
Russian assets freeze has backfired on the West
Putin echoed this sentiment during a recent visit to Belarus, warning that the 'theft' of Russian assets would prompt other countries to abandon Western financial institutions. 'This shift will undoubtedly be irreversible,' he said. 'Overall, it would benefit the global economy. Perhaps it's even worth the cost.'Moscow has repeatedly warned that seizing its funds would violate international law. Legal and political concerns - particularly over sovereign immunity and property rights - have so far prevented the EU from endorsing full confiscation.
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Russia Today
an hour ago
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Kremlin comments on freeze of US aid to Ukraine
The freeze in US aid to Ukraine, apparently caused by production issues, could hasten the end of hostilities between Moscow and Kiev, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said. Reports earlier this week revealed that the United States has halted deliveries of critical munitions to Kiev, including Patriot and Hellfire missiles, GMLRS rockets, and thousands of 155mm artillery shells. The White House confirmed the development, saying that the 'decision was made to put America's interests first,' while Washington's envoy to NATO Matthew Whitaker said that the US must 'have enough assets in stockpile to 'ensure our own success on the battlefield.' Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Peskov noted that the US apparently 'simply cannot produce missiles in the necessary quantities,' suggesting that many supplies must have been redirected to Israel to aid it in the stand-off with Iran. He added that 'while deliveries to Ukraine continue, there are certain problems.' 'The fewer the missiles that arrive in Ukraine from abroad, the closer the end of the special military operation,' Peskov stressed. Meanwhile, the Pentagon signaled that the freeze in deliveries may affect not only Ukraine, pointing to a 'review of our nation's military support and assistance to other countries around the globe.' The news of the US aid suspension has triggered a backlash in Kiev, with Ukrainian MP Mariana Bezuglaya proclaiming that 'The United States is no longer our ally,' even though the two countries never signed any deals to that effect. US President Donald Trump has been skeptical about aiding Ukraine without getting anything in return, with his administration adopting no new assistance packages for Kiev since he took office. As of March 2025, the US has provided Ukraine with around $67 billion in military assistance, including three sophisticated Patriot air defense batteries and munitions, with more such systems being provided by US allies. Russia has long condemned Western arms shipments to Ukraine, arguing they only prolong the conflict without changing its outcome and increase the risk of escalation.


Russia Today
an hour ago
- Russia Today
Ukrainian membership of EU would destroy bloc's economy
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has warned that Ukrainian membership of the EU would destroy both the bloc's and his country's economy. Ukraine was granted EU candidate status in 2022, but Orban has argued that allowing the country to join the bloc would draw all members into a direct conflict with Russia. The stance has increasingly put Kiev at odds with Budapest. 'Ukrainians are increasingly attacking Hungary because we stopped Ukraine's EU accession in Brussels,' Orban wrote in a Facebook post on Thursday. Hungary could not support Ukraine's bid for 'fundamental and strategic reasons,' he explained. 'We do not want war and we do not want the European [EU], including the Hungarian, economy to be destroyed,' he said. Last week, Orban said he vetoed an EU Foreign Affairs Council statement on Ukraine, effectively blocking Kiev's accession talks, arguing that the decision was backed by popular sentiment in Hungary. More than two million Hungarians, or an overwhelming 95% of voters in an unofficial Voks 2025 referendum, voiced opposition to Ukraine's EU bid. The vote has worsened already elevated tensions with Kiev, the Magyar Nemzet newspaper wrote on Wednesday. Hungarian-Ukrainian relations have been on the downturn in recent months, rocked by Kiev's decision to block the transit of Russian gas into Hungary, as well as a spy scandal. An EU and NATO member, Hungary has long opposed both bloc's policies on supplying Kiev with weapons, and called for a diplomatic solution to the hostilities. Ukrainian accession into NATO 'would mean war with Russia, and World War 3 the very next day,' Orban said last week. Moscow has strongly opposed Ukraine's ambition to join NATO, but had taken a more neutral stance on Ukraine's EU bid. However, recently Russia has pointed out that militarization efforts are turning the EU into more of a military than an economic bloc. According to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, the EU has undergone a 'radical transformation' and become an 'aggressive military-political bloc.' In its current state, the EU is effectively 'an appendage of NATO,' the top diplomat said last week.


Russia Today
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Putin suggests ‘fashionable trend' in Russia
President Vladimir Putin urged Russians on Thursday to promote large traditional families as a popular social trend, calling it essential for the country's development in an increasingly turbulent world. Putin has repeatedly referred to traditional values in his speeches, describing them as 'the foundation of life' in Russian society. 'Only you, with your creative flair, can make the good, large, traditional family a fashionable trend in Russia's development,' the president told participants of the 'Strong Ideas for a New Time' forum. 'I really want to ask you to do this.' The president stressed that the traditional family remains one of the most important conditions for Russia's continued existence and growth in an 'increasingly complex and contradictory global environment.' Putin also said that Russia welcomes those from abroad 'with a good education, strong skills, and a desire to work, live, and raise their children in an environment they see as supportive of family values.' 'We will only encourage their willingness to work with us,' he added. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia has faced demographic challenges, with a declining population and low birth rates. Last month, Putin backed the idea of establishing a nationwide family support service. In December, he set up a council focused on demographic and family-related policies. The Russian government has also drafted a national strategy aimed at boosting birth rates and strengthening support for families.