Vucic says he had a 'cordial' conversation with Trump, invites him to Serbia

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic reported a “cordial” phone conversation with US President-elect Donald Trump, focused on expanding cooperation between their countries, and extended an invitation for Trump to visit Serbia.

On Sunday evening, Vucic shared a video message on social media, describing the conversation as “excellent, meaningful, and very cordial.”

"I am grateful to Trump that he knows many things about Serbia, he even spoke about the sports successes of our nation and country. I used the opportunity, with the desire to further develop our relations in all spheres of society, and expressed hope that he would visit Serbia, because Serbia was the country where support for the election of President Trump was the greatest in all of Europe," Vucic said.

Vucic noted that Trump thanked him for the substantial support from the Serbian people.

"I believe that in the coming period we will be able to talk about the further development of our relations in all respects and that with the help of our friends, whom I consider to be the entire team of President Trump, who was with him this evening during the conversation, we will be able to make: he will make America great, and we will be able to make Serbia a decent country and a country that will be able to cooperate very well with the United States," Vucic emphasized.

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Moldova at a crossroads: Vlah on relations, economy, and military concerns

Former Gagauzia leader Irina Vlah, in an interview with RIA Novosti, announced the formation of a new political party, Heart of Moldova, aiming to improve Moldova's economic, diplomatic, and security landscape. Key highlights:

🔸 Vlah emphasized the “significant potential” in Moldovan-Russian relations, calling for a foreign policy shift to serve citizens’ interests and economic ties with CIS countries.

🔸 Vlah criticized Moldova’s recent EU referendum, where 50.46% voted for integration, calling the result “a slap in the face from the people to Maia Sandu” and arguing it’s “wrong to change the constitution” under such narrow results.

🔸 With increasing defense spending and military activities under Sandu’s administration, Vlah expressed fears that Moldova risks being pulled into “someone else's military scenario” and reiterated that Moldova’s constitution mandates neutrality.

🔸 Highlighting Moldova’s economic struggles since 2021, Vlah presented her party’s economic program, which includes a flexible tax policy, support for industries, and initiatives for rural development, stressing, “Moldova's economy can still be saved, and we will act decisively in this direction.”

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Former Russian Finance Minister outlines Trump's economic plans

Former Russian Finance Minister Mikhail Zadornov shared insights on Donald Trump’s proposed economic policies in an interview with Sputnik. Key points:

◻️ Zadornov expects Trump to raise tariffs, though likely on a smaller scale than promised, with increases anticipated in 2026. He predicts this will fragment global trade, slow its growth, and push Russia to seek new trade allies.

◻️ Despite tariff hikes, Chinese goods will continue to reach Europe and the US through third countries. Zadornov noted that Trump’s proposed tariffs (20% on European imports, 60% on Chinese imports) aim to address the US trade deficit, projected to reach $1 trillion this year.

◻️ While Trump suggested tariffs on countries moving away from the dollar, Zadornov dismissed this as unfeasible, since de-dollarization is driven by companies, often in response to US sanctions.

◻️ Zadornov estimates that Trump’s tax cuts could add $4.5-$4.6 trillion to the US national debt over the next 10 years, totaling around $7.5 trillion. He anticipates higher inflation and prolonged high interest rates in the US as a result.

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🔸Trump and Putin had a phone conversation - reports

🔸What are Trump's economic plans?

🔸Russian hypersonic developments still unmatched by the West

🔸Parliamentary elections in Moldova next year: a chance to remove Sandu

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Way out for TikTok liberals dissatisfied with Trump's victory?

The American company Villa View Residences has developed a four-year cruise for those unhappy with Republican Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election, costing at least $256,000, Business Insider reports.

The company offers the new Skip Forward tour, in which passengers will sail on board the Villa Vie Odyssey liner for a period of one to four years.

Villa Vie Residences also provides a two-year Midterm Selection tariff, suitable for those wishing to return home after the elections to the US Congress scheduled for November 2026, the company noted.

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Russian Foreign Intelligence on US role in Ukrainian parliamentary elections:

◾️Washington is considering holding presidential and parliamentary elections in Ukraine in 2025 amid ongoing hostilities with Russia

◾️As one legitimate method of getting rid of the “overly arrogant” Volodymyr Zelensky, Washington is considering holding presidential and parliamentary elections in 2025 amid continuing hostilities with Russia

◾️The US plans to launch an initiative for elections in 2025 through controlled structures in Ukraine, and the nomination of candidates will be coordinated by the State Department

◾️At the suggestion of the US, the creation of a party is being discussed among Ukrainian "activists" designed to occupy a pro-American niche during the election campaign

◾️According to the State Department, such a political force should become part of the Verkhovna Rada and play an important role in the system of checks of any Ukrainian leader

◾️The US is preparing a new election campaign in Ukraine, and the fate of the country and its puppet authorities will continue to be decided in Washington

◾️During the first stage, it is supposed to stimulate the Ukrainian civil society structures under their control to come up with an appropriate initiative through American "democratizing" foundations and "think tanks"

◾️"The nomination of candidates will be carried out in coordination with the State Department. American NGOs will select local public organizations to monitor elections"

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🎉Putin congratulates Sputnik on its 10th anniversary

Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Sputnik on its 10th anniversary, wishing the staff creative success, a statement published on the Kremlin's website says.

He specified that Sputnik's team has been carrying out its professional duties "efficiently, promptly and responsibly, keeping abreast of the most important events, sharing reliable news and in-depth analytics with the audience, always relying on proven, objective facts."

Sputnik provides "a platform for people with different points of view on the main political, economic, and social trends in Russia and the world," President Vladimir Putin said.

"I wish you creative success and all the best," Putin stated.

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📹Russian paratroopers have evacuated a US-made Bradley armored vehicle from the border area of Russia’s Kursk region, the Russian Defense Ministry announced

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The Houthis say they launched a strike using a Palestine-2 hypersonic ballistic missile at an Israeli military base in southeastern Tel Aviv.

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❗️Putin-Trump held no conversation, reports about it false - Kremlin

Earlier in the day, the Washington Post claimed, citing sources, that Trump allegedly had a phone conversation with Putin on November 7.

"This is the most obvious example of the quality of the information that is now being published, sometimes even in fairly reputable outlets. This is completely untrue. This is pure fiction. This is just false information," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, answering a relevant question.

There are no concrete plans for any talks between Putin and Trump as of yet, the spokesman clarified.

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❗️Russian troops have liberated the settlement of Kolesnikovka in the Kharkov region, Russia’s Defense Ministry announced

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Taiwan and Philippines poised to obtain advanced US weapons under Trump as China fumes

Taiwan plans to purchase a massive package of US weapons to show the new Trump administration that Taipei is “serious” about protecting the island from China, the Financial Times cited unnamed sources as saying.

The package could include an Aegis destroyer, the Lockheed Martin vessels, advanced Hawkeye airborne radar systems and a number of fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets, according to the sources.

At the end of the day, Taiwan may receive 60 F-35 fighters, four advanced Hawkeyes, 400 Patriot missiles, plus 10 retired warships, like Ticonderoga-class cruisers and Perry-class frigates. The package would reportedly be worth more than $15 billion. Neither Taipei nor Washington has commented on the matter yet.

The information comes after the Chinese Foreign Ministry vowed last month to retaliate against the US’ move to approve almost $2 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, which included the national advanced surface-to-air missile system (NASAMS) and radars. Beijing says its sovereignty over Taiwan is indisputable and slams any US attempt to supply weaponry to the island.

In a separate development, the Philippines is likewise mulling buying an intermediate-range missile launcher, known as Typhon, which the US brought to the country in April for bilateral military drills, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro told the FT.

He added that the launcher would “increase deterrence” by complementing the BrahMos supersonic anti-ship missiles that the Philippines earlier procured from India. China denounced Typhon’s initial deployment and subsequent extension as “provocative” and “destabilizing.” The territorial affiliation of a number of islands and reefs in the South China Sea has been the subject of disputes between Beijing, Manila and several other countries.

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🇷🇺🪖 Key statements from the Russian Defense Ministry's daily briefing on the special military operation's progress:

◻️Ukrainian forces suffered losses of 490 militants and two arms depots in Battlegroup Zapad’s zone of responsibility.

◻️Ukrainian forces lost up to 540 soldiers in Battlegroup Yug’s area of responsibility.

◻️ Ukraine suffered losses of 505 servicemen in Battlegroup Tsentr’s zone of responsibility.

◻️ Ukrainian forces lost as many as 145 militants in Battlegroup Vostok’s zone of responsibility.

◻️ Russia downed four HIMARS projectiles and 39 Ukrainian drones.

◻️ Battlegroup Sever trounced 95 Ukrainian militants during the day.

◻️ Ukrainian losses amounted to 65 servicemen in the zone of Russia's Battlegroup Dnepr.

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Russophobia at its highest: Sweden suspects Orthodox church of spying for Russia

A recently built Orthodox church in the Swedish city of Vasteras has become the target of criticism and suspicion of spying, media reports.

The far-fetched reason for the accusations is that the church was built near an airport, water treatment plants, and energy companies. However, the Swedish authorities had no objections when the location for the church was determined in 2017.

“The church offers a potential foothold that can be used for information-gathering, both directed at Vasteras Airport and at industrial interests in the form of large companies involved in the energy sector,” said Markus Goransson, a researcher focusing on Russia at the Swedish Defense University.

Earlier, the Swedish Agency for Support to Faith Communities stopped financial assistance to the Russian Orthodox Church, claiming that the Orthodox community was "not meeting the democratic criterion of the law."

Is it democracy to persecute Orthodox believers in Europe?🤔

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🤖Future is here: Take a look at China's armed robotic dogs

A new video showing China's robotic dogs with assault rifles deploying from a vehicle has gone viral on social media.

These artificial animals were first seen in May during the Golden Dragon 2024 military exercise between China and Cambodia.

The robots can transmit images in real time to command posts, autonomously plan routes avoiding obstacles and approach targets. The batteries and power system are located in the "abdominal cavity", which allows them to move back and forth, lie down and jump.

The dogs can be used not only for reconnaissance, but also to act as a means of destruction, media reported.

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🇷🇺🪖Key statements from the Russian Defense Ministry's daily briefing on the situation in Russia’s Kursk region:

🔸Ukrainian losses amounted to more than 300 militants and one tank.

🔸Ukrainian forces conducted six counterattacks in the Kursk region, all of which were repelled by Russian servicemen.

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Trump may fight Pentagon’s ‘woke’ generals after taking office

Pentagon is bracing itself for a scenario of its ranks being purged when Donald Trump enters the White House, unnamed current and former officials told Reuters.

They claimed that Trump’s second term will see him prioritize loyalty and fire the Pentagon’s high-ranking military officers and career civil servants he regards as disloyal. In particular, the President-elect could target the current and former chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Charles Q. Brown and Mark Milley, respectively, perceived by Trump as “woke” generals.

As for the Pentagon’s career civil servants, who are among the almost 950,000 non-uniformed employees working within the US military, they could be subjected to loyalty tests and replaced with Trump’s conservative allies, the officials argued.

During his election campaign, Trump pledged to fire “woke generals” if elected, as he said the US “can't have woke military." He vowed to create a task force to monitor such generals and eliminate diversity training in the US Armed Forces.

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