People rest after climbing, as veterans of the U.S. Marines and U.S. Navy, with their family members climb First Sergeant's Hill above the 5th Marines headquarters to mark Memorial Day at Camp Pendleton, California, May 30, 2022. REUTERS/David Swanson
WNU Editor: The above picture is from this photo-gallery .... Memorial Day across America (Reuters).
The Guardian: What’s next for Ukraine after Russia’s Donbas offensive?
Analysis: Indiscriminate tactics of Russia’s grinding progress in east could characterise next phase of war
The recent Russian advances in the Donbas lead to an inevitable question: whether the indiscriminate tactics the Kremlin deployed there will be a template for future offensives.
With reports of large numbers of troops, artillery and rocket launchers mustering across the border near the Russian city of Kursk – in an area that borders Ukraine’s Sumy province – it is an urgent issue.
While much has been made of the painfully slow and grinding pace of Russia’s recent offensive in the Donbas, the speed of territorial gains is not the only metric.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: Ukraine's options are limited, and the reports that I am hearing from Ukrainians that know on what is happening in this war are distressing.
So what is next for Ukraine?
There is going to be no let-up in the war. After Donbas Russian forces will be focused on the city of Zaporizhhia (see the above map), and after that the city of Dnipro.
This is open country, and ideal terrain for Russian forces to do what they have always been trained to do. Conduct operations that isolate enemy units, and then destroy them with artillery.
On another sad note. This region and the Donbas has always been the industrial heartland of Ukraine. Its loss will be incalculable for Ukraine, and the Kremlin knows it.
In an interview with Sky News, the regional governor of Luhansk Oblast said the fall of Severodonetsk would be a big morale boost for Russia but played down the military significance.
Russian forces are now in control of around 70% of Severodonetsk and heavy fighting is ongoing in the eastern Ukrainian city, the regional governor has told Sky News.
Speaking from a secret location inside the Luhansk Oblast, Serhiy Hayday admitted victory in the city would be a big morale boost for Russia, but he played down the wider military importance.
Read more ....
The Ukraine City Of Severodonetsk Is About To Fall To Russian Forces
Most of Sievierodonetsk has fallen to Russia, says governor of Luhansk -- The Guardian
Sievierodonetsk mayor says Russian forces seize half of city -- AP
Russian, Ukrainian troops fight block by block in key city -- Politico
Russia Taking Command of Sievierodonetsk, Ukraine Officials Concede -- VOA
'I watched from afar Russia’s latest merciless assault on Severodonetsk' -- BBC
WNU Editor: General Milley tries to give the impression in this interview that the U.S. is not really involved in the Russia - Ukraine war. That the U.S. is an outside power observing the situation. A neutral party. Even saying that this conflict may end up as a stalemate, and if not, be ready to step up to make sure it does not escalate.
I am not buying anything that the General is trying to sell.
General Milley knows exactly what is going on in Ukraine right now. After receiving billions in US arms the Donbas is turning into a disaster for the Ukraine military, and the only thing that the Pentagon can advise right now is to send even more arms into that conflict, thereby escalating it even further.
President Tsai Ing-wen (right) made the comments during a meeting in Taipei with Sen. Tammy Duckworth. Taiwan Presidential Office via AP
FOX News: Taiwan military announces 'cooperation' deal with US National Guard
Sen. Tammy Duckworth visited Taiwan Tuesday, when Taiwan's president made the announcement
The U.S. National Guard is planning a "cooperation" program with the Taiwanese military, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen announced Tuesday.
Tsai has not offered details regarding the upcoming cooperation, but previous reports suggest the Taiwan military may link with the Hawaii National Guard.
Tsai made the announcement during a meeting in Taipei with Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill.
Read more ....
Update #1: Tsai says U.S. National Guard planning 'cooperation' with Taiwan military (Reuters)
Update #2: Taiwan hails ‘cooperation’ between US National Guard, country’s military (NYPost)
WNU Editor: No comment yet from China on this new U.S. - Taiwan military agreement, but Beijing was very critical early today on US Sen. Tammy Duckworth's trip to Taiwan .... US senator’s trip to Taiwan ‘very dangerous’; PLA sent warplanes (Global Times).
CNBC: Russia hits back at the EU’s partial oil embargo, says it will find other importers for its crude
* The European Union on Monday agreed to ban most Russian oil imports by the end of the year as part of new measures designed to punish the Kremlin over its invasion of Ukraine.
* Responding to the measures, Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia’s permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna, said the oil ban reflects negatively on the bloc.
* “As she rightly said yesterday, #Russia will find other importers,” Ulyanov said via Twitter, referring specifically to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Moscow has pledged to find other importers for its oil shortly after the world’s largest trading bloc agreed to impose a partial embargo on Russian crude.
The European Union on Monday decided to ban most Russian oil imports by the end of the year as part of new measures designed to punish the Kremlin over its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
The move was hailed by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell as a “landmark decision to cripple [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s war machine.”
Read more ....
Update: Moscow Shrugs Off EU Oil Ban: 'Russia Will Find Other Importers' (Zero Hedge/Epoch Times)
WNU Editor: Russia will find other customers for its oil. The commodity is vital to the global economy, and there are shortages.
The problem for Russia is that it will take time to find new customers for its oil, and Russian oil companies will then need to make arrangements with other customers on how to be paid.
But as difficult as this will be for Russia, the EU will be impacted even more. They will need to find new suppliers, and it will definitely be more costlier because this new oil will need to be delivered by tanker rather than a pipeline. And even that is not a guarantee. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are saying very bluntly that their production capacity is almost at its limit .... Oil Prices Tumble On OPEC-Russia Reports (Zero Hedge).
Montreal had a planeload of Ukrainian refugees arrive two days ago, and there is a shortage of volunteers to help these families.
Of course I am pitching in.
Blogging will return later today.
Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 31 May 2022
— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) May 31, 2022
Find out more about the UK government's response: https://t.co/IQeojTdiEP
🇺🇦 #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/EL8MZDZ4WH
LIVE: Two Russian soldiers have been sentenced to 11 years and six months in jail for shelling Ukrainian villages, a court in central Ukraine has ruled.
— DW News (@dwnews) May 31, 2022
Follow the latest on the war:https://t.co/TRDnxPSskF
“The city is essentially being destroyed ruthlessly block by block."
— The Associated Press (@AP) May 31, 2022
The mayor of Sievierodonetsk tells @AP that Russian forces have seized half of the eastern Ukrainian city in a "frenzied push" to quickly complete the capture of the Donbas region. https://t.co/GIMT41Lt7a
#UPDATE Russian forces have seized control of half of eastern Ukraine's key city of #Severodonetsk, a senior official said on Tuesday, hours after EU leaders struck a watered-down deal to ban more than two-thirds of Moscow's oil imports ▶️ https://t.co/DLmHIR2lmc pic.twitter.com/cFARVVHClt
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) May 31, 2022
'I watched from afar Russia’s latest merciless assault on Severodonetsk' https://t.co/pZbKoWTwrB
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) May 30, 2022
The battle for Donbas has seen Russia switch to artillery barrages that last day and night. Ukraine's National Guard have endured much of it and have shared their footage with the BBC. The video below is what is left of Rubizhne https://t.co/JShPwrtg6E pic.twitter.com/dvquyECfSn
— Quentin Sommerville (@sommervilletv) May 30, 2022
Shell falls awfully close to journalists embedded with Ukrainian troops. pic.twitter.com/sBY8nLpVyQ
— Ukraine War Report (@UkrWarReport) May 31, 2022
ICYMI: The 27 EU member states have agreed to ban more than two-thirds of Russian oil imports to the bloc.
— DW News (@dwnews) May 31, 2022
Russia's largest bank Sberbank will also be removed from the SWIFT payment system.https://t.co/4oiGzjzKfd
China has made the second largest incursion into Taiwan's air defence zone this year, with Taipei reporting 30 jets entering the area, including more than 20 fightershttps://t.co/mi6c0qOHr6
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) May 31, 2022
European Union leaders agreed to cut about 90% of Russian oil imports, in a significant new push by the West to punish Moscow for its war in Ukraine.
— The Associated Press (@AP) May 31, 2022
The tense EU summit negotiations in Brussels succeeded in papering over some of the cracks in unity. https://t.co/ZknyEuptUh
Hungary's divisive leader has once again got his own way with the European Union — this time in tough negotiations on Russian oil. And Prime Minister Viktor Orban wasn't shy about trumpeting his success in leveraging the bloc, reports @jspikebudapest https://t.co/a7D5TPDANZ
— AP Europe (@AP_Europe) May 31, 2022
Inflation in the eurozone, home to some 343 million people, is now at its highest since records for the currency began in 1997.https://t.co/N40q5109I3
— DW News (@dwnews) May 31, 2022
President Joe Biden will meet Tuesday with Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell to discuss the state of the U.S. and global economy and especially inflation, the White House says. https://t.co/UR3yUtJzQ7
— The Associated Press (@AP) May 30, 2022
#UPDATE Israel signed a free trade deal with the United Arab Emirates, its first with an Arab country, building on their normalisation of relations in 2020 pic.twitter.com/L2Yh1FBfMQ
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) May 31, 2022
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government has introduced legislation that would put a national freeze on importing, buying or selling handguns.
— The Associated Press (@AP) May 31, 2022
It will also require rifle magazines to be permanently altered to never hold more than five rounds. https://t.co/wxAgpx9Jzz
Oof that was close pic.twitter.com/nwBBOFfqV3
— Benjamin Pittet (@COUPSURE) May 30, 2022
Top Gun: Maverick has evaded Chinese censors and restored the Taiwanese flag on the back of Tom Cruise's jacket (pictured)
WNU Editor: The above picture is from the Daily Mail .... Top Gun fires a warning at China by reinstating Taiwanese flag on Maverick's jacket after its removal for trailer provoked outcry (Daily Mail).
NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana addresses journalists as he arrives for an informal meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers in Berlin. (AFP file photo)
Newsweek: 'No Restrictions': NATO to Take More Aggressive Stance Against Russia
NATO has "no restrictions" when it comes to deploying its forces in eastern Europe to respond to Russian aggression, the U.S.-led military alliance's deputy secretary general, Mircea Geoană, said Sunday.
Geoană, who was also a former president of Romania, made the comments in an interview with the AFP news agency published during a trip where he met with lawmakers from members of the alliance in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Sunday and Monday.
They were attending the Spring Session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.
Read more ....
Update: NATO has right to deploy in eastern Europe: Deputy chief (AFP)
WNU editor: This is a signal to me that all the treaties that have been signed between the West and Russia are eventually going to be thrown into the garbage can.
* The 27-nation bloc has agreed a ban covering more than two-thirds of Russian oil
* Leaders also agreed to cut off Russian bank Sberbank from the SWIFT system
* There are ambitions to ban 90 per cent of Russian oil imports by the end of 2022
* Three more Russian state-owned broadcasters have also been banned
The EU council president Charles Michel said that the 27-nation bloc agrees a ban covering more than two-thirds of Russian oil imports.
'This immediately covers more than two thirds of oil imports from Russia, cutting a huge source of financing for its war machine,' Mr Michel wrote on Twitter.
The leaders also agreed to cut off the largest Russian bank Sberbank from the SWIFT system and to ban three more Russian state-owned broadcasters, he added.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: Here is an easy observation/prediction. The previous five EU sanction packages have resulted in Russian oil revenues soaring by 50%, and sending Russia's current account to all time highs. These new EU sanctions will only continue this trend .... Brent Tops $122 After EU Agrees On "Partial" Ban Of Russian Oil (Zero Hedge).
And for the EU consumer. More shortages and even higher energy prices. I can only imagine the chaos that is going to engulf Europe this winter with this crazy policy.
If this is a win in the eyes of the EU. I hate to know what they see is a loss.
EU Leaders Agree To 'Immediate' Ban 'More Than Two-Thirds' Of Russian Oil Imports, 90% By The End Of 2022
EU leaders agree to ban 90% of Russian oil by year-end -- AP
EU agrees ban on 'more than two thirds' of Russian oil imports -- France 24
Russian oil: EU agrees compromise deal on banning imports -- BBC
EU leaders agree to 'immediate' ban on 'more than two-thirds' of Russian oil imports -- DW
EU leaders agree to partial embargo of Russian oil imports -- The Guardian
People line up for water at a pumping station in Shchastia in eastern Ukraine. Some have lost running water and have to carry buckets and bottles home. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)
Politico: Russia’s war on water in Ukraine
Water is becoming increasingly scarce — and an even more powerful weapon in war, scientists warn.
In Russia's war on Ukraine, water is both a target and a weapon.
Just three days after the start of the latest invasion, Russian forces destroyed a dam in Ukraine's Kherson region that had blocked water access to Russian-annexed Crimea.
In Mariupol, a city in southeastern Ukraine, Russian soldiers shut off local water supply as part of a brutal siege on the city, leaving the trapped population without access to safe drinking water or sanitation. The city fell into Russian hands earlier this week.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: A week before the mass surrender of Ukrainian forces at Azovstal in Mariupol the Russian military found the water main that was supplying them water, and they cut it off. It was then only a question of time before they surrendered. Water has always been used in war. The Russia - Ukraine war is no exception.
Business Insider: The Taliban's control of Afghanistan is guaranteeing Al Qaeda's 'continued personal survival', experts say
* Al Qaeda is "delighted" at the Taliban's control of Afghanistan, an expert has claimed.
* Professor Michael Semple said the Taliban was guaranteeing Al Qaeda's "continued personal survival".
* His analysis is supported by a UN report, suggesting the relationship "remains close".
The Taliban's control of Afghanistan is guaranteeing the "continued personal survival" of Al Qaeda, an expert has claimed, with a United Nations report supporting the claims.
A report from a UN monitoring team published Thursday says the relationship between the two groups "remains close", with Al Qaeda described as being "pleased with" the Taliban's takeover.
The UN says Al Qaeda is using the takeover to increase their numbers and funding, as well as to "inspire Al Qaeda affiliates globally."
Read more ....
WNU Editor: The UN report estimates approximately "180 to 400 fighters affiliated with Al Qaeda" from "Bangladesh, India, Myanmar and Pakistan" in Afghanistan .... Relationship between Taliban, Al Qaeda remains close: UNSC report (Business Standard).
Ukrainians stage a demonstration ahead of EU Leaders' Summit in Brussels, Belgium [Dursun Aydemir/Anadolu]
Reuters: EU fails to agree Russian oil ban despite onslaught on outskirts of Sievierodonetsk
KYIV (Reuters) - Ukrainian and Russian forces battled on Monday on the outskirts of Sievierodonetsk, the last city still held by Kyiv in Ukraine's Luhansk province and the focus of Moscow's offensive in the country's east.
But even as the Russian onslaught raged, EU leaders made clear they would fail to agree on a Russian oil import ban at a summit in Brussels, prompting swift criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy who said they were too soft on Moscow.
Russian shelling has reduced much of Sievierodonetsk to ruins, but the Ukrainian defence has slowed the wider Russian campaign across the Donbas region.
Read more ....
Update #1: EU struggles to reach an agreement on Russian oil embargo as Hungary holds firm (CNBC)
Update #2: EU Leaders Spar Over Russian-Oil Ban (WSJ)
WNU Editor: Ukraine President Zelensky has responded .... Zelenskiy chides EU for failing to agree on Russian oil import ban (Reuters).
As to what is my take.
Russia will have numerous customers for ts oil, especially at these prices .... Brent crude breaks $120 a barrel as gas prices soar (The Hill).
Update #3: It looks like the Netherlands and Denmark are about to be cut-off from Russian natural gas .... Russia could cut off Denmark and the Netherlands' natural gas (CNN).
Five Israelis that Iran's Fars agency says could be targeted by the regime, May 29, 2022 (Courtesy)
Times Of Israel: Iranian outlet names five Israeli intel and tech experts as potential targets
Tehran has vowed revenge for killing of senior Revolutionary Guards officer, prompting Israel to ramp up its air defenses and issue travel warning for Turkey Iran’s semi-official
Fars news agency issued details on five Israelis it warned could be targeted by Tehran, as the Islamic Republic continued to seethe on Monday over the killing of a top Revolutionary Guards official, which it blames on Israel.
Under the headline “Zionists who must live in secret,” Fars claimed that the five, their families and colleagues are “under close surveillance day and night” and that many others were potential targets as well.
Read more ....
Iran's News Agency Posts A Hit List Of 5 Israeli Intel And Tech Experts That Tehran Could Target
Iranian Media Names Five Israelis as Potential Targets Amid Warning of ‘Real Threat’ to Avenge Slain IRGC Officer -- The Algemeiner
Iranian media threatens 5 Israeli intel and tech experts -- i24 News
Iranian media threatens Israelis, lists those it claims 'live in hiding' -- Jerusalem Post
Iranian Website Publishes Profiles Of Israelis As Potential Targets -- Iran International
Greek oil tankers in March, April & May 2022 were 60% of total tanker capacity taking oil out of Russia (blue). In the same period in 2021, they were 33% of capacity. So Greek tankers have clearly shifted towards transporting Russian oil. A business decision. With @JonathanPingle pic.twitter.com/gXcBsdpowX
— Robin Brooks (@RobinBrooksIIF) May 29, 2022
Zero Hedge: Greece Alerts Its Tankers In Gulf After Iran Threatens More 'Retaliation' Seizures
The government of Greece has issued an alert warning all Greek ships currently sailing in Persian Gulf waters to adapt and remain aware of heightened threats against them following last week's seizure of two Greek oil tankers by Iran's military. Maritime tanker monitors suggest at least a dozen Greek tankers are currently in waters near Iran.
The alert told vessels to immediately "adapt to the unacceptable situation and reality created by the Iranian government’s tactic," according government spokesman Ioannis Oikonomou at a Monday press briefing in Athens, per Bloomberg reporting.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: Greek shippers are now making a killing transporting Russian oil. They do not need this type of distraction .... Iran Seizes 2 Greek Tankers in Persian Gulf After U.S. Seizes Iranian Oil From A Tanker Off The Coast Of Greece (May 27).
ABC News Australia:Pacific nations walk away from trade and security deal with China as Australia aims to 'build stronger family'
Pacific Island countries have agreed not to sign a region-wide trade and security deal with China after a high-level meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his counterparts from 10 Pacific nations in Fiji.
China was seeking a wide-ranging deal that covered free trade, police cooperation and disaster resilience. Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama said Pacific nations were united in their approach after the decision was announced on Monday afternoon.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: This is a setback for China. But knowing the Chinese, I am sure they will be back to try again sooner rather than later.
China Fails To Reach A Security Agreement With The Pacific Islands
China falls short on big Pacific deal but finds smaller wins -- AP
China, Pacific islands unable to reach consensus on regional pact -- Reuters
Pacific nations reject China security pact -- AFP China fails to strike security deal with Pacific nations -- DW
China, Pacific islands unable to agree on security pact -- CNN
China Suffers Setback as Pacific Nations Spurn Wide-Ranging Deal -- Bloomberg
China’s foreign minister tells Pacific leaders ‘don’t be too anxious’ after they reject regional security pact -- The Guardian
China, Pacific islands fail to reach consensus on security pact -- Al Jazeera
United States Senator Tammy Duckworth (center) and her delegation are welcomed by Deputy Foreign Minister Harry Tseng (曾厚仁, third right) and MOFA's head of the Department of North American Affairs Douglas Hsu (徐佑典, third left). Photo courtesy of MOFA
CNN: US congressional delegation makes surprise visit to Taiwan
(CNN)A US delegation led by Sen. Tammy Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat, arrived in Taipei on Monday in a previously unannounced visit, Taiwan's foreign ministry said.
The delegation will meet with Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen on Tuesday, where they will discuss "regional security, economic and trade cooperation, and all issues related to US-Taiwan bilateral relations," presidential spokesperson Xavier Chang said.
During their visit, the delegation will also meet Premier Su Tseng-chang and Economic Affairs Minister Wang Mei-hua, before departing on Wednesday.
Read more ....
Update: U.S. Senator Duckworth arrives in Taiwan for three-day visit (Focus Taiwan)
WNU Editor: No reaction yet from China's state media on this US Congressional visit.
Reuters: Taiwan jets scramble as China air force enters air defence zone
TAIPEI, May 30 (Reuters) - Taiwan on Monday reported the largest incursion since January by China's air force in its air defence zone, with the island's defence ministry saying Taiwanese fighters scrambled to warn away 30 aircraft in the latest uptick in tensions.
Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, has complained for the past two years or so of repeated missions by China's air force near the democratically governed island, often in the southwestern part of its air defence identification zone, or ADIZ, close to the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands.
Taiwan calls China's repeated nearby military activities "grey zone" warfare, designed to both wear out Taiwan's forces by making them repeatedly scramble, and also to test Taiwan's responses.
The latest Chinese mission included 22 fighters, as well as electronic warfare, early warning and antisubmarine aircraft, the Taiwan ministry said.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: Chinese state media is still fuming over this .... President Biden Says The U.S. Will Use Military Force To Defend Taiwan If China Attacks (May 23, 2022).
30 Chinese Warplanes Buzz Taiwan's Air Defense Zone
30 Chinese military aircraft intrude on Taiwan's ADIZ as US Senator arrives -- Taiwan News
30 Chinese military aircraft enter Taiwan's ADIZ -- Focus Taiwan
Rare 30-Plane Chinese PLA Force Buzzes Taiwan In Fresh 'Warning' -- Zero Hedge
Imran Khan gestures as he travels on a vehicle to lead a protest march in Islamabad [Akhtar Soomro/Reuters]
Dr. Subhash Kapila, Eurasian Review: Pakistan On Brink Of Civil War As Ousted PM Khan Weaponizes ‘Street Power’ – OpEd
Pakistan today in May 2022 tethers on the brink of a Civil War being generated by Constitutionally ousted former PM Iman Khan whose megalomaniacal impulses prompt him to challenge both the Constitution of Pakistan and the Pakistan Army by weaponizing “Street Power” in a bid to return to power in Islamabad – and raising grave implications for Pakistan and South Asia.
Pakistan today is witnessing a clash of narratives wherein saner voices within Pakistan are voicing alarm on the irreparable damage that can be inflicted by ousted PM Imran Khan with his ‘Disruptive Strategy’ of weaponising ‘street power’ and Pakistan’s politically immature younger generation mesmerised by Imran Khan’s flamboyance providing the huge turnouts at Imran Khan’s ‘Jalsas’ and now the Long March already in Islamabad precincts.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: Pakistan is facing an economic crisis .... Saudi Arabia, Dubai ready to give money, but won’t lend without IMF deal, says Pakistan (The Print), and what makes it worse is the growing political crisis .... Pakistan: Khan gives six-day deadline to gov’t to announce polls (Al Jazeera).
Bottom line.
Pakistan is still far from being engulfed in a civil war. But the situation is getting worse.
OilPrice.com: Denmark Fully Prepared To Be Cut Off From Russian Gas
Denmark has joined the list of countries refusing to pay for Russian gas using a ruble conversion scheme, prompting the country’s state-run gas company on Monday to warn that Gazprom could cut off gas exports in retaliation.
Denmark is the latest country to refuse the Kremlin’s demands for opening Western currency accounts alongside a ruble account to allow for payments for gas that are essentially made in rubles.
Poland and Bulgaria were the first countries to refuse the scheme, resulting in a Gazprom move to cut off supplies, followed by Finland.
Read more ....
Danish State-Run Gas Corporation Orsted Expects To Be Cut-Off From Russian Natural Gas
Denmark's Orsted Warns Russia May Cut Gas Over Ruble Demand -- Bloomberg
Denmark Refuses To Pay For Russian Gas In Rubles; Orsted Warns Russia May Cut Supply -- Republic World
Orsted Rejects Gazprom Demands to Pay for Gas in Rubles -- Marketwatch
Reuters: U.S. will not send Ukraine rocket systems that can reach Russia, says Biden
WASHINGTON, May 30 (Reuters) - The United States will not send Ukraine rocket systems that can reach into Russia, President Joe Biden said on Monday, as Ukraine pushes for longer-range weapons system to help in its fight.
Ukrainian officials have been asking allies for longer-range systems including the Multiple Launch Rocket System, or MLRS, that can fire a barrage of rockets hundreds of miles away.
"We're not going to send to Ukraine rocket systems that strike into Russia," Biden told reporters after arriving back at the White House after a weekend in Delaware.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: The Kremlin has reacted .... Russia's Medvedev calls Biden announcement on Ukraine rocket systems 'rational' (Reuters).
Update: There are limits to what this US rocket system can do for Ukraine .... The Reality Of What HIMARS Rocket Artillery Systems Can And Can’t Do For Ukraine (Warzone/The Drive).
US President Biden Says The US Will Not Send Ukraine Rocket Systems That Can Reach Russia
Biden says US won’t send Ukraine rocket systems that can reach Russia -- FOX News
Biden rejects Ukraine long-range rocket request as Russia advances -- NYPost
Biden: US will not send Ukraine rockets that can reach Russia -- Al Jazeera
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. (Reuters / Maxim Zmeyev)
Politico: As Putin health rumors swirl, Lavrov denies Russian leader is seriously ill
It’s at least the third time the Kremlin has been forced to deny rumors of the president’s ill health.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has denied that Vladimir Putin is seriously ill in the wake of numerous reports suggesting that the Russian leader has cancer.
“You know, President Putin appears in public every day. You can see him on the screens, read his speeches, listen to his speeches,” Lavrov said, speaking to French media TF1. “I don’t think sane people can discern any sort of symptom of disease in this man.”
Lavrov’s remarks are not the first time the Russian government has been forced to deny reports about Putin’s health.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: There are reports that Putin successfully defeated cancer a few years back. But aside from that, for someone who is going to 70 years old this year, from what I have seen so far Putin looks physically OK.
Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov Denies Rumors That Putin Is Seriously Ill
Russia's Lavrov Denies Putin Is Ill -- Moscow Times/AFP
Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov denies Vladimir Putin is ill -- NYPost
No credible evidence Putin is ill despite appearance, anger in public: experts -- Business Insider
CNN: Colombia's presidential vote headed for a runoff
Bogota (CNN)Colombia's presidential election appears destined for a runoff, after preliminary results on Sunday showed no candidate had garnered over 50% of the votes.
With 98% of the votes counted, early results showed left-wing candidate Gustavo Petro with just over 40% of the votes, the populist former mayor of Bucaramanga Rodolfo Hernandez with 28%, and right-wing candidate Federico "Fico" Gutierrez with 23%.
Petro and Hernandez are now expected to face each other during a second round of voting on June 19th.
Read more ....
WNU editor: My friend who follows Colombian politics very closely tells me that the second round of voting is going to be close, but the odds favour left-wing candidate Gustavo Petro to win with about 51% - 52% of the vote. My gut tells me that it is 50 - 50 right now.
Colombia's Presidential Vote Headed For A Runoff On June 19th
In surprise Colombia election result, leftist and businessman go to second round -- Reuters
Colombia's presidential race headed to run-off between leftist senator, populist businessman -- CBC/AP
Leftist and right-wing populist head to Colombia's presidential runoff -- Axios
Rodolfo Hernández, the populist earthquake shaking up the Colombian election -- El Pais
Colombian Outsider Makes Runoff With Real Shot at Presidency -- Bloomberg
Colombia Outsider Candidate Hernandez May Weaken Leftist Petro's Rebel Status -- Reuters
Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 30 May 2022
— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) May 30, 2022
Find out more about the UK government's response: https://t.co/ZlY83BdoL1
🇺🇦 #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/A9VVmuIBU4
#UPDATE The latest developments in the war in #Ukraine️
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) May 30, 2022
* Russians advance into the centre of the eastern city of Severodonetsk
* Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visits Kharkiv
* Ukraine forces launch counterattack in Kherson
➡️ https://t.co/wnvZkj6eUL pic.twitter.com/HIND2kQD9r
Russian and Ukrainian troops trade blows in fierce close-quarter combat in eastern Sievierodonetsk city as Moscow’s soldiers, supported by intense shelling, attempt to gain a strategic foothold to conquer the region in fighting – now in its 96th day
— TRT World Now (@TRTWorldNow) May 30, 2022
Follow our live coverage:👇 pic.twitter.com/Yl0MaDNtwL
Ukraine's President Zelensky makes rare visit to Kharkiv frontline https://t.co/qlZkPgdPMY
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) May 30, 2022
A governor in eastern Ukraine says Russian troops are on Sievierodonetsk's outskirts and the city appears to be on the brink of becoming another Mariupol, which spent nearly three months under Russian siege before Ukrainian fighters surrendered. https://t.co/yGS2TiYJUn
— The Associated Press (@AP) May 30, 2022
Ukraine war: Russia says 'liberation' of Donbas its key priority https://t.co/JD1sEeLIxv
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) May 29, 2022
Ukraine may soon get US long-range MLRS rocket system https://t.co/q9US8v8YwK
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) May 30, 2022
Kyiv residents celebrated the Ukrainian capital's 1,540th birthday on Sunday. There was special meaning to the occasion this year after the city had been surrounded by Russian forces earlier in the war. pic.twitter.com/jTm5osF8bA
— The Associated Press (@AP) May 30, 2022
‘Very fierce’ fighting as Russian troops enter the outskirts of Sievierodonetsk, Biden grieves with the Texas town of Uvalde as anger mounts after the nation’s deadliest school shooting in a decade, and more. These are the 5⃣ stories you need to know today pic.twitter.com/Ae3IEnn3ja
— Reuters (@Reuters) May 30, 2022
Shanghai set to lift some Covid restrictions on firms https://t.co/twftRGGU65
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) May 30, 2022
The World Health Organization’s top monkeypox expert, Dr. Rosamund Lewis, said she doesn’t expect the hundreds of cases reported to date to turn into another pandemic but acknowledged there are still many unknowns about the disease. https://t.co/e1mCqgKPlX
— The Associated Press (@AP) May 30, 2022
#UPDATE Around 100 people have died in clashes between gold miners in northern #Chad, Defence Minister General Daoud Yaya Brahim said on Monday https://t.co/CCQ3gh3daM pic.twitter.com/seyO99ioct
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) May 30, 2022
Families across Africa are paying about 45% more for wheat flour as Russia's war in Ukraine blocks exports from the Black Sea.
— AP Africa (@AP_Africa) May 30, 2022
The World Food Program's executive director says the war is “piling catastrophe on top of catastrophe” for the world's poor. https://t.co/luGMsPjWf4
VIDEO: Sri Lankan police deploy water cannon, tear gas on protesters
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) May 30, 2022
Police fired tear gas to disperse thousands of students trying to storm the Sri Lankan president's home Sunday as the government offered an olive branch to demonstrators demanding his resignation pic.twitter.com/edtjUKcMQ5
#UPDATE Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Hong Kong's next leader John Lee in Beijing, state media said Monday, telling the former security chief that he has the full trust of the central government pic.twitter.com/3WwScIDBiP
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) May 30, 2022
Mona Lisa smeared with cake by suspected climate protester https://t.co/4P4xVgosZI
— Guardian World (@guardianworld) May 30, 2022
The world's longest glass bottom bridge opened to the public in Son La, Vietnam, with a dragon dance's blessings to start the day https://t.co/sb5cnLXJqk pic.twitter.com/jvnD4lJBuw
— Reuters (@Reuters) May 30, 2022
Members of a Ukrainian battalion of young soldiers as they return to their base near Kramatorsk, Ukraine, on May 28. They have spent their days digging defensive trenches in a pocket not far from the front line to provide additional support for soldiers battling the Russians head-on. Photo for The Washington Post by Heidi Levine
Washington Post: Ukraine suffers on battlefield while pleading for U.S. arms
Gloominiess descends on Ukraine as war tide turns. “They’re just raining down metal on us,” said a soldier fresh from the front line where Russia is advancing.
DONETSK OBLAST, Ukraine - The ambulances hurtled into the parking lot one after the other, each carrying wounded troops directly from the nearby front line. One young man stared straight ahead, his face swollen, his neck and back dripping with blood. Others lay silently under foil blankets.
Some stumbled out the back doors and collapsed into wheelchairs as staff rushed to push them inside. Nearby, bloodied cots sat propped against a tent and other wounded soldiers lingered about, their faces grim, their heads, arms or legs bandaged as the sound of outgoing artillery boomed across the sky.
About 10 wounded soldiers arrived at this hospital in eastern Ukraine in less than an hour Sunday morning - the latest military casualties as Ukrainian forces, outgunned by Russia in the country’s east, continue to lose territory at a critical moment in the war.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: The Washington Post tries to make the case that the US should significantly increase military aid to Ukraine. I am not sure if increased aid would make a difference.
Everyone that I know who is still in Ukraine paint a very dark picture on what is happening.
Electricity and the internet are becoming unreliable. There are fuel shortages everywhere. Food is a becoming a problem. Forget about medicines.
Half of Ukraine's population is now displaced, and it is going to get worse if the war continues to grind on.
I am still predicting that this is going to be a long war. That the Russian military will continue to use its advantages .... artillery/short supply lines/more fire-power, and they will grind down the Ukraine military at a rate much faster than the rate the Ukraine military is grinding down the Russian military.
But unless something changes drastically, the Donbas will completely fall to Russian forces in the next month or two, and the war will then shift to Zaporishia, a major industrial city situated on the banks of the Dnieper river, and Mykolaiv, a city that is north of Kherson and 100 kilometers away from Odessa (see map below).
