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Zelensky in Brussels

A ROW WITH TRUMP: What will be the consequences?

MILITARY DEVELOPMENTS: Putin words

BRUSSEL:. CAN THE EU SUSTAIN THE ZELENSKY REGIME

The Diesel Deal Aftershocks

Questions: Will it make a difference

EU maneuvers

Zelensky’s chances

The New Reality:

Trump wants to buy Russian diesel.

Rupture with Zelensky

Confronting EU hypocrisy

HERE COMES PUTIN

1. How can Putin help Trump?
2. Why would Putin want to help Trump?
3. How can Putin help Trump?He can help Trump by: 1. Lowering the price of oil in the USA2. Finding a way to reach a compromise with Iran.

CAUSES

Underfunding of public education (lack of resources/money for schools), which caused overcrowded classes, teacher shortages, dilapidated buildings, long school days, and related problems—especially in poorer areas.

The West Refuses to Listen to Putin

Putin: A Threat or a Warning to the West

What the West Did Not Notice in Putin’s Speech

What is Valday: annual conf. experts

3-hour speech 45 min plus 2,5 hours Q&A

He spoke on multipolarity, BRICS, AI and Mankind, the UN and its possible Reform; Russia and Europe, as Russia and Eurasia.

Western media focus almost exclusively on the nuclear threat.

WHY do they refuse to listen?

Why do they ignore what Putin tirelessly tries to explain?

WHAT THE WEST GOT

WHAT THEY IGNORED

Two questions today.

Why does Putin reject a ceasefire or a deal with Zelensky?

Why does Zelensky refuse to accept Putin’s terms?

Zelensky at the UN

THREE IMPORTANT EVENTS

TRUMP SANCTIONS ON THIRD COUNTRIES:

ELECTIONS IN GERMANY

UKRAINE ATTACK ON RUSSIA 2000 DRONES

TRUMP: THIRD PARTY SANCTIONS TARIFFS. cHINA

iNDIA, RESPONSE

CAN THEY BE ENFORCED. NO WHY COUNTERMEARURES WILL HURT US MORE; BRICS PAY WORKS.

TRUMP LOOKS PATHETIC LAUGHABLE

THE DOG BARKS THE CARRAVAM MOVES ON.

2GERMANY

AfD to be banned not to be banned its policies hijacked,

EU leaders out of line with trends in D.

There is no EU without D

in that case they fall together with Zelensky

Results in Germany: MECKLENBURG AFTER SAXONY ANHALT

AFD 38% SPD 35. Linke survived 6% Greens 6%all others gone. They will all gang up on AFD double down to pursue the same course

1. Rebellion against ruling parties and establishment
2. Unprecedented rise of AFD. Double votes in one election cycle
3. Combined with collapse of CDU
4. Dramatic decline of SPD. Losing in their own historical bastion, Mecklenburg. They lost; they got fewer votes than AFD.
5. Policy of the firewall is doubling down on the old policy of the Grand Coalition it means ignoring results and pursuing the same course.

2Ukraine attack Russia drones MOscoW 2000 drones at one time. On election day.

Zelensky troubles

1 AFD

2 Marine Le Pen

3 Juli Mendel

4 new corruption scandal

4 Russian bombing of rail and bridges

URSULA KEEP FUNDING UKRAINE

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered her State of the Union address, which reaffirmed strong support for Ukraine.

Due to the conflict/closure involving the Strait of Hormuz, imported fossil fuels have cost the EU an additional €90 billion “without a single molecule of energy added.”

Continued strong support for Ukraine (humanitarian/energy aid for winter, joint missile defence projects, using leftover SAFE funds for joint defence projects with Ukrainian firms).

1.AFD POSITION

NO money to Ukraine

Trade with Russia

German national interests: Europe of sovereign states

No to militarization

No to migration

2 MARINE LE PEN POSITION interview

No money for Ukraine as no money for pension indexation

No billion transfer to EU

France first

3 UKRAINIAN OPPOSITION

Content of Mendel’s Planned/Delivered Remarks

According to reporting that obtained the text of the speech, it was not a detailed peace plan with specific ceasefire lines or security guarantees. Key themes included:

• Military victory over Russia is no longer possible.
• Continuing the war risks severe demographic, economic, and human costs for Ukraine (described by some reports as risking an “Afghanistan path”).
• Preference for diplomacy over further escalation; prioritizing preservation of the Ukrainian nation over recovering every kilometre of territory.
• Criticism of the current strategy and Western approaches that, in her view, prolong the conflict. intellinews.com

Zelensky: profits from war, declined peace in 22, 24, 25 anchorage.

B New Corruption Scandal

Prosecutor ran away

4 Military developments:

Two bridges leading to ports to Romania bombed,

Locomotives, rail depot

On Polish border

Petraeus BoJo hysteria

Their plan: double down on drone deliveries, NATO membership for Ukraine

Conclusions:

Ursula and war hawks double down in war effort

But new forces gathering momentum: AfD in D and Le Pen in France

Zelensky’s corrupt regime is running out of supporters

Russia tightens its grip over supply routes

So: Is that an alternative to SWIFT?

Yes it is

Is it fully world-wide? NO

Is it a way to bypass sanctions? Yes

Does it blunt US ability to impose sanctions? Yes

Is it visible to the US? NO

Does it add to independence of countries? Yes.

It makes trade between 40% of world GDP escape US control. In that sense, it is de-dollarization.

We have nothing against the dollar; we just prefer to trade in our own gold-backed currencies. Well that is exactly what de-dollarization is.

Questions:

Witkoff-Kushner mission: the fallout:

1. Its impact on Russian politics
2. Its impact on Ukrainian politics
3. Its impact on US politics

Why is there talk of Ratcliff replacing Witkoff-Kushner as chief negotiator

d. Impact of this mission on EU

Witkoff Mission

Questions: What were the proposals brought to Kiev?

What did Zelensky answer?

What does it mean?

Substance of proposals:

Withdrawal of Ukr forces from Donbas

Entry of UN forces in that territory

Recognition of that territory as Russian

Neutral status

No membership in NATO

Withdrawal from Zaporoshie

Negotiation on the use of Russian language

New elections referendum

New government and amendments to the Constitution and a treaty of peace sighed by new government unde auspeces of the UN

What are the chances for a Peace deal soon? What is behind Zelensky's threat to close Russian airspace? Who are Zelensky's rivals for the presidency? What terms is Putin likely to impose and to accept? These are the questions we shall consider today.

Putin’s Ultimate Objective Revealed

Todays key topics:

Ratclif'sf visit to Moscow: interpretations

Ukraine winning or Russia winning arguments

Russia's new strategy and technology

Zelensky and his plan of action

What Can the Coalition of the Willing Do?

Questions:

What do they promise?

Will it help?

NATO vs. Coalition of the Willing.

I pose two question in this video: 1. HOW STABLE IS ZELENSKY IN POWER? 2.WHO WANTS WHAT IN UKRAINE? How do the rivals to Zelensky, such as Fedorov and Zaluzhny propose to win the war? Why does the Western media support one or the other? These are some of the questions we consider today

Questions:

1. The War Update. New

Where did the Ukrainians hit, results

Where did the Russians hit. Results.

What does that exchange of fire show?

2. What do the Russian want to achieve now?

Lavrov message on things to come:

THERE ARE TWO ISSUES CONSIDERED HERE. both are concerned with Putin's response to EU actions against Russia. the first is the decision of EU to seize Russian ships and tankers and to confiscate the cargo and then dispose of it on world markets. the second is a decision to move production from Ukraine to EU countries. Here we discuss Putin's response.

ONE VLADIVOSTOK DECISIONS. lEGAL BASIS

TWO. PRIORITY TO CUT OFF EU FROM UKRAINE PORTS AND NOW RAIL LINKS RASSVET NEW CAPACITY BUT ALSO MANUFACTURING.

2. EU manufacturing of drones moved to EU, Italy, F

40 days Forcing Russia To the Negotiating Table.

Questions: 1What was the purpose? 2What were the means? 3What was accomplished? 4What has been the Russian Response? 5What do Trump actions show? 6 What does 1,5 billion stolen Russian money to Ukraine mean? These are the questions we shall consider today.

Episode 4: we covered 1917, 1918, Ukraine South Now East

Stage 2 of the Front Line Civil War

Definitions: What is a Front Line civil war, like US civil war

Gov against the people: Sherman Atlanta

In Russia BOTH: gov vs gov. Gov vs people

So stage one: in Russia 1918 July to 11 November Bols vs. Socialist Komuch gov.

Kolchak coup d’etat Second stage.

Nov. 1918 - August 1920.

Within it: Kolchak offensive Nov 1918 - August 1919

Denikin offensive: JUne 1919 - Jan 1920.

Vrangel Jan 1920 - November 1920

So Eastern Front:

The Beginning: December 1918:

Kochak coup Etat and first actions

Arrests of SRs, British Support.

Random executions, arrests of all and any labels socialists. No difference Bolsheviks Srs any socialist traitor to be shot.

First Successes:

December 1918. Perm Pepeliaev. Cossacks 40 trains with ammunition, requisitioned property and Gold of Russia seized.

Mobilization in the Volga area. 150K army

Population welcoming. Tired of requisitions,

My thesis: not covered in Soviet Histories.

Kolchak offensive successful from Urals to Volga BECAUSE peasant rebellions. My book Lunacharsky to Lenin People wait for Kolchak.

US forces in Siberia History of engagement

General Graves cables to State Department

Red Cross doctors: executions, mutilations, of priests, nobles, merchants, photos taken, Motovilikha story 102 workers shot.

Red Terror documented as systematic slaughter by class principles.

Kolchak Government:

Atamanshchina, no gov. Local warlords, no governing, just robbery

Corruption, theft, lawlessness, reports of Graves.

On paper 400K army, in fact 50K fighting. The most dedicated were Workers detachments of People’s army who stayed with Kolchak.

Slow collapse only thanks to huge territory.

War on railroads, along railroads,

Irkutsk jan 4 1920 arrested. Finished.

Remnants retreat to Manchuria, San Francisco. I talked to some in 1980.

Conclusion: Kolchak had a chance but blew it. Main cause hatred of socialists non-inclusive, inability to govern, no central authority.

Questions: 1 What is the mood of the public in Russia in view of Ukraine drone hits on beeches, cafes, festivals Omsk, civilian infrastructure. 2 How far the Russians are willing to go in retribution? 3 What means do they have that are new? 4. What do they say about Trump, Zelensky and EU leaders. Dr. Brovkin served as an Associate Professor of Soviet History at Harvard University, he is the author of numerous books on Russian History and politics. His latest book: From Vladimir Lenin to Vladimir Putin: Russia in Search of Its identity (Routledge, London 2024) is available from Amazon and Routledge.com

This is episode three in my series on Modern Russian History that appears every Sunday. The information here is taken from my book: Behind Front Lines of the Civil War. Political Parties and Social Movements in Russia. 1917-1921 (Princeton University press). Obviously 20 minutes video is a short summary from a book of 400 pages.

Dr. Brovkin served as an Associate Professor of Soviet History at Harvard University, he is the author of numerous books on Russian History and politics. His latest book: From Vladimir Lenin to Vladimir Putin: Russia in Search of Its identity (Routledge, London 2024) is available from Amazon and Routledge.com. In addition to Issues of Contemporary Politics playlist, you can find: Russia under Yeltsin and Putin, Russia under the Communist Regime, War in Ukraine, European History and others. FOLLOW me ON X TWITTER https://x.com/BrovkinVla97791. Follow me at Vbrovkin51.substack.com and listen to my podcasts at RSS.com

What did Zelensky do on the eve of his trip to DC? What was the purpose of drone strikes on civilian targets in Russia? What consequences were engendered by Ukrainian attacks on Russian grain cargo ships? What did Putin say about the future of Western Ukraine? These are some of the questions we consider today.

Modern Russian History Series: Episode 2: Towards the Civil War in Russia. What did the Bolsheviks do when they came to power? Did they establish the power of local councils as promised? Why did they start requisition gain from peasants? Why was nationalization of industry turn into destruction of industry? Why instead of elections to the soviets they disbanded the Soviets? Why di they kill the Tsar and his family? Why did they start the Red Terror? These are some of the questions discussed in the episode. Dr. Brovkin served as an Associate Professor of Soviet History at Harvard University, he is the author of numerous books on Russian History and politics. His latest book: From Vladimir Lenin to Vladimir Putin: Russia in Search of Its identity (Routledge, London 2024) is available from Amazon and Routledge.com. In addition to Issues of Contemporary Politics playlist, you can find: Russia under Yeltsin and Putin, Russia under the Communist Regime, War in Ukraine, European History and others. THESE WERE CONVERTED TO PODCASTS AS WELL. FOLLOW me ON X TWITTER https://x.com/BrovkinVla97791. Follow me at Vbrovkin51.substack.com and listen to my podcasts at RSS.com

Is Russia Really losing

Doctorow: Russia is losing the war. Substack and Diesen show

Doctorow argument Russia is losing because:

1.Drone warfare. 10K drone operators can hold the front of 50: soldiers.

Advance impossible.

Destruction of the rear is possible.

Russia: no electricity in Crimes. No transport corridor to Crimea

Territory of Herson uninhabitable.

Oil refineries burning. Russia has to import gasoline

2.Goals of SMO not reached and not reachable.

All that may amount to Russia cannot reach its goals.

Doctorow says If it cannot reach its goals it lost the war.

Critique:

1a Drone warfare success:

Yesterday 400 drones attacked Moscow. Not one reached Moscow. 1 person killed in Moscow province. 3 eounded. 3 private houses damaged from missile debris.

Drones two types: 1 small Ukr made launched from infiltrators can ignite oil not much else.

Long range drones made in EU. RF leant to suppress and destroy those.

Geran 4: Russian optic guided drones undetectable, turbo engine not propeller, devastating on Ukr front line

Rasset satellite system. Guides Russian missiles all over Ukraine

Offensive is possible and is unfolding.

Oil shortage has been overcome now.

2 Goals of SMO unreachable?

Wrong:

Open goal is now regime change in Kiev.

Strategy has changed Because of drone warfare. It became a catalyst of change.

SO: Not hit NATO, but destroy ports. Shipping, rail, bridges, gas stations, locomotives and all miliary enterprises.

This is a weekly series of presentations on the History of Modern Russia starting with the Revolution of 1917. In this episode we consider the following questions: How to explain the sudden collapse of Nicholas II? Was that a revolution or a simple collapse of the state? What were the major political parties in Russia and what did they want ? Who were the Bolsheviks, the Mensheviks, the Socialist Revolutionaries and what was the dynamics of political struggle in 1917. Why did the politics of 1917 always escalated to the extreme demands? Why were the Bolsheviks popular. Was there an alternative to Bolshevik seizure of power? If they were so popular why did the Bolsheviks lose the first free and open universal franchise elections?

What did the Bolsheviks promise and could they fulfill their promises?

Will Zelensky Survive Defence Minister Ouster?

What we shall consider:

1Who is Fedorov?

2 What is he credited with accomplishing?

3 Fact check: Did it really work?

4 Why Zelensky ousted him?

5 Who supports Fedeov inside Ukraine and outside?

Political consequences

Coalition of the the Un-Willing (July 13 Meeting)

Macron reports highlight these priorities:

• Air and missile defense boost — More Patriot interceptors, accelerating Franco-Italian SAMP-T deployment, and advancing joint European-Ukrainian production of alternatives (including Ukraine’s FREYA system).
• Anti-ballistic cooperation — Joint development and funding for systems like FREYA (a cheaper, mass-producible Patriot analogue using Fire Point’s FP-7.X interceptors).
• Security guarantees framework — Planning for post-ceasefire measures (multinational force, monitoring, etc.), though deployment is conditional on a ceasefire.
• Longer-term military support — Sustained aid packages, training, joint production, and exercises.

Broader Coalition Commitments (from Recent Paris Declarations – Still in Force)

Is Ukraine really winning as Macron asserts? What is the political objective of this narrative? Are devastating hits on Kiev Putin's answer to that claim? Are the Russians about to attack drone manufacturers in Europe? Are we on the eve of yet another major escalation of the Ukraine war? These are some of the questions we shall discuss today. Dr. Brovkin served as an Associate Professor of Soviet History at Harvard University, he is the author of numerous books on Russian History and politics. His latest book: From Vladimir Lenin to Vladimir Putin: Russia in Search of Its identity (Routledge, London 2024) is available from Amazon and Routledge.com. In addition to Issues of Contemporary Politics playlist, you can find: Russia under Yeltsin and Putin, Russia under the Communist Regime, War in Ukraine, European History and others. THESE WERE CONVERTED TO PODCASTS AS WELL. FOLLOW me ON X TWITTER https://x.com/BrovkinVla97791. Follow me at Vbrovkin51.substack.com and listen to my podcasts at RSS.com

Putin Considers War Options

The Challenge:

New factors: 1.Long range missiles developed by UK for Ukraine. 800-900 km Ukraine is just a cover. British production

Most mainstream media assert that Ukraine is winning the war. They all refer to drone strikes on oil facilities as proof. I argue here that the West has already lost this war. Russian offensive is gaining speed and no drone deliveries to Ukraine cam stop it. Russia has an overwhelming advantage over European NATO in just about every branch of military hardware.

How did this war begin? How do the Russians regard Ukraine? Why was Putin reluctant to get into a fight? Why was Russia slow in initial phases of the war. We shall discuss these and other questions in this format of an interview with a British broadcaster.

Dr. Brovkin is an American historian of Russia, now retired, who served as an Associate professor of History at Harvard University, the author of many books on Russian history. His latest book: From Vladimir Lenin to Vladimir Putin (London. Routledge 2023) available on Amazon and other platforms.

This is the interview I gave for the British audience. The questions are all historical: Why did Putin come to power? Why did the Soviet Union collapse? Was the SU backward and in what? Why is Putin feared or hated in the West?

Two issues addressed today

Zelensky Belarus Bubble

Zelensky info war propaganda on the eve of NATO summit.

Sequence of events: relay stations threat to destroy . Zelensky "We will destroy ourselves." Putin Lukashenko meeting, Security Council Russia meeting.

Response: Belarus stands with Russia. Russia will defends Belarus,

Russian troops to enter Belarus. Unified State framework.

Many observers such as Gilbert Doctorow and others suggest that Putin is slow to respond and that his conduct of the SMO is too cautious and thus ineffective. Here I offer a different interpretation and suggest that the way the war is conducted has changed profoundly in view of the latest decisions of G7 and in view of the Ukrainian drone strikes

Here I discuss what Putin intends to do answering his critics that the Special Military Operation is not going as fast as one could expect. This is based on his speeches in mid-June 2026 for the Russian audiences, specifically speaking to the officers and soldiers serving at the front line and to the state officials and governors in central Russia

Intro: what’s new: a. New decisions of Security council

Response to drone attacks on Russia

Response to EU summit

Row between Ukraine and Poland

Drone attacks on Russia: intensification. In the hundreds.

Yesterday attack on Kerch ferry, Crimea, no gas in Cremia,

Trucks must go hundreds of km around. Federov: make an island of crimea.

Russian response: 15000 production a day. A new drone Molnia, faster and heavier; news strategy: Rassvet satellites, destroy on the ground infrastructure for targeting

. destroy logistics of NATO,

reception centers, drones storage, drone shipments, recruitment ceters, factories. Energy infrastructure.

Latest: FAB heavy bombs, iscander missiles, factories in Kiev, Kharkov, roads, logistics, hundreds of hits every day.

Nestern coverage: houses hit, casualties few one three four, amazing after hundreds of hits.

Konstantinovka taken, Liman taken, two cities left

New war gloves off.

Ushakov: we want victory, no more Anchorage agreements.

Will the Memorandum of Understanding last? Who opposes it and why? Will JD Vance be seen now as a proponent of the peace deal?