Ukraine!
& they got ed.
Slovakia will continue supplying electricity to Ukraine despite threats from Fico, reports iRozhlas. State-owned SEPS, Slovakia's power grid operator, confirmed it will uphold its emergency assistance contract with Ukrenergo.
https://tvpworld.com/84346644/opinio...llapse-in-2025OPINION: This year could spell the end of Slovakia’s Robert Fico government
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The possibility of early elections in Slovakia was first publicly acknowledged by Fico himself during a speech at Smer party’s ceremonial congress on November 17 last year. “Let’s be realists and prepare ourselves for parliamentary elections outside the end of the regular term in 2027,” declared the Smer leader.
Since then, his warning has become increasingly realistic. Even some members of the ruling coalition openly admit the possibility of early elections. The year 2025 is seen as decisive, with the first major test coming during the first parliamentary session in February.
The ruling coalition currently has just 76 MPs, giving it a majority of only one in Slovakia’s 150-seat parliament. This wafer-thin advantage is the result of three rebellious MPs leaving the parliamentary group of the smallest coalition partner, SNS. Later, another three MPs, this time from the Hlas party, defected, leaving the coalition uncertain about whether it will still have a majority come next month’s parliamentary session.
According to public opinion polls, half of Slovaks expect Fico’s government to fall. Michal Šimečka, the leader of the opposition party, Progressive Slovakia, predicts that due to the government’s troubles and the coalition’s disintegration, early elections could take place in Slovakia this year or next. His party, which has been consistently leading Smer in the opinion polls for several months, is projected to emerge as the winner.
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The confusing Moscow trip, which further tarnished Slovakia's reputation among its Western allies, offers another interpretation; Fico may be laying the groundwork for an election campaign in which Russia could play a role. This mirrors the recent Romanian scenario, where the cons utional court annulled the first round of presidential elections due to Russian interference.
Though this may sound speculative, Fico himself hinted that this might happen during his New Year’s speech. He criticized developments in Romania and Georgia, framing them as examples of election results being disregarded when the “wrong” candidate won. His comments seemed to foreshadow a similar narrative for Slovakia.
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However, even early elections may not guarantee political change. A potential victory for Šimečka’s pro-European Progressive Slovakia party would not automatically mean it could form a stable government due to lack of coalition partners.
A new parliament would likely include the far-right Republika party and Aliancia, a party representing Slovakia’s Hungarian minority which aligns itself with the policies of Viktor Orbán, the Hungarian prime minister, and these parties could become viable coalition partners for Smer. If joined by the Christian Democrats (KDH) and Hlas, a strong coalition with the potential to get a cons utional majority could emerge, paving the way for a transformation of Slovakia modeled on Orbán’s Hungary. But for now, Fico's government remains fragile, and all scenarios for Slovakia's future are still on the table.
it seems Trump is set to continue the US's quasi-Cold War footing with China, the main suspense is whether we'll see a Trump reversal on Russia/Ukraine
Russia's Baltic Sea Cable Sabotage Could Endanger European EnergyAs part of its green transition, Norway has decided that its oil and gas platforms should be powered by electricity from the mainland rather than gas turbines. That means most of Norway’s energy production depends on the impeccable functioning of electricity cables—and in turn, so does the rest of Europe, since Norway is now the region’s top supplier of natural gas. With just a few sliced cables, Russia—perhaps with China’s help again—could disrupt a continent.
https://united24media.com/latest-new...ion-finds-4964Russian Intelligence Paid Taliban Fighters Up to $200,000 Per Attack on US Forces, Investigation Finds
Russian military intelligence (GRU) allegedly paid Taliban fighters and other militant groups in Afghanistan to carry out attacks targeting US and coalition forces. According to an investigation by The Insider, in collaboration with Der Spiegel, the scheme reportedly operated between 2016 and 2019, offering payments of up to $200,000 per killed soldier and costing Russia an estimated $30 million.
"For years, GRU paid various terrorist groups in Afghanistan for attacks aimed at US and coalition forces. The Insider not only uncovered evidence of this program's existence but also identified specific GRU officers involved. To transfer money to Taliban fighters and other groups, Russian intelligence operated a network of Afghan couriers disguised as a gemstone trading company. After completing their missions, the couriers were granted Russian do ents and refuge in Russia," the report stated.
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https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2777Treasury Intensifies Sanctions Against Russia by Targeting Russia’s Oil Production and Exports
WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury took sweeping action to fulfill the G7 commitment to reduce Russian revenues from energy, including blocking two major Russian oil producers. Today’s actions also impose sanctions on an unprecedented number of oil-carrying vessels, many of which are part of the “shadow fleet,” opaque traders of Russian oil, Russia-based oilfield service providers, and Russian energy officials. Today’s actions are underpinned by the issuance of a new determination that authorizes sanctions pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14024 against persons operating or having operated in the energy sector of the Russian Federation economy. These actions substantially increase the sanctions risks associated with the Russian oil trade.
The United Kingdom (UK) is also taking action today, joining Treasury in sanctioning two major Russian oil producers.
“The United States is taking sweeping action against Russia’s key source of revenue for funding its brutal and illegal war against Ukraine,” said Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen. “This action builds on, and strengthens, our focus since the beginning of the war on disrupting the Kremlin’s energy revenues, including through the G7+ price cap launched in 2022. With today’s actions, we are ratcheting up the sanctions risk associated with Russia’s oil trade, including shipping and financial facilitation in support of Russia’s oil exports.”
The Department of State is also taking steps to reduce Russia’s energy revenues by blocking two active liquefied natural gas projects, a large Russian oil project, and third-country en ies supporting Russia’s energy exports. State is also designating numerous Russia-based oilfield service providers and senior officials of State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom.
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