President Zelensky alleges Russian influence within President Trump’s White House, claiming Russia spread disinformation to portray Ukraine as unwilling to end the war. Amidst ongoing U.S.-mediated peace talks in Saudi Arabia involving separate Ukrainian and Russian delegations, Zelensky expressed concerns about the U.S. approach, suggesting a potential bias towards Russia. While a limited ceasefire on energy infrastructure has been agreed upon by Russia, a broader ceasefire remains elusive. Trump’s push for a 30-day ceasefire, however, polls favorably in Ukraine.
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Joe Rogan announced he will not be commentating at UFC 315 in Montreal, citing a preference for Russia over Canada. This follows his absence from UFC 297 in Toronto and a general avoidance of international UFC events due to travel. Speculation links Rogan’s decision to his support of Donald Trump, whose trade policies have strained US-Canada relations. Rogan discussed Trump’s joking suggestion of annexing Canada, further fueling this interpretation.
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During a Singapore press conference, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot firmly countered recent US statements downplaying Russian aggression in Europe. Barrot characterized Russian actions as “very factual,” citing ongoing destabilizing activities beyond Ukraine, including information manipulation and sabotage. He stressed the need for deterrence to achieve peace, a stance contrasting with the US’s current approach of seeking mediation between Russia and Ukraine. Barrot’s comments precede a Paris meeting of Ukraine coalition leaders and a continuation of his regional diplomatic tour to Indonesia and China.
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A key agreement reached involves a mutual commitment by Ukraine and Russia to refrain from targeting each other’s energy infrastructure. This understanding extends to ensuring safe navigation in the Black Sea for civilian vessels, prohibiting strikes on port infrastructure. While details remain to be clarified, the agreement represents an initial step toward de-escalation. Further, the US and Ukraine have also separately agreed to work toward safe Black Sea navigation and prisoner exchanges.
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Following talks in Saudi Arabia, Russia and Ukraine agreed to eliminate the use of force and ensure safe navigation in the Black Sea, a key step toward a broader peace deal. The agreement includes preventing the use of commercial vessels for military purposes and the development of measures to halt strikes against energy infrastructure. The United States pledged support to facilitate Russian agricultural and fertilizer exports. However, significant obstacles remain, including Ukraine’s refusal to recognize Russian territorial claims and concerns regarding the enforceability of the agreements.
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The European Union firmly rejected Russia’s fraudulent referendums in illegally occupied Ukrainian territories, reiterating its unwavering support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity. This condemnation follows controversial remarks by a U.S. envoy suggesting Ukrainians in occupied regions might prefer Russian rule, a claim echoing Kremlin propaganda and sparking outrage. Simultaneously, ongoing negotiations between the U.S. and Russia, excluding Ukraine and the EU, focused on a potential ceasefire, raising concerns about the potential legitimization of Russia’s territorial seizures. Russia’s continued attacks, including a recent deadly strike in Kyiv, further underscore the urgent need for an end to the conflict.
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Ukrainian air forces reportedly destroyed a Russian military base in the Kursk region, killing up to 30 Russian troops, according to the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces. The reported strike, which Kyiv claims significantly weakens Russian capabilities, follows previous Ukrainian incursions into the region. While Russia has yet to comment, the incident highlights the ongoing conflict’s expansion and Ukraine’s strategy to divert Russian resources from other key battlefronts. The ongoing fighting in the region now involves North Korean troops supporting Russian forces.
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Steve Witkoff, a U.S. envoy involved in Russia-Ukraine peace efforts, sparked controversy by claiming residents of Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories support Russian rule, citing disputed referendums. This statement drew sharp criticism from Ukrainian officials, including calls for his removal from negotiations. While some Ukrainian lawmakers expressed concern, others emphasized that Witkoff’s views don’t necessarily reflect official U.S. policy. Despite the criticism, the ongoing peace talks, involving separate U.S. discussions with both Ukraine and Russia, continue to progress.
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This week, Russia implements a law prohibiting individuals designated as “foreign agents” from conducting any educational activities in the Russian language, punishable by fines or imprisonment. The designation, initially applied to organizations with significant foreign funding involved in vaguely defined political activities, has broadened to encompass critics and now severely restricts their ability to use the Russian language for teaching or public discourse. This expansion criminalizes various forms of expression, including writing, lecturing, and even social media posts, impacting exiled individuals financially and effectively treating the Russian language as state property. The law further restricts “foreign agents” from financial transactions, hindering their ability to support themselves abroad.
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Following the December arrest of a Bulgarian woman suspected of Russian espionage, Austrian authorities uncovered a Russian disinformation campaign targeting German-speaking countries. Analysis of the suspect’s devices revealed a cell operating since the start of Russia’s 2022 Ukraine invasion, spreading propaganda online and through physical means like stickers and graffiti. This campaign aimed to sow discord by falsely implicating pro-Ukrainian activists through far-right and nationalist messaging. The Bulgarian woman reportedly admitted involvement, acting as a key contact for the operation. This discovery adds to Austria’s ongoing investigation into Russian intelligence activities, following a separate major espionage case involving a former Austrian intelligence officer.
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John Q. Hosedrinker