Kim Jong Un Meets with Vladimir Putin in Pyongyang, Announcing New Agreement
07:27 Russian President Putin unveils fresh "foundational agreement" with North Korea
During a meeting in Pyongyang, Russian President Vladimir Putin unveiled a new agreement between Russia and North Korea, according to Russian news sources. Putin reportedly declared in the North Korean capital, "We've finalized a new agreement that will serve as the foundation for our long-term relationship." Russia and North Korea have allegedly made remarkable progress in enhancing their bilateral relations. The US government has previously voiced apprehension over Putin's visit to North Korea. John Kirby, spokesperson for the US Department of Defense, expressed his concern in Washington, stating, "The intensifying alliance between Russia and North Korea is something that should make anyone concerned about maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, as well as supporting those who continue to resist Russian aggression in Ukraine."
Russian Court Imprisons US Soldier for Multiple Years
A US soldier has received a prison sentence of several years from a Russian court, according to media reports. Gordon Black was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison in Wladiwostok, as reported by state Russian news agencies RIA Novosti and Tass. Black's legal representative intends to file an appeal against the verdict. Black was apprehended in May in the far eastern Russian city. He had visited a Russian woman he had met during his service in South Korea. The Russian justice system has accused Black of assaulting Alexandra Waschtschuk and stealing 10,000 Rubles (around 109 Euros) from her. Black purportedly admitted to certain charges but denied threatening Waschtschuk with death. Waschtschuk was intoxicated during the incident.
According to Black's statements, they had connected via a dating app in South Korea in October 2022 and had entered into a relationship. Waschtschuk later invited him to Wladiwostok. The US Army reported that the soldier had completed his service in South Korea on April 10. Instead of returning to the United States, he traveled "for personal reasons" to Wladiwostok via China.
Kazakh Activist Shot in Kiev while in Exile in Ukraine
A prominent Kazakh opposition figure and blogger residing in Ukraine was shot and injured in Kiev. Aydos Sadykow was assaulted near his home in the Ukrainian capital, according to his wife Natalia Sadykowa and Ukrainian authorities. He was transferred to a hospital and is reportedly in critical condition. Kiev has opened an investigation. "Preliminary information suggests that an unidentified individual approached the car in which the victim and his wife were riding and fired shots at him, then fled," the statement reads. Sadykow was granted asylum in Ukraine in 2014. Together with his wife, he runs a popular online platform that scrutinizes Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. More than a million users follow him on YouTube.
06:05 Moscow discusses long-range weapon deployment with closest alliesAccording to the state news agency Tass, Russia is discussing the issue of long-range weapon deployment with its closest allies. The Russian government has "close allies," not only in Asia but also in Latin America, with whom "the security situation is extensively discussed, not just on the level of exchanging assessments," quoted Tass Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. "There's nothing out of the ordinary about that." The question of long-range weapon deployment will be discussed with a series of allies. The talks are a routine part of Russia's diplomatic and security policy endeavors, so Ryabkov. No further details were provided about which countries these talks are taking place with or which weapons are involved.
05:43 Near Navalny: Russian Journalist ArrestedA journalist has once again been detained in Russia in connection to the deceased opposition leader Alexei Navalny. A court in Moscow announced that Artem Kiriger will be kept in custody until August 18. The 23-year-old works for Navalny's extremist-designated anti-corruption organization FBK. Previously, the independent media outlet Sotavision reported on the arrest of its employee.
04:56 Ukrainian Convicted of 15 Years in Prison for High TreasonA Ukrainian court has sentenced a Ukrainian citizen to 15 years in prison for sharing military information with Russian troops. The prosecutor's office in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk reported this. The resident of the city of Kostyantynivka near the front line had disclosed the positions of Ukrainian troops and the movements of Ukrainian artillery in the region in May 2023 via the online service Telegram. The defendant was found guilty of high treason, the prosecutor's office explained. The Russian contact person for the man had made a counter-offer but did not fulfill it.
03:51 Ukraine Setting the Stage for a Joint Roaming Zone with the EUIn the context of its closer ties with the European Union, Ukraine is moving towards a shared roaming zone with EU countries. A corresponding law was signed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. "Next, we need to receive a favorable assessment of our legislative changes from the European side and begin negotiations on joining the single roaming area with the EU," Digital Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said, according to a statement from his ministry. Ukraine is the first EU membership candidate to take this step.
02:48 Lindner Warns: NATO, EU Could Disintegrate Over Germany's Ukraine Policy
Finance Minister Christian Lindner encourages a transparent explanation of Germany's Ukraine policy to people in Eastern Germany. "We need to openly share the Ukraine policy of the German government with the residents of Eastern Germany," Lindner discusses with the "Rheinische Post." "It's not just about supporting Ukraine in its defense battle against Russia. Our weapons deliveries, refugee aid, and economic aid also serve German interests," Lindner stresses. "By tolerating Russia's breach of international law and aggression, NATO and the EU may crumble," Lindner cautions. "For instance, Poland and the Czech Republic would ponder if we would abandon them in a critical moment," notes the FDP chairman.
01:48 City Council Warns against Slashing Ukrainian Refugees' Benefits
The German City Council advises against depriving Ukrainian refugees of their benefits. They address the call of several Interior Ministers for denying future reduced payments to Ukrainian refugees under the Asylseekers Benefits Act. "Minister Presidents should not engage in a dispute with the Federal Chancellor about the eligibility of Ukrainian women and men under the citizen's benefit scheme," Mayor Markus Lewe tells Redaction Network Germany. The Social Code II provides the most efficient means to bring Ukrainian refugees more frequently and swiftly into employment. "If Ukrainian women and men were to transition to the asylum system instead, their access to language classes, job agencies, or training would be significantly hampered. It would make it much harder for them to find a job," Lewe explains. In addition, the administrative burden on the cities would be immense.
00:43 Swedish Parliament Approves Defense Deal with U.S.
The Swedish Parliament ratifies the divisive defense agreement with the United States with a large margin. After a five-hour debate, 266 parliamentarians approved the agreement, 37 opposed. Critics fear it might trigger the deployment of nuclear weapons in Sweden and permanent U.S. military bases in the country. The agreement signed in December between Stockholm and Washington grants the United States access to 17 military support points and training areas in Sweden, as well as permits the storage of weapons, military equipment, and ammunition.
23:42 Kerner: Incorrect EM Map on TV; Apologizes
A mistake displaying a false European Championship map forces TV moderator Johannes B. Kerner to apologize during the live broadcast of the football EM. In the joint broadcast of MagentaTV and RTL, a map was shown prior to the match Turkey against Georgia, omitting the Crimean peninsula as a part of Ukraine. "This is a huge mistake, it really bugs us and we truly apologize for it," says Kerner, describing the mistake as a serious mishap.
22:51 Zelenskyy: Western Weapons Effective against Russian Territory
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy assesses Western weapons' impact against Russian territory as successful. Destroying Russian fortifications and launch sites near the border is significant, says Zelenskyy in his daily video address. "It's working. Exactly as we anticipated." The Ukrainian head of state highlighted several units for unnamed accomplishments.
22:12 Two Die in Russian Border Mine Explosion
Two individuals perished as a result of a mine explosion in the Russian region of Brjansk close to the Ukrainian border, as per the governor Alexander Bogomas' online statements. "Locals entered a prohibited border zone, despite signs warning of mine dangers," Bogomas explains. "Unfortunately, two locals died on the spot due to a mine explosion." Another person was reportedly injured. The incident occurred in the Klimowski district, which borders the north Ukrainian region of Tschernihiw. Bogomas urged people to "remain alert and refrain from visiting regions in border zones where signs indicate that mines have been laid." Russia has fortified its border areas during the more than two-year-long conflict in Ukraine. In this month alone, there have been multiple mine accidents. In the past week, four individuals, including a state television journalist, were wounded in a mine explosion in the Belgorod region, which also borders Ukraine.
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Read also:
- In light of the escalating tensions between Ukraine and Russia, there have been reports of potential NATO military operations in support of Ukraine.
- Russia has been accused of conducting cyberwar attacks against Ukraine, with Volodymyr Selensky, the Ukrainian president, blaming Moscow for these attacks.
- There have been calls for increased military aid to Ukraine from Western allies, with some suggesting that Russia's actions in Ukraine constitute a violation of international law.
- Despite these tensions, Russia continues to maintain close relations with countries such as North Korea, with Vladimir Putin recently meeting with Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang to discuss a new "foundational agreement."
