International

Ukraine aide hits out at Merkel defence of Russia policy

AFP

Ukraine on Wednesday criticised comments by former German chancellor Angela Merkel who has insisted she was not naive in her dealings with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The veteran leader frequently met with Putin during her 16 years in power and championed a commerce-driven, pragmatic approach towards Moscow.

In her first major interview since stepping down six months ago, Merkel said Tuesday she had “nothing to apologise for” and that Moscow’s February 24 invasion was “a turning point”.

Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhaylo Podolyak responded Thursday by criticising Merkel for deepening Europe’s reliance on Russian energy.

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“If Сhancellor Merkel always knew that Russia was planning a war and Putin’s goal is to destroy the EU, then why would (Germany) build the Nord Stream 2 (pipeline),” he wrote on Twitter, referring to the now-scuppered gas pipeline connecting Russia with Germany.

Podolyak said Merkel had “shoved” Europe towards increased dependency on Russian energy supplies and asked: “Why does Germany have to fix this mistake now?”

Germany became hugely reliant on Russian energy imports on Merkel’s watch, and she long irked Western allies with her backing for the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline that was to double Russian gas deliveries to Germany.

The project was shelved by current Chancellor Olaf Scholz in late February over Russia’s aggression, and Europe’s top economy is now joining EU partners in a race to wean itself off Russian oil, gas and coal.

In another major policy reversal, Scholz has pledged to invest 100 billion euros ($107 billion) in modernising Germany’s military, seen as chronically underfunded during the Merkel era.

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The retired ex-chancellor said there was “no justification whatsoever” for the “brutal” and illegal war of aggression, adding that Putin had made “a big mistake”.

“He wants to destroy Europe,” she warned, during the interview on stage in a Berlin theatre.

“It’s very important for the European Union to stick together now,” she said, urging support for her successor’s decisions. Strength was “the only language Putin understands”, she added.

International

Habeas Corpus at risk as Trump team eyes drastic border policy shift

The White House is reportedly considering suspending habeas corpus, the legal principle that protects individuals against arbitrary detention, as part of its efforts to escalate anti-immigration measures in the United States.

In remarks to reporters, Stephen Miller, a senior advisor to President Donald Trump, argued that the U.S. Constitution allows the suspension of habeas corpus “in times of invasion.”

“It’s an option we are actively considering, and it all depends on whether the courts do the right thing or not,” Miller stated.

The Trump administration has frequently invoked the notion of a “migrant invasion” to justify actions such as the militarization of the U.S.-Mexico border and the deportation of foreign nationals—primarily Venezuelans—to El Salvador’s CECOT megaprison.

International

Maduro to Xi: Venezuela is a loyal friend to China

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro assured his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, during a meeting held in Moscow on the sidelines of the 80th anniversary of the Red Army’s victory in World War II, that China has “loyal friends” in the Caribbean nation.

“You know that in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela you have loyal friends and people willing to continue working for a new world,” said the South American leader, according to footage aired Friday by Venezuelan state broadcaster VTV.

Maduro, accompanied by several of his ministers including Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López, highlighted the “great results” of a 2023 agreement between China and Venezuela called the “All-Weather and All-Round Strategic Partnership.”

“I believe we can multiply the great results we’re already seeing, and I’m sure that strong and clear guidelines will emerge from this meeting to keep moving forward together,” Maduro added.

International

Iberojet reaffirms commitment to Honduras as Central American Hub

Spanish airline Iberojet and Palmerola International Airport, located in central Honduras, signed a three-year renewal of their exclusive agreement to operate direct flights between the Honduran terminal and the cities of Madrid and Barcelona.

With this renewal, Iberojet—part of the Spanish tourism group Ávoris Corporación Empresarial—reaffirms its commitment to Honduras as its main gateway to Central America from Europe.

The agreement was signed by Iberojet’s Commercial Director, Mario Domínguez, and Erick Spears, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Palmerola.

The signing ceremony took place at the residence of the Spanish Ambassador to Honduras, Diego Nuño García, who served as an honorary witness.