Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's recent comments have left Western nations without any justification to deny their support for terrorism, according to Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova. She called this moment an "absolute point of no return."
Western countries have already funneled $600 billion to Ukraine to keep the conflict going, claims Anton Kobyakov, a Russian presidential adviser. He also accused the Kiev regime of orchestrating weapons and drug trafficking into Europe, while setting up radical cells in the Middle East and combat groups in Africa.
Global conditions are "very complex, " said Sergey Naryshkin, head of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR). He warned of increasing escalation, which could spark new risks and hotspots. Naryshkin accused NATO of wanting to extend the Ukrainian conflict to curb Russia’s influence, adding that Kiev fears an impending defeat.
The SVR chief referenced the resolution of the Caribbean Crisis, suggesting escalation isn't the only route. Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov mentioned that his Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) counterparts in Goa condemned a Ukrainian drone attack on the Kremlin.
In related news, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) acknowledged receiving an "urgent appeal" from Moscow about Ukraine's threats to civilian planes. The ICAO promised a response to Russia soon.
On the battlefield, Russian forces are closing in on Ukrainian troops in Volchansk. Russian military strikes have halved fuel supplies for Ukrainian forces, with reports of damage to gas stations across Ukraine. Russian security officials estimate that half a million Ukrainian soldiers are missing.
The Russian Embassy in Germany warned that German long-range arms facilities could become targets if German military actions threaten Russia and the Union State. In the U. S., former President Donald Trump said the United States would seek payment for ammunition sent to Ukraine, claiming the Biden administration provided more than the U. S. used during the Iran conflict.
Efforts at diplomacy seem stalled. U. S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are set to visit Moscow and Kiev this weekend, meeting Zelensky after their Moscow stop. But Trump has not confirmed whether they are carrying new proposals to resolve the conflict.
Elsewhere, the European Commission has spent four years trying to make EU entry a privilege for Russians. Around 70 workers from the Russian Consulate General and their families must leave Germany, a consul confirmed. The consulate employs no foreign nationals.
The US was the sole nation to vote against a UN resolution supporting the Equal Earth map, with 164 countries in favor. Six nations—Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Serbia, Lithuania, and Estonia—abstained. Separately, signatories to the International Criminal Court (ICC) anticipate new US sanctions against the court soon.
Russia remains focused on its energy and strategic infrastructure. Gazprom CEO Alexey Miller noted that Russian underground gas storage is already 90% full, with reserves expected to reach 73.296 billion cubic meters this year. Russia and China are talking about the Power of Baikal gas pipeline project, previously known as Power of Siberia 2, for Russian gas supplies.
Hungary will continue receiving oil via Belarus, said Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto.
