Ukraine and World Affairs: Weekly Update
30th May 2025
This has been an eventful week in which the Israeli slaughter in Gaza continues to frustrate and sicken. Aid to the Palestinians is inadequate and under the control of an American security company whose ‘goal is to humiliate our people, transform the Gaza strip into concentration camps and isolated cantons….in preparation for the implementation of the Zionist displacement project', according Yousef Fares.
In short, this is the militarisation of aid (considered to be a war crime) and people are being forced to travel miles to receive it. The Palestinians are calling for ‘crossings’1 closed by the Israelis to be reopened so that aid can be supplied by UNWRA and other independent sources. The Israelis continue to attack Yemen, having destroyed its airport and airplanes for a second time this week. Yemen has no airplanes left. In response, the Houthis continue to attack Lod (or Ben Gurion) airport which is forcing many airlines to cancel flights to Israel. These attacks may be escalated and aimed at the airport itself: the Houthis have not done so thus far. The Israelis are murdering innocent Palestinians at the rate of close to 100 a day. Some European leaders are making sympathetic but ignorant noises, including the German SPD which has called for the suspension of arms sales to Israel. Demonstrations are taking place worldwide (see below). Chile is on the verge of severing diplomatic ties with Israel due to the situation in Gaza while Putin has met with Yemeni Chairman al-Alimi in Moscow as Russia reopens its embassy in Yemen - which sends a signal.
A ceasefire in Gaza is tantalisingly close as I write. Hamas has agreed to Witkoff’s temporary ceasefire proposals, according to this, and according to this report Israel has agreed to a ceasefire for an initial 60 days. You can read more at the Palestine Chronicle. No date has been set as I write and I should say that in spite of these reports, a ceasefire has not yet materialised. According to Mahmood OD, the Israeli government is close to collapse with opposition leaders admitting that they haven’t defeated and will not defeat Hamas, as he discusses here. They also said that Bibi’s actions since Oct 7th 2023 have made the situation in Israel ten times worse.
Syria has been relatively quiet this week but people are still being attacked and killed.
The US-Iran talks are continuing as Israel threatens to derail them with an attack on Iran (see below).
In Russia, Vladimir Putin’s helicopter suffered drone attacks during his visit to Kursk on May 20th, according to Sputnik. I reported on the visit last week or the week before but at that time the attack was not mentioned. Some believe this was an assassination attempt. If this is the case, the attacks would have been supported by Western intelligence or even operatives. I feel that supporting the assassination of the leader of the the biggest nuclear power on earth is ill advised because it could invite a similar response from the Russians.
Donald J has posted some provocative statements critical of Putin on Truth Social which are discussed in detail below. Some would say that the emotional and personal nature of these statements suggests that Trump is feeling the pressure. The Russians have been very understanding and diplomatic about his remarks but are annoyed at measures on both sides of the Atlantic to derail the peace talks which they must know are hardly likely to succeed with or without interference from the European irrelevants. But this is all Political Theatre, even the Russians are involved to an extent, and it is difficult to judge where the boundary between reality and illusion is located.
Trump is so far resisting calls to impose further sanctions on Russia so as not to disrupt the peace talks. However, some say that Trump fears that sanctions will backfire - according to this report.
On the fronts in Ukraine some fear a total collapse is not far away and that the Russians will then penetrate deep into the country. The creation of a buffer zone in Sumy is stretching the already overstretched Ukrainian forces and breakthroughs may not be far away in Toretsk and Petrovsk Directions - as Syrsky juggles his forces.
Attacks on TCC workers have increased substantially in the past weeks, which is worrying the authorities who are struggling to mobilise more cannon fodder. Ukrainian air defence systems are also struggling to keep the Russians out as their stocks of Patriot and other missiles are becoming depleted.
But there is a danger of escalation, to complicate things, as the Germans appear to be on the verge of providing Ukraine with Taurus missiles along with the military assistants and intelligence to direct them deep into Russia (see below). If they are used, the Russians could hit the German factories that produce them with Oreshniks (see below).
In a massive blow for free speech, Marco Rubio has announced a visa policy that will prevent critics of Israel coming to the US.
Finally, it appears that Ukraine-Russia peace talks will resume on June 2nd and will look at the ‘root cases of the conflict’ - according to Lavrov (see below). The Russians will be fielding an unchanged team and the Ukrainians have agreed to come.
The Cupboard’s Bare
Marco Rubio has advised that the US no longer has any Patriot Systems to send to Ukraine and that he doubts that the Europeans have any air defence to spare either: all the more reason for Russia to continue with large missile strikes. The sooner the Russians have air supremacy; the sooner their armies will move West.
Trump Clueless On Ukraine
This is a rather emotional post, expressed at a very personal level which is unusual for a President. But Trump ignores the fact that Ukraine had just launched 800 drones at civilians in Moscow. He ignores the fact that Ukraine has been targeting civilians since 2014, killing more than 15,000.
Some may point out that had Trump been acquainted with recent events in Ukraine along with a detailed history of the conflict, he would not have posted this. I’m not really sure to be honest. But someday, someone will write about Trump’s psychology and how it impacted on world events in the 2020s.
Some commentators have attempted to interpret Trump’s post as a clever move to appease the neo-cons but from what I can see, this was simply an emotional response arising out of ignorance by a character who is caught in the crosswinds of opponents such as Lindsey Graham and Kellogg and doesn’t know which way his head is facing much of the time. The hypocrisy of this statement is off the charts given Trump’s support for Israeli genocide and his killing of hundreds of innocent Yemenis.
Alastair Crooke, talking to the Judge here has just returned from St. Petersburg and is sensing great anger among the Russians there: against the West generally, but against the Europeans in particular. He believes that Trump’s remarks will serve to completely undermine any trust that has been accumulated through the recent Russian contact with the Americans. And he is right, of course. It is so sad that the promise of early negotiations between the two has not been fulfilled.
I am not convinced that Trump has been briefed about the massive drone attacks on civilian targets in Russian oblasts, including Moscow. When told about the attack on Putin’s helicopter Trump appeared genuinely surprised, so it is worrying that he did not know about it.
So, I suspect that the people around Trump are providing him with false information as well as withholding important information he needs to see. We have no way of knowing. Furthermore, there is enormous pressure on Trump from hawks like Graham, who has 82 senators ready to push for 500% sanctions on Russia. Given these factors, I will not pass judgement on Trump’s response just yet, in spite of the hypocrisy.
Then, on the 27th May, Trump posted this:
There is no hidden political motive here: this is emotional and personal. I sometimes wonder that Trump, in spite of his display of being in charge, has become overwhelmed by the forces arrayed against him and may even have become a neo-con convert. That would be a sad end to this tale, for everyone who had faith in the Donald and for the man who wanted to make America Great Again.
Diplomatically, Dmitry Peskov explained this statement as arising out of an ‘emotional overload’, associated with negotiations, and praised America’s efforts in this regard. He also made it clear that Putin is making decisions to protect Russian security and has to respond to mass terrorist attacks.
‘Bad cop’, Medvedev, was less diplomatic and did not mince his words in responding thus:
Keith Kellogg called Medvedev’s remarks ‘reckless’ and ‘unfitting of a world power’ but made no comment about Trump’s bellicose statements which are surely unfitting and reckless coming from the leader of the world’s second largest nuclear power.
Sergei Lavrov also made it clear that the Russian strikes were in response to terror attacks by the Ukrainians.
On the 28th May, Trump was asked by a reporter:
Do you think the Russians are being disrespectful when they say that your criticism of Putin is just an emotional reaction? And do you still believe that Putin really wants to end the war?
He replied:
I can’t tell you that, but I’ll know in about two weeks. We’ll figure it out soon. We’ll know if he’s leading us on or not. And if he is, we’ll react a little differently. It’ll take about a week, maybe two. We have Mr. Witkoff, he’s here, he’s doing a fantastic job, he’s negotiating hard with them now. They seem to really want to get something done, but until the document is signed, I can’t say for sure. No one can.
My view of this is that Trump is keen to have deal on Ukraine but he really doesn’t understand the complexities of the Ukraine conflict (discussed above). The change of tone is very noticeable here: Trump has calmed down.
Talks To Resume
Sergei Lavrov has announced that talks between Russia and Ukraine will resume in Istanbul on Monday June 2nd. According to Maria Zakharova, both sides will bring their drafts proposals for peace. Yermak has confirmed that the Ukrainians will attend.
Medinsky Too Tough For US
The Americans are asking that Medinsky be replaced as a negotiator because he is too tough. This is a ridiculous claim: what they mean is that Medinsky’s position, which is also the Kremlin’s position, is not favourable to them. Slavyangrad is suggesting the following replacement:
Buffer Zone - Russia has no right - Der Spiegel
Some idiot from Der Spiegel is suggesting that only multilateral organisations can create buffer zones. Does this guy not realise that this is a war and that Russia has the right to protect its civilians from terror attacks. Where do they get these people from?
Mischievous Medvedev
Medvedev was in mischievous mood when he posted the above map of the ‘buffer zone’ Putin has been talking about.
Lavrov - No Illusions Re the US
Sergei Lavrov has welcomed a change of approach towards Russia by the new US administration as a return to normality but warned about entertaining optimistic illusions about the relationship:
We are naturally sober-minded people in the political sense. It is crucial not to succumb to illusions, to remain realistic and aware that there have been numerous instances where the United States has drastically reversed its stance. Such is life. There is no escaping this reality.
Now that’s much more diplomatic than calling someone crazy. Lavrov also warned that leaving millions of Russian speakers under Kiev control and unable to use their language would be a ‘crime’.
This idea is being introduced gradually to get the world used to the possibility that much more of Ukraine will, inevitably, become independent or part of Russia.
Friends and Foes
Prisoner Swap - 1,000 for 1,000
The exchange began in Belarus on the 23rd May and lasted for three days. 120 abducted civilians from Kursk will be part of the deal. Moreover, because there is a shortage of prisoners on the Ukraine side jailed political prisoners are being included as part of the quota. Have you noticed that the legacy media’s outrage at the Oct 7th 2023 seizure of Israeli hostages was not repeated with regard to kidnapped Russians in Kursk. Such judgements are based on nationality - so it seems.
Russian Embassy Attacked in Sweden
Several attacks using drones and paint have been launched against the Russian embassy in Stockholm. Similar attacks have been going on for more than a year in spite of Russian protests. Now, Maria Zakharova is asking the Swedes to ‘tame its ultras’. The attacks breach the Vienna Convention.
Merz - No Limits
German chancellor Merz has confirmed that there will be no limit to how far Taurus and other longer range missiles can be launched into Russian territory - which means that Westerners will be making these attacks. The Taurus missiles have a range of 500 kms plus. According to Merz, the restrictions were lifted months ago - as reported in Tass - which is true - but Taurus missiles have not yet been used. However, this Ukrainian source claims that the Germans will be providing 100-150 Taurus missiles.
If these missiles target facilities associated with Russia’s nuclear deterrent this could require a nuclear response according to Russia’s nuclear doctrine and I am sure that the Germans are aware of this. According to Maria Zakharova, since Ukraine cannot use Taurus missiles on its own, German technicians and intelligence will inevitably become part of the conflict if they are launched.
Military analyst Igor Korotchenko has warned that if Germany uses Taurus missiles it will become part of the conflict and Russia will responds with two ‘Oreshnik complexes’ with conventional warheads to destroy totally the plants producing the missiles - as would be its right of self-defence under the UN charter. You can read more at Sputnik. Within Russia there is much support for this should the Germans decided to let the Taurus loose. Andrew Kartapolov from the State Duma Defence Committee, gave a similar warning should Taurus missiles be used:
We are ready for anything. We are ready to shoot down Taurus and target launch sites, those who launch them and, if necessary, the places from which they were delivered.
This Ukrainian source claims that the missiles are already in Ukraine awaiting permission/assistance to launch them. Time will tell.
Merz has angered the Russians by accusing their forces of deliberately targeting hospitals, schools, nurseries and even old peoples’ homes2 - which is not true. But worryingly, this is war propaganda similar to what the Germans suffered in Belgium in 1914 when the French accused them of bayonetting babies.
It should be noted that Russia has long tolerated Western involvement in launching missiles into Russia - such as Stormshadows, HIMARS and ATACMs. There is a difference in attitude here because the missiles can be fitted with nuclear warheads, according to Larry Johnson. But maybe the Russians are simply fed up: they have been patient for a long time and maybe they feel that enough is enough. We all get to that stage sometimes.
In addition to the above, Germany has become directly involved in the conflict because it is funding missile production inside Ukraine - according to Sergei Lavrov.
Mark Sleboda believes that the recent massive Ukrainian drone strikes may have been designed to weaken Russia’s air defences in readiness for an attack by Taurus missiles. We shall see.
Zaluzhny Well Ahead in Poll
According to a Ukrainian source, 74% of Ukrainians believe Zaluzhny to be the most trustworthy of candidates for President.
US Can’t Be Allowed To Pull Out Of Ukraine - Podolyak
We cannot allow the US to refuse to participate in this war, since their military support is necessary for both Europe and Ukraine.
What you mean is that if the US pulls out you are stuffed, basically.
Goncharenko Rant
Please understand, Europe is under attack now. The barbarians are at the gates. We need Radio Liberty. We need the tanks of a free Europe. We need the missiles of a free Europe. We need the drones of a free Europe. We need to support the Ukrainian army, which now, with huge losses, in a very difficult situation, especially when American support is wavering, continues to defend the walls of Europe. We must help - help everyone who is fighting now.
What a load of utter garbage but quite understandable: these people are getting desperate. In reality, the Nazis in Ukraine are under attack: you are the barbarians and Europe is attacking itself.
Our Children Must Prepare for War
Iryna Vereshchuk, the Deputy Head of Zelensky’s Office, has warned that Peace Deals with Russia are pointless because Russia will always be the enemy. The war will last decades or even centuries so children must prepare themselves for the trenches, not peace. She clearly is not a military historian and hasn’t a clue about Russia’s military might. Maybe Ukraine will become a modern day Sparta.3
People Are Fighting Back Against The TCC
As you can see here and here. The TCC4 building in Vinnytsa was set on fire as you can see here. Clashes also took place between civilians and Police/TCC in Kremenchuk and Krivoy Rog - as you can see here. You can see local people assaulting the TCC in Cherkassy here and again in Kremenchuk here. According to a Ukrainian source the Ukrainian authorities are alarmed at the increase in attacks on the TCC. In Khmelnytskyi, 100 people blocked a TCC car as you can see here. Apologies to people who don’t use Telegram.
Ukraine Terrorist Attacks - That Target Civilians
I should say that these are increasing. Between the 20th and the 23rd May, the Ukrainians carried out 788 drone attacks on Russian territory. 776 drones were shot down but 12 got through. The Ukrainians also attacked with Western missiles. This is one reason that Putin has ordered the creation of a ‘buffer zone’. Those who look only at the legacy media will not have heard any mention of these attacks on civilians which the Ukrainians have been conducting since 2014.
23rd/24th May
On the 23rd May, in the village of Saranchino (Bryansk) a man was killed when a drone hit his car, while in Belgorod a man was injured when a drone hit his truck. In Kherson, a 60 year old man was injured by shelling. In total, 94 drones were shot down over Russian territory: 64 over Belgorod; 24 over Bryansk; 2 over Kursk; 2 over Lipetsk; 1 over Voronezh and 1 over Tula.
24th/25th May
Overnight, 271 drones were shot down over Russian territory: 64 over Kursk; 62 over Oryol; 46 over Moscow; 31 over Tula; 14 over Bryansk; 10 over Ryazan; 7 over Kaluga; 4 each over Belgorod and Tver; 3 each over Ivanovo and Smolensk; 2 over Vladimir and 1 each over Voronezh and Lipetsk.
One drone hit the dome of St. Nicholas Cathedral in Tula, causing a fire..
In Kursk, one man was injured by shelling and another by drone attack.
25th/26th May
Overnight, 14 explosions were heard in Tula region which caused blackouts while six drones were destroyed over Moscow. According to the Majors:
Between 1:00 PM and 8:00 PM on May 25, air defenses shot down 51 drones: 6 over Moscow Oblast, 11 over Tula Oblast, 1 over Kaluga Oblast, 12 over Oryol Oblast, and 23 over Kursk Oblast.
In total, between 10 am on the 25th and 8 am on the 26th, 148 fixed wing drones were shot down over Russian regions.
In Bryansk, a woman was killed and man injured when a drone hit their car, while Belgorod suffered drone attacks on a farm and a private house. Also in Belgorod, an explosive device was planted under the rails of a local train track causing damage to the train when it ran over the device. Shelling in Kherson on the 25th May injured two civilians.
26th/27th May
During the day on the 26th May, 90 drones were destroyed, mainly over Rostov and Voronezh but some were downed on their way to Moscow. Belgorod suffered shelling and drone attacks which injured three civilians while attacks injured two in Kherson. In total, 99 aircraft drones were destroyed/disabled: 56 over Belgorod; 25 over Voronezh; 7 over Vladimir; 5 over Kaluga; 4 over Tula and 1 each over Rostov and Lipetsk.
Above is a church burning in Kursk: Zelensky appears to be targeting churches.
27th/28th May
Overnight, 42 drones were shot down over Moscow region. According to the Russian MoD:
During the past night from 21:00 Moscow time on May 27 to 07:00 on May 28, air defense alert systems destroyed and intercepted 296 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles of the aircraft type over the territories of the Moscow region, Bryansk, Belgorod, Vladimir, Voronezh, Ivanovo, Kaluga, Kursk, Oryol, Ryazan, Smolensk, Tver, Tula regions.
Bryansk suffered drone attacks which damaged six cars but caused no casualties, while in Belgorod a man suffered concussion after a drone attack. In Kherson, the central hospital was attacked injuring an 85 year old woman while in the DPR one man was injured by cluster artillery and another injured by unexploded ordnance.
Shelling in Kherson caused power outages, damaged blocks of flats and injured a 69 year old woman. On the 28th May, a suicide bomber killed himself and SMO veteran, Zaur Gurtsiev, in Stavropol (Stavropol Krai).
28th/29th May
Overnight, 48 drones were destroyed over Russian territory. In Belgorod, one man was injured by shelling. Many villages in Kherson suffered heavy shelling overnight but only one civilian was injured. Russia’s Alabuga Special Economic Zone (Tatarstan) has come under attack but no drones were able to breach air defences.
29th/30th May
Kursk suffered drone attacks overnight which caused damage and injured a man driving his car. In Belgorod, drones damaged a house, a tractor and injured a man while in Kherson, two men were killed by shelling. 15 drones were destroyed over Belgorod and 12 over Kursk.
The Sea War
24th/25th May
Overnight, 22 drones were shot down over Crimea.
The Air War
Russian Missile/Drone Attacks
It appears that both sides are increasing their drones attacks but Russia is outpacing Ukraine in this respect and some Ukrainians believe that before very long their defence stocks will be depleted and maybe now is a good time for peace. According to this source, the Ukrainians were once able to shoot down 90% of the drones but that figure is now only 30%.
23rd/24th May - Big Russian Attack
Overnight, at least 40 Geraniums attacked Kiev and many missiles attacked Izyum. Dnepropetrovsk, Odessa and Petrovsk were also attacked. Zhulyany airfield in Kiev was among the targets hit. It is reported that Iskanders are being used to attack military airfields, such as Mirgorod, along with military facilities and warehouses. According to this report, up to 180 drones have been employed. A Ukrainian report, claims that 250 drones and 14 Iskanders were launched, of which, so it is claimed, 245 drones and 6 missiles were destroyed. Sumy and Chernigov have also been attacked.
Iskander missiles destroyed a container ship in port at Odessa which was carrying military equipment. You can read more at Sputnik.
The War Chronicle provides the following report about the attack on the Antonov Plant:
A video appeared in which 20 Geraniums strike at the Antonov plant in Kyiv one after another. According to Ukrainian channels, Gerber drones were the first to arrive - they opened air defense, in particular the Patriot air defense system, which was hit by the first batch of Geraniums, and then 6 9M723 Iskander-M ballistic missiles flew in, hitting the workshops where An-196 Lutii drones and other types are produced. These strikes led to a series of explosions and fires.
Further, another batch of "Geraniums" hit the plant. In total, the plant was attacked by at least 40 drones. Even last night, the most massive use of Iskander-M missile systems was recorded - the main strikes were carried out on the airfields of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
24th/25th May - Huge Russian Drone/Missile Attack
Overnight, up to 298 Geraniums along with 17 Iskander-M; 24 Kalibr cruise missiles;14 KH-101s and 8 KH-69s5, attacked Kyiv, Chernihiv, Odessa, Kharkov and Sumy. Dnepropetrovsk and Krivoy Rog were also attacked along with Ternopol, Pavlograd, Nikolaev, Konotop.
A second wave of attacks was carried out using both UAVs and missiles. Explosions were heard in Kiev, Pavlograd in the Dnepropetrovsk region, Chernigov, Zhitomir, Konotop and Ternopil in western Ukraine.
Among targets hit were warehouses, a chemical plant, air defences, airfields and Ternopil’s ‘State Scientific Technical Enterprise’ including the building and the work shops.
This was Russia’s largest attack of the war and the Ukrainians, predictably, are claiming that it deliberately targeted civilian areas - which is what Trump has been listening to when he should be listening to the horrific death toll in Gaza. The Ukrainians say that 12 people were killed and 60 injured.
Gaza - For the Sake of Comparison
But in one morning in Gaza, 50 Palestinian civilians including many children, were burned alive by Israeli air strikes on a school housing displaced families, according to the Palestinian Chronicle. The Israelis are killing nearly a hundred civilians every day in Gaza. Post that on Truth Social, Orange man.
Russian Missile/Drone Strikes - continued
25th/26th May
Overnight, according to the Majors:
Explosions were reported in Odessa, Starokostiantyniv, Kiev, Zhitomir, Kharkov, Kremenchuk, Chernigov, as well as in the Sumy, Cherkasy, Kirovrograd, Poltava, Rivne regions.
According to this report by the Russian MoD, Starokonstantinov airport was hit.
26th/27th May
According to the Ukrainians, around 100 Geraniums attacked overnight.
29th/30th May
According to the Majors:
At night, the Russian Armed Forces used missile weapons and Geraniums to strike targets in the Sumy, Kharkov, and Zaporozhye regions. In the Odessa region, landings were noted in Izmail, a port city on the border with Romania.
Chuguev and Izyum in Kharkov were also attacked. You can view a full report here.
Ukrainian Missile/Drone Attacks
24th/25th May
Overnight, drones attacked the airfield in Tver.
25th/26th May
Overnight, the chemical plant in Kineshma (Ivanovo Oblast) was attacked.
27th/28th May
Overnight, a drone attacked the Elmo Technopark in Zelenograd causing some damage. The park is engaged in the production of laser and EW equipment.
The Ground War
Russian MoD Reports
w/e 9th May 2025 9,480 Casualties killed and wounded: equipment losses 573.
w/e 16th May 2025 8,770 Casualties killed and wounded: equipment losses 570
w/e 23rd May 2025 8,905 Casualties killed and wounded: equipment losses 487
w/e 30th May 9,420 Casualties killed and wounded: equipment losses 571.
The Fronts
Front Line Cats
Last week’s ‘frontline cats’ came from this army dogs training exercise. The dogs are not so disciplined in this photo - and who can blame them. My own dog is starting to tolerate the local cats but he’s not so good with the chickens that wander around. He’s killed one already.
Kursk
The Ukrainians are still attempting to enter Kursk in the directions of Tyotkinsky and Glushkovsky but are taking high losses in men and materiel.
Sumy
Konstantinovka was liberated on May 28th and advanced 26 kms towards Oleshnya.
Kupyansk
By the end of the week, the Russians had occupied Stroyevka.
Svatove-Kreminna
By the end of the week, the Russians had liberated Redkodub.
Seversk
Chasiv Yar
Toretsk - Konstantinovka
By the end of the week, the Russians were attacking Yablonovka.
Pokrovsk - Mirnograd
Pokrovsk - Konstantinopol
The Ukrainians are moving massive reinforcements into the area, taking them from Sumy, Kupyansk, Toretsk and elsewhere.
Velikaya Novoselka
On May 28th, Zelenoye Pole was completely liberated while Shevchenko Pervoye was liberated on the 29th May.
Zaporozhye
By the end of the week, according to the Majors:
On the Zaporozhye Front in the Orekhov direction, in the area of Novodanilovka and Malaya Tokmachka, positional battles are underway, the line of combat contact remains unchanged.
The Economic War
Ukraine Would Drain EU Resources - Orban
Viktor Orban has warned that Ukraine’s accession to the EU would drain the resources of both Hungary and the Union as a whole. Hungary is awaiting the results of a referendum it has conducted on Ukraine’s membership. I imagine that if the referendum is not in favour then the EU will takes steps against Hungary.
Not Looking Good For Germany
Trump To Impose 50% Tariffs on the EU
The tariffs were originally meant to take effect on June 1st but Trump is not looking for a deal. Later he postponed the start date for sanctions until July 9th. This change was made following a phone call with none other than Ursula von der Leyen, who requested the extension, according to Zero Hedge. Firms that wish to avoid the tariffs can do so by relocating to the US. The Europeans were not pleased as you can read at the Global Times.
Lena Petrova
I have been following financial expert Lena Petrova for a while and in spite of the fact that English is not her first language (she may be Russian) she explains economic/financial issues clearly. Last week, I referred to an economist who believes that the dollar could fall faster than expected, so I thought I’d balance things up with the view of someone who believes that the collapse will be slow and painful.
Lena is on the right, the one on the left is an American guy.
World Politics
Iran-US Talks
Following the latest meeting on the 23rd May in Rome, Araghchi told the Italian FM that the talks had been ‘professional and reasonable’ while expressing the hope that the Americans would understand Iran’s principled position, thereby paving the way for ‘tangible progress'. Araghchi criticised the US, Israel and the West for the genocide and destruction in Gaza and called for more aid to be delivered to the city. He also said that ‘the file of indirect negotiations is still open and the talks will continue’. Note that these are not direct negotiations as the West may be claiming.
With regard to Israel’s threat to attack Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities6, he had this to say:
The threats of this [Israeli] regime to attack Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities and infrastructure pose a serious threat to peace and security at both regional and international levels. It is necessary for the UN Security Council, bearing responsibility for maintaining peace and stability at the international level, to take immediate and effective measures against these threats. It is also of high importance that the IAEA immediately engages into this question.
He also said that Iran will inform the IAEA of the measures they will put in place to protect their nuclear facilities making it clear that Iran will respond aggressively.
A US/Israeli attack on Iran may have worked 15 years ago but that ship has sailed. In spite of the fanatics in Israel and the US, I don’t think it will happen - as I have said once or twice.
But if an attack comes ‘the origin and source of any threat will be completely levelled to the ground’, according to Ground Forces Chief Heydari who would prefer to have peace. Indeed, Iran wants a ‘sustainable regional security framework’, as I reported last week. This is what Putin wants for Europe.
Wacky Westerners - Randy Fine
A US congressman has called for the nuclear bombing of the Gaza strip describing the Palestinian culture as evil. This man should either be in jail or an asylum. He should be nowhere near the seat of power. People in the UK are being jailed for using the wrong pronoun yet this man who is inciting racist genocide still walks free. A nuclear bomb on Gaza would simply rearrange the rubble and make it radioactive. It would also be injurious to Israelis and contaminate the soil.
Protests
Berlin
Thousands demonstrated in Berlin with German and Russian flags demanding an end to Russophobia and peace in Ukraine.
Stockholm
Hundreds gathered in Sweden’s Capital to protest the genocide in Gaza. They demanded ‘immediate action'.
Human Flood Saan’a
Thousands protested against the genocide in Yemen’s capital on the 23rd May. 177 mass marches have taken place in Yemen.
Amman
Thousands marched in the capitol of Jordan on May 23rd against the genocide.
Hunger Strike At Stanford
More than 20 students of Stanford University in California started a hunger strike on May 12th in support of starving Palestinians.
Morocco
Thousands marched in Quarzazate, Morocco on Friday 23rd May in the 77th consecutive demonstration against the genocide in Gaza. Doctors and nurses were among the demonstrators in solidarity with their colleagues in the Gaza strip.
Tel Aviv - 24th May
London - May 24th
You can always tell when a demo is organised by the SWP because the placards are all the same - mass produced. Grass roots demos are much more creative and interesting in their presentation.
Seoul
Hundreds marched in the capital of South Korea in solidarity with Palestine.
Paris
On Sunday 25th May thousands marched in Paris against the genocide.
Huge UK Protests Against Starmer
Thousands marched in more that 78 UK towns demanding the resignation of Two Tier Kier. You can read more here. Many of the half a millions grass root activists involved were demanding that the Labour Party serve the interests of the working class - which would be a novel development.
Geneva
The Palestinian flag will fly alongside that of the WHO in Geneva, which is a protest of sorts. WHO officials voted to allow this to happen.
The emerging Multi-Polar World
Russia-Iran-India Trade Route
This map explains why the new trade route (red) is preferable to the normal route (blue). It is shorter, less expensive and sanctions free for many countries in Eurasia. BRICS countries are doing it for themselves. You can read the details of Pepe Escobar’s article on the subject at Zero Hedge.
Qatar and Hong Kong Move Away From Dollar
The two countries have started to use the Yuan in transactions instead of the dollar. China is encouraging countries to use the Yuan which is now the second most used currency in world trade.
Putin Congratulates Africans
The 25th May was Africa Day and Putin used the occasion to congratulate Africans:
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen! Please accept my heartfelt congratulations on the occasion of Africa Day... I am sure that by joint efforts we will further enhance multifaceted Russian-African ties for the benefit of our nations and in the interests of a just and democratic multipolar world order.
Originally known as African Freedom Day or African Liberation Day, it marks the foundation by 31 independent countries of the Organization of African Unity, now the African Union, on May 25, 1963. Today, the AU consists of 55 sovereign member states that act in accordance with the concept of “an Integrated, Prosperous and Peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.”
Pro BRICS Conference Serbia
The two day conference in Banja Luka sought to encourage Serbian and Srpskan cooperation with BRICS and BRICS partner states. According to a spokeswoman Yekaterina Gennadievna:
One of the strongest motivators for this cooperation is the Serb people's desire for alternatives—not only in terms of what we discuss in the academic sphere but also as nations seeking new directions. The politics conducted over the past three decades have offered very little to the Serbs.
Lavrov on the Multi-Polar World
Today, understandably, the most important core trend remains the formation of a multipolar world. We are convinced that this is a natural process. Those who long for the days of globalization are convinced that multipolarity is an artificially imposed construct and that it is a temporary matter, we should suppress it.
Nevertheless, the Global South and the Global East see in multipolarity a chance to strengthen their sovereign development without the manifestations of neo-colonialism of the West that have proliferated in recent years. It is clear that the West perceives this situation with the strengthening of multilateralism in international life quite ambiguously.
I’ll report on this next week but you can read more here.
JD Vance
JD Vance has announced that the US no longer enjoys uncontested dominance in the world. What he failed to say is that the US will seek dominance but this will be contested more fiercely than hitherto.
That’s it for another tense week. Thanks for you views, subscriptions, shares, retacks, follows and comments. Have a good week. Best Rob.
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Where aid can be safely transported.
Sometimes propaganda can be overdone and backfire. In this case reference to old peoples’ homes being targeted is hardly believable. Why would the Russians waste ammunition on such targets rather than militarily valuable ones.
Sparta became a militaristic society because its existence relied upon its suppression into slavery of the Helots.
The service charged with mobilization by force if necessary.
Warms the cockles of my old leftwing heart to see Zelensky’s TCC nazi thugs getting the shit kicked out of them by ordinary people. It’s a good sign , may there be more of it , better the Ukrainian people overthrow the scumbag than the Russians. In the latter case there would be trials etc, in the former case maybe not so many trials and a slightly swifter form of justice. Starmer is visiting at that time would be a bonus.
Thanks for this superb update, Dr. Rob. Your thoughts and your writing prose are both just great. It is so sad that Donald Trump is so ignorant about the situation and he has no proper advisers, so he then utters all those weird and crazy accusations instead of learning genuinely what are Russia's concerns and root causes of the whole conflict.