Ukraine and World Affairs: Weekly Update
11th April 2025
This week, world affairs have been dominated very much by Donald Trump’s ‘Tariff Wars’, placing Zelensky and the Ukraine conflict deep in the shade - much to the latter’s chagrin. Trump has declared economic war on the whole world (see below) and no one knows how, where and when this will all end. In an effort to garner some attention, the once great Z, in an attempt to be in tune with Trump’s ‘tariff’ attack on China, is claiming that hundreds of Chinese troops are fighting in Ukraine.
In the Middle East, the Israelis continue to murder innocents in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon and Syria. Journalists and medical staff are among their most prized targets. Since the ceasefire was abandoned, the bloodletting has increased to sickening levels as the Israelis appear determined to undermine Palestinian morale through their unrestrained and murderous criminality - all cheered on by Donald J.
Some time ago, in an interview, Trump pointed to a map showing how small Israel is and how vulnerable it is in consequence. He appeared to be implying that Israel should be bigger. There is scope for expansion into Syria and Lebanon. This, I believe, is what Trump wants. The threats on Iran may be designed to prevent it from interfering with this expansion. Some believe that unless some unity emerges between the Arab/Muslim States to counter this, it could happen. Personally, I am hopeful that the forces arrayed against these aims will prevail.
In Syria, Allawites continue to be murdered on the coast, while clashes between various groups are ongoing. I believe that Erdogan may rue the day he agreed to be part of the Syrian Project. Russia’s Khmeimim air base has been attacked by drones from an unknown source.
The Americans have moved more shipping and weaponry into the Red Sea/Indian Ocean area and have been successful at killing innocent Houthis but not at eliminating military targets. By April 5th, the US taxpayer had spent $1 billion in a vain attempt to suppress the Houthis. The NYT reports that the US has failed to secure Red Sea navigation or prevent attacks on shipping by the Houthis: the continuation of the deployment will cost $1 billion a month. The Houthis continue to destroy expensive ‘reaper drones’ with inexpensive drones of their own. Some believe they have actually sunk US shipping: though neither they nor the US has admitted this1.
In Europe, only six states are willing to send troops to Ukraine: the UK, France and the Baltic states while Kaja Kallas can’t obtain agreement to steal Russia’s frozen funds.
In Ukraine, the Russians continue to make slow progress but an offensive appears to have begun in Sumy Region. Some say that preparations are also being made for a major offensive to be launched after the mud season has finished. Donald Trump has said that he is unhappy with Russian bombing in Ukraine but is quite content to allow the destruction and genocide in Gaza to continue. The Kremlin has issued a list of Ukraine’s daily ‘energy ceasefire’ violations to the Americans but has yet to receive a response.
Talks between the US and Russia took place on the 10th April (see below) while indirect talks between the US and Iran are scheduled for the 12th April. Steve Witkoff will meet with Putin later today.
It’s been another week in which events have been moving fast and furious.
Why Iran is Important to Russia
Some of my readers may not know why Russia’s relationship with Iran is very important - so I thought it may be useful to provide a brief and simplified explanation with the aid of some maps. Those who already know about such things can skip this section. Russia’s sea routes for trade include a passage from the Black Sea, though the Bosphorous in Turkey then past the Dardanelles and out into the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean.
But Turkiye is not a reliable ally and is still demanding that Russia gives Crimea back to Ukraine. Led by the mercurial and unreliable Erdogan, Turkiye is a NATO member and often takes sides with the West. If Turkiye decided to close the Bosphrous to Russian shipping its seaborn trade route to the south would be threatened.
Russia also has a sea route coming out of St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad through the Baltic Sea then out into the North Sea and the Atlantic. But this route is also vulnerable especially when the Baltic States are all hostile to Russia. They have already demonstrated this hostility by intercepting Russian shipping and accusing Russia of damaging cables at the bottom of the Baltic - though nothing has been proven.
Russia also has a port at Vladivostok in the east but this is not ice free in winter. But Russia also has a sea route through the Caspian Sea to Iran which will facilitate trade with the south and east. A land route is also available through Azerbaijan to Iran as you can see on the map below.
Hence Iran’s importance to Russia as a trading partner. But Iran is also important as one of the main pillars of the BRICS movement and maybe this is one of the reasons it is being threatened. An alliance between Russia-Iran-China - is the US’s most frightening nightmare, especially when you throw North Korea into the mix. Biden, Blinken and Co - made many efforts to bring India and China into their orbit at Russia’s expence but it didn’t work then and it won’t work now. Attempting to threaten or even eliminate Iran is fraught with military, economic and political difficulties for the US given the alliance between Russia, China and Iran. The fact that American diplomat/politicians don’t appreciate this truth is quite baffling.
Iran- the Current Situation
From what I have read (accounts vary), it appears that Donald Trump, who recently threatened Iran with bombing, is demanding that Iran dismantle its nuclear facilities to enrich uranium though it will be allowed to use nuclear power for energy. The US will also demand that Iran ceases production of ballistic missiles and it must withdraw its support for the ‘axis of resistance’ (Houthis, Hezbollah, Hamas etc.) This is not going to happen since the Iranians profit from the sale of enriched uranium to others. It would also prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons to counter the US/Israeli threat and abandoning ballistic missiles would leave it defenceless. Furthermore, it is politically impossible for Iran to withdraw support for the ‘axis’: or submit to threats. Surely, Trump and Netanyahu know this. Anyway, if Iran doesn’t conform, it could be bombed, but the Iranians believe this to be unlikely. However, if it is attacked, Iran will retaliate as part of a progression that could lead to Armageddon. Happy times.
In view of the importance of Iran to Russia, is it likely that the latter will defend the former if the US/Israel attack? Not necessarily. If Iran is attacked by a third party the agreement between the two counties does not appear to require that either party is committed to direct military involvement. In this respect the agreement is not clear. It may allow assistance short of this but I’m not sure. However, Russia could come to Iran’s aid in accordance with Article 51 of the UN charter as Larry Johnson discusses here.
So, how have the Iranians responded to these rude threats - and they are rude, Donald.
According to a recent report from Reuters:
Iran has sent notices to Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkey, and Bahrain stating that any support for a US attack on Iran, including the use of their airspace or territory by US military forces during the attack, will be considered a hostile act.
According to this source, Iran will be supplying long range missiles to proxy forces in Iraq with ranges up to 2,000 metres.
I don’t think the Iranians are very scared but they will avoid war if possible.
In spite of the fact that Tulsi Gabbard has shown that Iran does not possess nuclear weapons, Lyndsay Graham (Trump’s hawkish golfing partner) claims that Iran has enough enriched uranium for six nuclear bombs and is ‘very close to assembling them’. ‘They will kill Israel’ and ‘they will come after us', he claimed. It does not follow that having sufficient uranium to make a bomb means that Iran has a nuclear weapons program but Graham is simply trying to scare people. It is not clear whether the US/Israel wants to bomb Iran or is simply threatening it to secure disarmament? Indirect talks between the three will be held in Oman on April 12th.
Kirill Dmitriev
During his visit to Washington Russia’s ‘Special Envoy’, Kirill Dmitriev met with Steve Witkoff and other officials. This was the first visit of a Russian Statesman to the US since before the SMO began three years ago. Discussions focused on restoring U.S.-Russia relations and advancing peace negotiations for the Ukraine conflict. Dmitriev was critical of the Biden administration for failing to engage with Russia and praised Trump for doing so. He also suggested that the Americans ‘are still in the realm of ideas, rather than actual proposals, what can really work and how we can find a long-term solution’.
(Dmitriev also emphasized economic cooperation, claiming that American businesses lost $324 billion due to their withdrawal from Russia).
In an interview with the Telegraph, he highlighted opposition to cooperation between the US and Russia:
Today, numerous forces interested in maintaining tension stand in the way of restoring constructive cooperation... These forces are deliberately distorting Russia's position, trying to disrupt any steps towards dialogue, sparing neither money nor resources for this. Opponents of the rapprochement are afraid that Russia and the United States will find common ground, begin to understand each other better and build cooperation both in international affairs and in the economy.
So, as I suggested last week, the Americans - at least some of them - want a pause (ceasefire) so that they can continue the war later. These ‘neocons’ are not interested in a rapprochement with Russia while Trump himself may desire this. It’s hard to see the wood for the trees at the moment. Zelensky and co don’t want peace either, though they will call for a pause (ceasefire) to ‘recharge their batteries’. They know that their political or even personal survival is threatened by peace. The Globalist Europeans want the same because they haven’t given up on beating Russia.
Interestingly, Dmitriev explained that the Russian economy is doing well, so is not asking for sanctions to be lifted.
Talks - US/Russia - Istanbul
The US and Russia met in Istanbul this week on April 10th.
The Russian delegation was headed by Russian Ambassador to the United States Alexander Darchiev, and the US delegation was headed by US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Sonata Coulter.
The talks lasted five hours and focused on the normalisation of diplomatic relations including: Addressing past frictions; Facilitating diplomatic movement; Return of Russian Diplomatic properties (which have been confiscated); Ensuring Financial operations and Resumption of direct flights. Talks were said to be ‘constructive’. You can read more detail here or at Tass.
Trump Assassination Attempt - Ukraine Connection
Ryan Wesley Routh, who allegedly attempted to assassinate Trump when he was a Presidential candidate, tried to obtain weapons from Ukraine for this purpose. According to Trump’s son, the Ukrainian authorities must have known about Routh’s requests for weapons but said nothing to the US government. I’m not sure why Trump Jnr is certain that the Ukrainian authorities knew about this but they may have done.
Cannon Fodder
Ukrainian MP Anna Skorokhod has revealed some startling truths about mobilised troops on the fronts in Ukraine which may not be a surprise to many. Mobilised troops are treated like dogs, she said. Many sick people are being mobilised and die from illness either at the training centres or at the front. Suicides at the training centres are common. Apparently, professional soldiers are not fighting at the fronts but stay in the rear. By October 2024, more than 100,000 had deserted but this increased to 150,000 by January 2025 (that’s an alarming increase). You can read more at Sputnik.
If You Don’t Fight, You Are Not Ukrainian - Budanov
Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine’s spy chief, has declared that those who do not wish to fight for Ukraine are not citizens. According to this logic, even babes in arms cannot claim citizenship - you idiot. Budanov admitted that the Administration hides the truth from the people because it is too harsh:
We do not tell the public the truth. The real situation is much worse.
Zelensky has given the cold intelligence chief the title ‘Hero of Ukraine’.
Female Refugees Want to Stay in Poland
Six months ago, 41% of female Ukrainian refugees said they intended to return to Ukraine but that figure has now reduced to 31% according to a recent poll. Among the reasons for not wanting to return, include the war (61%); the absence of well paid work (34%) and corruption (31%). A dearth of men did not feature in the poll findings but may be a factor.
Gazans to Ukraine?
Netanyahu has announced plans to resettle Gazans in Ukraine to make up for those who have left the country Honestly, these people play with people’s lives like pawns on a chessboard. Do they plan to consult with Gazans and Ukrainians, I wonder.
Ukraine Terrorist Attacks
4th/5th April
Overnight in Bryansk region, drones damaged an agricultural enterprise while a drone drop on a vehicle injured the driver. Two civilians were injured by shelling in Kherson region while in Gorlovka (DPR) a man was killed and another injured by artillery strikes.
Elsewhere in Gorlovka, a fire station (pictured) was attacked and damaged injuring one civilian.
5th/6th April
Overnight, residential buildings were targeted in Bryansk Region. 25 houses were burned down in 24 hours: you can see some footage here. Belgorod also suffered attacks which damaged cars and a house but caused no casualties.
6th/7th April
Overnight in Gorlovka (DPR), a man was injured by cluster munitions which also damaged a car. In Bryansk, 1 drone was shot down overnight but one civilian was killed by strikes.
7th/8th April
Overnight, Russian air defences shot down 19 ‘aircraft type’ drones over Kursk and 4 more over Belgorod. In the DPR, two civilians were injured by drone attacks and another two by drone drops.
8th/9th April
Overnight, 3 aircraft-type drones were shot down of Voronezh, 2 over Belgorod and 2 over the Penza region (south east of Moscow). Another 5 were destroyed over Rostov. These are the totals for drones destroyed/disabled, according to the Russian MoD:
67 UAVs over Krasnodar region; 29 UAVs over Rostov region; 15 over the Republic of North Ossetia–Alania; 11 over Voronezh; 10 over Kursk; five over Belgorod; two over Penza; one over Saratov region; one over Oryol; one over Stavropol region.
9th/10th April
One the evening of the 9th April, 13 drones were shot down over Bryansk, 12 over Kaluga, 7 over Kursk, 4 over Belgorod, 1 over Oryol and 1 over Moscow. In Belgorod, one civilian was killed and another two injured by drone strikes, while in the DPR one person was killed and 12 wounded by drone/artillery strikes. In Kherson, a civilian was injured by shelling, while another two suffered injuries from drone drops in the DPR.
10th/11th April
Overnight, four people, including a baby, were injured when a drone attacked their car in Bryansk. In Gorlovka (DPR) a man was seriously injured by a drone drop on his car. In total, 25 drones were destroyed over Kursk and another 5 over Belgorod.
The Sea War
6th/7th April
Overnight, 13 drones were shot down over the Sea of Azov; four over Krasnador and 1 over Crimea.
8th/9th April
Overnight, six aircraft-type drones were shot down over the Black Sea near the Crimean coast, two over Crimea itself and 7 over the Sea of Azov.
9th/10th April
Overnight, 3 drones were shot down over Crimea.
The Air War (Map)
Russian Missile/Drone Attacks
4th/5th April
On the afternoon of the 4th April, the Russians launched missiles at a restaurant in Kryvyi Rih where Ukrainian commanders and Western instructors were meeting - according to the War Chronicle. The Russian MoD claims that 85 foreign servicemen and officers were killed and 20 vehicles destroyed. This Ukrainian source 2 claims that children were also killed in the attack but acknowledges that the Ukrainians should not be using civilian facilities for such meetings. Some believe that the children were killed by Ukraine’s own air defences. Kiev, Zhitomir, Vinnytsia, Sumy and Cherkasy were also attacked. This source provides a detailed list of confirmed targets hit.
5th/6th April
Overnight, Russia launched a large air attack on Ukrainian rear areas using Geranium 2s, Iskanders and Kalibrs. Explosions were reported in Kiev where Boryspil airport was hit with 8 Iskanders. 1 Kalibr hit Bila Tserkva airport (Kiev) while another two hit Uman airbase in Cherkasy. Finally, 3 Kalibrs targeted Starokostyantyniv Air Base in Khmelnytskyi Oblast. Industrial facilities and warehouses in Kiev were also damaged along with industrial infrastructure in Sumy. According to a Ukrainian source, the number of intercepted missiles was at a record low. According to this report, drone manufacturing sites and command posts in Kiev were also hit.
8th/9th April
Overnight, Geraniums attacked targets in Dnepropetrovsk, Kharkov and Kramatorsk.
9th/10th April
Overnight, Geraniums attacked Kiev, Kharkov and Khmelnytsky, according to the Majors. Ten Geraniums also attacked Nikolaev.
10th/11th April
Overnight, the Russians launched a drone/missile attack that affected many regions of Ukraine, including Kharkov, Krivoy Rog, Sumy, Poltava, Dnepropetrovsk and Zhytomyr. Airfields and ammunition depots were hit. You can see a list of the strikes here and read a report from Sputnik here.
Ukrainian Missile/Drone Attacks
4th/5th April
Overnight, the Ukrainians attacked a fibre optic factory in Samara region and another in Mordovia. Fibre optics are used to guide drones. There were no casualties. In Bryansk region, another electricity sub station was damaged as the Ukrainians continue to break the energy ceasefire, presumably with the approval of their Western minders who created this treaty. Russian air defences shot down 49 drones but many got through to damage energy infrastructure - as you can see on the above map.
6th/7th April
Overnight, the Ukrainians broke the energy ceasefire agreement six times: two high voltage lines were damaged by drones in Rostov causing power outages; high voltage cables were damaged in Voronezh, leaving households without electricity and a substation was attacked in Kherson. In the DPR and Bryansk, shelling also damaged substations.
7th/8th April
Overnight, the Ukrainians broke the energy ceasefire with an attack on a high voltage line in Kursk and an electricity substation in Zaporozhye.
8th/9th April
Korenovskaya gas compression station in Krasnador Krai was attacked with 8 drones on the morning of the 9th April but all drones were shot down before they could cause damage. The station feeds the Turkstream pipeline. Temryuk gas distribution station was also attacked by 2 drones which were eliminated before reaching their target.
9th/10th April
Overnight, a substation in Kherson region was damaged leaving 5,000 people without power.
10th/11th April
Overnight, electric substations were attacked in Lugansk and Zaporozhye regions while overhead lines were damaged in Kursk, Bryansk and Lugansk.
The Ground War
Russian MoD Reports Ukraine Losses (excludes Kursk)
w/e 21st March 2025 10,365 Casualties killed and wounded: equipment losses 585
w/e 28th March 2025 10,780 Casualties, killed and wounded: equipment losses 459
w/e 4th April 2025 9,920 Casualties killed and wounded: equipment losses 457
w/e 11th April 2025 10,635 Casualties killed and wounded: equipment losses 552.
Kursk
73,645 troops; 405 tanks; 331 infantry fighting vehicles; 301 armoured personnel carriers; 2,264 armoured fighting vehicles; 2,671 motor vehicles; 601 artillery guns; 53 MLRS launchers, including 13 of HIMARS and seven of MLRS made by the USA; 26 anti-aircraft missile launchers, one self-propelled anti-aircraft system, ten transport-loading vehicles,
The Fronts
Front Line Cats
Yury Podolyaka Front Report 8th April-Updates in Brackets
I am using Podolyaka’s report because he provides a full complement of maps which I have been unable to obtain elsewhere in English. I will try to do better in future.
▪️Zaporozhye sector (Map 1): Russian forces continue combat in Kamenskoye and advance north of Mali Shcherbaky. [By the end of the week, the Ukrainians were constructing fortifications around Orekhovo in anticipation of an attack].
▪️Novopavlovka sector (Map 2): The Russian army is dismantling the Ukrainian defensive line marked "1," securing its strongholds, widening the breakthrough zone, and preparing a foothold for a future push north.
▪️Solenaya-Volchya rivers area (Map 3): Russian troops have nearly cleared Troitskoye, secured the forest east of Kotlyarovka, and reached the village outskirts. With Troitskoye secured, an assault on Kotlyarovka is expected soon.
▪️Pokrovsk arc (Map 4): Russian forces have seized the initiative. Ukrainian command, strained by losses and the collapse near Sudzha, has halted offensive operations and struggles to hold back Russian advances. Russian troops control most of Lysovka and have taken eastern Udachnoye.
▪️Mirnograd-Toretsk sector (Map 5): No major changes—fighting continues near Valentinovka, Sukhaya Balka, and Shcherbinovka (a Ukrainian stronghold west of Toretsk). [by the end of the week, Toretsk had been cleared of abandoned Ukrainian forces]
▪️Liman sector (Map 6): Russian forces are engaged in Novoye and Kolodezi. They have captured Katerinovka, and are pushing toward Novomikhailovka. A breakthrough here could split Ukrainian forces east of the Oskol River.
▪️Kupyansk sector (Map 7): Russia now fully controls the Oskol River's west bank north of Kupyansk, even though Russian troops have yet to finish mopping up Kamenka. Advancing another 10 km west would secure a land supply route from Russia. Further south, Russian troops hold most of Kondrashovka and are fighting for Malaya Shapkovka—capturing these villages would sever the Kupyansk-Bolshoy Burluk highway. [By the end of the week, the Russians had fought off three Ukrainian counter-attacks towards Kupyansk].
▪️Sumy sector (Map 8): Russian advances into the Sumy region deepen. The Russian Ministry of Defense has confirmed Basovka's liberation—the second village secured to create a buffer zone from the Kursk region. Attacks continue toward Yunakovka. [by the end of the week, the Ukrainians were counter attacking towards Bosovka while the Russians captured Zhuravka]
▪️Kursk border zone (Map 8): Russian assault units are reclaiming Kiev-held pockets in the Kursk region. Ukrainian forces have been pushed out of Oleshnya and Guyevo, except for isolated strongholds—including a fortified distillery ruin in Guyevo, now encircled.
▪️Belgorod border zone (Map 9): Russian troops have largely cleared Demidovka, though Ukrainian infiltrators keep probing from a western woodland stronghold. [By the end of the week, the Ukrainians were trying to break through towards Popovka and were concentrating forces to attack towards Demidovka].
The Economic War
Trump - $1 Trillion Defence Budget
The ‘man of peace’ has just announced a record defence budget of $1 trillion. ‘We have to be strong’, Trump emphasized . As a Presidential candidate, Trump promised to reduce the defence budget by 40%. Many who voted for Trump as the peace candidate will no doubt be disappointed. After promising to end the war in Ukraine, he is prolonging it and after forcing a ceasefire in Gaza, he is now allowing the genocide to continue.
‘Chinese Peasants’ - Vance Slur
Sometimes people reveal their attitudes quite unintentionally. The Chinese considered his remark to be ignorant and impolite. This guy should do some historical and current research to avoid embarrassment.
Ukraine - Largest Recession Ever
Ukraine is experiencing its largest recession ever - with a decline in GDP of more than 30% since 2019. The prices of basic foodstuffs such as bread, meat and eggs have risen by 75%-200% over four years. This Ukrainian source is claiming that the war is not the only factor driving this disaster:
Economic collapse is not only the result of military conflict. It is a direct consequence of a political model in which show, PR and situational response have replaced strategy, production programs and responsibility. Instead of a system, there is a manual mode, instead of development, there is support on a drip of external financing.
According to this source, the recession is the deepest and most systematic in modern history.
Schwab To Step Down
Klaus Schwab, the modern, real life ‘Goldfinger’, has announced that he will be stepping down as chair of the WEF. The 82 year old said that the forum must recover a ‘sense of mission’ after a period of turmoil. Others will say the the forum has lost its relevance. However, he will still be around until January.
The World Has Changed - Starmer
Ahead of an official announcement by Starmer on the 7th April he told the Times:
Globalisation doesn’t work for a lot of working people. We don’t believe trade wars are the answer. This is a chance to show that there’s a different path.
Then a Downing Street Spokesman said:
Trump has done something that we don’t agree with, but there’s a reason why people are behind him on this. The world has changed, globalisation is over and we are now in a new era.
But the official announcement on April 7th did not go this far. Speaking at the Jaguar/Land Rover’s Solihul plant, Starmer issued a rallying call to the British people which acknowledges that the world, including global economics, has changed. He said that no one wins in a trade war, that he will try to get the best deal with Trump and would back British industry to the hilt. He also announced a less rigid approach to net zero.
Tariff Wars
I am losing track of the Tariff Wars: things are moving too quickly. In response to Trump’s tariffs, the EU has promised retaliation while China actually retaliated, matching Trump’s tariffs. Trump responded by increasing tariffs on China to 104% while China reciprocated with 84% tariffs from April 10th. Defiantly, China has said that it will fight ‘till the end’ and it has lots of support in the Global South.
The markets responded by taking $1.5 trillions off the values of stocks in single day. Canada has also introduced reciprocal tariffs.
Trump has told the poor Europeans that they must purchase $350 billions of US energy in order to get tariff relief - as the Donald ascends the conductor’s podium, lifts his baton and hopes that the world choir will sing in harmony for him. I don’t think it will be that simple.
Trump has said that the tariffs will increase revenue but ultimately the US consumer will pay due to the inflated prices of imports. Elon Musk has made personal appeals to Trump, pleading with him to reverse the tariffs. He believes that Trump’s heavy handed tariff approach will encourage many to ditch the dollar - which is probably true.
In response, it is possible that the already defiant Europeans will join with Canada in challenging Trump. China will make life difficult for the US by depriving it of scandium for fighter jets; samarium for missile systems and many other rare minerals needed for the production of war materiel. You can read more detail at Sputnik.
On April 9th, Trump announced a 90 day pause in tariffs for all countries who didn’t retaliate. Meanwhile, China’s tariffs were increased to 145% - b and others discuss the situation at the MoA. According to the Republicofscotland on the MoA (April 9th post 87), Trump is attempting to put pressure on other countries to place tariffs on Chinese goods or stop trading with China. In return, these countries could be rewarded with reduced tariffs. Whether this will happen or not remains to be seen. Some believe that manufacturers will view the US as unpredictable due to Trump’s recent actions and will not move their enterprises to the US - as Trump wants. Many economic commentators point out that Trump’s hopes of bringing industry back to the US will take years.
Entrepreneur, Molson Hart provides an article explaining why Trump’s tariff policy will not bring manufacturing back to the US. It is long but provides clear and comprehensive analysis of the issues. Economist Richard Wolff has compared Trump’s policies to the ‘Hail Mary’ pass in American football whereby a losing team close to end of a game has all of its players gather near the opponents’ goal line waiting for a pass that could bounce luckily allowing one of them to ‘touchdown'.
Commenting on the Tariff Wars, Putin said: ‘When tigers fight, the Wise Monkey sits and observes'.
Meloni Cuts Aid To Ukraine
In order to maintain a balance between pro-Russian and pro-European forces in her coalition, Giorgia Meloni has decided to cut military aid to Ukraine. She is also sceptical about the EU’s capacity to form its own army without US assistance.
World Politics
US Bullying - Panama
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has warned China about its alleged ‘interference’ in the Panama canal - which could be an excuse to take control themselves and to malign China at the same time. The Chinese and Panama’s President have denied any interference. You can read more at the Global Times.
AfD Leads
According to a poll taken on April 9th the AfD with 25% took the lead against the CDU/CSU Alliance led by Friedrich Merz. A sign of the times: not long ago the German establishment wanted this party banned. I wonder, would the establishment allow Alice Weidel become Chancellor?
Macron Set To Be Russia-Ukraine Mediator
‘When the time is right’ Emanuel Macron will negotiate on behalf of the ‘coalition of the willing’ in the ceasefire talks. Some, such as Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, are calling for Macron to be impeached because he is ‘openly courting war with a nuclear armed Russian superpower, bypassing Parliament, national debate and even basic sanity'.
European Commission Misuses Funds
Suspicions that the EC has used funds to campaign against political opponent have been circulating for year. Now an official statement has been issued by the Commission, which is run by Ursula von der Leyen, admitting that it had used a €1 billion LIFE funding program designed to support eco-projects for political propaganda. The EC's activities are confirmed by internal documents. The EC has promised to be more transparent in future. But I’m not sure whether the commission has been or will be held to account.
Protests
‘Books Not Bombs’ - Italy
In Turin, on April 4th, thousands of students protested against EU militarism with the slogan ‘money for education, not for war’. The students burned EU and NATO flags and pressed red painted hands onto buildings and portraits of EU leaders. ‘Lower the guns, increase wages’, they chanted. Since Soros and the Globalists want the war to continue, this appears to be an independent protest and could spread to other European University campuses. We live in hope.
Thousands filled the streets of Rome last weekend led by former Italian PM Giuseppe Conte against the unelected EU’s obscene plan to put €800 billion into the European military-industrial complex money siphoned from schools, hospitals, and workers. They chanted, ‘no to rearmament'. Many will know what happened the last time there was an arms race in Europe.
Washington
In Washington DC last weekend, demonstrators unfurled a banner containing the names of all the Palestinians murdered by the Israelis since October 2023.
Morocco
People took to the streets in Morocco to protest the genocide in Gaza.
Istanbul
Demonstrators gathered outside the Israeli consulate in Istanbul to protest ongoing Israeli aggression.
Paris
Last weekend in Paris there was a huge rally in support of Marine Le Pen. 10,000 people attended. In Florence, Le Pen attended another rally at which she said:
We will follow the example of Martin Luther King. He fought for human rights, and the civil rights of the French people are now being questioned. Our fight will be peaceful and democratic.
US Protests
1,400 protests took place in the 50 states of America against the policies of Trump and the actions of Elon Musk at DOGE. 600,000 people are estimated to have taken part in protests against Federal funding cuts to Medicaid, Social Security and other programs that benefit working class people - according to Tass.3
Moldova - Chisnau
This week hundreds gathered in outside the NATO office in Chisnau shouting ‘NATO go home’. They were also to protesting against President Sandu and her pro-Western policies. Placards in English read: ‘NATO is for repression’; ‘NATO, stop feeding the dictatorship’; ‘Sandu is your weapon against Moldovan freedom’.
Wacky Westerners - Rutte
Many Western leaders inhabit a paranoid-delusional world in which the Europeans are under constant threat from ‘barbaric forces’ coming from Russia or China. Rutte is one of these Wacky Westerners whose globalist puppeteers are feeding him the line that Russia must be defeated, otherwise China will ‘draw conclusions’ and also attack. I am not convinced that Rutte actually believes this BS - since no one could actually be that stupid - could they? Rutte had to concede that Russia outproduces Western Europe in ammunition by a factor of four. Do you honestly believe you can ever catch up Rutte dear.
Wacky Westerners - Annalena
Annalena Baerbock, Germany’s ‘green’ Foreign Minister, has provided us with ‘comedy gold’ courtesy of some of her utterances and ideas. The latest in the series involves her announcement that she has banned German federal states from inviting Russians and Belarussians from any celebrations of the 80th anniversary of victory over the Nazis. So, the country which suffered most under the Nazis; the country that contributed most to their defeat has been ‘cancelled’. This is a sensitive issue since Russia actually defeated Germany in the process. These instructions will be conveyed secretly to event organisers who have been told to reject individual Russians and Belarussians who try to attend.
Wise Westerners - Stubb
Contradicting his previous view that Russia poses a military threat, Stubb now claims that most European leaders do not believe this and are confident that a reproachment with Russia is possible. It may be possible but I’m not sure if the Russians will want it. But this man has gone from Wacky to Wise.
Wise Westerners - Vulin
Serbia’s Deputy PM, Aleksander Vulin has said that his country will never go to war with Russia and will not impose sanctions. Vulin estimates that sanctions against Russia will cost Serbia $16 billions a year. He also criticised European leaders for their failure to respect the Minsk Agreement - which led to the conflict in Ukraine. As a reward for his rational honesty the EU immediately moved to sanction him - according to Tass.
Bonkers Britain
The Daily Mail is calling for the British people to prepare a 72 hour survival kit in case of Russian sabotage. But the kit will be needed, in my view, not because of the Russians but because we have abandoned our coal mines and the use of our own gas in favour of ‘renewables’ which will enable us (so they say) to reach the hallowed ‘net zero’. At the moment, the dominant mood among European leaders and press is paranoia as an Ex-MI6 chief has said that Britain must prepare for war with Russia.
Here’s a list of what Brits will need:
Note the inclusion of ‘identity documents’ - which is worrying.
In Bonkers Britain, 12,000 people were arrested and prosecuted for social media posts in the past year - according to RT. In my view, prosecution for speech should be allowed only where a connection is proven between the statement and actions in the real world. If someone is on the streets inciting a crowd to burn down a building and it can be shown that the crowd would not have burned down the building unless it was told to do so by this someone then there is a case to answer - but not otherwise. But our establishment here in Britain assumes that hate speech actually leads to an expression of hate by others in the real world. This assumption is not justified and should be proven: the onus should be on those who make accusations to justify them empirically (in practice). This means that the causal relationship between the statement and the alleged consequences should be clearly explained. This is not done as far as I am aware.
The Press - Representation
The Press - Reality
Journalist Ahmed Mansour died of wounds sustained when the occupation forces bombed a journalists' tent at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis.
The emerging Multi-Polar World
Slaughterhouse Day
It seems that the markets have not taken kindly to Trump’s tariff war as $7 trillion was lost in stock market in the first two days of his initiative. This could be a temporary glitch: only time will tell. Pepe Escobar, writing for Zero Hedge, has re-Christened ‘Liberation Day’ as ‘Slaughterhouse Day’ - suggesting that Trump cannot win a trade war with China and other BRICS countries. This will not lead to US ‘re-industrialization’; it will bring America’s opponents together and will accelerate the decline of the dollar. You can read more at the Hedge. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant, takes a more optimistic view as you also read at Zero Hedge.
That’s it for another eventful week. Many thanks for your views, subscriptions, follows, shares, restacks, likes and comments. Have a good week- best Rob.
Non subscribers can view Updates on Telegram: https://t.me/UWUupdate.
This possibility is based on a statement by Trump in a video showing the murder of innocent Houthis. After the people at this social gathering had been assassinated Trump said ‘those Houthis will never sink US shipping again’.
This Ukrainian source does not support Zelensky.
Some believe that Trump’s team is not cutting SS and Medicare benefits: he cleaning them up. https://amac.us/newsline/society/democrats-media-bury-elon-musks-explosive-revelations-on-social-security-fraud/?utm_objective=website_traffic&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=amac&utm_medium=daily_news_am&utm_content=dmb041025&dderh=633ea4a8cade39bef7d42e9a57a36afe
Rob, it is good to get such a rounded report, as there is so much happening in the world.
On Iran: Russia may be taking a leaf out of NATO's book, supplying weapons - Oreshniks - and the personal to train people to use them, rather than committing troops to any US lead conflagration. Russia has already supplied two hazelnuts to Belarus, so is not averse to sending them where they may be needed.
On Europe: The EU has been labelling Putin as a dictator, in spite of 2,000 international observers declaring the last Russian elections above board, BUT it is Europe that is being totally anti-democratic: banning and gaoling Romania's top leadership candidate; gaoling Le Pen as her popularity surges; touting banning Germany's leading political party, the AfD; and it is a moot point about who shot Robert Fico, because he certainly opposed the EU on Ukraine. The Moldovans are also angry at their leader's pro US stance, and no doubt Serbia's Vulin will be attacked for his pro-Russian stance.
The US and EU are teetering on the brink of a Depression. In the past leaders have seen war as a means of stimulating economies back to buoyant times. The dark clouds of war are gathering ominously over Europe and the Middle East for a World War, and our governments in the west are definitely on the wrong side of history should an all out war start. The alternative is to end the dreadful income inequity that has accelerated since Reaganomics took hold. Sadly, those at the helm do not want to steer us to safer waters via this route.
I didn't realize how bad Trump f**ked up the US Economy that pushed it to the brink
SIMPLICIUS Ѱ reposted
₦₳V𝚜𝚝é𝚟𝚊 🇷🇺 ᴢ @Navsteva
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3h
British Say Dollar System Almost Blew Apart on April 8; Demand Opening the Liquidity Floodgates
The City of London mouthpiece, The Economist, acknowledged on April 10 what EIR has already reported: that “America’s financial system came close to the brink” of collapse this past Tuesday, April 8. The Economist succinctly summed up its April 10 report on the details of the financial higgledy-piggedly which went on: “The failure of both risky [stocks] and supposedly safe assets [Treasuries] at once threatened to destabilize the financial system itself.”
https://economist.com/finance-and-economics/2025/04/10/americas-financial-system-came-close-to-the-brink