International
Erdogan Backs Zelensky’s Peace Plan “in Principle,” Urges More Diplomacy
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed “in principle” his support for the 10-point peace plan presented in 2022 by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which envisions an unconditional withdrawal of Russia, while also calling for “more diplomacy.”
“I believe that at least a joint effort should be initiated to determine the general parameters of peace. In this regard, we support in principle the 10-point peace plan proposed by the Ukrainian president,” Erdogan said in a video message sent to the Western Balkans Summit in Tirana today, which Zelensky also attended.
Plan Proposed in 2022
The aforementioned plan, proposed at the end of 2022, envisages the withdrawal of all Russian troops from Ukrainian territory, the restoration of internationally recognized borders, and the establishment of a tribunal to prosecute Russian war crimes.
Zelensky emphasized in Tirana the need to receive money and weapons to defend against Russian aggression by proposing initiatives to manufacture more ammunition to Balkan countries, while Erdogan insisted on the importance of negotiations.
“I maintain my opinion that diplomacy and dialogue should be given a chance to end the war with a just and lasting peace. It is crucial to use diplomatic channels at the highest level to achieve this goal,” the Turkish president said.
Turkey “Supports the Independence” of Ukraine
He recalled that Turkey “supports the independence, sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of Ukraine,” mentioned its numerous mediation attempts between Kiev and Moscow, and expressed readiness to resume negotiations held in Istanbul in March 2022, which were ultimately fruitless.
Erdogan also invoked the reactivation of the grain export agreement from Ukrainian ports, negotiated with Turkish assistance and suspended by Russia last July, and noted that he is in contact with the United Nations for “a new regulation, with security commitments in the Black Sea.”
International
Trump criticizes Panama Canal fees and demands U.S. control over strategic waterway
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump criticized what he described as unfair fees imposed on American ships passing through the Panama Canal and threatened to demand that Washington take back control of the strategic waterway.
“Our Navy and commerce have been threatened in a very unjust and reckless way. The rates that Panama charges are ridiculous,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
The president-elect also denounced the growing influence of China in the canal, a situation he called concerning as U.S. businesses depend on the waterway to transport goods between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
“This complete scam against our country will end immediately,” he stated.
The Panama Canal, completed by the United States in 1914, was handed over to Panama under the 1977 treaty signed by Democratic President Jimmy Carter. Panama took full control of the commercial passage in 1999.
“It was exclusively for Panama to manage, not China or anyone else,” Trump said. “We would never allow it to fall into the wrong hands!”
“If Panama cannot guarantee a ‘safe, efficient, and reliable’ operation of the canal, we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us in its entirety, without a doubt,” the Republican added.
Panamanian authorities did not immediately respond to Trump’s statements. While he will assume office on January 20, Trump has been exerting his political influence in the final days of President Joe Biden’s administration.
Five percent of global maritime trade passes through the Panama Canal, which allows vessels traveling from Asia to the U.S. East Coast to avoid the long and dangerous route around the southern tip of South America.
The countries that use the Panama Canal the most are the United States, China, Japan, and South Korea.
In October, the Panama Canal Authority reported earnings of nearly $5 billion in the last fiscal year.
International
Putin vows retaliation following drone attack on luxury building in Kazan
Russian President Vladimir Putin promised more “destruction” in Ukraine on Sunday, in response to a drone strike that hit a residential building in the city of Kazan, located in central Russia, on Saturday.
Russia accused Ukraine of launching a “massive” drone attack, which struck a luxury apartment block in Kazan, about 1,000 kilometers from the border.
Videos shared on Russian social media show drones hitting a high-rise glass building. No casualties have been reported as a result of the attack.
In his statements, Putin addressed the local leader of Tatarstan, the region where Kazan is located, during a virtual ceremony marking the opening of a road.
The attack in Kazan is the latest in a series of increasingly frequent bombings in this nearly three-year-old conflict. Ukraine has not commented on the attack.
Putin had previously threatened to strike the center of Kyiv with a hypersonic ballistic missile in response to Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory.
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that the recent Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities were retaliation for Ukraine’s use of Western-supplied missiles to target Russian territory.
International
Small plane crashes in Gramado, Brazil, killing nine people
At least nine people were killed on Sunday after a small aircraft crashed in a commercial area of the tourist city of Gramado, in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, authorities confirmed.
“There are nine confirmed deaths according to Civil Defense services, and there are no survivors from the plane,” said Cléber dos Santos Lima, director of the Interior Police Department of the Civil Police of the state, in a statement to AFP.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact number of passengers and crew aboard the aircraft, a turbo-prop Piper Cheyenne 400. However, Civil Defense had previously stated that “preliminarily, the plane was carrying ten people.”
The plane crashed on Sunday morning “into the chimney of a building, then onto the second floor of a house, and finally fell onto a furniture store,” according to a statement from the Rio Grande do Sul Public Security Secretariat.
Trump criticizes Panama Canal fees and demands U.S. control over strategic waterway
Putin vows retaliation following drone attack on luxury building in Kazan
Small plane crashes in Gramado, Brazil, killing nine people
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Ecuador prison riot leaves at least 43 dead
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