Illia Kabachynskyi

In every ceasefire proposal, Putin insists on the demand to the transfer of the Donetsk region to Moscow’s control. His motive is clear: Ukraine has heavily fortified the region, turning major cities into a massive defensive barrier. Capturing these areas would cost Russia hundreds of thousands of lives and tens of billions of dollars.

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.