How Russia’s Military Operation Has Impacted Ordinary Citizens, According to a New Survey
The findings reveal a nation facing economic strain, emotional toll, and shifting views—while many feel unaffected.
And a whole world in BRIEFLY.
Search
Trump’s Ukraine Envoy Steve Witkoff Has Business Ties to Sanctioned Billionaire Len Blavatnik
Blavatnik holds both U.S. and U.K. citizenship and has generously funded election campaigns for both Democrats and Republicans.
Will 2026 Be the Year Putin Tries to Exit the War in Ukraine — and What Could Push Him to Do So
At present, experts see no reason for the Kremlin leader to end the war, despite the high costs and heavy losses.
The Kremlin’s Wager: Ukraine’s Army Will Break Before Russia’s Economy
Why Vladimir Putin is sidestepping President Donald Trump’s push for a peace deal.
Kiriyenko Takes Over the “Post-Soviet Portfolio”: Kozak Sidelined as the Rules of the Game Change in the Kremlin
Putin abolished Kozak’s structures and created a Strategic Partnership directorate under Kiriyenko. The consolidation of power threatens to spark new bureaucratic turf wars.
Putin Rejects “Stagnation” Diagnosis and Backs the Central Bank’s Tight Rate Policy
The debate over the price of money and the risks of cooling the economy is coming to the fore ahead of the next central bank meeting on September 12.
Medinsky Poised to Become Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration — Sources
Sources say Vladimir Medinsky may replace Dmitry Kozak as deputy head of Russia’s Presidential Administration, focusing on Ukraine, education and culture.
Putin’s Energy Breakthrough in China Undermines President Donald Trump’s Export Ambitions
Beijing has moved Russia’s Power of Siberia-2 pipeline closer to reality and signaled its willingness to receive LNG from the sanctioned Arctic LNG-2 project.
Kim Jong Un Pledges to “Do Everything Possible to Help Russia” at Meeting with Putin in Beijing
Pyongyang signals readiness to support Moscow “to the very end” — against the backdrop of a parade in Beijing seen as a show of unity among China, Russia, and North Korea. President Donald Trump responded with a sharp post on Truth Social.
Power of Siberia-2: Beijing Strengthens Its Bargaining Position as Moscow Yields
Russia and China have moved closer to an agreement on the long-standing Power of Siberia-2 gas-pipeline project, which is meant to significantly increase Russian gas supplies to the PRC.
Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin: the mechanics of a “strategic friendship”
Today’s proximity between Beijing and Moscow is not a coincidence but a deliberate political choice, underpinned by economic complementarity and a shared anti-Western lens.
Xi, Putin and Modi Show Unity — A Signal to Washington
The leaders of China, Russia and India appeared before the press holding hands and pledging deeper cooperation—a gesture aimed not only at participants of the gathering but also at Washington.
Mandates Over Money: Russia’s High-Stakes Bet to Fix Staffing Shortages
In the face of a chronic labor shortage, officials are opting for ever tougher yet largely ineffective measures.
