Politics
North Korea has tested AI-powered missiles for the first time
On 27 May, North Korea conducted a series of tests of new weapons — tactical ballistic missiles, rocket artillery and cruise missiles equipped with an artificial intelligence-based guidance system.
Putin and Trump are left high and dry
The Financial Times has published a column comparing the consequences of Russia’s war against Ukraine with those of the US operation against Iran. The author argues that strategic errors by Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump have strengthened China’s position and opened up new opportunities for Ukraine and Iran.
The UK has imposed sanctions on a cryptocurrency network through which Russia laundered $90 billion
The UK has announced a new package of sanctions against cryptocurrency platforms, banks and financial intermediaries that have helped Russia circumvent Western restrictions and fund the war against Ukraine.
Iran is demanding that the US release $24 billion as part of a potential deal
Tehran is insisting on the release of $24 billion in frozen assets as a condition for a potential deal with the United States. According to Iranian news agencies, negotiations on this issue are ongoing, with Qatar acting as mediator.
NATO is preparing to strengthen the Baltic states' defences in the event of a war with Russia
NATO plans to strengthen the defences of its eastern flank and establish a new structure for the rapid deployment of troops in Latvia and Estonia in the event of a war with Russia. To this end, the Alliance is set to deploy an additional army corps.
Russia has accused the US of refusing to grant a visa to a diplomat so that he could attend a UN Security Council meeting
Russia has stated that the US did not issue a visa to Alexander Alimov, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, to attend a meeting of the UN Security Council in New York.
In Poland, it is believed that Russia is not currently prepared for a major offensive against NATO
Міністр закордонних справ Польщі Радослав Сікорський заявив, що росія поки що не здатна провести великий наступ проти країн НАТО, проте Альянс має бути готовим до диверсій і провокацій.
An IMF mission has arrived in Kyiv to review Ukraine’s financing programme
On Wednesday, 27 May, a mission from the International Monetary Fund arrived in Kyiv for the first review of the four-year $8.1 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme.
The EU has extended sanctions against Russia for another year over human rights violations
The Council of the European Union has decided to extend the sanctions against those responsible for human rights violations and repression in Russia for a further year, until 28 May 2027.
Umerov is holding talks in Berlin with representatives from Germany, France and the UK
Rustem Umerov, Chair of the Ukrainian National Security and Defence Committee and chief negotiator, has arrived in Berlin for talks with national security advisers from Germany, France and the UK. The meeting is taking place against the backdrop of fresh Russian threats of strikes on Kyiv and discussions regarding Ukraine’s prospects for EU membership.
The EU has expanded the list of candidates for the role of representative in negotiations with Russia
The European Union is discussing new candidates for the role of representative in potential negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. The list includes the President of the European Council, António Costa, the former President of Finland, Sauli Niinistö, and the former President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker.
J.D. Vance found himself politically isolated following the resignation of Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard
Following the resignation of Tulsi Gabbard, US Vice-President J.D. Vance has been left without key allies on Donald Trump’s foreign policy team. According to the Daily Mail, there is also talk in the White House that Vance might decide not to stand in the 2028 presidential election.
