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World leaders post reactions to Trump’s election victory

November 6, 2024

Donald Trump’s victory in the presidential race is leading to reaction from world leaders. That reaction began trickling in during the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 6.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a huge victory and congratulated Trump on his “historic return to the White House. “He called it a new beginning for the great alliance between Israel and America.”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whom Trump previously termed as weak, posted on X, saying the friendship between Canada and U.S. is the envy of the world and they will work together to create prosperity.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also posted his congratulations, saying the two countries will continue to work together to promote prosperity and freedom.

Also posting on X, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy wrote, “Congratulations to @realDonaldTrump on his impressive election victory! I recall our great meeting with President Trump back in September, when we discussed in detail the Ukraine-U.S. strategic partnership, the Victory Plan, and ways to put an end to Russian aggression against Ukraine.”

By contrast, the Kremlin’s press secretary told reporters on Wednesday, Nov. 6, he is not aware of any plans for Russian President Vladimir Putin to congratulate Trump. He also called the United States an unfriendly country, that is directly or indirectly involved in a war against Russia.

Donald Trump had stated in his debate with Vice President Kamala Harris during the campaign that he will end the war between Ukraine and Russia before he takes office.
North Korea fires short-range missiles hours before US election

November 5, 2024

North Korea launched a series of short-range ballistic missiles early Tuesday, Nov. 5, marking its second missile test since late October, and occurring mere hours before the U.S. presidential election. The latest launch follows North Korea’s recent test of an advanced intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), reportedly capable of reaching the U.S. mainland.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff reported that several of the North Korean missiles traveled approximately 250 miles before landing in waters east of the Korean Peninsula. The launch appears to be a direct response to recent U.S.-led military drills conducted over the weekend.

As part of those drills, the United States conducted joint exercises with South Korea and Japan, deploying a B-1B bomber alongside South Korean and Japanese fighter jets. The exercise, intended as a show of strength, was aimed at reinforcing regional readiness. North Korea swiftly condemned the drills as hostile.

Kim Yo Jong, sister and key spokesperson for North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, described the trilateral exercise as showing the “most hostile and dangerous aggressive nature of the enemy toward our Republic.” Pyongyang characterized the drills as a rehearsal for invasion.

During a recent U.N. Security Council meeting, U.S. Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood condemned North Korea’s ongoing missile development. Wood accused Russia and China of enabling Pyongyang by blocking international accountability efforts.

Russian officials defended North Korea’s missile tests, framing them as a response to U.S. “provocations.” Moscow could also stand to benefit from North Korea’s testing, as Russia has become one of North Korea’s largest weapons buyers.

Meanwhile, South Korea has requested additional military support from the United States to bolster its defenses. Washington approved a military aid package worth nearly $5 billion, which includes early warning and control systems to enhance Seoul’s missile detection capabilities.
Blinken calls Russia’s turn to North Korean soldiers a sign of desperation

November 1, 2024

North Korea has reportedly sent three senior generals, including a close ally of Kim Jong-un, to oversee thousands of North Korean troops in Russia. This marks an unprecedented level of military cooperation between the two countries amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

While most of the North Korean fighting force has yet to see direct combat, reports indicate some soldiers may already be on the front lines. At least eight North Korean officers were reported dead.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken estimates approximately 10,000 North Korean soldiers are in Russia. He said 8,000 are stationed in the Kursk region near the Ukrainian border.

North Korea’s support for Russia reportedly dates back to the start of the full-scale invasion. North Korea’s foreign minister stated Kim Jong-un ordered the military to “invariably and powerfully support and assist the Russian army and the Russian people in their holy war.”

Kim Jong Un ordered to help the Russian army from the beginning of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine:

"From the very beginning of the special military operation, the honorable comrade Chairman of State Affairs [of the DPRK] Kim Jong-un has instructed that we should, without… https://t.co/ILlBsx3XQs pic.twitter.com/4nqZ5SKwsb
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) November 1, 2024

Russia hasn’t denied North Korea’s involvement. The country maintains that its military cooperation with Pyongyang is within legal bounds.

Russian President Vladimir Putin appears to be increasingly reliant on North Korea for reinforcements as Russia experiences steep casualty rates. The country is reportedly seeing around 1,200 casualties per day in eastern Ukraine.

“Putin has been throwing more and more Russians into a meat grinder of his own making in Ukraine. Now he’s turning to North Korean troops, and that is a clear sign of weakness. Russia’s been suffering some 1,200 casualties a day, in the East, more than at any other time during the war,” Blinken said.

If deployed, Blinken stated, North Korean troops will be treated as “legitimate military targets.”

The potential deployment has raised concerns across Asia. The U.S. has urged China to discourage North Korea from deepening its military alliance with Russia. U.S. officials warn that stronger ties between Pyongyang and Moscow could further destabilize the region.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy cautioned that North Korea’s involvement could test NATO and South Korea’s resolve. He suggested that limited resistance to North Korea’s role might encourage additional foreign troop deployments to Russia.
NATO confirms North Korean troops deployed to Kursk region

October 28, 2024
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has confirmed that North Korean troops have been deployed to the Kursk region, aiding Russia in its ongoing war against Ukraine. Rutte described this move as a “significant escalation” in “Russia’s illegal war,” a breach of U.N. Security Council resolutions and a dangerous expansion of the conflict.

Rutte is calling on Russia and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to “cease these actions immediately.”

He emphasized that the deployment of North Korean troops reflects Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “growing desperation.” The war has killed or wounded more than 600,000 Russian soldiers, according to Rutte.

On Sunday, Oct. 27, Putin stated Russia’s Defense Ministry is developing responses if NATO allies assist Ukraine hit Russian territories using long-range missiles. He warned if Western-supplied missiles target areas deep within Russia, the Kremlin will consider it “the direct involvement of NATO countries” in the war.

In response, U.S. officials addressed Putin’s comments on Monday, Oct. 28. The Pentagon affirmed that the United States won’t restrict Ukraine’s use of American weapons, even if North Korea enters the conflict. The Pentagon estimates that Pyongyang has sent approximately 10,000 troops to assist Russia.
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Elon Musk’s secret conversations with Putin raise security concerns: Report

October 25, 2024
New details indicate Elon Musk has been in regular communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin since late 2022, according to The Wall Street Journal. The Journal reports that Musk’s conversations with Putin have included personal, business and geopolitical topics. Those conversations raised questions about national security due to Musk’s role in U.S. space operations and his increasing political influence.

These interactions have reportedly been confirmed by U.S., European and Russian officials.

One discussion last year reportedly involved a request from Putin. The request asked Musk not to activate his Starlink satellite internet service over Taiwan. This was allegedly as a favor to Chinese President Xi Jinping. Musk’s response remains undisclosed, though his international dealings are considered particularly sensitive given his influence in defense technology.

Initially, Musk’s Starlink service supported Ukraine with thousands of internet terminals to aid communication in conflict zones. However, by late 2022, Musk restricted Starlink’s use for offensive operations. This came after Ukraine sought to employ it in a Crimea-bound drone mission. Musk cited concerns over escalation, reportedly following communications from Russian officials suggesting potential nuclear retaliation.

Musk has also become a notable supporter of Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. He has pledged millions monthly to a pro-Trump super PAC. Trump has indicated Musk would lead a “government efficiency commission” if Trump were to win, further positioning Musk as a key ally and backer.

Musk’s growing role in U.S. politics has prompted questions about his alignment with American interests, given his access to sensitive government contracts and his influence over critical U.S. space and satellite technologies. Musk has not publicly responded to recent reports.
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Russia spreading lies about US hurricanes to win war in Ukraine: Study

October 24, 2024
More lies and conspiracy theories are reportedly coming to Americans from the Kremlin. Russia has long been accused of sowing division and now it’s being discovered that those efforts appear to be ramping up ahead of the Nov. 5 U.S. presidential election.

A study released on Thursday, Oct. 24, shows Russia has been spreading misinformation about recent hurricanes in the United States and the federal government’s response. It’s reportedly part of an ongoing effort to meddle in the country’s political debates.

Researchers say that Russian state media, social media accounts and websites are all involved. They said the groups are trying to frame the federal response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton in a negative light. They believe the goal is to show American leaders as incompetent or corrupt.

The London-based organization behind the study said this is how Moscow disinformation groups infiltrate U.S. households, by taking advantage of polarizing issues to cast doubt on the American government and each other.

Melanie Smith, the director of the research group, said disinformation actors capitalize on natural disasters by “simply pouring gasoline on fires that already exist.”

The false claims nclude false assertions that the Federal Emergency Mangement Agency (FEMA) is diverting funds to aid migrants and conspiracy theories of government weather manipulation.

The conspiracy theories may have serious consequences as well. One man who was arrested for threatening FEMA workers in North Carolina said he was motivated by false social media claims that the agency was withholding supplies from Hurricane Helene victims.

Analysts believe that Russia’s war against Ukraine is the main motivator for spreading lies. They note that if Russia can convince enough Americans to oppose U.S. support of Kyiv, Moscow’s path to victory in Ukraine gets much easier.
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UK accuses Russia of bombing humanitarian aid ships bound for Gaza

October 23, 2024
The United Kingdom accused Russia of indiscriminately bombing ships transporting food to Gaza as Russia steps up its attacks on Ukrainian ports. British intelligence asserts these strikes are preventing crucial aid from being delivered to Palestinians and others in need.

British defense officials report Russia hit at least four merchant vessels between Oct. 5 and Oct. 14. That includes a Panama-flagged vessel carrying sunflower oil as part of a United Nations shipment, according to U.K. intelligence. Officials also said that Russia hit ships carrying grain to Egypt and the U.N.’s World Food Program in South Africa.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Tuesday, Oct. 22, the revelations show Russian President Vladimir Putin is “willing to gamble on global food security” as the Kremlin leader becomes more desperate to defeat Ukraine.

The accusations against Russia come as Starmer is under pressure from British Palestinian families who want a British presence at border crossings in Gaza to ensure quick inspections and that aid flows without restrictions.

The Biden administration is also reportedly frustrated by delays to U.S.-funded aid into Gaza, saying the flow of supplies dropped by more than 50% since last March. The U.S. threatened to withhold weapons shipments to Israel earlier this month unless 300 aid trucks were allowed to enter Gaza a day. Israel says aid shipments have since increased since the warning from the United States.

However, health officials in northern Gaza still warn that supplies are dwindling to treat patients as Israel renews an offensive in the region.
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India’s Modi tells Putin to end war in Ukraine peacefully and ‘quickly’

October 22, 2024
As Russia hosts 22 international leaders who represent 45% of the world’s population for a global finance summit, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is using the opportunity to call for an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine. Modi told Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, Oct. 22, he wanted the war to end peacefully and “quickly” as the two met at the annual BRICS Summit.

Additionally, Modi revealed that he was in “constant touch” with Putin over the war in Ukraine. New Delhi is towing a fine line with the warring factions, as it’s promised humanitarian support to Kyiv while failing to openly condemn Russia’s invasion.

Modi visited Moscow in July and Kyiv in August, attempting to spur peace talks between the countries. Complicating India’s position even more is the fact India and China are the two largest purchasers of Russian oil in the world.

When questioned by reporters at the summit, Putin maintained that Moscow would not give away the four regions of eastern Ukraine it currently holds. The Kremlin leader says those areas are now part of Russia and wants Moscow’s long-term security interests considered by Europe.

Meanwhile, Russian sources acknowledged there were increasing talks in Moscow of a possible cease-fire agreement. However, nothing is set in stone as they wait for the results of the U.S. presidential election on Nov. 5.

Putin claimed the West now realizes Russia will win the war in Ukraine but is open to discussion on draft cease-fire agreements reached in Turkey in 2022.
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Freed American Paul Whelan describes years inside Russian prison

October 21, 2024
Former Marine Paul Whelan has shared new details about his over five-year imprisonment in Russia, including allegations of psychological and physical abuse. Whelan, who was released in August as part of a multination prisoner swap, credits WNBA star Brittney Griner for helping keep his case in the public eye.

Whelan was arrested in 2018 on charges of espionage that he and U.S. officials have repeatedly denied.

For more than five years, Whelan endured what he described as dire conditions, including insufficient food, medical neglect, and continuous pressure from Russian authorities to confess to spying for the U.S. government.

AP Photo

Among those advocates was Griner, who herself was detained in Russia in 2022 on drug charges. After her release in a high-profile swap for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, Griner became a vocal supporter of Whelan, using her platform to raise awareness about his continued imprisonment.

Whelan was not part of the 2022 prisoner swap that freed Griner, a decision that left him fearing for his life.

He said he believed being left behind meant the U.S. had effectively signed a “death warrant” for him. However, in August, Whelan’s long-awaited release was secured in a multination agreement, which also freed Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and several other prisoners.

Now back home in Michigan, Whelan is struggling to reintegrate into civilian life. He has described dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder and concerns about finding work after his long absence.

Whelan remains committed to advocating for other Americans who remain detained overseas, much like Griner did for him.
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S. Korea could deploy troops to Ukraine to help against N. Koreans: Report

October 21, 2024
South Korea could reportedly send troops and intelligence personnel to Ukraine following revelations North Korea may have deployed soldiers and plans to send thousands more to fight alongside Russian forces on the front lines of its war against Ukraine. South Korean media reported on Monday, Oct. 21, the military may send intelligence officers to provide information on Pyongyang’s military tactics, doctrine and operations.

South Korean personnel in Ukraine would potentially interrogate or interpret for North Korean soldiers if they were to be taken prisoner by Ukrainian forces.

South Korea’s Defense Ministry also acknowledged on Monday that it is considering sending weapons to Kyiv. Seoul has already helped Ukraine with humanitarian aid as the war has dragged on.

The reports come after South Korean intelligence says North Korea plans on sending 12,000 special forces to assist Russia. South Korea’s Defense Ministry said that it talked with the United States on Monday. The White House claimed it could not confirm reports of North Korean troops in Russia but says that it “would mark a dangerous development” in the war.

Pyongyang is neither denying nor confirming accusations of troops deployments in Russia.

The Kremlin on Monday refused to answer any questions about North Korean soldiers’ role in Russia’s war against Ukraine, saying, “We see a lot of contradictory information” from Seoul and the United States.
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