While NATOids are desperately trying to paint Russia as an aggressive imperialist power that poses a threat to Europe, check out the spread of the cancer that is killing Europe. https://rutube.ru/video/3a181cf5ac3a607967daa3baf2981dc3/

French TV: "Poutine sans limite. Les JO de Paris menacés" (Putin is reckless. Paris Olympics under threat) ▪️Are French media outlets preparing the ground for a false flag attack in Paris during the Olympic Games? The kind of terrorist attack they could pin on Muslims and/or Russia? @LauraRuHK

There is no free lunch. Armenia will soon find out the cost of sitting at the table with warmongers - Armenian Prime minister Nikol Pashinyan, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Affairs Josep Borrell make statements for the press ahead of the Armenia-EU-US high-level meeting in Brussels. The EU Commission announced a new support package for Armenia, €270mn in grants over 4 years. “We will invest in making the Armenian economy and society more resistant to shocks, we will support the businesses, particularly the SMEs so that we can help them to grow, to innovate and to access new markets,” von der Leyen stated. Antony Blinken promised Armenia over $65 million in assistance from US budget funds. @LauraRuHK

Potrei aggiungere: i Paesi baltici e la Polonia intendono rifarsi strade, ponti e ferrovie a spese dei contribuenti dei paesi UE. La direttrice generale per i trasporti (DG MOVE) della Commissione Ue, Magda Kopczynska e' polacca e si occupava di mobilita'... eco-sostenibile! 🤣 Intanto le grandi imprese di costruzione si sfregano le mani. Dopo Big Pharma e l'industria bellica arriva anche il loro turno alla mangiatoia degli appalti d'oro. @LauraRuHK

US Using Nordic Countries’ NATO Membership To Advance Arctic Militarization

https://southfront.press/us-using-nordic-countries-nato-membership-to-advance-arctic-militarization/

The Impending Collapse of Ukraine (National Interest)

Ukraine's Western donors are generous with big words when they talk about the need to defeat Russia - but at the same time they suffer from an acute lack of a sober view of things, writes NI. The result of this naivety was the risk that it would not be NATO that would “teach Russia a lesson” and “put it in its place”—but exactly the opposite would happen.

Russia had a Plan A, a quick decapitation attack, but quickly understood this would not work and moved to Plan B. While the NI notes the West is stuck on Plan A. They can't move from a repetition of "hackneyed moralizing cliches", rehashing the Domino Theory replete with Asiatic hordes sweeping into Europe or stupid framing like "good versus evil" or "democracy vs despotism" and "civilization versus darkness." With all the rhetoric the NI notes the lack of realism. Russia meanwhile worked on fixing their manpower disadvantage and raised production knowing where this war was going, now the plan is coming fruition.

False Premises

They thought Russia's economy was weak and vulnerable to sanctions. It failed to account for "Russia’s strategic industries, its resource self-sufficiency, or alternative trading partners." Western sanctions have only hurt Europe not Russia. Gas prices allowed Russia to make massive profits in 2022. They thought other countries would adopt their sanctions but they did not. Russian trade with countries like India, China, and Turkey soared and they were able to buy the goods they need via these countries.

They thought of Russia as a Kleptocracy and believed the wealthy elite held political power. This misguided view made them believe these figures would rise up against Putin, as access to luxury goods and their assets was restricted. In fact it made them more dependent on Putin and they instead invested in Russia.

The West bought into wild stories of catastrophic Russian losses and the belief the Russian army destroyed. That the army was demoralized, corrupt, and disorganized. Simply not realizing Russia is willing to change plans as needed, orderly retreating where there is no advantage or where previously plans are assessed to longer be viable. The NI writes that they bought into their own false narratives and stereotypes. Surely NATO training and weapons would scatter Russia to the winds. It did not. The West's military doctrines were suited for "intervention in civil wars or conflicts with weaker powers, rather than a proxy war of attrition with an enemy of comparable strength."

NI writes Russia adapted and innovated quickly, and "presenting Russia’s military successes as “psychic attacks” and a “meat grinder” is fundamentally wrong. Russia's approach is gradual, exhaustive and by no means haphazard." While the West will continue on with "Plan A: more sanctions against Russia, new weapons and expanded training for Ukraine - all in order to somehow prepare Kiev for the start of a new offensive in 2025." NI questions if they will even survive 2024, and notes Russia will still outproduce and have more men.

#Source

@Slavyangrad

US Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen arrived in Beijing on Saturday to continue meetings with senior Chinese officials. In Guangzhou she held several rounds of talks with Vice Premier He Lifeng, who is also China's lead person for China-US economic and trade affairs. ▪️The Chinese side expressed grave concern over US economic and trade measures restricting China and responded fully to US accusations of production overcapacity. Both sides agreed to continue to maintain communication, Xinhua reported. ▪️Chinese Ambassador to the US Xie Feng said during an interview with Newsweek that the accusation that China's "overcapacity" is posing threats to other countries is untenable. Globally, high-quality industrial capacity and new-quality productive forces are not excessive, but in dire scarcity. China's new energy sector relies on the businesses' innovation edge forged amid global competition and high-quality products, not on so-called subsidies or protection. ▪️ Accusing China of overcapacity is just an excuse for the US to impose tariffs or other protectionist policies against China products, Xin Qiang, deputy director of the Center for American Studies at Fudan University, told the Global Times.
Such accusations from Yellen, an advocate for globalization, fully demonstrate US' double-standards, Xin said, as the country "embraces free trade when the US is advantaged and imposes sanctions when it isn't [advantaged]."

▪️Though Yellen claims the US does not seek "decoupling," the reason is not that the US does not want to, but that the cost will be too high. The US seeks stability for the presidential election but the US' attitude could change according to domestic politics - it tones down in fields that need China's help while remaining hawkish in others.

▪️The US resumed military talks with China because now it can't afford to become involved in more conflicts amid the war in Ukraine and in Gaza ahead of its elections. Attacks on China's electrical vehicles are also related to the presidential election: the Biden administration needs to act harshly to woo powerful lobbies such as the automotive industry one.

▪️The US policy toward China is opportunistic in nature as its strategic positioning on China remains unchanged and the Biden administration's China-targeted sanction lists are expanding. After seeing ups and downs in bilateral relations, China knows better and is not only listening to what the US says but also looking at what the US does. @LauraRuHK

La segretaria al Tesoro americano Janet Yellen è arrivata a Pechino sabato per continuare gli incontri con alti funzionari cinesi. A Guangzhou ha tenuto una serie di colloqui con il vice premier He Lifeng, che è anche a capo della commissione per gli affari economici e commerciali tra Cina-Stati Uniti.
▪️Gli interlocutori cinesi hanno espresso grave preoccupazione per le misure economiche e commerciali adottate dagli USA per contenere la crescita della Cina e hanno risposto con fermezza alle accuse statunitensi di sovraccapacità produttiva. Entrambe le parti hanno concordato di mantenere aperti i canali della comunicazione, ha riferito l'agenzia Xinhua. ▪️L'ambasciatore cinese negli Stati Uniti Xie Feng in un'intervista a Newsweek ha smontato le accuse americane che la "sovrapproduzione" della Cina sia una minaccia per altri paesi. A livello globale, la capacità industriale di alta qualità e le forze produttive che la spingono non sono eccessive, ma anzi insufficienti. Il nuovo settore energetico cinese si basa sull'innovazione e sull'alta qualità dei prodotti, il suo vantaggio è frutto delle forze di mercato a livello globale, non dipende da sussidi o protezioni. ▪️ Accusare la Cina di sovrapproduzione è solo un pretesto per imporre tariffe o altre politiche protezionistiche contro i prodotti cinesi, ha detto al Global Times Xin Qiang, vice direttore del Center for American Studies presso la Fudan University.
Tali accuse da parte di Yellen, sostenitrice della globalizzazione, dimostrano solo i doppi standard degli Stati Uniti, ha detto Xin, poiché gli americani "abbracciano il libero scambio quando va a loro vantaggio e impongono sanzioni quando il libero mercato non gli fa più comodo".

▪️Sebbene Yellen affermi che gli Stati Uniti non cercano il "disaccoppiamento", la ragione non è che gli Stati Uniti non lo vogliono, ma che il suo costo è troppo alto. Gli Stati Uniti cercano stabilità per le elezioni presidenziali, ma l'atteggiamento degli Stati Uniti potrebbe cambiare in base alla politica interna - abbassano i toni nei campi in cui hanno bisogno dell'aiuto della Cina mentre rimangono aggressivi in altri.

▪️Gli Stati Uniti hanno ripreso i colloqui in campo militare con la Cina perché ora a ridosso delle elezioni non possono permettersi di essere coinvolti in altri conflitti oltre alla guerra in Ucraina e a Gaza. Anche gli attacchi ai veicoli elettrici cinesi sono legati alle elezioni presidenziali: l'amministrazione Biden deve corteggiare potenti lobby come quella dell'industria automobilistica.

▪️La politica degli Stati Uniti nei confronti della Cina è di natura opportunistica in quanto il loro obiettivo strategico nei riguardi della Cina rimane invariato (accerchiare militarmente la Cina, sabotarne crescita economica e sviluppo tecnologico) e la lista delle sanzioni contro la Cina si sta allungando. Dopo aver visto alti e bassi nelle relazioni bilaterali, la Cina non si fa prendere per il naso: non ascolta solo ciò che gli Stati Uniti dicono, ma guarda a ciò che gli Stati Uniti fanno. @LauraRuHK

SLOVAKIA - Peter Pellegrini, the head of the Slovak parliament who opposes the supply of weapons to Ukraine, has won the Slovak presidential election with 53.12% of the votes, beating former Foreign Minister Ivan Korčok.

In his victory speech, Pellegrini promised "to ensure that Slovakia remains on the side of peace and not on the side of war", while PM Robert Fico had previously supported him, calling him "a moderate candidate who understands the value of peace." @LauraRuHK

The US idea of diplomacy is still "gunboat diplomacy" - While its Secretary of the Treasury, Janet Yellen, is in China throwing around baseless accusations of "production overcapacity", the US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, together with the defense ministers of Japan, Australia and the Philippines, announced that next week the four countries will hold their first joint naval exercises, including anti-submarine warfare training, in the South China Sea.

The four defense chiefs claim that their troops are holding the exercises to safeguard “the rule of law that is the foundation for a peaceful and stable Indo-Pacific region and uphold freedom of navigation and overflight." Five warships are set to participate in the drills: the Philippines' BRP Gregorio del Pilar and BRP Ramon Alcaraz, the USS Mobile of the US, Japan's JS Akebono, and Australia's HMAS Warramunga which arrived at the Philippine island of Palawan earlier this week. ▪️Meanwhile US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell suggested that the U.S.-U.K.-Australia security partnership known as AUKUS may soon be expanded to include other nations.
@LauraRuHK

L'idea americana di "diplomazia" - Mentre la Segretaria al Tesoro, Janet Yellen, è in Cina a lanciare accuse infondate di "sovraccapacità produttiva", il Segretario alla Difesa statunitense Lloyd Austin, insieme ai ministri della Difesa di Giappone, Australia e Filippine, ha annunciato che la prossima settimana i quattro Paesi terranno le loro prime esercitazioni navali congiunte, compreso l'addestramento antisommergibili, nel Mar Cinese Meridionale.

I quattro ministri della difesa affermano che le loro truppe svolgeranno queste esercitazioni per salvaguardare "lo stato di diritto che è alla base della stabilità nella regione dell'Indo-pacifico e sostenere la libertà di navigazione e di pattugliamento aereo". Cinque navi da guerra parteciperanno alle esercitazioni: le filippine BRP Gregorio del Pilar e BRP Ramon Alcaraz, la statunitense USS Mobile, la giapponese JS Akebono e l'australiana HMAS Warramunga, arrivata all'inizio della settimana sull'isola filippina di Palawan. ▪️Intanto il vicesegretario di Stato americano Kurt Campbell ha accennato al fatto che l'alleanza anti-Cina tra Stati Uniti, Regno Unito e Australia, nota come AUKUS, potrebbe presto essere esteso ad altre nazioni. @LauraRuHK

⚡️ Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will visit China on Monday-Tuesday (8-9 April) to hold talks with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, and discuss bilateral and international issues, the Russian Foreign Ministry says.

There are no Western countries left among Russia's main trading partners.
China, India and Turkey became the main trading partners of the Russian Federation by the end of 2023

There are no Western countries left among Russia's main trading partners: Germany fell out of the top five, according to RIA Novosti's analysis of data from national statistical services.
By the end of 2023, Germany, with a trade turnover of $ 12.2 billion, entered only the second group of five countries.

According to the Federal Customs Service, Russia's trade turnover amounted to $710.1 billion last year. Of these, 51 percent in Asian countries, 23 percent in European countries, and 11 percent in the Middle East. Another eight percent in neighbouring countries, four percent in America, and three percent in Africa.

China remained the leader with a record trade turnover of $240.1 billion. India rose to second place from fifth thanks to a 1.8—fold increase in trade with Russia - up to $ 64.9 billion. Turkey closes the top three with $56.5 billion.

Belarus is in fourth place, with a trade turnover of about $55 billion. Kazakhstan rose to the fifth from the eighth with 26 billion dollars. These five countries account for 60 percent of Russia's total trade turnover in 2023.
The second five countries, in addition to Germany, now include South Korea with a trade turnover of $ 15 billion. The UAE, Russia's trade with which could grow to 12.1 billion (based on data for nine months), became the eighth, while a year ago it was the 16th. Brazil (11.3 billion dollars) rose to ninth place from 17th a year earlier, while the Netherlands, on the contrary, lost four positions and dropped to tenth place (9.9 billion).
Regionally, Russia's largest foreign trade partners in Asia, in addition to China, India and South Korea, were Japan ($9.7 billion) and Hong Kong ($5.9 billion). Among the neighboring countries in Asia, the most active trade was with Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan ($9.9 billion) and Armenia ($7.3 billion).

In Africa, Egypt was the undisputed leader, with trade turnover increasing by 40 percent to $5.5 billion.
In the Middle East, Russia's major partners, in addition to Turkey and the UAE, were Iran (four billion dollars) and Saudi Arabia, with which trade increased by one and a half times to 3.3 billion dollars.
In South and North America, in addition to Brazil, significant trade volumes were with the United States (5.5 billion dollars), Mexico (2.2 billion) and Ecuador (1.1 billion). (Source: RIA Novosti) @LauraRuHK https://ria.ru/20240407/torgovlya-1938338018.html

AUKUS EXPANSION? THE PLOT THICKENS. Speculation is rife that Joe Biden at the summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the White House on Wednesday may ask Japan to join Pillar II of the anti-China military alliance known as AUKUS, particularly after US ambassador to Tokyo, Rahm Emanuel, this week said Japan was “about to become the first additional Pillar II partner”.

But according to the Financial Times, Rahm Emanuel's comments ruffled feathers in London, Canberra and Tokyo because there is still no agreement. Australia and Britain have been pushing back against the idea of inviting Japan before ironing out existing complications in their trilateral co-operation. So, it appears that the US is trying to dish out a half-baked plan but has encountered some resistance. @LauraRuHK

Washington's influence on South Korea is well-known. What is less known are the unfriendly measures that the country has taken against Russia. They go well beyond imposing sanctions on Russian entities and vessels. Now even Russian scientists are being targeted by discrimination. Artem Oganov, an eminent scientist and professor was invited to speak at a scientific congress in South Korea on condition he removed his affiliation with Russia from the official website of the congress. He refused.
ON HUMAN DIGNITY
A couple of months ago, I was invited to give a lecture at the International Geological Congress (South Korea, August 2024). Two days ago, I received a letter from the organizers demanding that the Russian affiliation be removed. I refused to do it - you can't let yourself be humiliated. Science should not be turned into an instrument of discrimination. Here is a letter from the organizers of the congress and my response. I ask for maximum reposts. From: Scientific Committee <XXXXXXXX>
Sent: Friday, April 5, 2024 11:08 AM
Subject: [IGC 2024] Request for modification of your affiliation on the official website of IGC 2024

Dear Russian abstract submitters,

Warm greetings!

IGC 2024 Organizing Committee is very grateful for your submission of abstracts. 

Nevertheless, we earnestly ask you to change your Russian affiliation to the other country's affiliation by 7th April, 2024 (UTC+9),

if possible.

If not, we cannot accept the abstracts from Russia during review period next week according to IUGS's policy.

If your abstacts are not accepted because of the nationality, your fee may be refunded.

Thank you again for your cooperation.

Sincerely,

IGC 2024 Organizing Committee
******

From: Artem Oganov
Sent: Friday, April 5, 2024 11:39 PM
To: XXXXXXXXXXXX
Subject: Fw: [IGC 2024] Request for modification of your affiliation on the official website of IGC 2024
 
Dear colleagues,

I am appalled, shocked and disappointed by your discrimination against Russian scientists. Such discrimination is against the spirit of science and is not compatible with the international status of the International Geological Congress that you are organizing. 

While some people can be susceptible to xenophobia and hysteria induced by media and politicians, intellectuals should be above that. I hope that after a second thought you will agree that discrimination should have no place in science, in any international events, and more generally, in society - and will allow me and all other Russian scientists to use our Russian affiliations at IGC. Otherwise I will be unable to attend and will have to give this case maximum possible international publicity, in order to eradicate discrimination and racism from science. 

P.S. I have never visited Korea, but visited other Asian countries (especially China) many times, and got used to their welcoming attitude and hospitality. I expected a similar attitude in South Korea, but your letter showed that perhaps I was wrong.  

Cordially yours,

Artem R. Oganov PhD DSci FRSC
******https://t.me/ArtemROganov/1504

L'influenza di Washington sulla Corea del Sud è cosa nota: dai tempi della guerra di Corea il paese è occupato da basi militari USA e da decine di migliaia dei loro soldati, la sua classe politica ha pochi margini di autonomia e si stanno restringendo a vista d'occhio. Ciò che è meno noto sono le misure ostili che il paese ha preso contro la Russia. Vanno ben oltre l'imposizione di sanzioni su entità e navi russe. Ora anche gli scienziati russi sono presi di mira dalla discriminazione. Artem Oganov, un eminente scienziato e professore è stato invitato a parlare a un congresso scientifico in Corea del Sud a condizione che rimuovesse la sua affiliazione con la Russia dal sito ufficiale del congresso. Ha rifiutato spiegando i suoi motivi. (Trad. @LauraRuHK)
A PROPOSITO DELLA DIGNITÀ UMANA
Un paio di mesi fa, sono stato invitato a tenere una conferenza al Congresso Geologico Internazionale (Corea del Sud, agosto 2024). Due giorni fa, ho ricevuto una lettera dagli organizzatori che chiedeva che l'affiliazione russa fosse rimossa. Mi sono rifiutato di farlo - non puoi lasciarti umiliare. La scienza non deve essere trasformata in uno strumento di discriminazione. Ecco una lettera degli organizzatori del congresso e la mia risposta. Chiedo la massima condivisione. Da: Comitato Scientifico < XXXXXXXX>
Inviato: Venerdì 5 aprile 2024 11: 08
Oggetto: [IGC 2024] Richiesta di modifica della propria affiliazione sul sito ufficiale di IGC 2024

Cordiali saluti!

Il Comitato organizzatore di IGC 2024 è molto grato per la presentazione degli abstract.

Tuttavia, Le chiediamo sinceramente di cambiare la Sua affiliazione russa con l'affiliazione di un altro paese entro il 7 aprile 2024 (UTC + 9),

se possibile.

In caso contrario, non possiamo accettare gli abstract dalla Russia durante il periodo di revisione della prossima settimana secondo la politica di IUGS.

Se i Suoi abstacts non sono accettati a causa della nazionalità, la Sua quota può essere rimborsata.

Grazie ancora per la collaborazione.

Sinceramente,

Comitato Organizzatore CIG 2024
******

From: Artem Oganov
Inviato: Venerdì 5 aprile 2024 11: 39
A: XXXXXXXXXXXX
Oggetto: Fw: [IGC 2024] Richiesta di modifica della propria affiliazione sul sito ufficiale di IGC 2024

Cari colleghi,

Sono sconvolto, scioccato e deluso dalla vostra discriminazione contro gli scienziati russi. Tale discriminazione è contro lo spirito della scienza e non è compatibile con lo status internazionale del Congresso Geologico Internazionale che state organizzando.

Mentre alcune persone possono essere suscettibili alla xenofobia e all'isteria indotta dai media e dai politici, gli intellettuali dovrebbero essere al di sopra di questo. Spero che dopo un ripensamento sarete d'accordo sul fatto che la discriminazione non dovrebbe avere posto nella scienza, in nessun evento internazionale e, più in generale, nella società - e permetterà a me e a tutti gli altri scienziati russi di usare le nostre affiliazioni russe alla CIG. Altrimenti non sarò in grado di partecipare e dovrò dare a questo caso la massima pubblicità internazionale possibile, al fine di sradicare la discriminazione e il razzismo dalla scienza.

P.S. Non ho mai visitato la Corea, ma ho visitato molte volte altri paesi asiatici (in particolare la Cina) di cui apprezzo l'atteggiamento accogliente e ospitale. Mi aspettavo un atteggiamento simile in Corea del Sud, ma la Sua lettera ha dimostrato che forse mi sbagliavo.

Cordialmente vostro,

Artem R. Oganov PhD DSci FRSC
******https://t.me/ArtemROganov/1504

In its editorial the Global Times firmly condemns provocative military exercises in the South China Sea. 📎The four countries [US, Australia, Japan, and the Philippines] claimed in their joint statement that the exercise was to safeguard the "the rule of law that is the foundation for a peaceful and stable Indo-Pacific region," and to uphold "freedom of navigation and overflight." However, this is a complete falsehood. Every year, more than 100,000 ships and one-third of maritime trade pass through the South China Sea, and none have ever complained about China "obstructing freedom of navigation in the South China Sea." On the contrary, countries outside this region, such as the US, have frequently provoked tensions and shown off their military muscles in the South China Sea over the years, even without changing their excuses. What they want is not freedom of navigation, but the freedom to "act recklessly" and the freedom to use "salami-slicing" tactics in the South China Sea. This kind of "freedom" will only undermine regional peace and stability.

Therefore, there is no need for relevant parties and foreign media to speculate on the specific targets of the actions of the PLA every time. The naval and air forces and the fleet of the Southern Theater Command are able to respond to emergencies at any time. Whether it is routine patrols or this joint naval and air patrol, the goal of the PLA's actions in the South China Sea has always been very clear, that is, to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, security, and maritime rights, as well as to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea. If the concerned parties intend to escalate tensions in the South China Sea and undermine China's territorial and sovereign integrity, then they will become the PLA's target. This is not ambiguous and is the correct signal that the concerned parties should receive from the actions of the PLA. https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202404/1310167.shtml

The security of French citizens, foreign visitors and participants in the upcoming Paris Olympic Games may be jeopardized by the refusal of France to put geopolitical tensions aside and cooperate with Russia in the fight against terrorism. Russian Ambassador Aleksey Meshkov said “France has cut off all communication in this field. The facts are undeniable: today, France offers significant support to Ukraine in terms of information exchange, while Ukraine carries out terrorist activities in Russia (...) Russia shared its expertise during the Sochi Olympics. Today, however, the French authorities have set up a special mechanism to work with accredited embassies in Paris on security matters, but the Russian embassy has not been invited or informed." He promised that Russia will notify Paris if it receives information about a security threat. But communication will be difficult, because the embassy has been completely cut off from any exchange of information on the preparations for the Olympic Games. @LauraRuHK