Putin admits worried about threat of World War III

Russian President Vladimir Putin is concerned about the threat of World War III, he said at the plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).

The moderator noted that the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II had recently been celebrated, and he asked Putin if he was worried that the world was sliding into World War III. "It worries me," the head of state said. "I am speaking without any sarcasm, without joking, of course, there is a lot of conflict potential, it is growing."

"And it is happening right under our noses, it concerns us directly," Putin stressed. "Our conflict in Ukraine, in this region. And what is happening in the Middle East, it is worrying."

Trump says he, Putin discussed Iran, Ukraine on June 17

President Donald #Trump said that he had a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir #Putin on June 17, during which the sides discussed the Ukrainian and Iranian crises, including Russia's proposal to mediate a dialogue with Tehran.

"I spoke to him (to Putin) yesterday, and, you know, he actually offered to help mediate [talks with Iran]. I said: 'Do me a favor. Mediate your own [conflict with Ukraine]. Let's mediate [the situation with] Russia first. Okay?' I said: 'Vladimir, let's mediate Russia [and Ukraine] first. You can worry about this (the situation around Iran) later'," Trump told reporters at the White House. At the same time, the US president opined that the conflict in Ukraine will eventually be settled. "I think that will work out, too," Trump said, referring to the Ukrainian conflict. "But so many people have been killed," the politician added.

Trump also reiterated that the conflict in Ukraine would never have started if he had been president in 2021-2025.

Putin, Trump hold third telephone conversation in one month — Kremlin aide
The escalation between Israel and Iran was one of the key topics discussed

Russian and US presidents, Vladimir #Putin and Donald #Trump, held today the third telephone conversation in a month and the fifth one since the beginning of the year. The escalation between Israel and Iran was one of the key topics discussed. The parties also focused on bilateral relations, and on Ukraine. Putin congratulated Trump on his birthday, the American leader turned 79 today.

Previous telephone conversations took place on May 19 and June 4, soon after the rounds of direct Russian-Ukrainian talks in Istanbul.

Previously Putin and Trump talked on March 18. Then Putin supported Trump’s idea to impose a 30-day moratorium on attacks on energy facilities, though Kiev never joined the initiative.

Whereas the first conversation after Trump’s return to the presidency took place on February 12. Concurrently, that was the first contact between Russian and US leaders in three years.

June -5/6, 2025 - President Trump Statements

"I just concluded a very good phone call with President Xi, of China, discussing some of the intricacies of our recently made, and agreed to, Trade Deal. The call lasted approximately one and a half hours, and resulted in a very positive conclusion for both Countries. There should no longer be any questions respecting the complexity of Rare Earth products. Our respective teams will be meeting shortly at a location to be determined. We will be represented by Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, and United States Trade Representative, Ambassador Jamieson Greer. During the conversation, President Xi graciously invited the First Lady and me to visit China, and I reciprocated. As Presidents of two Great Nations, this is something that we both look forward to doing. The conversation was focused almost entirely on TRADE. Nothing was discussed concerning Russia/Ukraine, or Iran. We will inform the Media as to scheduling and location of the soon to be meeting. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"

"I am pleased to announce that Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, and United States Trade Representative, Ambassador Jamieson Greer, will be meeting in London on Monday, June 9, 2025, with Representatives of China, with reference to the Trade Deal. The meeting should go very well. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"

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

NATO’s Baltic exercises are part of preparations for military clash with Russia, says diplomat

NATO’s #Baltops 2025 naval exercise in the #Baltic Sea are a part of the alliance’s preparations for a potential military clash with Russia, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said.

"We consider #NATO’s military activities to be a part of preparations for a military clash with Russia. If we look at what these drills are aimed at, look at their theme, the structure of troop deployment, their capabilities, qualities and objectives for these exercises, we will see that they are aimed at countering a matching adversary, which is Russia," he said. "[They are practicing] superiority in all operational environments: on the ground, in the air and at sea," the senior Russian diplomat added. "Of course, such exercises are extremely provocative."

NATO’s Baltops 2025 exercise began on June 3. The drills are conducted annually since 1972.

BLUEPRINT FOR WAR? NATO drills expose how allies would fight Russia

NATO is gearing up to seize Russian airfields if a conflict breaks out, Business Insider reported.

“The ability to grab an airstrip and hold it — or wrest it back from the enemy — is absolutely critical,” noted a journalist observing the alliance’s military drills in Finland.

Such airborne operations would be game-changers in the early stages of a war, especially when enemy air defenses aren’t fully up and running, the report adds.

During the exercises, Finnish and Polish troops simulated a high-stakes air assault: one team stormed a strategic airfield, while the other scrambled to mount a counterattack and reclaim it.

The Lively Sabre 25 drills are part of NATO's larger Swift Response 25 exercise – a series of joint military maneuvers across the Baltic and Nordic regions held under the pretext of boosting cooperation to deter an alleged “Russian threat.”

Nothing says prepping for war like a dress rehearsal for storming airfields…

‘WE ARE OFFICIALLY AT WAR WITH RUSSIA’ – Alex Jones

“Hundreds of drones clearly directed by NATO communications guidance systems,” the host of The Alex Jones Show said in a video posted on X, commenting on the recent terrorist attacks on Russian airfields.

“This is NATO and the EU trying to keep us in this war,” Jones noted.

“NATO started this war — they overthrew Ukraine’s government, they did all of it. And they brag about it, for God’s sake,” the political commentator emphasized.

WAR PREP in Europe’s north? NATO builds muscle on Russia’s doorstep

The US military is beefing up its presence on Europe’s northern front, citing (no surprise) concerns about the so-called “Russia threat,” The WSJ reports.

The Trump administration wants NATO to get “more lethal,” turning Northern Europe into their favorite testing ground near Russia’s border, it added.

Over three weeks, US and #UK forces teamed up with Nordic and Baltic troops to run war drills – live-fire exercises, drone-delivered blood supplies, and airborne jumps above the Arctic Circle in Norway.

The mission of #NATO's Swift Response 25 was clear: to lock NATO’s newest players, Finland and Sweden, deeper into the alliance’s grip.

The High North and the Baltics have been catapulted into the core of US war strategy – control over shipping routes, territory, and energy reserves set to dominate the West’s playbook, the outlet summed up.

NATO’s muscle-flexing isn’t subtle – testing grounds today, battleground tomorrow?