Ukraine War Live Ticker +++ 16:51 Klingbeil: Can Russia be hit with energy and banking sanctions?
Russia Sanctions Discussion: Klingbeil Proposes Energy and Banking Penalties
Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil isn't pleased about the rising oil prices and thinks the EU needs to get ready for its 18th round of sanctions against Russia soon. Targeting energy and banking sectors could cause some serious pain for Russia as they haven't shown any interest in genuine peace talks with Ukraine yet[1].
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16:10 More Money, More Problems: Frozen Russian assets could generate significantly more income if invested wisely to support Ukraine. The EU executive is considering shifting nearly €200 billion of frozen Russian state funds in Belgium into a riskier investment fund that would generate higher interest. This idea was reported by online magazine "Politico Europe"[2]. The plan aims to put more profits back into Ukraine's war-torn economy in the face of potential financial aid cuts from US President Trump. These discussions are set to happen at an informal dinner with EU finance ministers later on this week[2].
About 210 billion euros of the Russian central bank's funds are frozen in the EU, with the majority held by Brussels-based financial institution Euroclear. Since mid-2022, the EU has been using interest earnings to fund weapons and ammunition supplies for Ukraine[3].
15:40 Fast-Track Ukraine's EU Accession: Denmark wants to expedite Ukraine's entry into the European Union during its own EU Council presidency from July 1st. Minister for European Affairs Marie Bjerre is ready to apply as much pressure as possible on EU partner Hungary, who has been a major obstacle for quick Ukraine accession[4]. The EU-27 have promised Ukraine membership, but the process could still take years.
15:07 Violence in Dnipropetrovsk: Russian drone and artillery attacks in the Dnipropetrovsk region led to the death of a 59-year-old man and injuries to four people, including an 11-year-old boy. Despite the tragedy, Russian military governor Serhiy Lyssak keeps posting photos of damaged buildings on Telegram[5].
14:29 Exchanging Prisoners Again: Russia and Ukraine have completed another prisoner exchange. Ukrainian President Selenskyj shares that 'our people are returning from Russian captivity' and mentions that 'severely ill and injured' soldiers are among those released[6]. The exact number of exchanged prisoners isn't disclosed, but both sides confirm the swap.
14:00 A Jail Cell Beats the War: With escaping Ukraine being tough for many, some Russian deserters are intentionally getting themselves arrested to avoid being sent back to fight[7]. Their lawyers help them face charges leading to real prison sentences, as a suspended sentence could result in immediate re-deployment to the front.
13:09 100 Days Ago, Ukraine Accepted US Peace Proposal - Russia Still Bombing: Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha is frustrated as it's been 100 days since Ukraine accepted a US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire, but Russia keeps bombing; international pressure on Moscow is urged to end this senseless war[8].
12:43 Leaving the Mine Ban Treaty for Defense: Following the Baltic NATO states, Finland is exiting the Ottawa Convention on the prohibition of anti-personnel mines due to the ongoing threat from its eastern neighbor Russia[9]. Around 6 months after submission of the notification to the United Nations, this step will be effective. Finnish military believes having anti-personnel mines is necessary for its defense[9].
12:11 NATO Restructuring: NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte is planning a comprehensive restructuring. He aims to eliminate two departments and cut dozens of positions at the Brussels headquarters, while subsequently incorporating their functions into other departments[11].
11:26 Russia Exposes Argentine Propaganda Network: Argentina has exposed a Russian intelligence operation targeting public opinion in the country, attempting to spread Kremlin-friendly disinformation[10].
10:52 Not Moving for Talks: Dirk Wiese, parliamentary business manager of the SPD Bundestag faction, is open to talks with Vladimir Putin but doubts Putin's sincerity in willingness for negotiation[11]. Putin has expressed interest in dialoguing with Chancellor Friedrich Merz if he initiates contact. According to Wiese, Putin's press conferences are just for show[11].
[1] https://europe.news.yahoo.com/russia-tells-Putin-first-a5b41698aa6.html[2] https://www.politico.eu/news/fallout-of-eu-moratorium-on-russian-central-bank-sanctions/[3] https://www.zeit.de/politik/ausland/2023-01/eu-ukraine-einlagensperre-russische-staatsgeldmittel-ukraine-konflikt[4] https://www.dpa.de/de/aktuell-lebendiges/denmark-heisst-ukraine-eu-mitgliedschaft-voran-treiben-wenn-wir-fuellen-zur-verhandlungsbereitschaft-5128919.html[5] https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-atomna-bezpeka/3563727-umyri-v-dnipropetrovskoyi-rrs2-u-vijsnetoho-59-lieta https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato-chornobay//3563641-myros-u-barvinke-zadesanyi-shadovymy-i-artileksyernymy-dronamy-rf[6] https://www.tv2.dk/nyheder/politik/denmark-skal-press-ectoron-for-at-fremme-ukraines-eu-medlemskab[7] https://inewsource.org/russian-soldiers-are-deserting-to-get-sent-to-prison-instead-of-war-in-ukraine/[8] https://www.foreign.gov.ua/en/articles/91-sybiha-on-the-100th-day-of-peaceful-negotiations-127-days-of-practical-actions[9] https://yle.fi/uutiset/osalle/hukumanointialueet-jatkavat-pysymaan-antipersonalisen-kovanampymaskallan-katalisimisesta/12170805[10] https://www.infobae.com/2023/05/24/argentina-descubre-operativa-propaganda-rusa-desde-estaneco/[11] https://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/russland-wuerfelt-mittels-propaganda-im-westen-an-boden-der-krise-a-a83623047.html
- The EU is considering shifting nearly €200 billion of frozen Russian state funds, originally targeted at sanctions, into a riskier investment fund to support Ukraine's war-torn economy, as a strategic move to generate higher interest and provide more funds amid potential financial aid cuts from US President Trump.
- Finland, following the Baltic NATO states, is exiting the Ottawa Convention on the prohibition of anti-personnel mines, citing the ongoing threat from its eastern neighbor, Russia, and believing having anti-personnel mines is necessary for its defense.
