Peace conference in Switzerland
The United States of America gives Kiev millions, and Meloni rejects Putin

June 15, 2024 at 5:42 pm

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The Ukraine peace conference in Switzerland brings something tangible from the beginning. Kiev receives hundreds of millions of dollars from the United States for its infrastructure and humanitarian purposes. In addition, Austria and Italy clearly reject Putin’s alleged offer.

At the beginning of the Swiss peace conference for Ukraine, the United States promised Kiev millions more in aid for humanitarian purposes and the country’s energy grid. The US government announced that about $500 million (about 467 million euros) should be used to repair damage to energy infrastructure and better secure the energy grid.

$324 million (about €303 million) of funds previously promised by the United States must also be reallocated to these purposes. In addition, $379 million (about 354 million euros) will be allocated for humanitarian aid to provide Ukrainians who had to flee the country with food, water and shelter.

From the point of view of Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, the Ukraine conference represents a possible way out of the impasse. “We are like a Western echo chamber,” the Austrian Prime Minister said on the sidelines of the two-day meeting in Bürgenstock near Lucerne. “We all agree, but this is not enough.” The goal of the European Union and the United States is to find additional allies in order to increase pressure on Moscow in the Ukraine war. He added: „Without parts of Asia, Africa and South America, we will not be able to convince the Russian Federation to change its mind.”

Countries such as India, Brazil, China and South Africa are of particular importance. Nehammer said the fact that India and Brazil were represented at the meeting – even if not at ministerial level – was a „first ray of hope”.

Schulz calls for a „just peace”

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni rejected Russian President Vladimir Putin’s alleged peace talks offer the previous day as „propaganda.” “It does not seem to me that this proposal is particularly effective as a negotiating proposal to demand that Ukraine withdraw from Ukraine,” Meloni said in a sarcastic tone at the press conference held at the end of the G7 summit in Italy. Putin’s comments were more like a „propaganda initiative.”

Chancellor Olaf Scholz also rejected Putin’s proposal, describing it as an „imposed peace.” “What we need is not a peace that is dictated to us, but a just peace that takes into account Ukraine’s safety and sovereignty,” he told ARD.

The Kremlin President had made the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from four Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine a condition for a ceasefire and peace talks. Kiev will also have to give up its membership in NATO.

Heads of government and diplomats from 92 countries want to discuss the first steps of the peace process in Ukraine this weekend. Russia was not interested in the meeting and was not invited. Vice President Kamala Harris is there in the United States. She represents US President Joe Biden, who is holding campaign appointments in California.

The Line – a section of NEOM consisting of two mirrored skyscrapers – is one of the most prominent areas of the planned mega-city. Saudi Arabia’s plans for the futuristic city have stunned architects and designers. Also those who worked on the original designs. These giant structures have been criticized for their impact on wildlife, their suitability for everyday use and their general practicality.

Andreas Krieg is Professor at the Institute of Middle East Studies at King’s College London. He gave an interview to Business Insider and says The Line’s plans are „completely ridiculous.” “The line is an unsustainable project. It is a completely ridiculous mega-project that was never possible due to the enormous cost,” he explained. He said that while some areas of NEOM have clear goals, the central city “has no real purpose” or “use.”

The megacity will also include an octagonal floating city with a sustainable harbour, a luxury island resort and a ski and adventure mountain. “From a government trade strategy perspective, NEOM is a very viable project that has a lot to offer,” Craig said. “But you need a plan on how to implement it. So that it attracts investors. “Saudi Arabia has not done that yet,” he added.

Satellite image © 2024 Maxar Technologies

Plans for the mega-city have reportedly been scaled back in recent months. Originally, The Line was expected to be inhabited by 9 million people by 2030. However, according to a recent report from Bloomberg, that estimate has been reduced to fewer than 300,000 people by that point.

Planners were also concerned about the costs associated with the project. Executives working at NEOM reportedly rejected the official $500 billion figure as unrealistically low. The first 1.5 miles (2.41 kilometers) of the road alone are expected to cost more than $100 billion (about 93 euros). Two people familiar with the work told the Wall Street Journal.

“The world has never seen anything like The Line before,” Craig said. “There has never been a project that has had so much like it resources „It was gutted and served no real purpose,” he added. Additionally, Craig is not the first to question the viability of the Shining City.

Last year, British architect Peter Cook, involved in the project, described the city as „amazing absurdity”. He added that the proposed height was „a bit ridiculous and unreasonable,” according to The Architect’s Journal. NEOM representatives did not respond to a request for comment.

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