Putin reports reduction of payments in 'toxic' currencies by 50%

Putin Reveals Reduction of Payments in "Toxic" Currencies to 50%

Putin intends to further sever ties with the West by decreasing imports, increasing the use of non-Western currencies in trade, and growing domestic financial markets. Russian trade with Asia is booming, with nearly 40% of foreign trade now handled in rubles. On the contrary, transactions in dollars, euros, and other Western currencies are decreasing. Russia aspires to enhance the proportion of transactions executed in the currencies of BRICS members—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. At the International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg, Putin remarked, "Last year, the share of payments for Russian exports in the currencies of hostile nations was halved." Referring primarily to Western nations that have imposed punitive measures against Russia as a result of its actions in Ukraine, he added.

15:45 Russians Recapture Village in Eastern Ukraine:

The Russian military has regained control of a village in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk, according to their official statements. "Troops from the southern military district have fortified their positions along the front line and are now in control of the settlement of Paraskoviyivka," the Russian Defense Ministry declared in Moscow. The village is about 25 kilometers southwest of Donetsk, a city Russia already conquered in 2022. After a prolonged period of inactivity, Russian forces have wrested control of numerous settlements this year.

15:34 Stoltenberg: Ukraine is Permitted to Attack Russian Military Targets Under International Law

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg claims that Ukraine has the right to strike Russian military targets under international law, which allows for self-defense. "Ukraine has the right to self-defense," he proclaimed. This includes attacking legitimate military objectives on the territory of the aggressor Russia.

15:13 In Paris, Biden Promises Zelenskyy One Billion Dollars in Military Aid:

US President Joe Biden disclosed a new, $225 million (€207 million) military aid package for Ukraine during a meeting in Paris with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The meeting follows long-term NATO visits to France by both leaders. The new package includes rockets for Hawk antiaircraft systems, ammunition for multiple rocket launchers, Stinger antiaircraft missiles, and artillery ammunition with 155 and 105-millimeter calibers, according to the US Defense Department. The United States is prioritizing bolstering Ukraine's air defense and supplying it with ammunition after a significant lull in supplies.

14:58 Moscow Alleges Kiev Launched Counter-Attack on Luhansk Residential Area:

Moscow accuses Ukraine of launching an airstrike on the eastern Ukrainian city of Luhansk from Kiev. The Russian Emergency Situations Ministry reports three fatalities and partial collapse of a residential building. Casualty numbers differ between reports, ranging from 22 to 35 people, including three children. Leonid Pasetschnik, the Russian-appointed head of the region, asserts that "Ukrainian nationalists" perpetrated a "massive rocket attack on the civilian infrastructure of Luhansk," firing "at least six rockets" at the city. The Russian Defense Ministry later confirmed that Ukraine had deployed "five ATACMS missiles from US origin" directly at residential areas in the city. Four missiles were obstructed by Russian air defense systems, while the fifth struck two residential buildings, according to the Ministry.

14:24 Report: Germany Needs Additional Soldiers for NATO:

"Spiegel" magazine suggests that Germany needs tens of thousands of extra soldiers based on overloaded NATO plans. According to the article, the necessity for "75,000 additional troops" was uncovered in confidential documents from the German Defense Ministry. At the NATO summit in Vilnius last year, the alliance devised these strategies and demonstrated how it would respond in the event of a Russian invasion. Based on these plans, concrete requirements for troops, weapons, and other equipment were then calculated by NATO and its member states. The German Defense Ministry has yet to comment on a request for clarification. The Bundeswehr employs 180,000 soldiers and military personnel, as well as 80,000 civilian employees.

13:50 Ukraine Satisfied EU Criteria for Accession Negotiations:

Both Ukraine and Moldova have reportedly met the prerequisites for commencement of EU accession talks, according to an evaluation by the EU Commission. This assessment was shared with representatives of the EU governments, diplomatic sources confirmed. Both nations purportedly completed all outstanding issues by March. For Ukraine, this required measures to safeguard national minorities and limit the political power of oligarchs. German authorities had openly acknowledged by the end of May that all conditions for EU accession negotiations with Ukraine had been fulfilled. Read more here.

13:20 Biden Apologizes to Zelenskyy for Prolonged Suspension of US Weapon Deliveries:

Joe Biden offered an apology to Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a meeting in Paris for the previous lull in US weapon deliveries to Ukraine. The amended $225 million (€207 million) military aid package, which Biden revealed, includes rockets for Hawk antiaircraft systems, ammunition for HIMARS multiple rocket launchers, Stinger antiaircraft missiles, and 155 and 105-millimeter artillery ammunition. The United States has focused primarily on enhancing Ukraine's air defense and providing ammunition.

The president of the United States, Joe Biden, apologizes to his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, for the delay in delivering weapons from the US. He also asks for forgiveness for the ambiguity about future aid. This happened during a meeting between the two in Paris, where they both attended for several days. About the longstanding prohibition of American financial aid for Kiev, Biden explains that certain extremely conservative members of parliament impeded the bill. However, the problem has now been resolved. Biden reaffirms the US's commitment to help Ukraine, as it is considered a major force against Russian aggression.

12:50 Moscow holds the US responsible for deaths in Russia from weapons sent to Ukraine.

Spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, claims that Ukraine used American-supplied weapons last week for attacks in the Belgorod border region. The US government's support for the attacks implies "admitting responsibility for the murder of children and women in the Belgorod region," she said. "Fragments of HIMARS rockets will serve as direct evidence." This accusation comes after warnings from Russian President Vladimir Putin that the West will suffer major consequences if it permits Ukraine to bomb Russian territory with weapons supplied by them.

12:11 Ukraine's attacks on Russian military targets: Instruction: React, but why not prevent initial attacks?

Christian Mölling, a security expert, sees success in the US decision to let Ukraine target military targets in Russia. The region of Kharkiv can now be temporarily protected against what were previously easy attacks by Russia. "The lifting of the ban on attacking Russian troops on Russian territory has improved the situation right away and has given Ukraine forces an advantage," he says in an interview with Stern. He suggests that the failure to act before the start of the attacks is where responsibility lies. "We need to ask where we are still braking and who bears responsibility for casualties, injuries, and damaged infrastructure." He argues that militarized targets can be attacked, thereby preventing "safe havens" for aggressors.

11:44 "Hitler occupied border after border. Putin is doing the same." - Zelensky discusses Russian expansion.

Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukrainian president, warns about the expansion of the Russian war, ostensibly quoting the case of Hitler. "In the 1930s, Hitler crossed border after border. Putin is doing the same thing," he tells members of the French National Assembly. "We already see how aggression is spreading to the Baltic states, Poland, and the Balkans." The Russian leadership aims to destabilize Europe and uses "the arsenal of the past century", including seal blockades and the abduction of children, according to Zelensky. Putin is "blackmailing the whole world so that it's afraid of him."

11:14 Trial of a US soldier begins in Russia.

A US soldier called Gordon Black faces a trial in Vladivostok, according to the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti. The 34-year-old has confessed to the charges after his partner accused him of theft. A conviction could result in 5 years in prison. The case causes further tension between Russia and the US, as Russia is currently holding several Americans, including Paul Whelan, charged with espionage, and "Wall Street Journal" reporter Evan Gershkovich. The US claims that both are being held unlawfully.

10:44: A new federal district may be formed from the Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories.

Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories could soon be combined to create a new federal district. This was revealed by ntv correspondent Rainer Munz, who also mentioned the increased presence of warships in Cuba. What this implies and the reasons for the actions remain unclear.

10:23 Moscow states that Ukraine shot US rockets at Russian civilian targets.

Maria Zakharova, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, accuses Ukraine of shooting US rockets at civilian targets on Russian territory. Zelensky and Biden held a meeting in Paris.

Ukraine accuses Russian General Oleg Makarevich of ordering the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in 2023, resulting in a flood disaster causing a humanitarian and ecological catastrophe. The State Prosecutor and SBU are investigating the potential premeditated murder and war law violations. If convicted, Makarevich faces a life sentence. The SBU is determined to bring all those involved in crimes against Ukraine to justice.

Air raid alarms have been triggered in various parts of Ukraine due to Russian airstrikes. The situation in Donetsk is tense, but the training of pilots for promised combat aircraft is stalling.

Ukrainian authorities report intercepting all five rockets fired by Russia, and 48 out of 53 drones launched have been shot down. The drones attacked in the Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, South Odessa, and Kherson regions. No energy infrastructure was hit, but there is some damage and no injuries.

The historian Heinrich August Winkler considers the stubborn commitment to the debt brake a security risk for Germany. He believes that a worsening situation in Ukraine could lead to a loss of Ukraine if Germany prioritizes the debt brake over saving the country. Winkler suggests increasing conventional defense efforts without letting the debt brake hinder them.

Swiss President Viola Amherd expects the Ukraine peace conference to be the beginning of further negotiations and that Russia may participate in a possible follow-up conference. Over 80 countries plan to attend, including Germany with Chancellor Olaf Scholz. However, Russia will not be invited to the mid-June conference as they will not send representatives if invited.

Many German companies in Ukraine plan to continue their investments, with 43 percent wanting to maintain their engagements and only eight percent planning to divest. Stability, funding, and guarantees are essential for expanding business activities. Around 42 percent expect the economy to improve, 48 percent anticipate no change, and ten percent fear deterioration.

The International Federation for Human Rights, the Center for Civil Liberties, and the Kharkiv Human Rights Group submitted a report to the International Criminal Court, accusing five Russian propagandists of hate crimes against Ukrainians. The warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova for forced deportations of Ukrainian children remain in effect.

Russian President Putin vows to transform Russia into a war economy for the foreseeable future, after military operations against Ukraine. He expects a massive shift towards defense and armament production.

In other developments, Russia's embassy in Ukraine said the country's "special military operation" could last for years. "Moscow has adequate resources for a long military operation in Donbass," said the embassy spokesman to TASS news agency. However, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson ruled out agreeing to a peace deal that did not involve a complete shift of forces, following talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Russian state media provided conflicting messages on the conflict with Ukraine, with some reporting martial law in Sevastopol and others denying such reports. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military continues to repel Russian attacks, with the Defense Ministry reporting dozens of Russian soldiers killed and hundreds injured. The Ukrainian president is confident his forces can repel Russian attacks, but cautioned that the country needs time to rebuild damaged infrastructure and popular support.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke with US President Joe Biden, discussing the anti-war movement and continued support for Ukraine and seeking further assistance from the US. The US continues to supply Ukraine with military equipment, but Biden made no commitments for a no-fly zone over the country. Ukraine's defense chief also refuted false reports of Paris's support for a military intervention in Ukraine.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz discussed the war with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, focusing on the refugee situation, NATO enlargement, and energy security. Scholz reiterated Germany's support for Ukraine and criticized Moscow's aggression.

Five senior Russian military officers were killed and several wounded in an attack on a military convoy in the southern Russian city of Yeysk. According to local authorities, the convoy was targeted by explosions and a firefight. The Russian Ministry of Defense declined to comment on the incident.

Vladimir Putin, the head of the Kremlin, has declared his intention to transform his nation into a war economy following over two years of his confrontation with Ukraine. Putin has finalized a list of instructions for the defense industry's advancement, according to Denis Manturov, the country's first deputy prime minister, during the annual St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). During a section devoted to defense matters, participants highlighted that Russia's weapons and munitions are fabricated faster and at a quarter of the cost of comparable military technology in the Western world. The nation is preparing for a lengthy war economy, it was asserted. The number of enterprises producing arms and ammunition, from both the public and private sectors, has dramatically escalated over the previous two years of warfare. "Currently, the military-industrial complex serves as the backbone of our economy," said economic expert Pyotr Fradkov, chairman of Promsvyazbank, referring to major commercial agreements.

NATO Allies Disgruntled with Germany: Incongruous Position on Ukraine Project

Germany's administration is sparking annoyance among NATO allies due to their refusal to label a new assistance initiative for Ukraine as a "mission." Sources in the diplomatic world doubt Berlin's rationale for avoiding the designation "NATO Mission Ukraine" (NMU). They perceive this refusal as excessive consideration of Russia and incomprehensible to nearly all other NATO countries. Germany has expressed apprehension that using the term "mission" could be misconstrued as sending troops to Ukraine and could be leveraged by Russia for anti-alliance propaganda. Opponents of naming it a "mission" believe the Kremlin will denounce the NATO venture as provocation and utilize it for misinformation campaigns. It appears enigmatic that Germany is the sole nation expressing this stance, particularly given its support for this undertaking, as per its own statements.

Russia Expert on Ukraine Talks: "Baffling" that Biden Skips Meeting

Political scientist Gerhard Mangott finds the conventional Ukraine conference in Switzerland uncommonly deprived of worthiness due to the absence of crucial states. Experts concur that the absence of nations like China, Brazil, or South Africa renders the forum less significant. It's noteworthy that discussions of a subsequent conference are underway prior to the commencement of the planned conference, indicating that most attendees do not anticipate effective outcomes. The Ukrainian government is dismayed by this since the US is only sending Vice President Kamala Harris and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan instead of President Joe Biden. Mangott finds this perplexing: "It's genuinely baffling why President Joe Biden opted not to attend the conference."

Russia Launches Drones and Cruise Missiles

Nights in Ukraine have become punctuated by air raid alarms apart from the western regions. The air force asserts that drones were dispatched from the Black Sea towards Odessa, and cruise missiles were neutralized.

New US Military Aid Package for Ukraine Awaits President Biden's Arrival

A fresh military aid package from the United States, likely to be valued around $225 million, is mandatory before US President Joe Biden's imminent meeting with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris. This package is likely to comprise ammunition appropriate for fantastically distant targets to protect Kharkiv from a perilous heavy Russian onslaught. It was reported that it could encompass ammunition for the HIMARS system, mortar systems, and a selection of artillery projectiles.

Blackouts Across Various Regions

Ukraine's power grid operator, Ukrenergo, discloses blackouts in 12 territories. These include Lviv and Zakarpattia in the west, the capital Kiev, the Kiev region, Odessa in the south, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia towards the north-east. Ukrenergo states that electricity consumption surpasses limits. Additionally, critical infrastructure facilities could be imperiled. This has followed Russian assaults on facilities that produce energy. The nation's power generation capabilities have been significantly scaled back.

US Imposes Entry Ban on Georgian Individuals Following the Acknowledgement of "Foreign Agents" Law

In response to the adoption of Georgia's "foreign influence law," the USA is enforcing an entry ban on numerous participants in the process. A limited number of people, which includes members of the ruling Georgian Dream party, legislators, and members of the security apparatus and their relatives, are now prohibited from entering the USA. This was previously anticipated by Washington. Relationships with Georgia are also in jeopardy. Mass demonstrations against this new legislation have been underway in Georgia for several weeks. The statute shares similarities with the 2012 Russian law against "foreign agents," which enables the authorities to crack down heavily on government-critical media and entities.

The regions of Ukraine taken by Russia may form a new federal district. This is what RIA Novosti, a Russian state media outlet, claims after speaking with Evgeny Balizky, a Russian governor who holds power in the seized area of Zaporizhzhia. Back in 2014, Russia illegally took Crimea and part of eastern Ukraine's Donbass region. Then, following the start of the full-scale war in February 2022, Moscow took over more regions of Ukraine, including Kherson, Donetsk, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia.

7:22 PM: Ukrenergo Reduces Power Supply to Kyiv and 12 Ukrainian Regions

Ukrenergo, Ukraine's national energy provider, is turning off the power to households and businesses in Kyiv and twelve other regions this evening. The state-run company made the announcement on Facebook, as shared by Ukrinform. People and businesses in Volhynia, Donetsk, Zhytomyr, Transcarpathia, Zaporizhzhia, Lviv, Mykolayiv, Kirovohrad, Odessa, Rivne, and the city of Kyiv are all impacted.

6:47 PM: Zelenskyy Set to Address German Bundestag on Tuesday

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to arrive in Berlin on Tuesday and address the German Parliament, the Bundestag. This is what the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung reports, quoting the German Foreign Office. There were rumors that he would visit Berlin and take part in the reconstruction conference for Ukraine, which runs from Tuesday to Wednesday. While this wouldn't be his first trip to Berlin during the war, it would be his first time addressing the Bundestag personally. Parliament would need to hold a special session for that.

6:36 PM: Macron: France Gifts Mirage-2000 Fighter Jets to Ukraine

France is giving Ukraine Mirage-2000 fighter aircraft, French President Emmanuel Macron shared in a TV interview. Macron added that they would train 4,500 Ukrainians on using them.

5:01 PM: Zelenskyy Recalls Anniversary of Dam Collapse in Southern Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remembered the first anniversary of the dam explosion in southern Ukraine. "Exactly a year ago, Russian invaders destroyed the dam and the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant buildings," Zelenskyy tweeted. He called it one of the biggest environmental crimes by the invaders since they began occupying Ukraine. Thousands of people suffered from the flood caused by the dam's destruction, while the water supply for hundreds of thousands of others was disrupted. The consequences were also felt by neighbors in the Black Sea region, Zelenskyy said.

To find out about previous developments, read here.