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Independent researcher/writer based in Hong Kong since 1997. Reformed academic. My long-form, analytical articles are collected here https://laura-ruggeri.medium.com/ email: lauraru852@yandex.ru
Maia Sandu, the puppet president of Moldova, intends to seize GRES, the power plant located in Transnistria near the border with Ukraine, the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) of Russia said.
"The Moldovan president demanded to prepare a forcible seizure of the power plant," the SVR said.
Sandu wants to establish control over Transnistria and eliminate the Russian peacekeeping presence in the region.
According to the Russian intelligence, the European Union opposes the timing of action rather than the plan, and does not know how to rein in the unhinged Moldovan leader.
The EU would not mind creating a new crisis for Russia, but is not yet ready for it; no one can guarantee that Sandu will not unleash a regional war since Moscow could take action to protect Russian peacekeepers...and those Oreshnik ballistic missiles can't be intercepted.
It must be pointed out that Sandu is not an independent player. Everything she does is coordinated with representatives of the Democratic administration in Washington.
She has supervisors from both the EU and NATO. @LauraRuHK
Romania - Klaus Iohannis, the illegitimate president who refuses to step down at the end of his mandate, nominated Marcel Ciolacu of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) to form a new government. Presidential elections were cancelled by a NATO coup. @LauraRuHK
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The US continues to look for any pretext to impose more sanctions on Hong Kong. The "2024 Annual Report" issued by the United States (US) Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), made a series of smearing remarks against Hong Kong authorities accusing them of human rights violations, and criticized the National Security Law. The HKSAR Government rebutted these claims in a statement, expressing its disapproval of the CECC's repeated tactics to interfere in the affairs of Hong Kong through the so-called annual report. The HK government pointed out that the US report completely ignored the severe national security threats posed by the riots and the Hong Kong version of “colour revolution” in 2019 - it was thanks to the implementation of the National Security Law that life returned to normalcy. Safeguarding national security is an inherent right of all sovereign states. Many common law jurisdictions, including the US, the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada, have enacted similar laws to safeguard national security.
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202412/21/P2024122100449.htm?fontSize=1
In China 500 stores selling Russian products have been planned. A few are already open and extremely successful. Chinese customers are particularly fond of Russian chocolate, ice cream, honey, milk, pickles, bread and of course vodka. Products come from virtually all corners of Russia, including Donetsk! 🔺Guangzhou https://ok.ru/group53537968685256/topic/157601611855304 🔺Shenzhen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVtNZEJoJA0
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Italy sharply increased wine supplies to Russia, despite duties
Italian-Russian Chamber of Commerce: Italy supplied wines worth 170 million euros to Russia 🥂 In vino veritas? @LauraRuHK
📄 Excerpt from the article by Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation (December 13, 2024)
Russia and China: the experience of reintegrating territories with their historical homeland
🇷🇺🇨🇳 For both Russia and China, historical continuity and centuries-old unified ethno-national lineage serve as an inexhaustible wellspring of rich cultural heritage and traditions, making significant contributions to the formation of each nation’s public identity.
It is noteworthy that despite the stark differences between the Ukrainian and Taiwanese issues, Western observers have conflated them into a single narrative. This once again underscores their artificial genesis, orchestrated with the involvement of foreign disruptive forces, primarily the US and the European Union. However, such ventures, detached from reality, inevitably culminate in military setbacks, and, the insurgent provinces eventually return home.
The return of our lands to their historical Motherland – territories that were lost amid the political turbulence during the late 1980s and early 1990s — is no more “criminal” than the annexation of the GDR by the FRG in 1990.
❌ At that time, we were persuaded that the logic of the historical process justified the reunification of the German nation. However, in reality, there was no “unification” of Germany. No referendums were conducted, no common constitution was drafted, and no unified army or currency was established. East Germany was simply absorbed by a neighbouring state. Did anyone at that time condemn this instance of irredentism, which defied the principle of the inviolability of borders enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act of 1975? The world merely applauded.
Yet, the question of whether the citizens genuinely desired this unity, or were manipulatively compelled to “desire” it, remains unresolved to this day. The economic realities, mentality, and even the language of East and West Germans in the 45 years following the Second World War differed almost as much as they do today between the Chinese and the populace of Taiwan or between the residents of the Smolensk and Dnieper regions.
Nonetheless, these differences did not embarrass anyone — they were deemed “the proper difference.”
In this context, it is worth noting that Russians differ from those residing in Ukraine no more than the inhabitants of the Greater Poland Voivodeship differ from those of the Pomeranian Voivodeship, or than the residents of North Rhine-Westphalia differ from those of Thuringia.
☝️ Furthermore, there are significantly greater differences between the inhabitants of Schleswig-Holstein and Bavaria in Germany, Normandy and Occitania in France, not to mention the Basque Country and Catalonia in Spain, as well as England and Northern Ireland in Great Britain — differences in terms of household, linguistic, and ethno-cultural aspects — than between the residents of the Pskov and Kharkov Regions.
Read the article in full
Excerpt from Vladimir Putin's annual year-end summary and Q&A Session.♦️Alexandra Suvorova: I have a follow-up question, given the numerous questions surrounding price growth, to which we will return. You have cited Germany and Japan as examples. I wish to focus on Germany having a zero percent growth rate, which you mentioned as a case previously known for its economic expansion.
Do you believe this is perhaps linked to politics and sovereignty? Not long ago, at the VTB Forum Russia Calling!, you reminisced about Gerhard Schroeder's birthday celebration, remarking how all the songs were in English, with none performed in German. ♦️Vladimir Putin: Quite some time ago, it was Gerhard Schroeder's birthday, he invited me and I attended. There was a small concert, and, as it happened, all the bands performed in English. I remarked at the time, “Even the Hannover girls' choir sang in English." There was, however, one ensemble that performed in German: the Kuban Cossack Choir, which accompanied me. Moreover, this was entirely unexpected on my part. I inquired, “How did you come to know these songs?” They replied, “Out of respect for the Germans, our hosts, we learnt these songs en route and performed them in German, including those from the local region where we are now.”
During the intermission, numerous attendees approached me (I recount this as it truly unfolded) and expressed, “We are embarrassed, truly, that only Russian Cossacks performed in German here.”
I recounted this to a colleague who was present at the event, which has now been recalled. You see, sovereignty is a crucial concept; it must reside within, in one's heart. In the post-war era, I believe this sense – of homeland and sovereignty – has been somewhat eroded among the German people. Who are the Europeans, after all? They are proud to be European, yet they are foremost French, German, Italian, Spanish, and then European. There is a tendency to smooth out things, to homogenise. Ultimately, this affects everything, including the economy.
I previously spoke about our economic growth – this is largely attributable to the reinforcement of sovereignty, which extends to the economic realm.
Many foreign manufacturers have exited our market. What has been the consequence? Our entrepreneurs have started producing these goods domestically, necessitating further research and the engagement of institutions, including those focused on development. All of this – what we are discussing – is the enhancement of technological sovereignty.
Sovereignty manifests itself in various forms: defence, technology, science, education, culture. This is of paramount importance, especially for our nation, because should we lose sovereignty, we risk losing statehood. That is the crux.
Economic growth is also an effect of bolstered sovereignty. @LauraRuHK
⚡️A suspect in the terrorist attack in Moscow, in which Igor Kirillov and his aide were killed, has been detained.
He is a citizen of the Republic of Uzbekistan born in 1995.
During the interrogation, he explained that he had been recruited by the Ukrainian special services.
He rented a carsharing vehicle to watch the house of General Igor Kirillov.
A surveillance camera was installed in the car and the attack was broadcast online to his handlers in the city of Dnipro.
The perpetrator was promised a reward of USD 100 thousand and a free pass to a European country. /channel/rt_russian/224517
BRICS member states would gain from the establishment of an informal human rights organization within the association, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and BRICS Sherpa Sergey Ryabkov said in an interview with TASS.
"BRICS is widely recognized and popular, as evidenced by the fact that many have started using this label or 'trademark' for their own initiatives," Ryabkov said, summarizing the outcomes of Russia's presidency in the association. "I am not sure that this adds momentum — but if it does, it may be useful to create an informal network that would bring together all those who regularly engage in such activities on a professional basis. This is another area where we need an objective perspective, free from the distortions of Western ideology," Ryabkov noted. (Source: TASS) @LauraRuHK
Ahrar Al Sham were responsible for some of the worst sectarian massacres in #Syria .
Nubbul and Zahraa:
The terrorists of al-Nusra Front and Ahrar al-Sham launched heavy attacks against the Syrian forces in the Southern parts of Hama province, occupied the town of Zara and killed most of its residents.
Facing the surprise offensive, the Syrian troops were forced to withdraw from Zara towards Hor Benafseh town.
The sources affiliated to the terrorists confirmed occupation of Zara, and local sources said that a number of families, including women and children, residing in the small town were massacred by the militants and others were held captive.
2024:
Ahrar al Sham leader Amir al Sheik appointed as Governor of Countryside of Damascus.
Former Ahrar al Sham leader Hassan Suffan appointed as Governor of Lattakia.
Former PM of Salvation Government Fawwaz Hilal appointed as Governor of Aleppo.
🇺🇳 UN Adopts Russian Resolution to Combat Neo-Nazism 🇷🇺
The UN General Assembly has adopted a Russian-led resolution aimed at combating neo-Nazism. The vote breakdown:
🔹 119 countries supported the resolution.
🔹 53 countries voted against, including Germany, Italy, Canada, the USA, Ukraine, and Japan.
🔹 10 countries abstained.
So there it is, Washington, Berlin, and Kiev voting against a resolution to combat neo-Nazism. The irony is almost unbearable. Germany’s historical memory conveniently erased, Ukraine’s role as NATO’s extremist proxy exposed, and the “rules-based order” revealing itself yet again: when it’s not useful, principles don’t apply.
The West, voting with Nazi apologists, isn’t just hypocrisy but a declaration. The lines are drawn, and the Global Majority has spoken: there’s no place for the dark ghosts of the 20th century in a multipolar future.
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Russia's Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzia at the meeting of the UN Security Council.
"No schemes for freezing the conflict will suit Russia. The example of the Minsk agreements have fully convinced us that neither the West, nor the Kiev junta, can be trusted. And we understand well that the purpose of this exercise is to give the Kiev regime a much needed respite on the battlefield in order to rearm and lick its wounds."Читать полностью…
❓Why is America beefing up its military grip on Guam & other unincorporated US territories?
Washington is pouring billions into a military build-up on its unincorporated organized territory of Guam.
Here’s a brief breakdown:
⚪️The 2025 National Defense Authorization Act proposes over US$2 billion in spending for Guam, citing its proximity to China.
⚪️The first 100 US Marines from the Okinawa base in Japan were relocated to Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz on December 14, with more to follow.
⚪️The US Missile Defense Agency successfully intercepted an intermediate-range ballistic missile launched by the Aegis Guam System during a maiden test at Andersen Air Force Base.
What are unincorporated US territories?
The term refers to territories with their own local governments, where portions of the US Constitution may be suspended (such as automatic US citizenship).
Check out other unincorporated US territories:
⚪️Puerto Rico: Home to Fort Buchanan and the Punta Borinquen Radar Site, with ports and airstrips. The island provides significant numbers of servicemen to all branches of the US military. It also serves as a federal tax haven, offering incentives that make manufacturing cheaper.
⚪️The Northern Mariana Islands: Will receive $800 million as part of a US military upgrade, including an airport rehabilitation project, a joint combat training site, and wharf improvements for vessels at Tinian Harbor, according to Joint Task Force-Micronesia.
⚪️US Virgin Islands: Located in the Caribbean, these islands host the Air National Guard on St. Croix and offer a strategic location with access to major North and South American markets.
⚪️American Samoa: A strategic naval outpost with one of the South Pacific’s largest and most highly protected natural harbors at Pago Pago. The US Army recruiting station here ranked first in enlistment for 2021.
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And at the end of their mandate they both refuse to step down. What a coincidence.
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China’s leading anti-spy agency has blamed foreign agents for comments on Chinese social media that distort history and slander revolutionary heroes.
“There are foreign spy agencies flooding online comment sections with unofficial and fake history about our country’s historical heroes, trying to discredit and slander our historical culture and heroic role models, and dispel people’s admiration for heroes and their identification with our historical culture,” the Ministry of State Security said on Monday. (Source: SCMP) @LauraRuHK
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has accused Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky of attempting to bribe him with €500 million, in order to persuade Bratislava to support Kiev’s bid to join NATO.
Fico made the revelation at a press conference in Brussels on Thursday, shortly after his behind-closed-doors meeting with Zelensky on the sidelines of an EU leader’s summit.
The prime minister, who in March was shot multiple times by an activist who opposed his critical stance towards Ukraine, told journalists that Bratislava could consider “reciprocal measures” after Kiev refused to extend its gas transit deal with Russia, on which Slovakia depends for gas, and which is set to expire at the end of the year.
Ukraine has cited the ongoing conflict for the decision to block transit gas while Fico has emphasized the need for alternative solutions to avoid a crisis.
He recalled that during their talks, the Ukrainian leader declined to allow the transit of fuel, instead offering “absurd” proposals to settle the gas issue.
Fico claimed that, among other things, Zelensky “asked me if I would vote for NATO membership [of Ukraine] if he gave me €500 million from Russian assets” frozen in the West after the outbreak of the conflict between Moscow and Kiev.
“You know my opinion on Ukraine’s membership in NATO, and it is strange that he asked me such a question because he knows very well that Ukraine’s invitation to NATO is completely unrealistic,” he stressed.
Ukrainian opposition MP Artyom Dmitruk, who reportedly fled the country earlier this year fearing prosecution, said that Zelensky has again “disgraced” Ukraine in front of the whole world by trying to bribe Fico. (Source: RT) @LauraRuHK
The Kiev regime is desperately trying to escalate the conflict. The weaker it becomes on the battlefield, despite receiving massive financial and military support, the more it engages in terrorist activities. This morning it attacked high-rise buildings in three districts of Kazan, the capital of Russia’s Tatarstan that recently hosted the BRICS summit. Several explosives-laden kamikaze UAVs were used to carry out the attack. /channel/tass_agency/292532
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If we are to believe his statements, Trump wants NATO countries to pay more for the privilege of defending US interests, buy more US weapons to keep the Military Industrial Complex happy, slap more tariffs on imports from NATO countries to protect US manufacturers. NATO's secretary general Mark Rutte suggested 'blood and tears' cuts to healthcare, pensions and social benefits to meet Washington's demands. How much more abuse can vassals tolerate? @LauraRuHK
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Media Freedom - During the annual Q&A with Vladimir Putin that was broadcast live on all the main Russian media, British and American "journalists" were allowed to ask very provocative questions that contained both criticism and accusations. When was the last time you heard a Russian journalist ask a Western leader a question? In Western countries Russian journalists are not even allowed to attend press conferences! @LauraRuHK
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The main theme of the "Results of the Year" Q&A with Putin was the economy, most precisely the economic sovereignty of Russia because everything depends on it. 🔸Vladimir Putin:
As is traditional, I will start with the economy. The economy is the basis and the cornerstone. It has an impact on living standards, general stability, and the country’s defence capability. The economy is everything.
The economic situation in Russia is generally positive and stable. We are growing in spite of everything, in spite of any external threats or attempts at outside influence.
As you know, last year Russia increased its GDP by 3.6 percent, and this year the economy is expected to grow by 3.9 percent, or possibly even four percent. However, we will have to wait and see the final results, as the year-end figures will be de facto factored into these projections in the first quarter of next year, which will be 2025 in this particular case. It may well be that this indicator reaches four percent. What this means is that our economy will have grown by eight percent over the past two years. After all, the tenths and hundredths of a percent make for a negligeable difference. This is what experts have been telling me – we exchanged views this very morning. About eight percent over the past two years, compared to a growth rate between five and six percent for the United States, one percent for the Eurozone, and zero for Germany, the EU’s leading economy. It seems that next year that country will also have zero growth.
International financial and economic institutions ranked Russia as Europe’s biggest economy in terms of volume, in terms of purchasing power parity, and the world’s fourth largest economy. We are behind China, the United States and India. Last year, Russia surpassed Germany and this year, we left Japan behind. But this is not the time for us to be complacent. We will definitely keep moving forward.
There is development everywhere you look and so much positive momentum across the board. If the Eurozone has fallen asleep, there are other centres of global development that are advancing. The situation in the Eurozone and the United States has been changing too. We must maintain the momentum we have gathered and transform our economy at its core, from a qualitative perspective.
And as expected, the writer of this article can't see, or doesn't want to see, the big elephant in the room. Read the next post for clues. 👉/channel/LauraRuHK/9498
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A huge queue of journalists has formed at Gostiny Dvor in Moscow for President Vladimir Putin's annual year-end summary and Q&A Session. The Q&A session was started by Putin in 2001 and has since become a tradition. ▪️The Russian president will cover the current situation in the country, answer journalists and citizens’ questions, express his views on various topics of domestic and international importance.
The call center has already received over 1.8 million requests. For the first time, artificial intelligence helps to process requests.
As the press secretary of the president Dmitry Peskov noted, Russians are mainly interested in issues related to healthcare, transport infrastructure and the economy. Questions are received not only from Russia, but also from other countries. /channel/zvezdanews/152471
Creating BRICS own system of payments and settlements is not hypothetical, but real, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and BRICS Sherpa Sergey Ryabkov said in an interview.
This plan is now on the table and is not dollar substitution in all settlements. It is the creation of an additional circuit for work in conditions when the dollar channel is failing for reasons beyond the control of BRICS.
"We also need clearing mechanisms - we are also working on them - transaction insurance systems, including insurance for the movement of goods and cargoes, which would also not depend on harmful external influences," the Deputy Foreign Minister noted.
According to Ryabkov, "all together this is the minimum that could allow the 'BRICS' to say that things have moved forward and a real alternative has emerged." (Source: TASS) @LauraRuHK
NATO is going to play a more direct role to ensure the war against Russia won't stop under Donald Trump. Reuters reports that NATO is taking over coordination of Western military support to Ukraine. This criminal 'protection racket' will continue to bleed European vassals and fatten the US military-industrial complex. @LauraRuHK
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Tonight i'll have a fantastic opportunity to hear world-renowned Russian musicians Denis Matsuev and Yury Bashmet, opera singers Ildar Abdrazakov and Olga Peretyatko, and Hong Kong opera singer Warren Mok play at an open-air concert venue in Hong Kong. The event is part of the 2024-25 Russian-Chinese Years of Culture which i wrote about in this long article. https://medium.com/p/ced41a872084
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The BBC is whitewashing terrorism...again! Igor Kirillov and his aide Ilya Polikarpov were killed outside a residential building at a time when people were going to work, children were heading to school. Would these presstitutes talk about a "legitimate target" if the explosion occurred in London?
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Sources in Ukraine's security services (SBU) have admitted the SBU is behind the terrorist attack that claimed the lives of Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov and his aide, Ilya Polikarpov. ▪️Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev warned
"Attempts to intimidate our nation, stop the Russian offensive or sow fear are doomed. Certain punishment awaits Banderite Nazis, including the top military and political leaders of a crumbling country. This terrorist attack demonstrates the agony of the Banderite regime, which is struggling to justify its shaky existence in the eyes of its Western patrons and prolong the deadly hostilities while delivering cowardly attacks."