03:42 UN demands release of Gershkovich
Experts at the United Nations consider the detention of US journalist Evan Gershkovich in Russia on espionage charges as "arbitrary" and call for his "immediate" release. "The detention of Evan Gershkovich is arbitrary" and violates several articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the experts state in a statement. Considering the circumstances of the case, the "immediate" release of Gershkovich is appropriate.
02:40 Serbian President Vucic receives Russian deputy foreign ministerSerbian President Aleksandar Vucic received Russian deputy foreign minister Alexander Gruschko in Belgrade. He spoke with Gruschko about the bilateral relations between Serbia and Russia and evaluated them as "very good", Vucic stated on Instagram. He also thanked Russia for its support of Serbia's territorial integrity and in relation to the UN resolution on Srebrenica. Moscow still refuses to recognize Kosovo's independence. Serbia has been an EU membership candidate since 2012 but continues to maintain good relations with the Kreml despite Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
01:29 Russian court sentences 19-year-old to twelve yearsA Russian court sentenced a 19-year-old man to twelve years in prison for "high treason," after he was accused of donating money to the Ukrainian army. "The Rostov Regional Court found him guilty and sentenced him to a twelve-year term in a penal colony," says a comment from the Russian domestic intelligence service FSB, taken up by the state-controlled Kremlin media. The teenager is accused of sending money to help the Ukrainian army buy food and drones. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, thousands of Russians have been arrested and many of them have been imprisoned. According to Amnesty International, at least 21,000 people were targeted with repressions against war opponents in 2023.
00:20 A quarter of US citizens find US aid to Ukraine insufficientAlmost a quarter of Americans believe that the United States is not providing enough military aid to Ukraine. This percentage has risen since November last year, according to a survey by the Pew Research Center. According to the survey, 24 percent of respondents believe that the United States is not providing enough aid, compared to 18 percent in November 2023 when the survey was last conducted. However, more Americans (31 percent) believe that the United States is providing too much aid, and 25 percent believe that it is providing the right amount.
22:53 Lithuania reports airspace violation by Russian aircraftLithuania reports the violation of its airspace by a Russian aircraft. The unspecified aircraft of the Russian airline Pobeda allegedly entered the airspace of the Baltic EU and NATO member unlawfully on the evening of June 30th and stayed there for approximately one minute, according to the Foreign Ministry in Vilnius. The representative of the Russian embassy was summoned and the Russian authorities were urged to take necessary measures to prevent such incidents in the future. The airspace violation occurred over the Baltic Sea, as the aircraft was on its way from Moscow to the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad bordering Lithuania. The EU has closed its airspace as a reaction to Russia's aggression in Ukraine for Russian aircraft.
22:12 Survey in Member States: Great Trust in NATO, in Zelenskyy notNext week, NATO celebrates its 75th anniversary. In the member states, the transatlantic defense alliance is generally viewed favorably, according to a survey by Pew Research. On average in 13 countries, 63% of the population holds a positive opinion, while 33% hold a negative one. Germany is slightly above the average with 64% positive views. The evaluation in Poland stands out: 91% have a positive image of the alliance there. The trust in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is, on average, at 40% and has decreased in the member states in the past year. Poland is also an exception here, where the head of state has lost 22 points - from 70% to 48%. In Germany, trust has decreased by 7 points to 54%.
21:27 Zelenskyy rejects Orban's peace proposalUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected a peace proposal from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán for peace negotiations. During his first visit to Kiev since the start of the war, Orbán proposed a quick ceasefire. "This could accelerate peace negotiations with Moscow," he said. "The president listened, but in response, he clarified Ukraine's stance and rejected the proposal," said a spokesperson for the Presidential Administration. Kiev had previously rejected ceasefires, citing the possibility that Russian forces could regroup during this time.
21:02 Ukraine: Moscow recruits minorsRussia is actively recruiting minors for the war in Ukraine, according to Ukraine. Recruitment contracts are reportedly being signed with minors under the age of 17, and they take effect when they reach adulthood. "They hope to recruit tens of thousands of teenagers with propaganda," says the Ukrainian agency "National Resistance Center": "We warn that any enemy on our territory will be eliminated." On occupied Ukrainian territory, Russia is also reportedly employing minors, for example, to manufacture drones.
- The 'Attack on Ukraine' continues to strain relations between Ukraine and Russia, with military operations ongoing and significant support from NATO to Ukraine's defense.
- Volodymyr Selensky, the President of Ukraine, has rejected peace proposals from foreign leaders, including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, due to concerns about potential ceasefires leading to regrouping by Russian forces.
- In addition to traditional military operations, the Ukraine conflict has also seen a rise in cyberwarfare, with accusations of Russia launching cyberattacks against Ukraine's critical infrastructure.
- Politics surrounding the Ukraine conflict have also impacted relations between countries, such as the EU closing its airspace as a reaction to Russia's aggression in Ukraine.
- The situation in Ukraine has sparked international concern and debate, with a survey revealing that almost a quarter of US citizens believe the US is not providing enough military aid to Ukraine.
