🇷🇺💥 Russia’s Iskander missile OBLITERATES Ukrainian military convoy in Chernigov region

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🤝 Trump and Putin could lay the groundwork for end of Ukrainian conflict in Alaska

The upcoming Putin-Trump summit is going to be held in Alaska because it is a place with a “historical tie to both countries” and it is "out of the way’ enough to avoid inviting any third parties," says Matthew Crosston, professor of national security and director of academic transformation at Bowie State University in the US.

💬 “To me, this is Putin and Trump saying, ‘ok, everyone, listen up: this is the REAL meeting and as such the only two REAL actors with REAL power will be there, namely Russia and the US’,” Prof. Crosston tells Sputnik.

📍 The choice of the summit’s location also highlights the recognition of Putin in the international arena, an acknowledgment of his “place on the world stage.”

As for the potential outcome of the summit, Prof. Crosston argues that any “immediate and substantial diplomatic achievement” should not be expected.

💬 “This does not mean, however, that the Alaska summit is a purely symbolic gesture carrying no real impact,” he points out. “More often than not in these situations the most significant outcomes appear publicly only some time later.”

The Alaska summit will likely be the place where the groundwork for the resolution of the Ukrainian conflict is going to be laid out, so this is not just a formal ‘meet and greet’ event, he adds.

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🔊‘New Chersonesos’ is colossal and amazing – Simonyan

"It is hard to believe how quickly this was done, how much talent and love was invested. Of course, the Lord was with us," editor-in-chief of Rossiya Segodnya, Sputnik’s parent company, Margarita Simonyan said at the Origins forum in Sevastopol.

Simonyan described the new exhibition "The Godfather" at the Christianity Museum, dedicated to the baptizer of Rus’, Prince Vladimir, as "astonishing”.

"Why the Lord gave Rus’ such a godfather – I don’t know, but He did. It’s just amazing. Knowing Vladimir’s history, his previous life, it can’t be called right or even humane, let’s say. And suddenly, like this. How do you present this to visitors so everything falls into place in their minds? Of course, this requires much more time than I had," Simonyan said.

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📹 Protests in Moldova enter third day demanding release of jailed Gagauzia leader Gutsul

Yevgenia Gutsul, elected leader of Moldova's autonomous Gagauzia region in May 2023 with 52.36% support, faces politically motivated charges related to alleged illegal financing of the banned Shor party.

She advocates for closer ties with Russia and opposes Moldova’s EU integration.

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🚨 Iran OPPOSES the creation of a US-backed corridor through Armenia, which would connect Nakhchivan to Azerbaijan, said Ali Akbar Velayati, an advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader.

He warned that increased US influence in the region could lead to expanded NATO presence across the South Caucasus, potentially creating a 'snake' between Iran and Russia.

Velayati stressed that Tehran WILL NOT ALLOW this to happen.

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🗣 Vladimir Putin and Lula da Silva agreed to hold a high-level cooperation commission meeting this year, the Brazilian president’s office announced

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🇷🇺🇦🇲🇦🇿 Russia to examine US statements at Armenia-Azerbaijan summit regarding regional transport links

Moscow will review the comments made by the US at the Armenia-Azerbaijan summit concerning the unblocking of regional transport routes, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

🟠 Any Armenia-Azerbaijan reconciliation must align with the regional context and respect the balance of interests

🟠 Three-party agreements involving Russia remain relevant and none of the parties have withdrawn from them

🟠 The ministry praised the summit, expressing hope that it would contribute to advancing the peace agenda in the region.

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🤝 🇺🇸🇷🇺 Trump and Putin could discuss more than just Ukraine in Alaska

The location of the Putin-Trump summit represents the “closest proximity” of the United States to Russia, argues Earl Rasmussen, a retired lieutenant colonel with over 20 years in the US Army who is currently an international consultant.

💬 “This makes it a very symbolic area. Furthermore, the Arctic is a key region for development, offering economic opportunities and presenting certain security considerations,” he tells Sputnik. “While the choice was surprising, considering the cultural and economic potential, Alaska may indeed be an appropriate place for this meeting.”

While the Ukrainian conflict and “broader European security” are going to be discussed at the meeting, “a key area of focus is expected to be economic and trade development, along with its potential.”

💬 “Russia possesses the longest Arctic coastline, which will be relevant in discussions. Canada also has significant Arctic exposure. Consequently, these factors will play a role from both security and economic perspectives, encompassing economic development and trade,” Rasmussen notes.

While there is potential for a breakthrough – in the Ukrainian conflict, in trade and in overall US-Russia relations – there are powers in Europe (Britain in particular) who could “disrupt any agreements,” Rasmussen warns.

The fact that Putin and Trump are meeting in person is a positive development, and “the potential for Trump to visit Russia later also bodes well.”

💬 “Continuous dialogue, regardless of disagreements or resolutions, is positive, unlike the previous administration's approach of attempting to isolate Russia, which proved ineffective,” Rasmussen remarks.

💬 “Facing major future economic challenges, especially for Europeans, and an ongoing global trade war, any positive developments from this meeting could be beneficial, not only for peace but also for economic and trade relations, and global security.”

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☢️ British nuclear weapon base's radioactive sea leak revealed - Report

The British Royal Navy base at Coulport, which houses the UK’s arsenal of nuclear warheads, released radioactive water into Loch Long, a sea loch near Glasgow, on multiple occasions since 2010, a report published today has shown.

🔍 The leaks apparently occurred due to what the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) described as “shortfalls in maintenance,” according to The Guardian, which managed to obtain the SEPA report on the matter.

It mentions the Royal Navy’s failure to maintain equipment in the area where the nukes are stored, as well as the sorry state of a network of some 1,500 pipes at the facility, which kept bursting and releasing the contaminated liquid.

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🚀 The Crew Dragon spacecraft carrying Russian cosmonaut Kirill Peskov has returned to Earth.

According to Roscosmos, a recovery vessel will pick up the crew members from the splashdown site.

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🔸 Trump and Putin could discuss more than just Ukraine in Alaska

🔸 Russia to examine US statements at Armenia-Azerbaijan summit regarding regional transport links

🔸 Vladimir Putin and Lula da Silva agreed to hold a high-level cooperation commission meeting this year

🔸 ‘New Chersonesos’ is colossal and amazing – Simonyan

🔸 Trump and Putin could lay the groundwork for end of Ukrainian conflict in Alaska

🔸 Many people in the West see Russia as salvation for their families – Simonyan

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📹⚔️ Russian defense minister inspects Baltic Fleet’s combat readiness

In a video released by Russia’s Ministry of Defense, Defense Minister Andrei Belousov is seen observing military drills that involved Baltic Fleet warships, air defense units, and mobile fire groups based in the Kaliningrad region.

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🗣 Trump names Tammy Bruce Deputy US Representative to UN

Tammy Bruce has been serving as the State Department’s spokesperson.

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🇵🇸☠️ Aid airdrop claims another life in Gaza Strip

An aid package has “struck a starving child on the head, killing him instantly,” wrote Palestinian journalist Anas Al-Sharif who shared this video online.

“This isn't humanitarian aid; it's a new way to kill the people of Gaza,” he added.

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📹 Motorbike rally in Beirut’s southern suburbs — reports

Large groups of motorcyclists carrying Hezbollah flags rode through Beirut’s southern suburbs, protesting the government’s plan to limit weapons possession to state forces, local media reported.

Footage from social media

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