Barbados PM calls for upholding multilateral global system

The Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley, has called for safeguarding the multilateral global system to tackle the current complex situation in the world economy, noting that the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum which opened in Beijing Tuesday is an important platform for communication on this endeavor. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the official launch of the China-CELAC Forum.

Barbados currently holds the rotating presidency of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

"Small countries and developing countries really survive in this world as a result of a strong, rules-based international order. That is in the context of the multilateral system that we have. When we moved to the World Trade Organization, that gave us the comfort that we could have rules that are fair and transparent, so that people could plan out their business. It is against that backdrop that we feel that rather than moving away from that kind of multilateral framework, that we need to be strengthening it to make it even fairer and more transparent,” said Mottley in an interview with China Central Television aired on Tuesday.

China and Barbados signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative in 2019. The Belt and Road cooperation has generated many practical benefits, said Mottley.

"I can speak to many (examples of cooperation with China) in Barbados' case. We are working, for example, on educational projects, on food security and agricultural education. When people come together, that is when you create even newer opportunities for synergies and for closer cooperation, because that brings trust. Without trust in this world, we have nothing,” she said.

Barbados PM calls for upholding multilateral global system

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Russia holds the strategic initiative along the entire front lines and the goals of the country's special military operation in Ukraine will be achieved.

"The past year has been an important milestone in fulfilling the tasks of the special military operation," Putin said while addressing an expanded meeting of the Russian Defense Ministry.

Putin underscored that Russia has the capability to accelerate its offensive pace, adding that Russia's task of expanding the security buffer zone will be fulfilled, and the core goals of the operation will be realized.

"This year alone, more than 300 settlements have been liberated, including major cities that the enemy had turned into fortified strongholds equipped with long-term defensive structures," the Russian leader said.

He said that the Russian military currently holds the strategic initiative along the entire Russia-Ukraine conflict front and is defeating Ukrainian forces, including elite Ukrainian units trained in the West.

Russia is currently seeking mutually beneficial and fair cooperation with the United States and European countries, Putin said.

Putin rejected claims portraying Russia as a threat to European nations, saying that such narratives are unfounded and fabricated.

Putin also announced that several submarines and surface ships have been commissioned into the Russian Navy this year, while the "Oreshnik" missile complex will enter combat duty by the end of 2025.

Russian military holds strategic initiative along entire Russia-Ukraine conflict front: Putin