Rina Shah
“Protests in US universities are a display of democracy in action, a welcome sight in an election year marked by concerns of voter apathy chiefly due to Israel's war on Gaza. So when I see a movement like this of students taking peaceful, non-violent action and expressing their concern about the US government backing of Israel, of where our tax money is going, I think that's extremely healthy. These students are out there concerned about America's role in backing Benjamin Netanyahu. On the one hand, we are supplying weapons and funds to do what he wants to do in Gaza, while on the other we are sending humanitarian aid to Gaza. This is the hypocrisy these students are concerned about.”
9 hours ago
Thomas Friedman
“But revenge is not a strategy. It is pure insanity that Israel is now more than six months into this war and the Israeli military leadership - and virtually the entire political class - has allowed Netanyahu to continue to pursue a 'total victory' there, including probably soon plunging deep into Rafah, without any exit plan or Arab partner lined up to step in once the war ends. If Israel ends up with an indefinite occupation of both Gaza and the West Bank, it would be a toxic military, economic and moral overstretch that would delight Israel's most dangerous foe, Iran, and repel all its allies in the West and the Arab world.”
10 hours ago
Volodymyr Zelenskiy
“Of course, I'm grateful to all of our partners who have helped us with air defence: each air defence system and each air defence missile is literally saving lives. It's important that everything works out as quickly as possible: every new agreement with our partners to strengthen our air defence, every initiative from Ukraine's friends to help us, particularly with finding and supplying Patriot [anti-aircraft missile systems]. Ukraine needs at least seven [Patriot] systems. Our partners have these Patriots. Russian terrorists can see that unfortunately our partners aren't as determined to protect Europe from terror as they are to do so in the Middle East. But [our partners] can give us the air defence systems that we need. We mustn't waste time: we need to signal determination.”
14 hours ago
Antony Blinken
“I saw that Huawei just put out a new laptop that it boasted was AI capable, that uses an Intel chip. I think it demonstrates that what we're focused on is only the most sensitive technology that could pose a threat to our security. We're not focused on cutting off trade, or for that matter containing or holding back China.”
18 hours ago
Rina Shah
“Protests in US universities are a display of democracy in action, a welcome sight in an election year marked by concerns of voter apathy chiefly due to Israel's war on Gaza. So when I see a movement like this of students taking peaceful, non-violent action and expressing their concern about the US government backing of Israel, of where our tax money is going, I think that's extremely healthy. These students are out there concerned about America's role in backing Benjamin Netanyahu. On the one hand, we are supplying weapons and funds to do what he wants to do in Gaza, while on the other we are sending humanitarian aid to Gaza. This is the hypocrisy these students are concerned about.”
9 hours ago
Thomas Friedman
“But revenge is not a strategy. It is pure insanity that Israel is now more than six months into this war and the Israeli military leadership - and virtually the entire political class - has allowed Netanyahu to continue to pursue a 'total victory' there, including probably soon plunging deep into Rafah, without any exit plan or Arab partner lined up to step in once the war ends. If Israel ends up with an indefinite occupation of both Gaza and the West Bank, it would be a toxic military, economic and moral overstretch that would delight Israel's most dangerous foe, Iran, and repel all its allies in the West and the Arab world.”
10 hours ago
Volodymyr Zelenskiy
“Of course, I'm grateful to all of our partners who have helped us with air defence: each air defence system and each air defence missile is literally saving lives. It's important that everything works out as quickly as possible: every new agreement with our partners to strengthen our air defence, every initiative from Ukraine's friends to help us, particularly with finding and supplying Patriot [anti-aircraft missile systems]. Ukraine needs at least seven [Patriot] systems. Our partners have these Patriots. Russian terrorists can see that unfortunately our partners aren't as determined to protect Europe from terror as they are to do so in the Middle East. But [our partners] can give us the air defence systems that we need. We mustn't waste time: we need to signal determination.”
14 hours ago
Antony Blinken
“I saw that Huawei just put out a new laptop that it boasted was AI capable, that uses an Intel chip. I think it demonstrates that what we're focused on is only the most sensitive technology that could pose a threat to our security. We're not focused on cutting off trade, or for that matter containing or holding back China.”
18 hours ago
“What we see in Minsk, this inhumane system of using refugees as tools to exert pressure on the European Union, has not improved but has got worse over the last days. We will toughen sanctions on individuals who are involved in this human trafficking, and we will have to talk about the fact that severe economic sanctions are inevitable ... We will have to tackle the airlines, too.”
“We will not be able to accept the continuation of this irresponsible policy without taking action. Germany is the largest bilateral supporter of Bosnia and Herzegovina. But it is clear: we cannot and will not channel German taxpayers' money into an entity that is actively working to destroy Bosnia and Herzegovina as a whole state. Germany will also think about individual measures against those who question the territorial integrity of the country.”
“To schedule a show at the United Nations won't serve anything. What's important are concrete deeds and not just words, including on human rights and in particular the rights of women and on an inclusive government and distancing from terrorist groups.”
“I personally believe there is absolutely no way around having talks with the Taliban … because we absolutely cannot afford to have instability in Afghanistan. That would aid terrorism and have a huge negative impact on neighbouring countries. We are not looking at questions of formal recognition, but we want to solve the existing problems - regarding the people in Afghanistan, the German citizens, but also the local staff who want to leave the country.”
“We note, in particular with China, that the supply of vaccines was also used to make very clear political demands of various countries. In order to prevent this from happening in the first place we don't just have to criticize it, but we have to ensure that the affected countries have alternatives. Those alternative are the vaccines we have available, and which we, of course, want to make available to as many countries and regions in the world as possible. [That way] the Russians and the Chinese can't continue to conduct their difficult vaccine diplomacy in this fashion, which only has the purpose of increasing their own influence and not necessarily to save people's lives in the first instance.”
“Today we have confirmed and decided that sectoral sanctions will be taken against Belarus, which will have a severe impact on the Belarusian economy. We want the release of the political prisoners, an end to the violence against protesters and the opposition, and an inclusive dialogue that will lead to free and fair elections.”
“I know that visa liberalization is important to citizens. Germany's position is clear that Kosovo has fulfilled visa liberalization criteria and visas should be waved. The EU should keep its promise given to Kosovo and during Germany's EU Presidency it was a priority and we will remain to engage that visa liberalization to be implemented as soon as possible.”
“The time is right for continuing the normalization process -- and to achieve results. It is important not to hold this dialogue just for dialogue's sake, there must be results. Germany stands ready to help in this respect.”
“I can understand that this isn't fast enough for many, and of course I see that there are others offering vaccines and who expect favourable political conduct in return. But I am firmly convinced that despite the delay that nobody is pleased about … we can finally start delivering a large number of vaccines to the western Balkans.”
“Russia is bound by its own constitution and by international obligations to the principle of the rule of law and to the protection of civil rights. These principles must, of course, be applied to Alexei Navalny as well. He should be released immediately.”
“Journalism is not a crime but an indispensable service to society – even and especially when it looks critically and investigatively on the fingers of those in power.”
“Germany has worked hard to facilitate a dialogue between the European Union and Turkey over the past months. But there have been too many provocations, and tensions between Turkey, Cyprus and Greece have prevented any direct talks. For this reason, we will talk about what consequences we should draw – also with a view to the EU summit this week.”
“The goal of this conference is not stopping the migration. Whoever worked on it failed and mobility is part of the EU. However, we cannot close our eyes to the brain drain in the Balkans. The economy is not the only reason. Merit-based appointment and corruption are the main issues. Rule of law and good governance is a top priority.”
“We stand in solidarity with our French friends, especially in the fight against Islamic extremists. The attacks of @RTErdogan against @EmmanuelMacron are a new low and completely unacceptable. We do not accept to mix things up here. There are millions of upright citizens of Muslim faith in Germany. One must defend itself against violent Islamists and murderers. Those who equate this with racism and Islamophobia act irresponsibly.”
“Our declared goal remains to hold the first intergovernmental conference with North Macedonia during the German presidency of the Union, which is the next logical step in the country’s accession to the EU”
“The Hong Kong government’s decision to disqualify a dozen opposition candidates for the election and postpone the elections to the legislature is another infringement on the rights of the citizens of Hong Kong. We have repeatedly made our expectation clear that China lives up to its legal responsibilities under international law.”