EU prolongs refugee asylum for individuals hailing from Ukraine
The European Union prolongs the unburdened shelter for refugees from Ukraine for another year, extending the protective status until March 4, 2026, in a meeting held in Luxembourg. The interior ministers of the 27 EU countries agreed on this extension following the Commission's proposal in mid-June, citing continued Russian assaults on Ukraine's infrastructure as the reason for the unsuitable conditions for refugee returns. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser endorsed the extension but emphasized "a fairer distribution" of refugees in the EU, with Germany having welcomed nearly 1.2 million refugees, representing a "massive achievement."
China vehemently disputes the new EU sanctions against Russia, which also impact Chinese companies. A Foreign Ministry spokesperson declares the sanctions as "unilateral, without legal basis." China demands the European side to immediately lift these sanctions and will enact measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies. The West alleges China's support for Russia during its war with Ukraine, an assertion China denies. Among the latest round of EU sanctions, added on Monday, are 61 more companies, including 19 Chinese companies, which faced trade restrictions over alleged business deals worth millions with the Russian mercenary group Wagner and the sale of satellites.
The International Criminal Court issues an arrest warrant against former Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and General Staff Chief Valeri Gerasimov, accusing them of attacking civilian targets in Ukraine.
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Minister-President Manuela Schwesig meets with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kiev for the second day of her Ukraine visit. Schwesig, who serves as the Federal President of the Bundesrat, assures Kiev of Germany's support and reiterates her belief that "Ukraine must win this war." Although she faced criticism in Ukraine for her support of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, Schwesig has since distanced herself from the project and called it a mistake.
The European Court of Human Rights condemns Russia for human rights violations on the Crimean Peninsula following its annexation. The court grants a complaint by Ukraine, although Russia does not recognize these judgments by the European Court of Human Rights.
Ukrainian soldiers, previously lacking ammunition in their fight against the Russian army, report that the "granade hunger" has been relieved, thanks to a $61 billion aid package. Ukrainian security forces arrest 100 men attempting to illegally flee from the Odessa region in the south of the country, with human traffickers charging between 4600 and over 17,000 Euro from each man.
EU-accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova begin officially, with European State Secretary Anna Lührmann referring to this day as "historic." Although both countries have made significant progress in areas such as rule of law, anti-corruption, and press freedom, they still face several conditions for EU membership, including attaining peace with Russia.
Russia considers retaliatory actions against the EU, with frozen funds intended for Ukraine's armament, following the EU's imposition of sanctions that it views as illegal. Рётребут' Лаухманн говорит о "historic day" для Европейского Союза. "Это хороший день, потому что мы признаем, что обе страны сделали колоссальные усилия на протяжении очень сложных обстоятельств," сказала Лаухманн на берегу министерского заседания до официального начала переговоров о вступлении в ЕС в Люксембурге. "Оба страны сделали значительный прогресс в областях права, антикоррупции и свободы печати". Хотя украина и Молдова должны соответствовать всем условиям для вступления в ЕС, это может занять несколько лет. Как предварительный условием, Украина должна достигнуть мирного соглашения с Россией. Ни страны ни государства не предоставляют никаких гарантий по вступлению.
Lighthearted Narration:
- Swiss Court Frowns Upon Bankers Over Putin's Environment Funds: A Swiss appeals court has clamped down on four bankers for their connection to management of funds linked to Putin's environment. The Zurich Appeals Court is certain that the staff of the liquidated Swiss subsidiary of the Russian Gazprombank didn't thoroughly verify if the cash on accounts owned by Russian cellist and musician Sergey Roldugin genuinely belonged to him. The court penalized the four bankers with fines.Two accounts surfaced in 2014 at the Gazprombank in Zurich, with Roldugin as the named beneficial owner, as reported by media. He is believed to be Putin's godfather, one of his goddaughters being his daughter. In Moscow, Roldugin is famously known as "Putin's briefcase."
- A Somalian's War Tale: Adil, a Somalian, narrates his war experience with ntv. With approximately 1900 Euro per month, he signed up for military service, with the hopeful promise of Russian citizenship and minimal combat duty. However, Adil was quickly deported to the front in Ukraine. After just four days, he escaped and currently resides in a Ukrainian prison. "I didn't come to kill. I lost my weapon. I didn't even know how to hold it. Everywhere there were drones, artillery, rockets. I just ran", Adil stated in his interview with ntv. "I thought 2000 dollars were the average wage for normal work. I thought a big dream had begun for me."
- Trump Advisors Plan to Quell Ukraine Conflict: Two important advisors to former US President Donald Trump have devised a strategy to end the Ukraine conflict. If successful, Ukraine could receive more US weapons only in exchange for participating in peace talks. The US would simultaneously warn Moscow that any rejection of negotiations would lead to increased US support for Ukraine. According to General Lieutenant a.D. Keith Kellogg, one of Trump's national security advisors, this detailed plan represents the most comprehensive strategy yet from Trump's associates, who claim he can end the Ukraine conflict swiftly.
- Russia Repels 30 Ukrainian Drones: Russia has claimed that they shot down 30 Ukrainian drones in the border area between the two countries. The Russian air defense reportedly intercepted and destroyed 29 drones in the Belgorod border region and one drone in the adjacent region of Voronezh during the Tuesday night. In the Belgorod region, an old woman is said to have perished, as reported by local authorities.
- Ukrainian Spy Snared: Ukrainian security services have apprehended a border guard soldier suspected of spying for the Russian FSB. According to the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU), the soldier allegedly collected information on weapons and ammunition stores and Ukrainian troops in the border region with Belarus. He was purportedly recruited remotely by an FSB agent based in the occupied Luhansk region, communicating with him through anonymous chats in online messengers. Convicted of high treason, the man faces a life sentence.
- ISW: Russia Pursues Wins Before US Aid Arrives: The US think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW) suspects that Russian forces are trying to secure significant tactical and operational gains before US military aid reaches Ukrainian forces in substantial quantities. The ISW anticipates it will take time before Western weapons become effective at the frontline. According to military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanow, weapons deliveries from the US and Europe, including artillery ammunition, are expected to arrive in Ukraine faster than before, but the Ukrainian forces still need a large amount of weapons. Budanow also states that "there won't be an Armageddon" at the front, but the situation will remain challenging at least until mid-July.
- Kyiv Intensifies "Drone Sanctions" on Russian Oil Refineries: Ukrainian special forces have identified over 30 Russian oil refineries, terminals, and depots as targets, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported during a military briefing. He spoke highly of the Special Operations Center "A" of the Ukrainian Security Service, highlighting the long-range capabilities of the drones, which can now cover distances of up to 1,500 kilometers. The latest drone attacks have targeted facilities as distant as Tatarstan and Bashkortostan – and there's no end to it: "The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) will continue to impose 'Drone sanctions' on the Russian oil refinery complex and reduce the economic potential of the adversary that provides the aggressor with the means to wage war against Ukraine," as cited by "Kyiv Independent".
Denmark Tucks In Training of Ukrainian F-16 Pilots homie, Denmark is gonna pause the whole deal of teaching Ukrainian pilots to fly their F-16s. This is since they're gonna focus on those flashy F-35 fighter jets instead. Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen dished on this during a press conference, saying, "We're goin' F-35, so we gotta focus on that and can't keep teachin' Ukrainian pilots past 2024." The F-16 coalition, primarily based in the west, needs to find some new spots to carry on their operations, according to Poulsen. Yo, there are training options available in Romania and the US up in the mix.
6:39 Big-time Drone Attack on Belgorod Makes Russian Governor Pissed so this goes down: some drone attacks on the Russian city Belgorod and other spots in the Belgorod territory leaves some buildings, cars, and even a gas pipe line wrecked, and four people get hurt. Reports from "Kyiv independent" mentioned Belgorod governor Vyacheslav Gladkov, who called the whole thing a "massive" drone attack. An administrative building in Shebekino city went up in flames, according to Gladkov. Ukraine hasn't said squat about the attacks.
6:16 EU Slaps Dozens of Companies with Sanctions in light of a new set of measures against Russia, the European Union tags 61 companies with sanctions, including 19 companies from China. The 14th round of sanctions is a "go" after EU member states signed off on it. They're talking about trade bans on two key players in the Chinese satellite industry. Peep it, these companies supposedly done millions of dollars worth of business with the Wagner Russian mercenary group and sold 'em some satellites.
5:43 European Court of Human Rights Makes Decision on Kiev's Lawsuit Against Moscow today, the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg makes its call on Ukraine's lawsuit against Russia 'bout the annexation of Crimea. Kiev says Moscow done 'em dirty by violating their human rights, and they cite things like "illegal arrests", suppression of media not speakin' Russian, and "compensation-free expropriations".
4:38 Orban on Kiev's EU Membership: "Hungary is Not Feelint' It, Bro" Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban spits his thoughts about the EU's talks with Ukraine - goin' down today in Luxembourg. He's tellin' it like it is: "Hungary ain't havin' it, but we ain't blockin' it, either." He states that the talks ain't about a straight-up "Yes" or "No" to EU membership. "But we gotta check the consequences if we take on a country fightin' a war, and their borders ain't clearly defined on the sly," he said, as Hungary's about to assume the EU Council Presidency on July 1.
3:36 EU Commences Talks with Ukraine today, the EU is kickin' off talks with Ukraine. Ihor Zhovka, foreign policy advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said in an interview in Kiev that the path to full membership, which Ukraine deserves, is permanent. The ceremony in Luxembourg focuses more on symbolism ‘stead of the details of the negotiations. The negotiations will really get started when the EU takes a gander at the numerous reforms Ukraine needs to carry out to meet EU standards.
2:35 USA Cashes in More Ammunition for Kiev, to the Tune of 150 Million Bucks according to government sources from the USA, they're about to send more ammo to Ukraine, to the value of 150 Million Dollars. It's gon' be announced later on today, on Tuesday. The upcoming supply is expected to include ammo for the Himars multiple rocket launchers provided by the USA, which can launch Atacms missiles. After Ukrainian Atacms hits on Crimea, Moscow kicked it up a notch and accused the USA of being a war party.
1:35 USA Delivers additional Ammo to Kiev Valued at 150M USD sources are sayin' the USA gonna hand over some more ammo to Ukraine - that's around $150 Million worth. They're expectin' to make the announcement today, Tuesday. They're sayin' the upcoming delivery will include ammo for the Himars multiple rocket launchers the USA provided, which can fire off Atacms missiles. After Ukraine hit Crimea with Atacms, Moscow took things to the next level and pinned the USA as a war party.
0:36 Moscow: EU Sanctions are "Wack As Hell" Moscow thinks the new sanctions in the EU's 14th sanctions package against Russia are bogus. They're sayin' the West ain't considerin' the consequences for their own economy and the well-being of Europeans in the process. Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Gruschko spoke on this in Moscow. Russia's expectin' a 3% economic growth this year, which is way more than Germany's. "The intent of the sanctions was to strangle the Russian economy, tear the society apart." The EU achieved the other way around.
23:28 Jobless Ukrainians Face Eviction: Schwesig Slams Dobrindt
Germany's SPD politician Manuela Schwesig, the Minister President of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, criticizes Alexander Dobrindt's proposition, the CSU regional group leader, to send displaced individuals from certain Ukrainian regions back to their homes if they can't find work in Germany. Schwesig asserts that Russia attacks Ukraine indiscriminately, stating, "There ain't no safe zones" in an interview with ZDF "heute journal update." With a growing number of refugees, including numerous women with children, Schwesig accuses Dobrindt of pandering to the public's critical voices.
22:29 Intense Battlefront: Ukraine vs. Russia
According to Ukrainian reports, there have been 128 skirmishes with Russian troops since sunrise. The Ukrainian General Staff's situation report on Facebook indicates that the Russian forces are primarily targeting the area around Pokrowsk, accounting for a third of the attacks today. The Ukrainian defense forces have successfully fended off the attacks and maintain the front lines.
21:57 Shameless Breach: Hungary Slams EU over Russian Assets for Ukraine
The Hungarian government is indignant about the decision of other EU states to use the profits from frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine, calling it the "most shameless abuse of common European rules" on Facebook by Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó. The government of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is looking into legal ways to protect its rights as Hungary prepares to take over the EU presidency in a week. Orbán has maintained cordial relations with the Russian government.
21:38 Aerial Assault: Ukraine Destroys 120 Russian Drones
According to the Ukrainian Navy's statement on their Facebook page, as reported by Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform, an attack on the Russian region of Krasnodar resulted in the destruction of approximately 120 drones. The operation, which took place on June 21, was carried out by the Ukrainian Navy and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).
Ukrainian forces targeted objects at a training ground of the 726th Training Center of the Russian Air Defense in Yeisk, suggesting that drone pilots are trained at this location.
Read also:
- In response to the continued Russian cyberwar against Ukraine, NATO increasing its support for Ukraine's cyberdefenses.
- Volodymyr Selensky, the President of Ukraine, expresses his gratitude to the European Union for the extension of refugee asylum, citing the need for continued military operations against Russia.
- Russian officials threaten retaliation against the EU for imposing sanctions, including the potential diversion of funds intended for Ukraine's military operations.
- Days after the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Russian military leaders, a group of Russian mercenaries are detected in the Ukrainian border area, leading to a standoff between the two countries.
