Escalating Conflict: Ukrainian Foreign Minister Endorses NATO Strategy Yet Labels It "Impractical" in the context of Russian War
Waging War: Latest Developments in the Ukraine-Russia Conflict
As the 770th day of the Russian invasion in Ukraine approaches, NATO foreign ministers are drafting a long-term military support plan for the embattled nation. Led by NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, this plan aims to provide Ukraine with reliable and sustainable military support for a five-year period, totaling approximately €100 billion.
The European Union (EU) also intends to augment its military assistance to Ukraine, as expressed by High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, during a meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba.
Recent strange happenings in the skies over European waters have raised eyebrows. Two Russian TU-95MS strategic bombers executed a scheduled five-hour flight mission over neutral territories in the Barents and Norwegian seas, with NATO aircraft providing escort.
** conflicts timeline:- 23:40: Russian workers begin rebuilding the Mariupol Drama Theater in the occupied Mariupol, Ukraine.- 20:44: Spanish Foreign Minister, José María Albares, discusses the necessity of curtailing the success of Russia's aggression against Ukraine.- 20:20: United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, emphasizes the vital importance of providing urgent aid to Ukraine during a meeting of NATO foreign ministers.- 19:58: Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, discusses the upcoming Inaugural Peace Summit in Switzerland with the Secretary General of the Organization of American States, Luis Almagro.- 19:31: Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, thanks NATO for its "tireless efforts" in supporting Ukraine and accentuates the urgent need for more Patriot batteries to protect Ukraine from Russian air attacks.- 19:05: Spanish Foreign Minister, Albares, indicates that Spain is contributing to Ukraine's aid plan, providing both military materials, humanitarian aid, and diplomatic support during its presidency of the EU Council.- 18:25: A Russian drone attack on Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, leaves four people dead and 350,000 residents without electricity.- 17:49: Spanish Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, sees a "double positive aspect" in NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg's proposed fund for Ukraine, viewing it as evidence of the alliance's commitment to reliable and sustainable assistance for Ukraine.- 17:40: Russian dissident Alexandr Skobov is charged with "terrorism justification" for supporting Ukraine, calls for Putin's demise, and expresses contempt for the court during his trial.- 17:11: The International Monetary Fund expects discussions regarding timely budget support disbursements to Ukraine at an upcoming meeting in Washington.- 16:47: Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Dmitro Kuleba, supports NATO's long-term support mechanism for Ukraine but deems it impractical under the existing funding model.- 16:18: A Russian court sentences a local resident to 12 years in prison for gathering secret information intended for Germany.- 15:42: Experts indicate that the vehicle that struck the Russian region of Tatarstan was likely a modified Ukrainian-made light aircraft, the Aeroprakt A-22.- 15:24: The head of the national electric company of Ukraine, Ukrenergo, contends that the only effective means to shield Ukraine's power system from Russian attacks is to decentralize power production.- 14:19: Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, reiterates accusations against Ukraine, asserting that it seeks to terrorize its own citizens both within and outside Ukraine's borders.- 14:15: Russian President, Vladimir Putin, expresses concerns about labor imports or increasing productivity in an address to the Independent Trade Unions of Russia.- 14:01: Latest developments in the conflict, including the bombing of Kharkiv and the ensuing power outage affecting 350,000 people, are documented in the "War Map" section.- 13:55: The Finnish government extends indefinitely the closed border with Russia for all non-essential traffic to deter Russian manipulation of refugees as a weapon of destabilization.- 13:45: EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, accuses Russia of working with North Korea to attack Ukraine and urges a renewal of sanctions against North Korea in the UN Security Council.- 13:19: French President, Emmanuel Macron, expresses concerns about the threat of Russian disinformation during the upcoming Paris Games and confirms the provision of alternatives for the opening ceremony.- 13:06: NATO sends a message of strength and unity on the occasion of its 75th anniversary.- 12:57: A delegation from the US Treasury urges India to respect the price cap on Russian oil during an official visit to the Asian country.- 12:39: The Kremlin confirms that Russian President, Vladimir Putin, remains open to dialogue but has not scheduled any conversations with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron.- 12:19: European Commission Vice President, Margaritis Schinas, advocates against launching a military operation against Russia and believes that continued support for Ukraine will eventually transform Russia into a democratic country.- 12:07: Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Dmitro Kuleba, presses for the delivery of Patriot air defense systems to assist in battling Russian air attacks on Ukraine.- 11:23: Russia alleges that NATO is already participating in the War in Ukraine and that relations between NATO and Russia have reached a level of "direct confrontation."- 10:55: NATO Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg, celebrates the alliance's 75th anniversary and reconfirms the unity and strength of the United States and Europe in NATO.- 10:32: A delegation from the US Treasury emphasizes the necessity for India to adhere to the price cap on Russian oil during an official visit to the Asian country.- 10:14: Pressure increases on German far-right politician, Petr Bystrom, as evidence of his alleged contacts with Moscow continues to mount, with claims of cash payments.- 9:29: Spanish People's Party leader, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, praises NATO and acknowledges its continued significance in the context of uncertainty and tension due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.- 5:54: A Russian drone attack in Kharkiv results in the death of at least four people.- 3:44: EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, informs Ukraine's Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, that the EU and its member states will expedite military support for Ukraine.- 1:26: Three rescue workers die in a Russian drone attack on Kharkiv in the early hours of Thursday, as reported by both the mayor and the regional governor.- 0:45: Vice-President of the European Commission, Margaritis Schinas, warns of escalating cyberattacks ahead of the upcoming June European elections and highlights the "real threat" from Russia in the digital security sphere.- 0:18: Russia denies Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's claims about Moscow's plans to mobilize an additional 300,000 soldiers in June.- 0:04: France's Defense Minister, Sébastien Lecornu, reiterates to his Russian counterpart, Sergei Shoigu, that Ukraine has no involvement in the attack on the Crocus City Hall concert hall, casting doubt on the Kremlin's claims.- Good evening: Live coverage of the ominous war in Ukraine continues. To catch up on earlier developments, please refer to the Past Coverage section.
Insights:- NATO and the EU continue to support Ukraine with substantial military aid, training, and routine financial commitments. However, they have taken measures to prevent Russia from exploiting this support through data restrictions and increased operational security.- Although there is no immediate prospect of Ukraine joining NATO, the alliance remains committed to supporting Ukraine's defense capabilities and countering Russian aggression in the long term.- Russian drone attacks have intensified in Kharkiv, a city already devastated by the conflict, leaving hundreds of thousands without power. The EU and NATO have responded by vowing to strengthen their military aid and support for Ukraine.
The EU's military assistance to Ukraine is expected to increase significantly, as High Representative Josep Borrell emphasized during a meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. This aid aims to provide a steady and sustainable military support for an average of five years, totaling approximately €100 billion.
In terms of general news, average citizens in Ukraine have been facing the challenges of frequent drone attacks, such as the recent incidents in Kharkiv, which have disrupted their lives and caused power outages affecting large populations.
