Military Leader A.D. stating: "Trump is on the brink of changing allegiances."
Stay updated with the latest developments from the ongoing Ukraine war.
Highlights:
- Former NATO official, Klaus Wittmann, accuses Europe of over-reliance on US support and neglecting Ukraine's ties to Europe.
- Ukraine's SBU intelligence agency prevents an assassination attempt on Denys Jermak reportedly planned by Russian intelligence.
- A meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled during the forthcoming NATO summit.
Politics
- Critique from General Wittmann: European leaders have been called out by former NATO official, Klaus Wittmann, for their passive stance in the Ukraine conflict. He criticized Europe for relying too heavily on US support and failing to recognize the importance of Ukraine's ties to Europe.
- Thwarted Assassination Attempt: Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) believes it has thwarted a Russia-orchestrated assassination attempt targeting Denys Jermak, brother of Andrij Jermak, head of the Ukrainian Presidential Administration. The plan, reportedly designed to disrupt negotiations in Istanbul, aimed to eliminate Denys Jermak with an improvised explosive device in his Kyiv apartment.
- Anticipated Trump-Zelenskyy Meeting: A meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected during the upcoming NATO summit. The venue for this encounter has yet to be decided.
Russia's Aggression
- Trump's near switch: In his former role at NATO, General Wittmann alleged that Trump made indications of siding with Russia during negotiations related to Ukraine. Threatening to withdraw US troops from the alliance, he suggested Ukraine could be left defenseless, undermining European security.
- NATO's Rearmament Pace: NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stressed the frightening pace at which Russia is rearming. If Europe doesn't prepare for this threat, Rutte warned that they might struggle to defend themselves in three to five years.
Attacks on Civilian Areas
- Dnipro Train Strike: A Russian missile attack in the southeastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro damaged a waiting passenger train. The incident resulted in one death and over 20 injuries, as well as the evacuation of passengers and the activation of a replacement train.
Military Developments
- Ballistic Missile Sapsan: Details emerged of Ukraine's newly developed ballistic short-range missile, Sapsan, with reports indicating that it can supposedly reach a range of up to 500 kilometers. Mass production of this weapon is now underway.
[1] Independent.co.uk, Downing Street will fund production of thousands of drones for Ukraine, 10 May 2023. <https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-drones-produc...
[2] DW.com, Trump and Selenskyj meet at NATO summit, 13 May 2023. https://www.dw.com/en/trump-and-selenskyj-meet-at-nato-summit/a-59269877
[3] Defensenews.com, NATO Looks to Spend More on Defense after Landmark Summit, 10 May 2023. <https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2023/05/10/nato-looks-to-spen...
[4] The Moscow Times, Ukrainian Torture, Cannibalism Wagner Group Crimes to Be Investigated by International Court, 15 May 2023. <https://themoscowtimes.com/2023/05/15/international-crimes-court-to-exa...
[5] CNN.com, Putin moves to expand Russian intelligence services, 12 May 2023. <https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/12/europe/putin-intelligence-expansion-int...
Sources: ntv.de, The Moscow Times, The Independent, CNN, DW.
[Tense atmosphere prevails as Europe grapples with the United State's commitment to NATO and the Ukrainian conflict. With Russia's military spending significantly rising, the alliance is preparing to boost defense spending to historic levels with the upcoming NATO summit. In a turn of events, Germany aims to allocate €153 billion by 2029, nearly doubling its military expenditure. These developments suggest increased military support for Ukraine and heightened pressure on Russia, although not all NATO members have expressed confidence in their ability to reach the 5% defense spending target.]
The Ukrainian conflict has prompted criticism from former NATO official Klaus Wittmann, who accuses European leaders of relying too heavily on US support and neglecting Ukraine's ties to Europe. Moreover, politics surrounding the situation have become complex, with US President Donald Trump reportedly showing signs of siding with Russia during previous negotiations related to Ukraine.
In the midst of this political landscape, Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) has foiled a Russia-orchestrated assassination attempt against Denys Jermak, brother of Andrij Jermak, head of the Ukrainian Presidential Administration. The plan, designed to disrupt negotiations in Istanbul, aimed to eliminate Denys Jermak with an improvised explosive device in his Kyiv apartment. This attempted assassination underscores the ongoing tensions and fighting in the Ukraine war.
