I fought in Ukraine – deranged Putin is serious about new Russian empire and Britain is sleepwalking into a world war

THE UK could be sleepwalking into a global war as Vladimir Putin pushes for a new world order, a British volunteer soldier has warned.

Megalomaniac tyrant Putin‘s goal is to create a multipolar world – with Russia and China at the centre of power.

Portrait of a man with a long grey beard, wearing a tan jacket, near destroyed military vehicles.
Chris Eades

Macer Gifford, a former banker from the UK, fought against Russia in Ukraine[/caption]

Vladimir Putin at a meeting.
Reuters

Vladimir Putin is pushing for a new world order[/caption]

Ukrainian servicemen firing a howitzer.
Reuters

Ukrainian troops fire a howitzer towards Russian troops[/caption]

Illustration of a map showing the potential military alliance between Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea, with military statistics for each country and a combined total.

For decades, the dictator has been chasing his twisted dream to reinstate the Soviet Union – and repeatedly called for an end to the “unipolar world”.

Despite Western nations calling for Putin to hash out a ceasefire deal, the despot has doubled down on his invasion of Ukraine in recent days.

Macer Gifford, who fought in the war-torn country, said Putin is insistent on fulfilling his “ideological dream” as he fears being ousted and “hanging from a lamppost in six months’ time”.

But Macer – who also battled ISIS in Syria – warned Britain could find itself in the midst of a crisis if more isn’t done to stop rogue nations including Russia.

He told The Sun: “Britain should be fighting for the world.

“If Putin were to take Ukraine, with all its resources and all its technology, and add it to his growing military and his growing might, there are many other countries that he also wants to invade. 

“He genuinely believes, and he’s almost proving it now in Ukraine, that if you have nuclear weapons and a vast amount of soldiers, all you’ve got to do is invade, put troops on the ground.

“And if the Americans and Brits don’t oppose you and you hide behind your nuclear weapons, there is nothing that can stop you.  

“We need to contain this growing threat, and the only way we can do that is through strength.

“And my biggest fear is naivety is taking hold, and this foolish attempt at negotiation is just not going to bring people together, and this war will drag on for a lot longer.”

Macer, who battled Putin’s fighters in the fields between Mykolaiv and Kherson, the islands of Dnipro and the forests of Lyman – warned an “axis of evil” forming.

He believes rogue nations such as Iran and North Korea could join forces with Russia and China and cause mayhem that could spiral into all-out war.

Putin has been cosying up to Kim Jong-un in recent years – with the Russian tyrant last year visiting the hermit kingdom.

Macer said: “The trouble is, if we surrender countries like Ukraine, if we surrender our values, what do we have to draw upon when it comes to fighting other dangers around the world?

“How much are we going to inspire these horrible dictatorships in China and Iran and other places from stopping, first of all, creating nuclear weapons and exporting them abroad to places like North Korea, but also by taking countries and taking exactly the Russian playbook?

“Because very soon we might see a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. We might see an Iranian cutoff of the Gulf regions and attacks on the oil infrastructure to undermine British and American infrastructure in the area, and of course target Israel.

“There could be a global war if we are not careful, because there is a new axis of evil forming around the world, based around North Korea, Iran, China and Russia.

“And unless we confront them, unless we remember our values and stand for them, we could just sleepwalk into a crisis.

Putin’s ‘multipolar world’

The dictator has repeatedly touted the dawn of a new world order that would put his country at the centre of power.

Back in 2007, he declared at Munich Security Conference: “One state and, of course, first and foremost the United States, has overstepped its national borders in every way.

“I am convinced that we have reached that decisive moment when we must seriously think about the architecture of global security.”

Putin is attempting to push through his overarching goal by seizing Ukraine and expanding his interests in the Middle East.

The dictator is also trying to strengthen Russia’s partnership with China and undermine Nato.

His idea is to create a multipolar world – likely where Russia, China and US are the three superpowers in charge of the international order.

Putin’s concept would see these larger nations exert leverage over smaller nations to advance their own strategic interests.

The dictator’s dream is for Russia to have diplomatic and military superiority over the US – by dismantling Nato.

But since his invasion of Ukraine, Nato countries have renewed their collective values and action – which is the opposite of what Putin set out to do.

“And that’s exactly the appeasement policies of the 1930s that almost destroyed the world back then.”

It comes as Donald Trump’s “candid” call with Putin in a bid to restart peace talks fell flat as the despot readies his troops for a “long war”.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky warned intelligence shows Vlad no intention of ending the war.

Military analysts believe the Russian tyrant is trying to press home his advantage and capture more Ukrainian land.

Ex-banker Macer fears if Putin is able to succeed in Ukraine, it could spell disaster for world order and pave the way for fresh attacks.

He added: “You’ve seen a West that is increasingly becoming populist and disengaging from the world.

“The danger is the dream of a so-called multipolar world that Vladimir Putin talks about is coming to fruition. It’s coming.

Azov Brigade soldier in a trench during military training amidst smoke.
AFP

A Ukrainian soldier of the Azov Brigade in a trench during a military training exercise in eastern Donetsk region[/caption]

A former British banker fighting with the Ukrainian army near Kherson.
Chris Eades

Macer spent the first two months of the war teaching soldiers how to treat medical emergencies[/caption]

Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping shaking hands.
Reuters

Putin with China’s dictator Xi Jinping[/caption]

“That means a balkanisation of the world, of different powers from China and Asia, Russia and Europe, the Americans and the Americas, dividing the world amongst themselves and no longer believing in the basic human rights and individual liberties that you and hopefully you guys at home truly believe in.

“And that scares the hell out of me.”

Since taking office in January, Trump has been attempting to divide the powers of Moscow and Beijing.

Speaking last October, he said: “I’m going to have to un-unite them, and I think I can do that.”

China and Russia have been growing steadily closer since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 – with shared major strategic goals.

At the top of the list is challenging the Western liberal order the powers deem to be led by the US.

Western countries have unified in their stance against Russia and China’s provocations in Ukraine and other former satellite states, and the South China Sea and Taiwan respectively.

But Xi Jinping and Putin have reaffirmed their relationship, insisting: “China-Russia relations have reached the highest level in history.”

The two countries earlier this month said they “jointly resist any attempts to interfere with and disrupt the traditional friendship and deep mutual trust between China and Russia.”

Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un toasting with wine glasses.
Getty

Putin and Kim Jong-un share a toast last year in North Korea[/caption]

Ukrainian soldier on the phone as artillery fires.
Getty

A Ukrainian soldier fires towards the Russian position in the direction of Avdiivka[/caption]

Firefighters battling a fire in a residential area after a Russian strike in Kyiv.
Burning houses following Russian strike in Kyiv region
Alamy
May 31, 2025
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Trump’s upended the world order in just 100 days – so what will the NEXT 100 bring? Insiders predict what’s in store 

DONALD Trump has reshaped the world order as we know it since taking over the White House for a second time.

As the president marks an “extraordinary” first 100 days in the Oval Office, experts predict what’s next.

President Donald Trump in the Oval Office.
AFP

Trump’s first 100 days have been nothing short of ‘extraordinary’, experts tell The Sun[/caption]

President Trump holding a chart of reciprocal tariffs.
Reuters

Don imposed brutal tariff war against every major country in the world[/caption]

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump in conversation.
Trump during the historic Oval Office spat with Zelensky
Donald Trump speaking to the media outside the White House.
EPA

Does Don have a master plan?[/caption]

Just 100 days into his second term, Trump has made his mark with a dazzling pace of policy changes that have thrilled allies and stunned enemies.

Tariff wars and peace talks have defined his first months – and White House officials have warned of more “torpedoes”.

From the get-go, Trump sparked controversy by inviting Elon Musk into his inner circle – appointing him head of his efficiency crack team.

His first weeks saw a historic Oval Office spat with Zelensky where the two leaders engaged in a brutal war of words – a spectacle for the world of diplomacy.

In a bizarre episode, the Don threw his toys out of the pram over a portrait of him, claiming it was the “worst” and “purposefully distorted”.

He sensationally triggered an economic war with China – met with a fierce response from Beijing, raising fears of an escalation of conflict between the two countries.

And Trump continued his threats to take control over Greenland – and suggested Canada could become the 51st state of the US.

With his “America First” agenda, he has also waged war with courts and government bureaucracy.

Dr Alan Mendoza, executive director of Henry Jackson Society, told The Sun: “I think it’d be very fair to say that Trump has stirred up the world order in his first 100 days.

“Right now, it looks like chaos to us, but is there a master plan? That will take time to know and achieve.”

Former Nato commander Hamish de Bretton-Gordon said: “It’s been an extraordinary 100 days, absolutely extraordinary.”

Experts believe the next 100 days will bring another rollercoaster ride – and it will continue to reshape the world as we know it.

Even before he set foot in the White House for on January 20, Trump – who likes to call himself the “greatest deal maker” – claimed he would end the Ukraine war in the first 24 hours of his presidency.

While Don later dubbed his own claim as “exaggeration”, he has still not been able to put an end to the bloody conflict, with experts saying he has been played by Vladimir Putin.

Former Intelligence officer Philip Ingram predicts that Trump is set to “wash his hands off” the Russia-Ukraine and withdraw his support for Kyiv.

Marco Rubio has already warned that they will walk away unless there is a deal in days.

Ingram told The Sun: “Trump will not cut off support for Ukraine completely, but a lot of it will happen under the radar.

“We will see our European allies standing up more for Ukraine.

“The EU will step in more effectively, and the coalition of willing will back Kyiv up.

President Trump arriving at an airport, raising his fist.
AP

Trump vowed to end the Ukraine conflict in just ’24 hours’[/caption]

Donald Trump and another man seated in chairs, in conversation.
Ukraine Presidential Office

Trump and Zelensky meeting inside St Peter’s Basilica[/caption]

President Trump and President Putin shaking hands in Helsinki.
AP

President Donald Trump shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin[/caption]

Illustration of a possible post-war map of Ukraine, showing territorial divisions and troop deployments.

“That will negate Trump’s lack of support towards Ukraine. Not complete, but to a large extent.”

Dr Mendoza believes that Trump will not be able to bring an end to the war in the next 100 days – unless he manages to crack a deal that is fair for both Kyiv and Moscow.

He said: “It is going to be really tough for Trump to crack unless he’s determined to put forward a very bad deal for Ukraine. 

“A lot depends now very much on the US and its attitude towards the war. If the US negotiates seriously, that would be the only way to get a deal.

“They will have to apply pressure to both sides to get a fairer outcome.

“If the outcome is fair – even if both sides don’t get what they want -this will be particularly a bitter pill for Ukraine to swallow in this regard as the entirely innocent party.”

Some experts believe that if peace takes too long, Trump could put the Middle East and China in the cross-hairs.

Dr Stephen Hall, political scientist at the University of Bath, told The Sun: “Donald Trump does allegedly want a Nobel Peace Prize, and if he can’t achieve it in Ukraine. He will try for the Middle East.

“He may decide that Ukraine is unimportant and maintain a closer relationship with Russia.”

Trump’s seven-point peace plan

THE US has drafted up a seven-point plan which, it hopes, will draw a path to peace between Ukraine and Russia.

A source with knowledge of the plan reportedly revealed the content of the main points:

  1. Immediate ceasefire in Ukraine
  2. Direct talks between Ukraine and Russia
  3. Ukraine to be barred from joining Nato
  4. US to formally recognise Russian sovereignty over Crimea
  5. US to give de facto recognition of four Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia along the current lines of control
  6. Ukraine to sign minerals deal to share profits on natural resources with the US
  7. All US sanctions lifted on Russia and both countries co-operate on energy

‘Fight to the end’

When Trump took over the White House, he vowed to “beat” China.

But his economic attack was met with fierce resistance by Xi Jinping – who many believe wants to overthrow the US to become the global superpower.

Beijing has vowed to “fight to the end” as Trump raised the price on Chinese imports.

But the tit-for-tat fight has sparked fears that tensions between the two superpowers could spiral out of control.

Experts predict Trump will look to close a deal with China as any war with Beijing would be “bad news” not only for the US, but also for China.

If America carries on behaving as it is, China will see an opportunity to move on Taiwan. And then America is likely to intervene


Professor Kerry BrownKing’s College London

Kerry Brown, former UK ambassador to China, told The Sun: “It is a very worrying time for US-China relations.

“If America carries on behaving as it is, China will see an opportunity to move on Taiwan. And then America is likely to intervene.

“It is the one country that can really face America, and has been feeling this showdown was inevitable for quite a long time.

“At the moment, if this trade war is a draw, that’s a good outcome for America.”

Professor Ashok Swain, peace and security expert at the University of Uppsala, said China has prepared itself to take on the US.

President Trump speaking to the press in the Oval Office.
Getty

Trump has suggested he will decrease the tariffs on China[/caption]

Donald Trump and Xi Jinping standing near American and Chinese flags.
reuters

A high-stakes standoff between the world’s top two economies has seen China hit with further Trump tariffs[/caption]

He said: “China is prepared to play the big game openly. And that’s what we and Trump gave.

“After the 2008 financial crisis, there has been a significant change within the Chinese political discourse – they believe their time has come.

“They have drastically strengthened themselves both economically and militarily.

“They have not hesitated to show their strength not only in economic matters but also in security matters.

“And Trump’s trade war gives Xi a possibility to project to his followers, ‘ I am the leader. I’m protecting your interests’.”

Dr Hall added: “America is likely to be increasingly isolated. China will also try and forge new alliances.

“But there is very little trust for the Chinese government so that will also lead possibly to arms races.

“It will potentially lead to a huge instability across the world. And we will just have to wait and see.”

Raining bombs

Elsewhere, Colonel Bretton-Gordon said Trump’s decision to bomb the Houthis in Yemen – one of Iran’s terror proxies – was a smart move.

He said: “Trump’s had a positive impact attacking the Houthis and supporting the Israelis to attack Hezbollah.

“Iran is a much diminished state in the sort of axis of evil, so one could argue that that has been positive.”

Portrait of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaking into a microphone.
EPA

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaking during a meeting in Tehran[/caption]

Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump in conversation.
Getty

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin talks to US President Donald Trump during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House on April 7, 2025[/caption]

Ship launching a missile at night.
AP

US forces carry out precision airstrikes, kicking off a series of attacks against the Houthis[/caption]

And Dr Alan believes the US – alongside the Israelis – could bomb the Ayatollah’s regime by the end of 2025.

The expert said: “He’s made some initial plans for Iran [deal negotiation], but if that doesn’t go anywhere, I’d expect to see some kinetic action against Iran later this year.”

Last week, Trump hinted at a nuclear deal with Iran after threatening to bomb the regime “like never before”.

The president said an agreement is “well on its way” as Iran scrambles to protect its most important nuclear fortresses.

In his first 100 days, Trump has exerted his power on a scale that has no easy historical comparison.

And the next 100 days promises no change to the status quo.

Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet launching from aircraft carrier.
afp

A US Super Hornet attack fighter jet takes off from the USS Truman aircraft carrier before striking Yemen on March 16, 2025[/caption]

April 28, 2025
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Now Kremlin makes chilling nuclear threat on Britain – as Zelensky says Putin is turning screws on Trump with Kyiv blitz

RUSSIA has issued a stark warning to Britain – forming a “coalition of the willing” in Ukraine could trigger a nuclear World War Three.

The Kremlin won’t tolerate foreign boots on the ground in Ukraine – and is ready to go nuclear, Putin hawk Sergei Shoigu warned on Thursday, just hours after Russian strikes killed nine people in Kyiv.

Fire engulfing the roof of a building at night.
Getty

The Russian missile strikes in Kyiv on Thursday morning left at least nine people dead[/caption]

Vladimir Putin and Sergei Shoigu.
AP

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Sergei Shoigu, Secretary of the Russian Security Council and ex-Defence Minister[/caption]

President Zelensky arriving in South Africa.
EPA

Zelensky arrived in South Africa on a foreign visit on Thursday but is already on the way back to Kyiv due to the missile blitz[/caption]

Rescue workers search for survivors in the rubble of a destroyed building.
Getty

Intense recovery operations took place throughout Thursday morning[/caption]

Shoigu, secretary of the Russian security council and ex-defence minister, says Moscow rejects Western “peacekeepers” who plan to send their troops on the ground in Ukraine.

The politician threatened Moscow is ready to use nuclear weapons – and even revive Cold War-era atomic tests in the Arctic.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described Russia’s massive missile assault in Kyiv – the deadliest strike on the capital in months – as a move to “pressure” the US.

Russia understands that Ukraine is standing up, defending its rights and (it) is putting pressure on our people. It is also putting pressure on America,” Zelensky said.

The Ukrainian president is rushing back to Ukraine after the deadly strike.

Across the border in Russia, Shoigu gave Western countries chilling warnings about meddling in the war in Ukraine, in his interview with Kremlin-owned news agency TASS.

He even claimed Europe is secretly preparing for war against Russia by 2030.

On Western troops being sent to Ukraine, he warned: “Sensible politicians in Europe understand that the implementation of such a scenario could lead to a direct clash between NATO and Russia and subsequently to World War Three.”

It is “more correct” to call such British and EU forces “contingent interventionists or occupiers”, Shoigu said, referring to Sir Keir Starmer‘s “coalition of the willing”.

“Where will these ‘peacekeepers’ come from? 

“They will be units of the same NATO countries, against the presence of which Russia opposed even before the [war], which began largely because of this threat – the deployment of NATO military infrastructure in Ukraine, on our historical territory.”

Shoigu argued the UK had military presence in Ukraine even before the war began.

He said: “the same British even before the [war] began were very actively building their naval base in Ochakiv in the Mykolaiv region [of Ukraine], where they not only trained naval special forces of the Ukrainian Navy, but also conducted their operations against us.

“It turns out that they will be able to return there again, but already under the flag of peacekeeping forces?”

The ex-defence minister warned: “This is exactly what French President Emmanuel Macron means when he says that Ukraine has the right to ask for the introduction of NATO contingents without consulting Russia.”

“What will these ‘peacekeepers’ protect in Ukraine? 

“The Nazi regime, marches and torchlight processions with symbols of SS divisions? 

“Support the persecution of Orthodox Christians? 

“Depriving the Russian-speaking population of the right to speak their native language, to preserve their own culture and traditions?

“This is not a peacekeeping mission. Apparently, also for these reasons, the states that make up the real world majority do not express any particular desire to participate in such ‘peacekeeping’ initiatives.”

Vladimir Putin at a meeting.
EPA

Russian President Vladimir Putin on April 22[/caption]

Photo of Sergei Shoigu, Russian Defence Minister.
Reuters

Sergei Shoigu attends an annual meeting of the Defence Ministry Board in Moscow in 2022[/caption]

Shoigu says Europe is secretly preparing for war against Russia

Shoigu claimed: “An undisguised campaign is unfolding in Europe to prepare for a military conflict with the Russian Federation. 

“Possible timeframes for such a clash are being announced at various levels – from three to five years.

“As early as 2030, European politicians and the military want to be ready to fight us.”

He said Ukraine is on the brink of economic collapse, and neither Europe nor Britain can afford to bail it out or keep supplying military aid.

He warned Russia has the right to use nuclear weapons in case of aggression against it or ally Belarus, and was “closely following the military preparations of European countries”.

This was a reason the new nuclear-capable “wonder weapon” Oreshnik had been deployed in Belarus, he said. 

Illustration of a possible post-war map of Ukraine, showing territorial divisions and troop deployments.

Trump’s seven-point plan

THE US has drafted up a seven-point plan which, it hopes, will draw a path to peace between Ukraine and Russia.

A source with knowledge of the plan revealed the content of the main points, reports The Telegraph:

  1. Immediate ceasefire in Ukraine
  2. Direct talks between Ukraine and Russia
  3. Ukraine to be barred from joining Nato
  4. US to formally recognise Russian sovereignty over Crimea
  5. US to give de-facto recognition of four Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia along current lines of control
  6. Ukraine to sign minerals deal to share profits on natural resources with the US
  7. All US sanctions lifted on Russia and both countries co-operate on energy

Shoigu doubts a new era for US-Russia relations

Shoigu spoke ahead of Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff’s visit to Moscow for “peace talks” with Putin.

He said he’s cautious to believe a new era had begun with US-Russia relations amid Donald Trump‘s alleged pro-Moscow stance on the war. 

“We welcome such an approach and are ready for reciprocal steps

“Time will show whether the Americans are ready to resolve the existing systemic problems which require resolution. 

“This is a difficult and long process. 

“The history of our relations with the United States shows that we can trust only concrete actions rather than verbal statements.”

He refused to rule out new Russian nuclear tests. 

“Our position on this matter depends on the United States’ actions in this area,” he told TASS.

“Now, warranty periods for some types of their nuclear munitions are expiring and the development of new types of weapons is underway. 

“This may push Washington toward resuming nuclear tests.

“In such an event, Russia may follow their lead as a response step.”

The USSR conducted its last nuclear test on the Arctic archipelago Novaya Zemlya on October 24, 1990. 

Thereafter, it declared a moratorium on nuclear tests which Russia continues to observe.

In a period from 1949 to 1990, the Soviet Union conducted 715 nuclear tests.

The threat comes after Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council and former president, warned of nuclear retaliation against countries, including Britain, that back the ICC’s war crimes arrest warrant for Putin.

He said: “what may follow the execution of an illegal ICC judgement against a head of state who is not a party to the statute of the court.

“The very enforcement of such a judgement may be seen as a casus belli against the countries involved in its adoption,” Medvedev said. 

“It is worth mentioning the danger of such decisions with regard to the leadership of a nuclear power and a permanent member of the UN Security Council.”

He warned that those who issued the warrant “can and should be prosecuted by the investigative and judicial authorities of the country whose leadership is being illegally prosecuted”.

Sergei Shoigu saluting in military uniform.
AFP

Sergei Shoigu salutes to soldiers during the Victory Day military parade in Moscow on May 9[/caption]

April 24, 2025
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