This is exactly what analysts warned about—and now it’s happening. Russia is attempting to use intelligence sharing with Iran as leverage, offering to stop helping Iran in exchange for the United States cutting off intelligence support to Ukraine. The goal is clear: weaken Ukraine without firing a shot. As Ukrainian officials meet with U.S. envoys to keep support intact, this move exposes a deeper strategy—linking the Iran conflict directly to the war in Ukraine. At the same time, Ukraine continues proving its battlefield strength, striking deep into Russian territory while even assisting U.S. allies in countering Iranian drones. Meanwhile, Russia tightens internal control and faces growing domestic strain. This isn’t just diplomacy—it’s a calculated power play aimed at Ukraine’s survival. ⏱️ Chapters 0:00 Kremlin Uses Iran Intel as Bargaining Chip 0:39 Ukraine Arrives for Critical U.S. Talks 1:18 Russia’s Proposal Rejected by the U.S. 2:31 Putin’s Iran Deal Explained 3:05 Belarus as a Backdoor for Russia 3:38 Trump Endorses Orban—Why It Matters 4:14 Alleged Plot to Shift Hungary’s Election 4:42 Trump Interview: Iran, NATO, Ukraine 5:36 Iran’s Nuclear Timeline Debate 6:35 NATO Tensions and U.S. Role 7:22 Trump on Zelensky vs. Putin 8:18 Ukraine Helps Counter Iranian Drones 8:58 Ukraine’s Deep Strike Success 9:54 Shifting U.S. Defense Messaging 11:00 Russia Tightens Domestic Control 11:32 Rising Internal Criticism in Russia 12:12 Economic Strain Inside Russia 12:47 Growing Unrest and Crackdowns 13:16 Are We Entering a Larger Global Conflict? #Ukraine #Russia #Putin #Iran #Geopolitics #WarAnalysis #NATO #USPolitics Facts over noise. Context over headlines. Truth over talking points. ***** To support me as as I provide Ukraine war context: ***** Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ProfessorGerdesExplains Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/professorgerdes Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/professorgerdes YouTube Channel Membership: https://www.youtube.com/@Professor-Gerdes/membership 🇺🇸 Contact the White House to express your support for Ukraine https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/ *****IF YOU WISH TO PROVIDE DIRECT AID TO UKRAINE: ***** 🇺🇦 I have partnered with Greg Terry for all donations to Ukraine. He has raised and delivered more than a quarter of a million dollars of aid to date. To directly support this effort of delivering necessary provisions to the front lines, click on these links (and then watch him give your donations to soldiers on the front lines on his channel): https://www.youtube.com/@GregTerryExperience Amazon Shopping List USA/North America (Shop and send to UKRAINE AID c/o Bethel Life's Gift Registry Address) https://a.co/iodWsUK Amazon Shopping List for EU/UK https://www.amazon.de/hz/wishlist/ls/... Direct Link for Financial Giving via our 501(c)(3) Tax-Deductible in the USA https://www.gregterry.org/donate.html Link for Greg's 501(c)(3) EIN Information https://www.gregterry.org/donate.html 🇺🇸 Alternatively, you may choose to donate to Samaritan’s Purse: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/ukraine-response/?utm_source=FY22UkraineResponseVanityURL&utm_medium=direct&utm_campaign=m_YUKR-22L3&utm_content=Ukraine-Response-Redirect%20%20 🇺🇦 If you wish to support the Ukrainian Army, give directly to United 24. Follow this link: https://u24.gov.ua/ ***BUY SOMETHING TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE *** 🇺🇦 If you purchase from Saint Javelin with my link below, a cut of the proceeds will go directly to humanitarian aid for soldiers (bandages, tourniquets, etc.). I don't get the revenue. It goes to buy medical supplies from UnitewithUkraine.com. Use this link: https://www.saintjavelin.com/en-us?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Gerdes 🇺🇸 This is the absolute CHEAPEST THING YOU CAN DO to support Ukraine (This is NOT MY SITE) https://amzn.to/4aPtwQr - Just support the war effort somehow. 🇺🇦 I wrote a book about Ukraine's president Zelenskyy which I have updated for the first 4-5 months of the war in Ukraine: It is free if you have Amazon Kindle Unlimited or $9.99 otherwise: https://amzn.to/3Q2wnyE 🇺🇦 If you cannot give or buy, you can like, share, and pray for the people of Ukraine. 🇺🇸 Please leave comments and tell me how I can help you gain more perspective. You can contact me @Dr_Gerdes on Twitter or email [email protected] #UKRAINE #UKRAINERUSSIAWAR #UKRAINEWAR