Europe Russia Top Stories World Russian State Budget Slips into Deficit NonoJuly 7, 2023037 views The Russian state budget has slipped into deficit in the first half of the year, totaling €26 billion. Deficit Accumulates to €26 Billion in the Russian State Budget The Russian state budget has slipped into deficit in the first half of the year, totaling €26 billion. The UN warns against cluster munitions deliveries. Follow the latest developments in our live blog. NATO Members to Renew Commitment to Ukraine on Upcoming Summit NATO members plan to renew their commitment to Ukraine regarding its future membership in the defense alliance at the upcoming summit. In the meantime, the exchange will be intensified through a newly created NATO-Ukraine Council, announced NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg. Additionally, a multi-year program will be agreed upon during the meeting next week to facilitate smooth cooperation between the Ukrainian armed forces and the alliance. Ukrainian Army Conducts Counteroffensives, According to US Experts According to US experts, the Ukrainian army is conducting counteroffensives on at least three fronts, gradually weakening Russian soldiers and logistical resources. The Ukrainian military is targeting areas towards Bakhmut, as well as in the western regions of Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia, said the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in its report. Among other evidence, geolocated images of advanced Ukrainian forces about five kilometers southwest of the long-contested city of Bakhmut have been documented. More Than 25,000 Civilians Injured or Killed in Ukraine, says UN During the first 500 days of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, at least 25,170 civilians have been injured or killed. This includes 9,177 confirmed deaths and 15,993 documented injuries, according to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva. Among adults whose gender is known, 61 percent were men and 39 percent were women. Among children whose gender is known, 57.2 percent were boys and 42.8 percent were girls. These figures cover the period from February 24, 2022, to June 30, 2023, but the actual numbers are believed to be much higher. Russian State Budget Slips into Deficit in First Half The Russian state budget has slipped into deficit in the first half of the year, amounting to 2.6 trillion rubles (€26 billion), according to data from the Ministry of Finance. By comparison, a surplus of 1.48 trillion rubles was achieved in the first six months of 2022. The enormous expenditures related to the war against Ukraine are burdening the state’s finances. At the same time, Western sanctions are impacting the revenues from oil and gas exports. Revenues from the oil and gas business, crucial for the leadership in Moscow, plummeted by 47 percent in the first half compared to the same period last year. The Ministry of Finance attributed this decline to lower prices for domestic crude oil and declining natural gas exports. Ukraine Would Welcome US Cluster Munitions Delivery According to a senior advisor to President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine would welcome the delivery of cluster munitions from the United States. He stated that such a delivery would undoubtedly have the potential to have an “extraordinary effect on the already demoralized Russian occupiers” on a “psychological-emotional level,” as reported by Reuters. Earlier, it was reported that the United States could announce a new aid package for Ukraine on Friday, which would include the provision of cluster munitions. The USA, Ukraine, and Russia are not among the 120+ countries that have signed an agreement to ban cluster munitions. NATO Summit to Provide Ukraine with Closer Ties to the Alliance NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg expects the summit of the military alliance next week to provide Ukraine with a clear path to membership. The heads of state and government of NATO will reaffirm at their meeting in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, on Tuesday and Wednesday that Ukraine should become a member of the military alliance. They will also discuss how to bring Ukraine closer to this goal, Stoltenberg said at a press conference in Brussels. “For 500 days, Moscow has brought death and destruction to the heart of Europe,” he added, referring to the Russian aggression. “Our summit will send a clear message: ‘NATO stands united, and Russia’s aggression will not prevail.'” German Government Signals Understanding for Cluster Munitions Delivery After reports of a possible delivery of cluster munitions from the US to Ukraine, the German government has pointed out that Germany has joined the international treaty banning these munitions. However, government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit also expressed understanding for a delivery by the United States, as Ukraine, like the US, did not sign the agreement. “We are confident that our US friends did not make the decision to deliver this type of ammunition lightly,” he said. The cluster munitions would be used by Ukraine in a “unique situation.” “Ukraine uses this ammunition to protect its own civilian population. It’s an operation carried out by the Ukrainian government to liberate its own territory,” Hebestreit said. “We should also remember that Russia has already used cluster munitions on a large scale in its illegal war against Ukraine.” Ukrainian President Selenskyj Arrives in Slovakia After his visit to Prague, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj has arrived in the Slovak capital, Bratislava. He announced this next destination himself on Twitter, saying, “Slovakia is next,” and announced talks with Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová and government officials. The discussions will focus on further military support and Ukraine’s integration into the EU and NATO. He was invited by Čaputová, who is one of the most determined supporters of Ukraine among European heads of state. Switzerland and Austria Join Air Defense System Neutral States Switzerland and Austria Join European Air Defense The neutral states of Switzerland and Austria want to participate in the European air defense system Sky Shield initiated by Germany. Defense ministers Viola Amherd for Switzerland and Klaudia Tanner for Austria signed a corresponding declaration of intent in Bern during a meeting with their German counterpart Boris Pistorius (SPD), who traveled from Berlin. This brings the total number of participating countries to 19. The Essi project (European Sky Shield