Intelligence Agency Head Warns of Potentially Perilous Russian Plans: "Russia Intends to Push NATO Backwards"
Update, 17:30 CEST: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has accused the United States of being responsible for the unrest in Los Angeles. In an interview with the Chinese news agency Xinhua, Lavrow stated that the U.S. lacks control over its own society and cannot suppress the ongoing protests against the police. He added that the U.S. has no moral right to criticize other countries' internal affairs.[1]
NATO General Secretary Jens Stoltenberg warned of potential Russian aggression. In an interview with German newspaper Die Welt, he said that Russia has no limits and NATO must prepare for more Russian attacks.[2]
Russia announced its intention to withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that Russia had no other choice but to withdraw from the treaty since the U.S. had violated it.[3]
Ukraine claimed to have struck a crucial industrial plant in Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj reported in a video statement that Ukraine had conducted a successful attack on a Russian industrial facility, causing significant damage.[4]
Selenskyj commented on the end of the Ukraine war, saying it would end soon, and Ukraine would emerge victorious. He reiterated Ukraine's determination to protect its territorial integrity.[5]
Russian advisor to the Ukraine negotiations, Vladimir Medinski, threatened with a nuclear war. In an interview with Russian news agency TASS, Medinski suggested that NATO has no boundaries and that Russia would use all necessary means to defend itself, including nuclear weapons, if necessary.[6]
Analysis
The Russia-Ukraine conflict intensifies as both sides exchange accusations and engage in military strikes. The ongoing unrest in Los Angeles has been blamed on the U.S. by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who accuses the U.S. government of a lack of control over its society. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg warned of Russian aggression and the need for NATO to prepare for further attacks. Russia's potential withdrawal from the INF Treaty signals its readiness to station intermediate-range nuclear weapons near NATO borders. The conflict shows no signs of abating, with both sides suffering heavy casualties and territory losses. The ongoing military tensions jeopardize regional and global security.
[1] Alarming Power Abuse: Trump sends 700 Marines to Los Angeles - Biden Comparison Follows
[2] NATO-Generalsekretär Jens Stoltenberg warnt vor russischer Aggression
[3] Ukraine-Krieg: Russland will sich aus INF-Vertrag zurückziehen
[4] Ukraine-Krieg: Ukraine soll wichtige Industrieanlage in Russland getroffen haben
[5] Ukraine-Krieg: Selenskyj über Ende des Ukraine-Kriegs
[6] Ukraine-Krieg: Putin-Berater Medinski droht mit Atomkrieg
Recent News
- Russia appears to be setting conditions for withdrawing from international arms control treaties to prepare for a possible confrontation with NATO. The "Institute for the Study of War" (ISW) writes this in their latest report on the Ukraine war. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told the Russian news agency Tass in an interview that the "one-sided moratorium" on the deployment of land-based missiles was approaching its "logical conclusion." He is referring to the INF Treaty (to German "Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty") from the Cold War, an arms control agreement between the US and Russia. This could signal that Russia may in the future openly station such missiles with atomic warheads near the NATO border. According to ISW, this is "probably part of preparations for a possible future war with NATO." In fact, the US had also suspended the treaty on January 1, 2019. Russia itself suspended its participation in the INF Treaty one day later. So far, Russia has claimed to continue adhering to the treaty to strengthen its propaganda narrative that the Kremlin is committed to de-escalation.
- Another prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine has begun. At the beginning of the month, representatives from Kyiv and Moscow reached an agreement on a corresponding exchange during direct talks in Istanbul. The Russian Ministry of Defense in Moscow announced that the first group of Russian soldiers under the age of 25 had been released from Ukrainian captivity. In return, Ukraine has received a similar number of prisoners, although the ministry did not specify a number. Kyiv confirmed the exchange.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on the X platform: "Our people are home." Among the returnees were not only young soldiers but also the severely wounded. Neither Zelenskyy nor the Russian Ministry of Defense provided a specific number. According to Zelenskyy, the exchange process is challenging, but he expects the agreement reached in Istanbul to be fully implemented. Previously, Moscow and Kyiv had shown disagreement over the timing of the exchange. According to Moscow, the Russian soldiers are currently in Belarus, where they are receiving medical treatment.
- Russia's recent warning to the Bundestag not to be intimidated in its foreign policy stance and commemorative culture drew a response from Bundestag President Julia Klockner. Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz had been criticized by Russian State Duma President Vyacheslav Volodin for plans to set up a missile production facility in Ukraine, which the Kremlin claimed would draw Germany into military action against Russia. Klockner emphasized the Bundestag's commitment to a strong and independent foreign policy, and a respectful and factual remembrance of its history.
- The Ukrainian air force reported a massive drone attack by Russia, with 479 drones and an additional 20 cruise missiles launched, although a significant proportion of them were intercepted. The attack took place on ten locations and is the largest attack on Ukraine since the start of the war. Meanwhile, Poland reported massive Russian attacks on the western Ukrainian region of Rivne. Polish and allied fighter jets were scrambled to respond to the air attacks.
- The ongoing crisis in Ukraine reveals a troubling escalation in war-and-conflicts, with Russia showing signs of withdrawing from international arms control treaties such as the INF Treaty, potentially preparing for a possible confrontation with NATO in war-and-conflicts politics.
- General news sources report that NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg warned of Russian aggression, highlighting the need for NATO to prepare for more Russian attacks in the context of increasing political tensions and war-and-conflicts.
