The president of breakaway Transnistria hopes OSCE will make effort in order to bring Kishinev back to talks and compel it to fulfill its obligations

"Despite the current problems of the external factor, I still hope that the OSCE will make more active effort in order to bring the Moldovan side back to the negotiating table and compel it to fulfill its previously assumed obligations to Transnistria within the negotiating process," Vadim Krasnoselsky, the president of breakaway Transnistria, said.

Under current circumstances this diplomatic task is extremely difficult but manageable provided there is real willingness, professionalism, as well as political will, he added.

Transnistria has never been against the internationally agreed negotiating principles and mechanisms, including the participation of the OSCE, Krasnoselsky also said, adding that Tiraspol "is in this regard different from Kishinev, which regularly demands to change the format and the composition of the international negotiating process, insisting on the so-called transformation of the peacekeeping mission."

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Lavrov says confrontation with West opens new cooperation opportunities for Russia

Confrontation with Western countries has opened up new opportunities for Russia's cooperation with states in other regions such as Asia, Africa and Latin America, especially given their increasing role in the international arena, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday.

Moscow will develop its own foreign policy agenda and is not going to be integrated into systems and mechanisms that are aimed at "serving other people's interests," the Russian foreign minister also said.

Lavrov added that Russia would also be guided by its own priorities in its work in the international arena, while respecting universally recognized norms of international law set out in the UN Charter.

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🗣️”Europe is already technically, especially Germany, in a recession across the board. And raising rates further is going to make that recession even deeper in Europe”: Dr. Jack Rasmus, professor of economics and politics at St. Mary's College in California, on economic recession in Europe

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

Uzbekistan, Iran agree to develop transport corridor through Turkmenistan

Uzbekistan and Iran intend to develop cooperation, including a multimodal transport corridor through Turkmenistan and a joint logistics center, the Uzbek Transport Ministry said on Monday.

Uzbek Transport Minister Ilhom Mahkamov and his Iranian counterpart, Mehrdad Bazrpash, held bilateral talks in Tehran, the ministry said in a statement.

"The sides reached an agreement on the development of a trilateral transport multimodal corridor Uzbekistan – Turkmenistan – Iran," the statement read.

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EU wants to mandate arms makers to prioritize orders for Ukraine

The European Union put forward a "temporary emergency measure" which will obligate manufacturers of explosives to prioritize the orders of firms producing ammunition for Ukraine, the military news portal reported on Monday, citing a European Commission spokesperson.

"The Commission's proposal provides for priority rated orders to help manufacturers – for example – with the supply of necessary raw materials where the Commission could ask suppliers to prioritize selling to those manufacturers," the spokesperson told the outlet.

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Moldovan farmers resume protests, move farm machinery to roads

Moldovan farmers are starting a new protest action, with a number of them planning to move their machinery to highways, while others will head to the country's capital, Kishinev, Alexandru Slusari, the head of the Farmers' Force association, said on Monday.

On June 9, Farmers' Force announced the start of negotiations with the government, during which protests would be halted. Last Friday, Moldovan farmers staged a protest blocking the traffic on a number of key highways with their equipment.

Staging a protest in the capital city is the only alternative to bankruptcy for the farmers, the official continued. It is also the result of the government's failure to address the numerous crises ongoing in the agricultural sector, he added.

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🗣️”The basic problem is the monetary policy in neoliberalism, late neo-liberalism is becoming less efficient. In other words, they have to keep raising rates to really shake out inflation. But they can't raise rates because they're precipitating a financial crisis further. You see, it's caught between a rock and a hard place, and that means it's less efficient in late neoliberal capitalism”:
Dr. Jack Rasmus, professor of economics and politics at St. Mary's College in California, on the problems in the neoliberal monetary policy

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

As NATO bid fizzles, Sweden conjures up Cold-War boogeyman of 'Russian attack'

A Swedish defense committee report has raised concerns about a potential Russian military attack on Sweden, citing the country's capabilities in air forces, naval forces, long-range weapons, nuclear weapons, and special forces. The report also highlighted Russia's "high appetite for political and military risk."

In response to this threat, Sweden is shifting its military doctrine towards NATO membership, seeking a stronger alliance due to Russia's actions in Ukraine.

However, Sweden has faced opposition from Turkiye, accusing Sweden of harboring PKK members, and tensions have also grown with Hungary over political criticisms and the state of democracy.

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US judge orders Trump lawyers not to release any materials in classified documents probe

A US judge has ordered the lawyers of former President Donald Trump not to release any materials in the ongoing classified documents probe to the media or members of the public, a court order showed on Monday.

"The Discovery Materials, along with any information derived therefrom, shall not be disclosed to the public or the news media, or disseminated on any news or social media platform, without prior notice to and consent of the United States or approval of the Court," US Magistrate Judge Bruce Reinhart said in a court order.

The order emphasizes that the discovery materials include "all non-classified" documents. It also stipulates that none of the materials can be copied or reproduced or shared with any witnesses testifying in the case.

Moreover, within 90 days of the conclusion of the case, all documents must either be destroyed or returned to the US government, according to the order.

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📹 Mohammad Naseem from Afghanistan tells his story of being tortured for five years in the US base of Guantanamo Bay

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Ukraine Conflict Started Because West Wanted to Crush BRICS: Former SA President Zuma

The conflict in Ukraine is linked to the West's intention to "crush" BRICS, former South African President Jacob Zuma stated while he was addressing a small gathering of the South African National Civic Organization (Sanco)

🗣 "You go there, you attack and do everything. But you need to find a solution to solve a problem and this particular war is in fact linked to the existence of BRICS. They don't like the existence of BRICS. And this stated because they wanted to tie, to crush BRICS. But unfortunately, you can't crush BRICS," stated the former president.

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Uzbekistan signs 2-year contract with Gazprom to purchase Russian gas

Uzbekistan has signed a two-year contract with Russian energy giant Gazprom to purchase natural gas, with deliveries to begin on October 1, the Uzbek Energy Ministry said on Monday.

The deal was signed on Friday by Uzbek Energy Minister Jurabek Mirzamahmudov and Gazprom CEO Alexey Miller at #SPIEF2023.

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Lockheed Martin says ready to train Ukrainians to pilot F-16s once NATO reaches agreement

Pentagon contractor Lockheed Martin is ready to train Ukrainians to fly and maintain F-16s, if NATO allies agree to send the jets to Kiev, Frank St. John, the defense manufacturer's chief operations officer, said on Monday.

"We are standing by, ready to not only backfill need as it arises with new F-16 builds but also any modifications to F-16s as well as training, equipment and systems," St. John was quoted by the British newspaper as saying ahead of the Paris Air Show, adding that a decision on this would be made only after discussions between Ukraine, the US and its NATO allies.

Lockheed Martin may also consider establishing a base in Ukraine or near its territory after conflict is over, the company official said.

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🔺Blinken in China: What came out of his visit to Beijing?
🔺Inflation followed by recession. Will the US get out of its economic crisis?
🔺Putin at SPIEF: Western sanctions intended to strangle Russia’s economy, have instead accelerated the process of decentering the West.

The Critical Hour will cover these and more stories! Tune in to Radio Sputnik at 6pm EST|3pm PST|12am CET via the website or app

📻 Also in the United States at 105.5FM, 104.7FM, 102.9FM, 1390AM, 1140AM

🇫🇮🚫🌍 Finland considers withdrawing financial assistance from African countries that support Russia, new minister says

The new government of Finland, which is expected to begin work on Tuesday, intends to send the main streams of support to Ukraine, according to the future Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio.

"Countries that support Russian military aggression against Ukraine may be deprived of assistance [...] Some African countries have expressed their support for Russia. We will monitor them," he said

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📹 Destruction of Ukrainian armored personnel carrier in DPR (video by Russian MoD)

The crew of the Ka-52 reconnaissance attack helicopter detected the advance of a Ukrainian armored personnel carrier and destroyed the object with a precise strike of the guided missile.

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Liberal pundits admit US 'very divided' after poll shows Biden tied with Trump

Former President Donald Trump is currently facing criminal trials in multiple states while maintaining strong support among voters, potentially positioning himself for a comeback in the 2024 election.

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden faces criticism over his leadership, with a recent poll showing a narrow lead over Trump, highlighting the nation's deep divisions and the need to move forward from the contentious 2020 election.

A Quinnipiac poll revealed a statistical tie between Biden and Trump, raising concerns about Biden's standing as president.

Former Democratic National Committee chairwoman Donna Brazile attributed this close race to the country's current state of division and the desire to move beyond the events of 2020. Despite some recent gaffes, Biden still holds a compelling story, according to Brazile.

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US sanctions against Russia hastening dollar's decline as dominant currency

According to economist Dr. Jack Rasmus, the decline of the US dollar as the world's reserve and trade currency has been expedited by Washington's aggressive policies, including sanctions against Russia. The process of de-dollarization has been further accelerated by the Biden administration's actions.

This trend is not limited to Africa but is also gaining traction in Asia, with more countries seeking alternative international payment systems and showing interest in joining the BRICS group.

Rasmus predicts that the US' dominant position in the global economic trading empire is facing significant challenges and this trend is likely to continue and intensify.

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NATO Chief says allies not discussing Ukraine's accession

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg reiterated on Monday that allies were not talking about sending a formal invitation to Ukraine to join the 31-nation bloc ahead of the Vilnius summit in July.

"At the Vilnius summit and in the preparations for the summit we are not discussing the issue of formal invitation. What we are discussing is how to move Ukraine closer to NATO," Stoltenberg told a news conference in Germany.

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US refusal to compromise is biggest obstacle to mending China ties

Geopolitical commentator Thomas W. Pauken II warns that if US leaders fail to show willingness to compromise with China, it could lead to Beijing refusing to take calls from the White House.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's recent visit to Beijing aims to salvage the deteriorating Sino-American relations, which have reached their lowest point since the establishment of diplomatic ties.

Pauken believes that both sides share responsibility for the current situation, but Washington's refusal to compromise has caused more problems.

While Pauken sees the meeting between Blinken and Chinese President Xi Jinping as a positive step, he emphasizes the need for the US to show a spirit of compromise and consensus to make progress in relations with China. Otherwise, Beijing may choose to ignore calls from the White House and the Secretary of State.

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Macron’s ‘NATO plot’: France pushes UK to 'stay out of Western European affairs’

According to analyst Paolo Raffone, Macron opposes Wallace's appointment as NATO chief due to Brexit and aims for European military independence. He seeks leadership in Western Europe and expresses dissatisfaction with US and EU policies on China and BRICS.

Former British MP Gordon-Banks believes Macron suggests an EU successor but isn't directly blocking Wallace. Macron prioritizes French interests, aligns policies with security forces, acknowledges Germany's difficulties, and hopes to form a core group with Italy and Spain to shape the EU and defend national interests, especially with potential US leadership change.

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