⏸ Russia Awaits US Response to Prisoner Swap Proposal

Moscow made the announcement Wednesday - just days before US reporter Evan Gershkovich was set to face trial in Russia on espionage charges.

“The ball is in the court of the US, we are waiting for them to respond to the ideas that were presented to them,” Deputy FM Sergey Ryabkov told TASS in an interview.

“They are well known to the relevant parts of the US administration. I understand that, perhaps, something in these ideas does not suit the Americans. That’s their problem,” he added.

@RiseGS

🇷🇺🤝🇰🇵Putin and Kim Jong-un signed the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement

🔴@DDGeopolitics

➡️ JUST IN: New Agreement Between Russia and DPRK Includes Military Assistance in Case of Aggression Against Either Country – Putin

@RiseGS

🍆 Meanwhile, at the White House…

@RiseGS

⚠️ Biden Admin Delaying Sale of 50 F-15 Fighter Jets to Israel – WSJ

The US State Dept was expected to formally notify Congress of the $18bn sale after two top Democrats removed their objections last month but hasn’t yet done so.

Netanyahu posted a video on social media Tuesday berating Washington for supposed holdups in the supply of arms to Israel.

Reportedly in response, the White House canceled high-level talks between American and Israeli security officials in DC.

@RiseGS

US budget deficit will reach $1.9 trillion in 2024 due to aid to Ukraine

The country's total national debt will grow to $50.7 trillion by 2034, or 122% of the country's GDP, according to a report by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).

The largest contributor to the cumulative increase was the inclusion of recently enacted legislation in CBO's baseline,
which increased projected deficits by $1.6 trillion. That legislation included emergency supplemental appropriations that provided $95 billion for aid to Ukraine, Israel, and countries in the Indo-Pacific region.

In January, the US national debt surpassed $34 trillion for the first time in history - an increase of nearly 10% over the year, or $2.7 trillion.

👍 Boost us! | Subscribe to @geopolitics_live

⚠️ At Least 550 Die in Annual Mecca Pilgrimage amid Scorching Heat

Three hundred and twenty-three of the dead were Egyptians, most of whom perished due to heat-related illness, Arab diplomats said.

Saudi state TV revealed temperatures rose as high as 51.8ºC in the shade at the Grand Mosque in Mecca on Monday.

More than 1.8mn pilgrims were expected to take part this year, according to the Saudi General Authority for Statistics.

@RiseGS

😮 France’s Jordan Bardella Would Not Send Long-Range Missiles to Kiev if Elected PM

The French right-wing leader revealed he backed Ukraine’s right to defend itself but would not provide the regime with arms that could strike within Russia.

He also said he would standby France’s commitments to the NATO military alliance if he became PM.

Bardella’s National Rally (RN) party leads opinion polls ahead of snap parliamentary elections on June 30 and July 7.

@RiseGS

⚡️ BREAKING: Just Stop Oil Protesters Spray Stonehenge Orange - One Day Before the Summer Solstice

@RiseGS

😄 ICYMI: Trump Nails “Full of Sh*t” Biden Impression

@RiseGS

🤔 “Neutral” Switzerland Sends Patriot Missiles to Ukraine…

@RiseGS

😳 IDF Publishes Clip Showing Their Destruction of Egypt-Gaza Border Crossing

Israel has effectively sealed Gaza from the rest of the world - there will be no more humanitarian or medical aid crossing this border.

@RiseGS