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Putin announces surprise ceasefire to coincide with Victory Day commemorations
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Putin announces surprise ceasefire to coincide with Victory Day commemorations

29 April 2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a surprise three-day ceasefire from May 8-10, coinciding with Moscow's World War II Victory Day commemorations, the Kremlin said on Monday. Moscow said it expected Kyiv to issue a similar order, and that it stood ready to respond to any violations of the possible halt in fighting.  Putin made a similar order to stop combat over Easter, a truce that both sides accused the other of violating hundreds of times, but did lead to a temporary reduction in fighting.
commonspace.eu
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Opinion
Opinion: Armenia–Turkey Normalisation Process: What Next?
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Opinion: Armenia–Turkey Normalisation Process: What Next?

28 April 2025
Since Armenia gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, normalizing relations with Turkey has been one of the country’s top foreign-policy priorities. The rationale behind this has been both economic, to end the blockade and facilitate access to Turkish Mediterranean ports, and political, to drive a wedge in the Azerbaijan–Turkey strategic partnership. Armenia took steps towards normalization in 2008 and 2009. As a result of intensive negotiations, Armenia and Turkey signed two protocols in Zurich in 2009 to open their borders and establish diplomatic relations. However, Turkey did not ratify them, under intense pressure from Azerbaijan.
Benyamin Poghosyan
Editor's choice
Monday Commentary
Monday Commentary: Is the Sahel Europe’s soft underbelly?
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Monday Commentary: Is the Sahel Europe’s soft underbelly?

28 April 2025
The Sahel region stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea and consists, according to the UN, of ten countries which sit, wholly or partly, within it: Senegal,  Gambia, Mauritania, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, Cameroon and Nigeria Other neighbouring countries however, such as Benin, Togo Sudan and Central African Republic, due to their proximity, and to the fact that they increasingly share the same problems, are often included when the Sahel is discussed.
Dennis Sammut
Editor's choice
News
World spotlight on the conclave after Pope Francis is laid to rest
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World spotlight on the conclave after Pope Francis is laid to rest

27 April 2025
With Pope Francis laid to rest, all eyes turn now to the conclave, the secretive meeting of cardinals set to convene within days to elect a new head of the Catholic Church. Mourners were permitted to visit his tomb for the first time Sunday, a day after an estimated 400,000 people, including world leaders, turned out for the Argentine's funeral at the Vatican and burial in Rome.  The crowds were a testament to the popularity of Francis, an energetic reformer who championed the poorest and most vulnerable.
commonspace.eu
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OSCE Secretary General Feridun Sinirlioğlu in Georgia for official talks
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OSCE Secretary General Feridun Sinirlioğlu in Georgia for official talks

24 April 2025
The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s (OSCE) Secretary General Feridun Sinirlioğlu is in Tbilisi this week, in his first visit since the October parliamentary elections widely seen as flawed. The OSCE/ODIHR’s own observer mission had criticised the government’s handling of the October 2024 elections. On Wednesday, Sinirlioğlu met with the Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.
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Trump says Zelensky remarks on Crimea are inflammatory and can prolong the 'killing field'
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Trump says Zelensky remarks on Crimea are inflammatory and can prolong the 'killing field'

24 April 2025
US President Donald Trump said a deal to halt the Ukraine war was "very close" but hit out at Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky over his refusal to formally cede Crimea to Russia. Trump's comments came as Vice President JD Vance warned that the United States would "walk away" unless Russia and Ukraine agree a peace deal, and as envoys from Washington, Kyiv and European nations gathered for downgraded talks in Britain.
commonspace.eu
Editor's choice
Opinion
Opinion: Azerbaijan Reiterated Support for Ukraine’s Territorial Integrity
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Opinion: Azerbaijan Reiterated Support for Ukraine’s Territorial Integrity

23 April 2025
On April 9, at an international conference in Baku, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev delivered a statement on the ongoing peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, mediated by the United States. Reaffirming Azerbaijan’s steadfast commitment to Ukraine’s territorial integrity, Aliyev sharply criticized proposals that urge Ukraine to cede parts of its territory in exchange for a ceasefire. “No country, at least in my understanding, will agree to compromise on territorial integrity, and to expect Ukraine to agree that they will sacrifice their internationally recognized territory in exchange for peace is not fair and not realistic,” he declared.
Vasif Huseynov
Editor's choice
News
Potential successors to Pope Francis
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Potential successors to Pope Francis

23 April 2025
Heads of state are expected for the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday in St. Peter’s Square while his body will be moved to St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday to lie in state for the Catholic faithful to pay their respects to the Argentine Pontiff remembered for his humble style, concern for the poor and insistent prayers for peace. The death of Pope Francis on 21 April aged 88 triggered a period of mourning in the Catholic Church, but also kick-started the race for his successor. Whether diplomats, theologians, mediators or Vatican insiders, here are 15 cardinals who are among the potential favourites to become the next pope, known as the "papabili", divided by region.
commonspace.eu