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Russia's influence continues to shape global geopolitical dynamics, with numerous strategic maneuvers. The introduction of the digital ruble in 2026 reflects Russia's aim to assert control over its population's financial activities. Simultaneously, NATO's reluctance to provide written guarantees against eastward expansion highlights ongoing tensions. In the United States, President Trump remains undecided on supporting new sanctions that could influence Russia's policies. International leaders like Emmanuel Macron call for greater cooperation with Asia to counterbalance Russia and China. Meanwhile, investigations uncover Russia's covert transactions, such as paying for Iranian drones with gold bars. These developments underscore the complex global reactions to Russia's aspirations and actions, with countries assessing their strategies to navigate Russia's unfolding influence.

What is the purpose of Russia introducing the digital ruble?

The digital ruble aims to consolidate economic control and enhance governmental oversight over financial transactions. Starting in 2026, state employees in Russia will receive their salaries in digital rubles, reflecting a broader strategy to digitize the economy. This move is seen as part of Russia's ambition to maintain strict central control and counter the influence of foreign economies, providing a tool for economic stability and enhanced monitoring of financial activities.

How is NATO responding to Russia's demands for non-expansion?

NATO is currently not engaging in discussions regarding Russia's demands for written assurances against Eastern expansion. Despite Russia's calls, NATO maintains its stance on strategic enlargement policies, contributing to ongoing tensions in European security. This reflects the broader geopolitical struggle, with NATO committed to its principles while Russia seeks to assert influence over neighboring territories. The lack of negotiations highlights the enduring complexity in balancing deterrence and diplomacy on the global stage.

Why is France encouraging sanctions against Russia?

French President Emmanuel Macron has called for the United States to increase sanctions on Russia to test trust in international alliances and push Russia towards peace negotiations. France believes that enhanced sanctions could pressure Russia into reconsidering its current military engagements and negotiations with Ukraine, aiming for a peaceful resolution. This approach underscores Europe's strategic efforts to balance force with diplomacy in addressing aggressive actions by Russia on the international front.

What has been revealed about Russia's military acquisitions?

Recent investigations have uncovered that Russia transferred at least 1.8 tonnes of gold bars to Iran in payment for Shahed-136 drones. These drones were assembled in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Tatarstan, indicating a sophisticated network of military procurement. Additionally, Russia's procurement from North Korea, evidenced by 9 million shells and 100 ballistic missiles, shows deepening military ties, reflecting a strategic pivot to strengthen its military capacities amidst global tensions.

How are global leaders planning to handle Russia's geopolitical moves?

Global leaders are adopting varied strategies, including calling for increased cooperation with Asia to counter Russia and China's influence, as seen in Macron's initiatives at security summits. The United States is contemplating tougher sanctions as a means to alter Russia's actions in Ukraine. These strategies illustrate the international community's focus on collaboration and pressure tactics to manage Russia's assertive global maneuvers, ensuring a balanced approach in preventing escalation while encouraging diplomacy.

What implications does the introduction of the digital ruble have for Russia?

The digital ruble's introduction heralds significant shifts in Russia's financial infrastructure, aimed at securing state control over monetary systems. By paying state employees with digital rubles, Russia increases surveillance capabilities over financial transactions and seeks to minimize reliance on foreign currencies. This move aligns with broader objectives to insulate the economy from global financial trends and reinforce sovereignty over economic affairs amid ongoing international tensions and sanctions.

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TOP news Russia

санкции Japanese Government Approved Additional Sanctions against Russia over the Unrest in Ukraine Japan’s sanctions list on Russia includes 40 individuals and 2 companies. 37 478 118 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine Sanctions against Russia

новгородська Ministry of Defense of Russian Federation announced attack of Ukrainian UAV on military airfield in Novgorod region: Plane was damaged. PHOTO The Russian Ministry of Defence claims that a Ukrainian drone attacked a military airfield in the Novgorod region of Russia. 20 778 118 War in Ukraine

кулеба We must talk to Russians in order to prevent other 'Buchas' - Kuleba It is necessary to speak with Russians in order to prevent other "Buchas" and see how this war can be ended, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said. 8 137 118 World

17 persons, including 11 Russians, detained over Istanbul airport attack 17 people, including 11 Russians, have been charged over the Istanbul airport attack, bringing the total number charged in connection with the suicide assault to 30. The latest suspects, who also include six Turks, were charged with "belonging to an armed terrorist group." 20 647 118 Previously in trend: Terrorist attack in Istanbul

Putin Clans Said Gridlocked Over Arrest as Sanctions Bite - Bloomberg Russia’s wheels of power are grinding to a halt. 152 101 118 Previously in trend: Sanctions against Russia

Security Service of Ukraine Sued Head of the Russian Border Guard Service The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) proceeds against the head of the Border Guard Service of Russia. 33 270 118 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

лавров Russia does not give up negotiations with Ukraine, but longer process is delayed, more difficult it will be to reach agreement - Lavrov. VIDEO The head of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Serhiy Lavrov, said that Russia is not giving up negotiations with Ukraine. 25 895 118 Previously in trend: War

медведєв We do not need world without Russia: Medvedev again threatens humanity with apocalypse The deputy head of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, Dmytro Medvedev, said that if the question arises about the existence of Russia, the existence of human civilization itself will be called into question. 20 533 118 Previously in trend: Russian agression

фукуяма,френсіс Fukuyama predicted collapse in Russia "in upcoming days" American philosopher, political economist and publicist of Japanese origin Francis Fukuyama predicted a great collapse in Russia 68 449 118 World

трамп кушнер Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law, wanted secret communications channel with Kremlin - The Washington Post In December 2016, Jared Kushner, president Trump’s son-in-law and adviser, wanted to set up a communications channel between the transition team and the Kremlin using Russian facilities in the United States. 33 416 118 World

война обстрел ато счастье war shelling ato shchastia Terrorists increased intensity of attacks, having committed 127 yesterday, - ATO press-center Pro-Russian terrorists shelled the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) forces’ positions and peaceful cities and villages 127 times over the past day. 15 188 118 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

кириленко Russian Eurovision pick must not have problems with Ukrainan law to sing in Kyiv, - Kyrylenko Russia still has the right to change its representative at the upcoming 2017 Eurovision Song Contest in Kyiv. 15 585 118 Ukrainian Politics

Russia Supplies Terrorists in Donbas with Newest Weapons that Pierce Any Body Armor – Ukrainian Army Colonel In eastern Ukraine, Russia tests the latest weapons piercing armor vests of any type. These weapons can also be used in light machine guns. 42 954 118 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

Russia Demands OSCE to Agree Drone Movement With All Parties of the Conflict Russia believes that the OSCE should co-ordinate the movement of its drones with all parties to the conflict. 23 681 118 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

Sanctions knock up to $150 billion off Russia’s economy since 2014. INFOGRAPHICS Sanctions knock up to $150 billion off Russia’s economy since 2014. INFOGRAPHICS The economy of the world’s biggest energy exporter is more than 10 percent or $150 billion smaller compared with what might have been expected at the end of 2013. 12 134 118 Previously in trend: Occupation of Crimea

бєлгород Russian rockets hit Belgorod again: TPS is on fire. VIDEO&PHOTOS The Moscow regime continues to destroy Belgorod 33 149 118 Previously in trend: War

плен кулиш "Patriot whom they have been trying to smash for nine months and who refused to betray Ukraine," Butusov about Dmytro Kulish release from captivity. PHOTOS Dmytro Kulish, one of the best volunteer soldiers of the Donbas battalion, call sign Semerka, survived after nine months of fiendish tortures in "DPR" chambers. 45 000 118 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

Russian Federation Aggression May Spread to Other Countries Having Russian-Speaking Population - Poroshenko President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko believes that Russian aggression could spread to other countries. 22 294 118 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

Kerry to visit Moscow to discuss road map for Minsk deal implementation, - Minister Klimkin Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin says United States Secretary of State John Kerry will take part in agreeing a road map for implementation of the agreements signed in Minsk (Belarus) in February 2015. 12 368 118 Ukrainian Politics

грузія Queues, stampedes and fights: Russians are fleeing en masse to Georgia. VIDEO&PHOTOS Citizens of the Russian Federation formed huge queues at the border with Georgia. Thousands of cars stand one behind the other and hardly move. You have to wait for several days. 21 846 118 World

самолет боинг бук No need to search for other Buks if we know which Buk fired from where, - MH17 prosecutor Westerbeke Prosecutor General of the Netherlands Fred Westerbeke, who heads the international investigation team JIT in MH17 case, has stated that the investigation has no doubts that the Buk that downed the Boeing belonged to the Russian Federation. 87 565 118 Previously in trend: Russian terrorists downed MH17

Tu-22M3 strategic bomber crashes in Russia Tu-22M3 bomber crashes in Russia’s Irkutsk region: pilot killed. VIDEO On Wednesday, 2 April, a supersonic long-range strategic bomber-tanker Tu-22m3 crashed in Russia. The enemy is using it to shell the territory of Ukraine. 24 171 143 Previously in trend: Tu-22M3 bomber crashes in Russia

Russian drone attack on Poland: Trump reacts Trump on Shahed attack on Poland: "What’s going on with Russia?" U.S. President Donald Trump has reacted to Russia’s drone attack on Poland overnight on September 10. 27 239 155 Previously in trend: Trump statements Shaheds flew into Poland

самолет ан Kyiv issues ultimatum against Moscow on international use of Antonov aircraft Kyiv will seek a ban on Russia's international flights of Antonov planes if the Russian side stops accepting Ukraine's maintenance of the aircraft. 132 165 117 Ukrainian Politics

армия рф террористы оккупанты Russia's internal troops combat instructor Roman Gorshkov trains terrorists and participates in hostilities in the Donbas. PHOTOS There is another proof that the Russian Federation official law enforcement agencies are directly involved in the "DPR" and "LPR" terrorists’ recruitment, training, and delivery to Ukraine. 107 518 117 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine Evidence of Russian aggression in Ukraine

OSCE Special Permanent Council calls on Russia responsibility to sustain cease-fire and fulfil Minsk deal Ukraine called on the OSCE participating states to step up political and diplomatic pressure on Russia to sustain cease-fire and fulfil the Minsk agreements 27 051 117 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War

Russian woman, mother of a large family who was charged with treason, hired new lawyer and withdrawn her previous testimony Svetlana Davydova, resident of the Russian town of Vyazma, who was arrested on charges of treason, has withdrawn the testimony she had given earlier. 56 033 117 Previously in trend: Evidence of Russian aggression in Ukraine

новоташковка Terrorists ruined Novotoshkivka village, leaving it with no water and power supply; people in despair. PHOTOS Chairman of the Luhansk Regional State Administration Hennadii Moskal paid a visit to Novotoshkivka village in the Popasna district, the Luhansk region, that was isolated from the rest of the world through battles. 58 122 117 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

Situation in Ilovaisk Extremely Complicated - NSDC Withdrawal of the Ukrainian forces from the encirclement near Ilovaisk continues. The situation remains extremely difficult, so as a safety measure, the command has classified the details of the operation until it ends. 65 170 117 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine Battle for Donetsk

Ukrainian soldier killed in four-hour Shyrokyne shelling. PHOTOS Ukrainian soldier killed in four-hour Shyrokyne shelling. PHOTOS Terrorists have been shelling the village of Shyrokyne for four hours. One Donbas battalion soldier has been killed and one more wounded. 48 427 117 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

Russia earmarked just $1.2 billion for campaign in Syria in 2016, - Bloomberg The Russian Federation initially earmarked just $1.2 billion for the war for all of 2016. 12 014 117 Previously in trend: War in Syria

бурят,бурятія Mortality of young Buryats after Russian invasion of Ukraine increased 2.7 times. VIDEO&PHOTOS For Buryat men aged 18 to 45, the death rate has increased by 70% since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion, and for men under 30 by 270% (2.7 times). 33 364 117 Previously in trend: War

джон,кірбі Russia fired at Ukraine with ballistic missiles received from DPRK - White House. MAP In recent missile attacks on Ukraine, Russia has used at least a few ballistic missiles received from North Korea in circumvention of international restrictions. 17 872 117 Previously in trend: War

No need to recognize ‘annexation of Crimea’ as no annexation took place - Kremlin No need to recognize ‘annexation of Crimea’ as no annexation took place - Kremlin The spokesman recalled that the peninsula reunited with Russia in compliance with all norms of international law. 19 280 117 Previously in trend: Occupation of Crimea

путін Putin again renewed goal of war: now it is necessary to eliminate "anti-Russian enclave" that "is being created on territory of Ukraine" During an open lesson in Kaliningrad, Russian President Vladimir Putin named the new goal of Russian troops in Ukraine. 36 843 117 Previously in trend: War

российские танки Terrorists suffer losses in Marinka fight. VIDEO Terrorists’ shelling of the positions of Ukrainian forces continues along the line of collision. A battle started yesterday in the town of Marinka. 67 181 117 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

град Russian Army and Mercenaries Keep Shelling Ukrainian Detachments from Mortars and Grads - Tymchuk Russian troops and terrorists keep violating the truce shooting at the positions of the Ukrainian army, including with heavy weapons. 28 904 117 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

Russian Foreign Office States Joint NATO-Ukraine Exercises Threaten Truce in Donbas Resolution by NATO and Kyiv to perform joint exercises compromises the incipient progress in the reconciliation in Donbas. 27 789 117 Ukrainian Politics

беспилотник Ukrainian Servicemen Shot Down Another Russian Drone in Donetsk Region. PHOTOS The air defense unit of the 8th Army Corps downed another drone in the Donetsk region. 42 859 117 Previously in trend: Evidence of Russian aggression in Ukraine

NATO urges Russia to withdraw troops from Abkhazia and South Ossetia The NATO secretary general has called on Russia to respect the territorial integrity of Georgia. 28 547 117 Ukrainian Politics

похороны добровольцы Viktor Hurniak, "Aidar" Soldier, Buried in Lviv. VIDEO Viktor Hurniak, news photographer, journalist, and a volunteer soldier was buried Wednesday in Lviv's Lychakiv cemetery. Viktor died in the Donbass. Thousands of leopolitans accompanied the body to his final destination. 27-year-old Viktor Hurniak saw the war for the first time as a photographer, and later exchanged the lens for the rifle. He died as a hero on Oct. 19 in the Luhansk region at his first fighting. Viktor is survived by wife and two-year-ol daughter. 29 803 117 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

книги Council banned import of Russian-language books Deputies of the Verkhovna Rada voted to ban the import of Russian-language literature. 6 710 117 Previously in trend: War

николаев ато Ukrainian Troops Conducted Sweeping of Ilovaisk at Night. Two Thirds of the City are Under Our Control - Commander Semenchenko By 5 a.m., about 2/3 of Ilovaisk was under the control of Ukrainian soldiers, with the whole the city being completely surrounded. 51 397 117 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

Senators promise to codify Russia sanctions if Trump fails to reject "reckless course," - McCain U.S. Senator John McCain, commenting on Friday on speculation that President Donald Trump may lift sanctions on Russia, said he hoped the administration would reject that "reckless course." 33 344 117 World

Україна виграла для Європи час на підготовку до війни з РФ: Оглядач The Times Ukraine has won West time to prepare for war with Russia. Europe did not use it - Times Russia's war against Europe is possible and closer than everyone thinks. 14 641 117 Previously in trend: War

оружие рф Russia-made arms and ammunition found in Hirske and Vuhlehirsk, liberated from terrorists. PHOTOS In liberated settlements of Hirske and Vuhlehirsk, the servicemen of the National Guards of Ukraine revealed arms and ammunition, namely reactive assault grenades RAG-1, produced in 2013 in a factory of the Russian Federation. 59 891 117 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine Evidence of Russian aggression in Ukraine

КНДР, військові Russians transport DPRK military to front in trucks with civilian license plates - DIU. VIDEO Russians are transporting North Korean soldiers to the front in trucks with civilian licence plates. 26 511 117

"Do you see where they shoot at us from? Send the birdie," – Ukrainian troops destroy Russian terrorists’ fire nest. VIDEO "Do you see where they shoot at us from? Send the birdie," – Ukrainian troops destroy Russian terrorists’ fire nest. VIDEO Soldiers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces destroyed fire emplacement of combined Russian-separatist troops in the war-torn Donbas. 59 547 116 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War