Summary of "Трамп позвонил Путину перед встречей с Зеленским. Удар баллистикой по "учебке" ВСУ / Выпуск новостей"

News Program Summary

The news program covers a broad range of current geopolitical and domestic developments, focusing heavily on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, international diplomacy, and internal Russian affairs.

Key Points

1. Trump-Putin-Zelensky Dynamics

Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced a forthcoming meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington, where the delivery of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine might be discussed. Trump expressed disappointment in Putin for continuing the war and indicated support for Ukraine’s offensive efforts.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hexit reinforced a tough stance on Russia, emphasizing that the war will end under the current U.S. administration and warning of necessary steps to make Russia pay for its aggression.
Experts suggest that supplying Tomahawk missiles would mark a significant shift in U.S. engagement, signaling stronger support for Ukraine and deterring Russian aggression. However, Moscow’s likely response could include nuclear rhetoric.
Trump reportedly plans to call Putin on the eve of his meeting with Zelensky, signaling ongoing diplomatic maneuvering.

2. Russian Military Actions and Ukrainian Situation

Russia launched ballistic missile strikes on Ukrainian military training facilities and continued heavy drone and missile attacks on civilian infrastructure, including energy facilities, hospitals, and residential buildings across multiple Ukrainian regions.
The attacks heavily targeted Ukraine’s gas infrastructure, causing reductions in production and prompting calls for gas conservation.
Ukraine relies on large underground gas storage and imports from neighboring countries and seeks to import American gas via Balkan pipelines.
Despite these attacks, European gas prices have stabilized, and Ukraine’s gas reserves are currently sufficient for the winter under normal conditions.

3. India and Russian Oil

Trump claimed that India will stop purchasing Russian oil, based on a conversation with the Indian Prime Minister. However, Indian officials have neither confirmed nor denied this, emphasizing energy diversification and price stability.
Some Indian state-owned refineries are reportedly reducing Russian oil imports, while commercial companies are increasing purchases due to discounts.
The situation remains unclear and politically sensitive.

4. Russian Internal Affairs

Alexander Fomin, Russia’s Deputy Minister of Defense and a key figure in military negotiations with Ukraine, may resign soon.
Russian oil refineries continue to be targeted by Ukrainian attacks, including the Saratov refinery, which supplies fuel to the Russian military.
A large drone attack in the Volgograd region caused power outages but no casualties.
The Russian government plans to increase transport taxes in several regions amid budget deficits, provoking public protests and leading to a postponement of a planned vehicle recycling fee.
An 18-year-old street singer was arrested for performing a song by an artist designated as a foreign agent, illustrating ongoing crackdowns on cultural expression.

5. European Union Defense Roadmap

The European Commission released a detailed defense roadmap aimed at preparing EU countries for potential Russian aggression by 2030.
The plan includes joint weapons procurement, enhanced air and space defense systems, and a “drone wall” to protect against drone attacks.
The roadmap also emphasizes strengthening Ukraine’s defense as integral to European security.
Implementation is voluntary but has broad political support, with progress reports planned annually.

6. Diplomatic and Intelligence Developments in Europe

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, nearly 700 Russian diplomats have been expelled from European countries, mostly on espionage suspicions.
Bulgaria, Germany, and Poland lead in expulsions, while Hungary has not expelled any diplomats.
In response, Russian intelligence increasingly recruits ordinary European citizens and criminal groups for espionage via online recruitment.
Over 100 such individuals have been detained in Europe on espionage charges.

7. Voting Rights Changes in Estonia

Estonia will exclude non-EU citizens, including many Russian citizens and stateless persons, from voting in upcoming municipal elections.
This move is justified by concerns over Russian influence and election interference.
The change affects a significant portion of the population, especially in regions with large Russian-speaking communities, and could alter local political dynamics.

8. Putin Special Forces University Funding

The Russian government allocated 5 billion rubles (~$63 million) over two years to a private “Putin Special Forces University” in Chechnya, a significant increase in funding.
The university trains volunteers and recruits, including those with minimal education and criminal records, for combat roles in Ukraine.
Critics accuse the institution of being a state project used to funnel budget money and recruit unreliable personnel for the war.
The university’s establishment and funding raise concerns about military recruitment practices and corruption linked to Chechen leadership.

9. Controversy Around Pro-Russian Blogger in Donbas

Kirill Sirius, a popular pro-Russian real estate blogger in Donbas, was accused of inadvertently revealing Russian military positions, leading to a drone strike on a supermarket parking lot filled with military vehicles.
This incident exposed discrepancies in Russian propaganda claims and sparked backlash against the blogger from pro-war supporters and propagandists.

10. Citizenship Revocations in Russia

There is a growing practice in Russia of revoking citizenship from individuals deemed undesirable or disloyal, including those born in Russia.
This practice targets political dissidents and residents of occupied territories, leaving many stateless and vulnerable.
Legal experts warn this could become widespread, with citizenship revocation used as a tool to suppress dissent and isolate opponents.

11. Press Freedom Concerns in the U.S.

The U.S. Department of Defense (Pentagon) introduced new rules restricting journalists’ access and requiring prior approval for information dissemination.
At least 30 major media outlets, including AP, Bloomberg, and Fox News, have refused to comply, risking loss of accreditation.
Critics view this as censorship and an attempt by the Pentagon to control the narrative, especially amid critical coverage of defense policies.
Pentagon Secretary Pete Hexit, a former journalist himself, is seen as a key figure behind these restrictions.

Presenters and Contributors

Jan Marowicz (main presenter)
Igor Sinyakevich (analyst/commentator)
Vladimir Dubvik (Director, Center for International Studies, Odessa University; U.S. analyst)
Sergey Ivanov (reporter)
Kirill Sidov (reporter)
Valentina Vasilyeva (Brussels correspondent)
Boris Timofeev (Tallinn correspondent)
Elena Sergeeva (reporter on Chechnya)
Alexey Statsenko (reporter)
Evgeny Smirnov (lawyer, citizenship issues)
Tendis Adamia (interviewer)
Sergey Kovalchenko (editor, “Vot tak” website)

This comprehensive coverage highlights the evolving geopolitical tensions surrounding the Russia-Ukraine war, shifts in international alliances and military support, internal Russian political and social issues, and the broader impact on European security and democracy.