Trump: Putin is ‘destroying’ Russia
“I think he should make a deal,” U.S. president says about the Kremlin chief. The war “is not making him look good.”
https://www.politico.eu/article/donald-trump-vladimir-putin-russia-ukraine-war-destroying/
In Rare Criticism, Trump Says Putin Is ‘Destroying Russia’
President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia praised President Trump’s second inauguration, but the American leader did not return the compliment.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/21/us/politics/trump-putin-russia-ukraine.html
Ukraine war briefing: Putin ‘destroying Russia’ and has to make a deal, says Trump
US president claims he is preparing to meet Russian counterpart; Macron tells Europe to ‘wake up’ and spend more on defence. What we know on day 1,063
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/21/ukraine-war-briefing-conflict-will-not-end-tomorrow-or-day-after-says-macron-as-trump-takes-office
Putin ‘Destroying Russia’ by Refusing Ukraine Deal, Trump Says
U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin is "destroying Russia" by refusing to negotiate an end to the war with Ukraine.
"He should make a deal. I think he's destroying Russia by not making a deal," Trump told reporters upon returning to the Oval Office. "I think Russia's going to be in big trouble."
Trump also revealed plans to meet with Putin, noting their previous summit during his first term, which drew backlash after Trump appeared to accept Putin's claims over U.S. intelligence.
"I got along with him great. I would hope he wants to make a deal," the U.S. president said.
Acknowledging the prolonged conflict in Ukraine, Trump added: "He can't be thrilled he's not doing so well. I mean, he's grinding it out, but most people thought that war would have been over in about one week, and now you're into three years, right?"
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/01/21/putin-destroying-russia-by-refusing-ukraine-deal-trump-says-a87675
Fernando Filoni (born 15 April 1946) is an Italian cardinal of the Catholic Church who serves as Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre. He was Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples from 2011 to 2019. He is an expert in Chinese affairs and on the Middle East.
Education and early diplomatic work
Filoni was born in Manduria near Taranto, Italy. He entered the seminary and earned doctorates in Philosophy and in Canon Law from the Pontifical Lateran University. He was ordained a priest on 3 July 1970. He served in the Nunciatures of Sri Lanka from 1981 until 1983, Iran from 1983 to 1985, Brazil from 1989 to 1992 and the Philippines from 1992 until 2000. Although formally assigned to the Apostolic Nunciature to the Philippines, he was based in Hong Kong. During this time Archbishop Filoni was Pope John Paul II's bridge to China's bishops, official and non-official Churches and bishops, in the hope of reconciling them to the Holy See.[1]
Apostolic Nuncio
Pope John Paul II appointed Filoni as apostolic nuncio to Iraq and Jordan on 17 January 2001, naming him titular Archbishop of Volturnum.[2] He received episcopal consecration from Pope John Paul II on 19 March 2001. He chose Lumen Gentium Christus as his episcopal motto.[3]
He came close to being killed in Baghdad on 1 February 2006, when a car bomb exploded next to the nunciature.[9] He served in Iraq and Jordan until 25 February 2006 when he was named Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines.[10]
Roman Curia Substitute of the Secretariat of State
Pope Benedict XVI appointed Archbishop Filoni Substitute for General Affairs on 9 June 2007, effective 1 July.[4] During his four years as Substitute, it was Filoni's job to organise the activities of the Curia and the care of official translations of papal documents and correspondence; encryption dispatches messengers to be sent to the Registry of the papal letters, the resolution of legal issues, personnel management in the Curia and nunciatures, protocol and etiquette for visiting heads of state, information and media management, and Vatican archive management. He was also responsible for organizing the activities of nuncios around the world in their activities concerning the local churches.
Observers noted that during his time as substitute, Filoni never established a strong rapport with his immediate superior, Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone.[11]
In 2008, Archbishop Filoni was awarded the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.[12]
McCarrick Scandal
In his August 2018 "Testimony", Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò reported that on 25 May 2008 he had sent Filoni a summary of information provided by an ex-priest named Gregory Littleton who attested to sexual abuse of priests and seminarians by Cardinal Theodore McCarrick along with the information included in Richard Sipe's recently published "Statement for Pope Benedict XVI" on McCarrick's sexual misconduct. He said that Filoni "knew in every detail the situation regarding Cardinal McCarrick".[13] Filoni received checks totalling $3,500 from McCarrick between 2008 and 2013.[14]
Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples
On 10 May 2011, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Filoni Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, the Vatican department in charge of administering mission territories, in succession to Ivan Cardinal Dias, who had reached retirement age and had health problems.[15] La Nazione remarked that to be reassigned after only four years as Substitute was unusual and speculated that Filoni had been moved because of a "stormy" relationship with Bertone.[16]
The Holy See announced on 6 January 2012 that he would be created a cardinal on 18 February. He was created Cardinal-Deacon of Nostra Signora di Coromoto. On 24 April 2012 Filoni was made a member of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Congregation for the Oriental Churches, and the Congregation for Catholic Education.[17] On 24 November 2012 he was appointed a member of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts.[18] Filoni took part in the 2013 conclave that elected Pope Francis, and was considered to be a papabile, or possible candidate to be elected pope.[9]
Based on his work with the people of Iraq, Filoni wrote The Church in Iraq.[19]
Pope Francis raised him to the rank of Cardinal Bishop effective 28 June 2018.[20]
Pope Francis named Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle to succeed Filoni as Prefect of the Congregation on 8 December 2019.[21]
Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre
Pope Francis named him Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem on 8 December 2019.[22]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fernando_Filoni
Trump tells Putin to end 'ridiculous war' in Ukraine or face …
BBC
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NPR
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Here’s how Russian TV reacted to Trump’s latest tone on Russia
CNN
President Donald Trump recently struck a more critical tone about Russia, and the country's state media noticed. CNN's Fred Pleitgen reports.
Trump said he'd quickly end Russia's war on Ukraine. But …
USA Today
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ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos
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Al Jazeera
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Russia Responds to Donald Trump Ultimatum
Newsweek
5 hours ago — Russia has not capitulated to Donald Trump's push to end the war with Ukraine, saying, to make a deal, it depends on what it is.
China's 'Shock' Statement: Palestinians Have Right To Use 'Armed Force' Against Israel
by Tyler Durden Friday, Feb 23, 2024 - 05:00 AM Via Middle East Eye
China has backed the right of the Palestinian people to use armed force to combat Israel's occupation of their land, calling it an "an inalienable right well founded in international law".
The comments on Thursday were made by the Chinese ambassador to the UN, Zhang Jun, during the fourth day of public hearings held by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, Netherlands.
Representatives of 52 countries are addressing the ICJ on Israel's decades-long occupation of Palestinian land.
Beijing’s envoy said there were "various people (who) freed themselves from colonial rule" and they could use "all available means, including armed struggle".
He described the Palestinian use of armed resistance as legitimate and not an act of terrorism.
"The struggle waged by peoples for their liberation, right to self-determination, including armed struggle against colonialism, occupation, aggression, domination against foreign forces should not be considered terror acts," Zhang Jun told the court.
In his speech, Jun criticized Israeli policies, characterizing them as “oppression that has severely undermined and impeded the exercises and full realization of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination".
The ICJ’s public hearings, which will be held until February 26, come after a UN General Assembly resolution requesting an ICJ advisory opinion.
The number of states participating in the oral proceedings is the highest of any case since the ICJ's establishment in 1945 and is separate to the more publicized genocide case brought by South Africa. A panel of 15 judges are expected to take about six months to deliberate before issuing an advisory opinion.
Besides China, other countries scheduled to participate in the hearings include Hungary, France, South Africa and Egypt.
International bodies, including the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the African Union will also take part. Israel will not participate but has sent written observations to the court.
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/chinas-shock-statement-palestinians-have-right-use-armed-force-against-israel
China inks ‘strategic partnership’ with Palestinan Authority as it expands Middle East presence
Published 6:58 AM EDT, June 14, 2023
“We are good friends and partners,” Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is head of the ruling Communist Party, told Abbas at the start of their meeting.
“We have always firmly supported the just cause of the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate national rights.”
https://apnews.com/article/china-abbas-palestinian-israel-saudi-dd55f1cc81b53cb00cb1d045bc239566
China Inks 'Strategic Partnership' With Palestinian Authority as It Expands Middle East Presence
June 14, 2023 12:45 PM
"China is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with the Palestinian side to promote a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue as soon as possible," Xi said.
https://www.voanews.com/a/china-inks-strategic-partnership-with-palestinian-authority-as-it-expands-middle-east-presence/7137163.html
Xi: China willing to help foster Palestinian peacemaking with Israel
June 14, 2023
"The fundamental solution to the Palestinian issue lies in the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital," Xi said, according to Chinese state media.
https://www.reuters.com/world/china-palestinian-authority-establish-strategic-partnership-chinas-xi-2023-06-14/
Donald J. Trump@realDonaldTrump
Big threats on my life byIsrael. The entire U.S. Military is watching and waiting. Moves were already made by ISRAEL that didn’t work out, but they will try again. Not a good situation for anyone. I am surrounded by more men, guns, and weapons than I have ever seen before. Thank you to Congress for unanimously approving far more money to Secret Service - Zero “NO” Votes, strictly bipartisan. Nice to see Republicans and Democrats get together on something. An attack on a former President is a Death Wish for the attacker!
Jan 14 2024 12:34 AM E.S.T
https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/113196325135640926
Doocy: Elon Musk has become the center of the universe on Capitol Hill
Fox News 867,866 views Dec 19, 2024
Fox News' Peter Doocy reports the latest on the battle over the spending bill. The 'Fox & Friends' co-hosts discuss how lawmakers are scrambling over the more than 1,500-page bill to avert a government shutdown.