discussed bilateral defense cooperation and the current situation in Libya.
▫️Both sides affirmed their intention to strengthen military cooperation to enhance security and stability in the Middle East.
▫️On Saturday, Haftar was received by President Putin.
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❗️Over 14,000 Times, Kiev Breached the Victory Day Ceasefire and Attempted Five Cross-Border Incursions Into Russia
"In these conditions, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation responded mirror-like to the AFU ceasefire violations and acted adequately to the emerging situation, responding to the criminal encroachments of the Kiev regime," the Russian Defense Ministry said.
Putin's Peace Move is Play for Global South Support, Not Ukraine, Ex-CIA Analyst Says
Putin's peace talks proposal is a message to BRICS nations, retired CIA officer Larry Johnson told Sputnik.
"Russia wants peace. The West wants war. And mistaking Putin's patience for weakness? That's a dangerous delusion," the ex-CIA analyst emphasized.
"If Russia acted toward the West like the West acts toward Russia, we'd have declared war years ago," Johnson argued.
❗️Putin's proposal for negotiations with Ukraine confirms the serious intent to find a peaceful solution — Kremlin
Furthermore, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman suggested waiting for the reaction of those to whom the negotiations were offered.
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Global Voices Weigh in: First Reactions to Putin's Push for Direct Peace Talks in Istanbul
🔹Russian Senator Andrey Klishas:
"Despite the best efforts of Zelensky's 'friends,' the initiative in the Ukrainian issue is completely on Russia's side both on the military and diplomatic fronts."
"Two alternatives. A ceasefire without negotiations with no prospects for further peace, versus negotiations leading to peace. The first idea is from Kiev's curators. It means 30 days to regroup forces and, therefore, to continue the war. The second is "give peace a chance."
"Kiev will either sit down at the negotiating table or risk losing Ankara by refusing its mediation."
"Putin's initiative is very interesting, it would be preferable if Volodymyr Zelensky would agree to it, and it is better to have a direct dialog, without intermediaries, for the sake of world peace."
"This is a clear signal to the international community that Russia is committed to peace... The international community must play an active role in getting Ukraine to participate in this meeting."
"The positions [of Russia and Ukraine] are still tough, and Europe's support for Zelensky has delayed and complicated the process of [reaching] a peace agreement with US participation."
Russia Awaiting Ukraine's Reaction to Proposal to Hold Talks in Istanbul, Kremlin Aide Says
Russia-Ukraine talks in Istanbul will resume taking the real situation into account, Yuri Ushakov told reporters.
The Kremlin will announce who will lead the Russian delegation to the Istanbul talks on Ukraine, the official added.
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🇪🇹 Ethiopia: Immortal Regiment Continues Its African Parade
A march and a concert marking the anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany took place in Addis Ababa on May 7, a Sputnik Africa correspondent reported.
The participants displayed photos of their loved ones who fought in the war.
👉 This beautiful tradition began in Russia in 2018 and has spread to all continents. In Africa, several cities have already hosted processions of the Immortal Regiment:
🇿🇦 Cape Town (South Africa);
🇨🇩 Kinshasa (DRC);
🇧🇯 Cotonou (Benin);
🇹🇿 Dar es Salaam (Tanzania).
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‼️ Vladimir Putin's order for three-day truce with Ukraine enters force
The three-day order began at midnight Thursday (2100 GMT on Wednesday) and is scheduled to last until the end of Saturday, according to the Kremlin.
⚠️ In the event of violations of the truce by the Ukrainian side, the Russian Armed Forces will provide an adequate and effective response.
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