Criticism escalates in response to Germany's imposition of fresh sanctions
Following the decision on fresh sanctions against Russia, criticisms surge from the Baltic states towards Germany. Lithuania's Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis laments that the sanctions are "regrettably less stringent" than anticipated. His Estonian counterpart Margus Tsahkna remarks that it will become "progressively challenging in the European Union to reach a unanimous decision on new sanctions". Until now, this has chiefly been due to Hungary, but now the German government is allegedly obstructing harsher regulations against bypassing sanctions through third countries. The EU Commission aims to hold European companies accountable if forbidden goods reach Russia via subsidiary companies, for example, in Kazakhstan. Berlin protested, stating that the measures would harm Germany as the largest EU exporting nation more than Russia. Now, companies can only make "reasonable efforts" to prevent sanctions violations.
10:24 Ukraine reports casualties after an attack on Odessa. As per the mayor's statements, two individuals were wounded in the morning attack on Odessa. This was reported by the Ukrainian state news agency Ukrinform. Russian troops apparently targeted civilian infrastructure with rockets.
09:44 Over 110 new names are added to the EU sanctions list. The EU states have initiated the 14th sanctions package against Russia. According to a statement, sanctions will be imposed on an additional 116 persons and institutions. Stricter measures will also be taken against efforts to circumvent existing sanctions. Moreover, investments in Russian liquid gas projects will be blocked.
09:25 The EU demands frozen Russian funds for Ukraine. EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell aims to prevent a EU member state from thwarting the use of funds from frozen Russian financial assets to support Ukraine. Borrell will present a proposal at the EU Foreign Ministers' meeting in Luxembourg. "We have a legal procedure to prevent any kind of blockade."
08:58 Moscow diverts accusations of terrorism in Russia towards Ukraine. From the Russian Parliament come, without evidence, accusations that Ukraine was behind the terrorist attack in Dagestan, as reported by NTV correspondent Rainer Munz. The Kremlin is attempting to "divert attention from the growing Islamic terror in Russia".
08:23 Reports of an attack on Odessa. According to media reports, a fire broke out in Odessa in the morning. The Belarusian opposition medium Nexta reports of a powerful explosion, while "Kyiv Post" reports of an attack on civilian infrastructure.
07:51 Schwesig arrives in Kiev - "Ukraine must win". As the first Bundesrat President, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's Governor Manuela Schwesig visits Ukraine. The SPD politician arrives in Kiev by train, where she intends to conduct political talks. "It is a gesture of solidarity from all 16 federal states with Ukraine," she said on her way. "Ukraine must win this war, and it should not be that Russia gets away with this aggression." This statement does not sit well with all politicians. Chancellor Olaf Scholz instead always says that Russia should not win the war, and Ukraine should not lose it.
07:36 Nowooleksandriwka continues to be heavily contested. According to reports about the capture of the village Nowooleksandriwka in the Donezk region, Ukrainian sources highlight that Russian troops have not fully taken control of the village. The Ukrainian army reports intense fighting at the site.
06:52 A military blogger claims that a Russian unit is holding its own wounded prisoners. A Russian military blogger reports that commanders of various units of the so-called Donetsk People's Republic are allegedly mistreating their wounded subordinates. A brigade is said to be detaining its wounded in the city of Donezk under harsh conditions instead of treating them, as cited by the US think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
06:21 A third Estonian volunteer dies at the front. An Estonian volunteer who served in the Ukrainian army has been killed in a fight in the Luhansk region. This was reported by Kyiv Independent, citing the Estonian newspaper "Postimees". Martin Jaager, a 42-year-old professional soldier, was reportedly killed on Saturday and is the third Estonian to die in the defense of Ukraine. After serving in an elite unit in Estonia, he joined the Ukrainian army over a year ago.
05:44 EU foreign ministers meeting: Pressure on Hungary escalates. The EU foreign ministers are meeting in Luxembourg today to discuss the Russian offensive against Ukraine. Planned is a debate with the Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba, who will be connected via video. Hungary is under pressure to withdraw its blockade of military aid to Ukraine worth 6.5 billion Euros. A heated debate on this issue had taken place at the foreign ministers' meeting at the end of May.
04:45 Moscow points the finger at the US for the attack on Crimea's Sevastopol. After a rocket attack on the Black Sea port city of Sevastopol on the annexed Crimean Peninsula, Moscow accuses the US. "The responsibility for the provocative rocket attack on the civilian population of Sevastopol lies primarily with Washington, which has supplied these weapons to Ukraine, and with the Kiev regime, from whose territory this attack was launched," the Ministry stated. US specialists had allegedly determined the launch coordinates of the rockets using information from US spy satellites, making the US government directly responsible. Four people, including two children, were reportedly killed and 151 others injured, according to the Defense Ministry.
03:42 Unacceptable Actions: IAEA condemns attacks around Saporischschja NPPThe International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has expressed strong criticism towards ongoing attacks on Enerhodar, a Ukrainian city near the Saporischschja Nuclear Power Plant. IAEA head Rafael Grossi spoke out, stating, "The people behind these attacks need to stop. Drone attacks on the power plant and its surroundings are becoming increasingly common and are completely unacceptable." Grossi went on to emphasize that these actions contravene established security principles and practices. In recent days, drone attacks have targeted two transformer stations, causing disruptions in power supply for local residents. According to Grossi, these previous attacks did not have an impact on the Saporischschja Nuclear Power Plant's operations.
02:45 Stoltenberg to Meet with Macron in Paris: Discussing Additional Aid for UkraineNATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is set to gather with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. Their agenda includes a focus on providing further support for Ukraine as it battles Russia. Macron had earlier expressed his intention to establish a coalition for Western military training in Ukraine.
01:43 Orban Advocates for Immediate Ceasefire in UkraineAhead of Hungary's upcoming EU presidency, Prime Minister Viktor Orban has called for a swift end to the conflict in Ukraine. In an interview with Funke Media Group newspapers, Orban expressed that he believes Russia's assault on Ukraine is undesirable and goes against the core principles of global affairs. However, he stressed, "Currently, our objective is to stop the violence on the front lines." Orban stated that ending the war in Ukraine is one of the main priorities for Hungary's EU presidency, which begins in July.
00:53 Ukraine Strikes Targets in Annexed Crimean PeninsulaUkraine launched attacks on targets within the Crimean Peninsula, which was annexed by Russia, during the night. The Ukrinform news agency reported several explosions in the port city of Evpatoria. The city's authorities, unlike during daytime attacks, issued an air alarm. The outcomes of the attacks are still unknown. Several media outlets shared images and videos of fires, though neither the Ukrainian nor Russian sides have confirmed claims of hit military installations.
23:49 Zelenskyy Requests Authorization for Deep Strikes into Russian TerritoryFollowing continuous shelling of Kharkiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is demanding advanced weapons and approval for strikes that penetrate deep into Russian territory. Zelenskyy stated, "The Russian air force must be eliminated wherever it is found, utilizing any available means." Kiev is working with its international partners to facilitate this decision.
22:49 Prien Expresses Concerns over Social Benefits for Ukrainian Refugees: Federal Government LackingIn response to a proposal from CSU regional group leader Alexander Dobrindt for social benefits for Ukrainian refugees, CDU deputy chairwoman Karin Prien highlighted the reasons for their displacement. "Ukrainians are fleeing Putin's terror and war. We gladly provide them sanctuary and hospitality," wrote Schleswig-Holstein's Education Minister on the X platform. "The majority of refugees from Ukraine are eager to quickly establish themselves, work, and prepare for the reconstruction of their homeland. Our responsibility should be to facilitate their integration into the workforce." Prien also criticized the federal government for failing in this regard.
EU Commission Warns of Potential Russian Interference in the 2025 Bundestag ElectionAhead of Germany's upcoming Bundestag election, EU Commission Vice-President Vera Jourova expressed concern over potential manipulation efforts by Russia. "We live in a new era of hostile influence," the EU Commissioner for Transparency and Values and the Protection of Democracy told Germany's Süddeutsche Zeitung. "I fear that Voice of Europe is being used as a blueprint for further operations - also in the run-up to the Bundestag election next year. This supposed media outlet is likely merely the tip of the iceberg." The EU prohibited the broadcast of Voice of Europe and three other Russian media organizations within the European Union in May. According to the EU, these media outlets were manipulated by the Russian government and targeted European parties during election cycles. Voice of Europe, based in Prague, is suspected of spreading pro-Russian propaganda within the EU and offering money to European politicians.
19:15 Ukrainian Energy Supplier Warns of Nationwide Power OutagesDue to attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure by Russia, the national energy supplier is alerting residents to expect power outages in the coming days. Ukrenergo shared this news on Telegram. The measures are necessary as energy consumption is expected to increase, and the power grid has been weakened by "massive Russian attacks." Ukraine has already been implementing rolling blackouts since May due to the damaged energy infrastructure. According to Ukrenergo, the most significant power cuts are predicted between 19 and 23 hours on Monday.
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Read also:
- Amidst the escalating conflict in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for advanced weapons and authorization for deep strikes into Russian territory in response to continuous shelling of Kharkiv.
- Critics argue that the new German sanctions against Russia are less stringent than anticipated, and that the German government is obstructing harsher regulations against bypassing sanctions through third countries.
- The EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell has proposed to prevent a EU member state from thwarting the use of funds from frozen Russian financial assets to support Ukraine, aiming to hold European companies accountable for sanctions violations.
- Following the attack on Odessa, two individuals were wounded in the morning attack on civilian infrastructure targetted by Russian troops with rockets, as reported by the Ukrainian state news agency Ukrinform.
