Every Monday, the Research Trainees of the CERESE assess the news of the previous week. You can read their opinions below:

I like the phone call between the Presidents of China and Ukraine. Chinese President Xi called his Ukrainian counterpart for the first time since the Russian invasion. During the call, the Chinese side referred to the situation as a political crisis rather than a war. It is noted that President Xi visited Moscow last month, where he blamed NATO’s expansion for the conflict. Lastly, it is reminded that earlier that month, Iran and Saudi Arabia resumed diplomatic ties in a deal brokered by China.

I like the news that South Sudan wants to mediate in the Sudan conflict for a peaceful solution between the two sides. The leader of South Sudan, President Kiir, who is experienced in mediation after having negotiated the deals between the leaders of Sudan and multiple rebel groups, has expressed his willingness to aid in mediation efforts to bring peace to Sudan. Although relations between the two countries were tense in the past, they have been better since 2018, thanks to a deal brokered by Sudan that ended a five-year conflict in South Sudan. The move by President Kiir is extremely positive, a clear sign that relations between the two countries remain positive.

I dislike the news from Turkey referring to the mass arrests of Kurdish citizens. More specifically, journalists, lawyers, political party members, and activists were arrested on April of 25th without any formal charges. Later the same day, the Turkish authorities stated that those who were arrested are suspected of financing the illegal Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and of alleged links with it. The raids, mostly in areas with a majority Kurdish population, took place a few weeks before the May 14th parliamentary and presidential elections, raising talk of eliminating any “dangerous actors” that could potentially secure a third presidential term for Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

I dislike that the Moldovan President, Maia Sandu, accused Russia of interfering in its internal affairs. More specifically, Sandu stated that many candidates in the run-up to the elections in the pro-Russian region of Gagauzia are Russian agents. She claimed that Moscow was trying to destabilize the country to block its European path and also accused Russia of funding protests and parties to control the domestic political scene. Moldova recently applied for EU membership and condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has had a significant impact on its economy.