International

Austrian chancellor confronts Putin over Ukraine war crimes

Published

4 years ago

April 12, 2022

Austria’s chancellor, Karl Nehammer

Austria’s chancellor, Karl Nehammer, has said he told Vladimir Putin that “all those responsible” for war crimes must be brought to justice and warned that western sanctions would intensify as long as people kept dying in Ukraine.

After becoming the first western leader to hold face-to-face talks with the Russian president since the invasion of Ukraine, Nehammer said his trip to Moscow was not “a visit of friendship” and that the two had had a “direct, open and hard” conversation.

“I mentioned the serious war crimes in Bucha and other locations and stressed that all those responsible have to be brought to justice,” Nehammer said in a statement, after a 75-minute meeting that Vienna described as “tough and direct”.

In the meeting, Nehammer raised Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s readiness for in-person talks with the Russian president, but Putin gave “no reply whatsoever”, ignoring the offer, an Austrian official told the Guardian.

Instead, Putin talked about the “Istanbul track” negotiations, which have failed to produce any progress so far.

“Putin seems to be massively caught up in the ‘logic of war’ and acts accordingly,” the Austrian official said.

Russian media reported that the meeting, which took place at Putin’s official Novo-Ogaryovo residence just outside Moscow, was behind closed doors at Austria’s request.

Speaking before the meeting began, Putin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, said the two would discuss “the situation around Ukraine” but declined to give further details. Peskov said he could not exclude that gas would be discussed, as this was “very, very relevant for the Austrian side”, according to Russia’s Interfax news agency.

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The meeting came as EU foreign ministers discussed targeting Russian oil in the next round of sanctions, while Joe Biden held talks with Narendra Modi, in which the US president was expected to press India’s leader not to increase imports of Russian crude.

Related: Putin’s war shows autocracies and fossil fuels go hand in hand. Here’s how to tackle both

Hours earlier, Austria’s foreign minister, Alexander Schallenberg, said someone needed to tell Putin the truth.

“It makes a difference to be face to face and tell him what the reality is: that this president has de facto lost the war morally,” Schallenberg said.

“It should be in his own interest that someone tells him the truth. I think it is important and we owe it to ourselves if we want to save human lives.”

Nehammer said Zelenskiy, whom he met on Saturday, had been informed of his Moscow trip, as had the EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel, the German chancellor, Olaf Scholz, and Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Austria, which is not a member of Nato, is calling for humanitarian corridors, a ceasefire and the full investigation of war crimes.

Lithuania’s foreign minister, Gabrielius Landsbergis, sounded sceptical about further talks with Putin, after a series of high-profile visits, in the lead-up to the invasion, by EU leaders failed to deter the Russian leader from launching his attack.

He said: “I have seen a lot of effort by many leaders, by Emmanuel Macron, to try to see whether they can talk to the guy. I personally have no reason to believe that he is ‘talkable’.”

Speaking to South Korean lawmakers via video link on Monday, Zelenskiy said “tens of thousands” of people had probably been killed in Mariupol. No independent verification of the death toll in the besieged south-eastern city is possible, but if a figure of this magnitude is confirmed it would be by far the highest death toll in any Ukrainian town or city since the war began.

Forces defending the besieged port city said their ammunition was running out. “Today will probably be the last battle,” the 36th Marine Brigade of the Ukrainian armed forces wrote on social media. “It’s death for some of us and captivity for the rest.”

In a speech on Sunday, Zelenskiy said he had discussed with Scholz how to strengthen sanctions against Russia, adding: “I am glad to note that the German position has recently changed in favour of Ukraine. I consider it absolutely logical.”

Russia said on Monday that it had destroyed air defence systems in Ukraine over the weekend, in what appeared to be a renewed push to gain air superiority and take out weapons Kyiv has described as crucial, before a broad new offensive in the east.

Russia’s foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, said there would be no pause in military action before the next round of peace talks with Ukraine.

In an interview on state TV, Lavrov accused Kyiv of presenting Moscow with an “unacceptable” draft deal that deviated from points they had agreed in the talks.

Lavrov also described recent moves by the EU to boost military support for Ukraine as a “very serious U-turn”, while claiming the bloc was under the control of the US.

Kyiv said Lavrov’s comments were a tactic to divert attention away from war crimes accusations.

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In Luxembourg, Germany’s foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, said there were “massive indications of war crimes”, adding that while “the courts will have to decide”, it was “central to secure all evidence”.

EU ministers met Karim Khan, chief prosector of the international criminal court in The Hague, and Iryna Venediktova, Ukraine’s chief prosector, who is tasked with overseeing nearly 2,000 cases of war crimes committed by Russian occupying forces.

The EU foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, told reporters later on Monday that “nothing is off the table, including sanctions on oil and gas”, while stressing that crude was worth much more to the Russian state.

The EU paid four times more for Russian oil than gas in 2021, Borrell said, so it is “very much important to start [sanctions] with the oil, which is a heavy bill and easier [for the EU] to replace”.

The former Spanish foreign minister also accused Russia of “provoking hunger in the world” by “sowing bombs on Ukraine’s fields”, blockading Ukrainian ships laden with wheat and destroying grain stores.

While EU ministers again condemned atrocities in Ukraine, it remains unclear how quickly the bloc will move in cutting imports of Russian crude. The EU is banning Russian coal from August, but Germany, joined by Austria, opposes an immediate oil embargo. Hungary’s newly re-elected prime minister, Viktor Orbán, said last week that extending sanctions to oil and gas was “a red line”.

Ireland’s foreign minister, Simon Coveney, confirmed that the European Commission, which is responsible for the sanctions proposals, was “now working on ensuring that oil is part of the next sanctions package”.

“The European Union is spending hundreds of millions of euros on importing oil from Russia, that is certainly contributing to financing this war. We need to cut off that financing,” Coveney said. “The sooner that can happen the better.”

The Swedish foreign minister, Ann Linde, said: “I think we might make progress when it comes to oil. We are constantly developing our positions and more countries are understanding how important this is.”

The bloc, which imports 27% of its oil from Russia, is likely to argue over the phaseout period. Germany has pledged to phase out Russian coal and oil by the end of the year, but said ending dependence on Russian gas would take until at least 2024.

Referring to these plans, Baerbock said: “We need a joint, coordinated plan to completely phase out fossil fuels, to be able to withdraw as a European Union.”

The US, which has been pressing Berlin to sever Russian energy ties, is expected to make the same argument to India later on Monday. India has not imposed sanctions on Russia.

Taking advantage of low prices, India has bought 13m barrels of Russian crude oil since the invasion of Ukraine began, compared with 16m barrels in all of 2021, according to Reuters.

Biden has accused India of being the only “somewhat shaky” country on Ukraine in the Quad group of nations, which includes Japan and Australia.

“President Biden will continue our close consultations on the consequences of Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine and mitigating its destabilizing impact on global food supply and commodity markets,” the White House said in a statement.

As western sanctions continue to bite, a Kremlin spokesperson said there were no objective grounds for a Russian debt default and that such an outcome would occur only if engineered by others.

THE GUARDIAN

Related Topics:Austrian chancellor Putin Ukraine war crimes

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International

Iran to US: No Deal Unless We Keep Enriching Uranium & Controlling Hormuz

Published

2 days ago

June 12, 2026

Trends Admin

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei

Iran to US: No Deal Unless We Keep Enriching Uranium & Controlling Hormuz

TEHRAN / WASHINGTON – Iran has drawn a firm red line under any future agreement with the United States: its right to enrich uranium is non-negotiable, and it alone will manage the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The declaration came Friday, directly contradicting assurances U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly gave to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Despite Trump’s claim that a draft deal has been approved at the “highest levels” in Tehran, Iranian state media insist that no final accord will be signed unless it explicitly preserves the Islamic Republic’s nuclear sovereignty and control over the Gulf’s critical oil and gas chokepoint.

Following weeks of indirect negotiations in Oman aimed at ending the war triggered by U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, a ceasefire took effect in April. However, sporadic violence has continued to threaten a return to all-out conflict. Now, as both sides finalize a 60-day negotiation window, Iran’s official IRNA news agency has outlined the country’s unyielding stance.

On the nuclear front, Iran insists its right to enrich uranium and retain existing stockpiles of enriched material will be “emphasised with a view to their inclusion in the final agreement.” This directly rebuts Israel’s claim that Trump promised to strip Iran of all enriched nuclear matter. Regarding maritime security, Tehran demands to maintain control over the Strait of Hormuz, including the right to grant or deny vessels passage. Since the war began, Iran has blockaded the waterway, allowing only a trickle of ships through after they obtain permission from Iranian armed forces. According to the Mehr News Agency, which published what it said was a draft memorandum of understanding (MoU), Iran assumes “no new nuclear obligations” and will not cede management of the strait or restore conditions that existed prior to the U.S.-Israeli military aggression.

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While Trump told reporters a draft deal had been “brought to the highest level of Iranian leadership and approved,” the text circulating in Tehran includes demands that Washington has yet to publicly endorse. The draft MoU reportedly includes several key provisions. First, it calls for a “decisive end” to the conflict across all fronts, including Lebanon, rather than a simple extension of the fragile ceasefire. Second, it demands the release of **$24 billion** in Iranian assets held abroad, with half of that sum ($12 billion) required to be released before final negotiations can even begin. Third, it seeks a suspension of U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil and petrochemical sales, alongside a complete lifting of the U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports that has been in place since April 13. Fourth, it includes a demand that the U.S. and its allies pay war reparations and present a $300 billion reconstruction plan for Iran. Finally, regarding the strait, the draft specifies that the waterway would be managed via a mechanism between Iran and Oman, with no role for the United States.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office quickly pushed back against the Iranian narrative. After speaking with Trump, Netanyahu reiterated that the U.S. president had vowed any agreement would include the removal of all enriched nuclear material from Iran and the dismantling of its missile infrastructure. “As long as I am the Prime Minister of Israel, Iran will not have nuclear weapons,” Netanyahu said Friday.

On the streets of Tehran, the prospect of a deal has been met with wary skepticism. “I am not sure how I feel,” a 29-year-old cafe worker in the Iranian capital told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution. “The main purpose of this war was for the US to remove the system, and this did not happen. So what does a deal do?”

Despite Trump’s optimism—which has briefly boosted stock markets and lowered oil prices—Iran’s uncompromising stance on uranium enrichment and Hormuz control suggests that a final agreement is far from guaranteed. The next 60 days of indirect talks will determine whether the U.S. can accept Tehran’s conditions or if the region will slide back toward military confrontation.

Iran to US: No Deal Unless We Keep Enriching Uranium & Controlling Hormuz

International

Oil Prices Slide as Trump Hints at Breakthrough in Iran Negotiations

Published

2 days ago

June 12, 2026

Trends Admin

Oil Prices Slide as Trump Hints at Breakthrough in Iran Negotiations

Global oil prices fell sharply on Friday after U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that negotiations with Iran were nearing a breakthrough, easing fears of a prolonged disruption to global energy supplies and boosting hopes of stability in the Middle East.

The decline saw Brent crude oil fall to about $87 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) traded around $84.50 per barrel. The drop came after several days of gains driven by escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran, which had pushed oil prices above the $90-per-barrel mark earlier in the week.

Speaking at the White House, Trump expressed confidence that diplomatic efforts were yielding results and suggested that a formal agreement with Iran could be reached in the coming days.

“We have essentially ended the war with Iran,” Trump said, adding that discussions were progressing toward a settlement that could significantly reduce tensions across the region.

The remarks marked a dramatic shift from previous statements by the U.S. president, who had earlier threatened military action against Iran and suggested possible strikes on key oil export infrastructure, including Kharg Island, the terminal responsible for handling most of Iran’s crude shipments.

The prospect of a diplomatic resolution immediately calmed energy markets, with traders reducing the geopolitical risk premium that had been built into oil prices since the crisis intensified.

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A major factor behind the market reaction was renewed optimism over the future of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important shipping lanes. The waterway serves as a critical route for nearly 20 percent of global oil and liquefied natural gas exports.

Concerns that conflict could disrupt shipping through the strait had fuelled fears of supply shortages and triggered a surge in crude prices over the past week. Trump’s latest comments, including suggestions that the passage could soon reopen fully to normal traffic, helped reverse those gains.

Despite the pullback, analysts caution that oil prices remain significantly above pre-crisis levels. Before tensions escalated, crude traded within the $70–$72 per barrel range. Market experts say prices are unlikely to return to those levels unless a comprehensive agreement is reached and normal oil flows through the Gulf are restored.

Iranian officials have also urged caution, noting that negotiations are still ongoing and that no final deal has been signed. The uncertainty means markets could remain volatile until concrete details emerge from the talks.

Energy analysts warn that any setback in negotiations or renewed threat to shipping in the Gulf could quickly push crude oil prices higher again. Conversely, a successful agreement could boost global supply, ease inflationary pressures, and provide relief for energy-importing countries struggling with high fuel costs.

Investors worldwide are now closely monitoring developments between Washington and Tehran, with the outcome expected to have significant implications for global oil markets, energy security, and the broader world economy.

Oil Prices Slide as Trump Hints at Breakthrough in Iran Negotiations

International

Trump Defends Rising Inflation, Says Prices Will Fall After Iran Conflict

Published

2 days ago

June 12, 2026

Trends Admin

US President Donald Trump

Trump Defends Rising Inflation, Says Prices Will Fall After Iran Conflict

United States President Donald Trump has sparked fresh debate over the state of the American economy after declaring that he “loves” the latest inflation figures, even as US inflation climbed to its highest level in three years.

New data released by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) showed that annual inflation rose to 4.2 per cent in May 2026, up from 3.8 per cent in April, marking the third straight monthly increase and the highest rate recorded since 2023.

The increase was driven largely by rising energy prices, with gasoline, electricity and other fuel-related costs surging amid ongoing geopolitical tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

Reacting to the figures at the White House, Trump appeared unconcerned about the inflation spike.

“I love it. The numbers were great. You know what I really love? I love the inflation,” the president told reporters.

The remark quickly drew attention across political and economic circles, with critics arguing that millions of Americans continue to struggle with higher living costs. However, Trump later clarified that he was not celebrating rising prices but rather expressing confidence that inflation remained lower than many analysts had predicted despite global instability.

Speaking to the New York Post, Trump said the latest figures demonstrated the resilience of the US economy during a period of international conflict.

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“I love the inflation numbers because of what I’m talking about. The numbers are going to be phenomenal because what’s showing is that despite the fact that we’re in a war, the numbers are much lower than anticipated, and when we’re out of that war, the numbers will be at lower numbers than they were even before it started,” he said.

Trump maintained that inflationary pressures would ease significantly once tensions in the Middle East subside. According to him, oil prices are expected to decline sharply after the conflict ends, helping to reduce transportation, manufacturing and household energy costs.

“When this conflict is over, you will see oil drop to where it was before,” he told reporters.

The latest inflation report showed that energy costs accounted for a significant share of the increase in consumer prices. Government data indicated that fuel-related expenses contributed heavily to the overall rise, with gasoline prices recording one of the sharpest increases.

Data from the American Automobile Association (AAA) showed that the national average price of regular gasoline rose to approximately $4.15 per gallon, compared with about $2.98 per gallon in late February.

Analysts have linked the increase in fuel prices to disruptions in global oil markets and concerns surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes. Any threat to oil exports through the waterway typically drives up crude oil prices and increases inflationary pressures across major economies.

Beyond energy, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported higher costs for airline tickets, healthcare services, communication services, recreation and other consumer goods and services.

The inflation increase presents a fresh challenge for the US Federal Reserve, which has a long-term inflation target of 2 per cent. Rising inflation often raises expectations that the central bank could maintain higher interest rates or introduce additional measures aimed at slowing price growth.

Financial markets are now closely watching upcoming policy decisions from the Federal Reserve as officials assess whether current inflation pressures are temporary or likely to persist.

The issue is also expected to become a major political talking point ahead of the upcoming US midterm elections, with inflation, fuel costs and affordability remaining among the top concerns for American voters.

Although current inflation remains well below the 9.1 per cent peak recorded in 2022, economists remain divided over the outlook for the coming months. While some believe easing geopolitical tensions could bring prices down, others warn that continued disruptions in global energy markets may keep inflation elevated for longer than expected.

For now, the latest data underscores the continued influence of energy prices on the US economy and sets the stage for a renewed debate over inflation, interest rates and economic policy in the months ahead.