BERLIN/KIEV/MOSCOW (Own report) – Negotiations between Moscow and Kiev on ending the war in Ukraine resumed in Istanbul on Monday, with the exchange of memoranda. Their analysis would be the next step before continuing the negotiations. In the meantime, the exchange of prisoners between Russia and Ukraine is already gaining momentum. Following resumption of the Istanbul negotiations, a close examination of the ceasefire talks in Istanbul in the spring of 2022 has so far been suppressed by leading media with the categorical assertion that Russia demanded, at the time, an unacceptable capitulation from Ukraine. Detailed analyses also by Western experts prove the contrary; they again raise the question of why the West did not support or even torpedoed those peace efforts. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul's assertion that Russia's “war machine” should not be overestimated also raises questions. The claim that Russia's armed forces will soon be strong enough to attack NATO countries serves to legitimize the current arms build-up. Read more

BERLIN/BRUSSELS (own report) – Thanks to the recent weakness of the US dollar the euro could “play a greater international role” as it gains importance in the global financial system. This view is being advanced by Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank (ECB). As Lagarde stated last week, the US dollar’s share of global currency reserves has fallen to 58 per cent, the lowest since 1994. In the current weakness of the dollar she sees as an opportunity for the euro. Bewildered by Donald Trump’s economic policies, both private investors and governments may be motivated to keep their reserves in euros. However, the Eurozone would still need, said Lagarde, a “solid and credible geopolitical foundation” for this enhanced role – a foundation cemented with strong military capabilities. She went on to say that the European Union would finally have to create the long-promised single capital market and gain greater effectiveness by widening the scope of majority decision-making. Parallel to Lagarde’s ambitious plans for Europe’s economy, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is advocating “European independence” from the United States as the next “major European project”. This, again, would mean “a leading role in the global economy of tomorrow”. Read more