https://en.sputniknews.africa/20250605/update-on-negotiations-with-ukraine-from-inside-the-kremlin--starlinks-potential-harm-1073896116.html
Update on Negotiations With Ukraine From Inside the Kremlin & Starlink's Potential Harm
Update on Negotiations With Ukraine From Inside the Kremlin & Starlink's Potential Harm
Sputnik Africa
As global tensions flare over Ukraine and Africa battles for sovereignty in energy and science, AfroVerdict delivers an analysis of this week’s pivotal... 05.06.2025, Sputnik Africa
2025-06-05T18:18+0200
2025-06-05T18:18+0200
2025-06-05T18:20+0200
afroverdict
vladimir putin
donald trump
sergey lavrov
starlink
brics
ukraine crisis
south africa
energy
astronomy
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Update on Negotiations With Ukraine From Inside the Kremlin & Starlink's Potential Harm
Sputnik Africa
As global tensions flare over Ukraine and Africa battles for sovereignty in energy and science, AfroVerdict delivers an analysis of this week’s pivotal developments. From the negotiations in Istanbul to South Africa’s fight against SpaceX’s satellites, this episode uncovers the geopolitical and technological shifts reshaping the Global South.
On Wednesday, a phone call between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump revealed stark tensions over Ukraine’s peace talks. According to Putin’s aide Yuri Ushakov, the Russian leader informed Trump of Kiev deliberately derailing negotiations through attacks on Russian soil.The call also touched on Iran’s nuclear program, with Trump asking Putin to "work with Iran" on a potential deal. Despite the friction, both sides described the exchange as "positive and productive."Prior to the phone call, Putin held a debriefing session attended by the head of the Russian negotiation team in Istanbul Vladimir Medinsky, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, as well as several officials.Medinsky shared the up-to-date agreements with the Ukrainian side, while Lavrov commented on the overall state of relations with Kiev. Find their direct speech from the brief in the first segment of the podcast.Starlink Satellites Threaten Africa’s Astronomy FutureSouth African astronomers are sounding the alarm over SpaceX’s Starlink satellites, which risk blinding optical telescopes and drowning out radio signals critical for deep-space research. Takalani Nemaungani, Chief Director of Astronomy at South Africa’s Department of Science and Innovation, explained the global stakes:While SpaceX has made minor design adjustments, Nemaungani stressed that "the risk remains." He called for BRICS collaboration to protect Africa’s skies, noting that "Starlink satellites fly over us whether they’re licensed here or not."Power Africa’s Failure: A Chance for BRICS Energy Partnerships?With the US-led Power Africa initiative shutting down after a decade of unmet promises, experts argue Africa must pivot to its own resources and BRICS allies. NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber, dismissed Power Africa as a "government-led initiative that relied on private sector [action] but failed to deliver."He urged African nations to partner with Russia and China, citing their expertise in gas-driven industrialization. Ayuk also highlighted the stalled Inga Dams project in the DRC, calling it a "missed opportunity" to power the continent, blaming Western hypocrisy.To learn more about the state of negotiations in the Ukrainian conflict, the potential harm of Starlink and potential energy partnerships for Africa, check out the entire episode of the AfroVerdict podcast, brought to you by Sputnik Africa.In addition to the website, you can also catch our episodes on Telegram.► You can also listen to our podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Castbox, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Podcast Addict and Afripods.► Check out all the episodes of AfroVerdict.
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vladimir putin, donald trump, sergey lavrov, starlink, brics, ukraine crisis, south africa, energy, astronomy, podcasts, аудио
vladimir putin, donald trump, sergey lavrov, starlink, brics, ukraine crisis, south africa, energy, astronomy, podcasts, аудио
Update on Negotiations With Ukraine From Inside the Kremlin & Starlink's Potential Harm
18:18 05.06.2025 (Updated: 18:20 05.06.2025) Viktor Anokhin
Producer, Podcast host
As global tensions flare over Ukraine and Africa battles for sovereignty in energy and science, AfroVerdict delivers an analysis of this week’s pivotal developments. From the negotiations in Istanbul to South Africa’s fight against SpaceX’s satellites, this episode uncovers the geopolitical and technological shifts reshaping the Global South.
On Wednesday, a phone call between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump revealed stark tensions over Ukraine’s peace talks. According to Putin’s aide Yuri Ushakov, the Russian leader informed Trump of Kiev deliberately derailing negotiations through attacks on Russian soil.
"Vladimir Putin told Donald Trump about the second round of negotiations with Ukraine and how Ukraine tried to disrupt the talks with attacks," Ushakov stated. Trump reportedly denied US involvement, confirming that Washington "was not aware of Kiev’s plans to strike Russian airfields."
The call also touched on Iran’s nuclear program, with Trump asking Putin to "work with Iran" on a potential deal. Despite the friction, both sides described the exchange as "positive and productive."
Prior to the phone call, Putin held a debriefing session attended by the head of the Russian negotiation team in Istanbul Vladimir Medinsky, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, as well as several officials.
Medinsky shared the up-to-date agreements with the Ukrainian side, while Lavrov commented on the overall state of relations with Kiev. Find their direct speech from the brief in the first segment of the podcast.
Starlink Satellites Threaten Africa’s Astronomy Future
South African astronomers are sounding the alarm over SpaceX’s Starlink satellites, which risk blinding optical telescopes and drowning out radio signals critical for deep-space research. Takalani Nemaungani, Chief Director of Astronomy at South Africa’s Department of Science and Innovation, explained the global stakes:
"These satellites beam reflected sunlight onto telescopes, blinding them. They also use radio frequencies that interfere with our instruments. This isn’t just a South African problem—it’s a threat to astronomy worldwide," he said.
While SpaceX has made minor design adjustments, Nemaungani stressed that "the risk remains." He called for BRICS collaboration to protect Africa’s skies, noting that "Starlink satellites fly over us whether they’re licensed here or not."
Power Africa’s Failure: A Chance for BRICS Energy Partnerships?
With the US-led Power Africa initiative shutting down after a decade of unmet promises, experts argue Africa must pivot to its own resources and BRICS allies. NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber, dismissed Power Africa as a "government-led initiative that relied on private sector [action] but failed to deliver."
"Africa is blessed with abundant natural gas. We could’ve used American technology to build gas-to-power plants, but Power Africa fixated on renewables that couldn’t meet our base-load needs," Ayuk said.
He urged African nations to partner with Russia and China, citing their expertise in gas-driven industrialization.
"Russia transformed its economy with gas. We can too," he stressed.
Ayuk also highlighted the stalled Inga Dams project in the DRC, calling it a "missed opportunity" to power the continent, blaming Western hypocrisy.
"The same countries telling us to abandon fossil fuels won’t fund projects like Inga," Ayuk remarked.
To learn more about the state of negotiations in the Ukrainian conflict, the potential harm of Starlink and potential energy partnerships for Africa, check out the entire episode of the AfroVerdict podcast, brought to you by Sputnik Africa.
In addition to the website, you can also catch our episodes on
Telegram.
► Check out all the episodes of AfroVerdict. 
