The Kremlin stated it sees no concerning escalation in Donald Trump’s announcement of deploying two nuclear submarines to waters “closer to Russia,” though it emphasized “caution” is needed when discussing nuclear weapons. Simultaneously, Moscow warned it will redeploy short- and intermediate-range missiles if the US and its allies do so. This follows Trump’s confirmation of the submarine movements after a heated social media exchange with former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.
Trump also confirmed he will impose secondary sanctions if Moscow fails to meet an August 8 ultimatum to cease hostilities. India is the first target, accused of buying “enormous amounts of Russian oil” and reselling it at a markup for “significant profits.” Consequently, Trump stated he will “substantially increase the customs duties paid by India to the United States,” building on recent 25% tariffs and a “fine” against New Delhi.
Trump did not mention China, another major buyer of Russian energy, with whom Washington extended a tariff truce during talks in Stockholm last week. He announced his envoy, Steve Witkoff, will arrive in Moscow “Wednesday or Thursday” at Russia’s request. A TASS source confirmed the expected arrival for Wednesday. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov welcomed the visit, calling contacts with Witkoff “important, substantial, and very useful,” and did not rule out a fifth face-to-face meeting with Putin. Regarding the submarines, Peskov noted they are always maintained in “operational service” and added, “We do not believe we are talking about any kind of escalation now.”
Peskov reiterated that a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, repeatedly requested by the latter, is only possible after “preparatory work at the expert level is completed and the gaps are narrowed” – something not yet achieved. Later, the Russian Foreign Ministry declared Moscow no longer considers itself bound by its self-imposed moratorium on deploying short- and intermediate-range missiles, following the US withdrawal from the INF Treaty under Trump in 2019. The ministry stated Russia’s leadership will decide on “response measures,” including potential missile deployments, based on “the scale of the deployment of American and other Western countries’ missiles” and the “situation in the field of international security and strategic stability.”
Meanwhile, Zelensky announced a visit to Ukrainian troops near Vovchansk in the Kharkiv region, claiming Kyiv’s soldiers witnessed foreign mercenaries from China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and African countries fighting alongside Russia. Moscow has repeatedly asserted that thousands of mercenaries from Western and other nations, including the US, France, and Poland, are fighting with Ukrainian forces. Relatives and friends report at least six Italian foreign fighters have been killed on both sides during the conflict.
In military developments, Russia’s Defence Ministry reported a Kinzhal hypersonic missile strike on a military airfield in Ukraine’s Khmelnytskyi region. Ukrainian sources stated the Russian Saki airbase in Crimea was attacked by drones. Local Ukrainian sources also reported two killed in a Russian airstrike in Zaporizhzhia region and one in an artillery bombardment in Kherson.
Russian Ambassador Accuses Italy of “Russophobia”**
Russian Ambassador to Italy Alexei Paramonov alleged that “Russophobia and Ukraine-philia,” replacing Covid, have “penetrated the Italian elites in particularly aggressive forms.” In an interview with Izvestia, he declared Russia “must not trust official Italian interlocutors at all,” claiming Italy’s leadership remains “hermetically sealed” to official contacts with Russia. He criticized Italy’s commitment to NATO, including increasing military spending to 5% of GDP – an “economic catastrophe” – ostensibly to repel a “non-existent Russian invasion.” Paramonov acknowledged hearing Italian assurances against direct conflict involvement but stated Moscow cannot trust them, citing a history of Western nations, including Italy, presenting their actions in a “better and friendlier light than they really are.”
NATO: Netherlands First to Buy US Arms for Ukraine via Alliance Initiative**
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte praised the Netherlands for “taking a leading role” by financing the first package of US military equipment for Ukraine under a NATO scheme. Rutte expects further significant announcements from allies soon. The initiative involves allies regularly purchasing packages each worth around $500 million.
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