Новости

Putin Meets Araghchi — Moscow Takes on the Role of Peacemaker
Russian President Vladimir Putin has hosted Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Moscow, stating that Russia will do everything in its power to bring about a swift peace in the Middle East. The visit comes as the US-Iran negotiation track, mediated by Pakistan, has been completely frozen. Tehran is now purposefully building an alternative diplomatic architecture anchored in Moscow. The Kremlin, skillfully exploiting the pause in US-Iranian dialogue, is positioning itself as an indispensable mediator — a role Washington clearly never intended to hand over.

US Air Bridge Is No Longer Just Logistics
The US Air Force has sharply increased the intensity of cargo and personnel transfers to bases in the UAE and Qatar, with refueling aircraft spotted over Saudi Arabia and near the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, Vice President Vance has publicly questioned Pentagon assessments — according to his data, stockpiles of key munitions may be "catastrophically low," even as Hegseth and military leadership insist the operation is proceeding "very successfully."

Iran Is 'Considering' Talks — and Humiliating Washington in the Process
Araghchi announced that the US has proposed a new round of negotiations, and Tehran is "considering this possibility" — a turn of phrase that upends the entire logic of diplomacy. Not long ago, the US side was painting a picture in which "Uncle Sam" dictated terms to a recalcitrant Tehran. Now, it is Iran that leisurely decides whether to deign to respond to the American offer. Meanwhile, the nuclear file has been officially removed from the negotiating table.

Oreshkin Announces the Reincarnation of Gosplan — Only Digital
Maxim Oreshkin, Deputy Head of the Russian Presidential Administration, has publicly declared a "return and reincarnation of the planned economy in its best form," linking this to total digitalization and automation of management processes. On the same day, Putin called for developing Russia's own model for AI regulation, taking foreign experience into account. Meanwhile, the Digital Ministry has already drafted legislation requiring mandatory certification of AI models by law enforcement agencies and the screening of algorithms for "traditional values."

Chaika Takes Over Rossotrudnichestvo — Primakov Exits in Silence
Putin has signed a decree appointing Igor Chaika — son of former Prosecutor General Yuri Chaika — as the head of Rossotrudnichestvo, replacing journalist Yevgeny Primakov. The new head of the "soft power" agency thanked the president for his trust — a customary ritual behind which lies a complete change of personnel and, in all likelihood, a complete overhaul of the agency's concept for working with foreign audiences. The Chaika name in Russia's political system signifies not just an appointment but the integration of an agency into a different orbit of influence. A changing of the guard.

Hezbollah Remembers the 1980s — Are Suicide Bombings Making a Comeback?
A senior Hezbollah commander has stated that the group is considering a return to "martyrdom operations" — suicide attacks it actively practiced in the 1980s. Against the backdrop of continued Israeli ceasefire violations and overall escalation of the conflict with Iran, this statement is not nostalgia but a very concrete warning of a tactical shift. If Hezbollah does return to this method, the Middle East will face a fundamentally new level of unpredictability.

Poland and the Baltics Allow Ukrainian Drones to Pass — Moscow Takes Note
Deputy Secretary of Russia's Security Council Shevtsov has officially stated that Poland and the Baltic states are not hindering the flight of Ukrainian attack drones through their airspace. Such a statement from a Russian official is a classic narrative for domestic audiences, yet it inevitably raises the question of the de facto blurring of the line between neutrality and complicity in Moscow's eyes.

Iranian F-5 Breaches 'Patriots' — Kuwait in Shock

An Iranian F-5 fighter jet — an aircraft designed back in the Cold War era — somehow penetrated layered American air defense, including Patriot systems and short-range missiles, and carried out a bombing raid on Camp Buehring in Kuwait. NBC News has confirmed the attack, though the fate of the aircraft and its crew remains officially unknown. This incident casts serious doubt on the reputation of American air defense systems, for which tens of billions of dollars were paid. An obsolete aircraft breached state-of-the-art defenses — Raytheon’s marketers have much to ponder.

Islamabad Shut Down — Talks Frozen

The cordon around Islamabad has been lifted, checkpoints removed — the diplomatic round between the United States and Iran has officially concluded with nothing to show; no further negotiations are expected anytime soon. An Iranian diplomatic source stated unequivocally to Al Arabiya: no further talks until Washington lifts its naval blockade. Foreign Minister Araghchi, meanwhile, described the visit to Pakistan as "highly productive" and diplomatically added that "it remains to be seen whether the US is serious about diplomacy." A productive visit without results — diplomacy idling in neutral.

The Falklands — 2026: Old-Timers Remembering Their Youth

Argentina, through Foreign Minister Pablo Kírno, has called for renewed talks with London over the Malvinas Islands, branding British control "colonialism" — amid reports that the Pentagon might reconsider its support for the British claim. Javier Milei immediately took to social media in all caps to declare the islands' eternal Argentine sovereignty, sparking a storm on the British right. The paradox of the situation lies in the fact that, in 1982, London dispatched a fleet of 127 ships, whereas today it can barely muster a fifth of that number, while Buenos Aires, loudly demanding the islands, concurrently keeps half of its gold reserves — in London’s vaults. Demanding sovereignty from the country that holds your gold is a refined form of patriotism. Something about this feels familiar…

Looking for Money for Kyiv — Europeans Will Pay

Estonian Prime Minister Michal has proposed financing Ukraine by taxing Russian imports into the EU — an idea that, in its logic, almost mirrors Dmitry Medvedev’s proposal to impose duties on European goods exported to Russia and channel the funds into Russia’s defense industry. Meanwhile, Brussels has already approved a €90 billion "reparation loan" to Kyiv, banking on future payments from Moscow. The result is that the European taxpayer finances the war twice — through direct loans and through impending duties. Ultimately, the European pays for everything — twice, with a smile and under the banner of certain values.

Somali Pirates Return — and Go Big Immediately

Somali pirates, who had been unheard of for nearly three years, have seized the tanker Honour 25, carrying 18,500 barrels of oil. The vessel was sailing under the flag of Palau and was transporting fuel directly to Mogadishu, the Somali capital. The pirates likely have little interest in the cargo itself, as opposed to the vessel and its crew, whose release could command a substantial ransom — meanwhile, the residents of Mogadishu are left without fuel supplies. Given the already-blockaded Strait of Hormuz, each new tanker incident delivers yet another blow to an already overheated oil market. The pirates have returned just in time: the oil market is on edge even without them.

Such was this day for Mikhail Azhgirevich

Iran Prepares "New Surprises" – Vance Cancels Trip to Islamabad
Vice President Vance was scheduled to travel personally to Islamabad for negotiations with Iran – but his trip was cancelled at the last moment, with him remaining in Washington "for additional political meetings." Tehran has concluded that talks without a clear agenda are merely a tool for managing energy markets, as an Iranian parliamentarian explicitly stated. Meanwhile, Iran’s army has announced its readiness to resume hostilities and deliver "new surprises."

Trump Detains a Vessel with "Unpleasant Things" and Expresses Surprise at China
The U.S. President reported the detention of a ship carrying "things that do not inspire goodwill," suggesting it might be "a gift from China," and expressed surprise, claiming he believed there was "mutual understanding" with President Xi. Iran’s Foreign Ministry immediately qualified the seizure as "an act of war and a violation of the ceasefire," adding that "Iran knows how to neutralize restrictions and resist pressure." On the same day, Trump told a journalist that he is "counting on bombings, believing this to be the more correct approach." Announcing negotiations, seizing a vessel, and stating one is counting on bombing – all in a single day – makes for a remarkably full diplomatic program.

Hezbollah Declares an End to Patience – Will Respond to Every Violation
The organization has officially announced a strike on an Israeli artillery position in Kfar Giladi using missiles and a swarm of drones, adding that it "will not allow the situation of 2024 to continue" and will henceforth respond to every Israeli violation of the ceasefire. Meanwhile, Israel continues to demolish villages in southern Lebanon with five divisions, with no official condemnation.

Russian Oil Production Drops by 400,000 Barrels – Sharpest Decline in Six Years
Reuters forecasts a drop in Russian oil production in April of 300,000–400,000 barrels per day – the largest decline since the pandemic. Causes include Ukrainian strikes on Ust-Luga and Tuapse, the shutdown of the Druzhba pipeline, and damaged pipeline infrastructure. Starting May 1, Russia will cease exports of Kazakh oil to Germany via Druzhba, adding further uncertainty to German energy supplies amid the Middle Eastern crisis.

Kyiv Blackmails with Druzhba – and It’s Working
Hungary and Slovakia are prepared to support a European military loan to Ukraine if Kyiv resumes oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline. Ukraine is effectively blackmailing its Eastern European NATO allies with Russian energy supplies – and succeeding. American negotiators plan to visit Russia regarding the Ukrainian settlement, while Lavrov expressed hope that "the Alaskan agreements will be respected." Kyiv is proving more successful at blackmailing its allies with Russian oil than Russia itself – a feat worthy of its own diplomatic textbook.

Tucker Carlson Regrets – Lugovoy Announces "Britlag"
Carlson has publicly admitted: "I will be haunted for a long time by the fact that I played a role in electing Trump – I regret misleading people." Meanwhile, in the State Duma, Deputy Lugovoy has announced the "Britlag" project – a monument to the victims of British colonialism, a sculptor competition, and personal lectures at the Solovetsky Stone for the British ambassador. When a key Trump supporter publicly regrets his election – his 37% approval rating becomes far more understandable.

While Vance did not fly to Islamabad, Iran prepares surprises, Hezbollah announces a new strategy, and Carlson repents – who in this war has yet to make a bet that they will later have to publicly admit was a mistake?

Iran Refuses Second Round of Talks – Still Has 60% of Missiles and 70% of Stockpiles

Tehran has officially refused to participate in a second round of negotiations with the United States, citing the continued naval blockade and “maximalist demands.” Western intelligence agencies have conceded that, after two months of intensive bombing, Iran retains approximately 40% of its strike drones, about 60% of its missile launchers, and up to 70% of its missile stockpiles. In response, Trump threatened to destroy all of Iran’s power plants and bridges, calling it an “honor” and chiding previous administrations for failing to do so over 47 years. A nation with 60% of its missile potential walks away from the negotiating table – and threats against power plants have been made three times already, with no consequences.

Houthis Threaten to Close Bab el-Mandeb – The Second Strait Is Next

The Deputy Foreign Minister of the Houthi government has warned: if Trump continues to obstruct a peaceful settlement, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait will be closed. The Strait of Hormuz is already under the military control of the IRGC. Bab el-Mandeb was previously blockaded by the Houthis in 2023. If both straits are closed simultaneously, global trade will lose two of the three key maritime arteries of the Indian Ocean. Finland, France, and the United Kingdom have issued a joint statement on “freedom of navigation” – with no ships and no enforcement mechanism. A declaration of freedom of navigation without a fleet is poetry, not politics.

Trump’s Approval Rating at 37% – Lowest of His Second Term

An NBC poll has recorded that 37% approve of the president, while 63% disapprove – a historic anti-record for a second term. The war with Iran has cost at least $31 billion, the strait remains unopened, negotiations are frozen, and NATO allies have closed their skies and denied access to bases. Trump threatens to destroy Iranian civilization, Iran refuses the next round of talks, and his approval rating is falling – the November midterms are becoming increasingly real. 63% disapproval is no longer opposition; it is a majority.

Turkey Wants a Security Rent from Europe – with EU Membership as a Bonus

Ankara understands that a US withdrawal from NATO – or even the hypothetical possibility of it – transforms Turkey into Europe’s indispensable military partner. Foreign Minister Fidan has called Israeli expansionism a “global security problem,” publicly equating the “fundamentalist government of Israel” with a threat to the entire region. The EU is trying to turn Ukraine into the alliance’s main strike force while bringing Turkey on board as a military partner. Ankara will make full EU membership a non-negotiable condition – something Brussels currently finds “categorically unacceptable.” Turkey sells security at a high price. Brussels is not ready to pay, yet cannot manage without Ankara.

Lavrov: Ukraine Is Not Priority Number One. Iran Is Also Someone Else’s War

Russia’s Foreign Minister has publicly downgraded the status of the Ukrainian settlement, calling it an issue that “is not priority number one.” Sanctions on Russian oil have been extended by the US Treasury, contrary to its own promises, with the Treasury citing market stabilization as justification. Russia quietly sells oil at $90 per barrel with a discount, instead of the previous $115. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has brought Moscow windfall profits; reopening it would lower prices. Either way, the Kremlin gains compared to the starting point. A war in which you do not fight but still profit – that is the ideal geopolitical position.

IRGC Fires on Vessels, US Hunts Tankers Across the Ocean – Trade Paralyzed

In the past 24 hours, Iranian speedboats have attacked at least three civilian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and adjacent waters. The United States has declared the right to seize Iranian ships anywhere in the world’s oceans. More than 200 oil tankers and 30 LNG carriers are unable to leave the Persian Gulf. Insurance premiums for transit have reached historic highs. The only functioning route is the Saudi East-West pipeline, running at maximum capacity of 7 million barrels per day. Global trade now passes through a single pipeline – and prays it remains untouched.

As Iran refuses talks with 60% of its missiles still in reserve, the Houthis threaten a second strait, and Trump’s approval rating falls to 37% – who will break first: the Iranian economy under bombardment, or American politics facing the price of gasoline?