Laura Ru
Researcher & writer based in Hong Kong. Former academic. Some long-form, analytical articles and interviews are archived here https://laura-ruggeri.medium.com/ email: lauraru852@yandex.ru
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24.04.202514:37
Vladimir Putin would not be at risk of being arrested in Italy under an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant, as officials never completed the procedures required to make it valid. The failure to file the necessary paperwork is not likely to have been the result of an oversight or a coincidence, La Repubblica reported, suggesting instead a “political choice.”
The decision reflects the Italian government’s position that heads of state and government are protected from prosecution. Diplomatic immunity does not apply to the other Russian officials mentioned in the ICC warrants. Nevertheless, neither the Russian president nor other officials and commanders are likely to travel to Italy, as some are subject to personal EU sanctions. Despite this, Russian Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova is set to travel to Italy to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, according to the Kremlin. (Source: RT) @LauraRuHK
The decision reflects the Italian government’s position that heads of state and government are protected from prosecution. Diplomatic immunity does not apply to the other Russian officials mentioned in the ICC warrants. Nevertheless, neither the Russian president nor other officials and commanders are likely to travel to Italy, as some are subject to personal EU sanctions. Despite this, Russian Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova is set to travel to Italy to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, according to the Kremlin. (Source: RT) @LauraRuHK
24.04.202512:40
September 2024, thousands of handheld pagers and hundreds of walkie-talkies exploded simultaneously in two separate events across Lebanon and Syria killing dozens of innocent civilians and injuring thousands more in markets, schools, hospitals... A few weeks later Netanyahu admitted Israel's responsibility. Now the genocidal entity is honoring the Mossad operatives behind these terrorist attacks. Makes sense. The Zionist entity has been a terrorist state since its inception. @LauraRuHK
24.04.202511:24
Sul Corriere della Sera il sud-est dell'Ucraina diventa "sud-est asiatico". Meraviglie dell'Intelligenza Artificiale o della deficienza umana? Posso offrire un aiutino? Ora e' un villaggio nel sud-ovest della Federazione Russa. 😉 @LauraRuHK
24.04.202506:39
I am occasionally impressed by my compatriots' knack for creative accounting. According to Politico's sources, the Italian government intends to reclassify as "military" existing civilian infrastructure and expenditure to reach NATO's defense spending target of 2 percent of GDP. However, Rome may still have to buy some new American weapons systems to appease Washington. The push for rearmament in Europe is hugely unpopular in Italy. @LauraRuHK 👉https://www.politico.eu/article/italy-harbors-private-doubts-over-hitting-2-percent-nato-limit/
24.04.202506:19
This article is for dreamers and pragmatists. https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202504/23/WS6808358aa3104d9fd3820ee2.html
23.04.202513:04
CUI PRODEST? In Kashmir a terrorist attack killed 26 people and injured 19 more. An obscure "rent-a-terrorist" group, the "Kashmir Resistance," claimed responsibility for the attack at the tourist resort of Pahalgam. India's prime minister, Narendra Modi, cut short a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia (India and Saudia Arabia are BRCS members) and returned to New Delhi on Wednesday morning to hold an urgent meeting with his national security adviser, the foreign minister and other senior officials.
India is currently hosting US Vice President JD Vance, who arrived on Monday and is scheduled to leave on Thursday. This attack risks triggering sectarian violence in the region, which could further complicate relations between India and Muslim countries. @LauraRuHK
India is currently hosting US Vice President JD Vance, who arrived on Monday and is scheduled to leave on Thursday. This attack risks triggering sectarian violence in the region, which could further complicate relations between India and Muslim countries. @LauraRuHK
16.04.202515:42
The US will seek to force the EU to choose between the US and China on trade, according to briefings circulated to senior ministers and officials.
The overall US strategy is to decouple from China, and any country wishing to have a trade deal with the US will also have to distance itself from Beijing. ▪️The Europeans have already experienced deep economic trauma because of cutting off Russia. They cannot imagine cutting off China. Expect more strong arm tactics. ▪️In 2023 the Biden administration, during Von der Leyen's visit to Washington, had tried to cajole the EU into linking arms to confront China. Right on cue the European Commission initiated its "anti-subsidy investigation" into Chinese electric vehicles at the end of 2023 and introduced tariffs in July 2024. The US had also persuaded European policy makers to apply export restrictions to the high tech sector. For example, ASML, a Dutch maker of semiconductor production equipment, was forced to suspend the export to China of EUV lithography machines. The EU is developing a bloc-wide export control system to limit technology transfers to China, especially in high-tech sectors like semiconductors, AI, and quantum computing, which makes no sense considering EU countries lag behind China in these fields. @LauraRuHK
The overall US strategy is to decouple from China, and any country wishing to have a trade deal with the US will also have to distance itself from Beijing. ▪️The Europeans have already experienced deep economic trauma because of cutting off Russia. They cannot imagine cutting off China. Expect more strong arm tactics. ▪️In 2023 the Biden administration, during Von der Leyen's visit to Washington, had tried to cajole the EU into linking arms to confront China. Right on cue the European Commission initiated its "anti-subsidy investigation" into Chinese electric vehicles at the end of 2023 and introduced tariffs in July 2024. The US had also persuaded European policy makers to apply export restrictions to the high tech sector. For example, ASML, a Dutch maker of semiconductor production equipment, was forced to suspend the export to China of EUV lithography machines. The EU is developing a bloc-wide export control system to limit technology transfers to China, especially in high-tech sectors like semiconductors, AI, and quantum computing, which makes no sense considering EU countries lag behind China in these fields. @LauraRuHK
16.04.202513:30
The Militarisation of European Consciousness: An ‘Enemy at the Gates’ as a Way to Unite Society
On April 15, the Valdai Club hosted an expert discussion titled “The Radicalisation of European Society as a Response to Global Challenges”.
Anton Bespalov, the moderator of the discussion, noted that in the countries of not only the Global South, but also the Global North, the question of what Europe really wants regularly arises. What is the reason for the irreconcilable position of European elites at the national and supranational levels on the Ukrainian crisis, which is becoming increasingly radical against the backdrop of the crisis in the European economy and the weakening of transatlantic ties? Could it be that there is no “mysterious European soul”, and remilitarisation is only a way to overcome the crisis and increase social cohesion?
“Just recently, Europe celebrated the ‘end of history’ and claimed the laurels of a world symbol of economic prosperity, humanism and democracy,” said Vladislav Maslennikov, Director of the Department of European Problems at the Russian Foreign Ministry. – Today, even the most convinced Eurocentrists recognise the critical processes in the European community and the existence of systemic internal socio-economic problems.” Moreover, these problems are largely caused by the European Union’s move to curtail trade and economic relations with Russia. The policy of sanctions pressure and refusal to make use of Russian energy resources and other goods has hit the European economy, contributing to the deindustrialisation of Europe. Critical phenomena in the economy have led to an exacerbation of social contradictions.
Anatol Lieven, Senior Researcher at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Public Administration (United Kingdom), pointed out the deep gap between the rhetoric of European elites and their plans. Statements about a “state of war with Russia” have become commonplace, but at the same time, society is clearly not ready for collective sacrifices. If peace in Ukraine can be achieved, a significant part of this radical impulse will disappear. The idea of reindustrialising Europe through defence spending has come to the fore. The strategy of the current Western European elite will be based on attempts to unite the population using a military spending programme, mobilisation and the fight against the opposition put forward by Russian agents. Thus, the tectonic shift in European politics, although partly caused by the conflict in Ukraine, is primarily generated by changes in the economy. Ultimately, according to Lieven, some kind of compromise with Russia will be inevitable.
Alexander Kamkin, Senior Researcher at the Sector for Analysis of Political Change and Identity at the Primakov Institute of World Economy and International Relations outlined the situation in Germany. He identified the following key trends: remilitarisation, both material and mental, the search for a proper place in the foreign policy sphere, the adoption of a new migration picture, and the “Russian question”, which has become the main one in political discourse. According to Kamkin, a paradox has emerged in German politics: the most radical Russophobes and militarists are now not Alternative for Germany, but parties that were previously considered pacifist and moderate. At present, the course towards radicalisation and the remilitarisation of consciousness is actually being pursued by the ruling coalition. https://valdaiclub.com/events/posts/articles/the-militarisation-of-european-consciousness-an-enemy-at-the-gates/
On April 15, the Valdai Club hosted an expert discussion titled “The Radicalisation of European Society as a Response to Global Challenges”.
Anton Bespalov, the moderator of the discussion, noted that in the countries of not only the Global South, but also the Global North, the question of what Europe really wants regularly arises. What is the reason for the irreconcilable position of European elites at the national and supranational levels on the Ukrainian crisis, which is becoming increasingly radical against the backdrop of the crisis in the European economy and the weakening of transatlantic ties? Could it be that there is no “mysterious European soul”, and remilitarisation is only a way to overcome the crisis and increase social cohesion?
“Just recently, Europe celebrated the ‘end of history’ and claimed the laurels of a world symbol of economic prosperity, humanism and democracy,” said Vladislav Maslennikov, Director of the Department of European Problems at the Russian Foreign Ministry. – Today, even the most convinced Eurocentrists recognise the critical processes in the European community and the existence of systemic internal socio-economic problems.” Moreover, these problems are largely caused by the European Union’s move to curtail trade and economic relations with Russia. The policy of sanctions pressure and refusal to make use of Russian energy resources and other goods has hit the European economy, contributing to the deindustrialisation of Europe. Critical phenomena in the economy have led to an exacerbation of social contradictions.
Anatol Lieven, Senior Researcher at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Public Administration (United Kingdom), pointed out the deep gap between the rhetoric of European elites and their plans. Statements about a “state of war with Russia” have become commonplace, but at the same time, society is clearly not ready for collective sacrifices. If peace in Ukraine can be achieved, a significant part of this radical impulse will disappear. The idea of reindustrialising Europe through defence spending has come to the fore. The strategy of the current Western European elite will be based on attempts to unite the population using a military spending programme, mobilisation and the fight against the opposition put forward by Russian agents. Thus, the tectonic shift in European politics, although partly caused by the conflict in Ukraine, is primarily generated by changes in the economy. Ultimately, according to Lieven, some kind of compromise with Russia will be inevitable.
Alexander Kamkin, Senior Researcher at the Sector for Analysis of Political Change and Identity at the Primakov Institute of World Economy and International Relations outlined the situation in Germany. He identified the following key trends: remilitarisation, both material and mental, the search for a proper place in the foreign policy sphere, the adoption of a new migration picture, and the “Russian question”, which has become the main one in political discourse. According to Kamkin, a paradox has emerged in German politics: the most radical Russophobes and militarists are now not Alternative for Germany, but parties that were previously considered pacifist and moderate. At present, the course towards radicalisation and the remilitarisation of consciousness is actually being pursued by the ruling coalition. https://valdaiclub.com/events/posts/articles/the-militarisation-of-european-consciousness-an-enemy-at-the-gates/
16.04.202513:23
The 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, celebrated on May 9, 2025, in Moscow, will be attended by several heads of state. According to recent reports, these leaders have already confirmed their presence:
Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela
Robert Fico, Slovakia
Aleksandar Vučić, Serbia
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Brazil
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kazakhstan
Mahmoud Abbas, Palestine
Xi Jinping, China
Narendra Modi, India
Alexander Lukashenko, Belarus
Nikol Pashinyan, Armenia
Emomali Rahmon, Tajikistan
Miguel Diaz-Canel, Cuba
Milorad Dodik, Republika Srpska
Tô Lâm, Vietnam
Ibrahim Traore, Burkina Faso
Sadir Japarov, Kyrgyzstan
Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan
Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela
Robert Fico, Slovakia
Aleksandar Vučić, Serbia
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Brazil
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kazakhstan
Mahmoud Abbas, Palestine
Xi Jinping, China
Narendra Modi, India
Alexander Lukashenko, Belarus
Nikol Pashinyan, Armenia
Emomali Rahmon, Tajikistan
Miguel Diaz-Canel, Cuba
Milorad Dodik, Republika Srpska
Tô Lâm, Vietnam
Ibrahim Traore, Burkina Faso
Sadir Japarov, Kyrgyzstan
Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan
16.04.202513:13
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova sees the European Union's threat to reject Serbia’s bid to join the union if the country’s leader Aleksandar Vucic comes to the Victory Day Parade in Moscow as "Euronazism."
Maria Zakharova called Ukraine’s possible invitation of European Union leaders to Kiev on May 9 a "theatre of the absurd."
the diplomat said on Sputnik radio after a request to comment on Ukraine’s invitation of the European leaders to Kiev on May 9, and words of EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas about the consequences for those who will go to Moscow for the Victory Day Parade.
The diplomat said that due to the time difference the signing of the act of German surrender in 1945 fell on May 8 in Western European countries, and on May 9 in Russia. (Source: TASS) @LauraRuHK
"If this is the case, then Euronazism is being revived before our eyes," she said. "80 years ago, this is how the fascists forced those who were considered ‘second-class citizens’ to abandon their homeland, ethnicity, and faith."
Maria Zakharova called Ukraine’s possible invitation of European Union leaders to Kiev on May 9 a "theatre of the absurd."
"The theatre of the absurd. For more than a decade now, these two words have characterized most of the events, steps, and statements that we hear and see from the so-called collective West and all those who pledge loyalty to it,"
the diplomat said on Sputnik radio after a request to comment on Ukraine’s invitation of the European leaders to Kiev on May 9, and words of EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas about the consequences for those who will go to Moscow for the Victory Day Parade.
"You said Zelensky stated that he was ready or could invite representatives of the European Union countries or heads of the European Union countries to Kiev for the event, probably on May 8, yes, they will celebrate, not on the 9th, or what?
After all, earlier he said that it was precisely on the 8th that Memorial Day should be marked in solidarity with the countries of the European Union. Am I wrong? After all, this very regime, this very Zelensky, was sailing full speed away from May 9, rejecting it, marginalizing this sacred date, inventing narratives associated with how it should be celebrated in Europe—what they call Western Europe. And he was sailing with all sails set in the direction of May 8."
The diplomat said that due to the time difference the signing of the act of German surrender in 1945 fell on May 8 in Western European countries, and on May 9 in Russia. (Source: TASS) @LauraRuHK
16.04.202504:40
Smoke and mirrors - I asked Grok (AI owned by X) two questions "How many X accounts are bots?" and "How much of non-bots content is AI-generated?"
Obviously this state of affair is not limited to X/Twitter. Bots and AI-generated content have flooded all social media platforms, follower counts are artificially inflated, while real users are frustrated and disillusioned. And i am not even talking about censorship and shadow banning, as i have already done so ad nauseam. Bots and undeclared AI undermine real engagement drowning out original content while algorithms amplify these trends. Ironically, you need AI tools like GPTZero to recognize AI content.
Several authors whose work I respect have left social media platforms and erased their profiles to concentrate on their writing and real life interactions. Though I haven't followed their example yet, I now limit the time I spend online to a bare minimum and dedicate myself to healthier and more rewarding pursuits than feeding the Moloch. @LauraRuHK
Obviously this state of affair is not limited to X/Twitter. Bots and AI-generated content have flooded all social media platforms, follower counts are artificially inflated, while real users are frustrated and disillusioned. And i am not even talking about censorship and shadow banning, as i have already done so ad nauseam. Bots and undeclared AI undermine real engagement drowning out original content while algorithms amplify these trends. Ironically, you need AI tools like GPTZero to recognize AI content.
Several authors whose work I respect have left social media platforms and erased their profiles to concentrate on their writing and real life interactions. Though I haven't followed their example yet, I now limit the time I spend online to a bare minimum and dedicate myself to healthier and more rewarding pursuits than feeding the Moloch. @LauraRuHK
15.04.202506:47
Elegantly put 😅
15.04.202506:14
On Monday, Xi Jinping arrived in Hanoi to pay a state visit to Vietnam, mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and attend the launch of the Vietnam-China Railway Cooperation, which will help manage an US$8 billion rail project to link Vietnam’s largest northern port city to the border with China. China is the largest trading partner of Vietnam, and one of its biggest foreign investors; Vietnam, on the other hand, has become an important link in the international supply chain, a manufacturing powerhouse and a key route for Chinese exports. Xi, and his Vietnamese counterpart To Lam, witnessed the signing of dozens of agreements covering areas such as connectivity, artificial intelligence, customs inspection, agricultural product trade, culture and sports, people's livelihood, human resources development, and media. ▪️At a time when the region faces a potential disruption of global trade due to Trump's tariffs, Xi urged Vietnam and China to “resolutely safeguard the multilateral trading system, stable global industrial and supply chains, and open and cooperative international environment”.
He also reiterated that a “trade war and tariff war will produce no winner, and protectionism will lead nowhere.” The message certainly resonated with Vietnam: the US is its biggest export market and Trump has recently imposed a 46 per cent tariff on Vietnamese goods.
Today Xi Jinping will continue his South-East Asia tour by visiting Malaysia and later Cambodia. @LauraRuHK
He also reiterated that a “trade war and tariff war will produce no winner, and protectionism will lead nowhere.” The message certainly resonated with Vietnam: the US is its biggest export market and Trump has recently imposed a 46 per cent tariff on Vietnamese goods.
Today Xi Jinping will continue his South-East Asia tour by visiting Malaysia and later Cambodia. @LauraRuHK
15.04.202503:14
The US bipartisan consensus, which has solidified over the past decade, frames China as the lead villain in trade and tech, and as the United States’ primary geopolitical rival. The narrative about the imaginary genocide of Uyghurs and Tibetans, and the rhetoric about repression in Hong Kong, are co-authored by both parties. Republicans are more likely to invoke old anti-communist tropes to rally their supporters, while Dems are more conversant with the formulaic speech style of NGOs.
Trump is just less interested in moralizing and seeking allies than the Dems. In his impatience to show results before midterms, he is tripping over the stage props while trying to stage a play featuring China as the wicked dragon. Unsurprisingly, the audience isn’t impressed. @LauraRuHK
Trump is just less interested in moralizing and seeking allies than the Dems. In his impatience to show results before midterms, he is tripping over the stage props while trying to stage a play featuring China as the wicked dragon. Unsurprisingly, the audience isn’t impressed. @LauraRuHK
14.04.202515:05
Lavrov: la Russia ha la conferma che a Sumy c'era una "riunione" di comandanti delle Forze Armate ucraine con i loro colleghi occidentali.
Il ministro degli Esteri russo ha dichiarato che in città ci sono militari dei paesi della NATO e che guidano direttamente le operazioni militari.
Lo ha dichiarato il ministro degli Esteri russo Sergei Lavrov in un'intervista al quotidiano Kommersant, riferendosi all'attacco missilistico russo di ieri. (Fonte: TASS) @LauraRuHK
Il ministro degli Esteri russo ha dichiarato che in città ci sono militari dei paesi della NATO e che guidano direttamente le operazioni militari.
Lo ha dichiarato il ministro degli Esteri russo Sergei Lavrov in un'intervista al quotidiano Kommersant, riferendosi all'attacco missilistico russo di ieri. (Fonte: TASS) @LauraRuHK
24.04.202514:37
Vladimir Putin would not be at risk of being arrested in Italy under an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant, as officials never completed the procedures required to make it valid. The failure to file the necessary paperwork is not likely to have been the result of an oversight or a coincidence, La Repubblica reported, suggesting instead a “political choice.”
The decision reflects the Italian government’s position that heads of state and government are protected from prosecution. Diplomatic immunity does not apply to the other Russian officials mentioned in the ICC warrants. Nevertheless, neither the Russian president nor other officials and commanders are likely to travel to Italy, as some are subject to personal EU sanctions. Despite this, Russian Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova is set to travel to Italy to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, according to the Kremlin. (Source: RT) @LauraRuHK
The decision reflects the Italian government’s position that heads of state and government are protected from prosecution. Diplomatic immunity does not apply to the other Russian officials mentioned in the ICC warrants. Nevertheless, neither the Russian president nor other officials and commanders are likely to travel to Italy, as some are subject to personal EU sanctions. Despite this, Russian Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova is set to travel to Italy to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, according to the Kremlin. (Source: RT) @LauraRuHK
06.04.202513:30
😂
15.04.202506:47
Elegantly put 😅
转发自:
MoD Russia
26.03.202515:24
⚡️ Despite Zelensky's public statement about the Russian-U.S. agreements reached in Riyadh on 24 March to stop attacks against civilian energy facilities, the Kiev regime has continued its strikes on the energy infrastructure of the Russian Federation.
On the night of 26 March 2025, near the Tarkhankut Peninsula, two Ukrainian strike UAVs were shot down by on-duty air defence systems. The drones were targeting the ground-based equipment of the Glebovskoye underground gas storage facility.
Moreover, on 26 March at around 4:45 in the morning, in Bryansk region, the hostile UAVs attacked an object of the Bryanskenergo (Rosseti Centre). As a result of the attack, a 10kV high-voltage electric power transmission stopped working and consumers in Komarichsky District were left without electricity.
Moreover, on the afternoon of 25 March, the Ukrainian strike drones attacked an energy facility of the Kurskenergo (Rosseti Centre). Thus, a number of substation shut down, and over 4,000 consumers in Khomutovsky District were cut off power supply.
❗️Thus, the Kiev regime, while continuing to damage the Russian civilian energy infrastructure, is actually doing everything it can to thwart the agreements reached by the Russian Federation and the United States on step-by-step measures to resolve the Ukrainian conflict.
🔹 Russian Defence Ministry
On the night of 26 March 2025, near the Tarkhankut Peninsula, two Ukrainian strike UAVs were shot down by on-duty air defence systems. The drones were targeting the ground-based equipment of the Glebovskoye underground gas storage facility.
Moreover, on 26 March at around 4:45 in the morning, in Bryansk region, the hostile UAVs attacked an object of the Bryanskenergo (Rosseti Centre). As a result of the attack, a 10kV high-voltage electric power transmission stopped working and consumers in Komarichsky District were left without electricity.
Moreover, on the afternoon of 25 March, the Ukrainian strike drones attacked an energy facility of the Kurskenergo (Rosseti Centre). Thus, a number of substation shut down, and over 4,000 consumers in Khomutovsky District were cut off power supply.
❗️Thus, the Kiev regime, while continuing to damage the Russian civilian energy infrastructure, is actually doing everything it can to thwart the agreements reached by the Russian Federation and the United States on step-by-step measures to resolve the Ukrainian conflict.
🔹 Russian Defence Ministry
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