Putin: We Seek to End the Conflict and Slovakia Offers Mediation
The Russian position shows a mix of openness to negotiations and hints of military escalation, reflecting a dual strategy for negotiation pressure
December 26, 2024, 10:29 pm

Putin: We Seek to End the Conflict and Slovakia Offers Mediation

بوتين \ تعبيرية \ متداول

President Vladimir Putin reviewed Moscow's efforts to end the conflict in Ukraine on Thursday, according to Russian news agencies.

Putin disclosed the possibility of redeploying the medium-range hypersonic ballistic missile "Oreshnik," while noting that his country is not in a hurry to do so, stating: "We do not rule out the possibility of using it today and tomorrow if necessary."

The Russian president highlighted the possibility of using more lethal medium-range weapons when necessary. In response to President-elect Donald Trump's team's plans to freeze the conflict, Putin reviewed Moscow's efforts to end the conflict, adding: "We are also working hard to end the conflict."

The Russian president revealed a Slovak initiative to host potential peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, explaining during a press conference that Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico "said that if negotiations were to take place, he would be pleased to offer his country's platform."

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov explained that Moscow is not imposing preconditions for negotiations regarding the settlement in Ukraine, but rather demands the implementation of previous agreements.

Lavrov stated in a media interview: "When they tell us that Russia is setting preconditions, these are not preconditions, but demands to implement what was previously agreed upon." The Russian Foreign Minister pointed to the possibility of targeting decision-making centers in Kyiv with Russian strikes, confirming the avoidance of targeting civilian facilities.

Levant-Agencies

Israeli Airstrikes Target Strategic Houthi Facilities in Yemen Lebanese Parliament Speaker Rejects Pressure and Maintains Session Date

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”