Caribbean Flotilla: What to know about Russian naval detachment’s Cuba visit

A detachment of warships from the Russian Northern Fleet will be visiting Cuba June 12-17.

The ships in the flotilla include:

◾️ The Admiral Gorshkov – lead ship of the Admiral Gorshkov class of frigates, armed with Kalibr, Oniks, and Zircon anti-ship and land attack cruise missiles, Redut air defenses, and 330 mm torpedo tubes. The Gorshkov has a rep for long-distance travel, drilling with the South African, Chinese and Iranian navies in 2023.

◾️ The Kazan – a Yasen-class nuclear-powered cruise missile sub known for its whisper-quiet engines and ability to carry Zircon, Oniks or Kalibr missiles, torpedoes, and Igla-M SAMs.

◾️ The Academic Pashin – a replenishment oiler accompanying warships on long-distance trips.

◾️ The Nikolai Chiker – a seagoing rescue tug.

Cuba’s Defense Ministry said the flotilla's visit in Havana reflects strong ties between the two countries, that none of the Russian ships is carrying nuclear weapons, and that the stop-over is not a threat to anyone. Russian crews will meet the Cuban Navy commander and Havana’s governor, and tour historical and cultural sites.

The Russian Defense Ministry said the objective of the trip is to show the flag “and ensure a naval presence in operationally important area of the far ocean zone.”

The reaction of US officials has been predictably sour, with WH spokesman John Kirby stressing Washington would “watch” the visit “closely, like we do with all Russian naval exercises in the Caribbean.” That said, the US is “not anticipating any significant national security threat” from the trip, Kirby indicated.

Florida GOP Senator Marco Rubio demanded that the administration do more. “We haven’t had a Russian submarine carrying nuclear capable missiles operating in the Caribbean in over 30 years. So if the regime in Cuba decides to allow one to make a port call just 90 miles from our shores, the Biden administration must impose real consequences on them,” he urged.

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Macron announced that France is beginning the training of Ukrainian pilots as of today.

Earlier, it was reported that Paris intends to train and arm a Ukrainian brigade consisting of 4,500 people.

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Jackson Hinkle’s message to Americans: Visit Russia to experience its true culture and beauty

Americans should visit Russia to experience its authentic culture and beauty rather than rely on preconceived notions or media portrayals, independent US political commentator Jackson Hinkle told Sputnik’s Dimitri Simes on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).

“I tell people all the time... why don't you go to Russia? It's literally the most beautiful place I've ever seen,” he said.

Hinkle praised Moscow and Saint Petersburg for their unparalleled charm, emphasizing that Russia offers a high quality of life, friendly people, and affordable travel options, making it a worthwhile destination for any traveler.

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'Right to have a different opinion has ceased to exist in EU' - Slovak PM gives speech after assassination attempt

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico made his first public remarks since May 15, when he was shot multiple times.

💬 "I fundamentally disagree with the single-correct-opinion policy that some major Western democracies are aggressively promoting today,” Fico said. “An autonomous, independent Slovak foreign policy, based on EU and NATO membership but orientated towards all four corners of the world, is definitely out of fashion."

"It's cruel to state this, but the right to have a different opinion has ceased to exist in the European Union."

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Jackson Hinkle: Biden administration pushing planet toward abyss for petty political reasons

💬 “I think we are extremely close to the abyss,” independent American political commentator Jackson Hinkle told Sputnik’s Dimitri Simes on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) on Friday, commenting on the Biden administration’s recent decision to formally greenlight Ukraine’s use of its NATO-provided long-range weapons to strike deep inside Russia.

“Given that there’s this uptick” in Russia’s military operation in Ukraine, “the West is beginning to freak out again. The elections are coming soon. Joe Biden needs a victory at some point or another. Unfortunately, he can’t find that in Gaza, he can’t find that in Ukraine, and when you look at it, what is their only option? Their only options are to find some sort of a political off-road, which they don’t want to take because that’s going to hurt Biden before the elections, or to drastically escalate the operation for Ukraine. It’s very frightening, but it seems like that’s what they’re doing,” Hinkle said.

💬 “America seems to be the only country that’s allowed to either bomb civilian populations, bomb leaders or even bomb chief generals, like what Trump did to Qasem Soleimani in Iran, to commit these acts of war without actually officially being in a war. It’s a very incredible feat for the United States to be able to do this,” the commentator added.

“They’ve got these French trainees in Ukraine, these are legitimate targets for Russia, of course. You’re talking about preparation of a NATO contingency for a rapid response of 300,000 NATO soldiers. Things could get out of hand very quickly and it seems like the US is preparing to actually take those measures. I’ve never been more fearful of the odds of what is about to happen than right now, and maybe I’m wrong to think that but it seems like that’s where we’re headed,” Hinkle said.

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Russian President's speech at SPIEF plenary session:

🔺 Key statements

🔺 About the US economy

🔺 About nuclear weapons

🔺The more the West tightens its grip, the more countries will slip through its fingers

🔺West losing war on four fronts after picking a fight with Russia

🔺Russia’s turn eastward offers BRICS big opportunities as West loses goose that laid the golden eggs

Other news of the day:

🔺EXCLUSIVE: UN's Srebrenica resolution ‘superficial’, imposed by international community - Milorad Dodik

🔺EXCLUSIVE: ‘We're looking at World War III’ if Biden is reelected - Tara Reade

🔺Caribbean Flotilla: What to know about Russian naval detachment’s Cuba visit

🔺Ukraine struck two apartment buildings with ATACMS in Lugansk

🔺‘It’s tragic that the US policy wanted to treat Russia as an enemy’ - Ex-CIA intelligence officer

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❗️ The United states is open to talks with Russia on the New Start Treaty, a Biden aide told Sputnik

The US would welcome a follow-up from Russia on its proposal to hold a meeting to discuss the New START Treaty, National Security Council Senior Director for Arms Control, Disarmament and Nonproliferation Pranay Vaddi told Sputnik.

Vaddi said that in September of last year, Washington provided a non-paper to Russia proposing a meeting to discuss the New START treaty and managing nuclear risks, as well as any additional issues in that domain.

"The Russian Federation refused to talk to us. We're still open to that discussion, but we would welcome a follow-up from the Russian Federation if they would be willing to talk about this now," Vaddi said.

In his 2024 address to the Federal Assembly, Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated Russia's readiness for dialogue with the US on strategic stability. He noted the paradox where Western nations simultaneously call for Russia's strategic defeat while proposing negotiations on strategic stability, which he deemed impossible under current conditions.

The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) entered into force in 2011. Amid NATO's proxy war in Ukraine, Moscow suspended its participation in the accord in February 2023. At the time, Putin said that the US demanded that Russia unconditionally fulfill its obligations under the treaty while being arbitrary about its own obligations. In June, the US announced its "countermeasures" in response to Russia’s suspension of the treaty. Russia stated that it would continue to comply with quantitative restrictions and notifications, adding that it was open to dialogue on the issue.

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❗️ Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was attacked by a man in central Copenhagen on Friday, Reuters reported.

According to the report, it was unclear whether Frederiksen was injured by the attacker.

The man was arrested following the incident, the newspaper said.

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Key points from Sputnik's interview with National Security Council Senior Director for Arms Control, Disarmament and Nonproliferation Pranay Vaddi about the United States' position on resuming dialogue with Russia on arms control:

🔹 The White House took seriously Russian President Vladimir Putin's words at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) about the inadmissibility of the use of nuclear weapons in the world.

🔹 The US remains open to talks with Russia and would welcome a response to the 2023 offer to meet.

🔹 Washington uses all diplomatic opportunities to call for the resumption of discussions.

🔹 The US is willing to consider the option of a meeting between the leaders of the two countries, but they consider the level of government officials to be appropriate.

🔹 Washington does not rule out the resumption of dialogue before the end of the conflict in Ukraine, but they need a concrete proposal.

In his 2024 address to the Federal Assembly, Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated Russia's readiness for dialogue with the US on strategic stability. He noted the paradox where Western nations simultaneously call for Russia's strategic defeat while proposing negotiations on strategic stability, which he deemed impossible under current conditions.

The Russian Foreign Ministry reaffirmed that Moscow’s stance remains unchanged: discussions on security and stability must be comprehensive and centered on issues that directly affect Russian interests. The ministry criticized the US for wanting to conduct dialogue only on its own terms and on issues of its own concern.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov insisted that any dialogue on strategic stability must be genuine, contrasting with the approach historically taken by the US. He argued that restoring trust is unrealistic as long as Russia is openly declared a hostile state and a threat that needs to be eliminated.

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NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is abandoning plans for a €100 billion fund for Ukraine due to disagreements within the alliance, Bloomberg reported.

On April 30, Stoltenberg sent an official proposal to NATO members to collect €100 billion over five years for military aid to Ukraine in a special fund. Earlier that month Bloomberg reported the funds could be transferred to Kiev as part of agreements that member state leaders plan to sign at the bloc's Washington summit from July 9-11.

Russia has repeatedly warned NATO countries that arms supplies to Ukraine would be considered legitimate targets. Moscow has accused NATO countries of "playing with fire" by arming Ukraine, emphasizing that such actions hinder the possibility of Russia-Ukraine negotiations.

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Republican lawmakers have personal “AIPAC babysitters” to ensure they vote in the interests of Israel at all times, House Representative Thomas Massie revealed during an interview with Tucker Carlson.

“It's like your babysitter, your AIPAC babysitter, who is always talking to you for AIPAC. They're probably a constituent in your district, but they are firmly embedded in AIPAC,” Massie clarified.

“I've had four members of Congress say, I'll talk to my AIPAC person. And it's clearly what we call them, 'my AIPAC guy.' I'll talk to my AIPAC guy and see if I can get him to dial those ads back,” the congressman said, revealing the inner workings of US Congress.

Massie added that congressmen also have an opportunity to take a vacation in Israel sponsored by AIPAC.

“They pay for trips for congressmen and their spouses to go to Israel,” he explained.

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) is a lobbying group that advocates pro-Israel policies to the legislative and executive branches of the United States government.

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Scott Ritter: President Vladimir Putin “continues to hold the door open for a resolution” of conflicts between NATO and Russia but champions BRICS multipolarity

The leader closed out the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) with a presentation where he stressed the country’s preparations for the BRICS summit in the Russian city of Kazan this fall. The bloc doubled in size at last year’s summit, noted former US Marine Corps intelligence officer Scott Ritter, and appears set to continue to expand as it challenges and surpasses the Western-oriented G7 group.

“The theme that Vladimir Putin painted was one that showed Russia to be in a sound place economically, a growing economy, a diversifying economy, an economy that was adapting to the new reality of a multilateral, multipolar world, an economy that is very much linked to the future expansion and success of BRICS,” said Ritter of Putin’s closing comments at the 2024 SPIEF, which hosted representatives from 130 countries and saw the signing of more than 900 agreements.

“He is speaking openly about a currency that will replace the dollar-dominated global economy, not sometime in the theoretical future, but now, something that can emerge out of the BRICS summit,” he continued. “He de-emphasized the conflict in Ukraine. Vladimir Putin made it clear that Russia will win this conflict. He also made it clear that there are options on how this conflict can come to an end.”

Ritter noted that Putin “put the Istanbul solution back on the table” for a resolution of the conflict with Ukraine, but it would be modified “based upon the new reality.” Volodymyr Zelensky must step down, Putin said, insisting that Zelensky is a usurper after ruling beyond his elected mandate. The Russian president also sought to calm speculation about nuclear war and conflict with the United States, arguing that conditions have not been met for Russia to consider the use of its nuclear weapons.

#SPIEF2024

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“We just spend money and we're grinding up Russia's capacity to wage war,” Thomas Massie (R-KY) cited the warmongering elite, demonstrating why the Biden Administration can’t stop spending money on Ukraine.

House Representative Thomas Massie outlined the mentality of US policymakers who advocate for continuing to supply weapons to Ukraine.

“It would be good for Russia to be diminished” – Massie cited officials who apparently believe that the Ukraine crisis has nothing to do with "democracy", "freedom", or even Ukraine itself, for that matter, but seek the strategic defeat of Russia.

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