ROK

Researcher

[Center for Countering Disinformation @CforCD]

❌russian propaganda has distorted a US intelligence report on biological laboratories in Ukraine.

The pretext for this manipulation was a US National Intelligence publication regarding facilities supported under the Cooperative Threat Reduction Programme.

[Christo Grozev @christogrozev]

As I said... This is not pure idiocy, useful or otherwise. This is intentional abuse of power and, in fact, falsifications, all in furtherance of the interests of a foreign adversary.

[CSIS Korea Chair @CSISKoreaChair]

The Impossible State Podcast: The CRINK Challenge: Implications for North Korea and Global Security.

In case you missed it, the latest episode of The Impossible State is now available. Join @VictorDCha, @CSIS Sydney Seiler and @UniofOxford @TheEdwardHowell as they unpack North Korea's relationships with the CRINK countries and examine Beijing’s priorities heading into an imminent Xi-Kim summit.

🎙️Listen here: https://t.co/7Jd485zOZq

[NK NEWS @nknewsorg]

The world’s poor unification record doesn’t bode well for the two Koreas https://t.co/TZdx3CVUGS

[Christo Grozev @christogrozev]

Incredible. Publishing what appears to be (if you care to read the "evidence") a totally legitimate US program, and even citing the risks of these being used as "Russian information campaigns", Tulsi Gabbard - the gift that kept giving - presents the Kremlin with yet one more information operation.
Read our investigation from 2025 where we presented evidence that the hybrid ops unit of GRU's 29155 came up with the whole "bio-labs" concept - and co-opted Tulsi into it. https://t.co/D8qdE38ahv

[Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen]

Today, the European Union took a major step forward.

All Member States agreed to open the first accession negotiations cluster with Ukraine and Moldova.

At the first Intergovernmental Conference on Monday, we will open the cluster on fundamentals; the backbone of the accession process.

It covers the core values and principles on which the EU is built, from the rule of law to strong democratic institutions.

This is a recognition of the determination, courage and hard work shown by both countries in advancing reforms, even in the face of immense challenges.

And a signal that the EU’s offer of peace, stability and opportunity is unmatchable.

Enlargement is a strategic choice.

By bringing our nations closer together, we strengthen peace, security and prosperity across our continent.

In a world marked by growing uncertainty, a larger European Union is in our common interest.

Enlargement remains one of the EU’s greatest success stories and our best investment in our shared future.

[Carnegie Endowment @CarnegieEndow]

We’re delighted to announce Avril Haines as the next president of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. One of the most respected national security leaders of her generation, Avril brings a deep commitment to public service and the values at the heart of our mission.

[Jürgen Nauditt 🇩🇪🇺🇦 @jurgen_nauditt]

The "missing" Russian Central Bank chief is returning to her post, though only until the end of her term. Sources revealed to *MO* the conditions she set for Putin.

Central Bank chief Elvira Nabiullina—who had missed the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) and subsequent events citing illness—is resuming her duties despite rumors of her departure. The Central Bank has announced engagements involving her in St. Petersburg for early July.

However, the rumors were not unfounded: the Central Bank chief is indeed dissatisfied with the Kremlin's course and is considering resignation, according to multiple sources within the Central Bank, the Presidential Administration, and the senior management of a federal TV channel.

📍Nabiullina had taken sick leave for health reasons but is now returning to work, according to one source; this explains the announcements of her upcoming appearances. However, another source familiar with the government's economic team does not rule out a so-called "diplomatic illness"—suggesting that the health issue might merely have been a pretext to avoid giving a speech at SPIEF. Nabiullina's last major public address took place in March.

📍Another source, speaking to journalists covering SPIEF, described a rumor circulating among them: Nabiullina intends to leave the Central Bank and the country entirely—much like other former economic officials such as Ulyukayev and Chubais. The "work hiatus" is reportedly directly linked to discussions regarding her criticisms and her future.

📍A source within the Presidential Administration confirms this account. According to the report, the central bank chief informed the head of state that she was prepared to continue working until the end of her term next year, provided the "special military operation" continued in its current form. However, she is reportedly unwilling to remain in office in the event of martial law, border closures, or similar measures—scenarios representing an escalation of the war, such as those demanded by "hawks" at that very forum. "She informed the head of state, effectively took sick leave, and is now awaiting his reaction," our source said.

📍According to the source, this condition stems from the fact that resigning at such a high level—should martial law be imposed—could be construed as high treason, carrying all the associated consequences. Currently, it is still possible to step down without the risk of reprisals. However, a government official told *MO* that even now, a resignation at this level is perceived as the ultimate act of disloyalty.

📍Nabiullina’s term expires in June 2027, and experts cited by *The Bell* view her potential departure as a systemic risk. According to the report, possible candidates to succeed her include Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration Dmitry Oreshkin, VTB chief Andrey Kostin, and Pyotr Fradkov, the head of Promsvyazbank (and son of the former prime minister).

[Prof. Dr. Cristina Vanberghen @VanberghenEU]

Equating the institutional structure of the EEAS with the shortcomings of European foreign policy is a serious mistake. The EEAS is not the problem. For more than a decade, its officials have worked to build diplomatic convergence, strengthen the EU's external presence, and foster a common foreign policy culture across member states. Its effectiveness ultimately depends on the people within it, the quality of coordination, and effective communication among EU institutions and national governments. If change is needed, change the people and the leadership - not necessarily the structure.

Any meaningful reform requires broad interinstitutional support. Has the EEAS truly enjoyed strong political support since the arrival of President von der Leyen? Institutions need coordination, political backing, and leadership oxygen to perform effectively.

Reorganizing structures without addressing these fundamental requirements risks becoming a cosmetic exercise rather than a genuine solution.

Besides, we are all familiar with the long-standing institutional tensions between the EEAS and the European Commission. There is nothing new about that. Pursuing a major reform without properly informing and engaging EU officials, member states, and European citizens risks creating even more uncertainty.

If Europe starts blaming its institutions for every policy failure, it risks overlooking the deeper issues that truly deserve attention: political fragmentation, inconsistent strategic priorities, and a lack of collective political will. It also risks losing sight of the broader context - the constant noise that is reshaping our political reality and increasingly distancing leaders from European citizens. Every day, Europeans hear narratives about militarisation, defence spending, drones, and the next security initiative, while many of the challenges they encounter in their daily lives remain insufficiently addressed. This growing disconnect should concern us .

[Tymofiy Mylovanov @Mylovanov]

Masashi Nakagome, Japan Amb. to Ukraine: Today’s Ukraine may be tomorrow’s East Asia. We believe the security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific are inseparable, so how this war ends matters directly to Japan’s security. Any peace formula must be acceptable to Ukrainians. US engagement and G7 unity remain essential for achieving a just and lasting peace. 1/

[Shashank Joshi @shashj]

My colleagues model the growing spread and depth of Ukrainian strikes inside Russia.
https://t.co/Wtkxs60Jsx

[Nathalie Tocci @NathalieTocci]

La lettera di Zelensky respinta da Putin, e il vertice tra 🇫🇷 🇩🇪 🇬🇧 e 🇺🇦 sottolineano non solo il ruolo dell’Europa in 🇺🇦 , ma anche le lezioni di resilienza militare, tecnologica, energetica e psicologica che gli ucraini possono insegnare al resto d'Europa. Oggi su la Stampa

[UnveiledChina @Unveiled_ChinaX]

North Korea just crashed the U.S. and Chinese diplomatic party with a blunt nuclear reality check. Just one day before Chinese President Xi Jinping’s historic June 8 visit to Pyongyang, Kim Yo Jong issued a scathing statement flatly rejecting any future denuclearization. She openly mocked recent U.S. claims from the May 2026 Xi-Trump summit, calling assertions that Beijing and Washington agreed on a denuclearization goal completely false and declaring that North Korea's nuclear status is final and irreversible.

The timing of this diplomatic middle finger is a calculated power move to establish maximum leverage before Xi steps foot in the country for his first visit in nearly seven years. Pyongyang is sending a clear message to its sole formal treaty ally that it will not be used as a bargaining chip. Emboldened by its deep military partnership and arms transfers with Russia, North Korea is making it known that it answers to no one when it comes to its sovereign defense.

This aggressive rhetoric is backed by massive infrastructure growth on the ground. Only days prior, Kim Jong Un personally toured a newly expanded uranium enrichment plant and ordered a 2.5-fold increase in missile production capacity over the next five years. With an arsenal already estimated at 50 warheads and expanding rapidly, North Korea has officially locked in its identity as a permanent nuclear power, completely shattering Washington’s lingering illusions of a diplomatic rollback.

#NorthKorea #Geopolitics #XiJinping #KimYoJong #NuclearDeterrence #USChina #GlobalSecurity

[Defence Index @Defence_Index]

☢️🇰🇵 North Korea to the world: "Our nuclear status is non negotiable."

Days before Xi Jinping's visit, Pyongyang doubled down on its nuclear arsenal, rejecting any pressure to disarm.

As world powers push for denuclearization, North Korea is making one thing clear: its nuclear arsenal isn't going anywhere.

Source: KCNA

[Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський @ZelenskyyUa]

Today is the 82nd anniversary of D-Day – the Allied landings in Normandy, which significantly hastened the countdown to the Nazis' collapse in World War II. It is one of the most important moments of unity among the defenders of life in human history, and it was less than a year until the peoples’ aspiration for freedom and the hope of peace prevailed in May 1945. It happened then. We are working to make it happen again today.

And although yesterday in Petersburg another cynical order to continue killing was issued for the army trying to destroy our freedom, history has seen this before. The Nazis also had their own hopes after D-Day. But freedom still wins. And even in the darkest circumstances, people find ways to come together to protect life.

I thank all those who are now helping to protect the values that prevailed in World War II. I thank everyone who is defending life. Glory to Ukraine!

[Garry Kasparov @Kasparov63]

It’s important to note that this is not a coincidence or just trolling by Trump and his admin. To such people, the Nazi rise and takeover and transformation of the German government is a success story to be emulated, so why not use their language and tactics?

[Xavier Tytelman @PeurAvion]

Deux Rafale🇫🇷 de l'@Armee_de_lair appartenant au détachement Baltic Air Policing ont intercepté six aéronefs russes DANS L'ESPACE AÉRIEN BALTE, avec trois chasseurs Su-35, Su-34 et Su-24, un avion de transport Il-76 mais aussi deux avions de renseignement An-12 et An-30.

[With Honor Action @WithHonorAction]

Last night, the House passed the bipartisan Ukraine Support Act after months of gridlock to provide support for Ukraine's continued struggle for freedom against Putin’s aggression.

With Honor Action was proud to join @RepDonBacon, @RepBrianFitz, @RepCarbajal, and other champions for Ukraine for a Capitol Hill press conference underscoring our commitment to democracies around the world.

[Cyrille Amoursky @AmourskyCyrille]

‼️🇷🇺/🇺🇦 RAPPELEZ CELA À TOUS CEUX QUI VOUS DISENT QUE C’EST ZELENSKY/L’OCCIDENT QUI VEUT LA GUERRE !

Poutine a rejeté l’invitation de Zelensky à négocier en tête-à-tête.

Au lieu de ça, il a envoyé un message d’encouragement à ses soldats : « travaillez, nos frères ! »

En d’autres termes : « continuez à massacrer des Ukrainiens et à mourir en masse pour mes propres intérêts.

Zelensky avait simplement proposé une rencontre entre les deux dirigeants dans un pays « neutre » pour mettre un terme à la guerre. Poutine a balayé sec cette proposition.

Bientôt aura lieu le G7. J’espère que toutes les chancelleries ont entendu les propos de Poutine : cette guerre continuera à cause de lui, et il faut donc urgemment renforcer l’Ukraine.

PARTAGEZ CET EXTRAIT À CHAQUE VOUS QU’ON ESSAIERA DE VOUS EXPLIQUER QUE LA RUSSIE VEUT LA PAIX !

[CSIS Korea Chair @CSISKoreaChair]

📡 Satellite Imagery Analysis

As reports point to Russia drawing on North Korean labor for drone production, @CSIS Beyond Parallel imagery shows rapid expansion at Yelabuga’s UAV complex—evidence of Russia accelerating UAV/UCAV manufacturing.

🔎 Full analysis: https://t.co/XvTps67L0I