Connect with us

News

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban Meets Chinese Leader Xi Jinping in Beijing Amid Rising Tensions

Published

on

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban Meets Chinese Leader Xi Jinping in Beijing Amid Rising Tensions

Beijing – Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Monday, following controversial visits to Moscow and Kyiv that Orban described as part of a “peace mission.”

Orban, often criticized in the West for his pro-Russia stance amidst Moscow’s aggression against Ukraine, posted a photo of his arrival at a Beijing airport on social media platform X, captioned “Peace mission 3.0.” The talks between the two leaders at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse centered on “in-depth communication” about the war in Ukraine, according to a readout from Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.

Orban’s visit to China occurred just a day before a NATO summit in Washington, where US President Joe Biden is set to host leaders from the alliance, including Hungary, to discuss continued support for Ukraine. Orban’s spokesperson confirmed that Washington would be his next stop after Beijing.

China, Russia’s most crucial diplomatic ally, is also expected to be a key topic at the NATO gathering. NATO leaders have expressed increasing alarm over what they perceive as China’s backing of Russia’s war effort through the provision of dual-use goods and other forms of support. Beijing has denied supplying weapons to either side and insists it maintains strict controls on dual-use exports. China claims neutrality in the conflict but has positioned itself as a potential peace broker while deepening ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

During Monday’s meeting, Xi reiterated Beijing’s call for a ceasefire in Ukraine, a stance that has been criticized in the West for seemingly aiding Russia in consolidating its territorial gains without demanding the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian soil. Orban, seen as Putin’s closest ally in Europe, has also been advocating for a ceasefire rather than military support for Ukraine.

Orban praised China as a “key power in creating the conditions for peace” and highlighted the importance of his visit to Beijing, coming just two months after Xi’s official visit to Budapest. Xi emphasized that China and Hungary share similar views on Ukraine and indirectly criticized the United States and its allies for “fanning” the conflict by arming Ukraine.

Orban’s visit to Beijing follows his recent trips to Russia and Ukraine, which took place just a week after Hungary assumed the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union. His meeting with Putin in Moscow marked the first visit by an EU leader since April 2022 and drew criticism from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who condemned Orban’s approach and stressed that unity and determination are essential for achieving a lasting peace in Ukraine.

Orban’s diplomatic tour is set to conclude with his participation in the NATO summit in Washington, where he is expected to brief other leaders on his recent talks with Putin and Xi. His visit to Moscow came after a stop in Kyiv, where he proposed a ceasefire to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, a suggestion dismissed by Zelensky’s office, which maintains that restoring Ukraine’s territorial integrity is a prerequisite for peace.

Orban and Xi last met in May when they upgraded bilateral ties to an “all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership,” despite mounting European concerns over China’s security threat. During Monday’s meeting, Xi reiterated his wish for Hungary to play an “active role” in promoting stable China-EU relations during its EU Council presidency.

News

Two Dead, Nearly 200 Injured as PSG Title Celebrations Turn Violent Across France

Published

on

What began as jubilant celebrations of Paris Saint-Germain’s historic UEFA Champions League victory ended in violence and tragedy in parts of France, with two people killed and nearly 200 injured during street festivities that spiraled out of control.

Authorities confirmed on Sunday that a 17-year-old boy was fatally stabbed in the southwestern town of Dax during a PSG street gathering, while in Paris, a man died after his scooter was struck by a car amid the crowded celebrations. Both incidents are currently under investigation.

The unrest followed PSG’s dramatic win in Munich, where the club secured its first-ever Champions League title, marking a milestone in French football history. While fans across the country took to the streets to celebrate, several areas descended into violence.

According to the French Interior Ministry, a total of 294 people were arrested nationwide as of 2 a.m. Sunday. Of the nearly 200 injured, 21 were police officers—18 of them in Paris alone. One officer remains in a medically induced coma after being struck in the face by a firework.

Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau condemned the violence in a statement on social media. “True PSG fans are celebrating a magnificent achievement. Meanwhile, barbarians have taken to the streets to commit crimes and provoke law enforcement,” he said. “It is unacceptable that people cannot celebrate without being endangered by a violent minority.”

Despite the unrest, the majority of gatherings were peaceful, authorities noted, with large crowds celebrating the historic win in cities including Marseille, Lyon, and Lille.

The PSG squad returned to Paris from Munich on Sunday afternoon aboard a Qatar Airways charter flight, arriving at 4 p.m. The team is expected to continue celebrations in the capital with tens of thousands of fans, under heightened security measures.

The violent turn of events has reignited debate in France over crowd control during major sporting celebrations, and how best to ensure public safety without dampening national enthusiasm.

PSG’s Champions League triumph marks a defining moment for the club, which has long pursued European glory. As the team prepares for a hero’s welcome, officials are urging fans to celebrate responsibly and respect public safety.

Continue Reading

News

Ukraine Launches Major Drone Assault on Russian Airfields, Hits Over 40 Strategic Bombers

Published

on

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has claimed responsibility for a large-scale drone strike on four Russian air bases over the weekend, targeting dozens of strategic bombers across vast swaths of Russian territory — from Siberia to the Arctic.

According to Ukrainian officials, the operation, codenamed “Spiderweb” (Pavutyna), was launched on June 1 and struck 41 long-range bombers stationed at airfields in Russia’s Ryazan, Ivanovo, Irkutsk, and Murmansk regions. The attack is being hailed by Kyiv as one of its most ambitious and far-reaching strikes since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

“Enemy strategic bombers are burning en masse in Russia,” a senior SBU official said, noting that the operation was specifically designed to cripple Moscow’s airstrike capabilities. “This is a large-scale special operation aimed at destroying enemy bomber aircraft.”

The four airfields targeted were Dyagilevo in the Ryazan region, Ivanovo in central Russia, Belaya air base in Irkutsk — over 4,000 kilometers from the front lines — and Olenya air base on the Kola Peninsula near the Arctic, roughly 2,000 kilometers from Ukraine’s border.

Ukrainian officials described the complex logistics of the operation, which involved covertly transporting drones deep into Russian territory, hiding them until the time of launch, and remotely executing the strikes. While specific details remain classified, Ukraine previously revealed it had developed drones with a flight range of up to 3,000 kilometers, enabling long-range operations like this.

Satellite imagery analyzed after the attack shows the presence of several high-value Russian aircraft types at the affected bases, including the Tu-95, Tu-22M3, Tu-160, and A-50 radar planes. These aircraft have been central to Russia’s long-range missile campaign against Ukraine.

The Tu-22M3, for example, is capable of carrying Kh-22 and Kh-32 cruise missiles at speeds exceeding Mach 4. The Tu-95, a Cold War-era bomber once designed to carry nuclear weapons, has been retrofitted to launch conventional cruise missiles. The A-50 aircraft provides airborne radar surveillance and target coordination for Russian forces.

The scale of the strike underscores Ukraine’s growing long-range capabilities and signals a shift in Kyiv’s strategy to disrupt Russian air operations at their source. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had held meetings with the Ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs, along with the General Staff and SBU, to coordinate further defense and counter-offensive planning.

There has been no immediate official response from Moscow regarding the extent of damage caused.

Continue Reading

News

German Chancellor Merz to Meet President Trump in Washington Amid Global Tensions

Published

on

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is set to make his first official visit to Washington next week for talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, the German government confirmed Saturday. The high-level meeting comes as global concerns mount over Russia’s war in Ukraine, rising tensions in the Middle East, and a looming trade dispute between the United States and the European Union.

Chancellor Merz, who assumed office on May 6, will hold bilateral talks with President Trump at the White House on Thursday. The meeting will be followed by a joint press conference and a working lunch, according to U.S. and German officials. Merz is scheduled to depart Berlin late Wednesday evening after hosting a dinner with German state premiers.

Key topics on the agenda include the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, which remains a central concern for both Washington and Berlin. The leaders are also expected to address trade relations, particularly in light of President Trump’s recent threat to impose 50% tariffs on EU imports. The U.S. administration has delayed implementation until July 9, but the potential tariffs have raised alarms in European capitals.

The upcoming visit will mark the first in-person meeting between Merz and Trump, although the two leaders have maintained regular communication in recent weeks. They have held several phone calls, including one-on-one discussions and multilateral talks with other European leaders focused on efforts to end the conflict in Ukraine.

Chancellor Merz has taken an active diplomatic role since taking office, pushing for a ceasefire in Ukraine and seeking to reinforce Western unity in support of Kyiv. Just days before his U.S. trip, Merz hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin, reaffirming Germany’s military and humanitarian assistance.

Trade will be another crucial point of discussion, with Germany keen to prevent a transatlantic escalation that could damage both economies. Merz is expected to press for a negotiated solution to avoid further tariffs and protect German exports, which are heavily reliant on access to U.S. markets.

The visit is seen as a pivotal moment for Merz as he works to establish his international profile and strengthen Germany’s transatlantic ties. With global security and economic stability hanging in the balance, the meeting is expected to send key signals about the future direction of U.S.-German relations.

Continue Reading

Trending