Politics
The US has not extended the easing of sanctions on Russian oil
The administration of US President Donald Trump has decided not to extend the temporary exemption from sanctions that allowed certain countries to purchase a portion of Russian crude oil
Zelenskyy has commented on the drone attack on the Moscow region
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on the overnight attack on the Moscow region and stated that Ukraine would continue to respond to Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities
The UAE is building a new oil pipeline to bypass the Strait of Hormuz
The United Arab Emirates has announced that it will complete construction of a new oil pipeline by 2027, which will enable it to increase oil exports bypassing the Strait of Hormuz
The US has announced cuts to financial aid for Ukraine
Brian Mast, Chair of the US House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, has stated that Washington has no plans to approve new large-scale financial aid packages for Ukraine
Sandu has responded to Putin’s decree on Transnistria
Moldovan President Maia Sandu has stated that Vladimir Putin’s decision to make it easier for residents of Transnistria to obtain Russian citizenship may be linked to Russia’s attempts to recruit more people for the war against Ukraine
Explosions and fires broke out in Zelenograd following a drone attack
On the night of 16 May, the Moscow Region of the Russian Federation came under a large-scale drone attack. Reports are coming in from various areas of fires, damage to residential buildings and casualties
The EU could allocate over €9 billion to Ukraine as early as June
The European Union could agree the terms of a large-scale €90 billion loan programme for Ukraine in the coming days. Following this, Kyiv will be able to receive the first tranche of aid, amounting to over €9 billion
Following Trump’s comments, Canada is stepping up security in the Arctic
Canada, Denmark and other Northern European countries are stepping up their security cooperation in the Arctic following US President Donald Trump’s comments about the possible annexation of Greenland.
Zelenskyy and Macron discussed air defence and support for Ukraine
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has reported on a telephone conversation with the President of France, Emmanuel Macron. The two leaders discussed strengthening Ukraine’s air defences, cooperation on European affairs and the coordination of international efforts
Budanov spoke about mobilisation in Ukraine
Kirill Budanov, Head of the President’s Office, has stated that Ukraine must continue its mobilisation efforts, as the recruitment of volunteers is not meeting the army’s needs
The US and Israel are drawing up options for action regarding Iran
Washington and Tel Aviv are considering options for further action against Iran in the event that the talks break down. The scenarios include new strikes on military targets and an operation against nuclear infrastructure in Isfahan
Sibiga commented on the establishment of a special tribunal for the Russian Federation
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha has stated that the establishment of a special tribunal to deal with Russia’s crime of aggression against Ukraine should be a step towards restoring international justice. According to him, this will make it possible to hold the Russian leadership to account
