BULGARIA
Former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov took the lead in Bulgaria’s election on Sunday (Oct. 3). “I neither want to be prime minister, nor deputy, nor minister”, Borissov, GERB leader, commented at a party briefing whether he is inclined not to be prime minister in the next cabinet, Novinite reported.
RUSSIA
The Kremlin praised Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk for his latest comments about the conflict in Ukraine. “It is very positive that somebody like Elon Musk is looking for a peaceful way out of this situation,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in a conference call. “Compared to many professional diplomats, Musk is still searching for ways to achieve peace. And achieving peace without fulfilling Russia’s conditions is absolutely impossible,” he added. Earlier, Musk suggested resolving the crisis by redoing the votes in the four regions, this time under UN supervision, as well as recognizing Crimea as a part of Russia and ensuring Ukraine “remains neutral.”
UK
“As you know I am a huge Zionist, I am a huge supporter of Israel, and I know that we can take the UK-Israel relationship from strength to strength ”British Prime Minister Liz Truss said in a video shared many times on social media platforms. The premier was speaking at a Conservative Friends of Israel (CFI) event during her party’s fall conference being held in Birmingham.
IRAN
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said on Tuesday that the United States is “now present in the exchange of messages” about the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action “with a better understanding.” The negotiations that could lead to the lifting of sanctions against Iran “are on the right track,” Tehran’s chief diplomat noted, ISNA news agency reported. The talks have progressed to “a point where there is a common understanding on various issues,” he added.
JAPAN
Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida confirmed earlier Kyodo News reports on holding talks with United States President Joe Biden on Tuesday. The event comes just days after North Korea fired an unidentified ballistic missile into the East Sea, ahead of the United States Vice President Kamala Harris’ visit to Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). According to the prime minister, Tokyo seeks to strengthen cooperation with Washington and Seoul amid the rising tensions in the region. Kishida underscored that Pyongyang’s missile launch is an “unforgivable” act, warning that Tokyo will respond accordingly.
CHINA
Beijing warned the United States it could face severe consequences—including the prospect of nuclear war—if it allows Ukraine to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). “In that case, there will be no security for anyone, not for Ukraine, and not for the world,” a Sunday editorial in the state-owned Global Times read. “Instead of pursuing resolutions to end the conflict, Washington has, over and over again, displayed that the US is charging toward the other direction—fanning the flames of war.”
