Michael Billington

4 days ago | eir.news | Michael Billington

The Times of London reports that Zelensky and the mayor of Kiev, Vitaly Kitschko (a potential opponent of Zelensky in any election) are “at war.” The Times writes: “Zelensky is reportedly seizing power from the capital’s civilian government, having taken control of its military administration away from Klitschko in the early months of the conflict.”Ukraine’s anti-corruption bureau has made seven arrests among Klitschko’s subordinates, with a further three under investigation, The Times wrote.

4 days ago | eir.news | Michael Billington

Global Times reports that China has formed an “International Organization for Mediation” (IOMed) to promote diplomacy and dialogue, both in politics, and in business and social relations. A signing ceremony took place on May 30 in Hong Kong, with senior representatives from 85 countries, and nearly 20 international organizations. Also, 33 countries signed the convention on the scene, and became founding member states.

4 days ago | eir.news | Michael Billington

In addition to the official statement from the Foreign Ministry denouncing US Defense Secretary Hegseth’s rant against China (see related report), the Chinese representative to the event, Zhang Chi, a member of China’s National Defense University delegation, also attacked the U.S. interference in the South China Sea, and the meeting of the “Quad,” the anti-China grouping of the U.S., Japan, Australia and the Philippines.

4 days ago | eir.news | Michael Billington

Speaking in Singapore on May 30 at the Shangri-La Dialogue, French President Emmanuel Macron threatened that if China does not stop North Korea from sending troops to “European soil” (meaning Kursk), then they should expect NATO troops in Southeast Asia. He remarked, as covered by RT: “But what’s happening with North Korea being present alongside Russia on European soil is a big question for all of us.

4 days ago | eir.news | Michael Billington

U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who is heading the U.S. team at the British-sponsored Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore over May 30-June 1, was interviewed on Fox News soon after Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth issued a diatribe against China at the event. Although speaking diplomatically, Gabbard essentially refuted the Hegseth provocation.