Crystal clear Trump wants to turn Putin from pariah to partner with lifting of some sanctions
This is a hugely significant moment. For the first time in more than three years, Washington is lifting sanctions on Moscow instead of imposing them.
It’s the most tangible evidence yet of a US-Russia rapprochement, and a crystal clear signal of Donald Trump’s intentions to turn Vladimir Putin the pariah into Putin the partner.
For now, they’re only talking about easing a handful of restrictions so that Russia’s agricultural and fertiliser exports can return to global markets.
Ukraine war latest: Russia launches drone attacks
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Black Sea ceasefire: Who benefits?
It’s important to point out that Russian food and fertiliser have, in fact, always been exempt from Western sanctions, but exports were disrupted by Russian banks’ exclusion from the SWIFT global payments system.
It has meant higher fees and delays in payments, even when it comes to cross-border trade with friendly nations.
That’s why Moscow wants sanctions to be lifted on Rosselkhozbank – the state-owned Russian agriculture bank – and for it to be reconnected to SWIFT.
Perhaps the most galling thing for Ukraine will be that Putin seems to have secured this without giving up very much. File pic: AP
One could argue that it’s just one brick in what is still a whole wall of sanctions surrounding Russia. But its removal will nevertheless be massively symbolic.
Ukraine’s Western allies were in lockstep when they built that wall – now its powerful supporter is starting the process of bringing it down.
What’s more, there’ll be fears that Moscow could abuse America’s charity here, particularly when it comes to one of the Kremlin’s other demands – lifting restrictions on the supply of agricultural machinery to Russia.
Read more from Sky News:
Trump urged to fire defence secretary over war plans leak
Drones shot down over Black Sea, Russia claims
Restrictions were imposed on agricultural machinery due to some components being classified as ‘dual-use’ goods, which could potentially aid Russia’s war machine.
What’s to say these fears won’t be realised? That parts meant for tractors and harvesters suddenly find their way into weapon production? Washington might be happy to take Moscow’s word for it, but Kyiv certainly won’t be.
Perhaps the most galling thing for Ukraine and its European allies, however, will be that Mr Putin appears to have secured this without giving up very much at all.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Ukraine and Russia agree sea deal
Yes, Russia has agreed to a maritime ceasefire. But it’s a long way short of a full ceasefire, and it’s something that was first agreed back in July 2022 with the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
Russia withdrew from that deal in 2023, unhappy at the obstacles facing its food and fertiliser exports – sound familiar?
Since then, attacks in the Black Sea have dropped off significantly. In fact, Ukrainian grain exports are pretty much back at pre-war levels already.
So, a maritime ceasefire may not actually make that much of a difference to the conflict itself. The bigger impact will be in Washington and Moscow.
For Mr Trump, it’s something to show off – proof that he’s taken a step closer to peace.
For Mr Putin, it’s Russia’s first step coming back in from the cold.
Children are among the fatalities in a mass shooting at a child’s birthday party in California.
Police said four people had died and 10 were wounded in the incident in Stockton, about 60 miles east of San Francisco.
Officers were called on Saturday to a banquet hall just before 6pm local time (2am UK time) and district attorney Ron Freitas said children were among the dead.
He said the attacker was still at large.
First responders walk through a parking lot near the scene of a mass shooting in Stockton, California. Pics: AP
“We can confirm at this time that approximately 14 individuals were struck by gunfire, and four victims have been confirmed deceased,” San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office said on X.
The post said early indications suggest it could be a “targeted incident” but that information remains limited.
Police have so far not disclosed the attacker’s identity and the motive is unclear.
Stockton’s vice mayor Jason Lee confirmed on Facebook that the shooting on Lucile Avenue happened at a child’s birthday party.
Pics: AP
Mayor Christina Fugazzi also said that “families should be together instead of at the hospital, standing next to their loved one, praying that they survive”.
California governor Gavin Newsom’s office added that he had been briefed on the “horrific shooting”.
Venezuela has accused Donald Trump of a “colonial threat” after he said the airspace “above and surrounding” the country should be considered closed “in its entirety”.
Mr Trump made the declaration amid growing tensions with President Maduro – and as the US continues attacking boats it claims are carrying drugs from Venezuela.
He wrote on Truth Social: “To all Airlines, Pilots, Drug Dealers, and Human Traffickers, please consider THE AIRSPACE ABOVE AND SURROUNDING VENEZUELA TO BE CLOSED IN ITS ENTIRETY.”
Air traffic above Venezuela on Saturday afternoon. Pic: FlightRadar24
Venezuela’s foreign affairs office called it a “colonial threat” and “illegal, and unjustified aggression”.
It accused the president of threatening “the sovereignty of the national airspace… and the full sovereignty of the Venezuelan state”.
President Trump’s words were part of a “permanent policy of aggression against our country” that breached international law and the UN Charter, it added.
The Pentagon and the White House have so far not given any additional detail on the president’s statement.
Mr Trump’s post comes after the American aviation regulator last week warned of a “potentially hazardous situation” over Venezuela due to a “worsening security situation”.
Nicolas Maduro is widely considered a dictator by the West. Pic: Reuters
The South American nation revoked operating rights for six major airlines that went on to suspend flights to the country.
Mr Trump warned a few days ago that land operations against suspected Venezuelan drug traffickers would begin “very soon”.
Such a move would be a major escalation in Operation Southern Spear – the US naval deployment in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific that’s so far attacked at least 21 vessels.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Three killed as US strikes another alleged drug boat
Venezuela has said the attacks, which have killed more than 80 people, amount to murder.
The US has released videos of boats being targeted, but hasn’t provided evidence – such as photos of their cargo – to support the smuggling claims.
Read more:
Trump may have another motive in war on drugs
The US-Venezuela crisis explained
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Venezuela claims Trump creating ‘fables’ to justify ‘war’
The Pentagon has sought to justify the strikes by labelling the drug gangs as “foreign terrorist organisations” – putting them on par with the likes of al Qaeda.
It claims the boats targeted are carrying drugs bound for the US, although Sky’s chief correspondent says the final destination is likely to be Europe and West Africa.
President Maduro has denied Mr Trump’s claims he is involved in the drugs trade himself and said his counterpart wants to oust him so he can install a more sympathetic government.
Venezuelan officials have also claimed Mr Trump’s true motivation is access to the country’s plentiful oil reserves.
Mr Maduro is widely considered a dictator who’s cheated elections and has been president since 2013.
-
Sports2 years agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports3 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports2 years agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports3 years agoButton battles heat exhaustion in NASCAR debut
-
Sports3 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports4 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment3 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment1 year agoHere are the best electric bikes you can buy at every price level in October 2024