Switzerland on Monday assumed the presidency of the UN Security Council for the first time, replacing Russia in this rotating capacity.
Heading the UN Security Council during this month, Switzerland plans to live up to its reputation as a mediator and a facilitator of dialogue, the country’s permanent representative to the UN, Pascale Baeriswyl, told reporters.
But since the beginning of the Russian military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Switzerland's decisions regarding its policy of neutrality have been repeatedly slammed. In particular, the Swiss authorities have repeatedly vetoed the delivery of Swiss-made weapons by other countries to Ukraine. In addition, Switzerland has declined from handing over the private assets of Russians under sanctions to the recovery of Ukraine and joining the group to freeze those assets.
WEAPON IS DECISIVE: ZELENSKY
Volodymyr Zelensky, in a big interview with journalists from Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway, expressed confidence that the Ukrainian counter-offensive will be successful, and finally it will be possible to liberate the occupied territories of the country, including Crimea.
"I am not ready to say when and how it will happen. Yes, a lot depends on us, but military supplies are also important. We want to save as many lives as possible, so the weapon is crucial. In case of insufficient supplies, the war can drag on for decades.
At the same time, Zelensky noted that Kyiv is not going to wait until Ukraine receives F-16 fighter jets to launch a counterattack. “We will go forward even without them,” the president added.
UKRAINE AND BAYKAR COMPANY SIGNED NEW CONTRACTS
Two Ukrainian defense industry companies signed three agreements with Turkish drone-maker Baykar during a visit to Turkey led by Ukrainian Industry Minister Oleksandr Kamishin, the press service of the Ministry of Strategic Industries reported on April 30.
The signing took place at the Teknofest 2023 international aviation and aerospace technology exhibition in Istanbul.
Kamishin said that “the new contracts provide Ukraine with export revenues and next-generation weapons.”
He also expressed readiness to “facilitate the resolution of any difficulties and bureaucratic obstacles to further expanding cooperation with Baykar Avia Ventures,” which he believes is critical for Ukrainian companies to increase production capacity for vital military equipment.
MACRON AND ZELENSKY TALKED ON PHONE
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron on April 30.
Zelenskyy said on Telegram that he discussed the ongoing situation on the frontline and prospects of its development in May-June.
He also told the French leader the priority needs of the Ukrainian military.
NETANYAHU ON IRAN'S NUCLEAR DEAL
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not see Iran's nuclear deal effectively stopping Tehran's nuclear power ambitions.
In an interview with CNN's Fareed Zakaria, Netanyahu insisted that his opposition to the nuclear agreement is not misguided and pitched a military option to stop Iran's nuclear program.
"If you want to stop Iran from becoming a military nuclear power, the only way to stop them is with a credible military threat," Netanyahu said.
The Israeli prime minister said the responsibility to stop Iran from becoming a military nuclear power is on the U.S., Israel, and its Arab neighbors.
Netanyahu argued that a credible military threat effectively thwarted the previous nuclear ambitions of Iraq, Syria and Libya.
He claimed that Iran could continue its nuclear production despite having an agreement with other countries.
"It doesn't stop the development of the missiles, it doesn't stop the development of the weapons," Netanyahu said.
"It does enable them to continue developing the centrifuges that would have brought them to a point where in two years, in one year, they have the ability approved by the international community to enrich your uranium at an unlimited rate," the Israeli prime minister added.
Earlier this month, the Biden administration held talks with European and Israeli partners about a proposal to forge an interim agreement with Iran.
Axios reported that U.S. officials briefed Israel, France, Germany and the U.K. in February about its new proposal to curb Iran's nuclear program.
OVER 90% OF VOTERS SUPPORT OVERHAUL OF CONSTITUTION IN UZBEKISTAN
According to preliminary reports, more than 90% of voters in a constitutional referendum in Uzbekistan supported amending the former Soviet republic’s fundamental law, the country’s election chief Zayniddin Nizam Hojaev said on Monday, TASS reports.
"According to preliminary reports, 90,21% of citizens voted for [the overhaul], 9.35% against it, with 0.49% of ballots being damaged or recognized as invalid," Nizam Hojaev said at a news briefing. Voter turnout was 84.54%, he added, saying that over 16.6 million people out of the country’s 19 million citizens listed as voters took part in the referendum.
The final results of Sunday’s voting will be published later, the head of the Central Election Commission said.
The CIS mission of observers recognized the referendum as legitimate.
Zhang Ming, Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), said that no violations of the legislation had been found by SCO observers.
"The mission states that the referendum was held in compliance with the legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan and its international commitments," he said.
