June, 2022

• 3 June

  Berlin promises Ukraine heavy weapons, but delivery may take months

  

  Chancellor Olaf Scholz has promised to send Ukraine heavy weapons, including air defence systems, though Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock was quick to dash hopes of speedy delivery. Speaking in front of the Bundestag on Wednesday (1 June), Scholz said Germany would provide Ukraine with a modern Iris-T air defence system …

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• 3 June

  Afghan refugees in Albania, forgotten and facing eviction

  

  Afghan refugees staying in the Albanian coastal city of Shengjin until their visas for the US and other countries are processed say they are facing eviction, having their passports confiscated, and that many of the NGOs that were helping them have left. After western troops pulled out of Kabul in …

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• 3 June

  Bulgarian president hints at North Macedonia referendum

  

  Bulgarian President Rumen Radev has hinted that he could call a referendum on Bulgaria’s veto on North Macedonia’s EU integration but denied he would discuss the matter with French President Emmanuel Macron. Radev’s comments come after Bulgarian media reported that Macron invited Radev and Prime Minister Kiril Petkov to a …

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• 3 June

  The Netherlands, Germany announce joint North Sea drilling operation

  

  The Netherlands and Germany will drill for gas in the North Sea together, with production expected to start in 2024, the Dutch government has announced. According to the Dutch government’s website, production will take place in the North Sea, about 19 kilometres north of Schiermonnikoog and Borkum. A pipeline is …

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• 3 June

  Turkey, Terrorists and NATO

  

  Turkey, reportedly on the verge of yet another military incursion into Syria, appears up to other fun and games as well. The so-called “terrorists” to whom Erdoğan is referring are Kurdish politicians, political activists, and refugees who live in Sweden and Finland. In particular, those who engage in advocacy for …

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• 3 June

  Ukraine’s Best Chance for Peace

  

  How Neutrality Can Bring Security—and Satisfy Both Russia and the West At this stage of the war in Ukraine, as Russia steps up its offensive in the Donbas and more revelations of the atrocities committed by its forces emerge, the prospect of any kind of negotiated peace between Moscow and …

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• 3 June

  Baltic Sea exercise may serve as prime showcase for prospective NATO members Finland, Sweden

  

  An annual U.S.-led naval exercise in the Baltic region that starts this weekend could allow Finland and Sweden to demonstrate their maritime prowess, potentially underscoring the contributions they might make as NATO members. Both countries long have been participants in Baltic Operations, or BALTOPS, but this year Sweden hosts opening …

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• 3 June

  Ukraine to get 4 rocket systems in new $700 million US military aid package

  

  Four medium-range rocket systems will be included in the latest $700 million U.S. military aid package after continued calls by Ukrainian officials for the weapons, Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl said Wednesday. The High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, can strike targets roughly 50 miles away and …

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• 3 June

  Geopolitical Update: Europe Closer To Energy Crisis

  

  Europe lurched closer to an energy crisis on Tuesday after the Kremlin cut off gas supplies to major buyers including Shell. A Telegraph report said: Russia’s state-owned gas supplier, Gazprom, said supplies to Shell in Germany as well as to Ørsted in Denmark will be cut off on Wednesday after …

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• 3 June

  Blinken Calls on PA’s Abbas to De-escalate Tension, Complete Probe of Abu Akleh Killing

  

  US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stressed the importance of Israelis and Palestinians “working to maintain calm and de-escalate tensions,” during a phone call on Tuesday evening with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, according to a readout from the State Department. Blinken also “underscored the importance” of the Palestinian Authority …

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