❗️US announces $350 million drawdown of military equipment for Ukraine, package includes ammunition for HIMARS, howitzers, Bradleys - Blinken

Ukraine’s Entry Into EU ‘Not on the Agenda Today’

“There can be no concessions when it comes to rule of law, freedom of speech and common European values. Membership [in the EU] depends on the reform process. NATO has an ‘open door’ policy; sovereign states decide for themselves which alliance they want to join if they wish to join. In the case of Ukraine this question is not on the agenda today; first of all it is necessary to end this terrible war,” German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has announced.

The conflict in Ukraine is rooted in the West's long-standing efforts to pull Ukraine away from cooperation with Russia, including its push for Ukraine's accession into the EU and NATO as well as the the violent coup in Kiev in 2014, which led to the new government's pro-Western policies and sparked the ongoing war. It also touches on the Minsk Agreements and Russia's proposal for a security treaty, which were both rejected by the West.

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At the informal meeting in the Kremlin, Xi called Putin "my dear friend"

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At the informal meeting in the Kremlin, Putin outlined the necessity to discuss the situation in Ukraine with Xi Jinping

💬‘’We have carefully read your proposals for resolving the severe crisis in Ukraine. Of course we will have the opportunity to discuss these issues. We know that you proceed from the principles of justice and respect for the fundamental provisions of international law, and indivisible security for all parties. You are also aware that we are always open to the negotiation process. We will certainly discuss all the issues, including your initiative,’’ Putin said.

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At the informal meeting in the Kremlin, Xi pointed to the strong leadership of Putin and support of his nation

💬“I know that next year your country will hold its upcoming presidential elections. Thanks to your strong leadership over the recent years, Russia has gained significant success in achieving national success and prosperity. I am sure that the Russian people will resolutely support you in your good endeavors,” Xi said.

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❗Putin, Xi have completed informal talks; they lasted 4.5 hours

❗️Russian MoD briefing on the progress of the special military operation in Ukraine:

▪️In the Kupyansk direction, Ukrainian losses amount up to 55 Ukrainian troops, one armored fighting vehicle, two pick-up trucks, and one D-20 howitzer in the Kharkov region and Lugansk People's Republic;

▪️In the Krasny Liman direction, Russian forces destroyed over 100 Ukrainian troops, one infantry fighting vehicle, three pick-up trucks, one motor vehicle, and one Msta-B howitzer;

▪️In the Donetsk direction, Russian artillery annihilated over 245 Ukrainian troops, one tank, three armored fighting vehicles, three pick-up trucks, one Grad MLRS vehicle, and one Msta-B howitzer;

▪️In the South Donetsk and Zaporozhye directions, Ukrainian losses have amounted to over 50 Ukrainian troops, three tanks, four infantry fighting vehicles, two armored fighting vehicles, four motor vehicles, and one D-20 howitzer;

▪️In the Kherson direction, Russian troops neutralized up to 40 Ukrainian troops, two armored fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, one Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer, one D-30 howitzer, and one US-made Paladin self-propelled artillery system;

▪️The Russian Aerospace Forces intercepted one Mi-8 helicopter of the Ukrainian Air Force in the Kharkov region;

▪️Russian air defense systems intercepted five HIMARS projectiles and one HARM anti-radiation missile during the day;

▪️Seven Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down in the Lugansk People's Republic and the Donetsk People's Republic by Russian forces.

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Ajamu Baraka, 2016 US vice presidential candidate for the Green Party, joined us to discuss the necessity of moving towards a multipolar world order instead of living under the hegemony of the West, while the US empire continues on a path of violent coercion

🗣️”Unless we are able to move to a multipolar world where there are countervailing powers that able to put a brake on the gangsterism of the US, the US and the European powers represent a threat to global humanity,” he added

🎧Listen to more of Baraka’s analysis in our podcast The Critical Hour

Turkiye, Ukraine, UN not against grain deal’s 60-day extension

Russia agreed to extend the Black Sea Grain Initiative for 60 instead of 120 days and that all parties to the grain deal were notified about it.

"This position was officially communicated to the Turkish and Ukrainian sides of the Black Sea Initiative, as well as to UN officials. There were no formal objections. Thus, the agreement continues to be valid for the next two months under the existing parameters, without any changes in the ports involved, the nomenclature of goods and the agreed upon procedure for inspections," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Moscow will suspend its participation in the grain deal if there is no progress in implementing the Russian part of the agreement, the ministry warned.

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#USInvasionofIraq20🇮🇶 The US Learned Absolutely Nothing From Iraq

In March 2003, the United States launched an invasion of Iraq on false pretenses and without a clear long-term strategy. Twenty years later, it is repeating many of the same mistakes in Ukraine.

Iraq was a costly mistake, but Ukraine has the potential to be something much worse. By waging a proxy war against Russia in Ukraine, the United States risks becoming drawn into a direct confrontation with another nuclear power. The recent MQ-9 Reaper incident demonstrates that instead of trying to avoid such a dangerous escalation, Washington is taking ever-more provocative actions against Russia. Such a reckless attitude is a recipe for disaster.

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🔺Xi Jinping arrives in Russia for talks with Putin
🔺Another ally in the bloc? Turkiye announces plans to approve Finland’s NATO bid
🔺Cooperation between Russia and Africa reaches new level, President Putin says

The Critical Hour will cover these and more stories! Tune in to Radio Sputnik at 6pm EST|3pm PST|11am CET via the website or app

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UK's Private Firms Reportedly Raking in Profits From Booking Hotels to Accommodate Migrants

The UK government has been facing a challenge in managing the high number of asylum seekers attempting to enter the country via the English Channel.

As a result, there has been increased scrutiny of the use of hotels to house migrants by the Home Office, and concerns have been raised about the welfare of children in such accommodations.

Private firms involved in arranging hotel accommodation for asylum seekers have been raking in profits, with one booking agency contracted by the Home Office seeing its pre-tax income triple from £2.1 million to £6.3 million.

The Home Office is currently using 395 hotels to accommodate more than 51,000 asylum seekers, with the total number of asylum cases now reaching approximately 166,000 people. The Home Office’s use of hotels has surged tenfold since 2020.

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Scientists Discover Association Between Depression and Heart Disease in Women

A study by scientists at Russia’s Tyumen State Medical University uncovered a correlation between depression and cardiovascular disease in women, but not in men.

Patients with both visible and hidden psychological distress were found to have hypertension and elevated cholesterol levels. Hypertensive patients without depression were more likely to normalize their blood pressure with medication.

Women had a higher incidence of obesity and depression, with those without any indications of depression being younger, better educated, and more likely to live in rural areas. This gender difference should be taken into account in clinical practice.

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Ultra-Rare ‘Chinese Rolls-Royce’ Spotted Chauffeuring Xi Around in Moscow

The trip began with all the grandeur one might expect of a state visit by such an important guest, including a large ceremonial cortege driving Xi to his talks with President Putin in the Kremlin.

The fleet of black limousines carrying Xi Jinping and the Chinese delegation through the streets of Moscow included an ultra-rare model – the Hongqi N701, a Chinese-made luxury car produced for high-ranking officials.

The five+ meter-long limo features a stretched B-pillar, an extended, traditional-style hood, and a truncated trunk, in line with currently luxury automotive design fashions. The distinct, stretched chrome-accented red flag hood ornament gives away the car’s brand and status.

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Activist and editor Dr. Margaret Flowers joined us to discuss the US exceptionalism in the context of building military bases

🎧Listen to more of Flowers’ analysis in our podcast The Critical Hour

Dr. Gerald Horne, professor of history at the University of Houston, Texas, author, historian, and researcher, joined us to discuss another challenge for US imperialism as Saudi Arabia seeks to cooperate with Russia and establish positive relations with Iran

🎧Listen to more of Horne’s analysis in our podcast The Critical Hour

Former Egyptian Foreign Minister: ‘Everyone Knew There Were No WMDs in Iraq’

🇪🇬 Former Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmi was Cairo’'s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United States at the time of the US invasion of Iraq. He shared his memories in an interview with Sputnik.

He stated in his interview that the plan for the American invasion of Iraq was already in motion before George W. Bush became president, and Bush was merely waiting for the right opportunity to execute it.

❓As an Egyptian diplomat at the time, how did you feel about the US decision to invade Iraq in 2003?
❓Why Iraq in particular?
❓Could you please tell us about Egypt's position on the US invasion of Iraq?
❓What did Washington think of Cairo's response to the invasion?

Find the answers