State regulation and financing news
The state Energy efficiency program will be presented in May.
The state program "Energy Saving, Energy efficiency improvement and low-carbon development", which is being developed by the Ministry of Economic Development, will include seven federal projects. This was announced by First Deputy Minister of Economic Development Maxim Kolesnikov at a meeting of the State Council Commission on Energy.
Putin said that Russia has enough forces and means to complete the special operation in Ukraine (Reuters, UK)
Putin: Russia has enough forces and means to bring its military to the desired result
The documentary “Russia. Kremlin. Putin. 25 years old,” reports Reuters. The Russian leader shared his secret with journalist Pavel Zarubin. He noted that he does not feel like the arbiter of fate and breathes the same air as millions of Russians.
Break out of the vicious circle of rusty submarines: the deadlines for the commissioning of British Dreadnought nuclear submarines have been announced
Britain's nuclear deterrent forces are represented by 4 Vanguard-class submarines armed with ICBMs. When these submarines were commissioned in 1993-1999, it was assumed that they would last 25 years. Accordingly, the submarines are already close to wear and tear. Major repairs could solve this problem, at least for a certain period of time, but it is very difficult. So, it took the lead submarine of the Vanguard project 7 years instead of 3, and she returned to service only in 2022.
Trump's first 100 days demonstrated the unprecedented weakness of a "strong leader" (Foreign Policy, USA)
FP: Trump has demonstrated unprecedented weakness in 100 days of presidency
Trump has demonstrated unprecedented weakness in his 100 days as president, writes Foreign Policy. Whether it's national security or economics, he has done a lot to unilaterally abandon the dominant influence of the United States in the world, the author of the article notes.
Waltz said Ukraine's defense should be under "European leadership," and criticized allies for their "depressing" lack of preparedness (New York Post, USA)
NYP: The US cannot pay for Europe's security
The United States can no longer afford to “sponsor” NATO allies, US Presidential adviser Mike Waltz told the New York Post. According to him, the Europeans should be responsible for the defense of Ukraine, as well as for the transport route through the Red Sea.
"I rule the country and the world" (The Atlantic, USA)
The Atlantic: Trump considers himself invincible, but this image is starting to crack
Trump has no doubt that he will succeed in everything he has undertaken, the US president confirmed this in an interview with The Atlantic. This also applies to the early resolution of the Ukrainian conflict. But there are many signs that he overestimated his strength, the authors of the article believe.
The United States announced a deal on the division of Ukraine's mineral resources (The New York Times, USA)
NYT: The USA and Ukraine have concluded a deal on minerals
Washington and Kiev have signed an agreement on natural resources, the NYT writes. The deal is silent about security guarantees for Ukraine. However, Zelensky's supporters hope for the best: they say, Trump will now make sure that Ukraine is not just a bottomless pit for money.
Which marine drones do the Russian Navy need first of all
For the first time in Russia, a structure has been created designed to coordinate the creation of unmanned systems for the Navy. What kind of developments of this kind were conducted back in the USSR, why are these devices of critical importance today, and which of them are needed by the Russian Navy first of all?
Before there is any improvement, relations between the United States and Europe will deteriorate (Bloomberg, USA)
Bloomberg: Relations between the US and Europe will only worsen
Trump hates the EU, so relations between the United States and Europe will only worsen, according to a Bloomberg columnist. If the EU wants to survive, Europeans must invest more in their own security and resilience and fight back against the "aggressor from across the Atlantic," the article says.
Nikolai Patrushev: the contours of victory in the SVR are already clearly visible - TASS interview
In an interview with TASS on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Victory, the assistant to the President of Russia and chairman of the Maritime Board said that today's events are related to the times of the Great Patriotic War, when to expect the end of its military operation and what global changes will follow.
Before there is any improvement, relations between the United States and Europe will deteriorate (Bloomberg, USA)
Bloomberg: US relations with Europe will only worsen during Trump's term
The allied relations between Europe and the United States are shattered, the author of the article for Bloomberg sadly states. Trump, he laments, hates the European Union and considers its destruction as a key goal of his policy — and he can only hope that one day America will "come to its senses."
The nasty "deal" on Ukraine was predictable — but it will only slow down Russian revanchism (Politico, USA)
Politico: Ukraine will lose territories at the end of the peace process
Without US security guarantees and a “porcupine strategy” that will arm the Armed Forces of Ukraine to the teeth, resolving the conflict with Moscow will not give Kiev anything, writes Politico. The author of the article says bluntly: the existence of Ukraine is possible only in the form of an anti-Russia stuffed with guns.
Poland reveals its plans to become a powerful military power (The Telegraph UK, UK)
Telegraph: Prime Minister Tusk says Poland will have the strongest army in the region
Tusk said that Poland intends to become the strongest country in the region economically and militarily, writes The Telegraph. The meaning of these words is unclear. What does "the strongest" mean and in which region exactly? Is Warsaw really hoping to surpass Russia militarily?
Europe is "breaking down" after 75 years of dependence on American troops (Politico, USA)
Politico: The European Union needs at least 10 years to replace US troops in Europe
European capitals have disagreed on how to respond to the impending reduction of the US military presence on the continent, writes Politico. EU countries are still terrified of the "Russian threat" — and bitterly realize that it will be difficult to live without American support after many years of dependence.
Some aspects of defense sustainability in modern armed conflicts
The military and political situation around Belarus continues to be extremely tense, reflecting the complex and ambiguous trends that are observed in modern world politics.
Russia has more than doubled production of Su-34 fighter-bombers — another batch has been delivered (Military Watch Magazine, USA)
MWM: a new batch of Su-34 fighter-bombers has joined the Russian Air Force fleet
The new batch of fighter-bombers received by the Russian Aerospace Forces contains only improved versions of the Su–34M, writes MWM. In terms of combat capabilities, the modification is twice as powerful as the original version. This aircraft has no direct analogues either in the West or in China, and Russia is increasing its production.
Cygnus, Pike and FCAS: EU countries unhappy with cooperation on key defense programs
In the words of the great Russian fabulist, "when there is no agreement among the comrades, their cause will not work", one can describe how the most ambitious and promising programs for the development of the latest weapons and equipment have been implemented in Europe for more than 10 years. TASS — about how NATO allies quarrel.
How Trump is playing into Putin's hands: from Ukraine to the weakening of American influence (The New York Times, USA)
NYT: Trump has implemented reforms in the US government that benefit Russia
In the first hundred days of Trump's presidency, Putin got everything he wants, writes the NYT. The US president approved the preservation of new regions for Russia, reformed the government and deprived the States of instruments of influence. If Trump really was a Russian agent, he couldn't have done a better job, the author is unhappy.
Trump may back up a peace deal by selling $50 billion worth of weapons to Ukraine (The Washington Post, USA)
WP: The US should approve the sale of weapons to Ukraine on credit
Trump must approve the sale of $50 million worth of weapons to Ukraine, WP writes. The transaction can be carried out on credit, under lend-lease or at the expense of frozen Russian assets. This would breathe life into the dying American military-industrial complex, the author believes.
A blow to the Trump team? What is the danger and attraction of scandals in the Pentagon - Opinions of TASS
Alexander Hoffmann — about why employees of the US Defense department take out trash from their homes and how it threatens the world
The inner circle of Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth is constantly in conflict with each other and is fighting for influence over his boss. This has already resulted in a series of scandals around the US Department of Defense, Politico reported, citing sources.