Key Takeaways from the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum: Day One Summary.

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People close to Biden claim his mental state getting worse — WSJ

The majority of those who mentioned the president’s worsening mental state are Republicans, however, "some Democrats said that he showed his age in several of the exchanges."

At a meeting with congressional leaders in the White House in January to negotiate a deal on Ukraine aid, the US president spoke so softly at times that some participants struggled to hear him, according to five people familiar with the meeting.

Former US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said that last year, during talks to lift the debt ceiling, Biden’s demeanor "seemed to shift from one day to the next" - on some days, "he had loose and spontaneous exchanges with Republicans, and on others he mumbled and appeared to rely on notes." Two other sources had the same impression. Those who worked with Biden when he was vice-president describe him as someone "who appears slower now" and "has both good moments and bad ones."

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❗️ Vladimir Putin arrived at the Lakhta Center. Alexey Miller showed the president the headquarters of Gazprom.

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Russia’s business dealings with Africa mutually beneficial

Russian companies are busy performing what Maria Zakharova called a "vital" task to help African countries grow, taking into account their colonial past.

According to the diplomat, Russian companies in Africa "behave differently" than Western businesses. "Relations are being built on the basis of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit. Our businesses, enterprises and companies, as they enter the African continent, not only develop a one-time infrastructure project, but rather show willingness to take major steps as an opportunity for mutual enrichment in the humanitarian sphere," she explained.

"Local experts told me that the French, for instance, who ran exploration or extraction projects, traded in mineral reserves without sharing the information they got as they explored with local governments, despite being under foreign jurisdiction, and some are still doing this," Zakharova recounted.

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US expects announcements on substantial weapons deliveries to Ukraine — White House

Jake Sullivan thinks that the United States "need to not just reaffirm but double down on the support."

"I think that the free world, the nations that have rallied to support Ukraine, need to not just reaffirm but double down on that support, and that part of that involves us making sure that we're delivering the actual material, tangible abilities Ukraine needs," Sullivan said as he was heading to take part in events marking the 80th anniversary of the Allied Forces landing in Normandy.

"I think over the coming weeks, you can expect announcements of further deliveries of substantial capability to Ukraine," Sullivan added.

Solemn ceremonies commemorating the D-Day landing in Normandy in June 1944 are scheduled to be held in Normandy and Brittany between June 6 and 8.

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Present-day territorial realities must be recognized to start dialogue on Ukraine

Endless supplies of Western weapons to Ukraine “only drag out the conflict and lead to an increase in civilian casualties,” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin said.

“Russia is open to holding a dialogue on Ukraine based on the consideration of our interests,” he said in an interview with TASS. “Our position regarding a comprehensive, sustainable and just settlement of the crisis remains unaltered.”

“In order for this to happen, first of all, its original causes must be addressed and modern geopolitical and territorial realities must be recognized,” he continued. “The West must stop pumping up the Ukrainian military with weapons and the Kiev regime must put an end to its military activities.”

According to him, Moscow is taking a notice of the growing risks of “weapons spreading around the world and ending up at the hands of terrorists and criminal groups.”

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Biden says some countries will 'make their own accommodations' if Ukraine goes down

The American president also said US decisions in the next four years "are going to determine the future of Europe for a long time to come."

The US fears that some countries including Poland will start pursuing a more independent policy if Kiev is defeated in the conflict in Ukraine, according to US President Joe Biden’s interview with Time magazine.

"The point is, though, that if we ever let Ukraine go down, mark my words, you'll see Poland go, and you'll see all those nations along the actual border of Russia, from the Balkans and Belarus, all those, they're going to make their own accommodations," Biden said.

"That's why we cannot let NATO fail. We have to build that both politically and economically. And militarily, which we're investing significantly," he said.

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