Germany’s Bundestag will not invite the Russian and Belarusian ambassadors to its 80th anniversary commemoration of the end of World War II. This decision, based on government assessment, stems from concerns that their presence could be exploited for anti-Ukraine propaganda. The ceremony will instead focus on the war’s victims and lessons for the present, prioritizing speeches from German President Steinmeier and Bundestag Speaker Klöckner. This exclusion follows previous guidance advising against inviting Russian and Belarusian officials to related events. The Russian ambassador criticized this decision as endangering reconciliation efforts.
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Poland, citing escalating threats from Russia and Belarus, plans to resume domestic production of up to one million anti-personnel mines. This decision follows the country’s planned withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention, which bans such weapons. The production, involving both state and private contractors, aims to bolster Poland’s border defenses as part of its “Eastern Shield” project. The process, subject to government and parliamentary approval, is anticipated to take approximately six to nine months.
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Following an Estonian Independence Day flyover with Finnish and Dutch aircraft, a B-52 bomber patrolled the Belarus-Russia border before returning to the UK. Subsequently, two B-52s, deploying from RAF Fairford, conducted a second Middle Eastern Bomber Task Force mission within 48 hours, showcasing US force projection and interoperability with partner nations. This mission, including aerial refueling and training exercises with allied fighter escorts, reinforces deterrence and strengthens regional cooperation. The ongoing deployment emphasizes the US commitment to deterring Russian aggression and maintaining a swift response capability.
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Latvia’s parliament proposed amendments to ban Latvian travel agencies from offering tourism services to Russia and Belarus. This action, driven by security concerns, aims to mitigate risks to Latvian citizens, including potential human rights abuses and recruitment as spies. The proposed ban, stemming from increased arrests of Latvian nationals in Russia, would be incorporated into existing sanctions against both countries. The ban would affect all Latvian-registered tourism providers.
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Exit polls indicate Alexander Lukashenko secured a seventh term as Belarusian president with 87.6% of the vote, a result widely condemned by the US and EU as neither free nor fair due to the suppression of opposition and independent media. Lukashenko, in power since 1994, has overseen a crackdown on dissent following the 2020 protests and allowed Russia to utilize Belarusian territory for its invasion of Ukraine. The election, featuring largely unknown opposition candidates, saw an 81.5% turnout, although an estimated 300,000 Belarusians in exile were unable to vote. International observers and exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya dismissed the election as a sham.
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John Q. Hosedrinker