The White House Gift Shop released a collectorʼs coin dedicated to the defenders of Snake Island. The coin costs $100, it is delivered free of charge to buyers from Ukraine and NATO countries, and 20% of sales will be spent on helping Ukrainian women and children (see photo).
Victory is forged not only on the battlefield
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky believes that Russia does not yet feel the effects of international sanctions, is trying to circumvent the restrictions already imposed and does not even think about peace.
According to Zelensky, there is another option to end the war - when Russia itself realizes what it has done and leaves Ukrainian territory. At the same time, the head of state does not believe that the Russians can do it on their own.
Zelensky said that it is difficult to call Russia's aggression against Ukraine a military conflict or even a war, given the consequences of Russian actions against Ukrainians. According to him, this is “an open act of terrorism by the Russian Federation.”
No planes, but what about air defense systems?
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is no longer waiting for aviation supplies from the West, but still expects to receive air defense systems.
“No one expects this or that aircraft, but we all expect and have confirmation, theoretically so far, for the arrival of powerful air defense systems in Ukraine,” he said after meeting with Irish Prime Minister Michol Martin.
60 km and you are in America
The Speaker of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin warned the U.S. that Russia could demand Alaska back if the US continues to seize Russian resources abroad on Wednesday.
“Decency is not a weakness. We always have something [as] a response. Let America always remember that there is part of its territory, Alaska,” he said. “When they start trying to dispose of our resources abroad, before doing so, let them think that we also have something to claim back.”
Asians buy more gas than they need
Russia has pocketed $24 billion from selling energy to China and India in just three months following its invasion of Ukraine, showing how higher global prices are limiting efforts by the US and Europe to punish President Vladimir Putin.
China spent $18.9 billion on Russian oil, gas and coal in the three months to the end of May, almost double the amount a year earlier, latest customs data show. Meanwhile, India shelled out $5.1 billion in the same period, more than five times the value of a year ago. That’s an extra $13 billion in revenue from both countries compared to the same months in 2021, according to Bloomberg.
Unblocking of crop exports close, but not exactly close
Ukraine’s top diplomat cast doubt on a near-term breakthrough in talks to unblock crop exports from the war-ravaged nation’s Black Sea ports, as fears of a global hunger crisis intensify.
Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said a number of logistical details need to be worked out in talks brokered by Turkey and United Nations between Ukraine and Russia, though breaking the deadlock will be difficult. The comments contrast with those of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who on Tuesday echoed media reports that a deal could be reached in a week to 10 days, Bloomberg reported.
Kuleba said the negotiations are focused on routes to secure vessels. There is still no agreement on how to guarantee Russia’s non-attack on Odessa from the sea, as well as foreign patrols guarding non-military cargoes.
“We need firm guarantees,” the minister said. “Those are the ones that are being worked out.”
There is no resemblance between victim and aggressor
The head of the Office of the Presdient of Ukraine Andriy Yermak did not agree with the wording of the UN Commissioner, who said that in Ukraine both sides commit crimes and use the civilian population as a “human shield”.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, in her report on the situation in Ukraine, stated that Ukrainian fighters violated the norms of international humanitarian law (IHL), although on a much smaller scale than the military of the Russian Armed Forces. In this regard, Andriy Yermak in his Telegram noted that the construction “both sides commit crimes” is unacceptable.
According to him, this war has only one culprit – Russia, therefore putting the aggressor and the side that is defending on the same line is unacceptable.
No passaran and set fire to it!
A far-left group claimed responsibility for setting fire to more than 20 military districts in Russia. The activists describe themselves as partisans and claim to be part of the Fighting Organization of Anarcho-Communists (BOAC). They say they have carried out more than 23 Molotov cocktail attacks against recruitment centers in different parts of the country.
“We decided to announce our existence after Vladimir Putin started the war in Ukraine,” said a member of BOAK, who wished to remain anonymous.
Moskals know how to turn back time
Latvia is set to reintroduce compulsory military service amid growing tensions with neighboring Russia and the war in Ukraine. The new mandate will apply only to men and will be gradually reinstated from 2023, officials say.
“The current military system in Latvia has reached its limits,” defense minister Artis Pabriks told reporters on Tuesday. “At the same time, we have no reason to believe that Russia will change its behavior,” he added.
Under the new compulsory model, 500 young men will --twice a year -- be offered the choice of 11 months of military service, enlistment in the national guard, or alternative positions with police and rescue services.
