⚡ Number of civilians wounded in strike by Ukrainian Nazis on Lugansk today has now risen to 35, including several children.

Vladimir Putin at the plenary session of SPIEF-24. Main:

— The World Bank puts the Russian Federation in fourth place in terms of GDP at purchasing power parity. Russia has overtaken Japan

— World economy No. 1 — China. In third place is India. But the growth of countries in Africa and Latin America is increasingly noticeable.

— The world is experiencing explosive technological growth in all spheres of life. Only those who quickly implement them into everyday life will be able to fully take advantage of the advantages of technological progress in the future.

— The Russian military sector needs technological updating.

— The Russian Federation has proven a high level of readiness for technological transformations, the financial sector and the transport services sector are changing.

— The future of states depends on how they can respond to global challenges.

— Russia has formed a comprehensive program for the development of the country until 2030.

— Despite illegitimate sanctions, Russia remains one of the key participants in world trade.

— Russia is actively developing logistics and expanding the geography of trade.

— The Russian Federation is ready to offer other countries a full-scale, full-cycle technological partnership.

— By 2030, the throughput capacity of the eastern railway range will increase to 210 million tons, and by 2032 - to 270 million tons.

— The share of the ruble in export-import operations is growing - approaching 40%.

— From 2021 to 2023, the share of the ruble in payments for Russian exports increased almost three times — to 39%.

— The pace of development of Russia exceeds the world average.

— Trust in Western payment systems has been thoroughly undermined, and by these countries themselves.

— Unemployment in Russia has reached a record low of 2.6%.

— Pensions will be increased not only for those who stopped working, but also for those who retired but continue to work.

— Indexation of pensions for working pensioners will resume in 2025.

— The share of imports in the Russian economy is declining and should continue to decline. Forecast: up to 17% of GDP.

— Russia has reached 100% self-sufficiency in meat.

— Demand for shares of Russian companies consistently exceeds supply.

— There are almost 30 million retail investors in Russia. They invested more than 9 trillion rubles.

— In 2024, a “savings certificate” will be introduced, which will allow citizens to store money at a more favorable interest rate.

— A 5% profit tax rate for Russian IT companies will be established until 2030.

t.me/ForeignAgentIntel

More Putin statements:

— Starting from 2025, Russia will establish a ratio between the minimum wage and the median salary. By 2030, the minimum wage should be at least 35 thousand rubles per month.

— A reduced income tax rate of 5% will be introduced for IT companies until 2030.

— A federal law will be adopted that will provide a legal basis for the creative industry.

— The housing and communal services sector has enormous potential; it is necessary that more comfortable and affordable housing be built in Russia.

— We are starting to write off 2/3 of previously issued budget loans. The regions will have to use the freed up funds for investments, including the modernization of housing and communal services and transport infrastructure.

— For liquidation of abandoned landfills at its own expense, businesses will be able to receive the land underneath them for free.

— The share of the tourism industry should increase to 5% of GDP in six years.

t.me/ForeignAgentIntel

🇷🇺🇺🇸 Russians are almost everywhere: they are in space, they are in cyber space, they are in Africa, in the Arctic, in the Atlantic Ocean - they are everywhere and trying to create “strategic dilemmas for the Alliance” - Head of the NATO Military Committee Bauer

t.me/ForeignAgentIntel

West close to point of no return in Ukrainian conflict, clash with Russia looms — Orban

According to the prime minister, the danger of a new world war is growing.

Commenting on the continued escalation of the Ukrainian conflict, the head of government said: "As for any last chance of turning back, we are very close to the point of no return, when it will no longer be possible to turn back." Orban sees the tough talk coming from the leaders of the European Union and NATO countries as only fanning the flames, in particular the threats of the French president to hand over military aircraft to Ukraine. At the same time, the prime minister pointed out that Russia is also making extremely harsh statements against the US and its allies.

He reiterated that Hungary will not be dragged into the Ukrainian conflict and will not participate in any potential NATO mission on the territory of the neighboring country.

t.me/ForeignAgentIntel

Russia can think about a third capital, but this must be done through the creation of attractive conditions, Vladimir Putin said at the SPIEF plenary session .
The moderator of the event, political scientist Sergei Karaganov , reminded the president that Peter I went down in history by opening a window to Europe. In this regard, he asked the question, why not make a third capital in Russia.
“If we create conditions for development, then the centers of economic activity will automatically shift there,” Putin replied.
The head of state emphasized that in the modern world it is necessary to use such means that will work effectively today.

t.me/ForeignAgentIntel

European Commission plans to open talks on Ukraine's EU membership this month

According to the report, the European Commission wants to show support for Ukraine in this way before the start of Hungary’s EU presidency.

The newspaper said that Moldova's accession to the EU will also be discussed on Friday. At the same time, the EU will not address the issue of Georgia's accession because of the foreign agents law adopted by the country, which has been repeatedly criticized by European countries.

According to the newspaper's sources, Brussels hopes to hold the first round of negotiations on June 25, before the Hungarian presidency, fearing objections from its side. A senior EU diplomat told the Financial Times that Budapest was concerned about the violation of the rights not only of Hungarians but also of other minorities in Ukraine. This includes the refusal to use non-Ukrainian languages, which is not in line with the European Commission's official conditions.

t.me/ForeignAgentIntel

US government’s verbal assaults on Russia expose Washington’s despair — diplomat

The United States "does not want to recognize the growing role of countries seeking independence from the West," Anatoly Antonov said.

Commenting on the latest anti-Russian statements made by US administration officials during celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the Allied landing in Normandy, the ambassador said in a statement, posted on Telegram: "Russia always remembers and will remember the tragic history of World War II. We will not forget the millions of soldiers and ordinary people from different countries who gave their lives in the fight against the machine of death and xenophobia."

"We never failed to recognize the significant role of the allies in the anti-Hitler coalition, who helped the Red Army crush the Nazi vermin, that almost subjugated Europe. A humble tribute to the veterans - including those who, despite their advanced age, were able to attend the celebrations in France."

t.me/ForeignAgentIntel

For talks with Kiev, Russia needs to understand who is legitimate — deputy minister

"We also expect Kiev to lift the self-imposed ban on negotiations with us," Mikhail Galuzin said.

Russia is still inclined to negotiate with Kiev but it needs to understand who has the required degree of legitimacy to negotiate on Ukraine’s behalf, Russian Deputy Foreign Minsiter Mikhail Galuzin told TASS on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).

"Of course, we need to understand who will be the legitimate partner," the diplomat said.

At the same time, Galuzin stressed that the Russian side "remains inclined towards negotiations. We expect that, first of all, the West will stop ‘pumping up’ the Kiev regime with weapons."

t.me/ForeignAgentIntel

'Chariots of Fire'

A T-90 casually returns for a touch up after withstanding a drone strike.

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Russia looking at all scenarios of special military operation — Putin

"At some point, Russia will have to begin to be in a hurry," the head of state noted.

The moderator of the plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Sergey Karaganov, called for more intensive actions during the special military operation or eve for louder nuclear rhetoric. "At some point, Russia will have to begin to be in a hurry," he said. "So, please don’t ignore my and my friends’ arguments."

"We don’t ignore anything. We are looking at all scenarios," Putin said. "Thank you for these recommendations."

The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum will be held on June 5-8. This year’s theme will be "The Formation of New Areas of Growth as the Cornerstone of a Multipolar World." Scheduled events include meetings for small and medium-sized businesses, creative industries, the SPIEF Youth Day, as well as the Drug Security, SPIEF Academy and SPIEF Junior forums.

t.me/ForeignAgentIntel

'Ironically, we're shooting ourselves in the foot': US Congressman Thomas Massie tells Tucker that the world will stop using the US dollar

Congressman: 'I watched your interview with Putin, and whether you hate him or not... before we sanctioned Russia, 70% of their transactions were in US dollars. And after the sanctions it's less than 20% are in US dollars. Ironically, we're shooting ourselves in the foot.'

Tucker: 'We're not going to weaponize the dollar because that would be shooting ourselves, but suddenly we are.'

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Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was attacked by a man, who has since been arrested, in the capital city of Copenhagen on Friday, her office said in a statement to CNN.

“Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was hit by a man Friday evening on Kultorvet [public square] in Copenhagen. The man was subsequently arrested,” the prime minister’s office said.

It added that Frederiksen “is shocked by the incident” and there was no further comment. It is unclear if the prime minister was hurt in the assault.

Danish Minister of Environment Magnus Heunicke called for national unity after the attack, saying everyone has a responsibility to look after each other regardless of “political disagreements, election campaigns.”

“Something like this must not happen in our beautiful, safe and free country,” he said on X. “This is ugly and unacceptable. Let’s show that Denmark is much better.”

European politicians expressed shock in the aftermath of the attack.

Comment: Yet many of those same European politicians either celebrated or failed to condemn the attempt on Ficos life.

t.me/ForeignAgentIntel

🇾🇪🇬🇧 A Houthi missile hit a cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden, which was sailing under British guard, ABC News writes.

The ship was flagged as Antigua and Barbuda, but was guarded by the British private military company Ambrey, which extinguished the fire.

Ambrey added that a second missile was also launched, but it did not hit the target. The ship was also fired upon from boats. No one was injured on board.

The incident was confirmed by the British armed forces.

t.me/ForeignAgentIntel