❗️ Vladimir Putin on the use of nuclear weapons at #SPIEF2023:

▪️ Russia does not need to use nuclear weapons;

▪️ Russia has more nuclear weapons than NATO countries, they want us to reduce it - this will not happen;

▪️ Russia has moved the first part of the nuclear warheads to Belarus, but by the end of the summer, by the end of the year, we will complete the task in full. This is an element of deterrence, a signal to those who are thinking about inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia;

▪️ US once using nuclear weapons, set a precedent.

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Hungary's Orban claims only Trump can stop Ukraine conflict

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban once again voiced his support for Donald Trump on Friday and argued that only the former US president could stop the conflict in Ukraine.

"If there is a person in the Western world who can stop this war and make peace, it is former US President Donald Trump, and Hungary is interested in seeing a supporter of peace as the head of the United States," Orban said on Kossuth Radio.

After the conflict, "the truth will remain with the supporters of a peace settlement," including Hungary, whose position has "moral righteousness," the Hungarian prime minister added.

Trump has claimed on numerous occasions that had he been the US president he would have settled the conflict in Ukraine within 24 hours.

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US, Iran quietly seek 'understanding' on Tehran's nuke program

The Biden administration is engaging in talks with Iran regarding its nuclear program. They are seeking an "understanding" rather than a formal agreement, as major concessions would face opposition in the US Congress. The discussions aim to restore some limits on Iran's nuclear program in exchange for benefits that would not require Congressional review.

The informal agreement would likely involve Iran freezing uranium enrichment at 60-percent purity and refraining from installing advanced centrifuges, while the benefits offered would include the transfer of frozen Iranian funds and efforts to prevent escalation between Israel and Iran.

The previous nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was signed in 2015 but was subsequently abandoned by the Trump administration in 2018. The agreement had restricted Iran's uranium enrichment to 3.67% and set a cap on its stockpile.

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🎙 Dimitri Simes Jr. from Sputnik International asked the opinion of Dimitri Simes Sr. - host of the panel with Vladimir Putin - on the speech of the Russian president at the #SPIEF2023

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🎥 Watch the interview with Dimitri Simes Jr. from Sputnik International and Dimitri Simes Sr. - host of the panel with Vladimir Putin at the #SPIEF2023

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❗️Main takeaways from Vladimir Putin's speech at #SPIEF2023:

▪️Ukraine continues to attempt a counteroffensive, but Kiev has no chance; the Armed Forces of Ukraine have already lost more than 180 tanks and almost 420 armored vehicles.

▪️The defense industry of the Russian Federation is spinning up day by day, unlike the Ukrainian one - Kiev gets all its equipment from the outside. Russian defense industry enterprises work in two or three shifts; the production of weapons has increased 2.7-fold; production of the most in-demand items - 10-fold.

▪️NATO is being drawn into the war in Ukraine with the supply of equipment. If a decision is made to supply F-16s to Kiev and if they are based abroad, "we'll see how to hit them."

▪️The US, instead of maintaining contacts with Russia, has chosen to supply equipment to Ukraine, "let's burn it and see what happens next."

▪️At the moment Russia has no need to use nuclear weapons, but theoretically it is possible if a threat to the existence of the Russian state arises.

▪️The West did not want to talk to Russia, but "they'll want to, and then we will decide." The current challenges in the field of security will lead to the realization that it must be equal.

▪️Russia will do what suits its interests, everyone will have to reckon with this.

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📹 Vladimir Putin responded to the host's request for advice to Joe Biden

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China's Xi Jinping welcomes 'old friend' Bill Gates in Beijing

US billionaire Bill Gates recently visited China and met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing. This visit follows other tech leaders, such as Elon Musk, Tim Cook, and Jamie Dimon, who have made stops in China.

Xi Jinping expressed his hopes for continued friendship between the two countries, and Gates stated that he was honored to have the opportunity to meet with him.

During his visit, Gates discussed a partnership with China on drug discovery and addressed the Global Health Drug Discovery Institute. The Gates Foundation announced a $50 million donation to the institute, to accompany a matching investment from Beijing's municipal government.

Gates praised Chinese researchers and emphasized China's potential to contribute more to global challenges, particularly those faced by African countries.

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Ukrainians may attempt to cross reservoir, having blown up Kakhovka dam

According to international relations and security analyst Mark Sleboda, Ukraine has destroyed bridges and dams as part of their defensive strategy against Russian forces.

They recently attacked the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant, causing significant damage to the dam and flooding downstream areas. Sleboda suggests that as the tidelands dry up, Ukraine may attempt to cross the drained Kakhovka reservoir, potentially enabling them to launch an offensive towards the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant.

However, crossing the reservoir with heavy tanks may not be feasible yet, as it could take months for it to completely dry up.

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Germany runs out of money for EU after Ukraine spending spree

German Finance Minister Christian Lindner has stated that Germany cannot provide additional funding support to the EU's budget due to its own budget constraints. He emphasized that Germany is currently engaged in cost-cutting measures at the national level and cannot make further contributions to the EU.

This comes after the European Commission expressed concerns about the exhaustion of the long-term budget and suggested that Germany and other major EU economies should contribute to fill the gap.

Germany has already pledged significant aid to Ukraine, including military, economic, and financial assistance. The European Union has also committed substantial support.

The issue of budget revisions will be discussed in a report by the European Commission next week, as reported by Lindner.

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📹 Russian Ka-52 crew's night combat work in the DPR

The Ka-52 crew detected an armored vehicle of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. A guided missile strike obliterated the enemy armored fighting vehicle.

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Cooperation 'Without Succumbing to External Pressure': Takeaways From Putin's Address at SPIEF 2023

On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), the largest event of its kind held in the country.

In his speech, the leader touched upon various topics, ranging from the state of the Russian economy to the most glaring issues of the rapidly evolving world.

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Gas price in Netherlands nearly doubles in 2 weeks

The purchase price of gas in the Netherlands has almost doubled since early June, when it last settled at 23 euros ($25) per megawatt-hour (MWh), Dutch media reported Friday.

Gas surged to nearly 50 euros per MWh on the Dutch TTF before falling to more than 40 euros at market close on Thursday on rising demand in China and supply shortfalls from Norway, which has extended maintenance on gas facilities until mid-July.

Dutch energy utilities have been adjusting price contracts for households to account for gas price fluctuations, media reported. A three-year contract that cost 299 euros a month on June 5 now costs 309 euros, and the price of shorter-term contracts is expected to rise if gas prices remain high.

All the signs are that the gas market is tightening again, media suggested.

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Lavrov outlines new world emerging from West's 'geopolitical war' on Russia

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that the geopolitical landscape has shifted, with the United States and its allies failing to maintain their dominant position.

Lavrov emphasized that the West's attempts to remove competitors and preserve its hegemony have been unsuccessful. He highlighted the growing trend of self-reliance and independence from Western institutions as a significant development.

Lavrov further noted that Russia's cooperation with the West has drastically changed, with some areas of relations deteriorating or even being suspended entirely. He emphasized that Russia no longer depends on Western promises and agreements and stressed the need for realistic expectations.

Lavrov criticized the West's colonial mindset towards Russia and its disrespectful attempts to pressure non-Western nations.

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US dollar 'losing soft power' as 'new economic order' ushered in

US-led sanctions and the dominance of the US dollar have hindered Western economies, prompting countries to seek alternatives.

Professor Sergio Rossi notes that the impact is felt more severely by the US and certain European nations than by Russia.

Inflationary pressures have led to interest rate hikes and reduced economic growth, diminishing the influence of the US dollar and fueling financial instability in Western banks.

The call for trade in currencies other than the US dollar is gaining momentum, with its share in central banks' foreign exchange reserves declining. This transition signifies a shift towards a multipolar economic order that aims to reduce the US dollar's hegemony and establish fair international monetary systems.

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Blame it on 'dead guy': US seeks to shift blame for Nord Stream attacks on Kiev

According to international relations and security analyst Mark Sleboda, the Pentagon is using leaks to divert attention from the US's sabotage of the Nord Stream pipeline and the diplomatic challenges it poses within NATO.

Sleboda questions the credibility of the information presented by Western media and suggests the possibility that the US and the Netherlands alerted the CIA about the Ukrainian plan, rather than Ukrainian President Zelensky himself.

He argues that this narrative serves to hide any differences between the US and Germany, as German politicians are now in favor of destroying the Nord Stream pipelines to prioritize NATO unity over energy reliance on Russia.

In September 2022, explosions targeted the Nord Stream pipelines which connect Russia and Germany beneath the Baltic Sea, causing significant damage and uncertainty regarding repair timelines.

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🇿🇦Today, as South Africa celebrates Youth Day, #AfroVerdict features a guest who explains why this day is essential and what values the South African youth carry into the future.

🎙Tune in and enjoy the podcast!

📹 Russian UAV operators hit enemy stronghold in Zaporozhye Region

The UAV was used to target an UAF stronghold.

As a result of the strike, the enemy fighters in the trenches with their weapons were neutralized.

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NATO allies are weighing a plan that could make it easier for Ukraine to join the military alliance

Citing an official with knowledge of the developments, US media reported that the idea, which has been put forward by NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, should hopefully be consensual within the alliance.

Stoltenberg has reportedly advised that allies agree to allow Ukraine to join NATO without adhering to a Membership Action Plan, which comprises of a series of military and democratic governance reforms that applicant countries must complete prior to accession.

Removing the Membership Action Plan would only speed up Ukraine's bid to become an ally, however, and does not provide any guarantees that Kiev will receive the unanimous approval needed for membership, the report said.

It's reported that the support of US President Joe Biden, who said earlier this week that фhe is open to the plan, has the potential to kick-start talks about Ukraine's MAP requirement when NATO meets in Lithuania in July.

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The UK authorities have conducted a record number of operations in a day to identify illegal workers

During the operation across the UK on Thursday, the Immigration Enforcement officers carried out 159 raids and arrested 105 offenders of over 20 different nationalities. They were found working without the right to do so in the UK, the Home Office said in a statement.

Those arrested are suspected of illegal working and possession of false documentation, with sums of cash seized at some locations. The arrests were carried out at commercial premises including restaurants, car washes, nail bars, barber shops and convenience stores, the Home Office said in a statement.

In August 2022, over 13,500 people crossed the English Channel to enter the UK illegally, which is an all-time monthly high since the beginning of the migration crisis in 2019. The total number of migrants who entered the UK in 2022 was over 44,000.

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