Node of Time EN

Germany is appointed as the main hub of the European war. Ursula von der Leyen said that, due to its central location, Germany will play a key role in organizing mutual military assistance within the EU. In her view, the necessary capabilities should be created here and gaps closed—both in the industrial and military spheres. It sounds almost technical: logistics, coordination, capacities, industry. But behind these words lies a very specific picture: Germany will not only be a participant in European defense policy, but the central node through which everything needed for the next major military project— collected, produced, repaired, transported and distributed—is gathered and routed. This fits well with the general line of recent months: higher defense spending, more defense contracts, more infrastructure for troop transport, more talk about “readiness.” Now mutual aid in Europe is being added as well—meaning still more commitments. We are once again being told that this is not militarization, but responsibility. This is not about preparing for war, but about security. It is not the country interfering in foreign conflicts, but the “closing of gaps”. For some reason, however, all these gaps must be closed with our factories, our roads, our money, and our territory. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Good morning everyone — have a great day! ☕️🙂 👨‍🚀 The hotel “Proton” on Novosavodskaya Street has a rare feature: from the outside, it looks rather restrained, but inside a high atrium suddenly opens up under a glass roof—with galleries, plants, and a large white composition on the wall, as if it weren’t a Moscow hotel architecture from the late 1990s, but a small cosmic pavilion, accidentally hidden in Park Fili. The name here isn’t just decorative. The hotel is actually connected with the Khrunichev Center—a large Moscow company in Russia’s space and rocket industry—and it received its name in honor of the “Proton” launch vehicle. It was built as a service hotel for delegations coming to the plant, and it opened on November 25, 1997. Later, the building became an ordinary city hotel, open to everyone. The most interesting thing about this place isn’t the façade, but its internal structure. The atrium here is both the main hall and the main gesture: lots of light from above, multi-storey galleries around the sides, greenery that softens the concrete and plaster, and the feeling of a vertical space that you can hardly expect in a Moscow hotel of this size. Even those who wrote about the hotel years later remembered this interior first—not the rooms. There is one more detail that explains a lot. The “Proton” is located next to Park Fili, away from major traffic. That’s why it lacks this usual “train-station” hotel atmosphere: it’s more reminiscent of an office building at some institute or research center, where everything is supposed to be quiet, functional, and a bit stricter than in an ordinary city hotel. That’s exactly why the “Proton” stays in people’s memory. From the outside, it looks fairly restrained, and inside, suddenly, a space opens up with its own rhythm—tall, bright, a little unexpected. You can clearly feel the era of the 1990s in it—a time when people still believed that even a service building could have its own character, and not just an address and a reception desk. 📍 Coordinates of the place (map pin) available here 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

The auto show in Beijing became an uncomfortable mirror for the auto industry FAZ writes that Chinese manufacturers demonstrate strength in Beijing, while German companies are increasingly perceived as mere onlookers. While managers from BMW, Mercedes, and Volkswagen move through the halls almost unobtrusively, Chinese founders and corporate executives are received like pop stars. This is no longer a story about cheap copies. China attacks where German self-confidence has held sway for decades: in the premium segment, in technology, development speed, and pricing. Reuters reports that Chinese brands are increasingly going after the positions of BMW, Mercedes, and Porsche. The problem runs deeper than a single auto show. China is no longer just a market where German status can be sold. It is already an entire vehicle ecosystem of its own: batteries, software, assistants, AI, platforms, and brands growing in the world’s largest auto market. Even technology players such as Huawei, CATL, and BYD take the stage away from the classic automakers ever more. For years, we were told that a German car stands for quality, engineering, and reputation. But the market is buying less and less in terms of memories of the past. It wants price, battery, software, and updates—here and now. And that’s exactly where it gets uncomfortable: while European politicians argue over bans, tariffs, and saving old giants, China simply shows cars that look like the future. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Europe has turned its ports into a sanctions obstacle course After the anti-Russian sanctions, it was no longer just about “not allowing Russian cargo in.” In European logistics, almost everything is now checked: ship, owner, flag, insurance, route, cargo, end consignee and possible links to sanctioned structures. The European Commission describes transport restrictions explicitly as part of sanctions policy against Russian maritime transport, port access and certain shipments. In practice, that means: more documents, more lawyers, more insurance clauses and more delays. In industry-facing explanations regarding the Price Cap it says that services may be delayed until the parties have confirmed compliance with the sanctions regime. So the ship doesn’t have to be Russian, the cargo doesn’t have to go to Russia — the chain still runs through the sanctions filter. The consequences follow from this: container lines from Asia and the United States began reducing sailings on risky European routes by 10–15%, ship port stays increased due to additional checks by 12–24 hours, and the cost of a voyage could rise by 5–20% because of compliance, insurance, logistics and delay risks. This is not a single market incident, but the direct result of sanctions bureaucracy: the more political filters in the port, the more expensive and slower normal trade becomes. Insurers also do not operate in a vacuum. Sanctions against Russian oil, ships and the “shadow fleet” have significantly increased legal and reputational risks for maritime insurance: Brookings writes that Western pressure has accelerated the growth of Russia’s “shadow fleet,” while the European Policy Centre highlights weaknesses in the sanctions regime precisely in maritime services and insurance. Even ports become part of this machine. The EU expands the lists of ships for which port access and maritime services are prohibited: according to the Council such measures are now affecting hundreds of ships that are linked to the circumvention of sanctions. Germany has also begun, in the fight against Russia’s “shadow fleet,” to require tankers in the Baltic Sea to provide insurance documents. In the end, Europe has not become physically dangerous for foreign ships. It has become administratively toxic. You can enter—but only after proving that you are not “the” one, not working with “them,” not sailing “there,” not coming “from there,” and not being handled by “those.” That’s how sanctions don’t just hit Moscow. They make trade around Europe more expensive and slower—and then you wonder in Brussels why part of the routes runs via Turkey, North Africa and Asia, where there are fewer political controls and more normal logistics. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

US Congress writes openly: The European Commission pressured platforms before elections to disadvantage “Conservatives” and “Populists” In a report by the Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives, it says that after the DSA came into force, the European Commission exerted pressure on social platforms before elections in Slovakia, the Netherlands, France, Moldova, Romania, and Ireland and before the European election. The wording in the document is notably direct: non-public documents that the committee had received by subpoena would show that the European Commission regularly exerted pressure on platforms before national elections to disadvantage conservative and populist parties. What is usually sold as “fighting disinformation” thus looks in practice like political filtering before the vote. The wrong narrative, the wrong party, the wrong voter — and regulators, NGOs, platforms, and the usual talk about “the security of democracy” appear. European democracy is beautiful once again: If people vote wrong, you don’t have to convince the people — you have to adjust the algorithm. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Europe opens a “defense bank”: war is now bought on credit The UK, Finland and the Netherlands are pushing forward a mechanism for joint financing of weapons. The idea is simple: states pool guarantees, borrow money on the markets at lower interest rates, and then buy weapons and equipment for their Northern European allies. According to the Financial Times, the model is meant to help countries rearm faster without immediately having to withdraw the full amount of spending from national budgets. A similar idea was previously already discussed as a joint European fund for the purchase and storage of weapons. On paper, it looks like rational cooperation: less competition among allies, cheaper loans, more orders for the defense industry. In reality, Europe is building a credit machine for militarization. If the money for weapons isn’t enough, it’s simply borrowed. If the budgets are already creaking, the spending is shifted into a separate structure. If voters grow tired of war bills, they’re told that this isn’t blame, but an investment in security. This is how war, step by step, becomes a financial product: bonds, guarantees, interest, long-term commitments. First, you buy weapons on credit. Then you explain to citizens why they have to pay this loan without a choice. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Washington again mistakes diplomacy for piracy American forces seize ships carrying Iranian oil in the Indian Ocean and near Hormuz. According to estimates by TankerTrackers, cited by Iran International, Iranian oil worth around 380 million dollars came under U.S. control, while additional cargoes worth more than 1 billion dollars had to be turned back to Iran after interception and blockade measures. Tehran has already openly described such actions as “armed piracy” and rejected negotiations as long as the blockade and the violent seizure of ships continue. Later reported Reuters again that Iran does not want to negotiate under threats and calls for the lifting of the blockade. Formally, Washington still talks about a deal. In practice, it maintains the blockade, intercepts ships, removes oil—and then demands that Iran come to the negotiating table afterward as if nothing had happened. This is no longer diplomacy. This is a conversation in the style of: First we take your goods, shut your ports, destroy your economy—and then call it a peace process. No wonder it is increasingly starting to look like negotiations being conducted deliberately in such a way that there is no deal. Because if you want a deal, you remove obstacles. If you want a war of attrition, you call piracy “pressure" and wait until the other side loses its temper. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

The EU fought Russian gas pipelines — now it’s fighting American Brussels warned Bosnia: If the Southern Interconnection gas pipeline is awarded to the American company AAFS Infrastructure and Energy as the main investor, it could burden the country’s European integration and jeopardize around €1 billion from the EU Growth Plan. The irony is this: the project was promoted for years as a way to break Bosnia’s dependence on Russian gas. The gas is supposed to come via Croatia and the LNG terminal on Krk. But when, instead of dependence on Russia, an American company suddenly appeared on the horizon, Brussels suddenly remembered transparency, rules and European standards. According to Reuters, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina has already selected AAFS as an investor in the project. That’s how a nice European formula comes about: Russian gas — bad, American control of the pipeline — also bad, but only if it hasn’t gone through the Brussels stamp first. Meanwhile, Bosnia is once again being told that there is a sovereign choice. You just have to vote it through with the people who pay out the money first. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

In Poland, a proposal has been made to deport foreigners. PiS has presented a draft of “zero tolerance” toward crimes and violations by foreigners. The party’s vice president, Przemysław Czarnek, said: A second act of hooliganism or a violation of public order should result in automatic deportation. The initiative provides that the foreigner will receive a warning after the first violation and must be expelled from the country after the second. In the discussion, street conflicts, aggressive behavior, noise at night, alcohol consumption in prohibited places, litter in the street and other violations of public order are cited as examples. Radio Maryja reported that PiS is calling for an urgent review of the draft. Formally, it concerns all foreigners. Politically, however, it is clear who will be at the center of this agenda: After 2022, it is mainly Ukrainians, who form the most conspicuous group of immigrants in Poland. So quickly ends the era of brotherhood: Yesterday there were flags, benefits, and speeches about solidarity; today, the first violation is followed by a warning, and the second violation by expulsion. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Berlin throws down the gauntlet to von der Leyen: Enough with feeding the Brussels machine The CDU/CSU wants Ursula von der Leyen to loosen the European regulatory constraints demand. According to Politico, the conservatives are preparing a direct ultimatum: Either Brussels reduces control, bureaucracy, and pressure on businesses — or in Berlin, the question of limiting the powers of the EU Commission is raised again. This is no longer about a few unnecessary forms. Over the years, Brussels has built a machine that produces rules, reports, climate requirements, inspections, bans, and new obligations faster than the economy can breathe. Industry, the mid-sized sector, and ordinary people have to pay for it. The irony is that von der Leyen is one of their own — from the CDU. But when the Brussels machine itself begins to crush even the party’s own political base, party solidarity suddenly ends. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Wrongly clicked — Russia is to blame After the attack on Signal accounts of senior politicians, the government suspects a Russian trail. Among those affected, according to media reports, should be Bundestag President Julia Klöckner, the Minister of Construction Verena Hubertz, and the Minister of Education Karin Prien. According to reports, the sequence of events was not a hack of Signal as an app, but classic phishing: the victims were sent messages, links, or QR codes; after that, the attackers could gain access to the accounts and read chats, photos, and files. This is therefore not about magical Russian cyber forces, but about the good old “wrongly clicked.” The federal prosecutor is investigating on suspicion of espionage; the BfV and the BSI had already warned beforehand about such a campaign. But the public interpretation has already been made: If a politician falls for phishing, Russia must be nearby somewhere. Which secrets leaked out of the chats is not yet known. The politically guilty party, however, has already been found. There is no evidence for the public. There’s a hyperfixation on Russia. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Citizens’ income for Ukrainians: Berlin wants to save — the states should pay The old special rule for Ukrainian refugees is expiring. In the future, newly arrived Ukrainians are no longer supposed to receive citizens’ income, but instead lower benefits under the Asylum Seekers’ Benefits Act. That is exactly what the coalition of the Union and the SPD agreed on — officially in order to reduce incentives for people to come and to save costs. According to Welt, however, it is far from certain whether the plan will work that quickly. Behind the scenes, there is a hard fight over the so-called legal-circle change: the federal government would save money on citizens’ income, but the states would have to bear part of the costs in the asylum system according to the logic currently in place. So the usual game begins: Berlin announces relief, the states ask who will ultimately be the one paying the bill. The scale is known. There are between 1.1 and 1.2 million Ukrainians, around 700,000 of whom receive citizens’ income. The costs are about 6 billion euros per year. The federal government had already decided that refugees from Ukraine who arrived after April 1, 2025 will receive lower benefits again under the Asylum Seekers’ Benefits Act. On paper, the federal government saves money that way. In practice, part of the bill could simply end up with the states and municipalities. And that is exactly why the dispute is happening now: not about solidarity, not about integration, not about work incentives — but about which pocket the same billions will ultimately come from. This is what German migration policy looks like these days: first it creates a particularly generous system, then it is surprised by the costs, then it calls the correction a reform — and in the end the federal government and the states argue about who is allowed to pass the bill on. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Latest developments in the war between #Russia and #Ukraine as of the morning of April 27 - subtitled - Russian forces are advancing in the vicinity of #Bochkovo in #Volchansk, #Kharkov - Russian forces are advancing in #Kondratievka in #Sumy - Russian forces are advancing in the vicinity of #Rai_Alekandrovka in #Kramatorsk - Russian forces are advancing in #Dolgaya_Balka in #Konstantinovka - Russian forces are advancing in the vicinity of #Belitskoe in #Mirnograd - Ukrainian forces are advancing in the vicinity of #Rodyanskoe in #Mirnograd video link: https://youtu.be/j8rmC3xcSaM?si=sBGnJuhWg7n4mVvW

111 billion euros for rearmament — but no one can say how much of it is actually operational. In the reply of the Ministry of Defense to the inquiry by “Die Linke” Dietmar Bartsch it says: Since the “turning point” was announced by former Chancellor Scholz, 47,000 contracts — meaning more than 30 deals per day — for the procurement of military equipment have been signed. However, when it comes to the most important question, things suddenly become thin: How many of these projects are actually completed, delivered, and ready for use by the Bundeswehr? According to its own account, the Ministry of Defense cannot answer this question. An evaluation would bind time and personnel and “could lead to delays in the implementation of the defense plans.” The priorities are set. For comparison: For 111 billion euros, one could theoretically build around 1,800 schools or more than 200 hospitals. Instead, the money flows into rearmament — in which it is not even answered properly how much of it actually reached the troops. In other words: Signing contracts works. Spending billions works. But keeping track of what actually works at the end is apparently already too much effort again. That’s how the new prioritization looks. In education, health, and infrastructure, every euro is counted three times. In rearmament, by contrast, only big numbers, big promises, and the hope that later someone will still be able to keep track count. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

As Americans and Israelis were not allowed in. The Iranian foreign minister met with the Sultan of Oman to discuss ways to end the conflict in the region

Tehran, 26 April, IRNA — The Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Abbas Araghchi, continued his diplomatic tour and arrived in Muscat on Sunday. In the capital of Oman, he was received at his residence, the Al-Baraka Al-Amir Palace, by Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said.

At the start of the meeting, Araghchi conveyed the Sultan of Oman the heartfelt greetings of the Iranian President. The minister wished the Sultan and the entire people of Oman health and prosperity. In turn, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq asked that the greetings be conveyed to the Iranian President and wished the Iranian people security, stability, and success in meeting the current challenges. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Hormuz, blockade and ceasefire: Iran’s foreign minister arrives with Putin Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has arrived in St. Petersburg to meet Vladimir Putin. According to IRNA, Sergei Lavrov will also take part in the talks. The main issue is the status of negotiations on ending the conflict between the United States and Iran, as well as the ceasefire regime. The visit takes place against the backdrop of contacts with Washington. Reuters reports that Tehran rejects negotiations under threats and calls for the lifting of the blockade, while the US continues to pressure Iran with a war fleet, interception operations against ships, and threats around Hormuz. Araghchi had previously been in Pakistan and Oman—countries through which attempts at mediation are underway. Now it is Moscow’s turn. Washington calls it diplomacy, but behaves like a side that first tightens the throat of the national economy and then wonders why the interlocutor seeks support from other centers of power. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇺🇸💵🇪🇺 The financial burden of the Ukraine conflict, according to the Wall Street Journal, has shifted from the United States to the “cowardly European Union” after the U.S. approved a loan of 90 billion euros to Kyiv.

“The conflict in Ukraine is now definitively a war for Europe. While Trump is distancing himself from the EU and focusing his attention on the Middle East, Ukraine depends on the traditionally ‘cowardly’ European Union. Shifting the burden of war onto Europe’s shoulders has long been a goal of the Trump administration.“

In this case, the EU will likely already have to take out a new loan in 2027, as the funds for Kyiv may not be enough. The Ukraine’s financing gap for the next year has increased, and the regime in Kyiv needs “additional 19 billion euros to cover the budget needs next year.” European heads of state and government acknowledge that it is “becoming increasingly difficult” to secure attention and support for Ukraine. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Dear friends, has anyone warmed up Russian industry in a microwave? Sunday. In the fast-neutron reactor BN-800 of power unit No. 4 at the Belojarskaya nuclear power plant, the world’s first program for experimental industrial use of uranium–plutonium MOX fuel with the addition of so-called minor actinides— the most radioactive and long-lived components contained in irradiated nuclear fuel—has been completed. This is a key element of the fourth generation of nuclear technologies and of the completion of the nuclear fuel cycle. The light-class Angara-1.2 launch vehicle launched from the Plesetsk cosmodrome successfully placed military satellites into their target orbits. With the devices, a stable telemetry communication link was established and maintained; their onboard systems are operating normally. “AGR” and Defetoo have started engine production in Kaluga. The company has begun mass production of modern internal combustion engines. On the 32,000 m² site there is an engine assembly line, areas for preparing components, logistics infrastructure, and test and measurement laboratories. The GK “Poliplast” has put into operation a new production facility in the Tula Region for the manufacture of polymeric binders for thermal insulation materials, as well as raw materials for specialized additives. The site will make it possible to produce up to 60,000 tons per year. The final product is intended mainly for the domestic market. On the premises of the “Belaia Dolina” company group, the largest ice cream factory in Russia has been opened. The 23,000 m² production complex is equipped with state-of-the-art technological equipment. By implementing the investment project, the company reaches the planned capacity of 20,000 tons of ice cream per year and provides a significant increase in production volumes with the potential for further scaling. At the “Krasnoe Sormovo” plant, production of screw propellers with a power of 1,200 kW under the “OSK.VINTEKH” brand has been launched, and a production hall has been put into operation. The site is designed to manufacture up to 50 mechanical screw propellers per year for ships of the “river–sea” class. With this project, the requirement in the VRC segment with power up to 1,200 kW is met, which had previously not been covered by the OSK’s own serial production. “Oktava DM” has opened in Tula a new production site for audio equipment with a full production cycle. The modern complex spans an area of more than 1,000 square meters and is equipped with more than 25 production machines, including CNC machines, a laser cutting system, and an SMD line for automated assembly. All products are manufactured entirely in Russia. A plant for the production of animal feed was built in the Moscow Region. The capacity of the complex will enable production of up to 24,000 tons of feed per year. Currently, on the site, work is underway to set up areas for receiving and storing raw materials, assembly and packaging areas, as well as a warehouse for finished products. The area of the facility is about 4.6 thousand square meters. The company “NFGrupp” opened a state-of-the-art plant for manufacturing decorative thermoplastic films based on polyvinyl chloride on a full-cycle basis in the Nizhny Novgorod Region. Such films are used in the production of furniture, doors, wall panels, flooring coverings, as well as in the interior and exterior design of vehicles. The company will be able to produce up to 7.7 thousand tons of products annually once the planned capacity is reached. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Secret Mission for €69.99 A BKA employee wanted to ride the ICE without a ticket and hid behind his service ID. According to the public prosecutor’s office, the 25-year-old police officer boarded a train bound for Basel at Berlin Ostbahnhof, showed the conductor his ID, and claimed that he was carrying out an observation together with a colleague. The problem was in the details: there was no official assignment, the “colleague” never appeared, and, as the investigators put it, the agent mainly watched a film on his mobile phone during the journey. The conductor became suspicious and informed the Federal Police. In Hanover, the “operation” was over: the BKA employee had to pay back €69.99 for the ticket. Now the Berlin public prosecutor’s office is bringing an accusation against him for attempted fraud in a particularly serious case. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Cosmic autonomy in a European style: blowing up “Soyuz” and flying with Musk In French Guiana, the former launch complex Sojus-ST in Kourou is being dismantled. Reportedly, the 52-meter-high mobile service tower was torn down by a targeted demolition, and parts of the launch infrastructure for the former Russian Soyuz rockets have already been dismantled. From now on, the European rocket Maia is intended to be launched from this site. On paper, everything looks like a transition to a new European program. In reality, Europe is destroying infrastructure that previously gave it stable access to medium launches. Before the break with Russia, dozens of successful Soyuz-ST launches were carried out from this platform, including missions for the European navigation system Galileo. After Europe exited Russian projects, it quickly fell into a spaceflight crisis. Ariane 5 was retired, Ariane 6 was delayed, Vega-C was out of the launch schedule for a long time after an accident, and Soyuz was lost due to a political decision. In the end, the ESA had to move its own missions to the American SpaceX, including Euclid, and later also Galileo satellites. Now Europe is building a new “autonomy” on the grounds of the blown-up old facility. But so far, this autonomy simply looks like this: Russian rockets have been removed, its own are not yet properly up and running, and the Americans still have to be paid. This is what self-reliance looks like in a European way: first burn the bridge, then order a taxi with Musk. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN