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Russia, Ukraine, United States
Trump's teams shake up secret communication channels between West and Russia

Traditional Russian Matryoshka wooden dolls representing US President-elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. © Yuri Kochetov/EPA/MaxPPP

Less than a week before Donald Trump returns to the White House, a new backchannel has opened between Russia and the US, appearing to usurp the means of communication in use for nearly three years. [...]

Published on 14/01/2025 at 12:50 GMT Reading time 4 minutes Pierre Gastineau

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Government Intelligence

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Aleksandar Vucic
Andrii Sybiha
Biden
Dmytro Kuleba
Donald Trump
GRU
GUR
Keith Kellogg
Kyrylo Budanov
Michael Waltz
Mikhail Bogdanov
Sergey Lavrov
Sergey Vershinin
Vladimir Putin
Volodymyr Zelensky
Yulia Tymoshenko
Yuri Ushakov

France
Macron 'death squad' claim is latest disinformation bid by NGO with links to Russian intelligence

The Foundation to Battle Injustice (FBI), a so-called NGO controlled by Russian military intelligence, is continuing its activities against France. Its latest disinformation operation claims to reveal the existence of a presidential ‘death squad', spread via Azerbaijan and Chad.

Free access Government Intelligence 18.03.2025

Former Élysée official Alexandre Benalla (June 2023).

Ukraine
Zelensky preparing last-ditch trip to Washington

Donald Trump's hastening, just ahead of the Munich Security Conference, towards Ukraine peace negotiations is forcing Kyiv's crisis-diplomacy hand.

Subscribers only Government Intelligence 13.02.2025

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump in New York on 27 September 2024.

France
Parrot in a flap: French drone firm shaken by score-settling linked to Ukraine activities

Parrot in Ukraine, part 1: a former consultant of the French drone manufacturer, Nicolas Yahmi, who has ties to the Ukrainian military intelligence service and the French services, is waging a bitter battle against his former employer.

Subscribers only Surveillance & Interception 11.02.2025

Nicolas Yahmi in the GUR's international military intelligence legion, and Parrot CEO Henri Seydoux.

Russia, United States
The cinematic art of the deal: who will film Trump and Putin's secret Ukraine talks?

The new US administration wants to undertake the unprecedented project of filming the deal that Donald Trump wants to strike with Vladimir Putin over the war in Ukraine. Several producers and directors are being considered.

Subscribers only Government Intelligence 27.01.2025

US President Donald Trump and Russia's President Vladimir Putin shake hands during a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Hamburg, Germany, on 7 July 2017.

France, Israel, Qatar, United States
Gaza ceasefire: France's secret role

Breaking news published on 16/01/25 at 16:05 GMT: In the year leading up to the freshly agreed Gaza ceasefire, France was playing a facilitating role, not least in hosting the negotiating quartet for talks. That enabled Paris to push for discreet amendments to the agreement announced Wednesday night.

Free access Government Intelligence 16.01.2025

Benjamin Netanyahu and Emmanuel Macron in Jerusalem on 24 October 2023.

Ukraine, United States
Despite Kyiv's requests, FBI is blind to US fighters in Ukraine

A series of missteps has highlighted the United States' lack of visibility regarding its nationals fighting in Ukraine. This is due both to non-existent coordination with Kyiv and to friction between US security agencies.

Subscribers only Government Intelligence 11.11.2024

International Ukrainian Legion volunteers in training near Kyiv on 24 October 2023.

Spy Way of Life | Russia, UAE, Ukraine
Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi, a haven for Russians and Ukrainians sealing secret deals

Across the globe, spies gather in inconspicuous places for discreet conversations. This week, Intelligence Online visits Abu Dhabi's Four Seasons Hotel, where gilded halls host confidential meetings between Russians and Ukrainians.

Subscribers only Government Intelligence 01.11.2024

The imposing Four Seasons Hotel in Abu Dhabi.

Spotlight | Armenia, Moldova, Ukraine, United States
Washington takes charge of defence ministries of countries keen to exit Moscow's orbit

The US is deploying consultants to defence ministries in Ukraine, Moldova, Armenia and the Balkans, at those ministries' request. The idea is to make them more compatible with American forces and to move them away from the Russian model.

Subscribers only International Dealmaking 30.05.2024

Spotlight | Ukraine, United States
Russian diplomatic and commercial pressure to stop Ukraine's secondhand arms purchases

Now that most of its client countries are prepared to open their arms depots to support the Ukrainian war effort, Moscow is becoming increasingly assertive in its diplomatic and commercial counter-offensive.

Subscribers only International Dealmaking 10.05.2024

Kazakhstan's President Kassym Jomart Tokayev and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, on 21 February 2024.

Ukraine
Kyiv reshuffle: military intelligence expertise to revitalise foreign spy agency

In the deep-set rivalry between Ukraine's powerful domestic and military intelligence services, the foreign agency had until now come off worse. Its new leadership, tasked with clearing out its ranks, might change that.

Subscribers only Government Intelligence 01.04.2024

Spotlight | Ukraine
Turmoil and gains for Ukraine's spymasters at heart of the war

The Ukrainian intelligence landscape has undergone deep tectonic shifts since Russia's invasion nearly a year ago. Former prominent figures have fallen while previously less sought-after services have risen in power, cooperation partnerships have been formed and missions refocused.

Subscribers only Government Intelligence 03.01.2023

Spotlight | Europe, Russia, Ukraine, United States
Under pressure from Kyiv and Washington, Moscow rows hard to keep its industries afloat

Besides their political function, Western sanctions against Moscow have taken on high stakes for security - both for NATO analysts seeking to assess the potential resilience of Russia's strategic industries and for Ukraine, which is keeping a close eye on Russia's emerging alternative trade routes.

Subscribers only International Dealmaking 16.08.2022

Set up email notifications for these topics

Aleksandar Vucic
Andrii Sybiha
Biden
Dmytro Kuleba
Donald Trump
GRU
GUR
Keith Kellogg
Kyrylo Budanov
Michael Waltz
Mikhail Bogdanov
Sergey Lavrov
Sergey Vershinin
Vladimir Putin
Volodymyr Zelensky
Yulia Tymoshenko
Yuri Ushakov

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Kazakhstan
Inside Astana's bid to track down assets

China, Europe, India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, United States
The geopolitical power plays in Earth observation

Israel
Israeli cyber bounces back after NSO woes

Ukraine
Jamming wars

Armenia, Azerbaijan, France
Information wars in the Caucasus

Insiders | China
Security, propaganda and the PLA: Xi Jinping forges new networks of influence

Insiders | Qatar
Barzan Holdings, Qatar's defence industry giant springing up out of the desert