Stoltenberg asserts: China stokes global conflicts
NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg advocate for more weapon supplies to Ukraine during a visit in Washington and criticized China's actions due to the Russian conflict. "It might appear contradictory, but the path to peace goes through more arms for Ukraine," Stoltenberg said before meeting with US President Biden. The Ukrainian government must be "reliable and sustainable" to receive support, Stoltenberg added. Regarding China, Stoltenberg mentioned, "China pretends to be neutral, but it wants to dodge sanctions and keep trade flowing." However, "the truth is that China is escalating the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II and wants to maintain good ties with the West," Stoltenberg warned.
Denmark tests possibilities to limit the journey of older Russian oil tankers through the Baltic Sea. The country formed a group of allied states to examine measures against this alleged "shadow fleet" of old vessels, as implied in an email from Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen to Reuters. "There's a consensus that the shadow fleet is an international issue that necessitates international solutions." Denmark is worried that these old tankers endanger the environment.
Singer Rod Stewart has spoken against Russian President Vladimir Putin and expressed support for Ukraine. Members of his family have provided supplies to the country, he has rented a house in Britain for a Ukrainian family, and he has hired two Ukrainians for his crew, as reported by the British Press Association. "Yes, I support Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people and will continue to do so," the 79-year-old informed the British news agency. During one of his concerts in Leipzig, there were reportedly applause, boos, and jeers when the Ukrainian flag and a picture of Zelenskyy were displayed, according to several media outlets. "Putin must be stopped. I have a blast playing for the German audience," Stewart informed the British Press Association. He is looking forward to his upcoming performances in Hamburg, Cologne, and Munich. Stewart is known for hits like "Sailing," "Baby Jane," and "Have You Ever Seen The Rain." He dedicated his song "Rhythm Of My Heart" to Ukraine, as reported by the British Press Association.
There's a focus on the latest outcomes of the Peace Research Institute SIPRI on global nuclear arms buildup, with Nico Lange arguing for fortifying the "conventional deterrence" of Germany and Europe. At the same time, Lange advises caution.
NATO fighter jets have frequently taken off to identify unmarked Russian military aircraft in the international airspace over the Baltic Sea. In total, there have been eleven alarm activations in the past week, as declared by the Defense Ministry in Vilnius. About two dozen Russian fighter jets, bombers, reconnaissance and transport planes, as well as a passenger aircraft were intercepted and escorted. Most of them were apparently flying without a filed flight plan, Transponder signal, or radio contact.
According to Ukrainian evaluation, Russia is intensifying its attacks before the expected delivery of F-16 Jets. Moscow is "fully aware" that after the arrival of the first US F-16 fighter jets, "the odds will be in our favor," Ukrainian Army Chief Oleksandr Syrsky stated in online services. Therefore, Russia is currently "doing its utmost" to expand the conflict.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly discharged four deputy defense ministers and appointed a relative, Anna Zivileva, to one of the vacated positions. According to Reuters, Putin signed decrees to discharge Deputy Defense Ministers Nikolai Pankov, Ruslan Zalikov, Tatjana Schewzowa, and Pawel Popow of their duties. He appointed Zivileva, purportedly the daughter of one of Putin's cousins, as the new deputy defense minister.
A Russian rocket attack on the Ukrainian region of Poltava has reportedly left nine people hurt, damaged power lines, and left around 55,000 private and 2,400 industrial consumers without power, as informed by Governor Filip Pronin. Several high-rise buildings were also damaged.
Military expert Ralph Thiele criticizes the Western approach to Ukraine. Promises are not being kept, and weapon deliveries are always delayed. Such supposed victory reports cannot hide this, Thiele, a retired colonel, believes. Putin's ceasefire proposal is "provocative."
15:33 Farmer President Warns Against Ukraine's EU MembershipA hasty joining of Ukraine into the EU might lead to catastrophic repercussions for European farmers, as per Farmer President Joachim Rukwied. "If Ukraine rushes into the EU, our family-managed agricultural sector will perish," Rukwied informed the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung". The integration of an extra 32 million hectares of farmland would drastically reduce the competitiveness of many EU farms. A 200-hectare farm in Germany wouldn't stand a fair chance against a 50,000-hectare agricultural enterprise in Ukraine. Consequently, "urgent restrictions on Ukrainian agricultural imports are demanded" by Rukwied. On top of that, problems such as subsidies, and corruption in Ukraine need addressing prior to EU membership. "Politicians should be aware of this," Rukwied cautioned. "Otherwise, a political disaster in rural areas may surface in future elections."
15:14 Explosion at Ukrainian Military Installation in Czech Republic - Nine HurtNine soldiers were wounded in a blast at a military facility where Ukrainian troops were training in the Czech Republic. Two of the soldiers were airlifted to the University Hospital in the nearby city of Olomouc, around 200 kilometers east of Prague, as per hospital spokesperson Adam Fritscher speaking to AFP. "Six were transported to the military hospital in Olomouc by ambulance, and one was treated on-site." Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Czech military has trained Ukrainian troops in Libava, east of Olomouc. However, Military Police spokesperson Katerina Mlynkova clarified that the harmed were "domestic troops." The army stated an "unspecified munition" detonated, providing no additional details.
Update 17:00 hours: The Czech Army announces one soldier died in the explosion.
14:52 Ukraine Captures First SchildkrotenpanzerSince April, Ukrainian forces have been tracking the utilization of what they call the "Schildkrotenpanzer" by Moscow's army. These vehicles are exceptionally severe and highly destructive. Videos are circulating, which purportedly show the capture of the weapon and the detention of its crew.
14:23 Putin Journeys to North Korea and Vietnam for Several DaysAccording to Kremlin announcements, Russian President Vladimir Putin is making a visit to North Korea and Vietnam. Putin will be following Kim Jong Un's invitation to North Korea during his stay from Tuesday to Wednesday, as per the Kremlin. The visit is labeled a "friendly state visit." Later, Putin will remain in Vietnam for two days. Russia maintains close ties with North Korea, which are considered highly suspicious by the West. The isolated communist nation with nuclear aspirations is suspected of providing weapons for Russia's assault on Ukraine, according to Western intelligence. Kim Jong Un had made a rare overseas trip to Russia in September 2023.
13:58 "Further Escalation": Peskov Criticizes Stoltenberg's Remarks on Nuclear WeaponsRussia sees the statements of NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg concerning the potential deployment of additional nuclear weapons as provocation. "That's nothing but another escalation of tensions," explained Presidential Press Secretary Dmitri Peskov. Stoltenberg told "The Telegraph" that NATO is discussing the deployment of more nuclear weapons and their readiness. "I won't provide details about operational issues like the number of atomic warheads ready for deployment and which ones should be stored," so Stoltenberg had said previously. These statements contradict the declaration of the Ukraine conference, says Peskov now. In it, it is stated that any threat or use of nuclear weapons in relation to Ukraine is unacceptable.
13:36 No Social Benefits for Ukrainian Refugees? Federal Government RespondsThe federal government denies demands for cutting state benefits for Ukrainian war refugees. The government has no intentions of replacing social benefits with asylum seeker benefits for individuals fleeing the Russian aggression war in Ukraine to Germany in the future, says Government Spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit. Government spokesperson for the Federal Labor Ministry refers to the reality that because of the integration responsibility of Job Centers for refugees from Ukraine, faster measures for their assimilation into the labor market can be taken. FDP General Secretary Bijan Djir-Sarai demanded in the "Bild" newspaper: "Newly arriving war refugees from Ukraine should no longer receive social benefits, but fall under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act."
13:09 Kiev: Up to Twelve Hours a Day without PowerFaced with the continuous Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, the state energy supplier declares further critical power cuts. "The situation will worsen considerably compared to today in the coming weeks," says the head of the state energy supplier Ukrenergo, Volodymyr Kydrytsky. The Ukrainians must brace themselves for the fact that they may likely not have electricity for up to twelve hours a day. The power supply situation will not improve before the end of July, Kydrytsky further stated. Apart from systematic Russian attacks on heating, water, and power plants, there might be necessary maintenance work on nuclear power plants and unfavorable weather conditions.
The Swiss-Ukraine meeting, as per Kremlin spokesman Peskov, signifies that dialogues devoid of Russia's participation hold no significance. The meeting's outcomes were practically nil, claims Peskov. Russia remains open to engaging in dialogue with nations yearning for it and will persist in expressing its stance to these nations. At the weekend conference in Switzerland, the western powers and their allies expressed disapproval towards Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Yet, they failed to persuade the neutral major nations to endorse their final declaration. No country was willing to organize a follow-up of the conference. Russia was not invited, but had expressed its intentions earlier to decline participation.
12:12 Ukraine's default payment avoidance is yet to materialize: Kiev failed to reach a consensus in negotiations with creditors. An agreement on restructuring international debts worth approximately 20 billion dollars could not be reached in talks with a group of bondholders, as reported. Time is running out: A two-year payment halt agreed upon with international bondholders reaches its expiration on August 1. This was arranged due to the country's economic situation stemming from the Russian armed conflict. Ukrainian Finance Minister Sergei Marchenko anticipates the talks will continue. He expects the government will reach an agreement by August. Ukraine has been considering options to restructure its foreign debts since the end of last year with major investors. Formal talks with bondholders have been ongoing for nearly two weeks.
11:59 Weber: Initiation of accession talks "extremely significant psychological signal"Manfred Weber, the Chair of the European People's Party (EPP), welcomes the beginning of accession talks with Ukraine. No nation would champion "our values" as much as Ukraine, as it strives for freedom and democracy. "Therefore, the accession talks, which are now on the verge of commencing, are an extremely significant psychological signal to Ukraine, authorizing them to live like us in the European Union, namely in peace, liberty, and democracy," Weber states in an NTV early morning broadcast. In addition, Ukraine has made advancements despite the war. However, there is still significant work to be done. "The fight against corruption is a major issue in Ukraine. But the will is there and the direction is right," so Weber.
11:31 Russian foreign intelligence service augments harsher peace conditionsThe head of the Russian foreign intelligence service, Sergei Naryshkin, threatsens more stringent peace conditions for a peace treaty with Ukraine. If the demands for a peace treaty presented by President Vladimir Putin are rejected, then the forthcoming peace conditions will be even more severe, Naryshkin allegedly told the state news agency TASS. He does not specify who would accept or reject these proposals. Putin declared his conditions for peace a few days ago, which bear resemblance to a capitulation by Kiev: the renunciation of NATO membership and the return of the four regions illegally annexed by Russia - Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismisses Putin's statements as untrustworthy.
11:02 Denmark mulls restrictions on Russian oil tanker fleet in the Baltic SeaDenmark is exploring possibilities to limit the passage of older Russian oil tankers through the Baltic Sea. The country has formed a group of partner nations to examine measures against the so-called shadow fleet of aging vessels transporting Russian oil, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen states. This move may provoke confrontation with Moscow's leadership. Approximately one third of Russian oil exports pass through the Danish straits, which serve as a gateway to the Baltic Sea. This represents about 1.5% of global oil deliveries. Any effort to halt these deliveries would escalate oil prices and strain the Kremlin's finances.
10:30 Moscow "pleasantly surprised" by peace conferenceThe Kremlin views the peace conference in Switzerland as a "ludicrous event" initially. How do Russian media perceive the outcomes following the summit? ntv-correspondent Rainer Munz summarizes the almost relieved mood in the country.
10:06 Latvia apparently readying delivery of additional dronesLatvia has already dispatched the initial batch of drones to Ukraine and is preparing a second one, according to "Kyiv Independent". The defense minister of the country, Andris Spruds, made the declaration. Latvia and Great Britain head an international coalition to provide Ukraine with drones, which have become increasingly crucial for the country in the war. Spruds also announced in May that the Latvian government would invest around €40 million in the drone coalition and a similar amount in the development of Latvian drone capabilities this year.
09:32 ISW: Putin disinterested in genuine negotiationsThe Institute for the Study of War believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin is not interested in sincere negotiations. In its latest analysis, the US think tank writes that Putin "only simulates interest in negotiations in certain instances to induce the West to make concessions that would undermine Ukrainian sovereignty". It is "unlikely" that Putin will demonstrate a desire for genuine talks in the near future. Recently, he outlined a victory scenario in Ukraine that relied on the assumption that Russian forces could make unlimited creeping gains on the battlefield. Putin recently demanded the complete withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the areas of Kherson, Donetsk, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia as a condition for negotiations.
09:01 The Left pins its hopes on the Pope for peace negotiationsThe political faction known as the Left in the German Parliament is reliant on the Pope to facilitate peace. As per Soren Pellmann, the co-chairman of the Left group in the Bundestag, the Pope could potentially act as a mediator, similar to China and India, due to his unwavering integrity. The Pope's latest appeal for peace in Ukraine has been met with criticism, but Pellmann sees Putin's recent peace terms as signs that he's open to discussions. "Even this tainted proposal suggests that he's growing weary of the war," says Pellmann.
08:37 Trial date set for US Reporter Evan GershkovichThe trial against Evan Gershkovich, an American journalist accused of espionage in Russia, is scheduled for late June. The trial will take place in secret from the 26th of June in Yekaterinburg, as dictated by the presiding court. Gershkovich, a "Wall Street Journal" reporter, was apprehended during a research stint in Russia in March 2023 and confined in Lefortovo Prison in Moscow ever since. The prosecution alleges that Gershkovich, 32, was working for the CIA and amassing classified data about the tank manufacturer Uralvagonzavod in the Sverdlovsk region. If found guilty, he faces up to 20 years in jail. Gershkovich maintains his innocence.
08:05 Swiss peace summit shows discord among nationsntv correspondent Kavita Sharma reports that the peace summit in Switzerland has concluded, showcasing disagreement among participating countries. "Many countries have opted out of signing the concluding statement," says Sharma. Meanwhile, supplies of weaponry to Ukraine are becoming more noticeable.
07:46 Ukraine estimates Russian military lossesUkrainian estimates indicate that Russia loses approximately 1080 soldiers in a single day. The General Staff in Kiev reports that these losses inflate the total number of Russian casualties since the start of the large-scale attack in February 2022 to approximately 527,000. Russia reportedly lost two tanks, 18 armored personnel carriers, and 14 artillery systems within a 24-hour period.
07:15 Putin's confidant advocates for "further military actions" and "reunification" with UkraineViktor Medvedchuk, a close ally of Putin, suggests that the true intention behind Putin's proposal for a temporary weapons truce with Kiev may be unveiled. "Security concerns necessitate additional military actions to quell the neo-Nazi regime, achieving complete demilitarization and denazification," Medvedchuk stated. "While Ukrainians desire peace, Zelensky and his puppeteers from the West crave war, even at the expense of Ukrainian lives. This oppressive Nazi power should be abolished to liberate the Ukrainian people," Medvedchuk added. "Historically, most of Ukraine lies within Russian territory, making the reunion of its inhabitants with Russia a justified historical process that has already begun and will undoubtedly continue."
06:33 Over 2,750 prison inmates recruited for the Ukrainian armySince the institution of the new Ukrainian military conscription law, more than 2,750 prisoners have been granted early release to enlist in the Ukrainian military. The 24-year-old Senya Shcherbyna, who served six years for drug trafficking, is quoted as saying, "I can rectify myself." He awaits a meeting with recruiters and hopes to be deployed as soon as possible "to serve society better" than if he remained in prison. The Ukrainian parliament passed a law on May 8 that streamlines the voluntary mobilization of select prisoners. The recruitment of criminals, including those with serious offenses, is reported as the latest indication that Kiev is striving to reinforce its forces, which have been significantly depleted and fatigued after more than two years of continuous combat. In Russia, the recruitment of serious criminals, including ones with severe offenses, is a common practice.
06:05 Telegraph: NATO deliberates on deployment of additional nuclear weaponsNATO nations are reportedly discussing the deployment of additional nuclear weapons in response to intensifying threats from Russia and China. According to the Telegraph, citing an interview with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, Stoltenberg underscored the importance of displaying NATO's nuclear arsenal to the world as a clear warning to its adversaries. "I won't delve into operational specifics, such as the number of nuclear warheads needed for deployment and where they should be kept, but we must discuss such matters. And that's exactly what we're doing," Stoltenberg said.
05:00 Peace Researchers: Increase in operational atomic weaponsThe Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reports an increase in operational atomic weapons once again in its annual report. Although nuclear warheads continue to be deactivated and the global stockpile of nuclear weapons has decreased for decades, the number of operational warheads is increasing. Following the commencement of Russia's military offensive in Ukraine, transparency regarding nuclear weapons has declined for both Russia and the United States. "We haven't witnessed such a significant role for nuclear weapons in international relations since the Cold War," states Wilfred Wan, head of SIPRI's Mass Destruction Weapons Program.
03:08 FDP: New Refugees from Ukraine Should No Longer Receive Welfare Assistance
Following a suggestion from the EU, the FDP also recommends that refugees from Ukraine no longer receive welfare benefits. FDP General Secretary Bijan Djir-Sarai told the "Bild" newspaper, "Newly arriving war refugees from Ukraine should no longer receive welfare benefits, but rather come under the Asylum Seekers Welfare Act." This would encourage people to seek employment. Previously, Brandenburg's Interior Minister Michael Stübgen and Bavaria's Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann had also spoken out against paying welfare benefits, particularly to Ukrainian refugees of military age.
01:20 Stealth Bomb Hits Charkiw
There were allegations of a KAB glide bomb hitting Charkiw in the evening, according to Mayor Ihor Terekhov's statements. A children's playground was supposedly targeted, and a building was reportedly destroyed. There is no information about potential casualties.
00:09 Baerbock: Support for Ukraine Prevents War on NATO Territory
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warns of severe repercussions for Germany and NATO if Ukraine is not further supported. "If we don't continue to support Ukraine, there's a risk that Putin's troops will be stationed at Poland's border. The war will then be on EU and NATO territory," says the Green politician to the "Süddeutsche Zeitung." New waves of refugees would also be the result. "If Ukraine can no longer defend itself - and I'm speaking to those who oppose support - then millions more will have to flee. Who willingly lives under torture and occupation?"
22:20 Ukrainians Must Cope with Even Greater Electricity Issues
Ukrainians will face even more challenges with their electricity supply in the coming weeks due to ongoing Russian shelling of their energy facilities. "The situation will become significantly more difficult in the next and following weeks than it is today," warns Ukrenergo's head, Volodymyr Kudrytskyi on Ukrainian TV. More planned power outages and power cuts are expected. The situation won't improve until the urgent repair of two nuclear reactors is completed, Kudrytskyi adds. People are already living with frequent power outages.
21:55 Charkiw Region: Pregnant Woman Among Three Injured in Air Raid
According to local authorities in Charkiw, three people have been injured in Russian air raids, including a pregnant woman, a man, and a 13-year-old boy, according to reports from the Regional Prosecutor's Office in Charkiw. Russian forces reportedly attacked the village of Pisky-Radkiwski in the afternoon, damaging over ten residential houses and an ambulance during the attack.
21:14 Yellen Denies Putin's "Theft" Charge
US Finance Minister Janet Yellen contradicts Russian President Vladimir Putin, who called the freezing of Russian assets abroad and their use to support Ukraine on Friday "theft." Yellen told ABC's "This Week" that the frozen Russian assets remain where they are, and Russia has no claim to the revenues generated by these frozen assets. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the US and its allies decided to freeze Russian state funds within their jurisdiction, Yellen explained. This amounts to about 280 billion dollars. "And a large portion, around 200 billion dollars, is held in a Belgian financial institution, where they generate income that does not belong to Russia and that has flowed to this institution." The G7 countries have agreed to loan Ukraine over 50 billion dollars, which will be repaid using the interest on the frozen funds. Russia's war in Ukraine - aside from all human casualties - has devastated entire regions and destroyed assets worth billions.
20:40 Russians Allegedly Intensified Attacks
Amid peace talks in Switzerland, Russia has reportedly intensified its attacks on Ukraine, according to reports from Kiev. "The enemy has significantly increased the tempo of its offensive and assault operations today and is seeking ways to either penetrate our defenses or dislodge Ukrainian units from their positions," the Ukrainian General Staff informed. The number of engagements has reportedly risen to 88. Most of the fighting took place in the Pokrowsk area in eastern Donetsk. There, approximately 36 engagements occurred - 25 of which were repelled, while 11 were ongoing. This cannot be independently confirmed.
20:07 Ukrainian Navy Deploys New Overwater Drone "Stalker 5.0"
In defending against the Russian invasion, Ukraine is also using overwater drones. The Ukrainian military announced on social media that they now have the new overwater drone "Stalker 5.0." The drone was presented in Odessa. It can reportedly travel up to 75 kilometers per hour and carry up to 150 kilograms of explosives or another load. Its range is approximately 600 kilometers, and its estimated value is around 60,000 euros.
19:36 Russian Journalist Killed by Drone Attack
There are reports of a Russian journalist being killed in a drone attack in Eastern Ukraine, according to Russian reports. "Our correspondent Nikita Zizagi was killed in a drone attack by the Ukrainian military," writes the News.Ru website on Telegram. The attack is said to have taken place near a monastery close to the city of Vugledar, which has recently been the site of intense fighting. On Thursday, a journalist from Russian state television was killed and another was injured in a Ukrainian drone attack in Golmiwsky, a village under Russian control near the frontline in the Donetsk region.
Read also:
- Stoltenberg criticized China's role in the Ukraine conflict, stating that while it claims neutrality, China is escalating the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II and is trying to maintain good ties with the West.
- NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg visited Washington to advocate for more weapon supplies to Ukraine, saying that providing arms is a path to peace, despite it seeming contradictory.
- Russia is reportedly intensifying its attacks on Ukraine before the expected delivery of F-16 jets, with Ukrainian Army Chief Oleksandr Syrsky stating that Moscow is doing its utmost to expand the conflict.
- There have been several reports of cyber attacks on Ukraine during the conflict, with some suggesting that Russia is using cyberwarfare as part of its strategy against Ukraine.
