https://www.middleeastmonitor.com Latest news from the Middle East and North Africa Tue, 08 Aug 2023 10:27:27 +0000 en-GB Middle East Monitor 30 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.2 https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/favicon.png?fit=32%2C32&quality=85&strip=all&zoom=1&ssl=1 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com 32 32 116394717 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230807-market-prices-in-somalia-rise-after-black-sea-grain-deal-terminated/ Mon, 07 Aug 2023 19:22:02 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658366 Market prices in Somalia increased after Russia suspended its participation in the Black Sea grain deal, reports Anadolu Agency. In Africa, 25 countries currently rely on Russia and Ukraine for over one-third of their imported wheat. In some countries, the dependency on external sources for grain has surpassed 90%. During the Russia-Africa Summit on July 27, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that his country will provide free grain to six African countries in the next three to four months. "We will be ready in the coming months, in the next three to four months, to provide Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, the Central African Republic, and Eritrea with 25,000-50,000 tons of grain free of charge. We will also provide free […]]]> 658366 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230807-iranian-foreign-minister-meets-with-japanese-premier-kishida-in-tokyo/ Mon, 07 Aug 2023 18:09:04 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658358 Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian met with Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo on Monday and discussed bilateral cooperation as well as the Iran nuclear deal, reports Anadolu Agency. Amirabdollahian arrived in the Japanese capital on Sunday evening and is also scheduled to meet with senior government officials to discuss bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues. "As a supporter of the Iran nuclear deal, Japan is seriously concerned about the expansion of Iran's nuclear-related activities and requested full and unconditional cooperation in the joint statement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)," Kishida said in a statement released by the Japanese Foreign Ministry. He also urged Iran to respond in a "constructive" way. Earlier, the Iranian […]]]> 658358 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230807-us-ukraine-discuss-security-arrangements-saudi-arabia-peace-talks/ Mon, 07 Aug 2023 17:28:49 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658347 US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday spoke with his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba, over the phone, discussing recently held peace talks in Saudi Arabia, and "long-term security arrangements", reports Anadolu Agency. "The two discussed developments in Ukraine's counteroffensive efforts, recent conversations about a just and durable peace in Ukraine held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and long-term security arrangements between the two countries," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement. "The Secretary reiterated the United States' staunch and ongoing support of Ukraine's defense against Russia's aggression and reaffirmed continued support of a strong Ukrainian military and accountable defense institutions," Miller added. Talks in the Saudi city of Jeddah on the Ukraine conflict concluded Sunday with the participants […]]]> 658347 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230806-turkish-foreign-minister-ukrainian-counterpart-discuss-black-sea-grain-deal/ Sun, 06 Aug 2023 12:32:09 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658168 Turkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba on Saturday spoke over the phone and discussed steps that can be taken for the revival of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, according to Turkish diplomatic sources, Anadolu reports. On July 17, Russia suspended its participation in the Black Sea grain deal, saying the Russian part of the agreement was not implemented. It sought the loosening of banking restrictions and the ability to ship its fertilizer before returning to the agreement. The agreement, signed in July 2022 in Istanbul by Turkiye, the UN, Russia, and Ukraine, was aimed at resuming grain exports from Ukrainian ports halted due to the Russia-Ukraine war, which began in February 2022. Turkiye has said […]]]> 658168 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230806-uk-takes-lead-in-turkiye-earthquake-aid-donating-over-150-million/ Sun, 06 Aug 2023 08:18:11 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658142 The United Kingdom has taken the lead in supporting the appeal for victims of the deadly earthquakes in Turkiye six months ago, with donations from the country's population reaching over £150 million. According to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), a UK-based umbrella group for charities, announced this week that donations to aid the victims of the February 6th earthquakes have reached £151.8 million, an amount which includes the £5 million matched by the British government through the Aid Match scheme. The earthquakes and their aftershocks during the first week of February this year killed around 60,000 people across southern Turkiye and north-west Syria, destroying thousands of homes and causing severe infrastructural damage. While donations flooded in and continue to do […]]]> 658142 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230804-the-suwalki-gap-and-putins-gambit-for-prigozhin/ Fri, 04 Aug 2023 14:30:59 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657986 The Prigozhin saga is unprecedented in Russian history. In the past, if a highly placed personality lost the trust of the Kremlin and were declared enemy of the state, the price would be dire. Prigozhin appears to be an exception. While his mutiny had many military personnel killed, including several pilots, the Wagner boss did not face the consequences of his actions and walked free from prosecution. In fact, Putin granted Prigozhin a second chance, demanding that the Wagner units settle in Belarus. This request gave the signal to Prigozhin that his services were still needed. The Wagner mercenaries, renowned for their war expertise, represent a formidable, disciplined, and motivated force akin to an iron fist. Even though they are mercenaries, […]]]> 657986 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230804-date-not-yet-set-on-putins-next-visit-to-turkiye-president-erdogan/ Fri, 04 Aug 2023 13:22:21 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658017 On the Russian President's upcoming visit to Turkiye, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that the date has not yet been set, but talks continue and, hopefully, Vladimir Putin will visit in August, Anadolu Agency reports. "The date is not clear, but the Foreign Minister, head of the intelligence organisation, they are all holding talks," Erdogan told reporters after Friday prayers in Istanbul. "Within the framework of these talks, I think that this visit will take place hopefully in August." Erdogan's remarks followed his Wednesday phone call with Putin, in which they agreed Putin would pay a visit to Turkiye in the coming days. Erdogan also told Putin that Turkiye will continue its "intense" efforts and diplomacy for resumption […]]]> 658017 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230804-saudi-to-extend-oil-output-cuts-for-another-month/ Fri, 04 Aug 2023 11:17:15 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657992 Saudi Arabia will extend a voluntary oil output cut of one million barrels per day for another month to include September, it said yesterday, adding it could be extended beyond that or deepened, Reuters reported. The kingdom's production for September will be around nine million barrels per day (bpd), the state news agency SPA cited an official source at the energy ministry as saying. "This additional voluntary cut comes to reinforce the precautionary efforts made by OPEC+ countries with the aim of supporting the stability and balance of oil markets," the source said. The cut may be "extended, or extended and deepened", he added, flagging the possibility of further market tightening. The decision came on the eve of a panel meeting from OPEC+, which […]]]> 657992 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230803-revival-of-black-sea-grain-deal-crucial-for-food-access-price-stability/ Thu, 03 Aug 2023 18:41:29 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657950 The revival of the Black Sea grain deal is significant for global food price stability and continued access to food in poor countries, Anadolu Agency reports. Following Russian President Vladimir Putin's announcement of withdrawal from the deal on 17 July, the matter resurfaced in a telephone conversation between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Putin. Erdogan stressed that the suspension of the deal, which he termed the "bridge of peace," would benefit no one and particularly harm countries with low income levels that rely on the grain. Quoting figures, he said grain prices rose 15 per cent in the past two weeks, compared to a decline of 23 per cent when the deal was in place. Turkiye will continue its […]]]> 657950 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230802-putin-reaffirms-russian-stance-on-grain-deal-in-call-to-erdogan/ Wed, 02 Aug 2023 15:23:12 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657529 Russian President, Vladimir Putin, told his Turkish counterpart, Tayyip Erdogan, on Wednesday that Moscow was ready to return to the Black Sea grain deal as soon as the West met its obligations with regard to Russia's own grain exports, Reuters reports. The deal, brokered by Turkiye and the United Nations in July 2022, allowed for the safe export of grain from Ukraine's Black Sea ports. Last month, Moscow exited the deal, accusing the West of hampering Russia's own grain and fertiliser exports. In a statement on Putin's call with Erdogan, the Kremlin said: "It was noted that, in the conditions of a complete lack of progress in the implementation of the Russian part of the 'grain deal', its further extension […]]]> 657529 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230801-kremlin-seeks-more-info-about-talks-in-saudi-ukraine-says-moscow-unwelcome/ Tue, 01 Aug 2023 14:29:09 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657113 The Kremlin said, on Monday, it needed to learn more about the purpose of talks planned in Saudi Arabia about the war in Ukraine, but Ukraine made it plain Russia was not welcome at the meeting, Reuters reports. The meeting was first reported last Saturday in the Wall Street Journal, which said Saudi Arabia would invite Western states, Ukraine and major developing countries to talks, focusing on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's peace plan. The paper said Kyiv and Western countries hoped that the talks could lead to international backing for peace terms favouring Ukraine. Asked about the WSJ report, Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, said: "Of course, Russia will follow this meeting. We need to understand what goals are set and what will […]]]> 657113 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230731-ukraine-signs-agreement-with-turkiye-company-on-drones-repair/ Mon, 31 Jul 2023 18:16:30 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=656762 Ukraine's Defence Ministry signed an agreement with Turkish company, Baykar Makina, to build a service centre for the repair and maintenance of drones in Ukraine, a Ministry official said on Monday, Reuters reports. Ukraine is seeking to boost domestic production of drones to build an "Army of Drones" in its fight against Russian forces who invaded the country in February 2022. "The creation of a service centre will be a significant contribution to strengthening Ukraine's defence capabilities and will help bring our victory closer," the Ministry's State Secretary, Kostiantyn Vashchenko said in a statement. Ukrainian producers have sharply increased domestic drone production. More than 10,000 drone operators have been trained with 10,000 more in training, Mykhailo Fedorov, a deputy Prime […]]]> 656762 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230729-asias-strategic-autonomy-how-the-new-era-could-shape-our-collective-identities/ Sat, 29 Jul 2023 11:30:40 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=656406 In a recent speech, China's highest-ranking diplomat Wang Yi spoke of a "united Asia" and its need to develop a "strategic autonomy". In principle, Wang was not wrong; after all, a stable and prosperous Asia would benefit the region's peoples and deny Western meddlers the chance to exploit historical fault lines and sow the seeds of political division. Wang's language, although from the outside may seem simple and straightforward, is quite loaded with meaning. "No matter how blonde you dye your hair, how sharp you shape your nose, you can never become a European or American, you can never become a Westerner," Wang said, as cited by Chinese state media. In fact, common culture, beliefs and origins have historically served […]]]> 656406 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230728-africa-leaders-press-putin-to-end-ukraine-war-and-restore-grain-supplies/ Fri, 28 Jul 2023 19:40:18 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=656142 African leaders pressed Russian President, Vladimir Putin, on Friday to move ahead with their peace plan to end the Ukraine conflict and to renew a deal on the safe wartime export of Ukrainian grain that Moscow tore up last week, Reuters reports. While not directly critical of Russia, their interventions on the second day of a summit were more concerted and forceful than those that African countries have voiced until now. They served as reminders of the depth of African concern at the consequences of the war, especially rising food prices. "This war must end. And it can only end on the basis of justice and reason," African Union Commission Chairman, Moussa Faki Mahamat, told Putin and African leaders in […]]]> 656142 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230728-qatar-to-provide-ukraine-with-100m-in-humanitarian-aid-kyiv/ Fri, 28 Jul 2023 15:53:36 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=656104 Qatar will provide Ukraine with $100 million in humanitarian aid to support health, education and demining, Ukrainian Prime Minister, Denys Shmyhal, said on Friday after talks with the Gulf State's Prime Minister, Reuters reports. Qatar had earlier, on Friday, announced that Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, who also serves as Foreign Minister, was visiting Ukraine. "This money will be channelled for reconstruction in the health and education sectors, humanitarian de-mining, and other important social and humanitarian projects," Shmyhal told a joint briefing. Shmyhal said they had discussed Ukraine's peace formula – a 10-point peace plan that calls for nuclear, energy and food security, restoration of borders and other points. He thanked Qatar for its readiness to mediate in […]]]> 656104 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230728-new-momentum-turkiye-and-the-eu-are-an-inseparable-duo/ Fri, 28 Jul 2023 14:29:19 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=656075 Turkiye and the EU are facing a positive turn in their otherwise bumpy diplomatic relations. A recent EU Council conclusion calls for a more geopolitical and positive outlook toward Turkiye, while the Vilnius NATO summit resulted in a warm welcome by everyone of Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan's surprise decision to give a green light to Sweden's NATO membership. In the media, President Erdogan's move has been linked both to the sale of American F-16 fighter jets, as well as Sweden's commitment to improve intelligence cooperation, namely surrounding the PKK terrorist organisation, and unblocking Turkiye's bid to join the EU. F-16 technology is a crucial and long-standing demand from Turkiye, but the honest truth remains that independent Swedish courts do […]]]> 656075 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230727-handful-of-donations-from-russia-is-not-the-same-as-black-sea-grain-deal-un-chief/ Thu, 27 Jul 2023 18:53:19 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=655970 The UN Secretary-General said, Wednesday,, that a "handful of donations" will not be the same as the Black Sea grain deal to help ease a global food crisis, as Russia offered to provide free grain to six African countries after its withdrawal from the agreement, Anadolu Agency reports. In a press conference, Antonio Guterres warned that taking millions of tons of grains out of the market will lead to higher prices. "The increase of prices will be paid by everybody everywhere and namely by developing countries and by the vulnerable people in middle income and even developed countries," he said. "So it's not with a handful of donations to some countries, that we correct this dramatic impact that affects everybody, […]]]> 655970 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230727-foreign-meddling-and-competing-interests-hinder-any-solution-in-libya/ Thu, 27 Jul 2023 08:00:06 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=655172 If you ask any Libyan citizen about the biggest obstacles hindering political solutions in the country, the most likely answer is: external interferences and the disputes of local de-facto politicians. Since the country fell victim to the so called "Arab Spring" in 2011, it became an open arena for all sorts of external meddling in its internal affairs – usually individual foreign countries' pursuit of their own interests, regardless of what the impact could be on Libya's stability, security and economic prosperity. Worse still, most of such interests are competing with each other at the expense of the country. The internal conflict, since erupting in 2011, has turned into a regional and international conflict in which various countries are competing […]]]> 655172 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230726-egypt-remittances-from-abroad-down-26-1/ Wed, 26 Jul 2023 11:37:41 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=655156 The Central Bank of Egypt announced yesterday that remittances from Egyptians working abroad have decreased by 26.1 per cent this fiscal year. During the first nine months of the 2022-2023 fiscal year, remittances were $17.5 billion, compared to $23.5 billion the previous year. Remittances from Egyptians abroad are the largest source of foreign currency in Egypt, and the North African country is the fifth largest recipient of remittances worldwide. Exports, tourism and Suez Canal revenue are the largest forms of currency after remittances.  Income from remittances was higher than revenues from the Suez Canal and tourism combined in the 2021-2022 year. Remittances from abroad plummeted in March 2022, after Egypt devalued the pound for the first time. The government has since devalued […]]]> 655156 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230721-many-may-die-warns-un-after-end-of-black-sea-grain-deal/ Fri, 21 Jul 2023 19:44:05 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654438 A spike in grain prices since Russia quit a deal allowing the safe Black Sea export of Ukraine grain "potentially threatens hunger and worse for millions of people," the United Nations' Aid chief told the Security Council on Friday, Reuters reports. "Some will go hungry, some will starve, many may die as a result of these decisions," Martin Griffiths told the 15-member Council, adding that some 362 million people in 69 countries were in need of humanitarian aid. Russia quit the Black Sea grain deal on Monday, saying that demands to improve its own food and fertiliser exports had not been met, and that not enough Ukrainian grain had reached the poorest countries. US wheat futures in Chicago rose over 6 per cent […]]]> 654438 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230721-tunisia-saudi-arabia-sign-500m-loan-deal/ Fri, 21 Jul 2023 15:48:59 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654386 The governments of Tunisia and Saudi Arabia signed a soft loan agreement worth $400 million and a financial grant of $100 million offered by Riyadh to help mitigate Tunis' budget deficit. This came at a time when Tunisia is facing a budget deficit crisis and a decline in foreign investments. The Tunisian radio reported that Finance Minister Siham Boughdiri Nemsia and Saudi Finance Minister Muhammad Al-Jadaan signed a $400 million soft loan agreement at the Tunisian government palace in Kasbah. They also signed a $100 million grant agreement. The Tunisian minister stated that the loan and grant agreements will be directed to support the state's general budget. READ: Tunisia borrows $87.1m from African Development Bank for grain production According to the […]]]> 654386 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230721-turkiye-working-against-end-of-black-sea-grain-deal-and-resulting-fallout-president/ Fri, 21 Jul 2023 13:40:50 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654342 Ending the Black Sea grain deal as announced this week would hit hard in numerous ways, warned Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, adding that Turkiye is already working to prevent this, Anadolu Agency reports. "The termination of the Black Sea grain initiative will have a range of (harmful) effects, ranging from raising global food prices, in some regions to famine and then new waves of migration. We do not hesitate to take the initiative to prevent this," Erdogan told reporters on Thursday on the presidential plane returning from a three-nation Gulf tour. "I believe that by discussing the issue in detail with (Russian President Vladimir) Putin, we will ensure the continuation of this humanitarian movement," he added, hinting at Turkiye's […]]]> 654342 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230720-turkiye-hopes-black-sea-grain-deal-will-continue-national-defence-ministry/ Thu, 20 Jul 2023 13:46:01 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654143 Thought it expired on Monday, Turkiye is still working hard to ensure the continuation of last year's landmark Black Sea grain deal, the country's National Defence Ministry said on Thursday, Anadolu Agency reports. "The whole world attaches great importance to maintenance of the grain deal. It is clear that the agreement, which was established through joint efforts, plays a vital role in tackling the global food crisis," a National Defence Ministry official told reporters at a background briefing in the capital, Ankara. Russia, on Monday, suspended its participation in the deal, which it signed last July along with Turkiye, the UN and Ukraine to resume grain exports from three Ukrainian Black Sea ports paused after the Russia-Ukraine war began in […]]]> 654143 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230720-israel-jewish-immigration-numbers-fall/ Thu, 20 Jul 2023 10:16:42 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654090 The annual rate of Jewish immigration to Israel has fallen significantly since start of this year, according to the Ministry of Immigration. The decline is being attributed to the ongoing instability in the country due to the massive protests against the government's planned judicial overhaul. Since the beginning of January, 29,293 Jews from around the world have migrated to Israel, recording a 19 per cent fall on the same period last year. Almost 80 per cent of the immigrants —22,851 – came from Russia, and 1,463 arrived from Ukraine. READ: Israel asks France to intervene to prevent confrontation with Hezbollah]]> 654090 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230720-tunisia-borrows-87-1m-from-african-development-bank-for-grain-production/ Thu, 20 Jul 2023 09:57:26 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654085 Tunisia has borrowed $87.1 million from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to support the country's grain production, Anadolu has reported. The loan agreement was signed by Economy and Planning Minister Samir Saied and AfDB Deputy Director General for North Africa Region, Malinne Blomberg. Minister Saied said that the multimillion-dollar loan will be used to support the sustainable development of the grain sector and increase the country's strategic grain storage capacity from two to three months' requirements. This will be done through the rehabilitation and modernisation of the Rades and Bizerte port silos, the creation of a new silo at Djebel Djeloud and the relaunch of grain transport by rail, he explained. READ: Tunisia receives four T-6C training aircraft from the US […]]]> 654085 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230719-turkiye-nato-agenda-sweden-bid-f-16s-and-war-mediation/ Wed, 19 Jul 2023 19:00:15 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=653785 Last week was, by all standards, a historical turning point for the relationship between Turkiye and its NATO allies. Three important developments were witnessed at the Vilnius summit. First, there was the long-awaited breakthrough in negotiations, which allowed Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to finally approve Sweden's membership. Secondly, the US had finally agreed to the sale of its F-16 fighter jets to Turkiye and, finally, Turkiye's offer to play a greater mediating role in the Ukraine-Russia was welcomed. Sweden's bid After more than a year of negotiations, Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, agreed to endorse Sweden's entry into NATO. Ankara had blocked Stockholm's membership bid over accusations that the Swedish government supported PKK terrorist groups and allowed Islamophobic campaigners to desecrate […]]]> 653785 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230719-russia-warns-against-any-ships-travelling-to-ukraine-from-thursday/ Wed, 19 Jul 2023 18:20:36 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=653842 Russia warned that, from Thursday, any ships travelling to Ukraine's Black Sea ports will be seen as possibly carrying military cargoes after Ukraine said it was setting up a temporary shipping route to try and continue its grain exports, Reuters reports. The moves by both countries, on Wednesday, came just days after Russia quit a deal – brokered by the United Nations and Turkiye – that allowed the safe Black Sea export of Ukraine grain for the past year, and revoked its guarantees of safe navigation. Ukraine has made clear that it wants to try and continue its Black Sea grain shipments and told the UN shipping agency, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), that it had "decided to establish on a temporary […]]]> 653842 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230719-talks-on-repatriating-ukraine-children-from-russia-under-way-since-at-least-april-source/ Wed, 19 Jul 2023 17:56:47 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=653839 Talks being mediated by Saudi Arabia and Turkiye on the repatriation of Ukrainian thousands of children taken to Russia since Moscow's invasion have been under way since at least April, a source with knowledge of the discussions said on Wednesday, Reuters reports. The source confirmed a Financial Times report that Riyadh and Istanbul were trying to broker a deal to bring home children who have been have been taken to Russia and placed in children's homes or adopted by Russian families. Ukraine has accused Russia of carrying out illegal deportations. Moscow, which controls parts of Ukraine's east and south, denies abducting children and says they have been transported away for their own safety. "The Turks and the Saudis, especially, have been showing […]]]> 653839 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230718-ukraine-cargo-insurance-policy-suspended-after-russia-quits-grain-deal-marsh/ Tue, 18 Jul 2023 18:01:15 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=653371 A cargo insurance facility providing cover for Ukraine grain shipments via a safe sea corridor has been suspended after Russia quit the United Nations-backed agreement, broker Marsh said on Tuesday. Moscow has withdrawn from the year-old grain export deal in a move the United Nations said risked creating hunger around the world, Reuters reports. The marine cargo and war facility provided cover up to $50 million per cargo and was led by Lloyd's of London insurer, Ascot, together with other underwriters. "It is currently on pause; it is suspended effectively due to the agreement not being extended," said David Roe, head of UK cargo at Marsh, which acted as the facility's broker. READ: Insurers reviewing Black Sea ship cover after […]]]> 653371 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230718-kremlin-warns-of-risks-in-resuming-grain-deal-without-russia/ Tue, 18 Jul 2023 16:17:22 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=653359 The Kremlin warned on Tuesday about the risks that could arise if the Black Sea grain deal is resumed without Russia, Anadolu Agency reports. The Black Sea Grain Initiative's routes are very close to the war zone, which must be taken into consideration in the event of a new agreement, Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, noted at a press conference in Moscow. "This is a question that needs a response from our military because we are talking about a zone that is directly close to the area of ​​combat activities where, without appropriate guarantees, certain risks arise. Therefore, if something is to be drafted without Russia, then these risks should be taken into account," he stressed. The Kremlin spokesman noted that […]]]> 653359 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230718-japan-pm-kishida-to-visit-qatar-for-lng-talks/ Tue, 18 Jul 2023 14:52:34 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=653327 Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, is due to arrive in major gas-producer, Qatar, on Tuesday for the final leg of a Gulf tour that has focused on securing future energy supplies and promoting Japanese high-tech, Reuters reports. Kishida, who has been urged by Japan's gas lobby to secure new liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies from Qatar, is expected to hold talks with Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, as well as Qatar's Minister of State for Energy and QatarEnegy's Chief Executive, Saad Al Kaabi. Japan, which remains highly dependent on oil and gas imports, did not renew several long-term LNG contracts with Qatar when they lapsed in 2021 and 2022, significantly reducing gas imports from one of the world's top LNG […]]]> 653327 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230718-turkiye-russia-foreign-ministers-discuss-black-sea-grain-deal-over-phone/ Tue, 18 Jul 2023 12:50:22 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=653303 Turkiye's Foreign Minister, on Tuesday, spoke with his Russian counterpart over the phone to discuss the Black Sea grain deal which Moscow suspended, Turkish diplomatic sources said on Tuesday, Anadolu Agency reports. Hakan Fidan and Sergey Lavrov addressed the latest developments regarding the Black Sea grain deal and the procurement of a fire-fighting aircraft from Russia to use in forest fires, according to the sources who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to media. A year ago, Turkiye, the UN, Russia and Ukraine signed an agreement in Istanbul to resume grain exports from three Ukrainian Black Sea ports which had been paused after the Russia-Ukraine war began in February 2022. A Joint Coordination Centre with officials […]]]> 653303 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230717-insurers-reviewing-black-sea-ship-cover-after-russia-quits-deal/ Mon, 17 Jul 2023 19:39:01 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=653213 Insurers are reviewing whether to freeze cover for any ships willing to sail to Ukraine after Russia, on Monday, quit a UN-backed deal that allows the export of grain through a wartime Black Sea safe corridor, industry sources said, Reuters reports. The agreement, brokered by Turkiye last July, aimed to alleviate a global food crisis by allowing Ukrainian grain blocked by Russia's February 2022 invasion of its neighbour to be exported safely. "Due to the collapse of the Black Sea corridor deal, most ship owners will now refrain from calling Ukrainian ports," said Christian Vinther Christensen, chief Operating Officer with Danish shipping group, NORDEN. The last ship left Ukraine under the deal on Sunday. Insurance has been vital to ensure shipments […]]]> 653213 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230717-russia-suspends-black-sea-grain-deal/ Mon, 17 Jul 2023 16:23:27 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=653189 Russia, on Monday, suspended the Black Sea grain deal, the Kremlin said, Anadolu Agency reports. "The Black Sea agreements ceased to be valid today. As the President of the Russian Federation (Vladimir Putin) said earlier, the deadline is 17 July. Unfortunately, the part relating to Russia in this Black Sea agreement has not been implemented, so far. Therefore, its effect is terminated," Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said in a news conference. Peskov further said that Russia will return to implementing the grain deal as soon as the Russian part of the deal is fulfilled. A year ago, Turkiye, the UN, Russia and Ukraine signed an agreement in Istanbul to resume grain exports from three Ukrainian Black Sea ports which had […]]]> 653189 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230717-nearly-33m-tons-of-grain-transported-by-over-1000-ships-through-black-sea-grain-corridor/ Mon, 17 Jul 2023 15:28:53 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=652961 Nearly 33 million tons of grain have, so far, been transported by over 1,000 ships as part of the Black Sea grain corridor deal, which Turkiye helped broker last year in an effort to eliminate the risk of a food crisis amid the Russia-Ukraine war, Anadolu Agency reports. According to information compiled by an Anadolu correspondent, since the first ship's departure on 1 August, 2022, more than 1,000 ships have transported nearly 33 million tons of grain through the grain corridor. The grain transported through the corridor was distributed as follows: 40 per cent to Europe, 30 per cent to Asia, 13 per cent to Turkiye, 12 per cent to Africa and 5 per cent to the Middle East. In […]]]> 652961 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230717-germany-urges-russia-to-extend-black-sea-grain-deal/ Mon, 17 Jul 2023 13:27:32 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=652927 Germany, on Monday, called on Russia to reconsider its decision to suspend the Black Sea grain export agreement, emphasising that the dispute should not be fought "on the backs of the poor", Anadolu Agency reports. Christiane Hoffmann, the government's spokeswoman, said at a news conference in Berlin that her country "continues to appeal to Russia to make a further extension of the grain agreement possible and not to fight out this dispute on the backs of the poorest on this planet." "And we are hoping for a grain agreement which is not always agreed upon for a limited period or for a short period of time, but that we are hoping that it will also be possible to export grain […]]]> 652927 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230714-turkiye-president-voices-hope-for-black-sea-grain-deal-extension/ Fri, 14 Jul 2023 16:49:15 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=652375 Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on Friday, voiced hope that the parties to the Black Sea grain deal will extend the agreement set to expire on Monday, Anadolu Agency reports. "We are preparing to host (Russian President Vladimir) Putin in Turkiye in August. We are of the same mind on the extension of the Black Sea grain corridor. "(UN Secretary-General Antonio) Guterres sent a letter to Putin. I hope that with this letter, we assure the extension of the grain corridor deal with the joint efforts of us and Russia," Erdogan told reporters after Friday prayers in Istanbul. This will help solve the problems of poor African countries, Erdogan said, adding that Putin had also agreed with this. Previously, Putin […]]]> 652375 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230714-un-scrambles-to-save-black-sea-grain-deal-with-eu-help-ahead-of-monday-deadline/ Fri, 14 Jul 2023 14:34:07 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=652355 The European Commission is helping the United Nations and Turkiye try to extend a deal allowing the Black Sea export of Ukraine grain and is open to "explore all solutions", a European Union spokesperson said on Thursday, ahead of the deal's possible expiration on Monday, Reuters reports. The UN and Turkiye brokered the Black Sea Grain Initiative with Russia and Ukraine in July 2022 to help alleviate a global food crisis worsened by Moscow's invasion and blockade of Ukrainian ports. Ukraine and Russia are among the world's leading grain exporters. The EU is considering connecting a subsidiary of the Russian Agricultural Bank (Rosselkhozbank) to the international payment network SWIFT to allow for grain and fertiliser transactions, sources familiar with discussions told Reuters […]]]> 652355 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230713-russia-lavrov-i-have-not-heard-new-proposals-on-black-sea-grain-deal/ Thu, 13 Jul 2023 13:36:26 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=652116 Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, said on Thursday that he had not heard of any new proposals on the Black Sea grain deal which expires next week, but was working with Turkiye on ways to ensure Russian grain exports, regardless of any deal, Reuters reports. UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has proposed to President Vladimir Putin that he extend the deal in return for connecting a subsidiary of Russia's agricultural bank to the SWIFT international payment system, sources told Reuters. Russia has threatened to ditch the grain deal, which expires next Monday, because its demands to ensure shipments of its own grain and fertiliser have not been met. The last two ships travelling under the Black Sea accord are currently loading cargoes at the […]]]> 652116 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230712-un-chief-sends-letter-to-putin-in-effort-to-extend-grain-deal-as-deadline-looms/ Wed, 12 Jul 2023 19:35:10 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=652013 UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, sent a letter to Russian President, Vladimir Putin, in an effort to renew the Black Sea grain deal as the deadline is nearing, said a spokesperson on Wednesday, Anadolu Agency reports. "The objective is to remove hurdles affecting financial transactions through the Russian Agricultural Bank, a major concern expressed by the Russian Federation, and simultaneously allow for the continued flow of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea," Stephane Dujarric told reporters. The agreement expires on 17 July. Asked if Russia responded to the letter, Dujarric replied: "We know they have it, and we know they're looking at it." "Together, the agreements have been contributing to sustained reductions in global food prices, which are now more than […]]]> 652013 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230711-nato-allies-welcome-agreement-between-turkiye-sweden-vilnius-summit-communique/ Tue, 11 Jul 2023 17:54:09 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=651569 NATO allies, on Tuesday, welcomed an agreement between Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Swedish Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson, that paved the way for the Nordic country's entry into the military alliance, Reuters reports. "We look forward to welcoming Sweden as a full member of the Alliance and, in this regard, welcome the agreement reached between the NATO Secretary-General (Jens Stoltenberg), the President of Turkiye and the Prime Minister of Sweden," said a joint statement issued after day one of the ongoing NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. Turkiye, on Monday, agreed to send Sweden's NATO Accession Protocol to its Parliament for ratification. READ: Does Sweden provoke Turkiye to avoid joining NATO? The communiqué described the fight against terrorism as "essential" for […]]]> 651569 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230711-george-orwell-and-russia/ Tue, 11 Jul 2023 12:18:44 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=651379 The 20th century had no more prolific writer on the dangers of authoritarianism than Eric Arthur Blair, better known by his pen name, George Orwell. Orwell's writings continue to impact us today and, in Russia, his works continue to have a special resonance as Masha Karp explores in her new book, George Orwell and Russia. Reflecting upon the contemporary relevance in the context of Putin's Russia and the war in Ukraine, Karp writes, "Back in 1942, Orwell was looking for ways to stop the world from sliding into totalitarian nightmare where there is no objective truth and the 'leader' can control the past, present and future", Orwell points to two things that authoritarian post-truthers and those concerned by them should […]]]> 651379 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230710-ukraine-commanders-exchanged-with-turkiye-russia-says-it-violated-the-deal/ Mon, 10 Jul 2023 16:50:48 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=651093 Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has returned home from a visit to Turkiye, with five commanders of Ukraine's former garrison in Mariupol, a move Russia said violated the terms of a prisoner exchange deal engineered last year, Reuters reports. According to the report, Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said on Saturday that Ankara had promised under the exchange agreement to keep the men in Turkiye and complained that Moscow had not been informed of the move. Zelenskyy, on Saturday, posted a one-minute video showing himself and other officials shaking hands and hugging the smiling commanders before they boarded a Czech aeroplane together. "We are returning home from Turkiye and bringing our heroes home," said Zelenskyy, who met Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for talks […]]]> 651093 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230710-turkiyes-fenerbahce-fc-has-blood-on-their-hands-for-playing-in-russia/ Mon, 10 Jul 2023 15:53:42 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=651084 READ: Does Sweden provoke Turkiye to avoid joining NATO?]]> 651084 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230710-does-sweden-provoke-turkiye-to-avoid-joining-nato/ Mon, 10 Jul 2023 15:00:36 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=651050 Focusing on Russia again, just like in the first Cold War, NATO has returned to its default settings. As of 2021, it has turned toward expanding its sphere of activity to cover the immediate vicinity of the People's Republic of China. Russia's war against Ukraine brought new expansion plans for the alliance to the forefront. The NATO membership of Sweden and Finland was brought to the fore at the peak of the conflict during the Russia-Ukraine war, when the possibility of a Russian nuclear attack was on the table. While the American Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) did not confirm the possibility of a Russian nuclear attack, the White House insisted that the threat was real. Given the current state of […]]]> 651050 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230710-countries-repatriating-gold-in-wake-of-sanctions-against-russia-study/ Mon, 10 Jul 2023 14:43:11 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=651076 An increasing number of countries are repatriating gold reserves as protection against the sort of sanctions imposed by the West on Russia, according to an Invesco survey of Central Bank and sovereign wealth funds published on Monday, Reuters reports. The financial market rout last year caused widespread losses for sovereign money managers who are "fundamentally" rethinking their strategies on the belief that higher inflation and geopolitical tensions are here to stay. Over 85 per cent of the 85 sovereign wealth funds and 57 Central Banks that took part in the annual Invesco Global Sovereign Asset Management Study believe that inflation will now be higher in the coming decade than in the last. Gold and emerging market bonds are seen as […]]]> 651076 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230708-from-icc-to-sportswashing-the-wests-self-serving-narratives-must-be-combated/ Sat, 08 Jul 2023 13:07:41 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=650592 In March, the South African Communist Party (SACP) denounced what it described as the "imperialist bias" of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The denunciation of the ICC as a "supranational institution at the service of imperialist states" came two days after the Hague-based court issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin and another Russian official for alleged war crimes in Ukraine. The speed with which the case against Putin was lodged, discussed and followed by concrete action raised many questions about the integrity, balance and political agenda of the Western-inclined court. While Palestinians immediately, and rightly, protested the hypocrisy of the ICC as it continues to treat alleged Israeli war criminals with kid gloves, Iraqis, Afghans, but mostly […]]]> 650592 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230707-impressive-advocate-un-aid-chief-commends-turkiyes-role-in-black-sea-grain-deal/ Fri, 07 Jul 2023 19:51:53 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=650500 The UN Aid chief said on Friday that Turkiye plays a "very active" role in the Black Sea grain deal as the deadline is nearing to extend the agreement beyond 17 July, Anadolu Agency reports. "We speak two or three times a week with Ankara about it," Martin Griffiths told reporters at UN headquarters in New York. "Turkiye is a big, impressive advocate and a diplomatic actor in this." His remarks came amid concerns that Russia will not agree to extend the grain deal. The agreement, initially signed in July of last year in Istanbul by Turkiye, the UN, Russia and Ukraine, aimed to resume grain exports from Ukrainian ports. These exports had been halted due to the conflict between Russia and […]]]> 650500 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230707-russia-says-it-is-closely-following-talks-between-erdogan-zelenskyy/ Fri, 07 Jul 2023 12:32:02 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=650400 Russia will closely follow Friday's talks between Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Kremlin said, Anadolu Agency reports. "Of course, we will follow the results of the negotiations very closely. We maintain our constructive partnership relations with Ankara, value these relations and feel reciprocity from the Turkish side. Therefore, of course, we will be interested to know what will be discussed between Mr. Erdogan and Mr. Zelenskyy. It is important," spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters at a press briefing in Moscow on Friday. The spokesman also praised efforts of the Turkish President aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, which broke out last year in February. "Erdogan has repeatedly made great efforts to resolve […]]]> 650400 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230706-hydrogen-money-can-be-beneficial-for-green-infrastructure-in-the-middle-east/ Thu, 06 Jul 2023 18:00:26 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=650192 The conversation about climate change needs to shift from simply reducing carbon emissions to ensuring developing nations can take part in a diversified green economy in the Middle East region. Yet, first it is important to accept that governments have hardly any source of revenues, independent from oil and gas. In Iraq, for instance, that dependence exceeds 90 per cent. If government revenues in the region are dominated by hydrocarbons, hydrocarbon revenues will have to finance the new, clean energy infrastructure. Since the start of the Ukraine war, two main issues changed the pattern of diplomacy in the Middle East: grain and hydrocarbons. Many countries in the region were forced to radically rethink their grain import strategies in the following […]]]> 650192