Ukraine

A bomb is directed to Ukraine from the US. It is called GLSDB and is Boeing’s antidote to the “offensive triangle” of Russia

by

Two news in the last hours reflect to what extent the war in Ukraine is a nonsense. On the one hand, the United States has confirmed that he is arguing with Putin LAs lands and energy plants that would find the long -awaited fire. On the other, a package is directed from Washington to Ukraine. Inside, some bombs They promise to change the current Russian advantage in the invasion. The “offensive triangle”. They counted several analysts over the weekend that as the war in Ukraine enters its fourth year, Russia has perfected a strategy that, although it has not achieved decisive advances on the battlefield, is Erosioning systematically the abilities and moral of the Ukrainian forces. The approach, called by British experts such as the “offensive triangle,” combines infantry, attack drones and planning pumps to subdue Ukrainian forces at constant pressure. Tactics has been particularly effective due to Current situation of Ukrainewhich faces the reduction of western military supplies, exacerbated by the decision of the Trump administration of freeze shipments of arms and all cooperation in intelligence (now reactivated both). Although Russia still does not achieve significant strategic advances, its approach is achieving an accumulation of small victories at a high human and material cost. The key role of UMPK. One of the most novel and effective elements of this strategy has been the intensive use of UMPK planning pumpswhich have allowed Russia revive your air capacity without exposing your enemy fire planes. These bombs, which transform conventional ammunition into low -cost precision weapons, have been a key factor for Russia since Your introduction in 2023. Unlike western systems such as The JDAM from the United States (used for more than 25 years), Russian UMPK prioritize quantity over precision. Although its accuracy is less than that of its western counterparts, its explosive power is devastating. Plus: These ammunition have proven to be particularly effective against Ukrainian trenches and bunkers, since even a close impact can destroy well prepared fortifications. It is estimated that Russia will increase its production of 40,000 UMPK bombs in 2024 70,000 in 2025which will mean an even greater challenge for Ukraine. American aid: GLSDB. The response of Ukraine to the Russian offensive triangle will arrive thanks to the reactivation of military aid and intelligence cooperation in the United States. To be more exact, a New improved version of the GROUND-LAUNCHED SMALL DIAMETER BOM (GLSDB). The bomb, which debuted on the Ukrainian battlefield months ago, had a disappointing performance, especially due to the advanced electronic warfare capabilities of Russia, which led to its use was suspended. However, with the growing need for long -range armament after the decrease in reserves of Atacms missilesGLSDB has been reevaluated and modified to counteract electronic interference and improve its effectiveness. The modifications. According to Reutersthe new versions of the GLSDB include structural reinforcements to better withstand launch tensions, in addition to an optimization in Your GPS navigation systemwhich would do it more resistant to blocking and supplantation of signals (Jamming/Spoofing). In fact, to validate these improvements, 19 launch tests were carried out recently. We remember that the bomb was developed by Boeing and Saab, a precision weapon released from the ground with remote attack capacity. Its design is based on the combination of two existing components. On the one hand, the small diameter pump GBU-39/B (SDB), used in air attacks. On the other, the M26 rocket engine, which is used in multiple launcher systems m270 mlrs and M142 Himars. How it works. The system allows the GLSDB to be triggered as if it were a rocket to use and, after reaching a certain altitude, displays retractable wings that allow it to plan without propulsion to its target, using its inertial navigation system and GPS. Its scope is approximately 150 kmwhich makes it especially useful for Ukraine in its attempt to attack Russian infrastructure and supply lines at a great distance. The initial problem. Although Saab had ensured that GLSDB had high precision (with a margin of error of only one meter), reports from the front suggest that their vulnerability to the Russian electronic warfare It was greater than expected. Russia has demonstrated an effective capacity to Block GPS signalswhich affected the precision of the GLSDB and reduced its effectiveness. Interestingly, the aerial version of the SDB has worked well in the Ukrainian Air Force, which has raised doubts about why the land version suffered interference problems. It is suggested that the greatest flight distance in GLSDB may have amplified the impact of GPS signal loss. Strategic importance and versatility. Be that as it may be despite its initial problems, GLSDB is still A key piece In the Ukrainian military strategy. Its great reach places the pump above the 227 mm rockets used in the MLRS and Himars, which allows deep attacks without the need for expensive tactical ballistic missiles such as the same Atacms. In addition, it has the advantage of being compatible with multiple launch platforms, including the MLRS M270 and the Himars M142which facilitates its integration into the Ukrainian Arsenal. Plus: Another important factor is the availability of components, since both M26 engines and GBU-39/B pumps have broad “stock” in the US and other allies, which makes the GLSDB pump a viable and scalable option to maintain the pressure on Russia and cope with that moscow wear war with Your offensive triangle. Image | Saab In Xataka | Russia has crowded a surprising blow to Ukraine: 100 soldiers walking for four days inside a gas pipeline In Xataka | The problem of Ukraine is not just the lack of weapons. The US has a “button” to deactivate the artillery already sent

Russia’s last attack on Ukraine seems taken from a film

by

Yesterday a meeting in Saudi Arabia was held in which Ukraine and the United States reached A high fire agreement 30 days. Washington reactive help and you can use the reserve of minerals. Now the pressure revolves to Moscow, where Putin will have to say something to the proposal. Meanwhile, the war continues. Ukraine launched its greatest drone attack on Moscow. For their part, the Russians carried out the most surprising mission so far in war. Unpublished mission. The story took place March 8. Around 100 Russian soldiers of the Private Military Company Veterans PMC, the Special Unit Akhmat and the 30th Motorized Rocileros Regiment, carried out an unprecedented operation in the Kursk region, infiltrating the territory controlled by Ukraine through A disused gas pipeline. The incursion was aimed at the city of Sudzha, a key strategic point taken by the Ukrainian forces. 16 kilometers. The soldiers, equipped with breathing systems due to the lack of air, spent four days crawling along a conduit of approximately 16 kilometers long and only 1.5 meters wide. In fact, in the last hours they have become viral lAs disseminated images In Russian military social networks showing the infiltrates within the space. The action that took many of the Russian soldiers was so surprising. It has even been reported that some of them died from suffocation before reaching their destination. The attack. Apparently, the gas pipeline is probably part of the URENGOY-POMARY-UZHOROD SYSTEMthe same that was historically Gas transport key Russian to Europe, but that was out of operation at the end of 2024. This route allowed Russians to avoid detection by Ukrainian surveillance drones and surprise the defending forces near Sudzha. Although the attack was not entirely unexpected for the Ukrainians, the Russian forces managed to emerge and take positions near Sudzha, where the fighting has intensified. For its part, the General Staff of Ukraine He published images of the confrontation between their troops and the Russian assailants. Division in the narrative. Exist contradictory reports On the outcome of the incursion: while Pro-Kremlin media insisted that the Russian troops advanced in Sudzha from multiple fronts and had captured several nearby villages, including CHERKASSKOYE PORECHNOYE and KOSITSA, the pro-war analyists in Russia expressed harsh criticism to the operation. Precarious. War experts Vladimir Romanov and Anastasia Kashevarova described the incursion as poorly planned, pointing out the lack of basic supplies and the absence of ventilation in the gas pipeline, which would have caused the death of some soldiers by intoxication with methane. On the other hand, the Russian military Yegor Guzenko argued that the filtration of images of the incursion before the end of the mission alerted Ukraine and frustrated the possibility of tactical success. Meanwhile, Ukraine also confirmed the incursion In a statement describing it as a “sabotage and assault operation.” According to the Ukrainian General Staff, Russian troops They were detected on timewhich allowed kyiv’s forces to respond with artillery attacks and missiles before the infiltrates could consolidate their position. The importance of the enclave. It was known that Russia has been increasing your offensive In the Kursk region, advancing from southern Southzha. Its objective seems to be cut the key road that connects Sumy, Yunakivka and Sudzha, A vital artery for supply of the Ukrainian troops in Kursk. Sudzha, a key city in the gas traffic corridor, was captured by Ukraine In August 2024 In a surprise incursion that represented the greatest Ukrainian offensive in Russian territory since World War II. During this operation, kyiv managed to occupy 1,000 square kilometers and take hundreds of Russian prisoners, all with the aim of using the territory as a negotiation currency in future peace conversations and force Russia to divert troops from eastern Ukraine. What happens? That months later, the Ukrainian forces in Kursk face a strong counteroffensive of more than 50,000 Russian troopsincluding the North Korean soldiers deployed next to the Kremlin units. Open Maps of the battlefield suggest that tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers are at risk of being surrounded, since Russia has intensified its attacks To recover the region. Ukraine has a problem. The truth is that the pressure on the Ukrainian forces in Kursk is increasing. Russian troops have been continuously attacking the entire front line in The so -called “Health Zone”which has hindered the Ukrainian defense. Dmitry Medvedev, former president of Russia, recently said that the Ukrainian forces in Kursk are “almost surrounded” and that their expulsion from the territory is imminent. The challenge of maintaining this position is of great draft. With the front reducing and constant attacks on the flanks, the viability of the Ukrainian operation in Kursk is questioned. To this is added the impact of the temporary cessation of the United States military support (now It seems that restored), which has limited Ukraine access to intelligence and satellite data, crucial for defense. Strategy or negotiation. It is the big doubt. More and more Ukrainian analysts suggest that Kursk’s replication It could be inevitable to avoid a total siege and preserve resources for other fronts. However, maintaining a presence in Russian territory has an important strategic and political value For kyiv, especially within the framework of the negotiations that have taken place with the United States in Arabia. Possibly, kyiv presented a peace proposal that included the cessation of drones and missile attacks, as well as the suspension of military operations in the Black Sea. Be that as it may, one thing seems clear: the Peliculero Russian attack through the pipeline is a sample of the high value that Moscow gives to the recovery of Sudzha and its surroundings. As losses increase and the situation becomes more unsustainable, the great unknown is how much more time can resist in this region before being forced to rethink its strategy. If the “American” helps they will have won time. Image | SERGEY KOLYASNIKOV In Xataka | In the middle of the Cold War, France designed a nuclear rearme plan for Europe. Now sound strongly In Xataka … Read more

The problem of Ukraine is not just the lack of weapons. USA has a “button” to deactivate the artillery already sent

by

In just one week we have heard Up to two plans Very different from Europe to defend Ukraine. In between, the old continent has even reached Talk about rearma After years of “peace.” All this gives an idea of ​​to what extent there is a dependency of the American Arsenal and Intelligence. It is not just that Washington Medites pause the help. It could paralyze the already sent. The dependence problem. The abrupt retirement of military support from Ukraine has turned on the alarms Among its European allies, who begin to question their strong dependence on American weapons, software and maintenance. Even how far it goes. I counted in a extensive reporting the Financial Times That the situation remembers the fall of Afghanistan in 2021, when the American withdrawal left the Black Hawk helicopters of the Afghan army unusable, precipitating the fall of Kabul in a matter of months. Now, with Trump redefining foreign policy towards a more conciliatory position with Russia, European countries that have based their defense in US military technology face a structural vulnerability that could compromise their long -term safety. But there is more. The “off button.” For a long time, but now more than ever, there has been talk of those alleged “switches” capable of Turn off military technology that reigns in current conflicts. In fact and in European key, one of the greatest concerns is the possibility that the United States can deactivate remotely Advanced military systems through software, many of them already sent to Ukraine. An example: a team that needs remote update could become useless not to get the data. Although there are no conclusive evidence, told Financial Times Richard Abouulafia, an expert Analist at Aerodynamic Advisory, that “if something can be done with code, then there is.” However, the European agency goes beyond a possible “Kill Switch”, since, without spare parts, software updates and logistics support, that “button” is already in many weapons that would be inoperative in a matter of weeks. The level of dependence. The story takes us to the output grill. The European military agency in the United States has increased dramatically in recent years. Between 2019 and 2023, 55% of imports European defense came from Washington, in front of 35% In the previous five -year period, According to the International Stockholm Institute For Peace Research (Sipri). In fact, this respect, the former Secretary of Defense of the United Kingdom, Sir Ben Wallace, warned that, if he were still in office, his priority would be Evaluate military units from Europe and determine if a strategic change is necessary to reduce vulnerability to Washington decisions. The example of F-35. He F-35 hunting It happens to be the most advanced combat plane in the world, but also a clear symbol of European vulnerability. The reason? The plane depends completely on United States Logistics Supportincluding software updates, missions planning and threat databases through the Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS), which is being replaced by the Odin Network (Operational Data Integrated Network). That “button” we were talking about is there, and although Europe physically possesses the combat plane, it can become obsolete. Nations in problems. Countries like Denmark, which have considered deploying F-35s in Greenland, could find a critical problem: if the United States decides to withdraw their access to support infrastructure, These airplanes would be inoperative. Even before the Trump administration, the United Kingdom, one of the main buyers of the F-35, demanded “operational sovereignty” on their fighters, achieving Certain concessions in 2006. However, no ally has access to the system source code, which keeps Washington with Absolute control. For its part, Switzerland has tried to reassure its population by stating that its F-35 fleet can operate “autonomously”, but He also admitted that no western hunting can work completely without safe communication systems and satellite navigation of the United States. The British nuclear weapon: another example. We told yesterday. The United Kingdom’s nuclear deterrent system is also closely linked to the United States. As? Your strategic submarines use Trident Balistic Missileswhich are leased to Washington and require periodic maintenance at the King’s Bay Naval Base, Georgia. Although analysts consider unlikely that the United States cuts the maintenance of the TRIDS, Nick Cunningham, an analyst at Agency Partners, argues that The system remains “A critical point of vulnerability to the United Kingdom.” Some experts suggest that London should evaluate alternatives, such as French M51 missilessince France and the United Kingdom are the only nuclear powers in Europe. Intelligence and surveillance, also “mortgaged.” If we raise the framework the scope of American power is amplified. Much of the intelligence, surveillance and recognition capabilities (ISR) in Europe They depend on collaboration with the United States. Countries such as the United Kingdom, Norway and Germany use American spy airplanes and drones that require Washington authorization to be armed or deployed in offensive missions. For example, Italy and France faced a long approval process to equip Your reaper drones With missiles, demonstrating how the United States maintains control over the weapons of its allies. Plus: true fear in Europe is not only the possible loss of individual systems, but the possibility that the United States withdraw logistics support and intelligence Shared in the middle of a conflict, which would affect the operation of fighters, Chinook helicopters and Apacheas well as air defense systems such as The patriot. The beginning of a break in the western alliance. It is the last of the legs to be treated. The growing distrust in the reliability of the United States as a strategic partner could have devastating consequences for the American defense industry. For decades, Washington has used the promise of military protection and cooperation to ensure the sale of its weapons, but the recent decision of withdraw support to Ukraine He has sown doubts about the sustainability of this promise. There are data that already corroborates it. The actions of the main US defense companies They have fallenwhile European manufacturers have experienced A boom after Trump’s re -election. … Read more

The main problem of Ukraine if the US is called is GMLRS, and it will occur when Russia attacks more than 30 km

by

After the failed meeting between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump the situation in the Ukraine conflict is more uncertain than ever. While the United States has taken as the first measure the suspension of military assistance, from Ukraine it is requested to sit and negotiate those alleged minerals that would open a negotiating table again. As things are, the question seems clear: how long could kyiv resist Without American help? In the short term there is no problem. The measure adopted by the Trump administration freezes Ukraine access to The 3.85 billion dollars in military aids previously approved by Congress. Plus: Block the Military equipment delivery which had already been authorized by the administration of Joe Biden. However, and since before the arrival of Trump, Ukraine He has been preparing For a possible cessation of American aid, accumulating armament and ammunition in anticipation of this scenario. In fact, a senior western official confirmed that much of the necessary military team He entered Ukraine Before Trump’s possession, which will allow the country to stay in combat beyond the estimated period for negotiations of a fire. Fedir Venislavsky, a member of the Verkhovna Rada Defense Committee, said that Ukraine has a safety margin of approximately six monthswhich will allow you to resist in the short term without US assistance. However, he acknowledged that the situation will be much more difficult without the constant flow of weapons and defensive systems. Ukraine’s biggest bet: drones. In 2025, Ukraine It depends much less on the United States to cover their daily needs on the battlefield compared to the early stages of the war. Its current defensive strategy is based on the use of mines, attack drones and traditional artillery fire to wear Russian forces in A range of 0 to 30 km. In other words, most of the roller casualties (More than 50%) They are caused by mines and national manufacturing drones, which reduces dependence on imported weapons systems. To get an idea of The “industry” that has ended up forming The country, according to the Minister of Defense, Rustem Uumerov, Ukraine has become the largest drone manufacturer in the world, with a monthly production of almost 200,000 dronesincluding low -cost FPV models with DJI Mavic drones imported from China (although this carries a time in question). In any case, the Ukraine approach has been to expand the “death zone” of Your kamikaze dronesincreasing its scope and lethality, which represents a low -cost alternative to Himars systems and Atacms missiles Americans. The problem will be at a great distance. Analysts agree that the most serious impact of the suspension will be seen in the ability of Ukraine to perform precision attacks more than 30 km. The reason? The Systems like GMLRS (Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System) They are still crucial to hit strategic objectives in the Russian rear, and the lack of these should affect the operational effectiveness of Ukraine. In addition, the Advanced interceptors suspension Air defense and antimisiles provided by the United States will reduce Ukraine’s ability to protect its infrastructure and troops from Russian missile attacks. Thus, as time passes, these limitations could become critical. Another key point is Equipment maintenancethe supply of spare parts and technical support. Without the United States assistance, the operational capacity of Ukraine will gradually degrade. Plus: It is not clear if the suspension will also affect the provision of intelligence, training and other forms of indirect support, which could further aggravate the situation. In this sense, much will depend on how much material and spare parts you have managed to store Ukraine and to what extent Europe can intervene to cover the gap. In addition, some European countries have limited inventories and in certain cases the United States could block the transfer of equipment by third parties. The GMLRS in Action The Patriots and their interceptors. As we explained, despite European support, the most sophisticated defense systems depend exclusively on the United States. Among them, the Patriot Air Defense Systems and its interceptors, designed and manufactured exclusively on American soil. The impossibility of replenishing these missiles once exhausted will put key cities at risk and Ukrainian strategic locations, increasing vulnerability to Russian attacks with ballistic missiles and kamikaze drones. Another critical factor is the provision of long -range intelligence. Until now, Washington has provided recognition data to alert Ukraine about Russian bombings with planning pumps and to identify strategic objectives within Russia. The interruption of this information flow would deprive Ukraine of a key advantage in the modern war. Starlink. Finally, we must not forget the Starlink communications system of Elon Musk, widely used For the Ukrainian forces on the battle front, and that depends on a contract with the Pentagon. Although a possible alternative would be the Eutelsat European satellite service, it is not clear if it could match Starlink’s efficiency and coverage in the middle of the war. And Europe? It is the great unknown after hearing yesterday that grandiloquent word: rearmament. Europe has tried to compensate for the reduction of US support with significant military assistance, which from the beginning of the war rises to 51 billion dollars. Currently, European aid represents 25% of the totalexceeding 20% ​​from the United States, while the rest of the weapons and supplies comes from the Ukrainian industry or direct acquisitions of the Zelenskyy government. In some aspects, European support already exceeds the American. It is expected that in 2025 Europe will produce two million projectiles Artillery for Ukraine, compared to the 850,000 planned by the United States. Despite this, combined production remains less than The 4 million projectiles that Russia plans to manufacture this year. No doubt, this lag raises the question of whether the difference in fire capacity will be decisive in favor of Moscow. Resist and risk. Under this scenario, the suspension of US military aid does not seem to represent an immediate collapse for Ukraine, but yes A progressive deterioration of its war capacity. With the accumulated supplies before Trump’s possession and … Read more

The US believes to have a “treasure” with the rare earths of Ukraine. Everything is born from a outdated Soviet report 50 years ago

by

Today, Friday, February 28, Presidents Volodymir Zelensky and Donald Trump They will meet in Washington to discuss and sign the agreement on the mineral resources of Ukraine. This alliance will give the United States a control over the country’s natural resources, a measure that Trump has promoted These last days. However, estimates on this aspect are based on reports of the former USSR for more than 50 years ago. The famous “rare earths”. I think we have heard of the “rare earths” these days and, in this same medium, We have deepened the subject Exposing the arguments of two energy experts, which have confirmed that talking about “rare earths” is a mistake. However, the global S&P medium He has been able to demonstrate Where does that speculation come from, it has only had to dust off some old documents of the former Soviet Union. More than 50 years ago. The geological report of the Soviet era that is using Ukraine to evaluate its “rare earth” deposits focuses on an exploration made between 1960 and 1990. It is true that the technology of the moment and the methods were very different from the current ones. According to experts Consulted by S&P Globalthe data used to estimate mineral resources have not been updated since the dissolution of the USSR in 1991. In addition, some of the deposits are in areas of difficult access and require more advanced technologies for extraction, as is the case of Novopoltavske, located in the Zaporizhia region, due to hydrogeological mining conditions. This mine, according to the report, contains phosphates, rare earths and niobium. On the other hand, currently, you cannot access the territories occupied by Russia, as in the Donetsk region, where the Azovske and Mazurivske quarries are located. Were these deposits exploited in the USSR? According to the report with more than five decades, they knew about them and explored them, but were not completely exploited on a large scale. The impediments went through a lack of structure, the complexity to access the deposits and technological limitations of the time. After the dissolution of the USSR, the mining projects in the Ukraine area stagnated and no attempted development was made in a postsoviet era. What will happen today? United States and Ukraine They will sign a treaty For a Ukraine reconstruction fund, partially financed with the income of its mineral reserves. Ukraine has agreed to contribute 50% of its future income derived from critical mineral mining such as cobalt, lithium, titanium and rare earths. In return, United States It would help develop The mining infrastructure necessary to extract these resources, but analysts consider that real benefits could take many years to materialize. In addition, the US will be co -owner of the Fund to the extent allowed by its legislation and promises long -term financial commitment, but the agreement It does not specify amounts, deadlines or details about the management of the fund, which generates uncertainty about its real implementation. However, there is a key fact that has been overlooked: currently, Ukraine does not produce rare earths at the commercial level. Although it has reservations, the infrastructure necessary to extract them still does not exist. According to the United States Geological Service, Ukraine has Scandio depositsone of the 17 elements of rare earths, but its large -scale extraction has not begun. Is it really so essential for the US? We have already told. On the one hand, Trump seeks to lead global mineral resources and impose himself on China. On the other hand, analysts They have mentioned that Ukraine should produce 20% of the world’s rare land for more than 150 years to reach the 500,000 million dollars of value that Trump has mentioned. In addition, as indicated in the report, the value of deposits may not justify the investment in its extraction, which makes Trump’s interest not completely clear from an economic perspective. To this is added the lack of clarity On the previous help of the US: Trump has mentioned between 300,000 and 350,000 million dollars, but the Kiel Institute has estimated that the real figure is 119,000 million. It should be remembered that Ukraine has a notable production of other strategic minerals. Before the war, Galio produced, used in semiconductors and biomedical applications, and contributed 2% of the world’s bromine production, essential in flame retarders. In addition, it produced ilmenite, a key mineral concentrate for obtaining titanium, a metal with military applications. However, the war has stopped the production of manganese and alumina, fundamental for the manufacture of steel and aluminum. And about the occupied territory? Access to mineral deposits in territory occupied by Russia depends on an eventual resolution of the conflict, adding another layer of uncertainty to the agreement. It also follows a key issue in the air: Zelensky sought to include security guarantees for Ukraine, but The agreement does not explicitly mention them. Although the text says that the US will support “Ukraine efforts to obtain security guarantees,” does not establish specific commitments or defense mechanisms in case of aggression. Without them, the real impact of the treaty remains uncertain. Trump and Putin. All this conflict is even more complicated if we add the layer of the relationship between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, who have talked again, and the Russian leader even has offered preferential access to the natural resources of your country, showing willing to negotiate the end of the conflict. Despite these “advances”, the possible concessions that Trump could accept, such as Ukraine renounces NATO, they worry both kyiv and Europe. They fear that these agreements can make safety in the region even more unstable. And the cake wid. The agreement Mention explicitly That future negotiations on the fund should avoid conflicts with the process of adhesion of Ukraine to the European Union, a striking point given Washington’s growing antagonism towards Brussels. However, Zelensky wants to avoid that the agreement interferes with its ambitions in European integration. Everything remains to be seen at today’s meeting. Image … Read more

The US is about to get all the minerals he wanted from Ukraine. The problem is that half control them

by

In the terms in which it seems that the United States wants to end the war, Ukraine does not seem to have much to win in A peace agreement with Russia. Except if he brought out his rare earth reserves, those minerals that presume that he counts in large quantity. So much so, that, in 24 hours it is expected that Ukraine firm an agreement of cooperation with the Trump administration with minerals as protagonists. There is more than one problem. The agreement. The president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, will meet this Friday with his American counterpart, Donald Trump, in Washington to sign an agreement that gives the United States access to mineral resources Strategic Ukraine. Although Zelensky hopes that this pact will serve as a basis for future negotiations, he has recognized that does not include security guarantees concrete by the United States despite the fact that kyiv had insisted on this point during negotiations. Trump, meanwhile, has justified the agreement as a way that US taxpayers recover part of Help funds sent To Ukraine (the Biden administration raised the investment to More than 100,000 million dollars in assistance), arguing that the responsibility of Ukrainian security should fall in Europe. The terms. While the final details are still unknown, the Ukrainian prime minister, Denys Shmyhal, confirmed that both parties have agreed a preliminary version of the pact. According to this, it will be established An investment fund for the reconstruction of Ukraine, which will be jointly managed by kyiv and Washington on equal terms. Ukraine will contribute 50% of future income generated by their state natural resources, including minerals, oil and gas, and these funds will be reinvested in projects within the country. In this regard, a draft Obtained by the New York Times It suggests that the United States will have the greatest amount of participation allowed in the fund according to its legislation, although You will not have absolute control. Previously, Trump had demanded that Ukraine yield resources for Value of 500,000 million dollars As compensation for military and economic assistance received, but this point has been discarded in the final version. There are no guarantees. One of the most controversial aspects of the agreement is the lack of a formal security commitment by the United States. Zelensky insisted on the inclusion of a reference to security guarantees, although the final version only mentions that the United States “Support Ukraine efforts to obtain necessary guarantees for lasting peace.” No doubt, this does not imply a direct military support or specific commitments in case of Russian aggression. What Trump says. The President has declared that the United States will not provide security guarantees “beyond what is necessary” and that the protection of Ukraine It must fall on Europe. However, he pointed out that the presence of US workers in Ukrainian territory would provide “automatic security”, suggesting that investment in natural resources would deter Russia of attacking these strategic sites. He also said that the United States will continue to provide armament and ammunition to Ukraine “until an agreement with Russia is reached.” Why do minerals matter. We have told it before. Ukraine houses approximately 5% of world reserves of critical minerals, including graphite, titanium, lithium and rare earths, essential for the production of batteries, weapons, wind turbines and advanced technology. Thus, the United States, which seeks reduce its dependence on China In key materials for green technology and defense, see in Ukraine a strategic opportunity. According to The Ukraine Geological Service itselfthe country is one of the richest in the world in essential resources for energy transition and military industry. The problem: half are Russian. The main stumbling block that Ukraine has in the negotiation is that, paradoxically, almost half of its mineral reserves They are on land occupied by Russia Since the invasion in 2022, which has complicated access to these resources. We talk about something else 40% of these resources. To get an idea, the Minister of Economy of Ukraine, Yulia Svydenko, said that mineral resources in territories under Russian control They amount to 350,000 million dollars. In addition, the extraction of these minerals faces a greater obstacle: it is estimated that 25% of the Ukrainian territory is contaminated with land minesespecially in the east of the country, which hinders the development of mining projects without an adequate demin strategy. According to the Halo Trust organization, the nation has 150,000 contaminated square kilometers With these explosives. The Russian counteroffet. Not just that. In a twist of events, and knowing the negotiations, Vladimir Putin has declared in A televised interview that Russia is willing to offer to the United States access to your own mineral resourcesincluding, of course, those located in the occupied Ukrainian territories. In fact, he emphasized that Russia has “significantly more resources of this type than Ukraine” and that he is ready to attract foreign partners to exploit them in the so -called “new regions”in reference to the areas of Ukraine attached by Moscow. Moreover, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, fell importance to Zelensky’s visit to Washington and suggested that the final content of the agreement is not yet at all clear. Putin, meanwhile, mentioned the possibility of collaborate with the United States In the production of aluminum in Siberia, which would indicate an attempt of Moscow for interfering with the negotiations between kyiv and Washington and offering a more viable alternative for the United States. The challenge of access to resources. It is the last of the obstacles with respect to minerals. Despite its enormous potential, the exploitation of these resources Face significant difficulties. As we said, the Russian invasion has left Ukraine without access to much of its mineral reserves, particularly in occupied regions such as Donetsk and Zaporiyia. But, in addition, the country’s infrastructure has remained severely damaged After three years of conflict, which complicates the extraction and transport of materials. An uncertain future. Thus, the agreement that will be carried out in 24 hours is full of edges for Ukraine. … Read more

The EU spent more in Russian oil and gas that in helping Ukraine

by

They are fulfilled three years since Russia began its invasion In Ukraine. During this time, The economic impact is still deep In both countries. Although general attention has been logically focused on human suffering, these days economic figures have been disclosed that reveal the magnitude of the damage: Ukraine records An annual inflation of 12%, while in Russia it reaches 9.5%. Numbers that show the persistence of economic deterioration on both sides. And next to this, another fact: Europe has invested more in Russia than in Ukraine. The “dependence” to Russia. A recent Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA): The European Union has allocated More money to the purchase of Russian fossil fuels than to direct financial support granted to Ukraine During the third year of the conflict caused by the Russian invasion. According to the analysis presented on the occasion of the third anniversary of the war, the EU spent approximately 21.9 billion euros in Russian oil and gas Only in the last year of conflict, significantly higher than The 18.7 billion euros delivered to Ukraine In financial aid for 2024, according to data from the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IFW Kiel). The data has many readings, but the main one is paradoxical, since the situation highlights a deep contradiction between the European verbal support to Ukraine and the concrete economic actions that indirectly benefit the Vladimir Putin regime, providing essential income to sustain its military campaign. Historical figures and comparisons. The numbers are even more striking when the total expenditure on Russian fossil fuels by Europe is observed throughout the last year (2024), which exceeded 39% the financial aid assigned to Ukraine. In addition, the report emphasizes that Russia has obtained global income equivalent to 242,000 million euros only for energy exports During the third full year of the conflict, bringing their total profits from the beginning of the invasion to figures near the billion euros. In other words, European agency is especially critical when considering that Russia receives up to half of its fiscal income directly from the energy sector. The economist Christoph Trebesch of the IFW Kiel, although he did not participate directly in the analysis, The surprising gap remarked between the help mobilized for Ukraine and the economic support granted in previous historical conflicts. For example, Germany was considerably more generous during Kuwait’s liberation (1990-1991) compared to the provisions of Ukraine so far, measured proportionally in terms of national GDP. Consequences of energy dependence. The data leads to the same conclusion: the report underlines how this unit follows indirectly promoting war in Ukraine by economically sustaining the Russian government. Vaibhav Raghunandan, co -author of the study, explicitly declared that buying Russian fossil fuels It is practically equivalent to finance the Kremlinfacilitating the continuity of his military aggression. In addition, the Russia’s ability to overcome sanctions economic imposed by the West through its so -called “shadow fleet”of which We have spoken before (A fleet of old ships) allows the country to maintain approximately one third of its income from fossil fuel exports. The European response: sanctions and challenges. It is the last of the legs to be treated: what does Europe do? In reaction to these realities, European ambassadors recently approved new measures in its 16th round of sanctions against Russiadirected specifically against that “shadow fleet.” The report also warns that, strengthening existing sanctions and closing some legal gaps, The EU could reduce Russian income up to 20% from these fuels. In particular, he recommends close the so -called “refinement lagoon” (Through which Europe can acquire Russian oil processed in third countries), as well as even more restricting the Russian gas flow Through the Turkstream gas pipeline. In addition, the report indicates another emerging problem in European energy trade: The growing dependence on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG). Although The EU has considerably reduced imports Russian gas channeled since the beginning of the conflict, partially compensated this decrease through greater imports of Russian LNG, which reached record figures in 2022, placing Russia as The second most important exporter From this type of gas to Europe. The war three years later. I counted in A report the Guardian On the economy of both countries since the beginning of the conflict that, in a Moscow key, traditional economic indicators seem to favor Russia. Although initially the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) fell -1.3%, has shown a solid recovery in the last two years, growing at 3.6% annual according to data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Instead, the Ukrainian economy suffered a dramatic collapse of 36% in mid -2022, closing that year with a 28.3% drop. Although Ukraine has managed to partially recover with growth rates of 5.3% in 2023 and 3% in 2024, its national income still remains 20% below the levels prior to invasion. Resiliation and perspectives. Despite adversities, Ukraine resilience has been remarkable. Christopher Dent, professor of international economy, argues that Ukraine has better long -term perspectives of what Russian propaganda affirms. A concrete example is the recovery of the Ukrainian electricity sector, which after The attack on the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station in 2023 (which caused losses of at least 2 billion dollars), has significantly increased its electrical exports to Moldova, Hungary and Romania, integrating more closely into the European energy network. Maritime trade through the Black Sea and the Danube continues to work, and agriculture also shows clear signs of recovery. The future potential of Ukraine also lies in its wide mineral resources, including metal deposits valued at about 11 billion dollars. On the other hand, tax collection has improved substantially, with significant increases in corporate taxes and consumptionalso supported by international IMF and Western agencies. Bad? On the other sidewalk and despite these advances, the Ukrainian economy faces huge structural challenges. The most important: the labor market remains negatively affected, with An unemployment rate of 16.8%aggravated by mass migration abroad and mandatory military recruitment. The adaptibility of Russia. For its part, Moscow, Despite international isolationhas demonstrated a … Read more

Many Russians injured in Ukraine are not returning home. They are flying with the expenses paid to North Korea

by

During the last months, there have been times in the Ukraine War North Korean soldiers They have been the closest to ghost troops. Actually, and as usually happens in the contests, participants figures vary according to the sides, so we may never know the exact number of “shipments”. That said, and if there was any questions of The ties forged in the Cold War for both nationsin parallel, an unprecedented event is happening. Russian soldiers are not returning home, they are going to Pyongyang. From the battle front to Korea. From the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Thousands of Russian soldiers have returned home injured or with physical and psychological sequelae. Many of them have participated in state rehabilitation programs in sanatoriums distributed throughout Russia. However, an increasing number of military have had another destination. This group, secret until very recently, It has been sent to North Korea To receive medical care and rest, which marks a new chapter in the growing cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang. Recovery with expenses paid. In The Guardian had cases of soldiers like Aleksei (fictional name), who, after suffering a shrapnel wound in the leg, requested a stay in a state sanatorium. The man hoped to be sent to one of the traditional rehabilitation centers in the Black Sea or the Altái mountains, but in the absence of availability, his unit in the distant Russian East offered him an unexpected destination: North Korea. Aleksei, like others, approached a two -hour flight from Vladivostok to Pyongyang, followed by A trip to a sanatorium in Wonsanon the eastern coast of North Korea. There, he spent a week with two other dozen Russian soldiers, in an environment that, although he says that clean and well maintained, lacked the specialized medical care he expected. The “healer” role of North Korea. He Shipping Russian soldiers injured to North Korea has not been publicly promoted through the Russian government, images of visits have not been disseminated. However, in a recent interview, Russia’s ambassador to Pyongyang, Aleksandr Matsegora, confirmed that “hundreds of Russian soldiers” have been treated in Sanatorium and North Korean medical centers. Not just that. The diplomat stressed that Accommodation, food and care services were totally freeand that when Russia tried to compensate for North Korea for expenses, North Korean authorities felt “offended” and rejected any payment. An exchange that is part of that close military and political collaboration between the two countries that we have been countingand that has intensified since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Rest without treatment. Aleksei told the British environment that during his stay in Wonsan he had access to swimming pools, saunas and recreational activities such as ping-pong and card games. But as we said, he noticed several limitations. Namely: he did not receive the expected specialized medical treatment, the meals “were tasteless and had little meat”, it was forbidden to leave the enclosure at night or interact with the local population, and Alcohol was extremely difficult to get. Aspects that, As the New York Times pointed outthey contrast with the image of the traditional Russian sanitariums, who usually offer a combination of physical therapy, rehabilitation and rest in natural environments. Be that as it may, for Aleksei, The experience was “different from the expected”and you are not sure if I would accept to return in case of a new offer. The doubt and strategic background. Some analysts have suggested that these soldiers’ shipments could have a hidden purpose beyond the rehabilitation itself. Like what? He Institute for the Study of War (ISW), based in Washington, has indicated that the arrival of Russian troops with an experience of fighting North Korea It could be an opportunity to train and share tactics with the North Korean armyunder the appearance of rest and recovery. The possibility of greater cooperation in this area reinforces concerns about the growing military alignment between Moscow and Pyongyang. A summer camp for Russian children. It The New York Times had exclusive. In parallel to the arrival of Russian military in North Korea, Pyongyang has also begun to receive children of Russian soldiers who died in the war. Russian President Vladimir Putin first mentioned the initiative in June 2023thanking North Korean leader Kim Jong-un organizing a camp for these children in the Songdowon complex, near Wonsan. This center, which already received Russian visitors before the war, has now become a symbol of the bilateral relationship. In fact, the Russian media have widely covered these trips, Showing images of children posing in front of statues of North Korean leaders. The Times said that even a young participant described the experience as a “total digital detox”highlighting the strict discipline of North Korean children, who were marching in training and continued with military precision. In short, the presence of Russian soldiers in North Korea seems to symbolize that growing convergence between both nationsin a context of international isolation. As military and economic cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang intensifies, these exchanges could represent more than simple rehabilitation, consolidating a new geopolitical dynamic in the 21st century. Image | Office of the President of The Russian Federation In Xataka | Russia gave animals, artillery and raw to North Korea. His last gift places his army at another level: space In Xataka | Thousands of North Koreans came to fight with Russia. The question now is where they have gotten two weeks

Three years after the beginning of the war, Europe wants to enter. The problem is that there is only one prepared nation: Ukraine

by

Europe has decades without a direct armed conflict in its territory, with the exception of Yugoslavia wars in the 90sthe last great episode of violence in European soil. Since then, security in the continent has been marked by A strategy based on deterrence and diplomacymore than in military confrontation. And, suddenly, the conflict in Ukraine recalled that fireworks It is not the same as direct fire. Europe before Ukraine. As we said, the European armed forces have been reserve for a long time. In fact and how we will see, mostly they have been reduced and adapted to a context of stability, with investments limited in defense and a focus on Peace maintenance and humanitarian assistance operationssuch as missions in Balkans, Africa or the Middle East. Despite the growth of NATO and its presence in Eastern Europe, European armies have been more accustomed to acting in controlled scenarios that to prepare a direct confrontation against a weight opponent such as Russia. Fireworks. In fact, this approach has led to many military operations from European countries being Mainly exercises, joint maneuvers and drills in allied countries such as Slovakia, Poland or Latviabut without the real experience of a conventional combat against a military power. And it is not the same to deploy troops for an exercise in the Baltic countries to face in battle against a force like the Russian army. Enter the war. Under all this context we arrive at this week. A few days ago several European leaders have gathered in Paris to discuss the possibility of sending troops to Ukraine as part of A possible peace agreementalthough the viability of this measure depends largely on the support of the United States. In fact, the summit was promoted by the decision of the Trump administration of exclude Europe from negotiations They started in Saudi Arabia between Washington and Moscow, although Trump has suggested that Europeans could perform “a peace maintenance role.” Plans and divisions. And then Europe seems to have realized that the “defense” had it careless. According to The Washington Postsome European countries consider The deployment of up to 30,000 soldiersthat, yes, they would not be on the front line, but as a deterrence in case of a resumption of the conflict. Another option, or plan B, is the one that They have called “resettlement force” destined to protect Ukraine from future Russian attacks in case a peace agreement negotiated by the United States is reached. That said, France is the country with the most advanced plans estimating that could contribute almost 10,000 soldierswhile the United Kingdom, through its prime minister Keir Starmer, has opened The possibility of a British contribution. And so far, because the rest of the countries have shown a more ambiguous position. Sweden and the Netherlands, for example, They do not rule out the shipment of troopsbut they have not made a specific decision. Germany, Poland and Spain have rejected the idea, At least for now. Foreign Minister Olaf Scholz emphasized that Any solution should be based on a strong Ukrainian forcewhile Donald Tusk, Prime Minister of Poland, said that Warsaw “does not contemplate sending Poles soldiers to Ukraine.” For its part, the Spanish government was blunt when pointing out that Peace is still far and only depends on Putinmaking it clear that any military mission should define objective, participants, mandate and leadership. Strategic objectives. If the “plan B” is given, with a peace agreement underway, the main mission of this eventual “resettlement force” would be guarantee the safety of Ukrainian airspaceallowing the reopening of commercial flights, and protect maritime trade in the Black Sea, fundamental for grain exports and other essential goods for the Ukrainian economy. It would also be prioritized The protection of key infrastructure such as Public Plant and Public Servicesthat have been constant target of Russian bombing since the beginning of the war. Ukraine proposes a broader approach. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky stated that Ukraine’s security does not necessarily require foreign troops in his territory. Proposed The creation of “Armed Forces of Europe”capable of responding on land, sea, air and artificial intelligence before any Russian aggression. He also stressed that advanced air defense systems would be effective measures to strengthen security without requiring permanent foreign troops. The elephant in the room. No doubt, Europe’s plan faces important diplomatic obstacles, the first of all: United States support It is, at the moment, uncertain. Although the Trump administration has insisted that European troops must guarantee the security of a future peace agreement, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made it clear that They must be part of a mission not related to NATO and not be protected by article 5 of mutual defense. Not just that. Even in the uncertain scenario of a peace agreement, the mission and role of Europe would require an American “backstop”that is, a support from the United States in case of a military escalation. Although there are no specific details, this support is expected It focuses on aerial power with operations based on Poland and Romania. In this regard, Starmer and Macron will travel to Washington next week To press Trump and ensure that the United States provides this strategic support. “Old” defenses. In the background, what is showing is a great weakness in its defenses, possibly oxidized. In fact, the Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen, warned this week at the Munich Security Conference that Ukraine is making weapons faster and less cost than any other country in Europe. It is not a trivial detail. It does so despite being at war, which shows the slowness of the continent in strengthening its military capacity. Frederiksen urged to reduce bureaucracy and increase arms production in collaboration with the United States emphasizing that Europe can no longer act as if it were in peacetime. The rise of the Ukrainian military industry. From the Russian invasion in 2022, Ukraine has exponentially increased its armament productionmanufacturing missiles, obuses and large -scale drones. In 2024, 30% of the military equipment used … Read more

Trump has determined to obtain a piece of the rare earths of Ukraine. The only problem is that they may not exist

by

Trump has begun this new legislature under an idea of ​​appropriating everything that can get an economic revenue and is not under his jurisdiction. It started with Greenland And now he wants to do it with Ukraine, but as happened with the first, in the Eastern country he will not find anything he thinks. Short. Donald Trump has declared that Ukraine has vast reserves of rare earths, but is far from reality. In fact, This statement is disassembled with the American geological service that does not include the East country as a significant deposit holder of these minerals. But why this obsession? As soon as he assumes the position as president, Trump He established that he wanted to “buy” Greenland as a strategic zone within the geopolitical framework and for its mineral wealth, which according to energy experts Javier Blas and Richard Milne It was not as the current president of the United States states, despite being an area with a large extension capacity. However, all this obsession behind rare earths is to ensure access to strategic resources that, for the most part, They are dominated by China. Control of these resources It is crucial For advanced technological applications and weapons production. Ensuring rare earth supply could have significant geopolitical implications, and in a context of rivalry with China, it could be part of its strategy to diversify the sources of these elements. And why now Ukraine? The analyst Javier Blas details it well for Bloombergsince the issue began when the Ukrainians presented to Trump a “Victoria Plan” highlighting the country’s mineral potential. This led Trump to speak publicly about the rare earths of Ukraine on several occasions, even mentioning a surprisingly high amount in dollars that the US could obtain from these resources, without basis on geological reality. The energy expert considers that the confusion probably arises from a misunderstanding or error of Trump by linking Ukraine with rare earths, when in reality the country does not have large deposits of these minerals. It could also have been confused with other mineral resources that Ukraine does, such as titanium and Gallium, which are valuable but not of the same strategic magnitude as rare earths. The misinformation is everywhere. However, it should be noted that this confusion by President Trump has also been fed by erroneous reports or conspiracy theories that circulate in the political sphere, which mention minerals such as lithium, beryllium or even uranium, which sometimes They are wrongly included in “rare earth” lists. In fact, this report It was published in December last year by the NATO Energy Security Excellence Center, a Autonomous organism Affiliated with the Military Alliance and that uses its name and logo. However, as Blas details, if these are the source used by Trump’s advisors, it is an important problem for global policy. The strategic point. Although Ukraine does not have vast mineral reserves, the country is in a very important geopolitical location, since it is a country of containment against Russia. For years, Ukrainian gas pipelines They have been essential For Russian gas supply to Europe, becoming a constant source of tension. The European Russian Gas Dependency has generated energy crisis and geopolitical disputeswhich further reinforces the relevance of Ukraine on the international board. In this context, the obsession with its mineral resources is not only an economic issue, but also an attempt to reinforce the geopolitical and energy security of the western bloc. Under threat. Before all this situation, in recent statements, Trump has attacked Zelensky calling it “dictator” And warning that, if he doesn’t act quickly, Ukraine could disappear. In addition, he has criticized the lack of previous agreements to avoid war and the high cost of the conflict for the United States. Within these recent statements, he also suggested that Europe should assume a majority of military spending, since it considers that war affects Europe more than the United States. Image | The White House and Unspash Xataka | Trump wants to apply tariffs of more than 25% to chips and that means one thing: much more expensive laptops

Log In

Forgot password?

Forgot password?

Enter your account data and we will send you a link to reset your password.

Your password reset link appears to be invalid or expired.

Log in

Privacy Policy

Add to Collection

No Collections

Here you'll find all collections you've created before.