War in Ukraine
World Briefing – April 12
Trump Envoy Reportedly Suggested Dnipro River as Potential Ceasefire Demarcation Line in Ukraine
April 12, 2025
NATO
OPINION: Dictionary in Hand, West Launches New Defense Doctrine
After three years, NATO has provided much needed clarity on the strong words it will use to defend the West.
April 12, 2025
US
ANALYSIS: Trump Turns Cybersecurity Efforts Inward – Leaving US, Ukraine, and NATO Exposed
Trump’s purge of US cyber leadership and use of AI to monitor federal employees marks a major shift in national security – one that leaves the US, along with Ukraine and NATO allies, vulnerable.
April 12, 2025
Russia
OPINION: No, We Cannot Return to Business as Usual With Russia
As peace talks get underway, many consider it an opportunity to restore business ties with Russia. This would be a grave mistake for several reasons.
April 12, 2025
Putin
German Refinery’s Plight Prompts Calls for Return of Russian Oil
The idea of reopening the door to the European market for Russia has up until now been firmly dismissed by officials in Berlin.
April 12, 2025
Propaganda
More Russian Absurdity, Belligerence and Smugness – Putin’ You in the Picture 2
In this second edition of this occasional series, we highlight more comments from Russia’s “great and good (sic)” that further underscore their pernicious view of the world.
April 12, 2025
US
OPINION: Chinese Chess
Trump’s trade concerns are valid, but his rants are exaggerated and based on a fallacious “win-lose” mentality which ignores, and threatens to destroy, the benefits of the global trading system.
April 12, 2025
Ukraine
Ukraine European Allies Hike Deliveries of Weaponry for “Close-In” Battle
Drones, tactical radars, anti-tank mines, and short-range anti-aircraft missiles. Great Britain, Norway, Germany, Belgium and even little Estonia.
April 11, 2025
US
‘Meat Grinder’: US Says No Talks With Russia Until Ceasefire in Ukraine
US State Department Spokesperson said Trump is focused solely on securing a ceasefire in Ukraine, and no other negotiations with Russia will happen until the fighting stops.
April 11, 2025
War in Ukraine
‘Is It Worth It?’ Chinese Social Media Reacts to Captured Chinese POWs
Chinese social media users appear to be divided – but mostly indifferent – in how they perceive news that Kyiv captured two of their fellow countrymen fighting for Russia.
April 10, 2025
US
Trump Puts 90-Day Pause on ‘Reciprocal’ Tariffs, Minus Those on China
A 10 percent baseline tariff remains on all countries, including Ukraine, but now China faces 125 percent. Russia continues to escape Trump’s tariff wrath. Stocks jumped about nine percent.
April 10, 2025
War in Ukraine
OPINION: Spartz, Ukraine Surrendering to Putin
Despite being the only Ukrainian-born member of the US Congress, Victoria Spartz continues to remain hostile to the country of her birth when it comes to Putin’s continuing aggression.
April 9, 2025
World Briefing: April 9, 2025
The Trump administration on Friday said it accidentally told some Ukrainian refugees they needed to leave the US immediately because their legal status was being revoked.
April 9, 2025
War in Ukraine
France at UN: Russia’s Aims for Ukraine’s Surrender, Not Peace
Permanent Representative of France to the UN said that the conditions that Russia is putting forward before agreeing to a temporary ceasefire are “unacceptable for any sovereign state.”
April 9, 2025
Zelensky
‘War Must Return Where It Came From’ – Zelensky Confirms Ukrainian Troops in Russia’s Belgorod
Zelensky also promised to ramp up domestic production of drones - including long-range strike UAVs and fiber-optic models resistant to electronic warfare.
April 8, 2025
Ukraine
‘Hands Off!’ – Millions in US-Wide Protests Against Trump, Musk
Across the US, millions took to the streets in a backlash against tariffs imposed by the Trump administration and the rapid implementation of Project 2025 plans to tear down the US government.
April 7, 2025
Zelensky
Russia Mocks Trump Ceasefire Deal With Sea-Launched Missile Attack on Ukrainian Cities
A Donald J. Trump deal about no one shooting in the Black Sea basin went belly-up on Sunday with a thumping Russian navy salvo of cruise missiles that pounded Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.
April 7, 2025
War in Ukraine
Russia Studies Captured Bradley IFV – Admits Superior Western Capability
The report by Russia’s 38th Research Institute of Armored Vehicles released of its analysis of the vehicle captured in Ukraine was “leaked” on Telegram over the weekend.
April 7, 2025
Ukraine
Russia Spared from US Tariffs Due to Peace Talks, White House Says – While Ukraine Faces 10% Export Duty
The US excluded Russia from new tariffs because of ongoing peace talks with Ukraine, according to the White House – but Ukraine still faces a 10% duty on exports to the US.
April 7, 2025
War in Ukraine
OPINION: Is the Mineral Deal Good for Ukraine?
President. Trump may have pushed his “mineral deal” in a somewhat heavy-handed manner, but, with some modifications, it could be a good deal for both nations.
April 7, 2025