NEWSLETTER
Thursday / September 29Sep 29
Friday / June 24
US aid to Ukraine
The United States will provide an additional $450 million in security assistance to Ukraine, including more long-range rocket systems, U.S. officials said on Thursday.
Moscow’s forces are advancing in Ukraine’s east in a bid to capture the industrial heartland Donbas, where Ukraine fears some of its troops could be encircled in a Russian pincer move.
In a statement, the Pentagon said the package would be valued at up to $450 million and include four additional High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), 18 coastal and riverine patrol boats and thousands of rounds of ammunition.
On Thursday, Ukraine said it had received the first tranche of HIMARS, a powerful long-range weapon system that Kyiv hopes can help turn the tide in the months-long battle.
Biden last week announced an infusion of $1 billion in weapons for Ukraine that includes anti-ship rocket systems, artillery rockets, howitzers and ammunition.
German gas alarm
Germany triggered the "alarm stage" of its emergency gas plan on Thursday in response to falling Russian supplies but stopped short of allowing utilities to pass on soaring energy costs to customers in Europe's largest economy.
The step is a largely symbolic signal to companies and households but marks a major shift for Germany, which cultivated strong energy ties with Moscow stretching back to the Cold War.
Lower gas flows sparked warnings this week that Germany could fall into recession if Russian supplies halted altogether. A survey on Thursday showed the economy losing momentum in the second quarter. read more
"We must not fool ourselves: The cut in gas supplies is an economic attack on us by (Russian President Vladimir) Putin," Economy Minister Robert Habeck said in a statement.
Gas rationing would hopefully be avoided but cannot be ruled out, Habeck said: "From now on, gas is a scarce commodity in Germany. We are therefore now obliged to reduce gas consumption, now already in summer."
Ukraine's EU bid
Ukraine became a candidate to join the European Union on Thursday, a bold geopolitical step triggered by Russia's invasion that Kyiv and Brussels hailed as an "historic moment".
"Ukraine's future is in the EU," President Volodymyr Zelenskiy wrote on Twitter after the official announcement.
"A historic moment," European Council chief Charles Michel tweeted, adding: "Our future is together."
Moldova also became an official candidate on Thursday, signalling the bloc's intention to reach deep into the former Soviet Union.
North Korea tensions
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered a strengthening of the country's defence capabilities, state media said on Friday, as he wrapped up a key party meeting with top military officials that came amid concerns about a potential nuclear test.
The meeting has been closely watched due to growing speculation that Pyongyang could conduct its first nuclear test in five years. U.S. and South Korean officials have said could take place at "any time" now.
Kim presided over the three-day Enlarged Meeting of the 8th Central Military Commission that ended on Thursday. Kim "examined and approved an important issue of providing a military guarantee for further strengthening the country's war deterrent," official KCNA media said.
The United States will provide an additional $450 million in security assistance to Ukraine, including more long-range rocket systems, U.S. officials said on Thursday.
Moscow’s forces are advancing in Ukraine’s east in a bid to capture the industrial heartland Donbas, where Ukraine fears some of its troops could be encircled in a Russian pincer move.
In a statement, the Pentagon said the package would be valued at up to $450 million and include four additional High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), 18 coastal and riverine patrol boats and thousands of rounds of ammunition.
On Thursday, Ukraine said it had received the first tranche of HIMARS, a powerful long-range weapon system that Kyiv hopes can help turn the tide in the months-long battle.
Biden last week announced an infusion of $1 billion in weapons for Ukraine that includes anti-ship rocket systems, artillery rockets, howitzers and ammunition.
German gas alarm
Germany triggered the "alarm stage" of its emergency gas plan on Thursday in response to falling Russian supplies but stopped short of allowing utilities to pass on soaring energy costs to customers in Europe's largest economy.
The step is a largely symbolic signal to companies and households but marks a major shift for Germany, which cultivated strong energy ties with Moscow stretching back to the Cold War.
Lower gas flows sparked warnings this week that Germany could fall into recession if Russian supplies halted altogether. A survey on Thursday showed the economy losing momentum in the second quarter. read more
"We must not fool ourselves: The cut in gas supplies is an economic attack on us by (Russian President Vladimir) Putin," Economy Minister Robert Habeck said in a statement.
Gas rationing would hopefully be avoided but cannot be ruled out, Habeck said: "From now on, gas is a scarce commodity in Germany. We are therefore now obliged to reduce gas consumption, now already in summer."
Ukraine's EU bid
Ukraine became a candidate to join the European Union on Thursday, a bold geopolitical step triggered by Russia's invasion that Kyiv and Brussels hailed as an "historic moment".
"Ukraine's future is in the EU," President Volodymyr Zelenskiy wrote on Twitter after the official announcement.
"A historic moment," European Council chief Charles Michel tweeted, adding: "Our future is together."
Moldova also became an official candidate on Thursday, signalling the bloc's intention to reach deep into the former Soviet Union.
North Korea tensions
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered a strengthening of the country's defence capabilities, state media said on Friday, as he wrapped up a key party meeting with top military officials that came amid concerns about a potential nuclear test.
The meeting has been closely watched due to growing speculation that Pyongyang could conduct its first nuclear test in five years. U.S. and South Korean officials have said could take place at "any time" now.
Kim presided over the three-day Enlarged Meeting of the 8th Central Military Commission that ended on Thursday. Kim "examined and approved an important issue of providing a military guarantee for further strengthening the country's war deterrent," official KCNA media said.
