Latest news with #Sputnik

Barnama
39 minutes ago
- Business
- Barnama
President Prabowo Invites Russian Firms to Enter Indonesian Market
ST. PETERSBURG, June 20 (Bernama-Sputnik/RIA Novosti) -- Indonesia is open for business and welcomes Russian companies to invest in the Indonesian market, President Prabowo Subianto said on Friday, Sputnik/RIA Novosti reported. "We are open for business. We invite all groups from everywhere, especially Russian entities ... We know Russian corporations, and we would like to see Russia participate more in our economy," Prabowo Subianto said at a plenary session of the the 2025 St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). The Russian city of St. Petersburg is hosting the 28th edition of SPIEF from June 18-21 under the theme of "Shared Values: The Foundation of Growth in a Multipolar World". Rossiya Segodnya international media group, RIA Novosti's parent company, is the forum's information partner.

Business Insider
9 hours ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Putin's words to South Africa, as the country vows never to forget Moscow's anti-apartheid aid
Russian President Vladimir Putin recently welcomed South Africa's Deputy President, Paul Mashatile, in a meeting intended to strengthen the two countries' long-standing relationship. Russian President Putin recently met South African Deputy President Mashatile to enhance bilateral relations. Russia and South Africa form a historical bond with shared global political interests. Putin highlighted the outcome of the 2023 Africa-Russia summit and plans for joint actions until 2026. Despite modest trade numbers and distinct cultures and languages, Russia and South Africa have a long-standing connection molded by history and common global interests. During their conversation, Putin stressed the importance of their bilateral ties, adding that Russia and South Africa "share solidarity when it comes to international agenda items" and that the two countries coordinate their efforts on global platforms. "You know that following the second Africa-Russia summit that took place in 2023, here in St Petersburg, we adopted a significant package of joint documents that include the program declaration and the plan of action till 2026,' the Russian president remarked. Putin also stated that he keeps in communication with President Ramaphosa and sent his best wishes through Mashatile, as seen on Sputnik. He emphasized that improving cooperation with African nations, especially South Africa, remained a significant priority for Russia. Ties between Russia and South Africa Though Russia accounts for only 0.4% of South Africa's imports, it is overshadowed by the United States, United Kingdom, and the European Union. However, the two nations have a strong political relationship. Both are founding members of the BRICS alliance, working closely together on political and economic issues that threaten Western dominance. Deputy President Mashatile hailed Russia for its historical role in South Africa's independence, saying, "The people of South Africa will never forget Moscow's help in their liberation from apartheid." His sentiments are similar to those expressed by President Cyril Ramaphosa last year, who referred to Russia as a "valued ally" who stood with South Africa from the beginning of its battle. The meeting comes as South Africa relationship with the U.S hits a snag. In February, the nation declared that it was looking for additional nuclear partners, including Russia and Iran, to assist boost its nuclear energy capability. While this might boost ties with Moscow, analysts worry that it could exacerbate tensions with the United States and jeopardize current energy accords.


United News of India
11 hours ago
- Business
- United News of India
Over 60 countries, including N Korea, will attend 10th Eastern Forum: Russian Minister
Moscow, June 20 (UNI) Representatives of more than 60 countries, including North Korea, will take part in the 10th Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) in Vladivostok, Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic Alexey Chekunkov said in an interview with Sputnik at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). "I am convinced that friends from North Korea will also visit the EEF. Overall, we expect no fewer foreign guests than in previous years. These are more than 60 countries, so we are expecting, so to speak, everyone at the EEF. And regarding the key guests, you will learn soon," the minister said. The 10th Eastern Economic Forum will be held in Vladivostok on September 3-6. The Russian city of St. Petersburg is hosting the 28th edition of SPIEF on June 18-21 under the theme of "Shared Values: The Foundation of Growth in a Multipolar World." The Rossiya Segodnya international media group, Sputnik's parent company, is the forum's information partner. UNI SPUTNIK ARN

Business Insider
a day ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Burkina Faso and Russia sign the final document of their electronuclear program
Burkina Faso has officially signed the final administrative document of a historic intergovernmental nuclear deal with Russia, taking a significant step forward in its quest for nuclear energy. Burkina Faso finalized a significant intergovernmental nuclear agreement with Russia. The deal involves collaboration with Russia's Rosatom to develop nuclear infrastructure for peaceful purposes. Burkina Faso seeks to enhance energy capacity and security through nuclear technology. The agreement, managed by Russia's state-owned atomic energy business Rosatom, paves the way for broad collaboration between the two nations in the construction of nuclear infrastructure for peaceful reasons. Burkina Faso's Minister of Energy, Yacouba Zabré Gouba, made the news during an interview with the Russian media source Sputnik. "Many steps have already been taken, not only through the signing of a roadmap with Rosatom, but also through the conclusion of the four memoranda of understanding that we were able to finalize in 2024," the minister stated. SEE ALSO: Despite Burkina Faso's headstrong stance, some African countries still want to remain friends The agreement underscores Burkina Faso's wider objective of diversifying its energy sources and meeting the country's rising electricity demand. Burkina Faso, one of the world's least electrified countries, sees nuclear energy as a revolutionary chance to increase energy capacity and improve energy security. 'The signing opens new prospects for Burkina Faso and marks the end of several steps that had to be followed,' Gouba stated. 'So from now on, the way is open in terms of cooperation and the electronuclear program with the Russian Federation.' This agreement is the final administrative stage in a larger framework of nuclear cooperation between Russia and the West African country. It follows Russia's approval last week of nuclear deals with Burkina Faso and Mali. Burkina Faso and Mali's nuclear deal with Russia According to the provisions of the agreement, Russia authorized on the 12th of June, Rosatom will play an important role in supporting Burkina Faso and Mali with the building of nuclear power plants and research reactors. The Russian nuclear agency will also offer critical services connected to the nuclear fuel cycle, such as nuclear fuel supply and waste management, putting Russia at the forefront of both country's nuclear goals. DON'T MISS THIS: Ukraine's gamble in Africa seems shaky as Mali takes a harsh decision 'As I said earlier, this is a very important step forward, because these two countries have joined forces, and demonstrated their willingness to work together on collaboration, on cooperation, so that the electronuclear program becomes a reality in Burkina Faso,' Gouba said during his interview with Sputnik. 'We are waiting for the technical and financial offer from Rosatom, and this will later allow us to see whether we should continue with the electronuclear program,' he added. For Russia, the agreement strengthens its position in Africa, particularly in francophone countries that are more aligned with Moscow.


Metro
a day ago
- Business
- Metro
Putin dismisses talk of Russian NATO attack as ‘nonsense'
Steve Charnock Published June 19, 2025 10:50am Link is copied Comments Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed claims that Russia intends to attack NATO. Putin called the idea 'nonsense', suggesting that the idea was fabricated by Western leaders aimed at convincing taxpayers to boost their own defence spending. He insisted that Russia does not see NATO as any kind of threat, nor does it consider the alliance's rearmament efforts to be a danger to Russia. Although he did characterize those efforts as 'completely irrational and pointless' (Picture: Sputnik/AP) At a late-night press conference on Wednesday, the Russian chief vowed that his forces would continue their advance in Ukraine. But he was adamant that Russia had no plans to advance militarily in the direction of NATO, something which would no doubt result in a massive global escalation of the conflict (Picture: Sputnik/AP) NATO is set to hold a pivotal summit in The Hague next week, where leaders will discuss whether or not to agree to raise their defence spending to 5% of GDP. It's a move being pushed by US President Donald Trump and is something now being echoed by others in the alliance. It's thought likely that the organisation will agree to the spending increase (Picture: Pool/ABACA/Shutterstock) Putin attempted to explain why - to his mind - it made 'no sense for NATO to extend their arms budget'. 'We do not consider any NATO rearmament to be a threat to the Russian Federation, because we are self-sufficient in terms of ensuring our security' (Picture: AFP via Getty Images) Putin then spoke on why it may look, to NATO, as if Russia is stepping up its efforts with increased military spend and developments. 'We are constantly improving our armed forces and our defensive capabilities,' he said. 'Whatever NATO does, of course, it creates certain threats, but we will stop all these threats that will arise. There is no doubt about it. In this sense, any rearmament and budget increase to 5% of the GDP of NATO countries makes no sense' (Picture: AP) 'Secondly. over the centuries, unfortunately, in the West, from time to time, for decades, the question of the threat from Russia has always arisen. It was so convenient for the Western elites to build their internal policy, because on the basis of an imaginary threat from the east, they could extort money from taxpayers and all the time explain their own mistakes in the field of economics by the threat from the east' (Picture: AFP/Getty Images) 'If the NATO countries want to further increase their budget, well, that's their business. But it won't do anyone any good. Of course, they will create additional risks. Well, yes, they will. But it's not our decision. I think this is completely irrational and pointless. And, of course, there are no threats from Russia. It's just nonsense' (Picture: Sputnik/Reuters)