Berlin, 17:32: At G7 summit, the status of Russian assets is set to stay ambiguous.
The German administration intends to discuss utilizing the interest generated from frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine during the impending G7 gathering in Italy. Nevertheless, no definitive conclusion has been made as of now. A German government emissary believes there will be talks about enhancing a low-digit billion-dollar dose from the profit on frozen assets into a high-digit sum for Ukraine, and the G7 finance ministers concur with this viewpoint. Nonetheless, the EU member states within the G7 - which incorporate Germany, France, and Italy - must also reach an agreement within the EU. "I suspect no definitive solution," he says.
17:01 Zelensky commends France for 'superior fighter jets'Ukrainian President Zelensky terms gratitude towards France for the declared shipping of Mirage contender planes to counter the Russian hostile intrusion conflict. "Your contender planes, your impressive fighting machines, will demonstrate that Europe is more capable, that Europe is more capable than the Evil that endeavored to risk it," says Zelensky in the French parliament. The previous day, French President Macron reported the bid of Mirage 2000-5 contest planes to Ukraine. These fighter planes can be utilized for despatches of French-British rockets of the variety Scalp/Storm Shadow.
16:32 Ukrainian governor disagrees with Moscow: Assault on Luhansk focused on military focusesSurfacings that concur show a bigger assault by the Ukrainian armed power on the involved city of Luhansk. According to the Ukrainian government of the Luhansk district, Artem Lyssohor, the shelling focused on bars and storehouses on the grounds of the previous military airfield in the east of the city as well as a petrol storehouse. So far, it has not been conceivable to affirm Russian announcements, as per which in any event three person were killed and more than 30 hurt. The Ukrainian governor records that common casualties are just down to the utilization of Russian air protection framework over the city. The Russian military asserts it had intercepted four of the five rockets. This is moreover not autonomously verifiable. The Russian Defense Ministry insists that the Ukraine purposefully attacked residential regions in Luhansk.
16:05 Putin: Investment of payments in 'harmful' monetary formsLessened
Russian President Putin intends to make his country progressively autonomous from the West. Russia must decrease its imports, use non-Western monetary standards in exchange, and significantly widen home financial markets, Putin said at the Global Financial Forum in St. Petersburg. The exchange with Asia is as of now expanding and around 40% of Russian worldwide exchange is presently being settled in rubles. Then again, exchange in dollars, euros, and different Western money forms is declining. Russia will attempt to expand the offer of exchanges in the monetary forms of the BRICS nations. The gathering of grand developing economies incorporates nations, for example, Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS). "Last year, the offer of installments for Russian exports in the so-called 'hazardous' monetary forms of hindering nations has been reduced by half," Putin said in allusion to generally Western nations that have forced punishments on Russia because of its hostility in Ukraine.
15:45 Russians declared seizure of another town
The Russian armed force has reported that it has caught another town in the eastern Ukrainian district of Donetsk. "Units of the southern tactical group have advanced their positions along the front line and seized the settlement of Paraskoviyivka," says Russian Defense Ministry in Moscow. The town is arranged roughly 25 kilometers southwest of the city of Donetsk, which Russia seized in 2022. After an extended time of indecisiveness, the Russian powers have accounted for the catch of a large number of towns this year.
15:34 Stoltenberg: Ukraine can assault military focuses in Russia
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says Ukraine has the privilege to assault military focuses in Russia under global law. "Ukraine has the right to self-defense." This likewise incorporates attacking legitimate military focuses on the domain of the aggressor Russia.
15:13 Meeting in Paris: Biden vows Selenskiy billion-dollar military help
US President Joe Biden reports another military guide for Ukraine worth $225 million (€207 million). Biden instructs his Ukrainian partner Volodymyr Zelenskyi face to face at a gathering in Paris. Both are presently on multi-day visits to France. As per the US Defense Department, the new bundle incorporates rockets for Hawk anti-airplane frameworks, ammo for different rocket dispatchers of the sort HIMARS, Stinger anti-airplane pulverization frameworks, and craftsmanship cannon ammo with measurements of 155 and 105 millimeters. The United States is as of now explicitly zeroed in on reinforcing Ukraine's air protection and furnishing it with ammo after a more extended supply interruption.
Since yesterday, Russia has been accusing Ukraine of attacking the eastern Ukrainian city of Luhansk from the air, resulting in the death of three people and considerable damage to a residential building, according to the Russian Emergency Ministry. There are conflicting accounts of the number of injured, with reports ranging from 22 to 35 people, including three children. Leonid Pasetschnik, the Russian-appointed head of the region, alleges that "Ukrainian nationalists" conducted a "massive rocket assault on the civilian infrastructure of Luhansk" earlier in the day. He claims Ukraine had fired "at least six rockets" at the city. The Russian Defense Ministry then stated that Ukraine had launched "five ATACMS missiles from US production directly at residential areas of the city." Four missiles were intercepted by Russian air defenses, while the fifth hit two residential buildings. You can find more information here.
A major update from Germany: The German military, or Bundeswehr, may require tens of thousands of additional soldiers as part of planned NATO strategies. According to confidential documents obtained by "Spiegel" magazine, the alliance needs "an additional 75,000 soldiers," and specific requirements for troops, weapons, and other equipment have been calculated by NATO and its member states. Currently, the Bundeswehr consists of approximately 180,000 soldiers and civil employees. No comments have been made so far by the German Defense Ministry.
Ukraine and Moldova are reported to have met all prerequisites for the initiation of negotiations regarding their entry into the European Union, according to the EU Commission. Both countries resolved all outstanding issues in March. For Ukraine, this included measures to better protect national minorities and limit the political influence of oligarchs. The German government had previously stated that all conditions for starting EU accession negotiations with Ukraine were met. To learn more, check it out here.
In his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris, US President Joe Biden expressed apologies for the months-long delay in weapon deliveries from the US. Biden also requested forgiveness for the weeks of uncertainty surrounding further aid to Ukraine. The hold-up in US financial assistance had been due to some conservative lawmakers, according to Biden. Yet, Zelensky received assurances that America won't forsake Kiev. Zelensky's nation is considered a "bulwark against Russian aggression," and the US feels a responsibility to support Ukraine.
For the first time, Russia has blamed Western weapons for the deaths of women and children inside its border. Ukraine's alleged use of US-provided weapons in attacks in the Belgorod border region is what Russia holds responsible. Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry, stated that these weapons caused Russian casualties, saying it "is equivalent to a confession ... for the murder of children and women in the Belgorod region." She added that fragments of HIMARS rockets would serve as physical proof. These accusations follow warnings from President Vladimir Putin that the West is playing dangerously close to causing a global conflict by allowing Ukraine to fire weapons supplied by them on Russian soil.
A prominent security expert, Christian Mölling, has indicated that the relaxation of regulations to allow Ukraine to attack military targets in Russia has yielded immediate results, at least temporarily. As the director of research at the German Council on Foreign Relations, Mölling asserts that the decision has allowed Ukraine to counterattack and protect regions such as Kharkiv. However, Mölling poses the question of where there are still "on the brakes" and therefore bears responsibility for the dead, wounded, and damaged infrastructure. According to him, it is counterproductive to offer protection to an aggressor.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issues a cautionary warning about the ongoing Russian war. "Back in the 1930s, Hitler expanded his territory by crossing boarder after boarder," he tells members of the French National Assembly. "Now, Putin is following suit. We can see how the aggression is spreading to the Baltic states, Poland, and the Balkans." Zelensky believes that the Russian leadership will find a way to destabilize Europe. Meanwhile, Russia is putting the world on edge with its use of outdated tactics such as sea blockades and kidnapping children to re-educate them. "Putin is blackmailing the whole world," he adds.
11:14 US soldier's trial begins in Russia
In Russia, the trial for a U.S. soldier is getting underway. The 34-year-old Gordon Black has agreed to testify in the case in Vladivostok and respond to the charges. The incident occurred when he traveled to the city to visit his partner who accused him of stealing from her. If convicted, he could face up to 5 years in prison. This news further strains the already fragile relationship between Russia and the United States. Several Americans, including the spy Paul Whelan and "The Wall Street Journal" reporter Evan Gershkovich, are currently being detained by Russian authorities. The U.S. claims both men are being held illegally.
10:44 Why is Russia attempting to show a different foe in the war?
Analyst Rainer Munz provides insight into the potential formation of a new federal district in the Russian-occupied territories in Ukraine and what the recent deployment of more Russian warships to Cuba means.
10:23 Russia accuses Ukraine of attacking civilians with U.S. rockets
Russia staunchly blames Ukraine for firing U.S. rockets at civilian targets within Russian borders. The Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, holds Ukraine responsible for recent deaths in the Belgorod region. The remnants of HIMARS rockets are said to be the evidence.
09:55 Ukraine sues Russian General for destroying dam during flood disaster
The Ukraine is taking legal action against the Russian General Oleg Makarevich, the former commander of the Dnipro Group, for premeditated murder and violating the laws of war. Both the prosecutor and the Security Service of Ukraine believe that the general ordered the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam on June 6, 2023, resulting in a disasterous flood in the Kherson region that caused widespread humanitarian and environmental harm. Arrest and conviction would lead to a life sentence.
09:25 Russian forces are trying to breach defenses in various parts of Ukraine
Reports indicate that air raid alarms have been triggered throughout Ukraine. The Russian air attacks are targeting Odessa and Kiev, with the tense situation escalating in Donetsk. Training for new pilots for combat aircraft is being hindered by the situation.
08:59 Over 48 drones have been shot down, no civilian casualties or major infrastructure damage
Ukrainian officials claim they have intercepted all rockets fired by Russia. Of the 53 drones launched, 48 were shot down. The attacks focused on the Kiev region. Following the rocket attacks, there is some material damage but no deaths reported.
08:26 Winkler expresses concern for Europe's safety amidst escalating tensions in Ukraine
German historian Heinrich August Winkler warns of the potential consequences if the ongoing debt brake issue limits Germany's ability to effectively support Ukraine. "If we lose Ukraine, it would be devastating if we had to say that we saved the debt brake but lost Ukraine," Winkler shares with the "Sueddeutsche Zeitung." He insists on increased efforts in defense and cooperation amongst European NATO members, suggesting that the debt brake should not stand in the way.
07:54 No plan to sign a peace treaty during the upcoming Switzerland-hosted Ukrainian peace conference
Swiss Federal President Viola Amherd believes the peace conference taking place in mid-June is only a small step in the path to a lasting solution in Ukraine. "We don't plan to sign a peace treaty at the end of this conference. It's clear that both parties will need to be present for true peace to occur," Amherd announces to the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung." She mentions the possibility of a follow-up conference, which could potentially include Russia, given their absence in the initial conference.
07:31 Numerous German Companies Plan to Maintain Investments in Ukraine
Several German companies operating in Ukraine have indicated their intention to continue their involvement in the country, despite the ongoing war. 43% of businesses surveyed by the German-Ukrainian Industry and Trade Chamber (AHK Ukraine) stated that they wish to maintain their presence in the East European nation. Conversely, only 8% of respondents expected to divest. The consulting firm KPMG conducted interviews with 142 companies, revealing that stability in politics and economics, as well as government funding and guarantees, are key factors driving their expansion efforts. Around 42% of the businesses anticipate improvements in the Ukrainian economic climate over the next year, while 48% predict a standstill, and 10% dread a decline.
07:02 Human Rights Groups Accuse Russian Propagandists of Hate Crimes
The International Federation for Human Rights, the Center for Civil Liberties, and the Kharkiv Human Rights Group have submitted a report to the International Criminal Court, implicating Russian propagandists in hate crimes targeting Ukrainians. These organizations accuse prominent personalities such as Vladimir Solovyov, Margarita Simonyan, Dmitry Kiselyov, Sergei Mardan, Dmitry Medvedev, and Alexei Gromov of inciting violence. The Center for Civil Liberties has stressed that these individuals have "definitely incited violence." The International Criminal Court had previously issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, related to forced deportations of Ukrainian children to Russia.
06:31 Putin Declares Intention To Transform Russia into a War Economy
Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin's leader, has declared his ambition to transform Russia into a war economy that can sustain military operations for decades. Putin issued a list of instructions for the development of Russia's defense industry, aiming to increase the production of weapons and ammunition. Speaking at the 27th St Petersburg International Economic Forum, Denis Manturov, Russia's first deputy prime minister, has confirmed these endeavors. The rapid production of weapons and ammunition is seen as a major achievement, costing a quarter of what the Western nations offer. The country is gearing up for a century-long war economy, said Manturov, while Pyotr Fradkov, a prominent economist and chairman of Promsvyazbank, has identified the military-industrial complex as the primary driver of the Russian economy in the context of significant business deals.
05:59 NATO Members Frustrated by Germany's Stance on "NATO Mission" Terminology
The lack of consensus surrounding the naming of a new support project for Ukraine has created friction among NATO allies due to Germany's reluctance to refer to it as a "NATO mission." Many NATO members believe Germany's reluctance to use the term is unnecessarily deferential to Russia and difficult to understand. Rotten diplomatic sources have underscored Berlin's position that the "NATO Mission Ukraine" (NMU) moniker could be misconstrued as suggesting that NATO is sending soldiers to Ukraine. While Germany is supportive of the project in principle, some NATO members believe that using the term "mission" would not prevent Russia from using it for propaganda and disinformation campaigns. They argue that Russia would condemn the NATO project as aggression regardless of the name used, making Germany's stance puzzling.
05:10 Russia Expert Regards Ukraine Conference as Tarnished by Absent Key Nations
The upcoming Ukraine conference set to take place in Switzerland is potentially devalued due to the missing attendance of essential nations, according to Russia expert Gerhard Mangott. The absence of countries like China, Brazil, or South Africa is deemed to be a blemish, said the political scientist at the University of Innsbruck. Mangott believes that the postponement of a follow-up conference is a clear indicator of limited expectations for the current event. Concerns are mounting over the implications of key nations' absence, especially as Ukraine anticipates world leaders' support in the face of extended Russian aggression.
03:02 Drones and Cruise Missiles Attack Various Regions in Ukraine
Nightly air raid sirens blare across Ukrainian regions, spanning areas beyond the country's west. The air force alerts citizens to the presence of drones hovering near Odessa, while cruise missiles are reportedly intercepted.
01:55 United States Plans To Provide Additional $225 Million in Military Aid to Ukraine
The United States intends to offer approximately $225 million worth of additional military aid to Ukraine. This aid package is set to incorporate ammunition capable of striking targets beyond the nation's borders, with the objective of reinforcing Kharkiv's defenses against a potential massive Russian offensive. The package is expected to include ammunition for the HIMARS system, as well as Morsersystems and various types of artillery shells. US President Joe Biden is slated to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris that day.
00:54 Frequent Power Failures Affect Numerous Regions amid Persistent Military Conflict
The Ukrainian power distributor Ukrenergo has proclaimed that there will be power cuts occurring across twelve different districts. These territories include places like Lviv and Zakarpattia in the west, the capital region Kiev, the area surrounding Kiev, Odessa in the south, and Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia further east. The cause of the power outages is said to be a surpassing of consumption limits. Along with that, key infrastructure facilities may also be harmed. Following Russian attacks against power supply facilities and the subsequent shutdown of numerous power plants, the nation's electricity output has significantly lowered.
11:29 p.m.: USA Prevents Entry for Specific Georgians
The U.S. State Department has declared that a few dozen individuals, consisting of notable Georgian Dream party members, parliamentarians, representatives from the security services, and their respective relatives, will no longer be permitted to enter the United States as a result of the passing of the "foreign influence law" in Georgia. The U.S. had previously announced this policy. Thousands of people in Georgia have been protesting for weeks to avoid having this law put into effect. Similar to a 2012 Russian law against "foreign agents," the new law lets authorities severely curtail government-critical media and organizations.
9:43 p.m.: Russian Administrator: Incorporated Ukrainian Areas Could Become Federal District Soon
The areas of Ukraine seized by Russia could soon be turned into a new federal district, as reported by the Russian government-operated news outlet RIA Novosti, quoting Yevhen Balizkyi, a Russian governor active in the occupied Zaporizhzhia region. Russia unlawfully annexed Crimea and implemented control over parts of the Ukrainian Donbass region in 2014. After the onset of the all-out war in February 2022, Moscow also took control of other Ukrainian areas, such as the Ukrainian regions of Kherson, Donetsk, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia.
9:18 p.m.: Ukrenergo Cuts Power in Kyiv and Multiple Regions
The Ukrainian power grid manager Ukrenergo has announced that it will reduce power in Kyiv and twelve regions of Ukraine this evening. The publicly-owned company made this confirmation on Facebook, as revealed by Ukrinform. The restrictive measures will affect personal habitats and industrial manufacturing facilities in Volhynia, Donetsk, Zhytomyr, Transcarpathia, Zaporizhzhia, Lviv, Mykolaiv, Kirovohrad, Odessa, Rivne, Kharkiv, and the city of Kyiv itself.
8:53 p.m.: Zelenskyy will Speak in the Bundestag on Tuesday
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is supposed to travel to Berlin on Tuesday and make a speech in the Bundestag. According to FAZ intel, this possibility was previously speculated due to the conference on Ukranian reconstruction, scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, organized by the Foreign Office. It has yet to be decided if Zelenskyy will be the first trip to Berlin since the onset of the war. In the Bundestag, he would speak publicly for the first time. To accommodate this, German Parliament would have to gather for a special session.
8:40 p.m.: Macron: France Gifts Mirage-2000 Fighter Jets to Ukraine
The French President Emmanuel Macron affirmed in an interview with French broadcasters that France is donating Mirage-2000 fighter jets to Ukraine. Macron also confirmed the training of 4,500 Ukrainian soldiers.
8:00 p.m.: Zelenskyy Honors One-Year Anniversary of Dam Collapse in Southern Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy paid tribute to the one-year anniversary of the dam's implosion in southern Ukraine. "Exactly one year ago, Russian occupiers detonated the dam and the buildings of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant," he wrote on social media. Buying into this act as one of the greatest environmental transgressions perpetrated by the Russian invaders due to their invasion, he detailed the multitudes of individuals who experienced the devastating consequences of this crime. The flooding caused by the dam's demolition left hundreds of thousands without access to clean water. "The immediate outcomes of this crime could even be felt in neighboring nations in the Black Sea region," Zelenskyy stated.
(All preceding events may be browsed here.)
Read also:
- The German government is considering utilizing the profits from frozen Russian assets to provide additional financial aid to Ukraine during the G7 summit, though no definitive decision has been made.
- Russian President Putin accused the West of using hazardous financial instruments in their sanctions against Russia, which have decreased by half, according to Putin's statement at the Global Financial Forum in St. Petersburg.
- Ukrainian President Zelensky expressed gratitude towards France for promising to send Mirage fighter jets to Ukraine in an effort to counter the Russian attack on Ukraine.
- The situation in Luhansk, Ukraine, is complex as both Ukraine and Russia have made conflicting claims about attacks on the city. Ukraine claims to have targeted military bases, while Russia alleges that Ukraine has attacked residential areas, resulting in civilian casualties. The ongoing conflict between the two countries has led to a Cyberwar, with both sides accusing each other of hacking attempts and data leakages. NATO has also expressed its support for Ukraine's right to defend itself, including the possibility of attacking legitimate military targets in Russia under international law. The Russia-Ukraine conflict has also led to calls for increased military support from the West, with the German military considering the need for tens of thousands of additional soldiers for planned NATO strategies.
