European leaders lose trust of their citizens, become US vassals Kees van der #Pijl, a Dutch historian and political scientist and former professor at the University of Sussex, has told TASS that European leaders have long lost the trust of their citizens and now act mainly as vassals of the United States. Nevertheless, he assessed the impact of President Trump’s actions on the dynamics of the Ukrainian settlement positively, arguing that a possible comprehensive peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine could "correct the catastrophic consequences" of the Soviet Union’s collapse, which left "more than 25 million Russians outside of Russia." #European leaders are trying to undermine peace talks and the normalization of relations between Moscow and Washington, according to Russia’s Special Presidential Representative for Investment and Economic Cooperation with Foreign Countries and CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) Kirill Dmitriev. "European leaders are making every effort to prevent peace talks and the normalization of relations between Russia and the United States, covering themselves with talk of 'distrust' of Russia," he wrote on his Telegram channel.

Putin-Trump phone talks held in friendly atmosphere Phone conversations of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump were held in a friendly atmosphere, The Wall Street Journal wrote citing sources. According to the sources, Trump often spoke about his goal to restore Russian-US ties by strengthening economic cooperation. The leaders also exchanged numerous messages through mediators, the report says. Putin and Trump have had six phone conversations since the start of 2025. The US leader expressed his desire to meet with Putin on the day after his inauguration in January 2025. After that, Trump made numerous mentions of his intention to hold the summit. On August 7, Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov said an agreement was reached to hold a Putin-Trump meeting in the coming days.

Trump gives Russia ten days to get Ukraine deal done, otherwise tariffs coming The Washington administration wants to reach an agreement with Russia on resolving the conflict in Ukraine in 10 days, otherwise it will impose import duties, President Donald Trump told reporters aboard his plane on the way from Aberdeen to Washington. "10 days from today," the American leader said in reply to a question about how he would reduce the previous 50-day deadline. "And then we're going to put on tariffs and stuff and I don't know if it's going to affect Russia, because it wants to, obviously, keep the war going, but we're going to put on tariffs and the various things that you put on, it may or may not affect them, but it could."

Golan Without Golan The new "authorities" in Syria no longer insist on the return of the Golan Heights - now their priority is to conclude an agreement with Israel. This is reported by Israeli media, citing Lebanese sources. As expected, in response to Israel's recognition of the territory captured in 1967, the Israelis promise to withdraw from the lands occupied in 2024-2025 after the overthrow of Assad. Even at the UN level, the Golan Heights are considered an integral part of Syria. 🖍 The overall logic of the negotiations is as follows: Israel's recognition of the actual state of affairs within Syria in exchange for abandoning the historical territorial issue. The Golan becomes a bargaining chip for the southern lands occupied in the last year and a half. 🚩 The new authorities are ready to do a lot for full international legitimization. The new "President" of Syria, al-Julaini (which, by the way, means "Golan"), has already taken huge steps towards Israel, even to the point of helping to repel Iranian strikes.

Jun 4, 2025 - President Trump Statement "I just finished speaking, by telephone, with President Vladimir Putin, of Russia. The call lasted approximately one hour and 15 minutes. We discussed the attack on Russia’s docked airplanes, by Ukraine, and also various other attacks that have been taking place by both sides. It was a good conversation, but not a conversation that will lead to immediate Peace. President Putin did say, and very strongly, that he will have to respond to the recent attack on the airfields. We also discussed Iran, and the fact that time is running out on Iran’s decision pertaining to nuclear weapons, which must be made quickly! I stated to President Putin that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and, on this, I believe that we were in agreement. President Putin suggested that he will participate in the discussions with Iran and that he could, perhaps, be helpful in getting this brought to a rapid conclusion. It is my opinion that Iran has been slowwalking their decision on this very important matter, and we will need a definitive answer in a very short period of time!" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwccR34V2dc

Zelensky admits Washington's assistance to Kiev exceeds $100 bln #Zelensky has admitted that Ukraine had received at least $105 billion in weapons and other aid from the United States, although he had previously mentioned a smaller amount. "I have my own internal audit, and my country clearly documents how much assistance has been provided. Just so you know, we had $104-105 billion. Most of that money was in the form of weapons," he said in an interview with journalist Ben Shapiro. Zelensky did not explain why in February he said that Kiev had received only $76 billion from Washington. "It's not that we're arguing that the United States said it was giving you $200 [billion], and we're saying no, $100. No, that's not the dispute. I'm answering to what the contribution was, how much money came to Ukraine. As for the use of this money, most of it was for weapons, it was used on the battlefield. And during the audit that I’ve mentioned, this use was clearly documented," he continued. Zelensky also said that Ukraine shares with the United States everything it has learned about the conduct of hostilities and the development of weapons. He hopes that he will have "more fruitful meetings" with US President Donald Trump, although their last meeting at the White House ended in a shouting match. #Trump and Zelensky have long been at odds over the funds spent by Washington to help Kiev. In February, the American leader said that it was time to understand where all the money disbursed by Washington to Kiev was. Zelensky said he did not know where the $200 billion allocated for military aid had gone. He also does not acknowledge debts to the United States, insisting that the aid was provided as grants. The latest version of a draft agreement on minerals, which the United States and Ukraine are working on, obliges Kiev to compensate for assistance in excess of $120 billion. Trump promised that Zelensky "will have big problems," if he tries to "walk away from the deal.".

India weighs tough response after Pahalgam attack New Delhi is considering ending the ceasefire with Pakistan after the Pahalgam terrorist attack. On April 22, three armed men in camouflage opened fire on tourists in Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, killing 26 people – including one Nepalese citizen. The Resistance Front, linked to Pakistan’s Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility. #India accused Pakistan of failing to uphold commitments along the Line of Control and International Border, and of not curbing cross-border terrorism, News18 reports. Pakistan denied the allegations. In response, India reduced embassy staff in Islamabad, expelled Pakistani military advisers, closed the ‘Attari’ border checkpoint and suspended the key River Indus water supply agreement. India also halted issuing visas to Pakistani citizens. #Pakistan retaliated by suspending all bilateral agreements, warning India against the water cut-off and closing airspace to India. It also expelled Indian defense advisors, accusing India of supporting terrorist groups in Pakistan.

Rubio and Witkoff Discuss Ukraine Conflict With European Allies in Paris The United States is seeking to broker a cease-fire and a permanent peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine but the Trump administration’s efforts have been stymied.

New draft of Kiev’s deal with Washington covers all Ukrainian natural resources, says lawmaker The latest draft agreement between #Ukraine and the United States submitted by #Washington on March 23 encompasses all natural resources, including oil and gas, across Kiev-controlled areas, Verkhovna Rada member Yaroslav Zheleznyak said, citing the document. "It covers all natural resources, including oil and gas. New as well as existing [mineral resources] projects. Across Ukraine," the Ukrainian lawmaker wrote on his Telegram channel. Under the US proposal, Ukraine will have to allocate revenues from its resources, while the aid Washington has provided to Kiev since 2022 will be considered a US contribution to the fund. "They (the Americans) will be able to capitalize on their decision, and they will be first to get royalties from the fund, with Ukraine being the next in line," he explained. Also, Zheleznyak shared, a board of five, including three US members "with a full veto right," will control the proposed investment fund. Earlier, Ukraine’s #Zelensky confirmed that the United States had proposed a new draft of its #minerals deal to Ukraine that outlines establishing an investment fund.

British special forces on standby for possible #Ukraine deployment The #UK is preparing to send special forces to Ukraine as part of a potential peacekeeping mission, with a ceasefire agreement edging closer, The i Paper reports. Sources reveal that elite units have been told to get ready for #mobilization. Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that NATO troop presence in Ukraine, in any capacity, poses a #THREAT to #Russia.