Impasse on the prospects for peace in Ukraine and the Middle East

Cairo [Egypt], May 3: "Now, Russia and Ukraine will have to decide for themselves when each side knows what the other's peace conditions are," Vance emphasized in an interview with Fox News on May 1. Similarly, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that a real breakthrough on the Russia-Ukraine conflict is needed soon, otherwise US President Donald Trump will decide how much more time to devote to this issue. The U.S. State Department also said Rubio urged European allies to commit more resources to Ukraine, warning that "words are not enough" to end the conflict in Ukraine and ensure a lasting peace.
On the Russian side, RT on May 1 quoted a statement from the country's Foreign Ministry saying that Moscow will not allow the restoration of Ukrainian territory as in 1991, because this threatens Russian citizens. Earlier, European Union (EU) diplomat Kaja Kallas stated that the EU would not agree to Russia's control of the Crimean Peninsula.
Regarding the situation in the Middle East, CNN on May 1 quoted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as declaring that defeating the country's enemies is more important than rescuing the remaining hostages in the Gaza Strip. It is the first time the Israeli leader has said that rescuing hostages is not a priority goal when sending troops to the Gaza Strip in response to Hamas, which has led to a conflict that has killed more than 51,000 people so far.
On May 2, Netanyahu said Israel attacked a target near the presidential palace in the Syrian capital Damascus. "This is a clear message to the Syrian regime that we will not allow Syrian forces to deploy south of Damascus or any threat to the Druze minority," Netanyahu said. The Druze live in Israel, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan. The Syrian government has not yet responded.Also in the Middle East, Iran's Foreign Ministry said the next round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Rome had been postponed, after the mediator, Oman, cited logistical reasons, according to AFP. U.S. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said the U.S. side had never confirmed any meeting with the Iranian side in Rome on May 3. Earlier, Iran and the United States both said they had made progress after three rounds of talks since April 12. However, on May 1, US President Donald Trump announced that all purchases of Iranian oil and petrochemical products must be stopped immediately and that the violating party will immediately face a secondary embargo.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper