I was in Dnipro today. A missile hit this building earlier this year. 46 people burned and evaporated.
Dnipro is close to the border and missiles can come any time without warning.
Yesterday, there was an attack and more people died.
But the city lives. 1/
Just next to the destroyed building there is a new development full of live. 2/
There is beautiful architecture and art 3/
People open and operate upscale stores, designed by Ukrainians, and giving a shockingly different vibe. 4/
The authorities put up shelters around the city so that people can get to some kind of safer if there is no warning attack. 5/
The city is clean, garbage collection is working. 6/
They appear to be playful and in good mood. But the moment you talk to them you see trauma, fear, exhausting, commitment, resilience and anger. All at once. 7/
The drinks are innovative. This is a lemonade with raspberries. 8/
Our waiter was giving attitude :))9/
I have not slept well for weeks now, but even my mood got lighten up. 10/
And the colors of the city are beautiful. 11/
Dnipro city is wonderful, and it is horrible crime what Russians are doing to it. There are good people in Dnipro, goof humans, who want to live free. Without Russia. And it will happen. 12X
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
The biggest destructive force is Iran's regime, which caused suffering in Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, Iraq, and Yemen — a sharp contrast to the Arabian Peninsula's path.
1/
Trump: We just reached a historic trade deal with the UK, and a breakthrough with China. China’s agreed to open up to the U.S. for trade — now it’s about finalizing the details. Great meetings with both countries.
2/
Trump: I thank Saudi Arabia for their constructive role in facilitating Ukraine talks. You've been amazing and made everything available to us.
If we settle this, we'll pay a special tribute to what you've done. You laid great groundwork.
If Trump wants to hurt Putin's war machine, he should tighten, not ease, sanctions on Russia's tantalum imports, says David Axe in Telegraph.
Russia's weapons production depends on this rare mineral. Its factories need 4.5 tons but have just 2, with no means to close the gap. 1/
Previous sanctions disrupted Russia’s tantalum supply after Kazakhstan blocked the facility that processed imported raw material from Africa, China and South America.
Russian domestic deposits are limited and lack the technology to produce high-grade powder. 2/
Russian industry attempts to bypass sanctions by purchasing "dual-use" tantalum components through intermediaries [in countries outside the sanctions regime].
The parts arrive slowly, at higher cost, but can still be used in missiles, drones and radios. 3/
It is interesting that even Hungary is preparing for war
Despite claims to be the EU’s “party of peace,” a leaked tape shows Hungary’s defense minister admitting they’ve entered “phase zero toward war” explained Telex.
1/
The tape, recorded in April 2023, features Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky:
The fifth Orbán government has decided to build a truly potent, combat-capable Hungarian Defence Force. That means breaking with our previous peace activities.
2/
He continues: We’re at phase zero on the road toward war.
Military experts told this is not a technical term, but a political one. It signals that Hungary is shifting from NATO peacekeeping to national defense.
3/
Putin: In Ukraine, unlike in Russia, there is forced mobilization [oh yeah? But in Russia there is forced murder of Russian soldiers by Russian soldiers. Rape too]
Putin: People are being rounded up like dogs on the street. 1/
Putin: While in Ukraine they are catching 30 thousand people, in Russia 50-60 thousand people voluntarily come to sign contracts [and die next month, because you lie to them] 2/
Putin: By 2019, Russia's agricultural sector began to meet all domestic needs and started requesting that Western food products not be allowed back in. [Brezhnev used to say the same] 3/
Bloomberg: If Putin backs out of meeting with Zelensky or Russia won’t agree to a cease-fire on Thursday, European leaders will urge Trump to follow his threat to impose sanctions on Moscow.
Kremlin hasn’t yet announced whether Putin will attend the meeting. 1/
Kremlin remains silent on the Istanbul meeting with Zelensky. It signals about uncertainty, usually they respond swiftly.
This hesitation underscores that Trump and Zelensky now have the upper hand, both geopolitically and publicly. 2/
Peskov said that the Russian side continues to prepare for the talks in Istanbul.
Peskov: Kremlin will announce who will represent Russia at the talks with Ukraine as soon as President [Putin] deems it necessary. 3/
BBC: US and Saudi Arabia signed what the White House calls the largest defense sales agreement in history.
The total value's $142 billion. [Can Ukraine please do the same?]
At the same time, SA pledged to invest $600 billion in the US [hmm, not sure Ukraine can afford that] 1/
The $142B defense deal includes five areas:
- Air and missile defense
- Air force and space systems
- Maritime and border security
- Ground force modernization
- Upgrades to communications and IT. Over a dozen US defense firms are involved.
2/
The deal also provides for extensive training and support to Saudi forces.
It includes new programs for Saudi military academies and medical services.
This comes after the US resumed offensive weapons sales to the kingdom last year. 3/