Senior Russian legislator Leonid Slutsky is advocating for the establishment of a professional military force comprising seven million soldiers in Moscow.
Slutsky is the head of the ultranationalist Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LPDR).

“The country does not need any PMCs (private military companies) and their likes,” Slutsky said.

“There are problems in the regular army, but PMCs cannot solve them.”

Slutsky made the comments after the Wagner private military company conducted a mutiny against Russia’s military leadership.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is set to meet with South African counterpart Naledi Sandor in Pretoria, where Ukraine is expected to be high on the agenda.
“When the country of Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutus raises his voice against injustice, the world listens,” Baerbock said before leaving for South Africa.

Baerbock said that she wanted to “talk about how South Africa can bring its weight to the table to end Russian aggression and uphold the UN Charter.”

The minister praised the African peace initiative headed by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

South Africa has adopted a policy of neutrality on Ukraine.