Newsletter #18
25-05-2026
Dear friends of peace,
There were again wonderful actions with lots of art and public readings of the manifesto of the European Peace Project on May 9th across Europe. We thank all participants from the bottom of our hearts. If you haven’t done so yet, please send us pictures and videos of your action via the instructions on the website:https://europeanpeaceproject.eu/upload/
We will gradually upload the videos to our YouTube channel, and once we have collected all the pictures, we will create another gallery on the website.
Unfortunately, as things stand, we will not be able to commission a film, as donations have decreased significantly and we therefore lack the financial means. However, you can still change this by supporting us financially, as much as you are able: https://europeanpeaceproject.eu/donate/
Your commitment is more important now than ever. The proxy war between the West and Russia over Ukraine is becoming increasingly dangerous. Because contrary to common propaganda, the increasing attacks on Russian territory are substantially based on Western support and military cooperation, including Germany’s involvement.
Jens Berger comments: “In a sad article, our Moscow guest author Gert-Ewen Ungar described the shifting mood in Russia on the NachDenkSeiten yesterday. This article caused deep unease among many readers and also with us in the editorial team. Even we, who have always advocated for de-escalation, diplomacy, and international understanding, have apparently deeply repressed just how real the dynamic of escalation truly is. Is the situation really hopeless, are the doves really tired, and will we soon wake up in an age of hawks? The bitter answer is: Yes … if we do not break through the dynamic of self-fulfilling prophecies….
Now, given the seemingly hopeless situation, one could fall into lethargy. But that would be a grave mistake; then the hawks would have free rein…” https://www.nachdenkseiten.de/?p=150711&fbclid=
Wir sind wach mit dem #europeanpeaceproject, schließ Euch an!
Aufgrund all dieser besorgniserregenden Entwicklungen haben wir von Kernteam des European Peace Project am 9. Mai morgens noch spontan den Text des Manifests aktualisiert und einen Paragraph hinzugefügt:
“We are deeply dismayed that the German government, completely forgetful of history, boasts of wanting to build the strongest army in Europe in its latest ‘military strategy,’ while at the same time converting the German economy into a war economy. We continue to say: ‘Swords into ploughshares, instead of cars and trams into tanks and rockets!’
We also firmly reject that Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Poland, etc., are being used as Ukrainian weapons production sites and that our tax money is being funneled into the coffers of the arms industry. We want European emancipation from the USA not as a war power but as a peace power!”
This was read out by Ulrike, Isabelle, Peter, Dorissa, etc. – first videos on our YouTube channel:
German: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gff7Eb31XbM&t=144s
English: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBEFtkaVObU&t=70s
French: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNO-MLbAaB8
Ulrike also addressed this wonderfully in her latest video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdnCO_ebR1k
Participate in the action by https://russlandistnichtunserfeind.de/ on June 20nd in Berlin! Travel to Russia yourself to form your own impression and deliver personal peace messages.
How sad and distressing the situation is for our European fellow citizens in Russia is also shown by an interview with Ambassador Netschajew: https://www.berliner-zeitung.de/article/einen-kurzen-waffenstillstand-brauchen-wir-nicht-russlands-botschafter-netschajew-ueber-den-krieg-und-europas-kriegsvorbereitung-10034628?fbclid=
Or the experiences of Tino Eisbrenner, who was in Russia on May 9th and vividly recounts his impressions:
“More and more Russians are losing understanding for the fact that the Russian military does not shift into second gear, even though that would be possible. You catch phrases like: ‘Zelenskyy hops around half the world, supposed “defense ministers” come to Kyiv in droves and bring billion-euro promises… Why are they still running around?’ Or: ‘What is this supposed to become? Our people know exactly when and where their top military brass are meeting. Why isn’t a missile flying in there?!’ And these questions are being asked loudly on talk shows!
Yes, the Russian people also want this war to end. But because the West, with its prolongation strategies, is relying not on talks but on war readiness, many no longer know who we are being considerate of, while (which no one tells us) daily drone warfare against the civilian population is taking place in many Russian cities and villages that have no military presence at all. The battle cry is ‘Death to all Russians’ and the drones for this come from US. If the strategy here is to continue until Russia’s patience runs out, there is a warning strike on a German arms factory, and then one can say ‘See, they are attacking Germany!’, then I would say that could work. Congratulations! That it hasn’t happened yet is thanks to the strong nerves of the Russian president, and this is also being viewed with increasing criticism. If his patience with the West costs him his standing and his position in Russia, then we are in for a rough time. And you can hear that very clearly in Russia now. All the more astonishing, almost shameful, how generously they treat every German who signals through their presence that the bridges are still standing. They are bridges of culture and international understanding. And we will desperately need every single one of them very soon, it seems to me.
And one thing is fact: Anyone who, in 2026, can still claim, in the face of the blue-yellow Bandera cult, the fluttering swastikas and tattooed wolf hooks, the newly erected fascist monuments and the genocide fantasies against ‘all Russians,’ that with our weapons deliveries we are helping to defend European values, apparently means those ‘values’ with which Europe has already marched into the great battle against Russia three times. The symbols of the last attempt are flying again, and can only be overlooked if you have no problem with them.” ☹
In a press conference on the May 9th holiday, the Russian president again offered negotiations with Europe, mentioning Gerhard Schröder in the process. http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/79718?fbclid= Instead of brusquely rejecting this offer, like all previous ones, as the EU governments have done, we suggest that you look at the peace plan of our colleague Michael von der Schulenburg, which he, as an experienced UN diplomat, co-authored in January with Professor Dr. Peter Brandt, Professor Dr. Hajo Funke, Dr. Johannes Klotz, General (ret.) Harald Kujat, and Professor Dr. h.c. Horst Teltschik (which we already pointed out at the time) https://michael-von-der-schulenburg.com/den-krieg-mit-einem-verhandlungsfrieden-beenden/
Here is a current article by Michael von der Schulenburg on the unavoidable dialogue with Russia: https://mdz-moskau.eu/michael-von-der-schulenburg-der-deutsch-russische-dialog-ist-unausweichlich/?fbclid=
The dialogue between Presidents Xi and Putin in Beijing shows how it should be done. In their joint statement, they announced, among other things: From the joint statement:
Wie man es richtig macht, zeigt, der Dialog zwischen den Präsidenten Xi und Putin in Peking, die in Ihrer gemeinsamen Erklärung u.a. verkündeten: Aus der gemeinsamen Erklärung:
“Advocating a harmonious process of shaping an equal and orderly multipolar world and international relations of a new type, including a more just and rational system of global governance, Russia and China undertake and call on the international community to adhere to the following basic principles in their relations with one another:
1. The principle of openness of the world to inclusive and mutually beneficial cooperation.
2. The principle of indivisible and equal security.
3. The principle of democratisation of international relations and improvement of the global governance system.
4. The diversity of world civilisations and values.
Russia and China will continue to develop a shared vision for shaping a #MultipolarWorld and more just international relations of a new type.”
We think this is great, because that is exactly what we want to advocate for, and therefore, together with the European Transcontinental Initiative, we have launched the ‘East West Forum’ – an international Europe-BRICS conference. While the former West and the actors of the Pax Americana are still hastily trying to sort themselves out, we are already building the multipolar world – and a different Europe within it! https://east-west-forum.com/ https://east-west-forum.com/
‘Legal scholars, politicians, and publicists see war preparations as the reason for the increasing sanctioning of government-critical journalism in the European Union (EU). During a panel discussion in the EU Parliament in Brussels on May 7th, the sanctioned journalist Hüseyin Dogru (participating remotely), lawyer Juan Branco, and legal scholar Alexandra Hofer examined the legal and political context of the recent EU sanctions against individuals.
Branco explained that the sanctioning practice is a ‘form of hybrid warfare.’ The current sanctioning of journalists is a targeted preparation for war against Russia. This includes interference in public debate. The rule of law is being replaced by the rule of war, said Branco, who also worked on Julian Assange’s legal team.
EU institutions that claim to be acting against foreign influence on the democratic system, for example, base 90 percent of the justifications for sanctioning Branco’s client Nathalie Yamb on NATO-funded organizations.’
https://multipolar-magazin.de/meldungen/0416
The USA seem, at least in this regard regarding Ukraine, to be smarter than the EU governments, because they have not only reduced their commitment and weapons deliveries, but have also begun to get rid of the war mascot Zelenskyy, whom they likely installed:
Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy’s former chief of staff and close ally, was arrested in Kyiv. The arrest by the US-affiliated NABU occurred on the same day that Tucker Carlson aired an explosive interview with Zelenskyy’s former press secretary, Iuliia Mendel, who openly revealed the ugly truth about her former boss. The USA is orchestrating a major campaign to prevent Zelenskyy from getting lost in his own fantasies.
Horst Mader, from the Bergstraße Peace Alliance, researched this: ‘Yermak is accused of laundering over $11.5 million to build luxury apartments outside Kyiv, where Zelenskyy and his inner circle also own houses. This makes Zelenskyy the next logical target for formal charges. The case was initiated by NABU and SAPO – two anti-corruption agencies that report directly to the FBI, not to Zelenskyy’s office. So Yermak’s arrest warrant and Zelenskyy’s media execution came directly from Washington. Zelenskyy tried to close both agencies in July 2025, but Western pressure stopped him. Court documents show that Yermak discussed filling high government positions with a ‘fortune teller.’ According to Ukrainian media, Zelenskyy used the same psychic. The revelation is devastating: It discredits his rule in the eyes of Ukrainians who are paying close attention.
Yermak is also named in NABU’s ‘Midas’ investigation, a corruption scheme involving the state nuclear operator Energoatom, orchestrated by Zelenskyy’s former advisor Timur Mindich. Meanwhile, Mendel’s interview with Tucker Carlson is going viral – both in Ukraine and abroad. She exposed Zelenskyy’s dictatorial tendencies, his desire to remain in power ‘forever,’ his demand for ‘Goebbels-like propaganda,’ and his drug addiction, which she called an ‘open secret’ among the Ukrainian elite. This bomb successfully destroys what remains of his credibility. It appears that Washington has launched a calculated campaign to remove Zelenskyy: first by destroying his public image, then likely through formal charges via NABU. The US has had enough of Zelenskyy’s delusions and his refusal to engage in real dialogue. The timing is telling. Ukraine just torpedoed the US-mediated ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreements on Victory Day, while simultaneously issuing a bizarre decree ‘allowing’ a victory parade in Moscow.’
Further important developments in the world: ‘According to a report by the Financial Times, Saudi Arabia is considering concluding a non-aggression pact between the Middle Eastern states and Iran – modeled on the Helsinki Final Act from the Cold War era.
· The Gulf states are concerned that the extensive US military presence in the region could be scaled back once the war with Iran is over.
· Iranian attacks have severely impaired US bases and air defense infrastructure; this was revealed by the New York Times and the Washington Post.
· Iran has signaled that it will no longer tolerate a US military presence in the region in the future.
· The US has failed to protect the Gulf states: ‘Arab countries now perceive this security cooperation [with the US] as an acute vulnerability that threatens their current security and future prosperity,’ wrote Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi in a contribution to The Economist.
· The Gulf states recognize that Iran remains militarily strong despite the attacks by the US and Israel and possesses considerable capabilities in ballistic missiles and drones.
· Iran has demonstrated that it effectively controls the Strait of Hormuz – a crucial lifeline for the Gulf states’ energy trade.
– The Gulf states view both Israel and Iran as the ‘greatest conflict hotspots.’ But while they acknowledge that involving both states in a new non-aggression pact may be unrealistic, the Gulf states appear far more interested in reaching an agreement with Iran – according to an FT source.
· This could mean:
· Iran has solidified its status as a significant regional actor and a leading power in the Muslim world.
· A Saudi-Iranian non-aggression pact could signal that the pro-Israeli ‘Abraham Accords’ are increasingly losing relevance.
· Such a pact could also indicate the foreseeable end of the US military era in the Gulf, as Tehran would hardly sign an agreement as long as US troops remain stationed in the region.
· Saudi Arabia may also secretly welcome the growing pressure Iran is exerting on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) – one of Israel’s closest partners in the Gulf. The rivalry between Saudi Arabia and the UAE has reportedly intensified since early 2026 – due to:
· diverging interests in Yemen and Sudan
· economic competition related to ‘Vision 2030’
· growing Israeli influence in the UAE
· increasing mistrust between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MBZ) – a circumstance even mentioned in the Epstein files’
https://www.berliner-zeitung.de/article/bericht-saudi-arabien-schlaegt-nichtangriffspakt-mit-iran-vor-10036335?fbclid=
https://www.berliner-zeitung.de/article/bericht-saudi-arabien-schlaegt-nichtangriffspakt-mit-iran-vor-10036335?fbclid=
The indicted war criminal and Israeli cabinet minister Ben Gvir openly publishes videos on X in which he mocks and humiliates participants of an international aid flotilla who are in captivity. These individuals were attacked and abducted in international waters while en route to break the illegal siege of the Gaza Strip. The said video shows participants bound with cable ties, forced into stressful kneeling positions, dragged around, and pushed face-down to the ground – many of them European citizens.
In video footage published by the minister, he is seen walking among the detainees and shouting to them: ‘Welcome to Israel – we are the hosts here.’ – A sitting minister filming himself committing a war crime! Italy, France, Canada, Belgium, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Spain have all summoned the Israeli ambassador to their countries and demanded clarification.
From the disastrous federal government (Germany), by contrast, only embarrassing silence can be heard once again!
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/IObsrQ7yD4Q
Meanwhile, however, the announced new elections in Israel also offer no hope, because Bennett’s plan is not to end the wars and war crimes but only to cover them up better through a powerful national propaganda authority, a ‘consciousness war room,’ and an international alliance against disinformation.
The problem, he says, is communication – not the systematic torture of Palestinian prisoners, not the killing of paramedics in Lebanon, not the hunger in Gaza.
In the same week that a UN report documented rape and torture of Palestinian prisoners, a NYT investigation confirmed sexual violence, and Israeli forces killed 5 paramedics in southern Lebanon – Bennett wants a better image. His problem is not Israel’s crimes, but that they are visible!
With warm and peaceful greetings
Isabelle and the EPP Team