Migrant crisis
Poland warned of a possible large breakthrough of migrants Sunday after detaining 50 people mainly from the Middle East who had crossed the heavily guarded EU and NATO border Saturday.
British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss on Sunday urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to intervene in the crisis that has left thousands of migrants trapped on the Belarus-Poland border. Putin brushed aside accusations of bearing responsibility for the crisis and pointed the finger at Western policies in the Middle East.
Western response
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian about "concerning" Russian military activity taking place "in and near Ukraine," the State Department said late Sunday.
Western allies have voiced mounting alarm over recent Russian troop movements near the country's border with Ukraine.
S-400s to New Delhi
Russia has launched deliveries of its advanced S-400 defense systems to India, the head of Russia’s arms exports arm told news agencies Sunday.
Moscow has vowed to accelerate the S-400 shipments to New Delhi following tense standoffs with China and Pakistan in contested border regions.
Checkmate fighter
Russia has also launched construction of several prototypes of its cutting-edge AI-powered stealth fighter jet dubbed “The Checkmate,” the head of Russia’s aircraft corporation told news agencies Sunday.
The Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Plant in Far East Russia is carrying out the construction of several versions of the fifth-generation light single-engine Sukhoi fighter jet. “The Checkmate’s” developers tout the $30-million aircraft’s ability to attack up to six targets simultaneously on land, air or sea while also carrying drones.
‘Young Putin’
Rapper and fashion mogul Kanye West proclaimed himself a “young Putin” in an interview with the Revolt TV digital cable that aired late Friday.
"I am Putin. I am young Putin. ... I realized that I was Vladimir when I realized that culture is an oil, culture is an energy. And I am the king of culture for the past 20 and the next 2,000 years."
West, who legally changed his name to Ye this year, has referenced the Russian president on previous occasions, including tweeting out in 2020 a photo of Putin wrestling a judo sparring partner to the ground.
AFP contributed reporting.
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