Europe Updates: Putin Dismisses Deputy Defense Ministers, Germany’s Historical Institute in Moscow Declared Unwelcome, and NATO’s Stance on Arms Deliveries to Ukraine NonoJune 17, 2024010 views Putin Dismisses Four Deputy Defense Ministers Russia’s President Putin has recently removed four deputy defense ministers from their positions. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military has reported successes against air defense systems in Crimea. Stay tuned for all the latest updates in the live blog. German Historical Institute in Moscow Declared Unwelcome The Russian authorities have declared the German Historical Institute in Moscow as an unwelcome organization. The institute was listed among foreign and international non-governmental organizations whose activities are considered unwanted in Russia. The DHI ceased its operations in 2022 after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Despite this, the DHI’s library remains open, accessible by written appointment only. Stoltenberg Advocates for More Weapons for Kyiv and Criticizes China During a visit to Washington, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg advocated for increased weapon deliveries to Ukraine and criticized China’s actions amidst the Russian aggressive moves. Stoltenberg argued that the path to peace may involve providing more weapons to Ukraine and emphasized the need for lasting support to the Ukrainian government. Regarding China, Stoltenberg highlighted the country’s claims of neutrality while speculating that China is in reality fueling the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II, all while attempting to maintain positive relations with the West. Putin Promotes Relatives to Deputy Defense Minister Positions Russian President Putin has promoted a relative to a high-ranking position in the Defense Ministry. Putin issued decrees on Monday for the appointment of four new deputy defense ministers, including Anna Zivilova, the daughter of his cousin, and Pawel Fradkov, the son of his former intelligence chief and prime minister. Over 20 NATO Countries Meeting Two Percent Spending Goal According to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, more than 20 NATO member countries are expected to spend at least two percent of their Gross Domestic Product on defense this year. Stoltenberg highlighted that the number of NATO members meeting this spending target has increased significantly compared to five years ago. Peskov: Stoltenberg’s Statement on Nuclear Weapons Is a Provocation According to the Russian government, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg’s comments regarding the possible deployment of additional nuclear weapons are seen as a provocation. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov stated that this move represents a further escalation of tensions and contradicts the recent Ukraine Conference communique, which prohibits any threats or use of nuclear weapons in relation to Ukraine. Kremlin: Swiss Ukraine Conference Yields No Results Russia has labeled the Ukraine Peace Conference in Switzerland as unsuccessful. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov commented that the meeting results were close to zero, noting that many participating countries realized that serious discussions without Russia are futile. Notably, Moscow was not invited to the Swiss meeting, which had over 90 nations in attendance, and China also did not participate. Federal Government: No Reduction in Citizen Payments for Ukrainians The German federal government has clarified that it has no plans to reduce the welfare payments to approximately 1.17 million Ukrainian war refugees in Germany. Amidst calls to halt payments to able-bodied Ukrainian men, officials confirmed that the welfare regulations will remain unchanged under the Social Security Code, indicating that these benefits are vital for the refugees’ integration and livelihoods. Ukrainian Energy Provider Warns of Worsening Power Shortages Due to continued Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, the state energy provider has announced further severe restrictions on electricity supply. Ukrainians may face up to twelve hours per day without electricity, a situation expected to persist until the end of July. The disruptions, compounded by Russian assaults on power plants and potential maintenance issues at nuclear facilities, could lead to scheduled power outages even during peak consumption times. Ukraine Doesn’t Reach Agreement with Creditors Failure to reach an agreement with creditors places Ukraine at risk of default, with looming debt restructuring negotiations totaling around $20 billion. Talks with a group of bondholders have not yielded a deal, and time is running out as a two-year payment moratorium ends on August 1. The country has been exploring debt restructuring plans with major investors since late 2023 to address economic challenges arising from the Russian invasion. Denmark Considers Restrictions on Russian Oil Tankers’ Passage Denmark is exploring ways to limit the passage of aging tankers carrying Russian oil through the Baltic Sea. Collaborating with allied nations, the Danish government is evaluating measures against these “shadow fleets” transporting Russian oil. Any attempt to restrict these deliveries could lead to a confrontation with Moscow, as approximately one-third of Russian oil exports pass through the Danish strait, accounting for about 1.5% of global oil shipments, potentially impacting oil prices and Kremlin’s finances. Russia Threatens Tougher Conditions for Peace The Chief of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, Sergei Naryshkin, has warned of imposing tougher conditions for peace with Ukraine. Should the terms proposed by President Vladimir Putin for a peace agreement be refused, Naryshkin stated that the subsequent conditions would be more stringent, as reported by the state news agency Tass. A few days ago, Putin announced that Russia would cease hostilities if Ukraine abandoned its NATO aspirations. He also demanded the withdrawal of the Ukrainian army from four regions in the east and south of Ukraine – Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson – annexed by Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Putin’s statements as untrustworthy. NATO to Increase Nuclear Weapons Readiness, says Stoltenberg Amid growing threats from China and Russia, NATO is reportedly in discussions to bring more nuclear weapons out of storage and put them on standby, as stated by Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. Stoltenberg mentioned to the British newspaper The Telegraph that member states are considering using transparency about their nuclear arsenals as a deterrent. Stoltenberg emphasized that while the ultimate goal is a world without nuclear weapons, as long as they exist, NATO will also maintain its nuclear alliance. He stressed the importance of NATO having nuclear capabilities in a world where countries like Russia, China, and North Korea possess such arms. Left-Wing Aims for Peace Efforts in Ukraine with Pope’s Assistance The Left party in the German Bundestag is looking to Pope’s involvement for peace efforts in Ukraine. Alongside China and India, the Co-Chair of the Left group in the Bundestag, Sören Pellmann, suggested that the leader of the Catholics could play a mediating role. Pellmann highlighted that Putin might heed the advice of India and China more than Germany and stated that Pope Francis, due to his integrity, could act as a moderator or mediator. Regarding Putin’s recent conditions for peace talks, Pellmann interpreted them as a sign of his willingness to engage in dialogue. He mentioned that Putin’s offer, albeit tainted, indicates a potential weariness of conflict. Baerbock Warns of Serious Consequences of Inadequate Support for Ukraine German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock cautioned about significant repercussions for Germany and NATO if Ukraine is not adequately supported in its defense against Russia. Baerbock expressed concerns over the possibility of Putin’s troops reaching the border with Poland if Ukraine lacks assistance, potentially escalating the conflict to EU and NATO territories. She emphasized the importance of supporting Ukraine to avert war from spreading closer to home and reiterated the shared interest in maintaining peace and security. Russian Authorities Report Drone Shootdown over Lipetsk In the Russian region of Lipetsk, approximately 250 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, Governor Igor Artamonov announced that four drones were shot down, with no reported injuries.