Thank you 💛 to everyone who tuned in to our latest episode of Pax Americana!
Julie Roginsky and I delved into some of the biggest Russia-related developments this week and how they intersect with the U.S. and Europe. If you missed it, here’s a recap of what we covered:
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Show Notes
Update on Ukraine..
Russia Demands Zelensky’s Removal to Sign War Memorandum: A top Russian Foreign Ministry official declared that Volodymyr Zelenskyy must be replaced before Moscow will sign any peace memorandum with Ukraine. Maxim Musikhin questioned Zelenskyy’s “legitimacy” and insisted that any deal signed by him would be invalid. This follows Putin’s May 19 call with Trump. Bottom line: Russia has zero desire to end its genocidal war against Ukraine and continues its stalling tactics using Trump to provide cover. Source: Tass
Germany Foils Alleged Russian Plot to Mail Explosives: German authorities arrested 3 men—two in Germany, one in Switzerland—accused of plotting to send explosive-laden packages in a Russian-backed sabotage campaign targeting logistics operators. The suspects reportedly tested the scheme with GPS-tracked dummy packages. Source: Wall Street Journal
Russia Accused of Trying to Hack Border Security Cameras to Disrupt Ukraine Aid: UK and allied intelligence agencies say Russia’s GRU Unit 26165 (Fancy Bear) hacked into thousands of border and traffic cameras to track Western military aid flowing into Ukraine. The group also targeted logistics networks with phishing emails and attempted voice impersonation to access sensitive shipment data. Over 80% of compromised cameras were in Ukraine, with others in Romania, Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia. Source: The Guardian
Finland ‘Preparing for the Worst’ as Russia Expands Military Presence Near Border: Finland’s top defense strategist warned that Russia is gradually expanding military infrastructure along their shared border, likely preparing to redeploy troops after its war in Ukraine. Satellite images show new bases, vehicles, and construction activity. Meanwhile, Finland has completed the first segment of a high-tech border fence designed to counter Russian hybrid threats, such as asylum-seeker manipulation. Source: The Guardian
Poland Prepares for War: Poland is rapidly militarizing, spending nearly 5% of its GDP on defense—more than any other NATO country. It’s deploying Abrams tanks, laying mines and anti-tank barriers along its border, and training civilians for war. Source: NPR
Western intelligence: Putin will transfer hundreds of thousands of soldiers to NATO borders if war in Ukraine ends: Western intelligence warns that if Russia’s war in Ukraine ends, Moscow plans to redeploy up to 800,000 troops to NATO’s borders, including Finland, the Baltics, and Poland. Russia is already expanding military infrastructure and could use the Zapad-2025 exercises as a smokescreen for further aggression. Source: Moscow Times Russian Edition
U.S. to Begin Talks on European Troop Reductions Later This Year, NATO Ambassador Says: U.S. NATO Ambassador Matthew Whitaker confirmed that Trump will begin formal discussions on reducing American troop presence in Europe after the June NATO summit. While claiming the U.S. isn’t withdrawing from NATO, Whitaker said Trump has “run out of patience” with allies and wants immediate action. Source: Reuters
The Spy Factory: Russia Used Brazil as a Launchpad for Deep-Cover Operatives A years-long investigation by Brazil’s Federal Police—supported by U.S., Israeli, Dutch, and other Western intelligence services—exposed a covert Russian GRU operation using Brazil as a breeding ground for “illegals,” elite spies posing as Brazilians. At least nine Russian officers created entirely new identities, built real businesses and relationships, and were then dispatched to NATO countries for espionage. Some were caught trying to infiltrate institutions like the ICC and U.S. universities. The operation was codenamed Operation East. Source: New York Times
Centrist Dan Defeats Pro-Trump Simion in Romanian Presidential Upset: Bucharest mayor Nicușor Dan won Romania’s presidency with 54% of the vote, defeating hard-right, Trump-aligned Kremlin loyalist George Simion, who had campaigned to cut Ukraine aid and mimic MAGA policies. Source: Reuters
Each week on Pax Americana, we expose Russia’s playbook and its dangerous intersections with U.S. politics. We’ll break down:
Updates on Russia’s genocidal war in Ukraine
Russia’s latest news and moves
The latest on Moscow’s hybrid warfare tactics in the U.S. and Europe
Sanctions, corruption, and Kremlin networks
Disinformation and malign influence operations
Tactics that Trump is using in the U.S. mirroring Russia’s system—politicizing law enforcement; attacking the press, universities, protesters, and opposition— and turning institutions into tools to consolidate power.
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Tune in each week as we go beyond the headlines, delivering the unsanitized truth and exposing Russia’s playbook in real-time. From Ukraine to Washington, we’ll break down how Russia’s tactics—oligarchy, disinformation, propaganda, political repression, and institutional capture—are being mirrored in the U.S. and what it means for the future of America.
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