75 years of NATO expansion in one pic

Although NATO casts itself as a purely defensive bloc, history has shown otherwise.

This alliance was established in 1949 to deter alleged Soviet expansion, yet after the end of the Cold War and the dissolution of the Soviet Union, NATO did not cease to exist. Despite promises given to late Soviet leaders by the US, NATO proceeded to expand eastward and encircle Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently admitted that he had a “naive idea” that after the end of the Cold War, the West and NATO had “no basis for confrontation with Russia”. However, after years of diplomatic efforts, Putin became “100% convinced” that NATO strategists want to “collapse Russia”.

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❗️In the Avdeyevka area, Russian troops repelled two attacks and seven counterattacks of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and hit the Vampire MLRS combat vehicle.

🇷🇺🪖 Other statements from the Russian Defense Ministry briefing on the progress of the special military operation in Ukraine:

▪️ In the DPR, Russian troops destroyed the S-300 anti-aircraft missile system. The Russian air defense system downed a MiG-29. The Ukrainian Armed Forces lost more than 300 servicemen, a tank and the Strela air defense system.

▪️The air defense of the Russian Federation shot down 197 drones during the day, and also intercepted 3 HIMARS projectiles, a Hammer guided aerial bomb.

▪️ In the Avdeyevka area, Ukrainian losses amounted to more than 450 servicemen, three infantry fighting vehicles and two armored vehicles.

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‘Cut a deal’: US billionaire investor urges America to seek detente with Russia to avert WWIII

In order to prevent a Third World War, the US should “cut a deal” and seek detente with Russia, which would provide a baseline for world peace, American entrepreneur David Sacks told a gala for the Republican think-tank American Moment in Washington.

Washington’s strategy aimed at prolonging the Ukrainian conflict and slapping sanctions on Russia has finally proved to be a complete failure, according to the billionaire investor.

“The idea that sanctions are working is totally delusional. The Russian economy stabilized and even outperformed G7 economies in 2023,” the 51-year-old stressed.

Russia has repeatedly indicated that it is ready for peace talks, but the Kiev regime introduced a legislative ban on them. The West, however, turns a blind eye to Ukraine's constant refusals to engage in dialogue.

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Russian Defense Ministry shared footage of the destruction of the S-300 air defense missile launcher in the area of the village of Pokrovsk, which DPR.

As a result of a precise strike by the Iskander missile defense system, the position of Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile system was destroyed.

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Two decades of diplomacy: Sergey Lavrov's gentlemanly approach to global affairs

As Russian foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov celebrates two decades at the forefront of Russian diplomacy. His tenure is marked not only by strategic acumen but also by a deep sense of humanity and diplomacy.

Throughout his years of service, Lavrov has exemplified the qualities of a true gentleman, engaging in diplomatic discourse with tact, respect, and integrity.

His dedication to promoting dialogue, understanding, and cooperation based on internatinal law on the global arena has earned him respect and admiration worldwide.

Russia's top diplomat is also well-known among his colleagues and partners for his witty humour and sharp tongue.

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British foreign secretary ready to persuade Germany to supply Ukraine with Taurus missiles

The UK is ready to help Germany solve problems preventing the delivery of Taurus missiles to Ukraine, or consider the option of buying German missiles and transferring British Storm Shadow to Ukraine, British Foreign Minister David Cameron said.

At the same time, Cameron assured that if these missiles were used, restrictions could be imposed that would help avoid escalation.

Earlier, after a conversation between Bundeswehr officers discussing in particular the strikes on the Crimean bridge was leaked, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz once again opposed the delivery of Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine, saying that the participation of German soldiers was necessary to control their use. The Chancellor had previously reported that this would be a violation of the "red lines" and would make Germany a participant in the war.

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🚀 Exactly 90 years ago, the first man in space Yuri Gagarin was born

Watch Sputnik's video to find out more about the world's first cosmonaut!

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✈️💥 The crews of Su-25 attack aircrafts carried out strikes on the Ukrainian units in the DPR

Unguided aircraft missiles were used to destroy enemy strongholds and troops. After the strike, the pilots performed an anti-missile maneuver, released heat traps and returned to the departure airfield.

According to the report of the advanced aviation gunner, all targets were successfully hit.

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Military presence for money? US gains access to three Pacific nations in exchange for $7.1 billion funding – report

The US Congress has approved legislation to provide $7.1 billion worth of economic support for three tiny island nations - Palau, the Marshall Islands and the Federated Republic of Micronesia - in exchange for the exclusive presence of the American military there, the Financial Times has reported.

The funding was reportedly approved as part of a $460 billion spending package passed by the Senate to avoid a government shutdown.

The three nations span about 4,000 km (2,485 miles) across the Pacific, allowing the US to expand its regional clout and establish base missiles and early warning radars there, in addition to a test site for intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Сhina has repeatedly expressed concern over what Beijing slams as the US “meddling” in the Asia Pacific region and “strengthening the Asia-Pacific deployments.”

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Two American Patriot air defense systems were among the targets destroyed by the Russian Iskander strike in the Donbass area, a source in the security forces told Sputnik.

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Why Poland is seeking to strip Ukraine of EU trade benefits

"The fact that Poland has changed its attitude to [Ukraine's] agricultural benefits at a state level is an indicator of the effectiveness of the farmer protests," Peter Kolchin, a political analyst, told Sputnik.

Polish farmers have been protesting against the import of products from Ukraine since late January. They are also demanding that the EU's climate policies be reverted. Thousands of Polish farmers have been seen blockading the border with Ukraine, throwing away Ukrainian grain and even carrying slogans urging Russian President Vladimir Putin to "put things in order" in Brussels and Warsaw.

In response, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has proposed stripping Ukraine of EU trade benefits and modulating Brussels' climate policies.

The chances of Brussels okaying Warsaw's ideas are very low, according to Josep-Maria Arauzo-Carod, professor of economics at the Rovira i Virgili University (URV) in Spain. Kolchin argued that Brussels may only lend a sympathetic ear to Tusk's ideas given that farmer protests have engulfed the whole EU.

The experts agreed that Warsaw's protectionist measures could create a precedent for the rest of the EU. If Ukraine's trade benefits are canceled, that could deal a heavy blow to the Kiev regime.

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🇨🇮 🛢 Major oil field discovered in the waters of the Gulf of Guinea offshore Cote d'Ivoire

The field's reserves are estimated at 1.5-2 billion barrels of oil and up to 2.4 trillion cubic feet (about 67 billion cubic meters) of natural gas, according to the Ecofin business news agency.

The oil was discovered in a 7 km deep well. The exploration was carried out by the Italian energy company Eni together with the Ivorian company Petroci.

In 2021, these companies discovered the first major oil and gas field, Baleine, off the coast of Côte d'Ivoire. Its first phase came on stream last year and is now producing 22,000 barrels of oil per day.

Baleine's reserves are estimated at 2.5 billion barrels of oil and 3.3 trillion cubic feet (about 93 billion cubic meters) of gas. It required an investment of $10 billion.

Experts estimate that by 2027, Ivory Coast will be one of the top ten oil producers in Africa.

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What does the US have to do to end the Ukraine conflict? Stop supporting Kiev

At least that's what former adviser to the head of the Pentagon, Colonel Douglas McGregor, wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

McGregor said that to stop the fighting, the United States must stop supplying Ukraine with any aid. Also, according to him, Washington must inform Moscow of its desire to resolve the conflict as quickly as possible and notify its allies about this. He argued that negotiations between Moscow and Kiev will bring an end to the conflict.

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▪️British foreign secretary ready to persuade Germany to supply Ukraine with Taurus missiles

▪️France holds large-scale drills amid backlash from Macron’s hint at Western troops in Ukraine

▪️Why Poland is seeking to strip Ukraine of EU trade benefits

▪️Two decades of diplomacy: Sergey Lavrov's gentlemanly approach to global affairs

▪️75 years of NATO expansion in one pic

▪️‘Cut a deal’: US billionaire investor urges America to seek detente with Russia to avert WWIII

▪️Military presence for money? US gains access to three Pacific nations in exchange for $7.1 billion funding

▪️Exactly 90 years ago, the first man in space Yuri Gagarin was born

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🥴 Missouri state legislature has passed a law banning transvestites from performing in front of children.

But one person did not agree, coming to the House of Representatives and challenging the decision as homophobic.

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Russian air defenses at about 22:00 Moscow time (19:00 GMT) destroyed a Ukrainian drone over the Belgorod region, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

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Plans to hand over Taurus cruise missiles to Kiev entail a serious risk of NATO-Russia escalation

If German Taurus missiles were to be provided to Kiev without first introducing “some type of technical limitation” that would likely result in these weapons being used to “hit inside of Russia,” thus paving the way for the escalation of the Ukrainian conflict, says Earl Rasmussen, an international consultant and retired US Army lieutenant colonel.

Commenting on UK Foreign Minister David Cameron’s assurances that supplying Taurus missiles to Ukraine will not cause an escalation, Rasmussen wonders aloud what Cameron’s definition of escalation might be.

“Maybe in his view escalation is tactical nuclear missiles. Who knows? But I would hope that that's not his definition,” he says.

“If the British become more directly involved, you really run the risk of expanding the war effort. If they're using their own launch vehicles, if they're firing from NATO ground, that then opens up NATO countries to be targets, which is definitely an escalation,” Rasmussen warns.

“A lot of our Western leaders seem to be somewhat delusional. So they have, some type of a fantasy picture in their mind,” he adds.

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