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Featured image: A Ball of Vampires
Dmitry Medvedev had an interview with TASS. What is interesting is that he says that Russia now must consider responding in full or “even deliver preemptive strikes if need be.”
We have heard similar messaging from Dmitry Trenin very recently, and from Prof. Sergei Karaganov over a period of time. Then, we had Mr. Shoigu spelling out that NATO is still a threat.
These are serious voices in Russia and certainly voices that will not be ignored.
Medvedev’s Full Speech
https://tass.com/politics/1990623
Exactly 80 years ago, on July 17, 1945, the Potsdam Conference began, bringing together the heads of government from the Soviet Union, the United States, and Great Britain. The meeting laid the foundation for the post-war world order.
In an interview with TASS, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev, both a politician and a lawyer, outlined the key lessons Russia has drawn from that historic event and explained its continued relevance in the context of the current situation around Ukraine.
– Decisions from the Potsdam conference were almost immediately breached by the Soviet Union’s allies in the anti-Hitlerite coalition. In parallel, London developed Operation Unthinkable, a war plan against the Soviet Union. Is perfidy the West’s core?
– The anniversary of the Potsdam Conference provides an opportunity to reflect on the past as a mirror of the present. In doing so, we must use the “correct lenses”, without being naive or considering the events of July 1945 in isolation from the centuries-long attitude of European, or, more broadly, Western elites toward our country.
Revising or breaching the decisions from the Potsdam Conference was just a continuation of Western policies regarding Russia from before the war or even earlier.
Since the time of Peter the Great, when Russia established itself as a European power, we have witnessed a consistent trend of hostility, distrust and attempts to weaken our country in Western actions. As part of various coalitions, they [Western countries] have sought to turn Russia into Europe’s stepdaughter who was admitted only to the threshold the pan-European house for re-education. They have also sought to impose a subservient role on our country in European and, later, global affairs. But in vain.
To Western elites, an independent and strong Russia has always been a historical anomaly and a very effective rebuff to the idea of their supposed “civilizational superiority”. Fear and reluctance to engage in dialogue with other nations gives rise to villainy and aggression. This is why Western elites have been making repeated attempts to isolate Russia and avenge their past failures.
So, in 1945, the Potsdam [Conference] was not a prelude to lasting peace, but rather it paved the way for the Cold War. And today’s developments – a proxy war, or actually a full-out war involving the launch of Western-made missiles and satellite reconnaissance, sanctions packages, and loud statements on militarization in Europe – are yet another attempt to destroy the `historical anomaly’ that the West hates so much, to destroy our country.
So, the Potsdam Conference taught us that relations with the West should not be based on illusions. The West’s treacherous nature and its warped and very outdated sense of superiority are still evident. And we should therefore act accordingly, responding in full or even delivering pre-emptive strikes if need be.
The Potsdam Conference was an important history lesson for us.
We have learned the lessons of the Potsdam Conference. And today, as in 1945, our country is fighting not only to protect its borders, but also the idea of a just world order.
– As was at the Potsdam Conference that the Ds – demilitarization, denazification and democratization of Germany – were first formulated. Can the approaches outlined there be applied to present-day Ukraine? And which Ds could be added or adjusted, in your vision?
– The three ‘D’s – demilitarization, denazification and democratization – were developed to address Nazi Germany as an aggressor state that destroyed the world order. Of course, there are significant differences between the Reich of 1945 and present-day Ukraine, in terms of scale, global posture and even, formally, government ideology.
However, one clear similarity does exist.
Firstly, there is the identity crisis and the blatantly Nazi symbols. There is a cult of collaborationist and Nazi ideologists, as well as swastikas and Totenkopf prints on military uniforms and armored combat vehicles, not to mention other references to the Third Reich. Today’s ideology is based on hatred of the neighbor and calls to continue ‘fighting to the end’. All of this is supported by the government and is rippling through society. The militarization of society adds to this, with armed groups acquiring not only military, but also political functions, some of which, in effect, are poorly controlled by the state.
Secondly, there is a tenure of power and increasingly obvious signs of dictatorship. Electoral procedures have been canceled under the pretext of war, opposition activists have been persecuted or jailed, and freedom of speech has been annihilated.
Thirdly, the economy has been in decline. Like the Third Reich in its final months, present-day Ukraine is clearly experiencing an economic and management crisis that has been solely addressed through external funding and mobilization rhetoric.
All this makes the idea of using the three ‘D’s still relevant.
Demilitarization is not a punishment, but an opportunity for Ukraine to stop being used as a pawn in someone else’s bloody geopolitical games, which often target Ukraine itself. For this reason, too, the country’s non-aligned status is an essential part of its demilitarization. Furthermore, eliminating insane defense expenditures would provide additional funds for rebuilding its shattered economy.
Denazification or debanderization is not an act of revenge, but rather long-term work with public conscience and historical memory. The peoples of our countries and many other former Soviet republics share a common historical destiny. This shared heritage creates huge potential for not only peaceful neighborly relations, but also cooperation and joint development.
And democratization involves more than just elections. It involves restoring legal institutions, a free press, competition, and the separation of powers. Had these mechanisms been fully operational in Ukraine, its history since 2014 would have taken a far more favorable path.
To the three ‘D’s, I would add a fourth: deparasitization, or disinsection. Residents of the territories currently controlled by the so-called Ukraine must learn to live independently and take responsibility for their actions. Otherwise, a parasitic Ukraine has no chance of preserving its statehood.
– In violation of the Potsdam Agreements, the Western countries, unlike the Soviet Union, effectively failed to carry out the process of Germany’s denazification. Should this fact not only be acknowledged but also emphasized in the Russian historical narrative? Can the postwar West be considered a covert accomplice in the preservation of Nazism after 1945?
– I have addressed this topic on numerous occasions in my speeches and articles. Before the war, the Western powers nurtured and supported Hitler’s Nazi regime, and after the fascists were defeated in World War II, they made every effort to ensure that the ideology survived.
Rather than implementing genuine denazification measures in the territories under their control, our Western “allies” settled for superficial and perfunctory actions.
Most Nazi criminals tried with the participation of Western judicial authorities got off with little more than a slap on the wrist, receiving exceedingly lenient sentences or being granted amnesty just a few years after the war. Neither they, nor their descendants or close associates, were barred from entering positions of power.
The consequences of this astonishing “tolerance” toward Nazi criminals, combined with rabid and hysterical Russophobia, are being felt to this day. This is especially true in countries that served as Hitler’s lackeys or expendable resources: the Baltic states, Poland, and Ukraine, which has embraced a Banderite identity.
Many high-ranking figures in Germany still take pride in their fascist forebears, emulating them in both rhetoric and policy. A striking example is the recent statement by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius about the country’s readiness to “kill Russian soldiers” on the “eastern flank” and to always deal with Russia “from a position of strength.” And the remarks of Chancellor Friedrich Merz, himself a direct descendant of Nazis, are no less appalling. All of this echoes the hypocrisy of those self-proclaimed “anti-fascists” who like to say their grandfather “heroically died in a concentration camp after falling from a guard tower.”
Let me remind you that our president stated unequivocally: Russia does not intend to go to war with NATO or ‘attack Europe.’ Such claims by Western politicians are utter nonsense. I would also like to add that this kind of drivel is deliberately injected into the information space to destabilize an already difficult situation. It is yet another front in the West’s open war against us.
Without question, all such facts must be brought to light, not swept under the rug. The saying ‘history will be the judge’ only holds true when all the facts and circumstances necessary for such judgment are known. After all, the principal judge for the Nazis in Hitler’s Germany, as we know, was the soldier of the Red Army.
This is what Mr Putin has to say:
Click on the link and the video clip will play in its own window. Stay to the end (it is short). We have it from source now: The Ball of Vampires is about to end!
With Nima of Dialogue Works:
Please pay attention to Nima. He is Brazilian, but he is also Iranian.
Today, June 13
A short message to the resistance:
The SMO and the Israeli genocide on Palestinians has made us experienced and hardened soldiers. We will need those skills now.
What we saw yesterday and ongoing is a lethal threat to you and I, and the whole planet.
Another perpetual war has started and the empire is riding high, for this moment. But be clear, most of the information that we saw yesterday was Israeli information as they were releasing information as their strikes continued.
As the empire stole Russia’s externally held funds, so they have now stolen the last of the innocence of the world because of the deception under the guise of talks with Iran.
Who is Iran fighting?
Israel yes. But they are also fighting and let me quote: “Israel says it is intercepting drones above Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Syria.” “Above Iraq, Israeli planes were getting refueled, by the US and Britain. ” “U.S. fighter jets take off from Al-Udeid airbase in Qatar” “Jordon opened its airspace to Israeli jets.” “American, Israeli and British fighter jets all active above Syria and Iraq to intercept Iranian drones.” Jordanian Armed Forces report that the Royal Jordanian Air Force has intercepted multiple missiles and drones entering Jordanian airspace.”
A comment from Professor Marandi: American bases have been used in Turkiye, Qatar, the UAE, and Bahrain to help the Israelis – and it’s not just the Americans, it’s the British as well.
Iran is fighting the empire.
Anyone who thinks the attack was not coordinated with the U.S. is a complete and utter idiot. Even the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz was informed by Israel ahead of the first attack.
Iran:
We can accept that Iran will not blast out information. “Currently, the combat forces of the army and the IRGC are busy fighting in the sky. The results will be announced to the Iranian nation later.”
Iran did some homework. All of their senior command that was killed yesterday have been replaced. They contacted the UN Security Council for an emergency meeting to condemn Israel’s strikes on nuke sites & officials’ killings. They call the attacks a ‘declaration of war,’ and vows right to self-defense. (War ends, and then the counting starts. This is setup for the long game).
US and Israel coordinated a ‘joint deception’ to mislead Iran ahead of IDF strikes.
Fake nuclear talks were allegedly used to keep Tehran off guard before the assault. Donald Trump is still in the process of doing this. Trump with his inability to hide complicity: “The president says he gave Iran chance to make a deal and warns that the US makes “most lethal military equipment” and Israel has lots of it.”
Israel
Vows to continue. The Home Front Command announced that citizens no longer need to stay near shelters in a false bravado. The Red Flag of revenge has risen in Iran.
Very early projection:
A final comment from Professor Marandi:
In reality, such unprovoked strikes “strengthen Iran, unify the public, and deepen hatred toward the aggressors and their backers,” says the Tehran University Professor.
—
The initial section was posted at Daily Chronicles. We will continue here. This is not GlobalSouth’s careful curation and source checking. I am reporting from four of the most reliable sites, raw, as it comes in.
Israel has declared a nationwide state of emergency
Continuous explosions in Tehran.
Various sources reporting: Israel is officially attacking Iran
15 interceptions in Tehran, about 3 impacts so far. Sputnik reports air defense is active. More strikes are reported elsewhere
Israel closes its entire airspace to civilian air traffic
Iranian airspace closed, planes are being diverted
This wave is over and has ceased.
Israeli Army Radio, citing a military source:
Israel’s Defense Minister announced that the country has carried out a preemptive strike against Iran and warned that a retaliatory response from Tehran is likely in the near future.
Jerusalem Post, citing Israeli officials: We have detected that Iran is on the verge of achieving a nuclear breakthrough within a few days. (Yeah, remember weapons of mass destruction.)
Israeli Channel 12: The strikes in Iran were carried out in coordination with the United States.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio:
“Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We have no part in the strikes against Iran, and our top priority is protecting our forces in the region. Israel has informed us that it believes the action was essential for self-defense. President Trump and the administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces, and we remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not harm American interests or personnel.”
A volley of ballistic missiles has been launched from Iran. ???
Netanyahu to Iranian People: The day of your liberation from tyranny is closer than ever. The Goal of the Operation Is to Eliminate Israel’s Existential Threat. Iran still can strike us, and we are prepared for it. I ask our people to cooperate in the days to come.
CNN quoting an Israeli source: We are planning multiple rounds of attacks on Iran. This is not a one-day attack.
U.S. State Department: We Were Aware of Israel’s Strike on Iran and Advise Iran Not to Target U.S. Interests
Israeli media: Reports of explosions in Natanz and Fordow, where uranium enrichment facilities are located
Netanyahu Confirms Strike on Iranian Nuclear Facilities Netanyahu: I Thank President Trump for His Support of Israel
President Trump convenes an emergency meeting at the situation room
Natanz enrichment site is confirmed to be hit.
BREAKING: Explosion hits residential building in Tehran — Iranian state TV shows it in flames amid reports of Israeli airstrikes
Tasnim reports flight restrictions now in effect at Tehran’s main airport pic.twitter.com/3Ls7IrIrQY
— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) June 13, 2025
There are reports and video that all of the Israeli launches are being carried out from Iraqi airspace. Zionist warplanes are flying over Iraq and Syrian airspace. However, the impacts of Iranian missiles might have hit the two American bases in Iraq, but due to a blackout, reports are not confirmed as of now.
The penny drops for the Iranians: We are at war. Israel is striking nuclear sites, military officials, missile bases, air defenses, and radar sites. This is war.
The US insists they are not involved. Israel insists that the US playing a part. Israeli senior official: As in previous cases, we are coordinating with the US on everything, and we have no doubt that if and when Iran tries to retaliate, this time too we will receive American and international defense assistance.
Columns of smoke rise from the headquarters of the Revolutionary Guards in Tehran.
Unconfirmed reports of the assassination of Hossein Salami, Commander-in-Chief of the Revolutionary Guards.
Channel 13, citing Israeli military officers: The strike may have achieved better results than expected.
Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir: The Iranian regime will attempt to respond by striking us.
THIS MAY VERY WELL BE HASBARRAH – WAR PROPAGANDA – take with salt
Unverified reports are circulating about the assassinations of several high-ranking Iranian officials:
Major General Hossein Salami, Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)
General Gholam Ali Rashid, senior IRGC officer
Dr. Fereydoon Abbasi, former head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization
Dr. Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, academic and nuclear scientist
Iranian jets are still airborne (not to be shot at on their runways).
Iran to declare war soon – state media
Imam Khamenei, IRGC Aerospace Commander Brigadier General Amirali Hajizadeh, Chief of Staff of all Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Bagheri, and Sardar Ismail Qaani are all confirmed safe.
The high command is operational.
“A U.S. defense official says Israel’s strike is likely to trigger a strong Iranian response — and that Israel will probably request U.S. assistance to counter it.” — Washington Post
And on this note Iran will now saddle up. It looks like they sat back and absorbed the first strikes. I will pick this up after some sleep.
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