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General Ukraine

Russian Advances Stalled in Donetsk

The fighting in the Donetsk region has entered an intensified phase, with direct clashes between Ukrainian and Russian military forces yielding outcomes that indicate Russia’s inability to advance in this sector. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces are successfully reclaiming territory.

On the Donetsk Front, in the Kurakhovo direction near the Andriyivka settlement, Russian forces launched a mechanized assault on Ukrainian positions today. However, the attack was repelled without success.

Ukrainian Armed Forces successfully neutralized Russian military assets, destroying one tank, two BMP-1/2 infantry fighting vehicles, five military transport vehicles, and eliminating 42 enemy infantry soldiers.

These developments underscore Ukraine’s battlefield advantage, particularly with the continuation of military assistance, which has contributed to the ongoing liberation of towns and villages.

General U.S.A

Trump signals that “unpredictable” Musk will be sacked from DOGE!

Donald Trump is telling his inner circle that Elon Musk will soon leave the team, Politico reported, citing three anonymous sources close to Trump. According to the sources, Trump is pleased with Musk and his “Department of Government Efficiency” initiative, but in recent days the two have agreed that it is time for Musk to return to his business and take on a supporting role.

According to them, the US president has shared this with his inner circle, including members of his cabinet. Musk will leave his current role in the coming weeks. The publication notes that many members of the Trump administration and external allies have become frustrated with Elon Musk’s unpredictability and increasingly consider him a political “shortcoming.” The transition will likely coincide with the expiration of Musk’s term as a “special government employee,” which temporarily exempts him from certain ethics and conflict-of-interest rules.

The 130-day period is expected to expire in late May or early June, the sources said.

General Hungary

Orban says Hungary will leave the ICC

Hungary has decided to leave the International Criminal Court because it believes it has turned into a political court in recent years, not a court based on the rule of law, but a political court, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said at a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

He said this was best illustrated by the court’s decision regarding Israel.

“I was the Prime Minister who actually signed the instrument of our accession to the International Criminal Court in 2000, and I have just signed the instrument of withdrawal from the court, because Hungary and the Hungarian government have decided that we will leave the International Criminal Court. The reason is that we are convinced that it has turned into a political court. In recent years, it is not a court based on the rule of law, but a political court. This has been shown most clearly by the decisions related to Israel,” Orbán noted.

He said that the Hungarian Foreign Minister had already submitted the relevant bill to parliament.

General Russia

“Russia Open to Economic Cooperation, Including with Western Companies – Peskov”.

According to the press secretary of the Russian President, Dmitry Peskov, Russia is ready for mutually beneficial cooperation with all states.

“Russia remains open to mutually beneficial cooperation with all states,” Peskov noted.

In addition, he said, the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum is open to those interested in economic cooperation with the Russian Federation.

“It is open precisely to those who are interested in economic relations,” Peskov noted.

According to him, foreign companies from Europe and the United States have previously expressed interest in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, but not publicly.

Russian media, citing the Roscongress Foundation, report that a number of American companies intend to participate in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, which will be held on June 18-21, and applications have already been accepted.

France Middle East

Macron holds emergency meeting on Iran’s nuclear program

French President Emmanuel Macron has convened an emergency meeting of the Council of Ministers, with the central agenda focusing on the escalating tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear program. This urgent deliberation underscores the growing geopolitical strain in the Middle East, where concerns over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions have once again reached a critical juncture.

Notably, France’s military posture in the region remains significant. The French Navy’s flagship, the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, is currently deployed in the Middle East as part of a strike group, positioning Paris as a key player in the unfolding crisis. While the precise nature of its role in any forthcoming large-scale military operations remains undisclosed, strategic assessments suggest that the carrier group could be involved in both defensive and offensive operations.

Historical precedents indicate that France has actively participated in regional defense measures. Last year, during a period of heightened hostilities, the French Navy and Air Force played a crucial role in neutralizing Iranian missile threats, particularly in coordination with Israel’s air defense systems. Given this backdrop, it is likely that the Charles de Gaulle strike group will once again be tasked with intercepting potential Iranian retaliatory strikes, ensuring the protection of allied assets in the region.

This latest development further highlights France’s strategic commitment to maintaining regional stability while reaffirming its position as a pivotal actor in European security policy. As Macron’s government navigates the complexities of diplomatic engagement and military preparedness, the coming days may prove crucial in determining France’s broader role in shaping the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East.

Middle East

Israel bombs central Syria

Last night, the Israeli Air Force carried out large-scale air strikes on the T4 air base in Hama province in central Syria, which levelled the air base’s infrastructure.

A few days ago, according to reports in Turkish media, the Turkish army was planning to enter the said base and deploy air defence equipment there, but Israeli actions did not delay and destroyed the air base.

According to Syrian media, the strikes killed members of the Syrian army, civilians and 3 Turkish engineers who were at the air base and preparing the base for the deployment of Turkish forces.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry has already condemned the Israeli strikes and accused them of violating the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

UK

Trump’s Tariffs Could Harm UK Trade, Business Secretary Warns

UK Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said the tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump pose a threat to the UK because they will damage global trade.

Speaking to Radio Times, Reynolds explained that anything that disrupts the global trading system poses a threat to the UK.

“Any barrier to trade, particularly between the UK and our main trading partner, which is the United States, is frustrating to me. It is a challenge. I recognise that the UK is in a better position than many other countries from what was announced last night, but I was still disappointed,” the minister said.

As a reminder, Donald Trump has announced a minimum basic tariff of 10% on almost all goods imported into the US. According to Trump’s decision, a 34% tariff will be imposed on China, 20% on the European Union, 46% on Vietnam, 32% on Taiwan, 24% on Japan, 26% on India, 25% on South Korea, 36% on Thailand, 31% on Switzerland, 32% on Indonesia, 24% on Malaysia, 10% on the United Kingdom, 17% on Israel, and 30% on South Africa.

Ukraine

The Flight of the Pumas!

Ukrainian officials report that the British Ministry of Defence is preparing to provide Puma HC2 military transport helicopters to Ukraine free of charge.

All twenty three of the UK’s Puma medium support helicopters, one of the RAF’s longest-serving aircraft, were retired on March 31, 2025. Eight of these helicopters have been modernised by Airbus, at a cost of £260m, and are scheduled to be flown to Ukraine.

Following the British Ministry of Defence’s decision, France is also considering transferring its decommissioned Pumas to Ukraine.

This military assistance is of great importance for Ukraine in terms of putting pressure on the Russian front lines, and could well change the status quo of the war in favour of Ukraine. The fact is clear: after Trump became president, the European continent has become more active in helping Ukraine.

You Missed

General Ukraine

Russian Advances Stalled in Donetsk

General U.S.A

Trump signals that “unpredictable” Musk will be sacked from DOGE!

General Hungary

Orban says Hungary will leave the ICC

General Russia

“Russia Open to Economic Cooperation, Including with Western Companies – Peskov”.