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Monday, September 15, 2025

Category: News
September 9, 2025
Crime
News

DOJ, FBI Hit ‘I Got That White Girl’ Train Killer With Federal Charges.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have charged Decarlos Dejuan Brown Jr. with one count of committing an act causing death on a mass transportation system following the stabbing death of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on a North Carolina train.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Decarlos Dejuan Brown Jr., Iryna Zarutska, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Attorney General Pam Bondi.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The attack occurred on August 22 aboard a Charlotte light-rail train, with federal charges announced on October 24.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The FBI jumped to assist in this investigation immediately to ensure justice is served, and the perpetrator is never released from jail to kill again.” – FBI Director Kash Patel

🎯IMPACT: The case highlights the consequences of soft crime policies and has reignited calls for stricter sentencing and federal intervention.

IN FULL

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced Tuesday that Decarlos Dejuan Brown Jr., accused of fatally stabbing Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska aboard a Charlotte light-rail train, has been federally charged with one count of committing an act causing death on a mass transportation system.

“The brutal attack on Iryna Zarutska on the Charlotte Light Rail was a disgraceful act that should never happen in America,” FBI Director Kash Patel said. “The FBI jumped to assist in this investigation immediately to ensure justice is served, and the perpetrator is never released from jail to kill again. I want to thank Attorney General [Pam] Bondi for her pursuit of today’s federal charges, which are the first step toward delivering justice for Iryna and her family—as well as the millions of Americans who deserve to live in our great American cities free from being targeted by violent criminals.”

Attorney General Bondi stated that her office will seek the maximum penalty for Brown, who has a lengthy criminal history, including 14 arrests over a decade. “I have directed my attorneys to federally prosecute DeCarlos Brown Jr., a repeat violent offender with a history of violent crime, for murder,” Bondi said. “We will seek the maximum penalty for this unforgivable act of violence — he will never again see the light of day as a free man.”

Surveillance footage from the LYNX Blue Line captured the moments leading up to the attack, showing Brown pulling out a folding knife and stabbing Zarutska, who was still in her pizzeria work uniform, three times. Zarutska, 23, had fled Ukraine with her family in 2022 to escape the war. Footage of Brown following the unprovoked attack appears to show him saying, “I got that white girl,” to himself, still clutching the murder weapon, and dripping blood throughout the carriage.

Brown’s criminal record includes convictions for larceny, breaking and entering, and robbery with a dangerous weapon. He served over six years in prison before his release in 2020 and had additional charges earlier this year. The case has drawn national attention, with President Donald J. Trump calling Brown a “lunatic” and advocating for tougher sentencing policies.

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September 9, 2025
News
War

Israel Orders Demolition of Palestinians’ Homes Over Terror Attack.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Israel ordered the demolition of Palestinians’ homes in West Bank towns and revoked hundreds of Palestinians’ work permits following a deadly attack at a Jerusalem bus stop by Palestinian gunmen.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Israeli authorities, affected Palestinian families, two slain Palestinian gunmen, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, and Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The Jerusalem attack occurred on September 8, with follow-up actions announced on September 9 targeting the West Bank towns of Qatanna and Qubeiba.

💬KEY QUOTE: “In the horrific attack, it was again proven that firearms save lives, when two armed civilians… neutralised the… terrorists.” – National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.

🎯IMPACT: The demolition orders and permit revocations affect the livelihoods of hundreds of Palestinians, with the United Nations (UN) and others complaining that such measures amount to unlawful collective punishment.

IN FULL

Earlier this week, two Palestinian gunmen opened fire at a bus stop in Jerusalem, killing six people before being shot dead at the scene. The attackers were identified as residents of the West Bank towns of Qatanna and Qubeiba. In response, Israeli authorities have announced a series of punitive measures targeting the attackers’ hometowns and families.

Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the homes of the gunmen’s relatives will be destroyed, along with every structure built without permits in their two hometowns. In addition, Israel will revoke work permits for 750 Palestinians from the area, cutting off a vital source of income for many families. Katz said the actions are intended to deter future attacks. However, the United Nations (UN) and various nonprofits complain that such measures amount to collective punishment and violate international law.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir emphasized the role of armed civilians in stopping the attack. “In the horrific attack, it was again proven that firearms save lives, when two armed civilians, who had received weapons under the reform we are leading, neutralised the… terrorists,” he said, adding that more communities will be added to the list of those eligible for civilian gun licenses, expanding Israel’s armed civilian program.

On Tuesday, Israel also expanded its military campaign against Hamas further beyond Gaza by bombing Doha, Qatar, targeting what officials described as the senior leadership of Hamas. According to a joint statement from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israel Security Agency (ISA), the operation was aimed at those “directly responsible for the brutal October 7 massacre” and who have been “orchestrating and managing the war against the State of Israel.”

Image by Moti Sender, Gush Katif.

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September 9, 2025
Election Integrity
Lawfare

Judge Drops Charges Against Trump Electors in Michigan.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A Michigan judge dismissed charges against 15 people accused of signing a document saying President Donald J. Trump won the state in the 2020 election, citing a lack of evidence to prove criminal intent.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel (D), District Court Judge Kristen Simmons, and 15 defendants including Kathy Berden and Meshawn Maddock.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The ruling was issued on Tuesday in a Michigan court.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This is a fraud case, and [you] have to prove intent. And I don’t believe that there’s evidence sufficient to prove intent.” – Judge Kristen Simmons

🎯IMPACT: The decision ends the prosecution’s case against the 15 accused.

IN FULL

Fifteen people accused of signing a document asserting President Donald J. Trump defeated former President Joe Biden in Michigan during the 2020 election will not face trial, following a state judge’s ruling that prosecutors failed to demonstrate criminal intent. The decision came Tuesday from Michigan District Court Judge Kristen Simmons, who stated, “This is a fraud case, and [you] have to prove intent. And I don’t believe that there’s evidence sufficient to prove intent.”

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel (D) had charged the group with eight felony counts, including forgery, alleging that they knowingly submitted a signed document claiming Trump had won. Among the defendants were Republican National Committee (RNC) member Kathy Berden and former Michigan Republican Party Chairwoman Meshawn Maddock. Nessel expressed her dissatisfaction with the ruling, saying, “The evidence was clear. They lied. They knew they lied, and they tried to steal the votes of millions of Michiganders.”

The charges stemmed from a 2020 meeting at the Michigan Republican Party headquarters, where the defendants signed the document before it was submitted to the National Archives and the United States Senate ahead of the presidential election certification. Prosecutors argued that the group intended to deceive officials by making the document appear to be an official state government form. However, Judge Simmons concluded that the evidence did not support that claim. She noted that the document lacked the governor’s signature or a fraudulent seal, indicating it was not presented as an official document.

Judge Simmons emphasized that the defendants appeared to genuinely believe they were fulfilling their constitutional duties amid concerns about alleged election irregularities. “Right, wrong, or indifferent, it was these individuals and many other individuals in the state of Michigan who sincerely believe, for some reason, that there were some serious irregularities with the election,” she said.

The ruling effectively ends the case against the 15 accused.

Image by Katrin Bolovtsova.

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September 9, 2025
Education

High School Seniors Plunge to Record Low in Reading Scores.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Trump administration renewed its push to return control of education to the states after new data revealed continued declines in the reading, math, and science scores of high school seniors nationwide.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, President Donald J. Trump, and Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI).

📍WHEN & WHERE: The National Center for Education Statistics released the data on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, as part of the ongoing National Report Card.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Clearly, success is not about how much money we spend, but who spends it. That’s why President Trump and I are committed to reversing course and returning control of education to the states so local communities with parents in the driver’s seat can better innovate, adapt, and tailor education to their students’ needs.” – Secretary Linda McMahon

🎯IMPACT: Education achievement levels continue to drop, with federal programs failing to close gaps, prompting calls for state-level solutions and school choice policies.

IN FULL

Reading levels among 12th-grade high school students in the United States have hit a record low, while math scores are the worst in 20 years, according to the “Nation’s Report Card,” released by the National Center for Education Statistics. The Trump administration is citing the data as key evidence for reform at the Department of Education and the devolution of much of its authority to state governments.

“Despite billions in federal spending and countless well-intentioned programs, the achievement gap between students is widening, not shrinking. And this trend did not begin with COVID, it goes back a decade,” Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a video message posted to X (formerly Twitter), adding: “Clearly, success is not about how much money we spend, but who spends it. That’s why President Trump and I are committed to reversing course and returning control of education to the states so local communities with parents in the driver’s seat can better innovate, adapt, and tailor education to their students’s needs.”

McMahon emphasized that the data confirmed a “devastating trend” of American students testing at “historic lows.”


Concerningly, the National Report Card numbers found that the average reading score for 12th graders in 2024 was three points lower than it was pre-pandemic and ten points lower than it was over 30 years ago. Similarly, math scores are down three points compared to pre-pandemic numbers and down five points from scores in 1992.

“Low academic skills don’t just hurt grades, they weaken our economy, workforce, and national security. Without strong foundations in these core subjects, America’s freedom and economic competitiveness will be in jeopardy,” Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI) said in a statement. “Republicans and the Trump administration are prioritizing students—working to ensure every child gains the skills essential to be successful. This is crucial to America’s success,” he added.

Image by Maryland GovPics.

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September 9, 2025
News
Religion

‘Sharia Patrols’ in Texas Demand Alcohol, Pork Sales Halt.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A Houston-area imam has launched a campaign to pressure Muslim-owned stores to cease selling pork, alcohol, and lottery tickets.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Imam F. Qasim ibn Ali Khan of Masjid At-Tawhid, affiliated with the Nation of Islam, and Muslim-owned businesses in Houston, Texas.

📍WHEN & WHERE: September 2025, Houston, Texas.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This is how Sharia zones take root.” – Amy Mekelburg of the RAIR Foundation

🎯IMPACT: The campaign has triggered debate over religious freedom, legal norms, and concerns about the emergence of ‘Sharia patrols’ in the U.S.

IN FULL

A Houston-based imam is sparking controversy after launching a national campaign aimed at pressuring Muslim-owned businesses to stop selling products considered forbidden under Islamic law, including pork, alcohol, and lottery tickets.

Imam F. Qasim ibn Ali Khan of Masjid At-Tawhid has been recorded confronting Muslim business owners, accusing them of violating Islamic principles by stocking “haram” products. In one viral video, Khan is seen rebuking a store employee, stating, “We’re kicking off a national protest and demonstration campaign against all Muslim businesses that have haram in their stores.”

The imam warned that those who refuse to comply could face public protests and economic boycotts. While his campaign is currently focused on Houston, Khan says it will expand across America.

Critics have drawn comparisons to so-called “Sharia patrols” that have appeared in parts of Europe, where Islamic hardliners have attempted to enforce religious rules in public spaces, sometimes violently. “This is how Sharia zones take root,” said Amy Mekelburg of the RAIR Foundation. “Shops were threatened, women harassed, and neighborhoods turned into Sharia-enforced zones [in Europe]. Now the same tactics are emerging in Houston, openly, on camera.”

Khan insists his campaign is peaceful and lawful, describing it as a form of da’wah, or religious outreach. It emerges amid rising tensions in Texas over Islamic influence. Earlier this year, the state blocked construction of the proposed Islamic “EPIC City” near Dallas, which was advertised as a self-sustaining Muslim community. Governor Greg Abbott responded strongly, posting on X: “To be clear, Sharia law is not allowed in Texas. Nor are Sharia cities. Nor are ‘no-go zones’ which this project seems to imply.”

Raheem Kassam, Editor-in-Chief of The National Pulse, warned against such areas being established in the 2017 book No Go Zones.

Image by Cory Doctorow.

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September 9, 2025
Breaking
War

BREAKING: Israel Just Bombed Qatar.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Multiple explosions were reported in Doha, Qatar, with Israeli officials confirming they have carried out assassination attempts targeting Hamas leaders in the Gulf state.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Senior Hamas officials, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), the Israel Security Agency (ISA), and Qatar.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Tuesday in the Katara District of Doha, Qatar.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The IDF and ISA conducted a precise strike targeting the senior leadership of the Hamas terrorist organization,” the IDF confirmed in a statement shared on social media.

🎯IMPACT: Israel carrying out an attack in one of the Middle East’s wealthiest Gulf states is a significant escalation, and could draw a fierce reaction from Turkey and other regional powers with strong economic and financial ties to the Qataris.

IN FULL

Explosions rocked the Katara District of Doha, the capital of Qatar, on Tuesday. According to Israeli officials, the blasts formed part of an assassination plot aimed at high-ranking Hamas members residing in the wealthy Gulf state.

“The IDF and ISA [Israel Security Agency] conducted a precise strike targeting the senior leadership of the Hamas terrorist organization,” the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed in a statement shared on social media.

“For years, these members of the Hamas leadership have led the terrorist organization’s operations, are directly responsible for the brutal October 7 massacre, and have been orchestrating and managing the war against the State of Israel,” the Israeli statement continued.

It added: “Prior to the strike, measures were taken in order to mitigate harm to civilians, including the use of precise munitions and additional intelligence,” warning that the “IDF and ISA will continue to operate with determination in order to defeat the Hamas terrorist organization responsible for the October 7 massacre.”

The attacks represent a massive escalation of Israel’s military operations in the Middle East, which have hitherto been mainly limited to its immediate neighbors and rogue states such as Iran and Houthi-controlled Yemen. Qatar is an extremely wealthy Gulf state, with strong economic and financial ties to regional powers such as Turkey, and also hosts Western bases operated by the United States and the United Kingdom.

The Qatari Foreign Ministry has responded to the attack, calling it a “criminal assault” and “blatant violation of all international laws and norms [that] poses a serious threat to the security and safety of Qataris and residents in Qatar.”

Image by Flashpacker Travelguide.

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September 9, 2025
News
World

Africa Demands Reparations From Britain.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The African Union has joined a Caribbean campaign to demand reparations from Britain for slavery and colonialism.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The African Union, Caribbean leaders, and former colonial powers such as Britain, France, Portugal, Spain, Germany, and Belgium.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The call was made during a summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in September 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: African Union Commission Chairman Mahamoud Ali Youssouf stated that Africa and the Caribbean would work together to “honour our ancestors, to uplift our descendants and reclaim our shared destiny in freedom, justice and unity.”

🎯IMPACT: The African Union plans to formulate its own reparations demands, following the Caribbean’s call for trillions in compensation.

IN FULL

The African Union (AU) has formally joined forces with Caribbean nations in a renewed demand for reparations from former colonial powers, including Britain. The call was made during a high-level summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Chairman of the African Union Commission, claimed that the legacy of colonialism continues to impact development, economic inequality, and political sovereignty across the so-called Global South, despite hundreds of billions in foreign aid from the West. Youssouf stated that Africa and the Caribbean would work together to “honour our ancestors, to uplift our descendants and reclaim our shared destiny in freedom, justice and unity.”

There appears to be no parallel effort to extract reparations from the Arab nations and Turkey, despite centuries of Islamic slavery, imperialism, and exploitation in North Africa and East Africa, stamped out largely throught the efforts of Britain and other Western countries.

The African Union is building on efforts by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), which for over a decade has campaigned for reparations through its “10-point plan.” The plan includes calls for financial compensation, formal apologies, debt cancellation, investment in education and health, and the return of certain cultural artifacts. However, some are questioning the alliance between the African Union and CARICOM against Europe, considering many African nations profited immensely from selling people into slavery in the Caribbean and North and South America themselves.

In the United States, Democrat lawmakers also recently reintroduced a resolution calling for reparations for black Americans. The proposal calls for trillions of dollars in federal compensation to address racial disparities in wealth, education, health, and housing.

Meanwhile, Haiti has renewed its call for reparations from France, specifically for the 1825 indemnity it was forced to pay in exchange for its independence, following a violent revolution that saw most of the island’s white population slaughtered. Haitian leaders argue that symbolic and financial redress is still necessary to correct historical wrongs, despite having already received extensive assistance over many years.

Image by Rick Willoughby.

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September 9, 2025
Media
Sports

BBC: Wanting to Stop Boats Filled With Illegal Migrants Is Racist.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The BBC faced backlash after a post accusing the “Stop the Boats” campaign against illegal immigration of being racist was published on their live coverage of an England vs Andorra football (soccer) match.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The BBC, Refom Party lawmaker Lee Anderson, Defund the BBC Campaign Director Rebecca Ryan, England football fans, and social media users.

📍WHEN & WHERE: During England’s 2-0 victory over Andorra at Villa Park in Birmingham.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The BBC need to stick to the day job rather than trying to stoke up more division.” – Lee Anderson

🎯IMPACT: The incident sparked criticism of the BBC for failing to meet its legal requirements to remain impartial, and renewed calls to defund the state broadcaster.

IN FULL

The BBC is facing renewed backlash after a controversial post accusing the anti-illegal immigration “Stop the Boats” campaign of racism was published during live coverage of England‘s 2-0 soccer victory over Andorra. The live update, titled ‘No sign of racist post,’ stated, “Thankfully there’s no sign of the ‘Stop The Boats’ flags that were being offered to supporters outside. Having a scan round the stadium now, I can’t see any.”

A BBC spokesman claimed the post was a draft “accidentally published” before going through editorial checks. “It was identified and removed immediately,” the spokesman said. However, critics say it is a sign of the public broadcaster’s institutional bias. Notably, the public broadcaster is funded through a compulsory license fee enforced through criminal fines backed by the threat of imprisonment, and therefore legally required to be politically impartial.

“The BBC need to stick to the day job rather than trying to stoke up more division,” said Lee Anderson, a Member of Parliament (MP) and Chief Whip for Nigel Farage’s Reform Party.

Rebecca Ryan, Director of Defund the BBC, defended the public’s right to oppose illegal immigration without being branded racist. “Wanting secure borders and fairness for taxpayers has nothing to do with skin color, it’s about law, order, and common sense,” she said.

Earlier this year, the broadcaster was found to have breached its own editorial guidelines more than 1,500 times in just a few weeks of coverage of the Israel-Hamas war. In July, a BBC documentary titled Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone was pulled after it was revealed that the main interviewee, a 13-year-old boy, was the son of a senior Hamas official, a fact omitted from the film.

Hostility to conservative viewpoints is deeply entrenched in soccer, with Rangers Football Club being charged with racism by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) in March after fans displayed a banner during a Europa League match that read, “Keep woke foreign ideologies out—defend Europe.” Officials who branded this “racist and discriminatory.”

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September 8, 2025
Crime
News

Trump Slams Soft Justice After Homeless Career Criminal Kills Ukrainian Refugee.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A Ukrainian woman, Iryna Zarutska, 23, was brutally stabbed to death on a train in Charlotte, North Carolina, by Decarlos Brown, 35.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The victim, Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee, and the suspect, Decarlos Brown, a homeless man with a criminal record.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The attack occurred on August 22, 2025, aboard a South End light rail train in Charlotte, North Carolina.

💬KEY QUOTE: “What the hell was he doing riding the train, and walking the streets? Criminals like this need to be LOCKED UP.” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: The horrific murder and the corporate media’s relative silence on it has sparked public outrage.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump has condemned the brutal killing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska as “horrible,” signaling possible federal action in response to the deadly attack. Trump’s remarks come as outrage grows over the senseless murder and what many view as a failure of Democrat-led policies in cities like Charlotte, North Carolina.

Zarutska, 23, was stabbed to death on August 22 while riding a train in Charlotte. The attack, caught on surveillance video, shows 35-year-old Decarlos Brown, a repeat offender with a lengthy criminal record, lunging at her from behind without provocation. Brown, whose criminal history includes convictions for armed robbery and assault, had been released earlier this year without bail—a policy President Trump has often railed against. Brown was arrested shortly after the stabbing and is currently being held without bond on a first-degree murder charge.

“I have seen the horrific video of a beautiful, young Ukrainian refugee, who came to America to escape the vicious War in Ukraine, and was innocently riding the Metro in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she was brutally ambushed by a mentally deranged lunatic,” Trump commented on social media.

“The perpetrator was a well known career criminal, who had been previously arrested and released on CASHLESS BAIL in January, a total of 14 TIMES. What the hell was he doing riding the train, and walking the streets?” he demanded. “Criminals like this need to be LOCKED UP.”

The America First leader added that the “blood of this innocent woman can literally be seen dripping from the killer’s knife” in the video, “and now her blood is on the hands of the Democrats who refuse to put bad people in jail, including Former Disgraced Governor and ‘Wannabe Senator’ Roy Cooper. North Carolina, and every State, needs LAW AND ORDER, and only Republicans will deliver it!”

He then demanded, “[W]here is the outrage from the Mainstream Media on this horrible tragedy?

Many conservatives have highlighted the slaying as a prime example of failed soft-on-crime policies. The President has strenuously criticized the Democrats over violent crime in recent weeks, federalizing the police in Washington, D.C., and deploying National Guard troops and federal law enforcement, and threatening to do the same in Chicago, Illinois, and other crime-ridden, Democrat-run cities.

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September 8, 2025
News
War

Kremlin Responds to Trump Sanctions Threat.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Russia has dismissed the impact of potential sanctions from the Trump administration, insisting that they will not change Russia’s course of action in Ukraine.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED:  The United States, the Trump administration, Russia, Ukraine, and Russian spokesman Dmitry Petrov.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Peskov reacted to future tariff threats in Moscow on September 8.

💬KEY QUOTE:  “No sanctions will be able to force the Russian Federation to change the consistent position that our president has repeatedly spoken about,” Peskov said.

🎯IMPACT: The comments come as President Donald  J. Trump continues trying to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.

IN FULL

Russia has dismissed the possibility that any level of Western sanctions will force it to alter its course in the war against Ukraine, following a renewed warning from U.S. President Donald Trump about a potential second wave of penalties.

“No sanctions will be able to force the Russian Federation to change the consistent position that our president has repeatedly spoken about,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday, disregarding Western outrage over a recent wave of deadly air strikes.

The remarks came just days after Russia launched its largest aerial assault of the war, firing at least 805 drones and 13 missiles at cities across Ukraine. The main government building in central Kiev was hit for the first time since the conflict began in 2022. Four people were reportedly killed in the strike, including a three-month-old baby.

Trump responded by warning that additional sanctions against Russia were on the table. Though he did not provide details on what the “second stage” of sanctions would include, he confirmed that discussions with European leaders are underway this week in Washington to coordinate further responses. Trump also indicated he plans to speak directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin “soon.”

At the same time, Trump has taken the unprecedented step of endorsing Ukrainian strikes inside Russian territory. In an August 21 post, the president said it was “very hard, if not impossible, to win a war without attacking an invader’s country,” comparing Ukraine’s situation to a sports team that is forced to play only defense. The comments mark a significant departure from past U.S. policy, which has previously been more cautious about Ukrainian military actions beyond its borders.

Trump’s sanctions approach has also expanded beyond Russia, targeting nations that continue to buy Russian oil. Earlier this year, the U.S. doubled tariffs on India for its continued energy trade with Moscow. The move increased tariffs from 25 percent to 50 percent, with Trump accusing India of ignoring the human cost of the war in Ukraine. “They don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian war machine,” he said.

The Trump administration is reportedly considering similar economic penalties against other major buyers of Russian oil, including China, as part of a broader effort to choke off funding for the Kremlin’s war effort. Senior U.S. officials have hinted that secondary sanctions may be imposed on firms and countries that help Russia bypass restrictions on its energy exports.

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