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Added on the 30/09/2022 18:24:24 - Copyright : AFPTV - First images
The United States says that President Vladimir Putin was "absurd" and insulting history by casting Russia's invasion of Ukraine as a defensive operation on the anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. "To call this a defensive action is patently absurd," State Department spokesperson Ned Price tells reporters at a briefing in Washington. SOUNDBITE
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak says Nigel Farage's claim that the West provoked Russia's invasion of Ukraine is "completely wrong and only plays into Putin's hands". The far-right leader of Britain's anti-immigration Reform UK party said in a BBC interview Friday that "we've provoked this war", while adding that "of course" it was Russian president Vladimir Putin's "fault". "This kind of appeasement is dangerous for Britain's security, the security of our allies that rely on us, and only emboldens Putin further," Sunak tells reporters while on the campaign trail ahead of July 4 general elections. SOUNDBITE
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will leave Thursday on a trip to five Arab countries, the West Bank, Turkey and Greece, in addition to a previously announced stop in Israel, the State Department says. Blinken among other issues will "discuss immediate measures to increase substantially humanitarian assistance to Gaza," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller tells reporters. SOUNDBITE
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken makes a surprise visit to the Israeli-occupied West Bank, meeting with Palestinian Authority president Mahmud Abbas. Their meeting comes as global concern grows over rising violence in the occupied territory in tandem with the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza since October 7. IMAGES
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken accuses Russian President Vladimir Putin of trying to use the Israel-Hamas war in a bid to reduce Western support for Ukraine. "Putin is very much trying to take advantage of the Hamas attack on Israel in the hopes that it will distract us... and that it will result in the United States pulling back its resources" from Ukraine, Blinken tells a Senate hearing. SOUNDBITE
Supporters of Zambian President Lungu hold a rally in Lusaka during a tense presidential race, which has been marked by clashes between rival supporters. The presidential election will take place on Thursday. IMAGES.