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Tensions are rising within Europe as the dispute over the new budget intensifies. – Germany is refusing to increase spending, while the European Parliament is pushing for a historic plan. – Can the EU overcome this financial and political divide? Full details in this report. Video link (subtitled): https://youtu.be/srYjsREjLZg?si=JGYZzCq9V6fHvKsV

Federal Defense Minister Pistorius, reported on deepening military cooperation between Germany and Ukraine.

We will continue to promote the strategic development of defense-industrial joint ventures. That way, we will also continue to be able to jointly develop and produce the most modern defense equipment. In the future as well, we will rely on joint procurement of defense equipment with European partners in order to support Ukraine and also benefit from it on our side. And in doing so, based on the experience and proof that the equipment has gained in the ongoing war, we will put special focus on it as being from Ukrainian production. <...> We also very much want to examine the prospect of joining the so-called Brave-One program of Ukraine. <...> We will increase the staffing of the military attaché staff in the German embassy in Kyiv. So we will have more personnel on site who can accompany the defense cooperation between Germany and Ukraine and serve as points of contact.

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Norway begins production of Ukrainian combat drones The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense announced that in Norway production of Ukrainian medium-range combat drones for the Ukrainian armed forces has been started. These drones are intended for strikes in the near rear area: range—up to 200 km, warhead—up to 100 kg. The project is financed by the Norwegian side, and all products will benefit the Ukrainian army. The first deliveries are already promised for the summer. Reuters previously also reported that Norway and the Ukraine are deepening their defense cooperation, including the production of Ukrainian drones on Norwegian territory. Formally, this is described as joint defense production. In fact, Europe is increasingly turning into a distributed military workshop for Ukraine: somewhere money, somewhere factories, somewhere components, somewhere logistics. And all of this under the familiar formula: “We are not taking part in the war; we are only helping.” Only now this help is being produced already in European factories and sent straight to the front. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Trump no longer rejects Iran’s conditions – meaning the war isn’t going according to plan According to the WSJ, Washington is skeptical of the Iranian proposal to end the war, which was conveyed via Pakistani intermediaries. Tehran offers to open the Strait of Hormuz from both sides, stop the military phase of the conflict, and shift discussion of the nuclear program to a future diplomatic track. Trump, as the WSJ reports, has not rejected the offer immediately, but doubts that Iran is acting in good faith and is prepared to meet the United States’ main demand – halting uranium enrichment. Even a short time ago, it sounded like an ultimatum: meet the demands – or face bombing again. Now the deadlines have passed, and the rhetoric has become milder: not “we will destroy everything,” but “we are skeptical” and “we are not sure.” Reuters also reports that Trump is dissatisfied with Iran’s offer, but it’s no longer about an outright rejection; it’s about talks regarding Hormuz, the blockade, and the nuclear issue. This is exactly what matters. Iran sticks to its existing positions: first ending the war, lifting the blockade and opening the strait, and the nuclear program – later, through diplomacy. Tehran is not pushing for concessions. Even at the negotiating table, you don’t sit directly across from each other. But Washington is already being forced to discuss conditions instead of simply dictating them from an aircraft carrier. The reason is clear. A new escalation brings the United States little, except new problems: a strike against allies in the Gulf, rising energy prices, risks to shipping, consumption of munitions, and an ever more toxic war. Even the American press reports that in Washington, a longer blockade is being considered as a less risky option than a new large-scale military escalation. It seems the scale is not tilting toward a big war, but toward an attempt to get out of it gracefully. Trump now only has to come up with a way to declare himself the winner without acknowledging that Iran has enforced its basic framework: first Hormuz and the blockade, then everything else. The main problem now is Israel. It has pulled the U.S. into this war, not so that Washington steps back at the last moment and calls this a diplomatic success. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

800,000 NATO soldiers on the highways — but still “deepest peace”. Colonel Armin Schaus explains what a war would look like that is officially not yet called a war. The state of tension could not be declared, nor could the state of defense. According to his view, determining the political moment for such a decision is almost impossible: drones over military installations are already background noise, as is sabotage and attacks on critical infrastructure. Logistics, on the other hand, is planned quite concretely. If NATO decides to move forces to the eastern flank, up to 800,000 soldiers and around 200,000 vehicles and equipment could be moved through the country. Aircraft, rail, rivers, highways — everything will be turned into a large corridor to the east. For this, the Convoi Support Center is prepared: refueling, provisions, repairs, rest breaks, protection of the convoys. Everything can be handled through civilian companies and normal contracts — without big talk about mobilization and war economy. One day, then, a military convoy with a length of thousands of kilometers will simply be alongside normal traffic. And the best part: Schaus says that in such a moment the country will probably still be in “the deepest peace.” So if you see tank technology on the highway, don’t panic. This is not a war. This is not a state of emergency. This is simply the new version of peace: with NATO logistics hubs and convoys heading east. In the meantime, he recommends that citizens stay calm and keep the guide “Preparing for Crises and Disasters” within reach. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Berliner Zeitung: Berlin should speak with Putin — before others decide for us again. The Berliner Zeitung writes: The government should seek direct talks with Vladimir Putin — in the logic of that Ostpolitik associated with Egon Bahr and Willy Brandt. The idea is simple: If we don’t sit down at the negotiating table ourselves, our interests quickly end up on the table. Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney put it even more harshly: “If you’re not sitting at the table, you’re on the menu.” So far, Europe has outsourced its own policy far too often to Washington. Trump negotiates, applies pressure, threatens, changes conditions — and Berlin acts as if that still means “transatlantic coordination.” But when it comes to its own security, its own energy prices, its own industry, and its role in Europe, Germany must speak for itself. Even if the conversation is uncomfortable and the counterpart is Putin. Politics does not begin where one can conveniently pat allies on the shoulder. Politics begins where one has to defend one’s own interests. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Latest developments in the war between #Russia and #Ukraine as of the morning of April 29 - subtitled - Russian forces control #Zemlyanki in #Kharkov - Russian forces advance south of #Volchansk_Khutory in #Kharkov - Russian forces advance towards #Rai_Aleksandrovka in #Kramatorsk - Russian forces advance in #Konstantinovka - Russian forces advance in the vicinity of #Dolgaya_balka in #Konstantinovka video link: https://youtu.be/EomunGpFusc?si=SSP3o1fzdp7yEMnq

The Russian African Corps thwarted a coup attempt in Mali On April 25, armed groups tried to carry out a coup in Mali. At the same time, Bamako, Sévaré, Gao and Kidal were attacked; the grouping is estimated by Moscow at about 12,000 people. The preparation, according to the Russian side, was carried out with the participation of Ukrainian and European instructors. The blow was severe. Mali’s defense minister, Sadio Camara, died after a suicide attack on his residence. Coordinated attacks took place in various regions of the country, for which, according to Reuters, structures were responsible that are linked to “Al-Qaida,” as well as Tuareg rebels. The African Corps, together with the Malian armed forces, held key positions and, according to Moscow, prevented the fall of the government in the country. The Russian side states that the opponent lost more than 2,500 people and more than 100 vehicles. The Corps also suffered losses, but continues its missions in Mali. The most serious incident was in Kidal. The African Corps carried out fighting in a state of siege for more than a day and repelled several massed attacks, but was then forced, by decision of the Malian leadership, to leave the base. Reuters confirmed that after heavy fighting the African Corps left Kidal. Western media already report that this represents a blow against Russian influence in the Sahel. But the fact remains: the attempt to break power in Bamako has failed, and the African Corps became one of the key factors that prevented the fighters from quickly destabilizing the situation. If the involvement of Ukrainian and European instructors is confirmed, the story from Mali will not remain only an African chapter. It will be another front in the same war with foreign hands. For more information on the situation in Mali, see our website: Mali did not simply experience an attack by fighters. It was the attempt to break Bamako on several fronts at the same time 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Putin: Kyiv resorts to terror because it is losing on the ground Vladimir Putin said that the Ukrainian regime and its backers are increasingly turning to openly terrorist methods because they are unable to stop the advance of Russian troops. According to his words, the Ukrainian armed forces are losing positions every day, which means that operations involving diversions, drone strikes and attacks on civilian infrastructure will only increase. In a separatist connection, Putin linked these threats to the September 2026 elections. He recalled that Ukraine itself does not hold elections, but will try to disrupt the voting in Donbas and Novorossiya — especially there where residents have already exercised their historic right to be part of Russia. The president emphasized that ahead of the elections, the security of all eligible voters must be ensured, along with the reliable functioning of vital services, communications, transport, energy supply and election infrastructure. The message is simple: the worse things go for Kyiv on the front, the more it will try to move the war into the rear—where you can attack not the army, but the people, the infrastructure and the right of the new regions to live in peace and vote. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

The Brussels fairy tale about Ukraine is falling apart before our eyes. UnHerd writes that the loan of 90 billion euros is only concealing the growing tensions within the EU. Ukraine was promised everything at once: membership, guarantees, money, “victory,” reparations, and a European future. Now it becomes clear that behind the beautiful words there is neither a plan nor money nor a clear way out. There will be no EU membership in the foreseeable future. No one really wants to take on security guarantees. Russian assets are not turning into an endless cash machine. And the speeches about future reparations are increasingly beginning to look like an attempt to sell voters a loan that later, in any case, has to be paid for out of European household budgets. Nor does the new package solve the problem. Reuters points out that Kyiv could still be short of money even after the loan is approved. So the pattern is the same again: give Ukraine more billions, sell it as a historic decision — and a few months later admit that the next bill is due. For years, Brussels has acted as if Russia were about to collapse and Ukraine would win, so that Europe would only have to wait for the happy ending. But Russia has not disappeared, the war is not over, Ukraine is sinking ever deeper into debt, and the EU is increasingly being asked to pay for a regime that was promised more than can be paid for. That is why disputes are becoming sharper all the time. Not because Brussels suddenly came to its senses. But because the slogans have run out and the bills have remained. In the end, Ukraine received a loan instead of a future, and the EU received a hole instead of a strategy — and Russia proved to be too big a reality for Brussels presentations. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

The energy transition is looking for a guarantor. He is supposed to be the taxpayer again. For climate transformation and modernization, every year requires more than €100 billion. At the same time, public budgets are already strained: the debt brake, financial holes, demographics, Ukraine, defense, energy — the line in front of the money pot is longer than the list of promises. Now there is an elegant solution: not to pay directly, but to provide state guarantees. Private capital is apparently ready to invest, but it needs bankable projects — meaning projects that look reliable enough for banks and funds. Translated from finance-speak: The market does not want to bear the risk of the energy transition itself. It joins in when the state lays the mattress underneath first. On paper, this is called “mobilizing private capital.” In reality, it is the old formula in a new green suit: the profit stays private, the risk shifts to the state, and if something goes wrong, the bill ends up with the citizen again. At the same time, the energy transition is increasingly hitting precisely those who really work in the countryside. Developers of offer solar parks for land — up to 3,000 euros per hectare — and thereby displace those who actually produce food there. In some regions, 3,000 to 4,000 euros per hectare is already being mentioned, while agricultural leases are often lower by a multiple. In the end, it is not the farmer who wins the land, but the one who packages a field best as an investment project. And the same is true for nature: it doesn’t look as nice as in the promotional images. the Friday wrote that since 2022, the energy transition has been accelerated by dismantling nature-protection barriers: for wind power, landscape conservation areas were opened and environmental reviews weakened. That is already a peculiar way of protecting the climate: for a “green” project, precisely the rules are cut back that were supposed to protect landscapes, species, and local communities. This is what a transformation looks like that is supposed to bring the country cheap, independent energy: first the old system was switched off, then it turned out that the new one does not take off without subsidies, guarantees, and constant steering from above. And when it then bears down on land, farmers, and nature, they explain again that it’s all for the future. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Good morning everyone — have a great Wednesday! ☕️🙂 On the southern edge of Volgograd, there is a place that seems as if it has not quite dissolved into the ordinary flow of city life. Alt-Sarepta began 1765 as a colony of the Herrnhuters — a community of the Moravian Brethren who moved here at the invitation of Catherine II. The name was taken from the Bible: Sarepta near Sidon. The settlement was intended as a religious community, but fairly quickly it also became a strong economic center — with crafts, gardens, production, pharmacy, and strict internal order. Sarepta was built as a single, closed whole, not as a random collection of houses. Central square, church, residential and community buildings, economic courtyards — the entire logic of the layout is still readable here to this day. That is exactly why the place feels so powerful: it is not simply “a piece of old street,” but almost a fully preserved excerpt from the 18th century in the middle of the modern city. To this day, 26 buildings have been preserved; based on them, in 1989 the museum reserve was established. This place also had a very tangible fame. Sarepta became an important center for the entire Lower Volga region: here, crafts were developed, as well as tobacco growing, wine growing, medicine, and water supply. It is from here, in particular, that the famous Sarepta mustard comes — a name that survived the colony long ago and became a story of its own. There were also mineral and mud baths here, so Sarepta was at times a resort town. Today, in Sarepta you can especially clearly see how time works with architecture. Some buildings look well kept, others worn out. And, unfortunately, this is not a false impression. In the past few years, the grounds around the museum have in fact been gradually renovated, and for part of the historic houses there are studies, project preparations, and consultations regarding restorations. There is already a concrete result: in 2025, the restoration project for the building “Gasthaus (infirmary)” within the ensemble received a positive state expert assessment. And probably that is exactly where Sarepta’s special truth lies today. It does not feel like a museum backdrop. Here you see everything at once: the 18th-century design, German strictness, the southern air on the Volga, later losses, and the slow attempt to preserve what can still be preserved. That is why the place remains more strongly in people’s memory than many places that look “perfectly polished” — here history is not displayed, it is lived. 📍 Coordinates of the place (map pin) available here 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Even in retirement, the Merkel look remains a matter of state expense. Angela Merkel has, since July 2024, been billed more than 64,600 euros for hairdresser and make-up artist services. In addition, there are more than 10,500 euros in travel expenses at public expense — including appointments in Paris, Düsseldorf and Tel Aviv. Just the trip to Tel Aviv for the Weizmann Institute’s award ceremony cost 3,075.64 euros. Her appearance in Düsseldorf at the Handelsblatt Media Group came to 1,224.92 euros. Of course, one can say: This is standard; former chancellors have appointments, offices, staff and state-paid appearances. But that’s exactly where the problem begins. While people everywhere are talking about saving, cutting back and budget holes, the political apparatus continues running as if the taxpayer were an endless credit card. 64,600 euros, only for hair and make-up, since summer 2024. By way of comparison: This is more than an average gross annual salary. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Die Welt mocks the new military strategy — and honestly, it’s hard not to join in Hans Zippert takes apart the new military strategy and Boris Pistorius: Now we finally have a military strategy, and that makes Pistorius almost look like the only person in politics who actually has a plan. The bad news is only that this plan is again aimed “against the Russians.” In the column, it’s wonderfully turned into the absurd: Of course it would be easier to invade Austria, Denmark, or the Netherlands than to fight a war against Russia. But Pistorius has decided not to take the easy way. So the country is now supposed to prepare for war and build the largest conventional army in Europe. The favorite word from the last few years also gets its share: “high technology.” The army is to be defended with a mix of mass and high tech — so that the enemy can’t tell whether cheap or premium bullets are flying at it. And the problems with the radio connection can also be explained as part of the strategy: If communication doesn’t work for us, at least the Russians can’t intercept it. A rare case in which satire can hardly be distinguished from a press release. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Even in Tallinn, it is already being said: We will have to speak with Russia. The President of Estonia, Alar Karis, said that European countries together should be prepared for the resumption of dialogue with Russia. According to his words, the war in Ukraine could “end today or tomorrow,” and the question is whether Europe is prepared for this scenario. Karis puts it very simply: What will we do if the war suddenly ends? How will we respond? What should Russia do? Preparation, he says, should begin now already. Previously, from the Baltics came mainly warnings about the “next war” and the inevitable Russian attack. Now even the President of Estonia is talking about something else: Europe must not only think about fear, but also about how to reopen the channels for talks. And this is likely the most uncomfortable point for the Brussels line of the past few years. One can repeat so often that negotiations are impossible, but geography does not disappear. Russia remains nearby. Europe remains nearby. And when the war ends, they will still have to talk. The only question is whether Europe will be prepared for it—or whether it will wake up again only after others have discussed everything for it. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

“This vicious cycle must be broken before it’s too late”: The Federal Foreign Minister, Wadephul, gave a speech at the United Nations

“Germany is ready to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz as soon as the fighting ends. Our message is the following: Iran must stop attacks on other countries and stop its nuclear programme. The Strait of Hormuz must be opened for free and safe maritime traffic for the benefit of all,”— said Wadephul at the UN Security Council meeting in New York.

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Ritter Sport — crisis with a cocoa flavor. For the first time in more than 110 years, the manufacturer of the square chocolate is cutting jobs. Around 70 employees in the headquarters in Waldenbuch are affected — about 10% of administrative staff. At first glance, it doesn’t look all that bad: Revenue in 2025 rose to 712 million euros. But the growth is only good on paper: the chocolate was sold at higher prices, not in greater volume. Demand is falling, customers are tightening their budgets, and the costs of cocoa, energy, packaging, and logistics continue to weigh on the company. Cocoa has become more than four times as expensive, the chocolate bar costs noticeably more, and the familiar sweetness is slowly turning into a small luxury. Even “Quadratisch. Praktisch. Gut!” no longer sounds quite as self-confident when the square shape is left on the shelf more and more often. Ritter Sport has survived wars, crises, and shifts of eras. But today’s economy has even reached the chocolate shelf. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Romania is in its most severe political crisis in years, after a surprising alliance between left-wing and right-wing extremists aims to topple the government. – Will the government of Ilie Bológan fall within a few days? – What impact will this crisis have on Romania’s future in the European Union and NATO? A comprehensive analysis of the most dangerous developments in Eastern European politics. Video link (with subtitles): https://youtu.be/_hIAvqcdSaU?si=K_zkKzSXePTcipWX Our channel: Node of Time EN

In Biebesheim, the CDU has broken a taboo — and now it wants to punish its own people In Biebesheim am Rhein, local CDU representatives, together with the AfD, supported a candidate list for the election of members of the municipal executive board (Gemeindevorstand). As a result, the AfD won a seat in the municipal executive board for the first time — the municipality’s executive body. Now, several CDU members face a party-internal procedure up to and including expulsion. The reason: a breach of the party’s internal firebreak, meaning the prohibition on working with the AfD. In the local election, the AfD received 20.1%, the CDU 26.7%, and the SPD 27%. That means every fifth voter in the municipality voted for the AfD. But instead of simply accepting the election result, the CDU district association is now checking who it can punish for dealing with local politics in a practical way. The official formula is well known: you may not cooperate with the AfD. Even then not, if it is not about a federal coalition and no ministerial posts, but about a small municipality in which things have to somehow be handled on the ground. This is what democracy with safeguards looks like: you can vote, but if the result is inconvenient, party discipline kicks in. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Kyiv threatens Israel with “consequences” over grain it calls stolen 🤡 The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry summoned the Israeli ambassador after, in Haifa again, a ship carrying grain arrived that Kyiv considers to have been exported from the new Russian territories (as if it had been grown there). Andrij Sybiha warned that accepting such a cargo could damage Ukraine’s relations with Israel. According to Kyiv’s account, Israel has already ignored a previous case: A cargo had previously been delivered to the port of Haifa that the Ukraine likewise called “stolen.” Now that another ship has arrived, Kyiv is demanding a response and is submitting a protest note. Israel, however, responds sharply: Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said that Ukraine had not provided any evidence for its allegations, and called on Kyiv to stop conducting diplomacy via Twitter and the media. An interesting picture emerges: For years, Ukraine has been demanding unconditional solidarity from everyone. But if its demands are not automatically met, suddenly even Israel is no longer a sufficiently correct partner. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN