Following a Russian missile attack on Sumy that killed 35 and injured 119, including a baby girl, Ukraine’s military reported striking the base of the responsible 448th Russian missile brigade. A secondary ammunition detonation was reported at the base. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy condemned the attack, while NATO reaffirmed its support for Ukraine. Despite accusations from both sides of violating a tentative US-brokered ceasefire on energy infrastructure strikes, NATO’s Secretary General refuted claims that Ukraine started the war, stating that Russia is the aggressor.
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Led by Poland and Czechia, seven EU nations have jointly petitioned the EU to restrict Russian diplomats’ movement within the Schengen Area to their assigned consular districts, citing espionage and sabotage concerns. This initiative, supported by former NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg, follows suspected Russian-orchestrated attacks on EU territory and a reported increase in Russian intelligence activities since 2022. The proposal, if adopted, would represent a significant limitation on the Schengen Area’s free movement principle. Poland, which already restricts Russian diplomats to three cities, exemplifies the desired outcome.
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The Kremlin’s assertion that Germany risks escalating the conflict in Ukraine by supplying Taurus missiles is, frankly, rich. It’s a predictable, almost tired tactic of intimidation. This isn’t the first time we’ve heard this kind of threat from Russia, and judging by their actions on the ground – the continued bombing of civilians, the use of cluster munitions, the overall brutal conduct of the war – it seems their definition of “escalation” is rather…flexible. Let’s be clear: Russia is already escalating the conflict through its actions, and these empty threats are nothing more than a desperate attempt to maintain leverage.
The idea that sending Taurus missiles would somehow be the tipping point feels incredibly disingenuous.… Continue reading
Friedrich Merz, Germany’s soon-to-be chancellor, advocates for providing Ukraine with Taurus missiles to gain a strategic advantage against Russia, contrasting with Chancellor Scholz’s refusal. This decision follows a deadly Russian missile attack in Sumy, which Merz deemed a war crime. Merz emphasizes the need for allied consultation before supplying the long-range missiles, citing the greater range and precision of Taurus compared to other Western systems, and its potential use against the Kerch Bridge. While acknowledging potential risks, Merz believes that weakness would not deter Putin.
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The EU’s potential ban on Serbia’s accession to the Union if President Aleksandar Vucic attends Vladimir Putin’s Victory Day parade in Moscow highlights a complex geopolitical situation. The threat of exclusion underscores the bloc’s firm stance against Russia’s actions in Ukraine and its growing intolerance for countries perceived as aligning too closely with Moscow.
This potential ban isn’t simply a symbolic gesture; it carries significant weight for Serbia. For years, Serbia has navigated a delicate balancing act, cultivating ties with both the EU and Russia. Accession to the EU has been a long-term goal, a path toward economic prosperity and political stability.… Continue reading
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Following a Luxembourg meeting, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha invited EU counterparts to demonstrate unity against Russia’s aggression. President Zelenskyy separately plans a May 9th meeting with Coalition of the Willing leaders to discuss post-ceasefire security guarantees for Ukraine. While the location remains unconfirmed, EU diplomats suggest a potential early May visit by several heads of state, potentially including Friedrich Merz, to Ukraine. This contrasts sharply with Russia’s selective invitations to a Moscow Victory Day celebration, excluding major Western powers.
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Ksenia Karelina, a Russian-American woman, returned to the U.S. after over a year of wrongful imprisonment in Russia. Sentenced to 12 years for allegedly supporting Ukraine’s military with a small charity donation, Karelina was released in a prisoner exchange. The exchange also involved Russian national Arthur Petrov, arrested in Cyprus on U.S. charges of exporting sensitive technology. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed her wrongful detention, highlighting the complexities of the international situation and prisoner exchange programs.
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Trump’s reaction to the recent Russian ballistic missile strike in Ukraine, which tragically killed dozens of civilians, was to place blame squarely on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He characterized Zelenskyy’s performance as a “horrible job,” a statement that has drawn widespread condemnation. The sheer audacity of this accusation, coming after years of Trump’s questionable dealings with Russia, is truly astounding.
This isn’t the first time Trump has shown a shocking lack of empathy towards victims of conflict. He consistently minimizes the gravity of the situation in Ukraine, often downplaying Russia’s aggression and even suggesting that the conflict is somehow Zelenskyy’s fault.… Continue reading
Amidst Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, President Putin has invited leaders from China, India, Brazil, Slovakia, and Serbia to Moscow’s May 9th military celebrations. EU High Representative Kallas strongly urged European leaders to boycott these events, emphasizing that such participation would be viewed negatively by the EU. This stance underscores the EU’s solidarity with Ukraine and its condemnation of Russia’s actions. The invitations highlight Russia’s attempts to garner international support while the EU seeks to maintain a unified front against the aggression.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood