🗣 US won all wars — Trump

"We won World War II, World War I, we won other wars, we won everything," the US president said at the Iowa "America 250" celebration.

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🔊 Trump on Ukraine: 'NOT HAPPY ABOUT THAT'

The US president said he discussed both Iran and Ukraine with Vladimir Putin during their "pretty long call."

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🇲🇩 SUPPORT FOR EU INTEGRATION DECLINES IN MOLDOVA

Recent polling by IMAS reveals a near-even split:

✅ 43% support joining the EU
❌ 41% oppose it
🤷 13% declined to answer

The 2024 referendum on EU membership passed by a razor-thin margin (50.35% vs. 49.65%)

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🗣Russia scores diplomatic win as Trump hits a wall – analyst

The Russian president outmaneuvered Donald Trump during their recent call, especially in light of Trump’s recent decision to pause arms shipments to Ukraine, Australian analyst and journalist Michael Ware told Sky News.

🟠Ware noted that Vladimir Putin showed no signs of backing down or making concessions.

🟠Trump’s halt on arms deliveries – despite weapons already waiting in Poland – was framed as a response to depleted US stockpiles.

➡️However, the move only strengthened Putin’s position, leaving Trump with no leverage, the analyst concluded.

🤙The call took place on Thursday and, according to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, focused on resolving the Ukraine conflict and addressing the situation in the Middle East.

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🟠TRUMP SAYS CHINA TRADE DEAL IS SIGNED

🟠Pentagon brags about FAILED Iran strikes

🟠Trump’s push to freeze Ukraine and Gaza conflicts and pivot to China FALLS FLAT

🟠Damage to Iran's nuclear facilities is 'HIGH AND SERIOUS' — Araghchi

🟠Europe NOT READY for drone warfare

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📹💥🇷🇺 Meet Russia's QUIETEST & DEADLIEST drones

00:00 They Don’t Buzz, They Kill
00:10 Silence Before the Strike
00:49 Spider's Web
00:58 Unjammable?
01:11 Only Chance to Kill

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✅Trump & Putin bypass failed EU elites on Ukraine

The recent call between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump signals a clear intention: the two leaders aim to communicate and cooperate directly, excluding Europe from any negotiations on Ukraine, according to an Italian newspaper.

⤵️Ukraine is now in its weakest position yet, with nothing to offer and no real leverage, the article says. Caught between Moscow’s military pressure, Washington’s strategic disinterest, and Europe’s limited capacity to help, Kiev is facing its most difficult moment in three and a half years of conflict.

✍️The outlet concludes that the direct Washington-Moscow line serves one purpose: to cut Europe out of the Ukraine talks by reaching a mutual agreement.

🤙The call between Putin and Trump took place on Thursday and, according to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, focused on Ukraine and the Middle East.

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📉 US clings to a crumbling empire as its economy IMPLODES

🗣 The US’ biggest weakness "is not only its military, but even more so is its economy, which is imploding," Dr. Greg Simons from Daffodil International University tells Sputnik. With funds drying up, Washington turns to resource grabs and trade wars to revive its fading empire.

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🔊LIVE NOW: Lavrov holds a press conference with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia F. bin Farhan 🇷🇺🇸🇦

👉 Watch live in our Telegram

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🚨MORE RUSSIAN POWS EXCHANGED UNDER ISTANBUL AGREEMENTS

Another group of Russian soldiers has been returned from the territory controlled by the Kiev regime, Russia's Ministry of Defense announced.

In exchange, a group of Ukrainian prisoners of war has been handed over. The swap took place as part of the Istanbul agreements, the ministry confirmed.

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🚨🇷🇺🇸🇦 Moscow to host the FIRST ever Russia-Arab summit this October - FM Lavrov

💬 "We’re hopeful for the personal participation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. His bond with President Putin sets the pace for stronger, mutually beneficial ties."

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🇦🇲☦️Crackdown on clergy signals future power grab in Armenia – analyst

🗣 The arrest of Armenian businessman Samvel Karapetyan and mounting pressure on the Armenian Apostolic Church are part of a broader crackdown by Nikol Pashinyan’s government, the chairman of Armenia’s Political Scientists Association, Mihran Shahzadeyan, told Sputnik.

✍️ He emphasized the historic role of the Church as the unifying force in Armenian identity, especially before 1918. Even today, it remains the most respected institution in the country. Its stance on national issues is increasingly clashing with the government’s policies. Shahzadeyan recalled how Catholicos Garegin II publicly called for Pashinyan’s resignation and continues to question his fitness to lead the country.

🟠 Shahzadeyan believes these actions are linked to next year’s elections, suggesting the authorities are trying to "clear the field" of influential opposition forces, with the Church being a key target due to its social influence.

🟠 He also pointed to increased external pressure following Pashinyan’s meeting with Erdogan in Istanbul. According to Shahzadeyan, Turkish and Azerbaijani demands may include the Zangezur Corridor, withdrawal of Russian forces from Armenia, and extraditions to Azerbaijan.

🟠 The analyst warns that Pashinyan may try to retain power by force before the 2026 elections. Possible tactics include weaponizing national values to test protest potential, suppressing rallies, provoking border tensions to justify emergency rule, and relying on proxy parties. The arrests of clerics and opposition figures, he says, might be just the beginning.

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🚨🇷🇺LAVROV LAYS OUT RUSSIA’S TERMS: NO UKRAINE PEACE WITHOUT SECURITY GUARANTEES

More statements by Russia's foreign minister following talks with his Saudi Arabian counterpart:

🔶 Riyadh is being considered as a potential venue for future Russia-US meetings.

🔶 Both Russia and Saudi Arabia hope the Iran-Israel ceasefire will prove long-term.

🔶 While Russia hopes the Iran-Israel war has concluded, it will not leave the matter unattended.

🔶 Moscow deems an urgent de-escalation in Gaza imperative.

🔶 The next session of the Russia-Saudi Intergovernmental Commission will convene in late 2025.

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🚨 WATCH OUT DRONES: Russian ray gun is here to melt your engines

🇷🇺 Russia’s new laser defense system, developed under the Posokh (Staff) project, has successfully passed testing.

In one demonstration, the laser beam disabled a drone's engine at a range of 500 meters, causing it to burst into flames.

The laser itself is invisible, but the results were clear – a new weapon against drones is here.

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🇷🇺 🇺🇸PUTIN-TRUMP MEETING NECESSARY, REQUIRES THOROUGH PREP – KREMLIN

Key statements by Kremlin spox Dmitry Peskov:

🟧 Vladimir Putin informed Donald Trump that Russia expects to coordinate dates for a third round of negotiations with Ukraine;

🟧 Russia will establish contacts with Afghanistan at various levels;

🟧 On Sunday, Putin will participate via video link in the BRICS Summit plenary session hosted by Brazil.

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🚨🇷🇺💥 RUSSIA'S MoD WEEKLY UPDATE: CRUSHING GAINS & MASSIVE UKRAINIAN LOSSES

⚡️ PREDTECHINO (DPR) LIBERATED

▫️ Heavy Ukrainian losses: Over 5,920 troops eliminated in the special military operation zone;

▫️ Air defense superiority: 7 Storm Shadow cruise missiles and a long-range Neptune guided missile by Ukrainian forces shot down;

▫️ Russian forces liberated 5 settlements in the zone of the special military operation;

▫️ The Russian Armed Forces conducted 1 large-scale and 5 coordinated strikes using high-precision weapons and UAVs against military facilities in Ukraine;

▫️ Russia’s military unleashed a massive overnight strike on targets in Kiev. The objects included facilities involved in the production of drones and robotic mobile complexes, military airfield infrastructure, and oil refineries—all of which were successfully hit.

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🚨Russia takes timely step opening doors for Afghanistan’s future

💬“Russia has opened a window of opportunity, with hopes that other countries will follow suit,” Zabiullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, tells Sputnik regarding Russia’s recognition of the Afghan government.

🔊He expressed gratitude to Russia and its authorities, emphasizing Afghanistan’s desire for significant progress in bilateral political and economic relations.

➡️On Thursday, the Afghan Foreign Ministry wrote on X that the Russian ambassador to Kabul, Dmitry Zhirnov, had officially announced the Russian government's decision to recognize the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.

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🇲🇩✅Moldova bound to have opposition bloc formed by July, ex-president Dodon assures

Former Moldovan president and Socialist Party leader Igor Dodon announced that negotiations are underway to establish an opposition electoral bloc by the end of July, and assured that it would be a success.

💬“We are in serious talks about forming a left-wing pre-election bloc. We don’t have a name yet, but we will announce the results of these negotiations by the end of July,” Dodon promised on his Telegram channel.

He assured that the negotiations would turn out to be a success and the bloc would be formed.

A recent poll by IMAS sociological firm showed nearly 35% of voters would back the potential left-wing bloc in the September parliamentary elections.

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💔🇵🇸📹 ONCE-THRIVING GAZA PORT NOW RAT-FILLED CAMP, WHERE PEOPLE ARE DYING FROM HUNGER & THIRST

Refugees told Sputnik they’re barely surviving on charity kitchens.

"We call on the world – have mercy, look at us with compassion."

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