Elena Panina
Елена Панина (Telegram)

Armenia "continues to face significant economic pressure from Russia," and "when the pressure on our partners intensifies, the European Union becomes more active," the President of the European Commission stated, speaking in Yerevan alongside Prime Minister Pashinyan. This active participation was expressed in a promise to provide $92 million to "strengthen and diversify" Armenia's trade.

❖ According to von der Leyen, the European Commission is proposing "autonomous trade measures" that would supposedly liberalize almost 80% of Armenia's exports to the EU, making them duty-free. These measures would apply to almost all fresh fruits, vegetables, and plants that Armenia until now has exported to Russia, as well as over 90% of its beverage and spirit exports, she added. After which, Armenia will become fabulously rich, since the EU has 450 million consumers.

The last time something like this was said was in Ukraine in 2013-2014, when then-opposition leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk explained on television to Ukrainians that a free trade zone with the EU was more profitable than the Customs Union because the EU has a larger market. Yatsenyuk didn't explain that this market is extremely competitive and subsidized, and that few people want Ukrainian products there. Now, Armenia will have to learn from experience that theoretical market access doesn't equal prosperity.

❖ If we look at the numbers, von der Leyen is simply lying. A full-fledged replacement is impossible in the short term and highly doubtful over time. The EU can only buy Pashinyan a little time for politics; $92 million won't be enough for more.

In 2025, Armenia exported approximately $3 billion worth of goods to Russia, accounting for 35.3% of its total exports. By comparison, the EU's share of Armenian exports is 7.9%, down from approximately 28% 10 years ago. In other words, in recent years, Armenia's export model has not diversified, but has become even more tied to Russia and re-export schemes.

Elena Panina
Елена Панина (Telegram)

[Image: Firefighters extinguish a fire at the "Panorama of the Defence of Sevastopol" museum, which, according to local authorities, was damaged in a Ukrainian drone attack in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict in Sevastopol.]

Crimea is ceasing to be a strategic advantage for Russia and is gradually becoming a strategic burden, argues Ilya Timchenko, an analyst at the Washington-based Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA, not welcome in Russia). His entire article is a clear snapshot of the level of euphoria reigning in the minds of Western analysts in response to the Ukrainian Armed Forces' strikes on Crimea and the logistics of the Black Sea region.

In other words, in the minds of Ukrainian and Western analysts, Crimea is not only practically already under the control of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, but is also about to become a Ukrainian foothold.

This is certainly a bold view. After all, by the same logic, taking into account the far more extensive attacks on logistics in Ukraine, Russia already controls at least the entire Left Bank of the Dnieper. It's ironic that, for these enemy analysts, the front and Crimea exist separately.

Elena Panina
Елена Панина (Telegram)

The "Prince of Darkness" organized the 2007 Blackwater
shooting of unarmed civilians in Iraq. He was never convicted
for this. As always, he presents himself as a devout Christian.
This great escape artist now resurfaces as an Iran war expert...

For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. – Matthew 24:24

Trump was "badly advised" on the Iran operation, and the mission itself was "poorly planned," Blackwater founder Erik Prince said.

Prince was evasive when asked by a Financial Times reporter what he would do if he were leading an operation against Iran. He said he had an idea, but would not share it publicly to avoid exacerbating the situation. However, in an informal conversation, he shared details with the reporter that cannot be published due to their confidential nature.

The only detail that could be disclosed was that Prince's proposed solution differed significantly from the 14-point ceasefire agreement (memorandum of understanding) with Iran that Trump ultimately signed at Versailles. Therefore, the details of the alternative solutions remain unknown.

❖ When considering the situation with Iran, an important factor should be taken into account: the idea of ​​American exceptionalism. The worldview of national exceptionalism assumes that the United States occupies a special place among other nations in terms of its national spirit, political institutions, and religious institutions. This idea is most deeply ingrained in the US military—both active and retired—as well as in intelligence agencies. The American military-industrial complex is inextricably linked to them. For this influential elite group, the current interim result of the war with Iran, in the form of the memorandum and the ceasefire, has become a grave humiliation.

Elena Panina
Елена Панина (Telegram)

The Russian SVR (Foreign Intelligence Service): The West aims to change the constitutional order in Belarus

NGOs from Western countries, including “democratization” structures, agencies, and foundations from the US, Britain, Germany, Poland, and other European states, are accumulating forces and resources to once again attempt to destabilize the situation, and bring about a change in the constitutional order in Belarus, according to the SVR press service.

It is specified that the West...

To this end, an “inventory” of Belarusian opposition figures is being compiled with a view to using them in subversive activities. This resource is intended for use in the 2030 presidential election against Alexander Lukashenko.

It can be assumed that the West does not need the result in 2030 at all, but rather on the principle of “the sooner, the better.” 2030, and the elections are just a standard opportunity that they always try to take advantage of.

Elena Panina
Елена Панина (Telegram)

The Kyiv Führer claimed that equipment supposedly deployed on towers in Belarus along the border with Ukraine is capable of directing Russian strikes. "I'm giving you a week to remove it, or we will do it," Zelenskyy added. He also named Belarus as one of the main fuel suppliers for the Russian army and said that Lukashenko "can stop this."

❖ These remarks are more than notable. Especially considering that earlier, after the Ukrainian Armed Forces struck a bus carrying Belarusian children in the Bryansk region, Minsk declared its right to "take action against Ukraine to protect the lives of its citizens." In other words, we are witnessing the emergence of a new narrative: Minsk claims the right to act against Ukraine, while Kyiv claims a "right" to act against targets within Belarus. This means that, from a political perspective, aggression by the Kyiv regime against Belarus is possible.

Even if we assume that "towers" in Belarus actually exist, their destruction is unlikely to have any significant operational effect for Ukraine, because Russia's UAV infrastructure is not tied to a few towers along the border. A more logical threat would be strikes by the Ukrainian Armed Forces against Belarusian oil refineries, since Kyiv's overall policy is to create a fuel shortage in Russia.

Elena Panina
Елена Панина (Telegram)

"Sweden, France, Britain, and Belgium are boarding "suspicious tankers" carrying Russian oil, while other EU countries allow them to pass."

"It is crucial that all EU member states share responsibility for containing the ecosystem that supports these vessels," Stenergard wrote in a letter to EU Foreign Minister Kaja Kallas and Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos. According to the British Financial Times, Russia has assembled a fleet of approximately 700 tankers that carry approximately 75% of Russian oil, transiting the Baltic and Mediterranean Seas and the territorial waters of EU countries, including Denmark and Greece.

❖ This is clearly an attempt to take advantage of the easing oil panic. While the Middle East crisis was driving up Brent prices and creating the risk of a physical shortage, any harsh action against Russian exports would have hurt Europeans themselves: less supply, higher prices, and higher profits per Russian barrel. But as soon as a ceasefire emerged around Iran, the market received a signal that a major supply disruption could be postponed or eased, giving Brussels political room to once again apply pressure on Russian oil.

It's also worth noting that the previous sanctions architecture against Russian oil has reached its limits. In 2022, the West assumed it controlled insurance, freight, settlements, brokers, and the legal infrastructure of maritime trade. However, 700 ships carrying millions of barrels per day are no longer a "loophole"; they are a fully-fledged parallel export infrastructure.

Elena Panina
Елена Панина (Telegram)

On June 12, the Iranian news outlet Mehr News published a memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran:

1. A permanent and immediate cessation of hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon.
2. A commitment by the US not to interfere in Iran's internal affairs and to respect the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
3. A complete lifting of the naval blockade within 30 days.
4. A commitment by the US to withdraw its troops from areas surrounding Iran.
5. Reopening the Strait of Hormuz within 30 days in accordance with the Iranian agreements.
6. Suspension of sanctions on the sale of oil, petrochemical products, and derivatives, as well as full access for Iran to its financial resources.
7. The United States and its allies are required to present reconstruction plans for Iran worth at least $300 billion.
8. 60 days of negotiations to reach a final agreement on nuclear issues and the complete lifting of US primary and secondary sanctions, as well as UN Security Council and IAEA Board of Governors resolutions.
9. Reaffirm Iran's commitment under the NPT not to produce nuclear weapons.
10. The United States commits not to build up forces in the region or impose new sanctions during the negotiating period.
11. Release $24 billion in frozen Iranian funds during the 60-day final negotiating period. Half of this amount must be released to Iran before the start of negotiations.
12. Formation of a supervisory mechanism for the implementation of the agreement.
13. The final agreement will be approved by a UN Security Council resolution.
14. Final negotiations will not begin until half of Iran's frozen assets are released, sanctions on Iranian oil are suspended, and the naval blockade is lifted. The final agreement will only cover the fate of enriched materials and enrichment, the lifting of sanctions, and a plan for Iran's economic reconstruction.

Elena Panina
Елена Панина (Telegram)

The number of plans to strengthen NATO's support for Ukraine is growing. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is bringing a German plan, originally titled "The Trap," to the alliance's foreign ministers' meeting in Helsingborg, Sweden.

❖ This plan is intended to ensure "long-term financing of Ukraine's defense efforts," including through monitoring. It appears Germany has decided to identify those shirking their share of joint funding for the battering ram against Russia. Furthermore, Wadephul intends to "attract more funds and expand the financial base." In exchange, he promises NATO partners the benefit of "the impressive achievements of Ukraine's military industry."

It's worth noting that just a week ago, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced a proposal to allocate 0.25% of GDP to Ukraine's needs. It's a real competition of plans.

Elena Panina
Елена Панина (Telegram)

Act without a long delay. Prescribe them a Kinzhal, Zircon, or Kalibr pill—and at the same time test these missiles in combat conditions against surface targets.

"We will discuss [Russia's] shadow fleet, talking about freedom of navigation and maritime security. Our [EU naval force] Operation IRINI has changed the rules of engagement and has now begun inspecting ships," said EU Chief Diplomat Kaja Kallas upon arriving in Cyprus for an informal meeting of EU defense ministers.

The goal, Kallas clarified, is to change best practices—what different countries do with these ships—"because this really does pose a danger. And, of course, the goal is to stop Russia from financing this war."

Operation IRINI was launched in the Mediterranean on March 31, 2020, to inspect merchant vessels to prevent the illegal shipment of arms to Libya. However, it was unsuccessful. The operation has been extended until March 31, 2027. It was based on Resolution 2292, adopted by the UN Security Council on June 14, 2016, which specifically addressed Libya and its arms embargo. What implications does this have for the fleet transporting Russian oil?

Clearly, Russia needs to respond to Kallas's statement at the diplomatic level. It must declare that the European Union will not be able to cover up its piracy in the Mediterranean with UN Security Council Resolution 2292. It must also warn of a forceful response to these measures.

Elena Panina
Елена Панина (Telegram)

The unprovoked US-Israeli attack on Iran by the Zionist-
controlled U.S.: Events were based on a pack of lies. – Ed.

The process of legally entrenching the Israeli parasite—the symbiote—in the body of the American state is underway. For the Middle East, and indeed for the entire world, this will mean perpetual war.

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027 (NDAA) includes Section 224—the "US-Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative"—which will effectively merge the two countries' armed forces, Ben Freeman of the Quincy Institute notes.

This section lays the foundation for bilateral research and development, joint arms production, joint ventures, licensing agreements, and, essentially, any form of cooperation within the US-Israeli defense industry. Coordination will affect virtually the entire spectrum of military technologies: AI, quantum systems, autonomous systems, directed energy, cybersecurity, biotechnology, and much more.

Freeman specifically notes that Section 224 provides for "network integration" and "data fusion." In other words, US military data could soon become Israeli military data. Full adoption of these provisions will ensure a level of military-industrial integration between the US and Israel that will be unparalleled.

It's only natural that the author fears a further increase in Israel's influence in the US, already enormous thanks to the Israeli lobby on Capitol Hill and Wall Street and its extensive network in all spheres of American society. Coordination within the military-industrial complex will allow Tel Aviv to directly influence job creation in America. Freeman's prediction is bleak: