The Diplomatic War and more...

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Welcome back to Political Misfits on Radio Sputnik, where we bring you news, politics and culture - without the red and blue treatment. I am John Kiriakou here with Michelle Witte.

For all this we’re joined by international affairs and security analyst Mark Sleboda. 

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230417/valuable-vector-of-russias-foreign-policy-lavrov-starts-latin-american-tour-1109575815.html

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65292698

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230415/baerbocks-visit-to-china-reaffirmed-weakness-of-eu-1109561988.html

https://www.newsweek.com/2023/05/05/read-leaked-secret-intelligence-documents-ukraine-vladimir-putin-1794656.html

1. Russian Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov touched down in Brazil’s capital today as he begins a weeklong trip to Latin American countries, including Brazil, Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua. Considering most of these countries are well-known targets for economic sanctions and blockades from Washington, it’s likely that much of these conversations will center around de-dollarization. What should people explicit out of this trip?

2. In EU news, the European Commission has rejected grain import bans introduced by Poland and Hungary amid growing national needs to protect their local farming sectors. We’re seeing farmers in Romania, Poland, and elsewhere in the EU have protest against these cheap Ukrainian grain imports which have undercut domestic prices and hit sales of local producers. Do you see many EU members siding with their farmers or with Brussels?

3. Similarly, other rifts in the EU are brewing as Germany FM Baerbock visited China, as a clear attempt to smooth over concerns around a Europe that is possibly independent from Washington after France’s Macron scared the West by simply suggesting the renewed cold war tactics from the US to China are not in Europes interest. Do you anticipate an expanded battle between Germany and France over European leadership?

4. According to Newsweek, the secret Pentagon documents that were leaked by accused 21-year-old Air National Guardsmen Jack Teixeira cite April 30 for a possible Ukrainian counteroffensive. Last week we mentioned that in a New York Times article U.S. officials were sending the last two major U.S. infusions of ammo to Ukraine as a "last-ditch effort" due to Kiev’s existing lack of ammunition. What is to be expected this supposed counter-offensive from Kiev’s forces?

5. Kiev coordinated rocket attacks in Donetsk on Orthodox Easter Sunday, including on Svyato-Preobrazhenskyy Cathedral. Worshippers were forced to evactuate, and as last reported one person was killed with six injured. Are there any more updates this far, and what does an attack like this say about Kiev’s approach to the conflict at present?