Igor Grosu
“The plebiscite is a chance for Moldovans to show loudly and clearly that we are Europeans. ... We are not entering Europe, we are returning to it.”
2 hours ago
Maia Sandu
“Joining the EU is the best thing we can give this and future generations.”
2 hours ago
Igor Dodon
“We are categorically opposed to this referendum. We are not saying 'no' to talks with the EU and we are not opposed to the EU. We oppose Sandu using it as an instrument for her own interests and those of her party. We are therefore asking voters during the campaign not to take part in the referendum.”
2 hours ago
Ben Hodges
“Since the fall of Avdiivka in Ukraine's east on February 17 [2024], its forces have oozed forward, swallowing several villages, as Ukrainian forces have performed tactical retreats. Here we are in April [2024], and [the Russians] are oozing out. Why is that? I think it's because that's the best the Russians can do. They do not have the capability to knock Ukraine out of the war. Russia lacked the ability to equip large armoured formations that could move rapidly, with supporting artillery, engineers and logistics. I don't think it exists. That's why I feel fairly confident that the mission for [Ukrainian] general Oleksandr Syrskyi for the next several months is to stabilise this as much as he can to buy time for Ukraine to grow the size of the army, to rebuild the defence industry of Ukraine, as well as give us time to find more ammunition for them. I think of 2024 as a year of industrial competition. So the army has got to buy time.”
4 hours ago
Marwan Bishara
“Once again, the US's veto demonstrated a policy of it's my way or the highway. Palestine could only be a country the way the United States sees it, or Israel sees it, only at the time that it's suitable to the United States and within the geopolitics and the global interest of the United States. The US is sacrificing the freedom of Palestinian people for egotistical and narrow interests of the United States and Israel.”
21 hours ago
Igor Grosu
“The plebiscite is a chance for Moldovans to show loudly and clearly that we are Europeans. ... We are not entering Europe, we are returning to it.”
2 hours ago
Maia Sandu
“Joining the EU is the best thing we can give this and future generations.”
2 hours ago
Igor Dodon
“We are categorically opposed to this referendum. We are not saying 'no' to talks with the EU and we are not opposed to the EU. We oppose Sandu using it as an instrument for her own interests and those of her party. We are therefore asking voters during the campaign not to take part in the referendum.”
2 hours ago
Ben Hodges
“Since the fall of Avdiivka in Ukraine's east on February 17 [2024], its forces have oozed forward, swallowing several villages, as Ukrainian forces have performed tactical retreats. Here we are in April [2024], and [the Russians] are oozing out. Why is that? I think it's because that's the best the Russians can do. They do not have the capability to knock Ukraine out of the war. Russia lacked the ability to equip large armoured formations that could move rapidly, with supporting artillery, engineers and logistics. I don't think it exists. That's why I feel fairly confident that the mission for [Ukrainian] general Oleksandr Syrskyi for the next several months is to stabilise this as much as he can to buy time for Ukraine to grow the size of the army, to rebuild the defence industry of Ukraine, as well as give us time to find more ammunition for them. I think of 2024 as a year of industrial competition. So the army has got to buy time.”
4 hours ago
Marwan Bishara
“Once again, the US's veto demonstrated a policy of it's my way or the highway. Palestine could only be a country the way the United States sees it, or Israel sees it, only at the time that it's suitable to the United States and within the geopolitics and the global interest of the United States. The US is sacrificing the freedom of Palestinian people for egotistical and narrow interests of the United States and Israel.”
21 hours ago
“We believe that the US is deliberately pouring oil on the fire. The US is obviously holding the line that it will fight Russia to the last Ukrainian.”
“NATO expansion does not make our continent more stable and secure. This cannot fail to arouse our regret, and is a reason for corresponding symmetrical responses on our side.”
“We cannot state that there was anything too promising or any breakthroughs. It is positive that Kyiv had outlined its demands but there is a lot of work to be done.”
“There is some kind of process happening. We would like more active and substantial (talks). Russia's position is well-known to the Ukrainian side because Moscow handed over its demands in written form many days ago.”
“An oil embargo is a decision that will hit everyone. Such an embargo will have a very serious impact on the world energy market, it will have a very serious negative impact on Europe's energy balance.”
“Russians have absolutely no need to run to the shops and buy-up buckwheat, sugar and toilet paper. The fuss around supplies in food stores is extremely emotional.”
“Putin gave orders to hold back on any immediate assault on large cities because the civilian losses would be large. The Defense Ministry does not rule out the possibility of putting large cities, which are already almost fully encircled, under its full control. Exceptions would be made for areas used for humanitarian evacuations. U.S. and EU leaders it seems are forcing Russia towards an assault of large Ukrainian cities to hold our country responsible for civilian deaths.”
“Our economy is experiencing a shock impact now and there are negative consequences, they will be minimised. This is absolutely unprecedented. The economic war that has started against our country has never taken place before. So it is very hard to forecast anything.”
“As you understand, there must be a corresponding response to economic banditry. This does not mean Russia is isolated. The world is too big for Europe and America to isolate a country, and even more so a country as big as Russia. There are many more countries in the world. Russia ... has an interest in being attractive for investment. Yes, now is hardly a time when we can talk about being attractive for investment, but times change quickly. A time of surging economic growth will replace this time. And a time when these same companies will again return to the market, and will be more than interested in catching up on what they've missed out on and restoring their positions. In some areas, we'll really wait for them [the companies]. In other places we'll wait for them less as their places will be taken by companies from other countries.”
“Immediate measures are certainly being taken in order to mitigate the damage from sanctions and ensure the unhindered operation of all economic sectors and systems. Russia has every possibility and potential to do that. It was created in advance for such situations. Analysis will be required to determine the retaliatory measures that would best serve our interests.”
“You and I have heard about many dates, including much more specific ones. All of them proved to be hoaxes, fakes, irresponsible allegations. None of the authors of those fakes admitted they were wrong. Perhaps, this is another fake [Western media reporting that Russia would attack Ukraine after February 20]. Hopefully, at least you and I will have no faith in such fake reports.”
“It seems positive that the U.S. president is also stating his readiness to start such serious negotiations... It's probably welcome that the president of the United States of America, one of the largest countries in the world, one of the most powerful states, really thinks about the Russian people [Biden's direct appeal to Russian citizens that 'you are not our enemy']. If we had heard the appeal without threats, then, probably, the Russian people would have been much more impressed.”
“There were positive signals that a solution to Ukraine could be based only on fulfilling the Minsk agreements. There is no indication from Zelenskiy that Ukraine's authorities are ready to quickly do what Kyiv should have done long ago. So there are positive signals and there are less positive.”
“In recent days there has been nothing new on the topic of security guarantees for Russia. Our Western interlocutors prefer not to mention this topic. Instead statements were pouring in from Western capitals about a looming Russian attack on Ukraine.”
“Based on what our colleagues said yesterday, it's absolutely clear that on the main categories outlined in those draft documents...we cannot say that our thoughts have been taken into account or that a willingness has been shown to take our concerns into account. But we won't rush with our assessments.”
“The comments [of Joe Biden] in no way contribute to defusing the tension that has now arisen in Europe. Moreover, [they] can contribute to the destabilisation of the situation.”