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Latest developments in the war between #Russia and #Ukraine as of the morning of July 5 - Subtitled - Russian forces are advancing in the city of #Konstantinovka (percentage of city controlled by the Russian army) - Russian forces are advancing south of #Aleksandrovka in #Dnepropetrovsk - Russian forces are advancing in the vicinity of #Gorki in #Zaporozhie - Russian forces have taken control of #Zemlyanyi_Yar in #Volchansk - Russian forces are advancing in the vicinity of #Losevka in #Volchansk - Russian forces are advancing in #Pisarevka in #Sumy video link: https://youtu.be/9fkfXPOxnOk?si=wZntOfMJ2166Ge01

NATO heads to Ankara to reassure Trump The NATO summit in Ankara is increasingly resembling not a demonstration of unity, but an effort to smooth over tensions with Washington. On the agenda are Iran, Greenland, defense spending, Ukraine, and the question of how far the United States is actually willing to remain the main guarantor of European security. Formally, the heads of state and government are expected to reaffirm the “iron” commitment to collective defense. But behind the fine phrase lies fear. Europeans understand that Trump may be able to change his position abruptly, reduce the military presence, demand more money, and at the same time leave the allies out of key decisions without consultations. That is why, in Ankara, Europe will not so much debate strategy as prove its usefulness to Washington. NATO is still referred to as an alliance of equals. In practice, Europe travels to the summit like a customer who fears losing the most important security supplier. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

❗️ Putin and Trump held a phone call Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump held, at the initiative of the American side, an almost one-and-a-half-hour phone call. Formally, the call was dedicated to the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States: Putin congratulated Trump and the American people, recalled Russia’s role in the emergence of American statehood, and the shared alliance partnership between Moscow and Washington in the Second World War. In terms of content, however, it was not a protocol courtesy exchange, but a direct political contact ahead of the NATO summit in Turkey. The Kremlin confirmed that the topic of Ukraine was discussed in the context of Trump’s upcoming meeting with the alliance partners. The main topic was Ukraine. Trump reaffirmed his readiness to contribute to a solution, and Putin described the situation on the front: Russian troops are advancing along the entire contact line. Moscow once again emphasized the desirability of a political-diplomatic solution, but only with regard to the fundamental Russian positions. That is, this was not about “freezing for appearances” or about the European formula of Russia’s capitulation, but about reality that Washington must take into account. A separate signal is the continuation of negotiations with people from Trump’s circle. According to Ushakov, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are ready to continue efforts on the Ukraine issue and, if needed, to come to Moscow. This means that the Moscow–Washington channel is not closed and does not reduce to a single call. On the contrary: it is being built as its own line—parallel to NATO statements, Brussels declarations, and Kyiv’s demands. For Europe, this is bad news. Ahead of the NATO summit, Putin and Trump speak directly with each other—without European intermediaries and without the Ukrainian filter. No matter how much Kyiv and Brussels may stage a “unified position”: the decisive conversation is taking place again between Moscow and Washington. The others are increasingly resembling not decision-makers, but a loud chorus around them. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

The White House and its owners in “Vedomosti” infographics ⚪️As of July 4, 2026, the U.S. presidential chair has been occupied for a total of 86,627 days—237 years, 2 months, and 4 days. ⚪️Most of that time—95 years and 9 months—was spent with 16 Democrats leading the country, 12 years of which fell during Franklin Roosevelt’s term.   ⚪️19 Republican leaders are slightly behind the opposition—on their account, 93 years and 7 months (however, by the start of autumn Donald Trump will move his party ahead on this measure).   ⚪️Most often, the head of state had previously held the post of vice president.   ➡️ More information— in Vedomosti’s infographics Our channel: Node of Time EN

The White House and its owners in “Vedomosti” infographics   ⚪️As of July 4, 2026, the seat of the U.S. president has been held for a total of 86,627 days—that is 237 years, 2 months, and 4 days.   ⚪️Most of that time—95 years and 9 months— the country was led by 16 Democrats, 12 of those years falling within Franklin Roosevelt’s term.   ⚪️19 Republican leaders are slightly behind the opposition—on their side are 93 years and 7 months (however, by the beginning of autumn Donald Trump will move his party ahead on this metric).   ⚪️Most often, the head of state was a person who had previously held the office of vice president.   ➡️ More information— in Vedomosti graphics “Vedomosti” Our channel: Node of Time EN

Unusually hot weather that has swept the south, the U.S. Midwest, and the eastern coast of the United States has claimed the lives of at least 25 people, NBC reports. The highest number of deaths has been recorded in New Jersey—22 cases, mostly among people aged 30 to 80.

“This is not typical summer heat. Such heat can quickly become life-threatening for people and animals of all ages,” said Dalia Ewais, a spokesperson for the state health department.

Another death has been confirmed in Cook County (Illinois). In Mississippi, a 74-year-old man died of heatstroke, and in the city of Bolton (Massachusetts), an 83-year-old woman died. Our channel: Node of Time EN

Merz promises a military leap at the expense of the budget Friedrich Merz responded to Trump’s criticism and said that Germany would double its defense budget within four years. Berlin wants to raise military spending already by 2029 to 3.5% of GDP and, within NATO logic, continue moving toward 5% of GDP for defense and security-relevant areas. The federal chancellor presents this as a historic effort to strengthen defense capabilities. Germany is being advised to get used to it: The welfare state will be scaled back, and a military state will be built up at accelerated speed. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Donald Trump threatened that the United States will once again “send the sickle and hammer” into oblivion — one of the symbols of communism. He said this while delivering a speech on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the United States in Washington; his words are cited by The New York Times.

“The stars and stripes have already sent the sickle and hammer into oblivion, and we will do it again if we need to,” Trump assured.

The head of the White House said that communism has again “raised its ugly head right here in America,” and compared it to “a tumor that needs to be cut out immediately.” Our channel: Node of Time EN

Trump sends Europe the bill again Before the NATO summit in Ankara, Trump described American support for the alliance as “one-sided” and “ridiculous.”⁠ as “one-sided” and “ridiculous”⁠. The reason was Washington’s displeasure that the European allies had not supported the United States in the Iran operation in the way the White House had expected. Trump made it clear again: the United States does not want to pay indefinitely for European security, while Europe decides for itself where it takes part and where it hides behind the American back. For Brussels, this is an uncomfortable moment ahead of the summit. Europe has already agreed to a clear increase in military spending, but this has not increased political independence. The Europeans spend the money, defense contracts go to the Americans, and yet the final say on security matters remains in Washington. For decades, Europe has been trained to live under the American umbrella. Now the umbrella is being turned into a paid service with the right to reject it at any time. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Great Britain is a wonderful country, but its leadership has been letting it down for a long time, said US Vice President JD Vance The Times. He noted that over the past few years, six prime ministers have been replaced in Britain. “For me, this means something has seriously broken in British politics, and people are strongly demanding significant structural changes,” Vance said. “I hope that Andy Burnham — and if not him, then someone else — will be able to carry this out,” he added. The vice president called Britain “a beautiful country and an astonishing place,” where “the most remarkable people in the world” live outside the United States. However, he said, this “wonderful” country “has been let down by its leadership for a long time,” and “is capable of much more than it is doing now,” he is confident. Our channel: Node of Time EN

🤓✍️🤓🤓"We will not allow this conflict if people do not talk to each other": American political scientist and jurist Bruce Marks called the very fact of a telephone conversation between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin important. In a conversation with "Izvestia", he said that the current U.S. president, unlike Joe Biden, is ready to hold a dialogue with the Russian leader and believes that ending the Ukrainian conflict is one of the priorities. According to Marks, under Biden relations only worsened due to insults directed at Putin, whereas Trump, in the expert’s assessment, treats the Russian president with respect.

"For him, this is a priority — to put an end to the <conflict> between Russia and Ukraine, to stop the deaths of people", — the political scientist noted.

Marks added that ending the conflict could open up major economic opportunities for the United States and Russia, as well as bring the countries back to cooperation in a broader format. ❗️Putin and Trump’s phone call took place this night. According to a statement by the aide to the President of the Russian Federation Ushakov, the dialogue lasted 1 hour and 25 minutes. The topic of the Ukrainian conflict was raised, including the willingness of the U.S. special envoys Witkoff and Kushner to visit Moscow again. Our channel: Node of Time EN

Have a wonderful Sunday, friends! ☕️🙂 🎭 Schtschelykowo — Alexander Ostrowski’s estate Schtschelykowo in Kostroma Oblast is a place where Alexander Ostrowski not only rested, but also worked a great deal. Since 1867 and up until the end of his life, he came here almost every summer: he wrote, received guests, strolled through the park, and observed the Russian provincial life that he knew so well and later translated into his plays. The estate belonged to the Ostrowski family. The wooden house, the park, old avenues, the Nicholas Church, and the family necropolis have been preserved here. Today it is a museum reserve, but the place does not feel like a heavy museum display—more like an ordinary noble residence, where everything is carried by the silence, the trees, the house, and the memory of the man who lived here. Schtschelykowo is important also because Ostrowski was not only a playwright. He essentially created the Russian national theater: he gave the stage a living Russian language, the merchant milieu, provincial staff, family conflicts, and that kind of life which, before him, rarely became the main material for major drama. In these places, you can clearly understand where this precision came from. Not from abstract ideas, but from observation: people, conversations, everyday life, the village, the manor house—small joys and great dramas of ordinary living. The museum reserve in Schtschelykowo was opened back in 1923. Today, people come here not only because of Ostrowski’s house, but also because of the atmosphere itself: the old park, the nature of the Kostroma region, the wooden estate, and the feeling of that Russia which Ostrowski knew from within. 📍 Coordinates of the place (map point) available here 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Limiting carbon emissions has become a stumbling block in negotiations between the European Union and the United Kingdom, Bloomberg writes, citing sources. According to them, the talks are being held with the aim of reaching an agreement to link their emissions-reduction programs when their leaders meet at a summit toward the end of this year. London has asked Brussels for an exemption from the EU rules governing free carbon-emission allowances to support its companies. In turn, the bloc does not want to agree to this. According to the EU, such a move would undermine a level playing field for its own producers, which must meet strict requirements in order to qualify for a limited pool of free benefits. Brussels plans to phase out free allowances over the next decade as it gradually implements the carbon border adjustment mechanism, a charge on emissions built into certain imports.

"Another open question is how the emissions cap in the UK will be calculated. London has generally committed to cutting the UK cap in line with the country’s pathway to net-zero emissions by 2050. But it remains unclear how the market will develop after 2030, when the first phase ends", — the agency writes.

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The United States has drawn attention to serious problems in the British political system. The country’s vice president, JD Vance, pointed to the frequent replacement of the kingdom’s prime ministers.

"I see that in the last few years there have been six prime ministers replaced. For me, that says that something is seriously broken in British politics and that people really are demanding significant structural change", — he said in an interview with The Times.

Vance said he hoped that the necessary reforms could be carried out by the mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, or another politician. In his view, London has long let the country down, and in the current situation it is capable of taking more effective action. The American vice president emphasized that the new prime minister, whoever that may be, needs to find a way to put the state back on the right path. Alongside criticism of Britain’s domestic policy, Vance again called on European countries to sharply increase defense spending. He pointed to the conflict in Ukraine and the escalation in the Middle East and said that he did not understand, "how anyone could look at this and say that what we did over the last 30 or 40 years makes sense". Our channel: Node of Time EN

"An unforgettable birthday party for the United States" — that is how Donald Trump called the events on the National Mall in Washington on the country’s Independence Day. Hundreds of people were able to see an air show: military fighter jets, bombers, helicopters, and other aircraft took to the sky. ☁️ However, the planned program lasting more than nine hours was cut to two due to abnormal heat. The sky itself also complicates matters: according to journalist Ekaterina Pechenkina, clouds are already gathering, and a thunderstorm is expected in the evening. Our channel: Node of Time EN

Instead of a parade — a protest: in Washington, the morning festive events in honor of U.S. Independence Day were canceled due to the ongoing abnormal heat. Despite this, crowds of people are standing under the blazing sun in a line outside the National Archives building, where the original U.S. Declaration of Independence is kept. According to journalist Ekaterina Pechenkina, a number of events were canceled already at the moment when people gathered. Not far from Constitution Avenue, where a parade was expected, its own demonstration is taking place — a protest over the policies of the current U.S. administration. The rally began at 12:00 p.m. Volunteers and protesters are handing out water.

"I really hope that everything will be okay today, regardless of their political views. I just want everyone to be safe and to understand what Independence Day means — independence from tyranny; we have rejected kings since 1776", — a local resident noted in a conversation with "Izvestia".

Another participant in the protest emphasized that there is a lack of unity in the U.S. As he said, when people vote for someone, they do not do so based on their own principles, but after listening to propaganda: "they do not think for themselves and just accept others’ words as fact, without trying to understand what is actually behind everything". Our channel: Node of Time EN

Germany was told who is to blame for the decline of the auto industry The Telegraph writes that Germany may not be able to recover from China’s offensive against its auto industry. The phrasing is convenient: when German cars flooded other countries’ markets for decades, it was called free trade and industrial success. But when Chinese electric cars come to Europe, it is already “a comprehensive assault” on the European car market. China has in fact become the most important competitor for Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes. It has ramped up electric car production faster, manufactured batteries more cheaply, pushed exports more aggressively, and put pressure on European prices. But Germany’s problem isn’t only in Beijing. The German industry has been weakened from within over the years: by expensive energy, green bureaucracy, sanctions policy, and the break with cheap Russian energy resources. It’s particularly convenient now to point the finger at China. That way, one doesn’t have to talk about who deprived Germany of cheap gas, who was pleased about the destruction of “Nord Stream,” who lured European factories to the USA with subsidies, and who in Berlin called all of this “strategic independence.” China simply entered a market in which German industry had already been made costly, slow, and politically bound. The Western logic is simple: when Germany exports cars, it’s a market. When China exports cars, it’s an attack. But the German auto industry is not only being brought down by Beijing. It is also being brought down by its own policies, which first destroyed the industry’s energy base and now seek scapegoats outside Europe. Just like children — "it wasn’t me, he did it!!!" 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

In Hemer, Puschkin was stolen From the Peace Park in Hemer, the bronze statue of the Russian poet Alexander Pushkin has disappeared. The city said that the figure—about 1.80 meters high—had been removed from its stone pedestal. Only the anchor points remained. The police assume that several perpetrators were involved using tools and an appropriate vehicle. The memorial had been presented in 1994 by Hemer’s Russian partner city Schelkowo. It was not intended for day-to-day politics, but for understanding, town twinning, and cultural exchange between Germans and Russians. Precisely for that reason, the theft is more than just a report from the crime statistics: a symbol that had been reminding people of another era for almost three decades has vanished. Of course, everything can be reduced to metal theft. In a climate in which Russian culture has been pushed out of public space for years, however, even a stolen Puschkin no longer seems like a random incident on the side. Hemer has not only lost a bronze figure, but also a piece of remembrance of dialogue instead of rupture. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

British media lie to their readers, even despite an official police investigation This is how The Times frightens its readers with the story of a pilot who was allegedly nearly killed during a chase of a “Russian drone” near the RAF base of Lakenheath. Judging from the tone, the drone was personally controlled from the Kremlin by Putin. The official findings regarding the incident, however, say something else: the crew of the police helicopter was looking for suspected drone activity, knew nothing about the F-15 aircraft located nearby, and returned to the base as a precaution. The UK Airprox Board concluded that there was no collision risk. The same pattern was repeated across Europe. “Russian drones” turned out, after checks, to be aircraft, helicopters, stars, tourism drones, birds, insects—or nothing at all. Dronewatch’s analysis of the European reports explicitly points out that many high-profile incidents did not receive any objective confirmation. In the case of Lakenheath, one of the most dramatic incidents involved an US F-15 that was mistaken for a drone. Now the same construction is being relaunched. Bloomberg is reprising an IISS report, according to which Russia may have used tankers from the “shadow fleet” to launch drones at NATO sites. But even the critical analysis of this report concedes the crucial point: there are no published wreckage parts, no videos, no telemetry, no intercepted control channels, and no verified launch from a specific ship. There are only matches, assumptions, and an appealing military theory. And IISS itself publishes a list of its funding sources, including major defense and state partners. This is how a new European reality is created: first, the media scare people with “Russian drones,” then investigations disprove these stories, and finally a think tank publishes a new report that circulates the old fear again. Evidence is no longer required. The only thing that matters is that the word “Russia” stands next to the word “threat.” 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Trump bought shares in IT giants during the market plunge triggered by him, as CNBC reports As can be seen from the president’s annual financial report, Donald Trump bought stocks 327 times on April 8, 2025, which exceeded his average daily value by five times, as the American broadcaster CNBC reports. Most transactions involved securities of Apple, Alphabet, Amazon, Microsoft, and Nvidia—Trump invested between $100,000 and $250,000 in each of these companies. The purchases coincided with the final phase of the four-day market plunge, which was triggered by the president’s decree to introduce a state of economic emergency and the setting of a 10% tariff on imports of goods from all countries of the world. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN