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BREAKING
Sheikh Qassem: Our supporters make up more than half of Lebanon's population, and all of these people are united under the banner of protecting Lebanon, its Resistance, its people, and its integrity.
Sheikh Qassem: There will be no phased handing in of our arms. [The Israelis] must first enact the agreement before we start talking about a defensive strategy.
Sheikh Qassem: Be brave in the face of foreign pressures, and we will be by your side in this stance.
Sheikh Qassem: Stripping us of our arms is like stripping us of our very soul, and this will prompt us to show them our might.
Sheikh Qassem: We will not abandon our arms, for they gave us dignity; we will not abandon our arms, for they protect us against our enemy.
Sheikh Qassem: The US efforts we are seeing are aimed at sabotaging Lebanon and constitute a call for sedition.
Sheikh Qassem: If you truly want to establish sovereignty and work for Lebanon’s interests, then stop the aggression.
Sheikh Qassem: The United States, which is meddling in Lebanon, is not trustworthy but rather poses a danger to it.
Sheikh Qassem: The United States is preventing the weapons that protect the homeland.
Sheikh Qassem: The government’s latest decision [on the disarmament of the Resistance] is non-charter-based, and if the government continues down this path, it is not faithful to Lebanon’s sovereignty.

Macron to urge Trump on Putin: 'You can't be weak with him'

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 20 Feb 2025 23:33
3 Min Read

Trump is set to meet with Macron on Monday and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday at the White House.

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    French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during a joint news conference with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the presidential palace in Baabda, in east of Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, January 17, 2025. (AP)

French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday that France is entering a "new era" in global politics and intends to urge US President Donald Trump to maintain a firm stance against Russian President Vladimir Putin. Macron's statement comes as Europe faces uncertainty following Trump's decision to re-engage in diplomacy with Putin to end the three-year war in Ukraine, bypassing European allies and Kiev.

Speaking ahead of his upcoming visit to Washington, Macron revealed his plan to press Trump on his approach to Russia, stressing, "You can't be weak with President Putin. That's not who you are, it's not your trademark, it's not in your interest." Macron made this declaration during a Q&A session with the French public on social media.

Trump is set to meet with Macron on Monday and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday at the White House. These meetings follow Trump's announcement of his willingness to negotiate directly with Putin to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, a move that has alarmed European leaders.

European concerns over Trump's shift on Russia

Trump's comments have caused unease across Europe, with concerns growing over the potential impact on European security. French officials have warned of the significant threat posed by Russia, with Macron stating, "Russia poses an existential threat to Europeans."

Macron underlined the need for France to "beef up security" in light of the changing US-Russia dynamic. He added, "I am convinced that we are entering a new era. It will impose choices on us. We Europeans must increase our war effort."

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While Macron ruled out an immediate deployment of French troops to Ukraine, he disclosed that France is contemplating security guarantees for Ukraine if a ceasefire agreement with Russia is reached.

"I have not decided to send troops to Ukraine tomorrow, no," Macron clarified. "What we are considering instead is sending forces to guarantee peace once it has been negotiated."

A French government source confirmed that France is working with European partners to provide security assurances to Ukraine should a ceasefire be brokered.

Diplomatic talks with Zelensky

Macron also announced plans to speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to coordinate diplomatic efforts amid the evolving US-Russia relations. Recent interactions between the Ukrainian and American Presidents have been marked by escalating tensions and public disputes.

In a recent social media post, Trump referred to Zelensky as a "dictator without elections," criticizing Ukraine's decision to delay elections due to the ongoing conflict. Trump suggested that Zelensky "better move fast" or risk losing his country. 

In response, Zelensky accused Trump of being influenced by Russian disinformation, stating that the US president is "trapped in a Russian disinformation bubble." 

Read more: Trump calls Zelensky a 'modestly successful comedian', 'dictator'

The situation further deteriorated when a planned news conference between Zelensky and US envoy Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg was abruptly canceled at the US's request, turning the event into a mere photo opportunity. This move avoided public discussion of the diplomatic tensions between the two nations. 

  • Trump administration
  • Putin
  • Trump
  • Emmanuel Macron
  • France
  • Vladimir Putin
  • Macron
Russia & NATO

Russia & NATO

As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?

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