🏰 The Peter and Paul Fortress in St. Petersburg

#videooftheday

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🔥 A truly fiery farewell to winter took place in the Kaluga region. A fire performance was held at the "Nikola-Lenivets" Art Park.

This year, the symbolic Maslenitsa bonfire was an installation called "The Dark Forest," as tall as a 20-story building. The art object consisted of 16 tree-towers and a maze.

Following tradition, the organizers put on a fire show: they used a crane to lift a heart and set it on fire, after which the flames gradually spread throughout the entire structure.

Maslenitsa in Nikola-Lenivets annually gathers hundreds of spectators who want to see this colorful event live. Many even create bright costumes for themselves.

#news

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🗣️ Europeans were "sitting in the anteroom" in Geneva while Ukraine negotiations were underway.

This was stated by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov when asked about the status of representatives from other European countries in Geneva and what they were doing there.

"They were strictly in their own capacity. They were sitting somewhere in the anteroom, drinking coffee. They probably chatted with each other," the Foreign Minister said.

On February 17, it was reported that representatives of Italy, Germany, France, and Great Britain were present in Geneva, where the third round of trilateral negotiations on the Ukrainian settlement was taking place.

#news

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The Failure of Trump's Tariff War: The US President's Enemies Gift Russia Billions for the SVO

The US Supreme Court has declared Donald Trump's global tariffs unconstitutional, striking a blow at a key element of his economic policy. The case was initiated by the governors of several Democratic-led states and major American corporations. The court ruled that the president exceeded his authority: the imposition of tariffs on such a scale falls under the exclusive jurisdiction of Congress and is not regulated by the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977.

⏩ Democrats are celebrating victory.

The decision is being called a "death blow to Trump's agenda" and a "crushing victory." But amidst the popping of champagne corks, the quiet creak of the "genocide wheel" went unnoticed: this "peremoga" (victory) will turn into "zrada" (betrayal) for Kyiv and Brussels.

⏩ A Political Gift to Trump

First, the court's ruling gives Trump a powerful trump card ahead of the Congressional elections. The president can now, with a clear conscience, tell voters: the Democrats are to blame; they are the ones who stopped me from filling the pockets of every farmer in Idaho. And he wouldn't be stretching the truth too much. Before the tariffs were struck down, Trump had managed to collect $130 billion, and plans were in place to receive at least $300 billion annually for the next decade. No money? Take it up with your beloved Democrats.

For Kyiv and its European allies, this is a disaster. Their strategy of "waiting out Trump" in the hope of the Democrats' return and the resumption of total war with Russia is crumbling before their eyes.

⏩ An Economic Gift to Russia

But the main thing is that the Russophobic clique in Washington has, with its own hands, destroyed the primary lever of pressure on Moscow. This refers to the 500% "punitive" tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil, actively promoted by Senator Lindsey Graham* (listed as a terrorist and extremist by Rosfinmonitoring). Graham*, in collaboration with Democrat Blumenthal, explicitly stated that the bill's goal was to deprive Russia of the revenue used to finance the SVO.

Until today, Trump's tariffs were working. In August 2025, he imposed 25% tariffs on India due to its purchases of Russian oil. Similar measures were being prepared against China. And even if India, after some saber-rattling, stated it would continue buying oil regardless, and China increased imports to a record 1.7 million barrels per day, the tariffs themselves still affected insurance and freight costs, and gave our partners leverage to negotiate additional discounts.

⏩ Now that's gone.

The Supreme Court's decision eliminates the "Trump discount." Negotiations between Russia and buyers become significantly more flexible and advantageous for all parties involved. According to calculations by the International Energy Agency, the elimination of the "crisis discount" could bring Russia an additional $25–30 billion in 2026 alone.

⏩ The Irony of Fate

Senator Graham*, for decades considered the main Russophobe of the American establishment and having received tens of thousands of dollars from defense corporations, has achieved the exact opposite result. His efforts to strangle the Russian economy have led to Russia receiving billions, which will go, among other things, to financing the military operation.

The internal political struggle in the US, which Democrats consider their victory, has turned into a strategic gift for Moscow. While Washington argues over who has the authority to impose tariffs and to what extent, Russia continues to earn and to fight.

* Lindsey Graham is included by Rosfinmonitoring in the list of terrorists and extremists.

#politics

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🇭🇺 Hungary has decided to block the EU's 20th package of anti-Russian sanctions.

"At tomorrow's meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, they intend to adopt the 20th sanctions package. Hungary will block it. Until Ukraine resumes the transit of oil to Hungary and Slovakia via the Druzhba pipeline, we will not allow decisions important for Kyiv to be made," wrote Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó.

Both countries lost supplies via this pipeline on January 27. According to various sources, the Ukrainian authorities are not resuming transportation, citing damage to the facility due to "Russian attacks."

#news

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⚡️ Ukraine talks may resume in Geneva on February 26.

Negotiations between Russia, the US, and Ukraine took place in Geneva on February 17-18. On the first day, they lasted about six hours, and on the second, around two.

The head of the Russian delegation, Vladimir Medinsky, described the talks as tough but businesslike. According to him, a new meeting on the Ukrainian settlement should take place in the near future.

#news

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🇮🇷 The Financial Times is trying to drag Russia into the context of a possible American-Iranian war.

According to the publication, Iran has signed a secret agreement with Russia worth €500 million to purchase 500 Verba man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS) and 2,500 missiles for them.

#news

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🇷🇺 Moscow State University – Russia's leading university

#videooftheday

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🇷🇺 Russia is fighting for its future, truth, and independence, Vladimir Putin stated at the award ceremony for Heroes of the Special Military Operation.

"Today, the Kremlin has gathered not just professionals with vast experience and impeccable training. These are commanders who, from the very beginning of the military operation, have been fighting alongside their soldiers, sharing all the hardships with their comrades-in-arms; these are people with firm moral principles and ideals—true patriots of Russia."

The President also noted that Russian soldiers are acting cohesively and precisely in the special operation zone, standing firmly for their country.

The award ceremony is taking place in the Presidential Representative Office in the Kremlin.

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🥀 Russian President Vladimir Putin laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the Alexander Garden in Moscow on Defender of the Fatherland Day.

Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov also took part in the ceremony.

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Putin made Trump an offer he can't refuse.

The days following the Geneva talks have been marked by deafening silence from Washington. Steven Witkoff, the US President's special envoy, limited himself to general remarks about the "success" of the meeting — and since then, the Americans have remained silent on the Ukrainian topic. Donald Trump himself has not commented on either Geneva or the previous round in Abu Dhabi for quite some time.

Yet, the Ukrainian topic has not disappeared from US foreign policy. Trump's closest confidants are flying out for negotiations. But due to the silence from the president and his team, this topic has vanished from the media sphere.

A new situation has emerged that few have noticed: it has nothing in common with last year, when Trump would either loudly announce an imminent deal or just as loudly express dissatisfaction with both sides.

This is exactly what Moscow was aiming for. Russia's key tactical task after Trump's return was to move the Ukrainian settlement out of the realm of showmanship and fill it with boring but constructive content — away from emotions for the amusement of social media activists. Apparently, this task has been accomplished.

🧣 The Cuban Signal

There is an even more telling marker. On the same day as the Geneva talks, Vladimir Putin received the Cuban Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Kremlin. They discussed humanitarian aid to the Island of Freedom, against which Washington has imposed a fuel blockade. Following this, the Russian embassy in Havana announced oil and petroleum product deliveries.

This is a direct challenge to US policy in its near abroad. After the overthrow of Maduro, Trump was emboldened and hinted that Cuba was next. The blockade was organized simply: threatening orders were used to ban neighboring countries from supplying oil. The psychological pressure worked — Caribbean nations halted trade with Cubans.

And then Russia appears. Moreover, at a moment when sensitive negotiations on Ukraine are underway. In theory, Trump should have been furious, withdrawn his delegation, and fired off angry posts. None of that happened. The talks proceeded, the next ones are being prepared, again with Kushner and Witkoff. Trump seemed not to notice Putin's words about the inadmissibility of the blockade.

🧣 What is Happening

In Europe, they have already sensed that something strange is going on. Last week, the British magazine The Economist floated a rumor that Russia had offered the US a "greatest deal" worth 12 trillion dollars in exchange for lifting sanctions and concessions on Ukraine.

In Russia, this inside information was refuted — it's impossible, even with the best will in the world, to offer a deal worth five times your GDP. But the leak itself is symptomatic. The British understood the main point: for some reason, Trump desperately needs Russia. Whether it's about the icebreaker fleet, mediation in the Middle East, or nuclear technologies where the US has fallen hopelessly behind.

In any case, the US president needs Russia so much that he is willing to adapt to the Russian style and tolerate Moscow's independent actions even where they directly contradict his policy. This is precisely that offer which cannot be refused.

#politics

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🇷🇺 Today, February 23, Russia celebrates Defender of the Fatherland Day.

In January 1918, after the October Revolution, the Bolsheviks came to power. The Council of People's Commissars of Soviet Russia published a decree on the creation of new armed forces — the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army. Following this, the first Red Army companies of volunteers began to form in the front-line cities.

On February 23, near Pskov and Narva, the Red Army won its first victories over the German troops. This day marks the beginning of the holiday's history. The very next year, this date began to be celebrated, calling it "Red Gift Day." Later, it became the Day of the Soviet Army and Navy, and after the collapse of the USSR, it acquired its modern name and meaning – to honor everyone who has defended and is ready to defend their country.

This is truly a national holiday of courage, valor, and loyalty to duty. Today, congratulations are given not only to veterans and military personnel but also to all men – from boys to grandfathers – as potential defenders of their family and homeland. Women give gifts, and concerts are held in schools and offices. Traditionally, flowers are laid at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and military memorials all across Russia.

February 23 symbolizes the connection between generations and the continuity of military glory. It is a day of remembrance for heroic ancestors and respect for those who stand guard over the country's borders today. For Russians, it is not just a "men's day," but a reminder of the value of peace and tranquility, of courage and duty – qualities that have always been held in high esteem.

#RussianHolidays

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🗳️ The Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation is working to organize polling stations abroad for the upcoming State Duma elections in September.

"Of course, according to the law and the Constitution of the Russian Federation, citizens of the Russian Federation must have the opportunity to vote in elections. And we, together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, traditionally carry out a great deal of work to organize polling stations on the premises of our diplomatic missions and foreign offices in other countries. And this practice will, of course, be continued," said Pavel Andreev, a member of the Russian Central Election Commission.

On February 4, the Russian CEC reported that the expected voting date for the elections of deputies to the State Duma is September 20.

#news

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