Eurasia must become a space of peace and stability, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday.
“We are convinced that the international community needs to work together to create a new architecture of equal and indivisible security that would reliably protect all states without prejudice to the interests of others. This issue is especially relevant for Eurasia. Our common continent should become a space of peace and stability, an example of sustainable economic, social and humanitarian development,” Putin said at the Great Heritage-Common Future forum in Russia’s Volgograd.
Russia expects that military crews of many countries that are participating in the Volgograd international forum “Great Legacy — common future” will take part in the Victory Day Parade in Moscow on May 9, Putin added.
“We are waiting for the leaders of a number of states at the celebrations in Moscow and highly appreciate that the military crews of many countries represented here will march shoulder to shoulder with Russian soldiers at the Victory Day Parade on the Red Square,” Putin said at the forum.
Bolstering Industrial Cooperation With Belarus
Russia and Belarus have agreed to expand opportunities for industrial cooperation, including in the aircraft industry, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday.
“Certainly, we need to discuss industrial cooperation. We have agreed that we will expand this industrial cooperation, including through joint work in aircraft construction, aircraft industry,” Putin said at a meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, adding that Russia, Belarus achieved outstanding results in trade and economic relations.
Russia is ready to build a plant and a laboratory for the production of unmanned systems together with specialists from Belarus, Putin added.
Russia’s victory, EU’s decline, and a just world order: Highlights from Medvedev’s speech
The former president has given an address outlining Moscow’s current foreign policy priorities
Moscow’s victory in the Ukraine conflict will lay the groundwork for a more just world based on mutual respect and stable development, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has said, adding that this vision is supported by most of the world’s population.
The senior official, currently serving as deputy chair of the Russian Security Council, outlined Moscow’s foreign policy priorities and recalled the history of the West’s confrontational approach to Russia during a public lecture in Moscow on Tuesday.
Here are the key points of Medvedev’s speech.
Ukraine Conflict
Medvedev stated that the Ukraine conflict stems from decades of Western hostility toward Russia and the fostering of neo-Nazism in Ukraine by the “Anglo-Saxon crowd.” He argued that Russia’s military response was necessary to address these provocations, stating that even US President Donald Trump acknowledged that Washington, Brussels, and Kiev are responsible for the Ukraine crisis which has nearly triggered World War III.
The former president also stressed that Russia’s ultimate goal is to destroy the “Kiev neo-Nazi regime,” not the Ukrainian state itself. He emphasized that Russia would not allow hostile regimes to re-emerge on its borders and called for a complete denazification of Ukraine, as well as Europe.
He also warned that all foreign fighters and any future foreign contingents in Ukraine are legitimate military targets under international law, and promised that war criminals would face justice.
Commenting on Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky, Medvedev described him as a “pathological figure” and suggested he would “end very badly.”
He predicted that after the conflict ends, Russia would establish a new national holiday to commemorate its victory in Ukraine which, according to Medvedev, is essential to ensure lasting security.
Russia and the West
Medvedev has described Russia’s relationship with the West as a long history of confrontation, rooted in persistent efforts by ”Anglo-Saxon powers” to weaken Russia. He recalled that even during World War II, Britain and the US considered plans to attack the Soviet Union, referencing ”Operation Unthinkable,” which was secretly developed under Winston Churchill’s orders in 1945. Medvedev argued that after the war, the West squandered the chance to build a fair international order, instead creating a system based on double standards, cynicism, and attempts to isolate Russia.
Medvedev stated that while Russia had always sought peaceful coexistence, it now faces a situation where it must counter the West’s ”peace through strength” strategy with its own doctrine of ”peace through fear,” asserting that only the threat of strong retaliation, including nuclear deterrence, can keep the West from taking hostile actions.
At the same time, he rejected claims that Russia might attack Europe, calling them ”nonsense” designed to frighten European populations and justify rampant militarization.
The former president also concluded that Russian-EU relations have passed the ”point of no return,” arguing that there are no independent, strong leaders left on the continent, only ”spineless Russophobic figures” and ”cowardly marionettes.” Medvedev expressed little hope for meaningful dialogue with current EU governments, and suggested that future interaction would be limited or nonexistent. At the same time, he claimed that many ordinary Europeans are growing disillusioned with their leaders’ policies toward Russia.
EU’s decline
Medvedev described today’s Western Europe as suffering from “feeblemindedness without courage.” He argued that the continent has abandoned its traditions and fallen under the control of radical, Russophobic leaders.
He claimed that Western Europe is increasingly embracing extremist ideologies and must also undergo a process of denazification alongside Ukraine. Medvedev pointed to the decision by European authorities to invite Ukrainian nationalists – whom he linked to WWII-era Ukrainian far-right leader Stepan Bandera – to the 80th anniversary celebrations of the end of World War II, while deliberately excluding representatives from Russia, calling it an act of profound cynicism.
Medvedev went on to state that the EU is not only politically weak but also morally degraded, lacking any real leadership or strategic independence, and on the verge of collapse. He predicted that the bloc would continue to oppose Donald Trump and traditionalist forces in the US, reflecting a deep ideological split between globalist elites in Europe and rising conservative movements elsewhere in the West.
Just world order
The former president suggested that Russia is fighting with “truth and justice” on its side, positioning itself as the defender of genuine international law against Western hypocrisy.
He argued that Russia’s victory in the Ukraine conflict would mark the first step toward the creation of a fair, multipolar world order.
Medvedev claimed that the Western “rules-based order” is illegitimate and called for its replacement with a true international system grounded in mutual respect and real international law. He noted that most of humanity, particularly the Global South, already supports this vision, while acknowledging that creating such a multipolar world would likely take many years.
Medvedev also stated that despite their geopolitical rivalry, Russia and the US do not have to be permanent enemies and argued that pragmatic cooperation between the two countries is crucial for global stability, especially given their roles as the largest nuclear powers and permanent members of the UN Security Council. He expressed cautious hope that dialogue with Washington could resume on a more pragmatic basis, while dismissing the EU as an increasingly irrelevant actor.
OUTSIDE RUSSIA
Lavrov says sure BRICS expansion process will soon continue
There is understanding that the partner countries will be priority candidates for full-fledged membership, the Russian top diplomat stressed
RIO DE JANEIRO, April 29. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said that he is convinced that BRICS will continue expanding.
“Last year, when a meeting in Kazan was held, when we welcomed a number of new members, it was decided to take a brief pause concerning further expansion so that we could adjust BRICS’ work to make it easier for it to smoothly proceed to a new state. The common opinion is that interests of many countries were taken into account and there is understanding that the partner countries will be priority candidates for full-fledged membership. I have no doubt that the expansion process will soon continue,” he said after a BRICS ministerial meeting.
“We decided to see how this expansion will proceed,” Lavrov noted. “The more members we have the more time we will need to adapt to this situation. More efforts will be needed to reach consensus.”
Established in 2006, the BRIC group was made up of Brazil, Russia, India and China. In 2011, South Africa joined the group, adding the “S” to the acronym. Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and Ethiopia joined the association as full-fledged members from January 1, 2024. Indonesia joined it on January 6, 2025. Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan were granted the status of partner countries on January 1, 2025, and Nigeria was added to the list of partner countries on January 17.
Brazil took over the BRICS’ year-long presidency on January 1, 2025.
Russia in talks to help India build space station — Roscosmos
Indian Space Research Organization is currently working to construct India’s first space station, which will comprise five modules
MOSCOW, April 29. /TASS/. Roscosmos is holding talks with the Indian Space Research Organization about using Russian technologies for building the Indian National Orbital Station, said Dmitry Bakanov, director general of the Russian state corporation.
“We are in talks, including with Indian partners, to help them with their orbital station with our technologies,” Bakanov said on Rossiya-24 television.
ISRO is currently working to construct India’s first space station, which will comprise five modules: the base, main, research, lab and general-purpose ones. The first module is scheduled for launch in 2028, and the station is planned to be fully deployed in 2035.
SPECIAL MILITARY OPERATION IN UKRAINE
Russia Focused on Bringing Peace to Ukraine – Kremlin
The government spokesman touched upon the most pressing policy issues with emphasis on the Ukrainian crisis and the geopolitical turmoil surrounding it.
Russia is focused on bringing the Ukrainian conflict towards a peaceful settlement, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday.
“We are still focused on ongoing efforts to move the process towards a peaceful settlement,” Peskov told reporters.
Ukraine Stays Mum on Truce Proposals
Ukraine has not reacted to the proposal of Russian President Vladimir Putin for a three-day truce to coincide with Victory Day celebrations, Peskov added.
On Monday, the Kremlin said that Putin had declared a ceasefire from midnight on May 8 until midnight on May 11 during the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany.
“President Putin showed a gesture of goodwill and announced yesterday that a temporary truce would be declared to celebrate the victory. We have not heard any reaction from the Kiev regime so far either. It is still very difficult to understand whether the Kiev regime is going to join or not,” Peskov told reporters, adding that a lack of response is a manipulation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s proposal to stop the conflict for 30 days is impossible without resolving all the nuances, the spokesman said.
“We have seen, but if we talk about such a long-term cessation, then the nuances that President Putin spoke about in the Kremlin are important. This is also important, but it is difficult to reach such a long-term truce without answering these questions. President Putin spoke about this, we need to remember these words every time,” Peskov said, adding that entering into peace talks is a primary interest.
Moscow expects that Putin’s initiative on the truce will receive an assessment in Europe and Kiev, Peskov added.
North Korean Soldiers May Be Awarded
It cannot be ruled out that Putin will award North Korean soldiers who excelled in the operation to clear the Kursk region from Ukrainian soldiers, Peskov said on Tuesday.
On Saturday, Chief of Russia’s General Staff Valery Gerasimov announced that the Kursk region was fully liberated, as the last of the settlements had been cleared of Ukrainian military presence. North Korea has officially announced sending troops to Russia under the Russian-North Korean Strategic Partnership Treaty.
“I am not aware of these plans yet, but this cannot be ruled out, of course,” Peskov replied to a question from reporters about whether Putin would reward the North Korean soldiers.
The question of the possibility of the continued participation of North Korean fighters in combat operations should be addressed to the Russian Defense Ministry, the spokesman added.
France Stays Deaf to Russia’s Arguments
It seems like France does not bother to listen to Putin’s statements, Peskov also said, commenting on the words of French President Emmanuel Macron about pressure on Russia.
On Monday, Macron said that Western pressure on Russia to make a ceasefire deal with Ukraine will increase in the coming eight to 10 days.
“It seems that in France, they do not bother to listen to the statements of President Putin, to our regret. It was President Putin who repeated many times that Russia is ready to begin the negotiation process without any preconditions. We have not heard a response from the Kiev regime yet,” Peskov told reporters.
Macron’s statement confirms that Europe still prefers to focus on continuing the war, which is regrettable, the official added.
Russia’s Air Forces Down Ukrainian Su-27
Russia’s Aerospace Forces shot down a Ukrainian Su-27 aircraft, while aviation and artillery struck the infrastructure of military airfields, the training center of Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service, strike drone launch sites, ammunition depots, and air defense systems, destroying 189 drones, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported on Tuesday.
“Operational-tactical aviation, strike unmanned aerial vehicles, missile troops, and artillery of the Russian Armed Forces’ groupings have struck the infrastructure of military airfields, the training center of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, strike drone launch sites, ammunition depots, as well as temporary deployment points of Ukrainian armed formations and foreign mercenaries in 152 areas. The Russian Aerospace Forces have shot down a Ukrainian Su-27 aircraft,” the Ministry of Defense stated.
Anti-aircraft defense systems destroyed seven JDAM-guided bombs manufactured in the United States and 189 aircraft-type drones.
Since the start of the special military operation, the following have been destroyed: 662 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 54,368 unmanned aerial vehicles, 605 surface-to-air missile systems, 23,081 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 1,553 multiple rocket launchers, 24,238 field artillery pieces and mortars, and 34,718 units of special military vehicles.
New Settlements Liberated
The Zapad group of the Russian armed forces has taken control of the settlement of Doroshovka in the Kharkov region over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.
“As a result of active actions, units of the Zapad military group liberated the settlement of Doroshovka in the Kharkov region,” the ministry said in a statement.
More Ukrainian Militants Decimated
Russia’s Tsentr group of forces has eliminated up to 450 Ukrainian soldiers over the past day, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.
“The enemy has lost up to 450 servicepeople, two armored combat vehicles, including a US-made M113 armored personnel carrier, two vehicles and two artillery pieces,” the statement read.
Russia’s Yug group of forces has eliminated up to 250 Ukrainian soldiers over the past day, the ministry said.
Russia’s Zapad group of forces has eliminated over 240 Ukrainian servicepeople, while Russia’s Sever group of forces has eliminated up to 205 Ukrainian soldiers over the past 24 hours, the ministry said.
Putin’s Victory Day ceasefire offer opens possible direct talks with Kiev – Lavrov
The Russian president has ordered a 72-hour truce in the Ukraine conflict to mark the 80th anniversary of the Soviet defeat of Nazi Germany
Russia considers President Vladimir Putin’s declared 72-hour Victory Day ceasefire in the Ukraine conflict as “the start of direct negotiations with Kiev without preconditions,” Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said.
Putin said he was introducing the truce due to “humanitarian considerations,” and ordered the suspension of all military activity against Ukrainian forces starting from midnight on May 7–8 and lasting until midnight on May 10–11.
The ceasefire announcement stated that “the Russian side reiterates its willingness to enter peace talks without preconditions, with a view to eliminating the root causes behind the Ukraine crisis and establishing constructive interaction with international partners.”
Speaking to journalists following a meeting of BRICS foreign ministers on Tuesday, Lavrov also commented on Vladimir Zelensky’s demand for an immediate 30-day ceasefire.
“A [30-day] ceasefire in this situation is considered a precondition that will be used to further support the Kiev regime and strengthen its military capabilities,” Lavrov said.
Zelensky was pushing for an immediate ceasefire because Ukrainian troops were “retreating,” Lavrov added.
On Monday, the Ukrainian leader branded Moscow’s three-day truce declaration a “manipulation attempt,” saying he wanted an immediate 30-day ceasefire instead, and accusing Moscow of “constantly rejecting” what he said was an effort to “establish peace and guarantee security” by Kiev and its supporters.
Lavrov recalled previous violations by the Ukrainian side, including of this month’s Easter truce and a 30-day moratorium on strikes against energy infrastructure brokered by US President Donald Trump in mid-March.
According to the Russian military, the Easter ceasefire was only partially successful. Approximately 4,900 violations by the Ukrainian were recorded during the period.
Previously, Moscow and Kiev agreed to halt attacks on each other’s energy infrastructure for 30 days following a March 18 phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart, Donald Trump. The Russian Defense Ministry subsequently reported numerous Ukrainian attacks, which it characterized as violations of the agreement, while Vladimir Zelensky maintained that Kiev’s forces abided by the moratorium.
“So, we know exactly what these calls [by Kiev] for a ceasefire are really worth,” Lavrov concluded.
President Putin has previously remarked that Kiev would exploit a prolonged pause for rearmament and reinforcement.
INSIGHTS
Western NGOs are political influence tools – investigative journalist — RT Africa
David Hundeyin has shared his views on the influential reach of Western NGOs
Western non-governmental organizations (NGO) have long served as instruments of influence, even when ostensibly operating outside of politics, Nigerian investigative journalist David Hundeyin has said.
Speaking to RT, Hundeyin noted that for decades both declassified intelligence documents and local experiences in countries such as Nigeria had indicated that organizations under the US Agency for International Development (USAID) umbrella were key players in “successful regime change operations.”
Hundeyin emphasized that even NGOs dedicated to social causes – such as helping single mothers or conducting charitable work – often acted as subtle extensions of influence operations.
Commenting on the impact of recent US funding cuts, Hundeyin explained that the consequences have been profound, particularly in the Global South. He described the NGO sector in Nigeria as heavily dependent on American financial support. With funding drying up, he said the so-called “NGO industrial complex” has been decimated.
Hundeyin suggested that even organizations which previously claimed to be independent were now facing scrutiny, as the withdrawal of funds revealed their deep ties to US intelligence and diplomatic structures. Across Africa, the collapse of financial support has led to mass layoffs in the NGO sector, unpaid salaries, abandoned projects, and a sharp decline in ‘astroturfing’ efforts that once shaped local narratives.
“It’s almost completely broken down now, because it turns out that once you’ve turned off the funding tap, these people are really not as strong as they might have presented themselves,” Hundeyin said.
When asked about the broader footprint of US-backed NGOs across Africa, Hundeyin said the phenomenon was widespread. He pointed to Ghana and particularly Kenya, describing it as “basically the NGO capital of Africa, possibly of the entire Global South.” He stated that NGO activity has been so extensive in Nairobi that it has influenced local economies, including real estate prices.
In March, Nigerian lawmakers launched an inquiry into over a dozen NGOs following allegations that USAID funded terrorism in the country. The House of Representatives requested financial records from 2015 to 2024, aiming to investigate funding sources and expenditures. The move follows US Congressman Scott Perry’s claims that USAID funneled money to groups such as Boko Haram. US officials have denied the accusations. NGO leaders, including Transparency International Nigeria and Global Rights, have condemned the probe.
In February, the administration of US President Donald Trump announced that it was terminating 90% of USAID contracts. The administration cited a failure to advance America’s national interests, and effectively halted $60 billion in humanitarian spending worldwide.
