Day: July 15, 2025

Medvedev: Russia does not care about Trump’s “theatrical ultimatum”

U.S. President Donald Trump’s statements about Russia’s military action in Ukraine and his threat to provide weapons to Ukraine if Russia refuses to engage in peace talks are a theatrical ultimatum that Russia does not care about, Deputy Chair of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev wrote on X in English. This is Moscow’s first official reaction to yesterday’s statements from Washington. “Trump issued a theatrical ultimatum to the Kremlin. The world shuddered, expecting the consequences. Belligerent Europe was disappointed. Russia didn’t care,” Medvedev added (TASS).

Strelnikov: Trump’s ultimatum to Russia will accelerate Ukraine’s defeat

Donald Trump’s “ultimatum” to Russia over the war in Ukraine caused a spike in Russian markets, but, according to Russian commentators, it turned out to be nothing but a theatrical gesture, Russian political commentator Kirill Strelnikov echoes Medvedev’s narrative in his article on RIA Novosti. According to him, Trump offered to supply Patriot missiles with European money and threatened 100% tariffs if there was no peace within 50 days, but even Western experts consider these measures to be empty threats. Trump, according to Strelnikov, is playing a double game: pretending to exert pressure, but in reality, distancing himself from the conflict. The U.S. is shifting the costs to Europe, which is causing irritation among its allies, he writes. According to the author, the Kremlin views these actions as evidence of the unwavering American stance and believes that the absence of negotiations will only accelerate the military defeat of Ukraine. Putin’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov said that Russia was ready for such a scenario, Strelnikov emphasizes (ria.ru).

Dugin: Trump has taken a pause, but Armageddon with Russia is just around the corner

Commenting on Donald Trump’s statement, Russian philosopher Alexander Dugin, considered one of the main ideologues of the Kremlin regime, notes in his article on the website of the pro-Orthodox propaganda TV channel Tsargrad that the expected sharp escalation with Russia has not happened. According to him, instead of tough sanctions and new supplies to Ukraine, Trump made an ambiguous statement, effectively taking a 50-day pause. Dugin said that Trump found himself caught between pressure from the neocons and disappointment from his own MAGA electorate, losing support due to his refusal to make the Epstein case public. The article notes that Trump did not decide on “Armageddon” to distract attention, but still signaled a threat. Dugin contrasts Trump with the “tough and honest” Putin, saying that Russia should prepare for war regardless of U.S. decisions. Armageddon, according to Dugin, did not begin today but it could begin tomorrow (tsargrad.tv).

EADaily reports growing discontent with Zelenskyy in Ukraine over refusal to exchange bodies of the dead

There is growing discontent among Ukrainians over Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s refusal to exchange the bodies of the dead with Russia, Russian propaganda outlet EADaily reports. Notably, this is a popular narrative in Russia today, as if President Zelenskyy is refusing to implement the agreement reached with Russia on the exchange of prisoners of wars and bodies of the dead, which is being actively promoted by both official Russian representatives and Kremlin media and propagandists of various ranks. EADaily writes that ordinary citizens in Ukraine are openly expressing their outrage, including in street conversations and by using offensive nicknames for the president. According to the outlet’s “sources,” the Ukrainian authorities are in a state of panic because they are not prepared to pay compensation to the families of 6,000 dead soldiers, which amounts to about 90 billion hryvnia. The article claims that these funds have already been squandered and that officials are looking for ways to delay payments for years. There are examples of public criticism of Zelenskyy in markets that the police even ignore. Public anger is growing amid suspicions of corruption and inaction by the authorities on issues of compensation and respect for the dead (EADaily).

Poll: Only 3% of Russians consider migrants useful for economy

Only 3% of Russians consider migrants useful for the development of the Russian economy. This is evidenced by the results of a poll conducted by Novosti Mail, the data of which are available at Gazeta.ru. Most respondents expressed concern: 40% pointed to growing tensions in society, 23% to the need for migrants to obey the law, and 22% said that migration was overburdening the infrastructure. Only 15% of respondents expressed a positive attitude toward migrants: 12% believe that decency is more important than origin. In addition, 91% of Russians support restricting the rights of illegal migrants, and 61% oppose state funding for them to learn Russian. Against this backdrop, MP Sardana Avksentyeva proposed introducing a new condition for obtaining citizenship: paying taxes of at least 10 million rubles. Notably, the term “migrants” in Russia mainly refers to residents of Central Asian republics who come to Russia to work (Gazeta.ru).

In a farewell address marking France’s National Day, French Ambassador to Georgia Sheraz Gasri on July 14 called on the Georgian Dream government to “release unduly detained politicians, journalists and activists; repeal repressive legislations; and reverse the current authoritarian course of action.”

Speaking at a Bastille Day reception in Tbilisi, Amb. Gasri anchored her remarks in the French Republic’s founding principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity. As she concludes her diplomatic term, she expressed hope for Georgia’s democratic resilience.

“As I am ending my term in Georgia, I am confident that the Georgian people, with its deep sense of unity and independence, will come together, rise above divisions, and defend its democratic and European future,” Ambassador said, invoking French President Emmanuel Macron’s commitment: “France will stand by Georgia on its path towards Europe and in its quest for Liberty.”

Highlighting the value of equality, the ambassador pointed to the French Embassy’s initiatives in Georgia, including financial support for women entrepreneurs and rural small businesses, as well as contributions to the development of pediatric care.

Touching on fraternity, Amb. Gasri celebrated the cultural bond between France and Georgia. “Our people, civil societies, businesses, armed forces will continue to move ahead together, in a spirit of solidarity and mutual respect, to bring our nations safer and closer; beyond narrow interests, conspiracy theories and propaganda,” she said.

Georgian Dream has targeted France in its anti-European rhetoric. A recent statement from the Georgian Dream political council, which rejected the EU criticism, named France among the countries that persecute political opposition.

Amb. Gasri has been among a cohort of European ambassadors who have vocally supported Georgian civil society amid mounting concerns over democratic backsliding. On April 25, Georgian Dream Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili criticized the French Embassy for awarding a grant to the Soviet Past Research Laboratory (SovLab), accusing it of “funding protests” and calling its leaders “representatives of radical parties.” “It seems that some people consider our country as a backyard,” Papuashvili said, asserting that “all ambassadors” should remember they are “guests” in Georgia. The French envoy has also drawn the ire of the Georgian Dream lawmakers for her visible solidarity with journalists and activists. On March 4, Amb. Gasri was present at the trial of Mzia Amaghlobeli, director of the independent outlet Batumelebi/Netgazeti.

Also Read:

• 13/12/2024 – President Macron Reassures Georgians, Tells Them to Take the Reins of Their European Future
• 23/05/2024 – French National Assembly “Strongly Urges” Repeal of Foreign Agents Law
• 19/05/2024 – German, French Leaders Say Georgian Government, Ruling Party “Deviate” from EU Path
  

Collapse of a building in Tbilisi

Two people were killed and another is in critical condition in hospital after a residential building collapsed in Tbilisi on July 14, the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed.

An investigation has been launched under Article 240 of the Criminal Code (violation of safety rules during mining, construction, or other work), which carries a penalty of a fine, corrective labor for up to 2 years, or imprisonment for up to 2 years.

A year earlier, social media users had posted a video showing the condition of the now-collapsed building.

Mayor calls the collapse an accident

Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze described the building collapse as an accident. Speaking at the scene, he said the structure had been classified as fifth-category hazardous and deemed beyond repair.

However, some residents refused the city’s offer to temporarily vacate the building during its demolition and the construction of a new one, despite the mayor’s office pledging to cover rental costs.

“A proposal was made guaranteeing the demolition of the building and the construction of a new one. Implementing this plan required 100% consent from residents, which, unfortunately, could not be secured,” Kaladze said.

The next day, the mayor clarified that the building had in fact been categorized as third-class hazardous, a less severe designation.

Union blames city hall

The independent union of public servants “Article 78 of the Constitution” recalled a decision adopted two years ago, which allows the municipality to redevelop dilapidated residential buildings without the unanimous consent of apartment owners.

“Even though Tbilisi City Hall and the district administration were informed about the deteriorated condition of the building, and its level of hazard had been determined, Kakha Kaladze now relies solely on the argument that 100% consent was lacking,” the union said.

According to the union, Tbilisi City Council Resolution No. 21-1, adopted on January 27, 2023, has allowed for such redevelopment without unanimous consent for more than two years.

The union also questioned why a parking lot had been set up in front of the collapsing building, and why commercial signage permits had been issued in recent years:

“What was City Hall thinking? Why did it allow businesses to operate inside a decaying building, set up a parking lot in front of it, and, having refused to rebuild it, fail to ensure the safety of both residents and passersby?”

Ombudsman launches investigation

The Public Defender’s Office announced it would examine issues related to residential safety in the collapsed building.

The office noted that despite the existence of a policy for replacing decaying residential buildings in Tbilisi, many families have had to live for years in hazardous conditions.

“These deteriorating buildings pose a danger to both residents and passersby. Years of research show that solving this systemic problem requires timely and effective action — something current legal guarantees and municipal programs are not equipped to deliver,” the ombudsman said.

News in Georgia