Stephen Smith

Retired from careers education, information, advice & guidance

Ubi solitudinem faciunt, pacem appellant.
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum

[Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський @ZelenskyyUa]

Thank you for your clarity, dear @NicusorDanRO. Facts are the best cure to Putin’s lies and they prove that Russia’s manipulations will not pass. Ukraine is ready to work closely together to counter common threats and strengthen the protection of life — not only for our country, but also for the friendly Romania and the rest of Europe.

[Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський @ZelenskyyUa]

We wanted to conclude the first Drone Deal with the United States. The U.S. wanted to test all types of our drones. We agreed to the way they wanted to test, train with, and use our systems in the air, on land, and at sea. But we still don’t have a bilateral Drone Deal – a big framework document.

The Drone Deals we have are with some countries in the Middle East and Europe, and now we are preparing a big Drone Deal with the EU. I hope we will reach the same agreement with our American partners. I count on it.

American companies have advanced AI technologies we don't have. In turn, we have many things they don't have, due to our extensive experience on the battlefield.

I think this cooperation can be huge — the most powerful of its kind in the world. We need to negotiate, not just talk about it. Take the necessary steps and do it as quickly as possible. For this, we need President Trump to say yes.

From an interview with Face the Nation. (5/5)

[Anton Gerashchenko @Gerashchenko_en]

An investigation has confirmed that the drone that crashed into a residential building in Galați, Romania, was a Russian "Geran-2" drone.

"The fact that such a device struck a residential building in Romania, causing injuries and property damage, is particularly serious, and Russia is the only party responsible," said the President of Romania Nikusor Dan.

The inscription "GERAN-2" is visible on the recovered drone fragments. Its navigation systems, control modules, engine, structural components, manufacturing markings, and technical features closely match - and in some cases are identical to - other Geran-2 drones previously found in Romania and conclusively identified as Russian-made.

Physical and chemical analyses also confirmed the same materials and fuels repeatedly identified in drones of this type.

[Anton Gerashchenko @Gerashchenko_en]

Putin's aide Ushakov on his brain:
“[My brain] doesn't work anyway. Why would I even turn it on? No need.”

[Anton Gerashchenko @Gerashchenko_en]

According to the General Staff, an important element of Russia’s oil transportation infrastructure was struck during the night - the Lazarevo Line Production and Dispatch Station in Russia's Kirov Region.

The facility is used to pump crude oil through the Surgut-Gorky-Polotsk main oil pipeline.

[Maria Avdeeva @maria_avdv]

Kyiv Day. After a long winter and months of bombardment the city feels especially alive. Beautiful, loud, blooming.

Grateful to those who make sure we’re still here to see it.

[Maria Avdeeva @maria_avdv]

Today we had the end of school year celebrations.

In the evening people go to sleep in the metro because of warnings of an incoming large-scale attack.

Some things you don’t get used to even after 4 years.

[Maria Avdeeva @maria_avdv]

No, it’s not Ukraine. It’s Galati, Romania.

Russian drones hitting Ukrainian homes don’t make headlines anymore. Let’s see if that moves the needle.

[Zarina Zabrisky 🇺🇸🇺🇦 @ZarinaZabrisky]

And the answer?

[Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський @ZelenskyyUa]

This month saw changes in the dynamics on the frontline in Ukraine’s favor. We are holding more positions and inflicting more damage. The impact of our long-range sanctions against Russia has been especially significant. Today, I approved our long-range action plans for June.

[Anton Gerashchenko @Gerashchenko_en]

President Trump’s administration does not appear to be planning a formal U.S. withdrawal from NATO, as such a move would face strong resistance from Congress, the Pentagon, allies, and a number of Republicans. Instead, it is gradually reducing America’s security presence in Europe.

Recent decisions point to a consistent trend. The Pentagon has canceled the rotation of around 4,000 U.S. troops to Poland. Earlier, the United States announced reductions to its presence in Germany. Washington has also revised plans for deploying certain long-range systems in Europe, including Tomahawk missiles and hypersonic weapons.

Specific elements of America’s security presence are being reduced: the speed of force deployment, logistics, forward positioning of weapons, strike capabilities, and the predictability of the U.S. response in a crisis. NATO formally remains, but confidence in the automatic nature of American support is weakening.

The Trump administration explains this as a "redistribution of burdens." The United States no longer wants to carry the main conventional burden simultaneously in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. China has become President Trump’s primary strategic priority, while Israel’s security remains an unconditional strategic interest.

So, current policy increasingly resembles not isolationism, but selective retrenchment - a selective reduction of American commitments where Washington sees fit.

‼️ The effects of this policy benefit Russia even without any formal "rapprochement." The Kremlin does not necessarily need NATO to collapse. It is enough for doubts to emerge among allies about the effectiveness and reliability of the Alliance.

Europe is already responding: Poland is sharply increasing military spending, Germany is accelerating rearmament, and France is pushing for strategic autonomy. But there is a timing problem. The United States can reduce its involvement quickly. Europe builds capabilities slowly. It is precisely this gap in timing that now creates the main strategic risk for European security.

[Anton Gerashchenko @Gerashchenko_en]

President Stubb: look who can help you: Ukrainians.

"It's a no-brainer. If our main aim is to deter Russian aggression, our biggest long-term security threat is still Russia, so how do you do it? By maximizing your security. How? By having your own strong national defense.

But look who can help you: Ukrainians."

[Anton Gerashchenko @Gerashchenko_en]

NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Alexus Grynkewich on Russia’s narrative about a "NATO threat":

"It’s a standard Russian trope, right? They constantly say that NATO is doing something in an offensive manner, but we all know NATO is a defensive alliance.

We are not a threat to Russia, and they know we’re not a threat to Russia.

If they thought we were a threat to Russia, they wouldn’t have emptied the Leningrad Military District to go and invade Ukraine."

[Maria Avdeeva @maria_avdv]

Remarkable how Ukraine is turning into a full-scale defense tech producer under fire 🇺🇦

[Zarina Zabrisky 🇺🇸🇺🇦 @ZarinaZabrisky]

A walk downtown Kherson.

Drones buzzing fill the air and we hide every five minutes.

Two days ago, the fire from Russian artillery ruined entire blocks of historic center.

The situation is deteriorating rapidly.

[Garry Kasparov @Kasparov63]

Vance lectures the Pope about religion, Ukrainians about their weapons, and Poland about their security needs--all with arrogance and belligerence. Either he's a rare genius or a complete buffoon, you can choose.

[Jay in Kyiv @JayinKyiv]

All day today Russians are just sending shahed drones into apartment buildings all across Ukraine at random. Roughly 500 shaheds so far, and military intelligence is warning large missile attacks to follow.

Ivana Frankivsk, not far from Poland.

[Margo Gontar 🔱 @MargoGontar]

Childhood in Ukraine : teachers blocking the road so school kids could run to bomb shelter to hide from Russian drones and missiles . It’s been a massive attack on Ukraine today , all regions , and now it’s moving west and continues

[Garry Kasparov @Kasparov63]

If NATO is lucky, they can join Ukraine.

[Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський @ZelenskyyUa]

It certainly cannot be called a coincidence that one of the longest massive Russian attacks against Ukraine takes place precisely at the time when the President of the United States arrived for a visit to China – a visit from which much is expected. In this difficult geopolitical moment, Russia is clearly trying to disrupt the overall political atmosphere and draw attention to its evil – seeking to do so at the expense of Ukrainian lives and Ukrainian infrastructure.

Throughout the entire day today, the Russians have been launching waves of “shaheds” against our regions – and, in particular, deliberately targeting regions closest to the borders of NATO countries. Hits have already been recorded in Zakarpattia, Lviv region, Volyn, as well as in Ivano-Frankivsk and Rivne regions. Unfortunately, there are also hits in many of our other regions – Vinnytsia, Chernivtsi, Khmelnytskyi, Dnipro, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhzhia, Zhytomyr, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Sumy, Cherkasy, Kharkiv, and Kherson regions. As of now, dozens of people are reported injured, including children. Sadly, six people have been killed. My condolences to their families and loved ones. Since midnight, at least 800 Russian drones have already been launched, and the attack is ongoing, with additional drones entering our country’s airspace.

According to our intelligence, after all the waves of drones, missile launches against Ukraine are also entirely possible. Our warriors are defending Ukraine, but Russia’s obvious aim is to overload air defense systems and inflict as much grief and pain as possible specifically during these days. It is important that the world does not remain silent about this. It is important that Russia’s true intentions are made clear to leaders and countries. It is important to apply real pressure on the Russian aggressor so that this terror is brought to an end. All services are currently engaged in dealing with the consequences of the strikes. Please pay attention to air-raid alerts. I am grateful to every partner who stands with Ukraine!