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Türkiye Denies Lifting Trade Ban on Israel

Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat (AA)
Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat (AA)
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Türkiye Denies Lifting Trade Ban on Israel

Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat (AA)
Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat (AA)

Türkiye said on Thursday that a trade ban imposed on Israel last week will remain in effect until a permanent ceasefire and uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza are ensured.
“Israel’s claims of Türkiye lifting its trade ban are absolutely imaginary and have nothing to do with reality,” Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat said on X.
“The trade ban with Israel will remain in effect until our conditions are met to stop Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, to achieve a permanent ceasefire and to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid to Palestinians in the strip,” he added.
Earlier on Thursday, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had retreated on his earlier position and lifted many of the trade restrictions he imposed on Israel.
The Turkish presidency’s communications directorate denied Katz’ claims, saying they aim “to manipulate international public opinion.”
Early on Friday, the Turkish Trade Ministry said in a statement on X that it stopped all exports and imports to and from Israel last week, citing “worsening humanitarian tragedy” in the Palestinian territories.
Türkiye “will strictly and decisively implement these new measures until the Israeli Government allows an uninterrupted and sufficient flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza,” it added.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan last Friday confirmed the annual trade volume with Israel was $9.5 billion.
“We consider this trade non-existent. We have started a new phase of severing trade relations,” he said.
The Turkish President added that the developments taking place by Israel against the Palestinians cannot be accepted. “So far, Israel has killed about 40,000 Palestinians... As Muslims, we cannot remain silent about these crimes,” he said.
On Thursday, Erdogan affirmed the importance of supporting initiatives to recognize the State of Palestine.
This came in a phone call with his Brazilian counterpart, Lula da Silva, according to a statement issued by the Turkish Presidency’s Communications Department.
The statement said the two sides discussed the Türkiye-Brazil bilateral relations, in addition to regional and international issues.
Erdogan then described Brazil’s stance on the Israeli atrocities in Palestinian territories as praiseworthy.

 

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Ukraine Has Lost over 40% of Land It Seized in Russia’s Kursk Region, Senior Kyiv Military Source Says

A still image taken from an undated handout video released by the Russian Defense Ministry Press-Service on 22 November 2024 shows Russian military volunteers of the “Bars-Kursk” formation patrolling in the village of Korenevo, Kursk region, Russia. (EPA/Russian Defense Ministry Press-Service Handout)
A still image taken from an undated handout video released by the Russian Defense Ministry Press-Service on 22 November 2024 shows Russian military volunteers of the “Bars-Kursk” formation patrolling in the village of Korenevo, Kursk region, Russia. (EPA/Russian Defense Ministry Press-Service Handout)
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Ukraine Has Lost over 40% of Land It Seized in Russia’s Kursk Region, Senior Kyiv Military Source Says

A still image taken from an undated handout video released by the Russian Defense Ministry Press-Service on 22 November 2024 shows Russian military volunteers of the “Bars-Kursk” formation patrolling in the village of Korenevo, Kursk region, Russia. (EPA/Russian Defense Ministry Press-Service Handout)
A still image taken from an undated handout video released by the Russian Defense Ministry Press-Service on 22 November 2024 shows Russian military volunteers of the “Bars-Kursk” formation patrolling in the village of Korenevo, Kursk region, Russia. (EPA/Russian Defense Ministry Press-Service Handout)

Ukraine has lost over 40% of the territory in Russia's Kursk region that it captured in a surprise incursion in August as Russian forces have mounted waves of counter-assaults, a senior Ukrainian military source said.

The source, who is on Ukraine's General Staff, said Russia had deployed 59,000 troops to the Kursk region since Kyiv's forces swept in and advanced swiftly, catching Moscow unprepared 2-1/2 years into its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

"At most, we controlled about 1,376 square kilometers (531 square miles), now of course this territory is smaller. The enemy is increasing its counterattacks," the source said.

"Now we control approximately 800 square kilometers (309 square miles). We will hold this territory for as long as is militarily appropriate."

With the thrust into Kursk, Kyiv aimed to stem Russian attacks in eastern and northeastern Ukraine, force Russia to pull back forces gradually advancing in the east and give Kyiv extra leverage in any future peace negotiations.

But Russian forces are still advancing in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he believed Russian President Vladimir Putin's main objectives were to occupy the entire Donbas, which consists of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, and oust Ukrainian troops from the Kursk region.

"For Putin, the most important thing is to push us out of the Kursk region. I am sure that he wants to push us out by January 20," Zelenskiy told media, referring to when Donald Trump will be inaugurated as US president. "It is very important for him (Putin) to demonstrate that he is in control of the situation."

The source at the Ukrainian General Staff source reiterated that about 11,000 North Korean troops had arrived in the Kursk region in support of Russia, but that the bulk of their forces was still finalizing their training.

The Russian Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Reuters could not independently verify the figures or descriptions given.

Moscow, which occupies about a fifth of Ukraine, has not confirmed or denied the presence of North Korean forces in Kursk region.

RUSSIAN ADVANCE IN EASTERN UKRAINE

The General Staff source said the Kurakhove region was the most threatening for Kyiv now as Russian forces were advancing there at 200-300 meters (yards) a day and had managed to break through in some areas.

The town of Kurakhove is a stepping stone towards the logistical hub of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region.

Russia has about 575,000 troops fighting in Ukraine now, the source said, and aims to increase its forces to around 690,000.

Russia does not disclose numbers involved in its fighting. Reuters could not verify those figures.

Ukraine has sought to disrupt Russian logistics and supply chains by hitting Russian weapons and ammunition depots, airfields, and other military targets inside Russia.

After US President Joe Biden allowed Kyiv to fire US-supplied missiles at targets deep inside Russia, Ukraine last week fired US ATACMS and British Storm Shadow cruise missiles into Russia.

On Thursday, Russia launched a new medium-range ballistic missile into the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, in a likely warning to NATO.

Ukrainian officials are holding talks with the United States and Britain on new air defense systems capable of protecting Ukrainian cities and civilians from the new longer-range aerial threats.

The Ukrainian General Staff source said the military had implemented measures to bolster air defenses over Kyiv and planned similar steps for Sumy in the north and Kharkiv in the northeast.