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China’s Growing Influence Dominates Central Asia Despite Military Parade

by Lucas Fernandez – World Editor September 14, 2025

written by Lucas Fernandez – World Editor

China Deepens Central Asian Ties with Billions in New Investment

China continues to solidify it’s economic⁤ and political‍ influence in central Asia, evidenced by a recent⁣ wave of ⁤agreements secured during ⁣high-level meetings with Uzbekistan and ‌Kazakhstan. Teh week-long discussions resulted in over $1.5 billion in new investment into oil and gas projects, ⁣signaling Beijing’s sustained and predictable engagement with the region.

Uzbekistan secured ‍a $1 billion deal with the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) ⁢to construct a gas chemical ⁣complex in the Aktobe region. Additionally, a roughly $500 million agreement was reached with the China Development Bank to finance the construction of pipelines for transporting ethane⁣ and propane ⁢in the Atyrau region.These investments ⁤underscore China’s growing role in Central Asia’s‌ energy sector.

Cooperation in nuclear energy also took centre stage. Uzbek President Shavkat mirziyoyev met with Shen Yanfeng, ‍chairman of China’s National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), on September 2nd to discuss expanding ⁢collaboration in the field. This occurred alongside⁤ the announcement of 13 ‌new mining-related deals, including uranium projects, valued at a total of ⁣$5 billion, by Uzbek Mining and Geology Minister Bobir islamov.

This increased focus on chinese nuclear cooperation comes as Uzbekistan considers alternatives to Russia’s Rosatom, with ⁣whom a feasibility study for four reactors was signed in June, but whose future is uncertain due to international sanctions. Kazakhstan has already moved in a similar direction, awarding CNNC contracts to build both its second and third ⁤nuclear power plants, announced in July by Deputy Prime Minister roman Sklyar.

Analysts note that this activity reflects a consistent pattern of Chinese engagement in Central Asia. Temur umarov, a‌ fellow at the ⁣Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center in Berlin, emphasizes that Central Asian nations are maintaining a “multivector foreign policy,” actively diversifying their partnerships while continuing ‌to cultivate strong ⁢ties with China.

while welcoming Chinese investment and companies, Central Asian governments are also mindful of avoiding overdependence. This strategy is demonstrated⁣ by their efforts⁣ to strengthen relationships with other global players. Uzbekistan hosted‍ a landmark summit ⁣with the ‌European Union in April to discuss potential deals in energy, minerals, and transit. While China ⁣is currently‍ Central⁢ Asia’s largest individual trade partner, with bilateral trade reaching a record $94.8 billion in 2024, ⁣the EU‍ remains the region’s largest foreign investor with⁣ its 27 member states.

Further‌ illustrating this diversification, President Mirziyoyev spoke with former US president ‍Donald Trump on September 5th, inviting him ‌to visit Uzbekistan. Mirziyoyev⁢ previously visited the White House in 2018,where he ⁤received⁤ praise from President Trump.

September 14, 2025 0 comments

World

Ukraine’s War Against Russian Aggression: Zelensky’s Decision to Change Generals and International Lawsuit Update & Conflict with China

by Chief editor of world-today-news.com February 4, 2024

written by Chief editor of world-today-news.com

For some time, it has been an indisputable fact that Ukraine’s war against Russian aggression has encountered difficulties from all aspects, including the right time, place, people and people. In the freezing cold year of 2024, Ukraine’s internal and external difficulties seem to be changing.

Zelensky decides to change generals

First, a Reuters report on February 3 quoted two sources as saying: The Ukrainian government has informed the White House of the United States that the Kiev authorities plan to fire Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, the commander-in-chief of the armed forces responsible for overseeing Ukraine’s anti-Russian war. This shows that the conflict between Ukrainian President Zelensky and the top military commander Zaluzny is quite fierce, and they have reached the solution of “expulsion”.

Ukraine’s counteroffensive last year failed to recapture much of the territory occupied by Russia. Afterwards, rumors spread that Zaluzny had conflicts with Ukrainian President Zelensky on many issues. Reuters reported that a source close to Zelensky’s office said that the two men were arguing over a new wave of military mobilization. Zelensky opposed Zaluzny’s proposal to recruit 500,000 new troops, saying that Ukraine The army already has enough personnel and can be used more efficiently.

However, the same source also said that the process of removing Zaluzny as commander-in-chief of the armed forces is currently on hold as the two sides are discussing the next direction, and it is unclear how long the process will take.

What is the White House’s position on Ukraine’s removal of Zaluzny? According to another source who requested anonymity, the White House’s response was that we do not support or oppose their (referring to Ukraine) sovereign decisions. What the White House is saying: It’s up to Ukraine to make its own sovereign decisions about who it appoints.

But according to a source close to Zelensky’s office, U.S. officials told Ukraine that they have no objection to Zaluzny’s removal and that the U.S. has no problem with Ukraine firing him.

Zaluzny, known as the “Iron General”, is said to be a popular figure, and his replacement may damage the morale of the Ukrainian army that is fighting Russia. Many Western and Ukrainian media previously reported that Zaluzny rejected Zelensky’s request for him to resign this week.

Perhaps, the plan to replace Zaluzny may still be delayed for a certain period of time, but once implemented, it will show that Ukraine hopes to adopt new methods to continue the war against Russia.

Difficult future for international lawsuits

Another piece of news on February 2 was related to Ukraine’s international legal status: The United Nations’ highest judicial organ, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), made several different decisions on the Russia-Ukraine war on the 2nd: First, it will hear a case related to the crime of genocide. In this case, the Kiev authorities requested the hospital to declare that Ukraine had not committed genocide in eastern Ukraine, and Russia used this as a reason to send troops to attack Ukraine. Ukraine filed this lawsuit with the International Court of Justice just days after Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Two years later, the judges of the International Court of Justice only ruled on February 2 that the International Court of Justice has the authority to hear a small part of the original case. As for Ukraine’s request to rule on whether Russia’s invasion violated the 1948 United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Genocide Convention), the judge rejected it.

Instead, the 16-judge panel said they would later rule on whether Ukraine committed genocide in the eastern Ukrainian states of Donetsk and Luhansk, currently occupied by Russia.

According to Reuters: Uzbek representative Anton Korynevych told reporters at the International Court of Justice that Russia falsely accused Ukraine of committing genocide and that Uzbekistan did not commit these fabricated massacres. The court will discuss this dispute. Making a ruling is crucial.

He also said that it is also important that the emergency order issued by the International Court of Justice in March 2022, ordering Russia to immediately cease military operations in Ukraine, remains in effect.

Although the ICJ’s ruling is final and legally binding, it is not enforceable, and some countries such as Russia have ignored the ICJ’s ruling in the past.

Blacklist offends China

China is widely seen as an ally of Russia’s Kremlin, while Ukraine has been careful to avoid angering China during its war with Russia and has repeatedly called on Beijing to join Kiev in diplomatic efforts to seek peace. But when Ukraine listed 48 companies around the world as “financiers of international wars” and accused them of indirectly assisting or promoting Russia’s aggression, it could no longer maintain its superficial harmony with China, because China demanded that the dozen Chinese companies on the list be immediately The delisting hopes that Ukraine can “eliminate the negative impact” that may otherwise damage bilateral relations.

China has the largest number of companies on Ukraine’s blacklist, with 14 companies; followed by the United States with 8 companies, France and Germany with 4 companies each.

Ukraine’s blacklist has no legal impact on listed companies.

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2024-02-03 20:17:50

February 4, 2024 0 comments

World

News Analysis-Putin’s “temporarily withdrawing from the US-Russia Arms Limitation Treaty” was criticized, and China was suspected of being a “peacemaker” in the Russia-Ukraine war

by Chief editor of world-today-news.com February 21, 2023

written by Chief editor of world-today-news.com

Putin’s “temporary withdrawal from the US-Russia arms limitation treaty” was criticized

The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty signed by the United States and Russia in 2010 is the last effective arms control treaty between the two sides, but this treaty has gradually disintegrated in recent years.

According to Agence France-Presse, US Secretary of State Blinken said on the 21st: “Russia’s announcement of the suspension of participation in the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty is very unfortunate and irresponsible. We will carefully observe Russia’s actual actions. , all properly prepared for the security of our own country and our allies.” Blinken also said: “We stand ready to discuss strategic arms limitation with Russia, no matter what changes happen to the world or our relationship.”

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg responded to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s State of the Nation address after holding tripartite talks with the EU and Ukraine at NATO headquarters on the 21st: Putin’s announcement of the suspension of the Arms Limitation Treaty was aimed at advancing towards World War III. He urged Putin to abandon this intention and return to the treaty to avoid a greater disaster.

Putin once again blamed the U.S. and Europe for the Russia-Ukraine war, saying that the U.S. and its European allies sparked the conflict by courting the Ukrainian government’s ties with Europe. Putin even said, “They started this war, and we are using force to prevent this war.” And the West “is using Ukraine as a stepping stone to attack Russia.”

Putin accused the West of launching “aggressive information attacks” and pointed the finger at Russia’s culture, religion and values because he realized that “it is impossible to defeat Russia on the battlefield.” He also accused the West of attacking Russia’s economy with sanctions, saying they had “achieved nothing and won’t achieve anything”.

Responding to Putin’s accusation that the West was trying to destroy Russia, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Moscow was an aggressor in Ukraine and launched the invasion war a year ago. “It was President Putin who started this imperial war of conquest… As Putin made clear today, he is preparing for more wars…Putin must not win…Otherwise, it’s not good for our own security and the entire The world is dangerous.”

China is suspected of being a “peacemaker” in the Russia-Ukraine war

Putin’s logic is to beat back, claiming that his aggression was a reaction to being bullied, and putting the cart before the horse loses its deception. In contrast, China’s recent Ukraine policy has been questioned even more puzzlingly. At present, Chinese State Councilor Wang Yi is expected to be in Moscow and may have met Putin.

Regarding the Chinese peace plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war, although details were not disclosed, Wang Yi said that it includes respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, ensuring the safety of civilian nuclear facilities, and opposing the use of biological and chemical weapons.

The proposal was almost immediately questioned by some other officials at the Munich meeting, with Germany’s foreign minister saying the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine must be a prerequisite for any peace deal. “A just peace does not mean rewarding the aggressor”. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba said on the 21st that he must look forward to it cautiously.

Bloomberg News commented: One year after issuing a declaration of “no limit” to Sino-Russian strategic cooperation, Beijing is now trying to convince the world that it can assume the role of a neutral in promoting the end of the Russia-Ukraine war. But getting other countries to buy into this is no easy task.

The Chinese peace proposal is expected to include calls for a ceasefire and a halt to arms deliveries to Ukraine, and could submit a draft U.N. resolution on Feb. Another draft put forward by them, which calls for the withdrawal of Russian troops and an end to hostilities. While China’s peace plan does not appear to have much of a chance of success, U.S. allies fear the proposal could resonate with some developing countries and could attract some votes at the U.N., prompting the U.S. and many countries outside Europe to refuse to join sanctions against Russia, calling for Negotiate and reach a possible Western ceasefire.

The so-called Chinese peace program hopes, if not succeeding, it will help to establish a positive image of Xi Jinping as a global statesman. But Raffaello Pantucci, a senior fellow at the Rajaratnam Institute of International Studies in Singapore, told Bloomberg: “I don’t doubt Beijing’s desire for peace, but I still think this proposal seems incredible, and if it is to be credible, China has to behave.” Act like an independent mediator. But it is clear that China has chosen sides in this conflict.”

The Bloomberg article also commented: “Since Russia launched a war on Ukraine, Chinese President Xi Jinping has not talked to Ukrainian President Zelensky so far, but he has talked with Russian Putin about four times. Beijing insists that Russia’s invasion Not per se, but has repeatedly defended to this day some of Russia’s reasons for waging war, most notably resistance to NATO expansion.”

February 21, 2023 0 comments

World

News analysis-Zelensky’s surprise visit to Britain and France: provide Ukraine with fighter jets and provide wings for freedom

by Chief editor of world-today-news.com February 9, 2023

written by Chief editor of world-today-news.com

At 10 Downing Street, Zelensky thanked the UK for being on the front line in support of Ukrainian resistance at the outset of Russia’s war of aggression. He told lawmakers in Britain’s parliament that Ukraine needed decisive military assistance in order to win within the year. He also said: “I ask you, and I send a request to the world, to provide Ukraine with fighter jets and freedom with wings.”

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Zelensky held a press conference and said that in terms of arming Ukraine, the United Kingdom has all options open to it, including the fighter jets requested by President Zelensky. The British side announced that it will train Ukrainian Air Force pilots in accordance with NATO standards. The UK has thus become the first country among Ukraine’s allies to pave the way for the delivery, although the prospect of delivery remains remote. Zelensky said he would continue discussions with EU leaders on the topic, including the delivery of long-range missiles, in upcoming visits.

Zelensky rarely goes abroad, and his itinerary is confidential and tight. After finishing his surprise visit to the UK, he flew to Paris at 9:30 local time that night, before having dinner with French President Macron and German Chancellor Scholz at the Elysee Palace. , the three leaders jointly held a press conference. Host Macron told Zelenskiy that he was “determined to accompany” Ukraine “to victory”, that France would work to deliver more weapons to Ukraine, and that Ukraine could count on French and European partners. German Chancellor Scholz told Zelensky: “As long as necessary, the allies will support Ukraine militarily.” Zelensky personally called for the delivery of heavy weapons and aircraft “as soon as possible”. “The sooner Ukraine gets long-range heavy weapons, the sooner our pilots get fighter planes, the sooner Russian aggression ends and we can restore peace in Europe,” he said at the Elysee Palace.

Agence France-Presse quoted comments saying that Zelensky’s lightning visit to the Elysee Palace on Wednesday night was arranged at the last minute, which was an important sign of approval for Macron. “Le Figaro” conducted an exclusive interview with Zelensky in Kyiv before his visit. In the interview, Zelensky clearly reminded the allies that if Putin wins the war, Putin will fight elsewhere.

French President Macron’s past remarks about “Russia and Ukraine are brothers”, “don’t humiliate Russia”, and attempts to stop the war through dialogue with Putin have aroused criticism from Ukraine and eastern European countries. Macron later changed significantly, hoping for “Ukraine victory”, and ordered the delivery of a batch of important combat vehicles and ground-to-air defense systems to Ukraine, and took the lead in announcing the provision of light tanks to Ukraine. Asked by Le Figaro how Zelensky now evaluates Macron, he said: “I think President Macron has changed, and he has really changed.” The gate of the tank, he supports Ukraine’s application to join the European Union, which is a signal of real support for Ukraine!” “Today, there is a real trust between us.”

France announced the delivery of light tanks to Ukraine at the beginning of January, and other Western allies immediately announced the delivery of tanks to Ukraine. Germany finally agreed to approve the delivery of German-made Leopard II heavy tanks to Ukraine. In early February, the Paris authorities also announced that 12 more Caesar cannons had been delivered to Ukraine on the basis of the 18 high-mobility Caesar cannons that the Ukrainian army particularly appreciates.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will be one year away. A reporter from Le Figaro asked Zelensky if he doubted that his country and himself would survive the Russian attack on February 24 last year when the Russian army invaded it. Zelensky replied, “On February 24th, we didn’t really think about how to survive…. We didn’t have time to think about it…. It’s not because we think we are heroes. But Because, as president, I have a responsibility to the country, a special responsibility. In those moments, you quickly understand that you must act as a leader, according to the constitution of the country and your own personality. You must Be responsible and protect the country as much as possible.”

Zelensky said that it is impossible for Ukraine today to return to the old path of Russia-Ukraine negotiations at the beginning of the war. He said that the situation is irreversible, and Putin’s nature cannot be changed. Zelensky thinks Putin and Hitler are the same creature. They will never stop fighting. If Ukraine falls, he will continue to attack because his power is tied to invading the country.

Zelensky reminded Europe with the painful experience of World War II: “Hitler is not alone. There have been other Hitlers in other countries and at other times. You can’t stop these dragons who need to eat. You can give them a country or divide a piece Homeland, satisfies their appetite, but they want more. Radical elements in Russia will demand that Putin continue. This type of dragon cannot be stopped by borders or seas.”

February 9, 2023 0 comments