Author: RT

EU leaders to prolong sanctions against Russia over Ukraine – German FM Maas European Union leaders will renew economic sanctions against Russia over Ukraine when they meet for a summit this week, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Monday. “At the moment, for me there is no reason to change anything in the sanctions policy of the EU towards Russia,” AFP quoted the minister as saying in Brussels. The statement comes as France is hosting a four-way summit with Ukraine, Russia and Germany on Monday in the hope of making progress towards peace in Ukraine. The meeting in Paris is the first “Normandy Format” summit on the conflict in eastern Ukraine in three years. It seeks to implement accords signed in Minsk in 2015 that call for the withdrawal of heavy weapons, the restor...

Japan arranging visit by Rouhani, ‘wants to play role’ in resolving Iran nuclear impasse Japanese PM Shinzo Abe said on Monday his country is arranging a visit by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani because it wants to play a greater role in resolving a nuclear impasse between Tehran and Washington and in relieving tensions in the Middle East. Japan, a US ally that has traditionally had friendly relations with Iran, seeks to serve as a mediator between Washington and Tehran, a role that is also expected by the international community, Abe said. He did not give details of the visit, AP said. Local media have reported that it is being arranged for later this month, before or after Rouhani’s planned visit to Malaysia to attend an Islamic leaders’ conference. Abe, who has developed f...

Israel’s 2 biggest parties agree on March 2 election if no govt formed Israel’s two biggest parties agreed on Monday on a March 2 election date, barring a last-minute power-sharing deal, Reuters reported. A 21-day period in which parliament can nominate a legislator with majority support to try to put together a ruling coalition expires at 2200 GMT on Wednesday, triggering the legislature’s dissolution and an election within 90 days. It would be Israel’s third national ballot in less than a year. Recent opinion polls have predicted no dramatic shifts among voters since inconclusive elections in April and September. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party and the centrist Blue and White party led by his main rival, former military chief Benny Gantz, have been...