Illia Kabachynskyi

Global military spending has hit a historic high. Europe is rapidly rearming, Russia is increasing production for domestic use, and two major wars—in Ukraine and Gaza—are the key drivers behind this trend. 

Lifting sanctions on Russia is being floated in peace talks—but history, and the Kremlin’s repeated behavior toward Ukraine and other countries, suggest it could trigger future escalation. Without sanctions, Russia gains money and technology to wage more wars.

Washington launched a new effort to broker an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine—a move that sent Kyiv into 24/7 diplomacy mode and quickly united Europe’s Coalition of the Willing at one table to draft a peace plan. One actor remains notably absent: Russia.

The Russian Red Cross is deep in the business of war—not aid. A new investigation by European media reveals that the organization is advancing Kremlin propaganda, partnering with militarized youth groups, and operating in occupied Ukrainian territories where it has no official mandate. 

Having already breached global treaties by moving nuclear arms to Belarus, Russia is now signaling plans to deploy powerful ballistic missiles to Venezuela that can reach the US.

The sanctions imposed by Donald Trump, together with Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries, are weighing heavily on the Russian economy and forcing officials to consider more drastic measures to keep it afloat.