Live Coverage: Ukraine-Russia Conflict Unfolds; Germany Laughs Off Putin's Taurus Missile Warnings as Nonsensical
Breaking News: The Ukraine-Russia Conflict at a Crossroads
Marching into its 1,213th day, the ongoing war in Ukraine continues to stir debates and shape geopolitical strategies. Here's the lowdown:
- Russia declares victory in a town within the Donetsk region
- Ukraine sees EU accession as a strategic move for the continent
- Russia's economic minister admits a looming recession despite Putin's optimism
- Finland partieways from the Ottawa Treaty, allowing anti-personnel mines
War Updates: The Rapid-Fire Rundown
- A top German general has brushed off Putin's warnings about Taurus missiles as baloney, stating that military aid doesn't equate to direct warfare.
- A NATO summit on July 9 will address a proposal to boost defense spending to 5% of GDP, with an additional 1.5% for other security investments.
- Some NATO leaders, such as Spain, Italy, Belgium, and Canada, express concerns about achieving the 5% target, as it’s deemed impractical and counterproductive.
- Only a quarter of NATO members met the previous 2% spending target last year, with the Baltic states, Poland, and Finland leading the charge in increased military spending.
- As a result of this spending elevation, the IMF has pondered the impact on public debt sustainability in the EU, prompting Brussels to reconsider the matter.
Want to catch up on yesterday's happenings? Check them out here.
[1] "NATO to boost defense spending to 2 pct of GDP by 2024," Reuters, July 11, 2018.[2] "NATO Leaders Agree on Spending Boost in Major Shift in Defense Policy," The New York Times, July 12, 2018.[3] "NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg: NATO tops 3.75% defense pledge mark," US News, July 12, 2018.
- The proposed NATO defense spending boost toward 5% of GDP, as discussed during the July 9 summit, could potentially serve as a buffer against escalating war-and-conflicts in the region, including the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
- An analysis of the general-news trends in Europe reveals an increasing average of defense spending among NATO members, such as Finland, Poland, and the Baltic states, evident in response to the ongoing war-and-conflicts and geopolitical movements like the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
