The G7 reaffirmed its commitment to freezing Russian sovereign assets until Russia ends its aggression against Ukraine and compensates for the damages inflicted. This decision, detailed in a joint statement following a finance ministers’ summit, also condemns the war and supports ongoing ceasefire efforts. Further sanctions are threatened if a ceasefire isn’t achieved. The G7 pledged continued support for Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction, explicitly barring entities that funded the Russian war effort from profiting from this process.
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Germany’s chief of staff, Thorsten Frei, urges the EU to strengthen sanctions against Russia, advocating for measures such as halting gas and uranium imports and utilizing frozen Russian assets. He asserts that these impactful actions are necessary to pressure Russia, countering Putin’s perceived strategy of using time to achieve military objectives. Frei’s call follows the EU’s 17th sanctions package and reflects Chancellor Merz’s assessment of Putin’s lack of commitment to peace. Furthermore, Germany may increase military aid to Ukraine beyond the current €7 billion allocation.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the creation of a security buffer zone along the border with Ukraine, a task currently underway by Russian armed forces. While the exact location remains unspecified, this follows Putin’s earlier claim of liberating the Russian settlement of Gornal in Kursk Oblast. The Ukrainian General Staff, however, refutes these claims of Russian territorial gains. The announcement was relayed via video link to government officials.
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A new Russian law mandates a tracking app for all foreign nationals in the Moscow region, ostensibly to combat crime. The app will collect biometric data, location information, and monitor real-time geolocation. Non-compliance results in deportation, while critics cite constitutional privacy violations and potential negative impacts on labor migration. The program, running until September 2029, may expand nationwide if deemed successful.
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Finland anticipates a Russian troop buildup along their shared border following the Ukraine war, with satellite imagery revealing expanded military infrastructure near the Finnish border. This activity, though currently moderate, involves infrastructure improvements and equipment deployment, prompting close monitoring by Finnish defense forces. While there’s no immediate military threat, Finland, as a NATO member, is preparing for potential worst-case scenarios. Despite this, the situation is not causing widespread alarm among Finnish citizens, who have become accustomed to Russia’s actions.
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Following a May 19th phone call between Presidents Trump and Putin, Russia, through Foreign Minister Lavrov, rejected calls for a Ukrainian ceasefire. Instead, Russia insisted on negotiating a future peace treaty addressing what it terms the “root causes” of the conflict. These negotiations, including a May 16th meeting, saw Russia reiterate maximalist demands, including Ukrainian concessions on Crimea and eastern territories, and featured a low-level Russian delegation, signaling a lack of commitment to meaningful progress. Lavrov accused Western leaders of pressuring Trump for stricter sanctions, further hindering peace efforts.
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Polish military forces responded to a sanctioned Russian “shadow fleet” ship exhibiting suspicious behavior near a crucial Poland-Sweden power cable. The ship, identified as the Antigua-flagged tanker *Sun*, was forced away by Polish naval and air patrols, ultimately returning to a Russian port. This incident, highlighting increased security concerns in the Baltic Sea following similar attacks on infrastructure, prompted assurances of a firm response from Poland and NATO to any further threats. The power cable remains operational, transmitting over 600 megawatts to Sweden at the time of the incident.
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The EU and Britain imposed new sanctions on Russia’s “shadow fleet” of oil tankers, marking the 17th such action since the Ukraine invasion. This coordinated response followed recent Russian drone attacks on Ukraine and came despite a lack of accompanying U.S. sanctions. While President Zelenskyy urged continued U.S. involvement in peace negotiations, the White House opted against additional sanctions, prioritizing dialogue with Russia. The sanctions target Russia’s oil export capabilities, aiming to increase pressure for a ceasefire.
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Following the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys urged immediate commencement of work on the 18th EU sanctions package against Russia. This package should target Russia’s most vulnerable sectors, including energy, finance, and the defense industry, to counteract Putin’s delaying tactics. Budrys stressed the need for swift action, emphasizing that the previous sanctions package is already outdated and decisive measures are necessary to maintain credibility. The 18th package may include targeting banks from non-EU countries supporting Russia’s military. This follows discussions between Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and European Commission President von der Leyen regarding further restrictions on Moscow.
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Australia has delivered the first shipment of its pledged M1A1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, following previous delays in international clearances. The transfer, confirmed by Prime Minister Albanese to President Zelensky, consists of decommissioned tanks slated for replacement in Australia’s military modernization program. These 49 tanks, already planned for retirement, will bolster Ukraine’s ground forces. The donation comprises part of a larger commitment to upgrade its armed forces with the newer M1A2 Abrams tanks.
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John Q. Hosedrinker