presidential menu on the company must decide whether it wants to be free, or a vassal of china, or the united states, but grown has never been known to be an original thinker. however, on this point he is obviously right. the real question is whether it's europe still has the power we decided to pain at all with need to resist. is this impulse of wanting to direct the double standard? for hub international con, toward south africa, stresses it's independence, and addresses relations with russia as the to foreign ministers. plot a course for cooperation beyond western influence. also ahead in the program, findings of soviet era tanks and armored vehicles often sealed amongst the building . guy news releases, but it's showing signs that ukraine places troops and combat vehicles near

buildings and civilian populated areas. meanwhile, the west to remain silent on the violations of international law. ukraine security service launches and corruption investigation into its own ministry of defense. following accusations of grossly inflating food prices in a recent contract. ah, hello, good evening for martine or national studios in moscow, from wherever you are. welcome to the hour's top stories from all around the globe . i'm carol is about during a joint press conference with her russian counterpart, south africa's foreign minister has underlined the countries independence and address it's relations with russia. we as africans need to resist, is this impulse of wanting to direct a double standard form of international conduct toward us that what i do

is okay for me, but you cannot do it because you are developing country or you are africa. that is an abuse of international practice. wellness have you lim, union school africa itself from us determine the ways to solve problems on their continent. we share a partnership for accelerated growth and wish south africa speedy development. we talked about conflict resolution in african, for example, in countries like molly. so don and mozambique the international community is obligated to support the paths african countries of chosen for themselves. russia will contribute to the resolution of conflicts in flash points across africa, including the training of local peacekeepers, responsible artes donald quarter was that the part press conference in pretoria and shares his report. at the beginning of this meeting between the 2 foreign ministers, one of the things that the south african foreign minister mentioned right from the

get go was the i actually, the neo colonial, the anti neo colonial rather legacy of the soviet union. and the amount of aid that the soviet union gate africa throughout the 20th century. she said that she wants warm relations between russia and south africa and african south africa to continue to develop and the way they have since that time as well. we also heard at this press conference about what exactly they are going to do to deepen cooperation. we heard that specifically in the sphere of atomic energy and infrastructure. those are 2 areas that russian south africa are going to deepen their cooperation in the future lever. i've also mentioned that russia is dedicating itself to further helping peacekeeping efforts in conflict zones across africa as well. now, another thing we heard what that was mentioned here were upcoming joint military exercises between russia, south africa, and china. this is something that washington has taken issue with. it's called it

provocative, but both foreign ministers basically said that every sovereign nation has the right to decide who it's going to conduct a joint military exercises with. so obviously, that's that stance that washington has taken on these upcoming join military exercises has displeased these 2 countries as well as likely other other countries who find themselves in the same position. let's take a listen to what they said this williams. we do not violate any norms of the law of the sea, so i don't understand the mixed reaction from the medium. america believes that only its forces are allowed to conduct exercises anywhere in the world. so they are engaged in exercises within the framework of indo strategies. right next to china, and this does not cause a mixed reaction in the media. our exercises are transparent and russia, china, and south africa has made all the information public was, was able asked them about these claims by the united states that russia is somehow weapon ising food,

and that the actions of russian president vladimir putin are somehow, ah, harming the african economy, i was able to ask both foreign ministers about that as well as the kind of pressure that washington has been putting on african countries that dare to say that they're going to have warm relations or even cordial relations with the russian federation in terms of on the south african foreign minister, she focused really on the grain deal, the ukraine grain deal. and the fact that i'm, that most of that grain is not even going to the countries that need it. the most is actually going to western europe. so the south african foreign minister actually called on journalists to find where exactly that grain is going. she said, it would be really nice to see some sort of investigative report into that. to understand why that's happening. as for survey leverage, he laid the blame squarely at the feet of the west, slits at the west. let's take a listen to what he said for a minute. it's though, look,

we have repeatedly provided confirmed facts. proving the problems in the food markets began. long before russia's military operation, according to the u. s, we turn everything into weapons, oil, gas, sports, and so on. i handed over a text today that sets out the situation in the food markets. after the, you and head proposed the initiative, we immediately agreed. and now we've implemented 2 agreements about the green deal, which is somehow being implemented. but everything goes to the you and not to poor countries. as for russian fertilizers and grain, the un didn't help the west remove obstacles to our exports. and indeed, there is no line about food and grain in the sanctions. but there are points about bands for ships to enter ports or a ban on our banks using swift. but the west continues to insist that food is not under sanctions. all the important issues are being sidelined, those now unsurprisingly, on the number of topics that were discussed was of course, the ukraine conflict to which russia said it's always open to negotiating an end to

war, at least a ceasefire. and it's actually a key of that love rov explained which has a flat out rejected any sort of negotiating. and he pointed to the fact that vladimir zalinski had a made it so that it would be illegal in ukraine for ukrainian officials to actually have any sort of negotiating going on with the russian side. so we heard a bit about that, but that's basically a rundown of the main topics that were discussed at this press conference here in pretoria in a bit to sway african opinion, the u. s. is set to sentence you and envoy to the continent. this announcement follows a recent visit by the us treasury secretary to zambia and senegal, where she attempted to portray moscow as a troubling issue for africa. which is more in with initiation of food, his exacerbated food insecurity and caused untold suffering. and the global

economic head winds caused by the actions of a single man present in who is creating an unnecessary drag on african economy. american government right now is trying to rescue their influence here in the african continent, and sometimes to change the opinion of the grand countries in about the war in the ukraine. this is the 1st thing you see, mozambique, korean, kenya and other countries are the quality countries are part of the members of the security council of the united nation. so that is, this is the 1st present, the secretary mozambique to mozambique and other countries to, to try to change did the opinion african government trust in the russian or russian government? this is all right. can say right now,

because the western countries are coming here or something here and they have to confront a few years ago and tried to make things a development of the piece and etc. but we don't see anything under jeremy. we received always wars in some parts of the african continental. so this is the 1st reason we're, we are looking at for the other friends. the fact that the guy news has published footage clearly showing ukraine placing military personnel and tanks alongside buildings in densely populated civilian areas. inside the city, ukrainian force is all making falsifications. ah, lines of soviet era tanks and armored vehicles all concealed amongst the buildings . ukraine has denied such claims despite

a report by amnesty international made in august 2022, where it was clearly stated that military bases were set near schools and hospitals and attacks were launched from civilian areas. the report on calves war, crimes outrage, ukrainian officials, and the organization subsequently apologize for causing distress. but western media has ignored evidence of calves crimes and sad waiting it campaign of russian hate justice mont. the times article described how ukrainian drone operators filmed a wounded dying russian soldier, suffering in a trench for 3 hours. it noted the video was recorded and replayed for visiting journalists the following morning. the article also provided the intimate thoughts of one ukrainian soldier on the matter. they aren't humans just, it's a totally different feeling, shooting an enemy in front of you and when working from a drone. but after the 1st time, it's like your hunting. you have all this hate inside of you. i look on the monitor

and it just becomes a question of hunting them down. at a demick, an independent journalist jason, michael believes that most media turn a blind eye to ukrainian war currents. util. rissa phobic, narrative, prevalent among western outlets. well, this is something that has been happening since the beginning of this conflict and has been happening on plain sight since the conflict began almost a year ago. or we have seen social media a wash with images. ready all tanks, artillery pieces, and soldiers, and hospitals and schools who west of media simply housed refuse to cover this or given any serious traction for public consumption, but have been no international condemnation of it for the very simple reason that the international community defined as the collective west is very much russell phobic and we are looking at the swift development certainly within the media and the political sphere in the west of a new cold war. so we're essentially going back to

a default position of cold. ready reportage in the west where those enemies of russia are effectively get from whole passes for human rights violations, war crimes, and various. although i cranes in the international sphere. caveat peace talks between russia and ukraine that were held in belarus. shortly after the conflict began to buy time for ukraine with no intention of peace that was invaded by the head of ukraine's main intelligence director in his latest interview. what bosky raves role as negotiations and gammel what role i sent him there. why? what was the purpose of sending him there? since the person has already died, we can talk about it. the main task we set for him was to delay the process in order to by time, since mr. cray of personally new to people in the negotiation process, who represented the russian side to get more. we cross live now to

our correspondence, steve sweeney. i thank you, steve. could you bring us some more details on exactly what are the latest revelations in this incident? well, now this is quite a murky affair. here we have the head of the ukrainian defense intelligence, serves it, admitting that the s p u, the ukranian states security forces i'm kidnapped, and assassinated one of caves, leading peace negotiators in the capital last march. now this came just days after the special or military operation began 12 days in fact, and at a critical time. now, i began off as confirmed as we've just heard that i am dennis korea of having taken part in high level peace talks with russian officials in in bella, ruth. and that just days before or day before, at his death, he was due to go out there again for a 2nd round of pizza talks. but of course he didn't make it there. this was a he was intercepted by are the by intelligent serves intelligent services. and he

was assassinated, killed in cold blood. now, what was the purpose of these talk? this was, this is the crucial part. and i began, of has said that the main task that he was, that he was set was to delay the process to prolong those piece. talks and as he said, it was to allow the ukrainian on forces to buy time for them to as he said, repel the enemy. now, course, this comes as ukraine at its western backers, accused russia of negotiating in bad faith at the m a during the peace talks. now let's, let's have a listen to what they've said. i am extremely concerned how russia has been acting at the negotiating table. actually, i don't trust what russia is doing at all. any negotiations need to be real. they need to be meaningful. they can't just be a seagly full russian re armament and fed the recruitment of soldiers. do you see

any change when it comes to the possibility of negotiations piecewise? no, i have it's all crap, everything there. think we're, we're not buying it. and more importantly, we are glad to see that more and more countries. i'm not buying it either. huh. okay, now is also alleged that this peace process has been sabotaged by the intervention of western leaders. of course, abolish johnson, who was and british prime minister, is accused of am telling a presidency. lensky, that piece was not an option during one of his many visits to the capitol kiev at last stir last year. and i just recently, just last week, the un secretary general, antonia gutierrez, has said that i am, there's no chance to save his pity peace negotiations. yet, this is june,

his address at the world economic forum last week, which her with the gender again, was dominated by the conflict in ukraine and the promise of yet more arms flowing in from, from the west. so this is something that has been actively undermined the peace process. right, and this isn't the 1st time when any though change in process with russia was used to gain more time for kiev, the minsk agreements being another example. can you compare the 2 incidents in terms of ukraine and the west port trail and then? well, i think guess this is a very good point. of course we know that the minced records, which herb aim to bring peace to dumbass. ah, yeah, we're, we're not signed by the west in good faith. in fact, you know, we know the m r this has been admitted by the leaders of not just ukraine packet or in the time that the accord for sign. but also it's main sponsors, france and germany. so i think, you know, we can safely say that m. yeah, that russia is really the only, honest broker at the,

at the p. talk to is consistently called for cultural peace negotiations. when it is an you're the west, and it's an either a saying that it is russia that is acting, i'm in bad faith is worth a remind a really of an e. what was exactly said that the mints could cause. we're used to buy time to build up the ukranian on 40, so it looks like pieces. not really on the west agenda. and 2014 minsk agreement was an attempt to give the crane time ukraine. yes, this time to become strong. as you can see today, the ukraine of 20142015 is not the ukraine of to day. since 2014, ukraine has strengthened its military posture. it is the merit of the minsk agreements to have given the ukrainian army this opportunity. thus the time that prudent thought was an asset for him turned out to be in fact, an opportunity for the ukrainians. i needed the minsk agreements to gain at least 4

and a half years to build the ukrainian forces to build the ukrainian economy, to train ukrainian forces alongside nato, to create the best armed forces in eastern europe, according to nato standards. now for all the west, sir accusations that they've been throwing out russia about peace talks about it's i'm, you know, it's position at the negotiating table. i'm if moscow that says that it's in fact kevin the wester and not acting in good faith. and i think that this latest incident serves to underlying that more revelations. cracking halls in ukraine. sensitive thank is steve ukraine security service has launched an investigation into corruption within the ministry of defense in what media claims that to be the worst corruption scandal to engulf the armed forces. since the beginning of the ukrainian conflicts ukrainian meteor accusing the defense ministry

of buying over price food for ukrainian soldiers. having signed a deal at prices $2.00 to $3.00 times higher than current rates. for instance, eggs, which usually cost around $19.00 us cents in a shop having been contracted for $0.46. instead, the deal side with a local firm in december is estimated to be worth $30000000.00. ukrainian defense minister, alexi, resonant coff, deny the allegations, but announced the ministry would launch an internal audit with an emergency meeting to be held today. meanwhile, it's not the 1st time ukrainian officials have been accused of corruption earlier on saturday, ukrainian deputy minister of infrastructure vazo lazansky, was detained by national anti corruption bureau report. say he is accused of receiving a bribe of $400000.00 to procure generators from a particular company. according to the country's national anti corruption bureau, wasinski was bribed to sign contracts to purchase critical equipment and machinery

at inflated prices. meanwhile, the ukrainian president has admitted the importance of taking the issue of corruption in his country under control. some u. s. senators claim no audit of money provided to kiev is needed. one of the things that i really was focused upon, in fact, i raised it was present zelinski himself. i said look, if you have a scandal, if you miss of mr. misuse these, these resources, it's gonna, it's going to sink the, the support in the u. s. and he got that, and then we had a later meeting with a lot of their defense officials and, and government officials. they're doing detailed software, they're keeping track of every spare part that comes into the country. we're sending over an inspector general from the pentagon this month. so i came away very impressed by the level of accountability. and the lady chief editor janice,

the conan says that he has a noun thing of probes into corruption, is a way of showing western allies that ukraine can be trusted. this is a deep, nice burgundy trying to whitewash their problems. of course, the western program that uses this as an example that there is some kind of monitoring system. and if you is doing some investigation, they want to convince the world that they can be trusted. oh, but i think that also in the same time when the, or i'm sure evolution started on the real corruption, we do the highest possible in a level the euro. all people know, just to grade it was, oh, corruption, ukrainian armies using their power to put these flat market please. this is going to, they're all pockets. and in doing much, everything was done, used to meet or to brought to prices. and this is,

this is also touching the very core of the conflict in frame. so what we see here is a short for the western audience that you can rely on. we will check that none of these will happen again until it happens to morrow. again, the western media is increasingly focusing on the success of the russian bagged or private military group after it sees a key town on the front lines. i know don, yes for public art is marina cassandra, about discovers the notes behind the music of the warriors for referred to as the orchestra. now everyone wants to know who these guys are, where they came from, and their secrets to success on the battlefield. we turn out something called the wagner, russian private military company. wagner church said the wagner group, as we know at 1st are pumped up in ukraine, russian mercenary group, the wagner group. wagner, group is what is leading to its war right now, right now,

making the only known progress, it all started back in 2014. when many russians watched this key, it was deliberately persecuting the people. and don, boss, or one business man decided to take matters into his own hands and creates a group of professional fighters or a group of patriots, as he likes to call them at that moment till may. the 1st 2014, a group of patriots was born, which was later called wagner. it was their courage and bravery that made possible the liberation of the new guns, carports and many other territories, and radically changed the destiny of the lou gunsmoke don. yet people's republics. through his popular social media and telegram channel, we now get direct updates on the group's activities. if can you pick, gordon has become very vocal and transparent about everything that is going on even admitting that his own son is part of this special military operation. but it's his trawling skills that really reveal his character. here he is, for example, it's haunting zalinski, vladimir alexander,

which that's not fair. i'm sitting waiting for you a buck moose, and you want your turn and went to the usa. i like humor patches of my country and haven't gone anywhere since february, when i'm off to the usa to tell joseph to meet me there. and this is what he told cnn. what asked what a wagner is responsible for a bunch of letter. bombs delivered to ukrainian embassies around the world. think about the madness when some hooligans send letter bombs or other offensive things. what does this have to do with the wagner? private military company? p. m. c. wagner acts honesty, fair, an openly, and it never engages in boys stupid antics. it's not our style. but if all the european armies decide to move in some direction and they are met and their spine is broken, then put these orthopedic claims to the p. m. c. wagner here says the latest response or reuters, when asked the comments on the white house, declaring wagner a transnational criminal organization. finally, pmc varga and the americans,

our colleagues, are relations can now be called a clash of criminal gangs. that's who is in charge of the volcano. group, but what about his fighters? while tensions between russia and ukraine was simmering after crime me every night in that russia wagner. it took its guys across the globe, including africa and the middle east. hop in countries like syria and libya providing military training. and molly and saddam, and very quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with will with but again, the also, the experience in africa in the middle east really came in handy in syria. for example, we worked mostly on open terrain and in the ukraine there were a lot of fields in northern africa. we gained huge experience in urban fighting. such experiences really helped a lot here, nor yes, the bread in north africa were gained a lot of valuable urban combat experience. while in the middle east, it was mostly open to rein warfare. and in the c, a, r will launch how to deal with partisan warfare. it was during their stance in the

central african republic when the group 1st became famous, or what others half called infamous, after the murder of free russian journalists, who were supposedly there filming a documentary about its activities. the journalists fit in the worn russian officials about the trip, something which was customary when travelling to hot spots. they apparently showed fake un idea to local rebels and refused to comply when russian instructors warned them not to cross shirts and track points. this case is still shrouded in mystery. suspects range from exile, business suddenly fell for the bowski who sent them there to begin with. as he has something to gain from discredits in russia, to local militia and france who controlled them at the time. russia for its port has always denied sending private military contractors there. but it did knowledge sending instructors at the request of the c, a r's president, which proved to be

a game changer. what are russians fighting for in our vote for the good is everyone here is either full, military or associated with security forces from william. this is in vocation a juicy a job. here were primarily performing an international judy when the special military operation in ukraine began. the wagner group switch focused and starts at recruiting more fighters. and this time it was in just professionals. you've gotten visited prisons and one of his most notorious new recruits. there was this man, his guinea news and dependence, which was in you believe he surrendered or was captured in ukraine. where he allegedly confessed that he only joined wagner, cisco a prison. when he was returned back to russia during the prisoner swamp, he was later, brutally executed on camera for everyone to see was pedagogy writing at the time

that it was a dog that's for the dog lead and some to assume that it was punishment for treachery. and then you have videos like these way of gabriel garza is grades in the convicts who have just returned from battle. and as manser in them like a father figure, i draw the by that i do well done, guys who have one orders and metals and learned a lot. first of all, learned how to kill your enemies. i wish you would not use this practice in for making territories. if you feel like killing enemies again, come back. second, there are 3 temptations with alcohol, drugs and excessive adrenalin release. i hope that the adrenalin you spend during these 6 months was enough to get you through at least a month is if you were able to. so that in i live now that the bargaining group is making significant strides in ukraine, taken over entire towns almost single handedly. they're back in the headlines by judging by those headlines. the aim is as always, to smear them, get rid of them,

or pet them against the russian government need in some to question the western sanctions, grown excuses for war, ukrainian, special horses, core, and mercenaries. we can see that we are much more qualified than them. no part of florida preliminary for british will say that the fear, the wagner, p and c, and that it is hard to find us because we're professionals with extensive experience. when they hear the name wagner, enemy, sometimes the media surrenders runs away. but the rod, those worthy ones who joined the fight and try their luck, lend you, but in ukrainian forces were shocked by the effectiveness of wagner's fighters. these guys are heroes who defended the syrian people, other peoples or arab countries disadvantage africans, and latin americans, became one of the pillars of our homeland without blinking or doubting. for a 2nd, you have to live or die. live by the rules, do what you must and what will be, ah

ah ah you can believe whatever you want about the wagner group, but one thing as for sure, whatever they're doing on the battlefield is clearly working and the don't seem to be going anywhere anytime soon, well, figuratively speaking, at least that's our up on the hour's top news stories for.