A new decree mandates the development of a law expelling illegal migrants from Russia by April 30, 2025. This measure excludes those legally residing in the country. The decree notably impacts residents of occupied Zaporizhzhia Oblast lacking Russian passports, who will be considered foreigners from January 1, 2025, and subject to expulsion after exceeding the 90-day visa-free limit. This effectively forces the displacement of a significant portion of the population in this area.
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Poland has pledged to increase electricity exports to Ukraine should Slovakia cut off its backup power supply, a move threatened by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. This assurance comes amidst rising tensions over gas transit through Ukraine and Slovakia’s continued reliance on Russian gas. Poland will boost its own energy production to offset any resulting Ukrainian power shortages. The situation is further complicated by the upcoming expiration of a Russian gas transit agreement through Ukraine and the EU’s aim to phase out Russian fossil fuels.
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Finland’s discovery of kilometer-long drag marks on the Baltic seabed following damage to an undersea cable is a deeply unsettling event. The sheer scale of the marks strongly suggests an intentional act of sabotage, a conclusion many find unsurprising given the current geopolitical climate. The incident immediately raises serious questions about Russia’s involvement, considering their ongoing conflict with Ukraine and broader global democratic principles.
The suggestion that this is merely accidental damage is frankly unbelievable. The scale and nature of the damage clearly point to a deliberate action, not a simple cable failure. Some have even pointed to the absurdity of attributing the damage to such outlandish explanations as Ukrainian birds or an accidental fall from a window.… Continue reading
Beginning January 1st, Azerbaijan will reciprocate Russia’s new 90-day visa-free entry limit for foreign nationals by implementing the same restriction on Russian citizens. This decision follows Azerbaijan’s announcement of planned amendments to its entry rules for Russians. The move is a direct response to Russia’s own policy changes regarding foreign visitor stays. The timing coincides with ongoing diplomatic tensions between the two countries stemming from a recent Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash in Kazakhstan.
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Reported peace proposals from President-elect Trump’s team, involving a delayed Ukrainian NATO accession and European peacekeeping forces, have been rejected by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Lavrov criticized the plan’s suggestion of shifting responsibility for confronting Russia to Europe and the inclusion of European peacekeepers. While Russia awaits official communication from Washington, Lavrov stated a willingness to engage with the incoming Biden administration, contingent on a proactive move from the U.S. Despite President Putin’s stated aim to end the conflict by 2025, Moscow maintains its demands for no territorial concessions and a rejection of Ukraine’s NATO membership.
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Following a deadly Azerbaijan Airlines crash in Kazakhstan, Vladimir Putin offered an apology to Azerbaijan, stating the incident occurred in Russian airspace, but avoided taking responsibility. The UK, however, rejected this apology, demanding a full and independent investigation into the incident, citing Russia’s reckless actions as a threat to international security. Multiple sources, including the White House and US military officials, suggest Russian air defenses may have mistakenly shot down the plane. Ukraine also called for a transparent explanation and cessation of disinformation from Russia.
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Azerbaijan’s president has stated that a passenger plane that crashed was shot at from Russia. This claim immediately raises serious questions about accountability and the potential for international repercussions. The suggestion is not simply that the plane malfunctioned, but that it was actively targeted, adding a layer of deliberate malice to the tragedy.
The incident highlights a potential parallel to the downing of a Ukrainian airliner in Iran, where misidentification and panic were cited as contributing factors. However, in this case, the alleged perpetrator is Russia, a nation known for its assertive military actions and complex geopolitical maneuvering. The timing, given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, fuels speculation about whether this event was a deliberate act or a tragic accident born from the intense pressure of wartime conditions.… Continue reading
Zelensky accused Slovak Prime Minister Fico of acting on Putin’s orders to cut off Ukraine’s crucial winter electricity supply, framing the threat as a second energy front against Ukraine. The Ukrainian president asserted that such actions would violate EU energy market rules and damage Slovakia’s relationship with the European community. Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry emphasized that electricity supplies are paid for, not charity, and Fico’s threats align him with Putin. Fico’s threat followed a meeting with Putin and stems from Slovakia’s significant reliance on Russian gas despite EU efforts to diversify energy sources.
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Amidst an ongoing dispute over Russian gas transit, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy accused Slovak Prime Minister Fico of initiating a second energy front against Ukraine at Russia’s behest. This accusation follows Fico’s threat to retaliate against Ukraine’s planned halt of Russian gas transit by cutting off emergency power supplies. Zelenskyy argues Fico’s actions disregard Slovakia’s role in the EU energy market and harm Ukrainian citizens during ongoing Russian attacks on energy infrastructure. Slovakia, however, maintains that maintaining Russian gas transit through Ukraine is crucial for its economy, despite reduced reliance on Russian gas across the EU.
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Following recent incidents in the Baltic Sea, Sweden is considering invoking NATO’s Article 4, prompting consultations among member states. This action, only used seven times previously, signals a serious response to escalating hybrid threats. The government emphasizes the need for a comprehensive NATO strategy rather than reacting to individual events, aiming to deter further antagonistic activities. While maintaining a measured approach, Sweden welcomes increased NATO presence in the region.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood