UKRAINE
France elections: France's exceptionally high-stakes election has begun, far-right leads pre-election polls
France elections: Voters in mainland France start casting ballots in a critical legislative election that may lead to far-right control, impacting Europe's financial markets, support for Ukraine, and the management of France's nuclear arsenal and global military forces. The two-round election began in overseas territories and on the mainland at 8 a.m. Sunday, with initial projections due at 8 p.m. and official results later that night.
Ukraine war would never have started 'if we had a leader': Trump
During the first debate clash of the 2024 election campaign, Republican Donald Trump blamed US President Joe Biden for the Ukraine war. Trump claimed the invasion would not have occurred if there had been a different leader. He criticized Biden for providing over $200 billion to Ukraine, calling it an unprecedented amount.
EU releases Euro 1.9 billion for Ukraine, days after launch of accession talks
The European Union on Thursday disbursed Euro 1.9 billion to Ukraine amid its ongoing conflict with Russia. The funds, provided under the Ukraine Facility, are intended to support the Ukrainian state during this challenging time. European Union President Ursula von der Leyen stated the purpose of the funds.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy signs security pacts with EU, 2 member nations
The agreement with the EU lays out the bloc's commitment to help Ukraine in nine areas of security and defence policy-including arms deliveries, military training, defence industry cooperation and demining.
Russia blames West for Sunday’s attack on Sevastopol civilians on religious holiday
“Four persons were killed, including a two-year-old boy, who was playing on the municipal beach, and a nine-year-old girl. One hundred and fifty-one people applied for medical assistance; 82 persons – 55 adults and 27 children – were hospitalised, many of them in a grave condition. All patients are receiving medical aid,” the statement said.
International Criminal Court issues arrest warrant Russia's Shoigu and Gerasimov
The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for former Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and General Valery Gerasimov for alleged war crimes during Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The ICC stated they were responsible for missile strikes on Ukraine's electric infrastructure from October 2022 to March 2023, targeting civilians and civilian objects. Russia, not an ICC member, denies these allegations.
Moscow expects to sign new co-operation pact with Iran in 'very near future', RIA reports
Deputy Russian Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko stated that a new comprehensive cooperation agreement with Iran is close to completion and expected to be signed shortly. The agreement aims to replace a 20-year strategic pact signed in 2001, focusing on security, energy, industry, and technology. Details of the new agreement remain undisclosed, but the two countries have strengthened ties, particularly in investment, military, and energy sectors, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and subsequent sanctions.
UK's Nigel Farage says the West provoked Putin's invasion of Ukraine
The remarks, made in an interview with the BBC aired late on Friday, drew strong criticism across the British political spectrum ahead of a July 4 election in which Farage's party is predicted to win millions of votes. Farage said he stood by comments made shortly after Moscow's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, when he posted on social media that the move was a "consequence of EU and NATO expansion". He said he had been predicting a war in Ukraine as early as 2014.
Vietnam greets Vladimir Putin in big boost to ties
A day after signing a mutual defence agreement with North Korea, Putin said that Moscow and Hanoi were interested in building what he called a reliable security architecture in the Asia-Pacific region. "We will also increase the efficiency of cooperation on these projects in the energy and gas sectors to create favorable conditions for the work of our companies," Putin said.
EU envoys agree on more Russia sanctions. LNG imports are among the targets
EU ambassadors have agreed on new sanctions in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The measures will target imports of Russian LNG and freeze assets of more officials and entities.
Moscow warns of retaliation if income from its assets is seized
Leaders of the G7 agreed at a summit in Italy last week to use interest from Russian assets frozen in the West to provide a $50 billion loan to Ukraine. Russia says the action is illegal and will rebound against the West by undermining confidence in the global financial system.
Vladimir Putin thanks North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for unwavering support at summit, including on Ukraine
An honour guard including mounted soldiers, and a large crowd of civilians gathered at the square by the Taedong River running through the capital. The scene included children holding balloons, and giant portraits of the two leaders with national flags adorning the Grand People's Study Hall.
World leaders join Ukraine summit in test of Kyiv's diplomatic clout
More than 90 countries will take part, but China's absence in particular has dimmed hopes the summit would show Russia as globally isolated, while recent military reverses have put Kyiv on the back foot. The war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas has also diverted the world's attention from Ukraine.
Ukraine summit opens in Switzerland, seeking path to peace
World leaders were joining Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Switzerland on Saturday for a summit on peace in his country, but with Russia staying away it is seen as the first step in a long process. "Together, we are making the first step toward just peace based on the UN Charter and fundamental principles of international law," he said on X, formerly Twitter.
World leaders to meet at Swiss resort on possible Ukraine peace roadmap, Russia is notably absent
Leaders from Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Kenya, and Somalia, alongside numerous Western heads of state and government, are set to convene at a conference this weekend to discuss the initial steps toward peace in Ukraine, with Russia notably absent. Hosted by Swiss officials, the conference will see over 50 heads of state and government, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as well as 100 delegations from European bodies and the United Nations.
For truce, exit annexed areas, end NATO bid: Vladimir Putin to Ukraine
On the eve of a conference in Switzerland to which Russia has not been invited, Putin set out maximalist conditions wholly at odds with the terms demanded by Ukraine, apparently reflecting Moscow's growing confidence that its forces have the upper hand in the war.
US, Europe agree to lock up Russian assets until it pays for Ukraine war, clearing way for USD 50 billion loan
The United States and European countries have agreed to freeze sanctioned Russian assets until Moscow pays reparations for its invasion of Ukraine. This move paves the way for a USD 50 billion loan package for Kyiv, with interest and income from the frozen assets to secure the loan. The agreement, to be announced at the Group of Seven summit, includes a bilateral security agreement between the US and Ukraine. However, the US will not commit troops directly to Ukraine's defense.
What will happen when the Ukraine gas transit deal expires?
Ukraine has announced it will not extend a five-year deal with Russia's Gazprom for the transit of Russian gas to Europe when it expires at the end of the year. The Ukraine gas transit route, agreed upon by Moscow and Kyiv in 2019, enables Russia to export gas to Europe via Ukraine. Russian gas transit via Ukraine to Europe fell by 28.5% to 14.65 billion cubic meters last year, from 20.5 bcm in 2022. The system connects Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Moldova.
Ukraine summit attracts world leaders but fails to isolate Russia
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, French President Emmanuel Macron and the leaders of Germany, Italy, Britain, Canada and Japan are among those set to attend the June 15-16 meeting at the Swiss mountaintop resort of Buergenstock.
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