Washington continues to use diplomatic, military and political tools in its relations with Russia. In parallel with informal contacts between US officials and Moscow, the US is increasing the production of long-range missiles and supporting Ukraine. The UK also states its readiness to continue military assistance to Kiev, while Russia is deepening military cooperation with North Korea.
Trump administration official secretly met with Putin aides in St. Petersburg, FT
The head of the US Fine Arts Commission, Rodney Mims Cook Jr., visited St. Petersburg in early June, where, according to The Financial Times, he met with Kremlin representatives. He publicly presented his trip as a “cultural visit”, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that he was “not aware” of the American delegation in St. Petersburg. The publication’s sources claim that Washington viewed Cook Jr. as one of the unofficial envoys who could help break the diplomatic deadlock over ending Russia’s war against Ukraine. In particular, the American official met with senior aide to the Kremlin head, Antony Kobyakov.
Cook Jr. became the first American official since 2018 to visit the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. The United States had long boycotted the event due to the arrest of American businessman Paul Whelan, and after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, it continued not to participate in the forum. Cook Jr. himself refused to comment on his meetings with Russian officials. At the same time, a White House spokesman said: “The United States continues to play a constructive role in negotiations with both sides (Ukraine and Russia - ed.), working to end the war, and Trump is optimistic about concluding a peace agreement.”
US Navy orders $22.9 billion in Tomahawk missiles
The Pentagon has signed a $22.9 billion contract with Raytheon to accelerate production of Tomahawk cruise missiles. The US Navy said this. The Navy said : “The Department of the Navy has signed a $22.9 billion contract with Raytheon to accelerate production of the department’s critical long-range strike capabilities: Tomahawk missiles.” The number of missiles provided for in the agreement was not disclosed, but the US military should receive them at an “unprecedented rate.”
Raytheon reported that the contract is designed for seven years and should allow for a significant increase in the pace of missile production. In particular, the company plans to increase the annual production of Tomahawks to 1,000 units. Currently, Raytheon produces about 60 such missiles per year. Thus, the increase in production provided for by the contract should be significant compared to the current pace.
Melania Trump helped reunite another Ukrainian child with his family
US First Lady Melania Trump helped reunite another child with her family after they were separated due to Russia's war against Ukraine. This was reported by the Office of the First Lady of the White House, without disclosing details about the circumstances of the separation and the return of the child. The White House stated that in total, Melania Trump's efforts have already helped reunite 34 children and their families. Her office links this work to the First Lady's initiative for children separated from their loved ones by the war.
Melania Trump said: “There is nothing more powerful than the reunion of a mother with her child after a long period of time. My representative and I are focused on helping to facilitate the next reunion of people who have been separated from their loved ones due to the war between Ukraine and Russia.”
The White House also notes that these efforts are related to a letter that Melania Trump previously sent to Putin. In it, she raised the issue of children who were separated from their families due to the war.
Great Britain promises to continue supporting Ukraine despite Russian threats
Great Britain will continue to support Ukraine despite Russia’s statements about possible “consequences” for supplying Kiev with drones. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated, that London will remain on Ukraine’s side and continue to provide it with military assistance. Russia has announced a boost to Britain’s involvement in the war after a Times report suggested that British-made drones could be used for the first time to carry out long-range strikes on Russian territory. The Russian embassy said: “London’s actions will inevitably have consequences for which it will have to answer,” and warned: “The deeper its involvement in the conflict and the greater its support for Kyiv’s terrorist machine, the higher the price it will pay.”
Burnham responded by saying that Britain’s policy was in line with the country’s long-declared policy of supporting Ukraine. He said: “This is Britain doing what it has long promised to do, which is to support Ukraine 100% in this illegal war” being waged by Russian President Putin.
The British Prime Minister also said: “We are not friends only in good weather. We will be there for Ukraine in its hour of need, and that will not change.” The British Ministry of Defense did not confirm whether British drones were used to strike Russia, but reminded: “Britain stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and we are committed to providing Ukraine with the equipment it needs to defend itself against Putin’s illegal invasion.”
In June, London announced plans to transfer 150,000 drones to Ukraine by the end of 2026 as part of a funding package of 752 million pounds.
Lavrov announced the joint formation of a “new and just world order” with the DPRK
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated about deepening cooperation with North Korea and joint work on the formation of the so-called “new and just world order.” This was stated in a statement by the North Korean state agency KCNA after Lavrov addressed the DPRK Foreign Minister Choe Song-hui. The Russian minister also confirmed Moscow's intention to expand cooperation with Pyongyang in various areas and contribute to regional and international security. The statement came after the North Korean military participated in combat operations on the side of Russia during the Ukrainian operation in the Kursk region.
According to KCNA, Lavrov said: "North Korea and Russia continue to create a 'new and just world order' based on true equality and national interests."
He also said: "The participation of Korean People's Army servicemen in operations to oust the Ukrainian Nazi clique and foreign mercenaries from Kursk is clear evidence of the tradition of military friendship formed by heroic previous generations."
By the end of 2024, North Korea was estimated to have sent about 14,000 troops to Russia to help Russian forces repel a Ukrainian offensive in the Kursk region. South Korea and Western countries fear that in exchange for military support, Russia could help Pyongyang develop its weapons, while North Korea has already transferred millions of artillery and mortar shells, ballistic missiles, long-range artillery and multiple rocket launcher systems to Russia, according to Ukrainian and independent estimates.
Photo: Getty Images/Anadolu/Mostafa Bassim
Author: Danylo Pievchev