... was no exception. In October, NATO held its Steadfast Noon nuclear exercises, followed by the U.S. Global Thunder drills and Russia’s strategic nuclear forces exercises. Developments did not end there: against the backdrop of these exercises, Russia ... ... announcements, these developments amount to little more than routine measures aimed at maintaining nuclear deterrence.
Since Ukraine launched its first major counteroffensives in the autumn of 2022, Russia has seen lively debates over the nature and logic ...
... seems the only possible alternative to being drawn into an endless if intermittent war with the loss of tens or hundreds of thousands of our best men – and then sliding all the same towards nuclear Armageddon and/or the country’s collapse. We must shake ... ... punished). We should also give the Americans a good shake. Trump probably wants peace, but on his own terms: keeping most of Ukraine as a beachhead with which to pressure Russia. But even if we take his love of peace at face value, his position is extremely unstable. Nuclear pressure should not be ...
The possibility of a return to extreme-era dynamics cannot be dismissed
The Ukraine conflict may well pave the way for a larger scale Russia-NATO confrontation. While hard to fathom and with everything suggesting that the scenario remains quite unlikely, it relies ... ... designation as aggressor and consequent international isolation. The latter, while slightly reducing political costs, still permits accusations that Moscow violated the nuclear taboo first. However, apart from politics, other things are equally important. Both ...
In the West’s eyes, Russia must be destroyed. That leaves us no choice
Many now speak of humanity’s drift towards World War III, imagining events ... ... 2022, the West’s campaign against Russia has grown more decisive. The risk of direct nuclear confrontation with NATO over the Ukraine conflict is rising. Donald Trump’s return to the White House created a temporary window in which such a clash could ...
... reasons are not difficult to identify. Western Europe has lost its strategic compass. What we’re witnessing now, unfolding near Russia’s borders, is a crisis of direction with no clear destination. Recent developments, in fact, would have seemed unimaginable ... ... with no thought as to what they might do if Moscow ignored them. Unsurprisingly, the efforts of the four most vocal backers of Ukraine – Britain, Germany, France, and Poland – collapsed into rhetorical theater with no follow-through.
Estonia, never ...
Russia’s success in confronting the West on the Ukrainian issue has turned out to be, in many ways, connected with the support it received from the countries of the World Majority
Russia’s success in confronting the West on the Ukrainian issue has ...
... such as diamonds, gold, silver and uranium or raw materials such as coal and gas, and now increasingly about the often-cited rare earths.
Ukraine and Greenland
There is a proxy war being fought in Ukraine—a war between the USA and Russia. Only the USA and Russia can end the war—Ukraine and its President Volodymyr Zelensky are both extras and victims of a war between brothers, between Russians and Ukrainians.
Ukraine is not only an important global supplier of agricultural products such as sunflower oil, wheat, barley and corn,...
Washington is ready to talk; Russia should write the script
The diplomatic process surrounding the Russia-Ukraine conflict has taken a cautious step forward. The recent agreements reached in Riyadh may not yet constitute a breakthrough, but they represent the most significant diplomatic achievement since the grain deal of summer 2022.
Skeptics will note that ...
... just a few months ago, and even now it’s hard to fully believe. Yet here we are.
Clearly, the key topic remains resolving the Ukraine crisis. The outlines of a potential solution are becoming more apparent, likely unfolding step-by-step: first, halting ... ... and preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. This broader agenda underscores that the relationship between Russia and the US extends well beyond Ukraine alone.
Overall, the diplomatic process is moving forward without unnecessary haste ...
... Still, it remains a meaningful step forward, allowing several preliminary observations.
First, developments align closely with Russia’s preferred approach. Moscow resisted immediate ceasefire calls, emphasizing the necessity for carefully structured long-term ... ... uncertain, but its very discussion has shifted the momentum in Russia’s favor.
Second, the conditions for peace remain focused on Ukraine’s demilitarization – stopping weapons supplies and military mobilization. This returns to Russia’s original objectives ...
