🇷🇺🤝🇨🇳The joint work of Russia and China plays an important stabilizing role in international affairs — Putin

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🚨GRIFTER ALERT! Pastor who sang at Trump's inauguration launches his own memecoin

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Ukrainian forces lost over 270 militants in the Russian Kursk region over the past day, an Abrams tank and a Bradley infantry fighting vehicle were destroyed, the Russian Ministry of Defense said.

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⚡️Israeli army announces beginning of "counterterrorist operation" in West Bank city of Jenin

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What is known about IDF "counterterrorist operation" in the city of Jenin:

▪️The large-scale Israeli operation in the West Bank city of Jenin is expected to last at least several days, the Times of Israel reports, citing a military source.

▪️The operation began with several drone strikes on infrastructure used by "terror groups" in Jenin, the newspaper writes.

▪️It adds that the aim is to “preserve the IDF’s freedom of action” in the West Bank, to "neutralize terror infrastructure", and to eliminate "imminent threats."

▪️According to the sources, the raid comes a day after an Israeli reservist soldier was killed and four others were wounded when they were hit by a roadside bomb in the West Bank.

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Fico’s government faces no-confidence vote: Why does Brussels pile pressure on Slovak PM?

The vote was initiated by Slovakia’s opposition parties which accused Robert Fico of so-called dragging the country closer to Russia. A vote of no confidence requires at least 76 of 150 lawmakers' votes against him.

What is behind the motion?

🟠Slovakia’s foreign policy focus has shifted since Fico’s government came to power in late 2023, when the country ended its military supplies to Ukraine;

🟠In December, Fico warned that the Kiev regime will pay “a huge price” for the “Western adventure” with Ukrainian territory and the presence of foreign troops there;

🟠He cautioned that Ukraine could lose a third of its territory as a result of the conflict with Russia, arguing that Kiev’s bid for NATO will never succeed.

🟠Fico slammed Western nations for allowing Kiev to strike Russian territory, saying that it shows a will to escalate the conflict. He promised that Slovakia will avoid such “military gambles.”

🟠The Slovak PM threatened that his party, Smer-SD, is ready to support reducing assistance to Ukrainian refugees in Slovakia in response to Kiev's suspension of Russian gas transit via Ukrainian soil in early January.

🟠Fico openly recognized the Soviet Union’s decisive role in defeating Nazi Germany. The PM stressed that he considers it a "personal duty" to visit Russia for WWII Victory celebrations in 2025.

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Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu announced the launch of the Iron Wall "counter-terrorism operation" in the West Bank, citing Israel's goal in strengthening security.

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🇷🇺🇨🇳Russia's President Vladimir Putin and China's leader Xi Jinping held a video conversation in which they discussed:

🔸 95% of payments between Russia and China are made in rubles and yuan

🔸 prospects Power of Siberia-2 gas pipeline project

🔸 situation in the Asia-Pacific and Taiwan issue amid growing geopolitical tensions in the region

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Putin and Xi discuss issues related to US and Trump during video conversation:

💬In a conversation with Xi, Putin confirmed his readiness to negotiate with the United States on the Ukrainian settlement.

💬Russia is ready for dialogue with the United States if Trump's team shows reciprocal interest

💬Putin and Xi discussed relations between Russia and China with the United States, taking into account the coming to power of Donald Trump.

💬Xi informed Putin about the details of his conversation with Trump; The conversation was not timed to coincide with Trump's inauguration; an agreement on contact was reached back in December.

💬Xi also informed Putin about the details of his conversation with Trump. The conversation was not timed to coincide with Trump's inauguration as an agreement on contact was reached back in December.

💬The conversation between Putin and Xi lasted 1 hour and 35 minutes and took place in a friendly atmosphere.

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Marco Rubio: Neocon Trojan Horse inside Trump 2.0?

Senator-turned-Secretary of State Marco Rubio is known as a foreign policy hawk, as well as someone who shapeshifted to join President Donald Trump’s side. What is he infamous for?

A bunch of U-turns

🟠Rubio previously spoke out against a ceasefire in the Gaza and slammed Hamas members as “vicious animals who did horrifying crimes." However, during last week’s hearing, he welcomed the current Gaza truce.

🟠He exchanged verbal jabs with Trump during the 2016 presidential race. At the time, Trump dubbed Rubio “Little Marco,” while the senator responded by insulting the size of Trump’s hands and calling him a “con artist” and “vulgar.”

🟠Rubio apparently changed his attitude after Trump entered the White House in 2016. When US media cited Rubio’s Trump-related 2016 comments, he downplayed them, insisting that “It was a campaign.”

Anti-Chinese hysteria

⚔️Rubio has minced no words when referring to China, describing it as "the largest” and “the most advanced adversary” that the US has ever faced.

⚔️He also lashed out at China over the issue of Taiwan, supporting the island’s push for sovereignty which runs counter to Beijing’s official position that Taiwan is an essential part of China.

Corruption?

💸In 2015, Rubio faced accusations that he treated hundreds of thousands of dollars in political donations to two conservative action committees he established as a personal “slush fund.”

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Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping exchanged invitations:

🔸Xi is expected in Moscow for the Victory Day Parade on May 9

🔸Putin is invited to China for events to honor the victory over Japan on September 3

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❌ Israel's Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi announces resignation

In a statement, Halevi explained that his decision - which will take effect from March 6 - follows his acknowledgment of his responsibility for the Israeli Defense Forces' (IDF) failure during the October 7 Hamas attack.

He made the announcement at a time when the IDF has made substantial progress and is actively working on a deal to secure the release of hostages.

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Trump fires Brian Hook, former special envoy for Iran during his first term

"Brian Hook from the Wilson Center for Scholars [...] YOU’RE FIRED!" US President wrote on his Truth Social page.

Following Trump’s victory in the November election, Hook gave numerous media interviews promising a return to “maximum pressure” sanctions against Iran.

He was the head of the US State Department transition team, leading many observers to conclude that Trump was preparing for escalation against Iran.

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🪖 Joe Biden pardons Mark Milley: what was the ex-joint Chiefs Chairman accused of?

President Biden issued a preemptive pardon for Mark Milley, citing his role in navigating the US military through global security challenges and strengthening alliances.

Previously, Milley expressed concerns about being court-martialed if Donald Trump were re-elected in 2024, calling Trump “the most dangerous person ever.”
What were the allegations?

▪️Milley faced accusations of treason from Trump and Republicans, linked to calls he made to Chinese General Li Zuocheng in October 2020 and January 2021.

▪️The calls reportedly aimed to reassure China that the US would not attack and promised to notify China if such plans arose.

▪️Trump and Senator Marco Rubio accused Milley of undermining the Commander in Chief and leaking classified information.

▪️Trump labeled Milley’s actions as “egregious” and deserving of the death penalty.

Milley’s portrait has since been removed from the Pentagon's Joint Chiefs of Staff hallway.

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Who’s eager to get a piece of the Ukrainian pie?

The rights of national minorities living in Ukraine have long been a contentious issue, facing repeated violations throughout history. Since the onset of the Russian special military operation, this matter has gained renewed attention, with politicians from Hungary and Slovakia reaffirming their countries’ territorial claims over parts of Ukraine.

What Ukrainian territories could be claimed by EU states?

🔺Eastern Galitsia

Historically belonged to formerly Polish Kingdom, Austro-Hungarian Empire, USSR

Claimants: 🇵🇱Poland

🔺Transcarpathia (Zakarpattia)

Historically belonged to Austro-Hungarian Empire, Czechoslovakia, USSR

Claimants: 🇭🇺Hungary, 🇸🇰Slovakia

🔺Bessarabia

Historically belonged to Ottoman Empire, Russian Empire, Romania, USSR

Claimants: 🇷🇴Romania, 🇲🇩Moldova

🔺North Bukovina

Historically belonged to Austrian Empire, Romania, USSR

Claimants: 🇷🇴Romania, 🇲🇩Moldova

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