Latest news with #pro-Putin
Euractiv
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Euractiv
Italy split over pro-Putin conductor's concert
Italy split over pro-Putin conductor's concert ROME – Valery Gergiev, the world-renowned orchestra conductor with links to the Kremlin, prepares to perform at a state-backed music festival in southern Italy on 27 July despite mounting concern over his performance. Gergiev, the Kremlin's cultural envoy and longtime ally of Vladimir Putin, is set to perform at the 'Un'estate da Re' festival at the Royal Palace of Caserta later this month. 'Art must remain free,' said Italian Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano, while warning the concert risks 'sending the wrong message' amid current geopolitical tensions. Julija Navalnaya, widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, called Gergiev 'a promoter of Putin's criminal policies' and urged Italians to stand firm against Russian propaganda. Regional Governor Vincenzo De Luca, who supports the event, dismissed calls for cancellation, arguing that silencing voices 'does not help peace – it only fuels hatred.' For now, the concert remains on the programme. (cs) (Alessia Peretti)
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Opinion - Here's why Trump's inconsistent support for Ukraine is so dangerous
President Trump just took a partial step back from historic ignominy when it comes to the controversial issue of Ukraine. This Monday he announced with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte a two-step transaction by which the U.S. will build and sell to NATO Patriot anti-missile systems and other weapons that NATO will then provide to Ukraine for its defense against Russia's expanding invasion. Had Trump rejected NATO's compromise deal, avoiding further U.S. costs to defend Ukraine, and reverted to his openly pro-Putin posture, he would have forever tarnished his legacy — the same way Joe Biden's Afghanistan debacle destroyed his already dubious foreign policy reputation. The Trump administration last week said that the U.S. would 'pause' military weapons shipments for Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression, the second such interruption of aid that has taken place without the president's explicit consent. Now at least temporarily reversed, this action likely would have fatally weakened Ukraine's ability to fend off Russia's assault and guaranteed the continuation of Russian President Vladimir Putin's wanton cruelty. Trump called Russia's recent bombing onslaught on civilians 'unnecessary' and untimely, given his own plans for Ukraine, which remain undefined except that he wants the war ended on almost any terms. With the Biden-to-Trump transition, Ukraine and the world saw U.S. policy shift away from a contradictory approach of strong rhetorical support coupled with erratic military aid and constrained intelligence sharing. Biden's forever-stalemate strategy took a dramatic turn for the worse under Trump, thanks to his outright admiration for 'genius' Putin's aggressive agenda. Until now, Trump has acquiesced to Putin's mockery of his 'peace process,' and brazenly done what no other president has even considered in 250 years of U.S. history: He has openly sided with one of America's leading enemies in its victimization of a democratic friend. Even now, questions remain as to whether Ukraine will receive as many weapons as it needs and at the delivery rate needed. The new 50-day delay in threatened primary and secondary sanctions casts doubt on whether Trump's heart is really into getting tough with Putin, whom he has belatedly accused of sounding 'nice' but throwing a lot of 'bulls—.' The reprieve, as more Ukrainians die and cities are destroyed, allows Putin yet more time to deliver a death blow to Ukraine. The world may be witnessing a cynical Trump-Putin kabuki dance intended to be fatal for Ukraine. Meanwhile, Communist China and North Korea have been learning the true meaning of Trump's slogans about reviving American greatness. The laudable and long-overdue strike on Iran's nuclear weapons program did not erase what threatens to become, under Trump, the hollowing-out of Reagan's policy of resisting Russian expansionism. Counterintuitively, it is perfectly plausible for Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un to conclude that Trump's Iran operation makes him far less, not more, likely to consider using U.S. force to defend Taiwan, the Philippines or South Korea. Trump's reasoning might well be that the Iran strike has already proved his credentials as a commander in chief willing to use U.S. power in the national interest. Although the premise is sound, the perseverance of America's adversaries and the contrary message of weakness conveyed by his seeming Ukraine surrender up to now send a different message. Given his decidedly mixed record, Trump cannot afford to stand by if Beijing and Pyongyang choose to test his national security staying power. Trump has not yet endorsed the overthrow of Iran's terrorist regime. In fact, Trump has said he does 'not favor regime change in Iran' because of the 'chaos' it would cause. But he has twice cut off at the knees Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, while openly supporting Putin. In that strategic context, Xi and Kim will surely be tempted to advance their own aggressive regional plans. The interrelationship of the remaining Russia-China-North Korea entente manifests itself in various ways. Kim sent tens of thousands of North Korean soldiers to help push back Ukraine's surprise advance into Russia's Kursk region. This was undoubtedly done with Beijing's explicit encouragement, reminiscent of China's massive infusion of 'volunteers' into South Korea to thwart the allied counteroffensive during the Korean War. North Korean forces, while pushing the Ukrainians back from Kursk and gaining much-needed battlefield experience, suffered major losses and demonstrated both their strategic and tactical shortcomings — as well as the willingness of totalitarian rulers to use human lives as cannon fodder. Having entered into a 'no limits' strategic partnership with Putin just before his 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Xi arrogantly announced earlier this month that China 'can't accept' Russia's defeat. The statement, delivered by Foreign Minister Wang Yi, coincided ominously with Trump's announced second cut-off of support for Ukraine. Considering this latest unequivocal commitment to the success of Russia, Xi may well be signaling an intention to send Chinese forces to replenish Russia's depleted army. It was also striking that Beijing chose to make the outcome in Ukraine a matter of Chinese national interest. It will undoubtedly expect the same level of unlimited Russian support if it decides to move in the South China Sea. To discourage that kind of rash action, Trump needs to send a clear, Reaganesque message of deterrence to Putin and Xi that the U.S. will do whatever is necessary to protect the security of Ukraine, Taiwan, South Korea, the Philippines and America's other friends, allies and security partners. It's worth noting the commitments of China and North Korea to Russia' warmongering in Ukraine have overtones of the escalating domino effect that triggered World War I, with one major difference: Trump has made clear that, up to now at least, this U.S. president was on the side of the aligned aggressors. If Trump adheres to that wrong-headed posture, history will not treat him kindly, and the free world will pay a grievous price. Ukraine is already paying it now. Joseph Bosco served as China country director for the secretary of Defense from 2005 to 2006 and as Asia-Pacific director of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief from 2009 to 2010. He is a nonresident fellow at the Institute for Corean-American Studies, a member of the advisory board of the Global Taiwan Institute and member of the advisory board of The Vandenberg Coalition. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
15-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Here's why Trump's inconsistent support for Ukraine is so dangerous
President Trump just took a partial step back from historic ignominy when it comes to the controversial issue of Ukraine. This Monday he announced with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte a two-step transaction by which the U.S. will build and sell to NATO Patriot anti-missile systems and other weapons that NATO will then provide to Ukraine for its defense against Russia's expanding invasion. Had Trump rejected NATO's compromise deal, avoiding further U.S. costs to defend Ukraine, and reverted to his openly pro-Putin posture, he would have forever tarnished his legacy — the same way Joe Biden's Afghanistan debacle destroyed his already dubious foreign policy reputation. The Trump administration last week said that the U.S. would 'pause' military weapons shipments for Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression, the second such interruption of aid that has taken place without the president's explicit consent. Now at least temporarily reversed, this action likely would have fatally weakened Ukraine's ability to fend off Russia's assault and guaranteed the continuation of Russian President Vladimir Putin's wanton cruelty. Trump called Russia's recent bombing onslaught on civilians 'unnecessary' and untimely, given his own plans for Ukraine, which remain undefined except that he wants the war ended on almost any terms. With the Biden-to-Trump transition, Ukraine and the world saw U.S. policy shift away from a contradictory approach of strong rhetorical support coupled with erratic military aid and constrained intelligence sharing. Biden's forever-stalemate strategy took a dramatic turn for the worse under Trump, thanks to his outright admiration for 'genius' Putin's aggressive agenda. Until now, Trump has acquiesced to Putin's mockery of his 'peace process,' and brazenly done what no other president has even considered in 250 years of U.S. history: He has openly sided with one of America's leading enemies in its victimization of a democratic friend. Even now, questions remain as to whether Ukraine will receive as many weapons as it needs and at the delivery rate needed. The new 50-day delay in threatened primary and secondary sanctions casts doubt on whether Trump's heart is really into getting tough with Putin, whom he has belatedly accused of sounding 'nice' but throwing a lot of 'bulls—.' The reprieve, as more Ukrainians die and cities are destroyed, allows Putin yet more time to deliver a death blow to Ukraine. The world may be witnessing a cynical Trump-Putin kabuki dance intended to be fatal for Ukraine. Meanwhile, Communist China and North Korea have been learning the true meaning of Trump's slogans about reviving American greatness. The laudable and long-overdue strike on Iran's nuclear weapons program did not erase what threatens to become, under Trump, the hollowing-out of Reagan's policy of resisting Russian expansionism. Counterintuitively, it is perfectly plausible for Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un to conclude that Trump's Iran operation makes him far less, not more, likely to consider using U.S. force to defend Taiwan, the Philippines or South Korea. Trump's reasoning might well be that the Iran strike has already proved his credentials as a commander in chief willing to use U.S. power in the national interest. Although the premise is sound, the perseverance of America's adversaries and the contrary message of weakness conveyed by his seeming Ukraine surrender up to now send a different message. Given his decidedly mixed record, Trump cannot afford to stand by if Beijing and Pyongyang choose to test his national security staying power. Trump has not yet endorsed the overthrow of Iran's terrorist regime. In fact, Trump has said he does 'not favor regime change in Iran' because of the 'chaos' it would cause. But he has twice cut off at the knees Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, while openly supporting Putin. In that strategic context, Xi and Kim will surely be tempted to advance their own aggressive regional plans. The interrelationship of the remaining Russia-China-North Korea entente manifests itself in various ways. Kim sent tens of thousands of North Korean soldiers to help push back Ukraine's surprise advance into Russia's Kursk region. This was undoubtedly done with Beijing's explicit encouragement, reminiscent of China's massive infusion of 'volunteers' into South Korea to thwart the allied counteroffensive during the Korean War. North Korean forces, while pushing the Ukrainians back from Kursk and gaining much-needed battlefield experience, suffered major losses and demonstrated both their strategic and tactical shortcomings — as well as the willingness of totalitarian rulers to use human lives as cannon fodder. Having entered into a 'no limits' strategic partnership with Putin j ust before his 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Xi arrogantly announced earlier this month that China 'can't accept' Russia's defeat. The statement, delivered by Foreign Minister Wang Yi, coincided ominously with Trump's announced second cut-off of support for Ukraine. Considering this latest unequivocal commitment to the success of Russia, Xi may well be signaling an intention to send Chinese forces to replenish Russia's depleted army. It was also striking that Beijing chose to make the outcome in Ukraine a matter of Chinese national interest. It will undoubtedly expect the same level of unlimited Russian support if it decides to move in the South China Sea. To discourage that kind of rash action, Trump needs to send a clear, Reaganesque message of deterrence to Putin and Xi that the U.S. will do whatever is necessary to protect the security of Ukraine, Taiwan, South Korea, the Philippines and America's other friends, allies and security partners. It's worth noting the commitments of China and North Korea to Russia' warmongering in Ukraine have overtones of the escalating domino effect that triggered World War I, with one major difference: Trump has made clear that, up to now at least, this U.S. president was on the side of the aligned aggressors. If Trump adheres to that wrong-headed posture, history will not treat him kindly, and the free world will pay a grievous price. Ukraine is already paying it now. Joseph Bosco served as China country director for the secretary of Defense from 2005 to 2006 and as Asia-Pacific director of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief from 2009 to 2010. He is a nonresident fellow at the Institute for Corean-American Studies, a member of the advisory board of the Global Taiwan Institute and member of the advisory board of The Vandenberg Coalition.
Scottish Sun
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Putin stooges DELIGHT in brazen daylight assassination of Ukrainian spy chief – and all but confirm Vlad was behind hit
VLADIMIR Putin stooges have expressed their delight in the brazen daylight assassination of the Ukrainian spy cheap - and all but confirmed the Russia dictator was behind it. Colonel Ivan Voronich, head of an SBU intelligence Special Operations Centre was executed by an assassin with a pistol and silencer, sparking a manhunt after his killer vanished in Ukrainian capital Kyiv. Advertisement 7 SBU Colonel Ivan Voronych, 50, lies dead in a car park after being assassinated 7 Voronych, circled, the moment before he is shot and collapses against a car Credit: East2West 7 Voronych had just left his block of flats with shopping bags Credit: East2West 7 Putin holds a meeting on education issues at the Kremlin in Moscow today Credit: AFP 7 Voronich is understood to have plotted sensitive missions made to thwart Vladimir Putin's war machine - as well as embarrass the Russian tyrant. Now pro-Putin media sites are claiming Moscow's special services assassinated the Ukrainian colonel - and revelling in it. Mad Vlad is believed to have ordered the revenge hits himself after being humiliated by the stunning success of Operation Spiderweb in June in which destroyed £5.2 billion worth of Russian warplanes. Ukrainian SBU agents smuggled drones on trucks to within striking distance of air bases and launched incredible simultaneous remotely controlled attacks. Advertisement Moscow news outlet Readovka said Voronych was part of an elite Ukrainian clandestine force which had carried out operations inside Russia. Readovka said the unit 'operates not only as a law enforcement entity but also takes part in highly sensitive operations on Russian territory'. Another Russian outlet Voenkor Kotenok TG said the colonel had 'founded a division that causes problems for Russia'. And a different pro-Putin propaganda channel boasted: 'A fat target. Applause to the liquidators'. Advertisement Russian commentator Maksim Kalashnikov said: 'In Kyiv, Colonel Voronich, one of the organisers of special operations against us, a chief saboteur, was shot dead. 'Our people have started working.' Former SBU colonel Roman Chervinsky, once head of the 5th Directorate of the SBU Counterintelligence Department, said Voronych's killing amounted to a 'huge loss'. He was said to have 'initiated a direction in the [SBU] service that is now creating many problems for the Russians.'. Advertisement 'With five shots at close range, while leaving the apartment, today at 8 am, the enemy killer did his dirty work.' Colonel Voronich was a senior operative of the 1st Division of the 16th Directorate of the Special Operations Centre. Footage shows the moment he was killed as he carried bags from a residential building. He was ambushed by the waiting gunman - who was masked - as a woman fled the scene. Advertisement The assassin is then seen running away on video. Colonel Voronich was a senior operative of the 1st Division of the 16th Directorate of the Special Operations Centre. 7 The masked assassin fled from the scene Credit: East2West 7 Pro-Kremlin media is claiming the hit was organised by Moscow special services Credit: East2West Advertisement Ukrainian ex-MP Ihor Mosiychuk said: 'As a result of the shooting, the victim sustained multiple penetrating gunshot wounds and died at the scene.' A major manhunt was underway for the alleged assassin. Ukrainian police said: "All circumstances of the incident are currently being established. Measures are being taken to identify and detain the shooter.' Putin wants SBU blood after a string of successes exposed the weaknesses in the security of his military machine. Advertisement Notable military successes since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022 including the sinking of the flagship of Russia's Black Sea fleet, the Moskva, and the bombing of the Kerch Bridge. A missile attack on Sevastopol harbour the following year also wreaked havoc but the tyrant finally demanded action after Spiderweb decimated his nuclear bomber fleet.
The Irish Sun
10-07-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Putin stooges DELIGHT in brazen daylight assassination of Ukrainian spy chief – and all but confirm Vlad was behind hit
VLADIMIR Putin stooges have expressed their delight in the brazen daylight assassination of the Ukrainian spy cheap - and all but confirmed the Russia dictator was behind it. Colonel Ivan Voronich, head of an Special Operations Centre was Advertisement 7 SBU Colonel Ivan Voronych, 50, lies dead in a car park after being assassinated 7 Voronych, circled, the moment before he is shot and collapses against a car Credit: East2West 7 Voronych had just left his block of flats with shopping bags Credit: East2West 7 Putin holds a meeting on education issues at the Kremlin in Moscow today Credit: AFP 7 Voronich is understood to have plotted sensitive missions made to thwart - as well as embarrass the Russian tyrant. Now pro-Putin media sites are claiming Moscow's special services assassinated the Ukrainian colonel - and revelling in it. Mad Vlad is believed to have ordered the revenge hits himself after being humiliated by the stunning success of in June in which destroyed £5.2 billion worth of Russian warplanes. Ukrainian SBU agents smuggled drones on trucks to within striking distance of air bases and launched incredible simultaneous remotely controlled attacks. Advertisement read more news Moscow news outlet Readovka said Voronych was part of an elite Ukrainian clandestine force which had carried out operations inside Russia. Readovka said the unit 'operates not only as a law enforcement entity but also takes part in highly sensitive operations on Russian territory'. Another Russian outlet Voenkor Kotenok TG said the colonel had 'founded a division that causes problems for Russia'. And a different pro-Putin propaganda channel boasted: 'A fat target. Applause to the liquidators'. Advertisement Most read in The US Sun Russian commentator Maksim Kalashnikov said: 'In Kyiv, Colonel Voronich, one of the organisers of special operations against us, a chief saboteur, was shot dead. 'Our people have started working.' Former SBU colonel Roman Chervinsky, once head of the 5th Directorate of the SBU Counterintelligence Department, said Voronych's killing amounted to a 'huge loss'. He was said to have 'initiated a direction in the [SBU] service that is now creating many problems for the Russians.'. Advertisement 'With five shots at close range, while leaving the apartment, today at 8 am, the enemy killer did his dirty work.' Colonel Voronich was a senior operative of the 1st Division of the 16th Directorate of the Special Operations Centre. Footage shows the moment he was killed as he carried bags from a residential building. He was ambushed by the waiting gunman - who was masked - as a woman fled the scene. Advertisement The assassin is then seen running away on video. Colonel Voronich was a senior operative of the 1st Division of the 16th Directorate of the Special Operations Centre. 7 The masked assassin fled from the scene Credit: East2West 7 Pro-Kremlin media is claiming the hit was organised by Moscow special services Credit: East2West Advertisement Ukrainian ex-MP Ihor Mosiychuk said: 'As a result of the shooting, the victim sustained multiple penetrating gunshot wounds and died at the scene.' A major manhunt was underway for the alleged assassin. Ukrainian police said: "All circumstances of the incident are currently being established. Measures are being taken to identify and detain the shooter.' Putin wants SBU blood after a string of successes exposed the weaknesses in the security of his military machine. Advertisement Notable military successes since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022 including the sinking of the flagship of Russia's Black Sea fleet, the Moskva, and the bombing of the Kerch Bridge. A missile attack on Sevastopol harbour the following year also wreaked havoc but the tyrant finally demanded action after Spiderweb decimated his nuclear bomber fleet. Ukraine's SBU EXCLUSIVE by DEEP behind enemy lines, Ukraine's special ops unit marked a turning point in modern warfare after drones blitzed Vladimir Putin's prized bombers beyond repair. Ukraine's Security Service - the SBU - is wiping out the Russian tyrant's war machine with stunning success. In early June, the SBU's It set a new high point for Ukraine's spies - showing incredible ingenuity, reach, and coordination inside a hostile country. The SBU, led by Vasyl Malyuk, Over the three years of the war, the SBU has repeatedly assassinated commanders, bombed key sites, and attacked Putin's beloved bridge in Crimea. Despite Russia being larger, stronger, and holding the cards at the start of the war - it is Ukraine who has carried out a string of daring sabotage attacks. Experts told The Sun why they think Ukraine and the SBU has been able to pull off these attacks - and what they could strike next. Former MI6 intelligence officer Matthew Dunn said Spiderweb showed the SBU were the best spies in Europe. He said: "Being an intelligence officer, there's no static, fixed rule book about what one does." One question the world has been left asking is how Ukraine managed to get the drones inside Russia. The bestselling spy novelist and podcast host at SafeHouse Productions said there is no clear answer. He said: "The commanders involved in this at high level, they would have been very open-minded about how to get these drones into the country." Dunn said SBU spies could have smuggled drones over the border on foot, via parachute, or even a raft - whatever was the safest and easiest way. He said: "The intelligence operation and the officers involved would have been as creative as possible. "The issue is, the more people you involve... the higher the risk of compromise. "Sometimes with these kind of things, risky and daring as they can be, sometimes simplicity is the answer."
