Jun 14: E-Stories
RUattacksUA CombatSit BehindLines Moldova InRussia Allies Ramstein G7 UKelects A&P ISW Noel NATO Sassi MonitorWar GlasnostGone Lautman Jamming Darth Blair Stoltenberg VOA Biden TextyOrgUA Starlink
Catching up…
EA Worldview’s Ukraine Up-date- hop over to Scott’s amazing hourly Ukraine up-date page. I’ll fill in with some bits and bobs.
The Russian Prosecutor General’s office said Thursday it had approved the indictment, more than a year after Gershkovich was first detained. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison.
Gershkovich, the US government and his employer, the Wall Street Journal, have vehemently denied the charges against him. Less than two weeks after his arrest, Gershkovich was designated as wrongfully detained by the US State Department, which called for his immediate release.
Stories we’re following…
Update: At least 9 dead, 29 injured in Russian missile strike on Kryvyi Rih. At least eight people have been killed, including two children, after a Russian missile strike on the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said on June 12.
Russian attack on Dnipropetrovsk Oblast city injures 5, including 3-year-old girl. A Russian attack against the city of Novomoskovsk in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on June 13 injured a three-year-old girl, Governor Serhii Lysak reported.
The Ukrainian national football team has released a powerful video on the eve of the EuroCup 2024 games. Each one of the footballers comes from a city which has been hit by Russian missiles strikes or is under temporary occupation. This means their families and friends are under constant threat. They also have a wish:
Police find evidence of Russian cluster munitions in Kyiv Oblast. Cluster munitions have been found at the site of a Russian missile attack in Kyiv Oblast, the region's police reported on June 12.
FT: Ukraine signs first major deal with US company for LNG supplies. Under the deal, DTEK, Ukraine's largest private energy company, will start purchasing an unspecified amount of LNG from Venture Global later in 2024 and throughout 2026.
Combat Situation Update
Russia deploys assault units from 8 brigades in Pokrovsk, Kurakhove sectors, Syrskyi says. Russia deployed the largest number of assault units from eight strike brigades in the Pokrovsk and Kurakhove sectors in Donetsk Oblast, Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine's Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi said on June 12.
Media: Russia suffered 'astronomical' losses on Kharkiv front, NATO source suggests, European Pravda reported on June 13, citing a NATO official who spoke on condition of anonymity during a NATO defense ministers meeting in Brussels. (Me: this makes no difference to Russia in human terms. It will exacerbate the manpower shortage issue that is plaguing their labour market.)
Confirmed: Ukraine destroyed Russian S-300, S-400 systems' radars in occupied Crimea, military says. Ukrainian forces destroyed two radars of S-300 and S-400 air defense systems in several areas in occupied Crimea overnight on June 12, Ukraine's General Staff reported.
Military intelligence confirms 2 Russian Su-57 aircraft hit in recent strike. Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) can confirm that two of the Russian Su-57 fighter jets were hit during a strike on the Akhtubinsk airfield in Astrakhan Oblast, but one of them suffered only light damage, the agency's spokesperson, Andrii Yusov, said on air on June 12.
In the early hours of Jun 14, Ukrainian UAVs attacked Morozovsk air base in the Rostov region. Multiple explosions were heard. There are reports of partial blackouts in some parts of the region. Also, an oil depot was hit in the Voronezh region. Fuel tanks were reportedly damaged.
Noel Report: A fire broke out at the Sukhoi Design Bureau in Moscow, one of Russia's leading aircraft development companies.
AFP: 16 Sri Lankans reportedly killed, dozens wounded fighting in Ukraine. The Sri Lankan government is stepping up efforts to prevent its citizens from being lured into fighting in Ukraine, after reports of 16 Sri Lankans being killed and 36 injured, AFP reported on June 11.
Bloomberg: Pentagon Deal With Musk’s Starlink in Ukraine Extended Six Months for $14 Million.
The Pentagon renewed a contract with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to provide Starlink internet services in Ukraine for another six months, a fresh sign that the two sides have moved past a dispute over how the terminals were being used in the conflict zone.
US Space Force has extended a contract with SpaceX until Nov. 30 at a cost of $14.1 million, Space Systems Command spokeswoman Bonnie Poindexter said in a statement. “The contract provides access to the Starlink constellation, hardware, and customer support under negotiated terms and conditions,” she said.
Behind the Lines
Ukraine's wheat exports to drop to 10-year low, US Agriculture Department says. The authors linked this development to a drop in production and to Russia's disruption of Black Sea shipping lanes, which have traditionally been Ukraine's key export routes. (Me: this is disasterous. Ukraine provides wheat to the global south, and any drop in production will put food security at risk.)
Guardian: Russia accused of 'deliberate' starvation tactics in Mariupol in submission to ICC. Russia used a "deliberate pattern" of starvation tactics during its three-month siege of the city of Mariupol, Donetsk Oblast, in early 2022, which could amount to war crime, according to a lawyers' analysis submitted to the International Criminal Court (ICC), the Guardian reported on June 13.
Rheinmetall, Kyiv agree to start producing Lynx armored vehicles in Ukraine in 2024. "At the conference, it was announced that together with the German arms company Rheinmetall, we will start production of the Lynx vehicles in Ukraine. The first such machine will be produced in Ukraine by the end of the year," Strategic Industries Minister Alexander Kamyshin told Ukrinform in Berlin.
In rare comments, NATO chief discusses 'ongoing adaptation' of alliance's nuclear arsenal. NATO officials rarely comment on the alliance's nuclear arsenal, but Jens Stoltenberg said the U.S. was modernizing its nuclear weapons stationed in Europe.
European attitudes towards Russia are now predominantly negative, with the exception of Bulgaria and Cyprus. This will make no difference to Russia. There are still many EU businesses that operate in Russia, contributing to its war effort directly or indirectly. With regards to Italy, the negative attitude towards Russia may be related to the reason why Russia-aligned parties were soundly rejected by the Italian electorate in the latest EU parliamentary election cycle.
Alex Rauflagu: U.S, UK and Canada issue Joint Statement urging the Kremlin to abandon its efforts to subvert Moldova’s democracy and to respect its sovereignty and the outcomes of free, fair, and independent elections.
"We, the governments of Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America, are united in confronting Russia’s aggression and subversion against democratic societies. We continue to support Ukraine as it defends its freedom and independence from Russia’s illegal and unjustified full-scale invasion.
We also stand firmly against persistent Kremlin attempts to use disinformation, criminal and covert activities, and corruption to undermine sovereignty and democratic processes. Free, fair, and independent elections are the cornerstone of any democratic society. We have consistently witnessed Russia’s attempts to influence, subvert, and undermine democratic elections in order to secure results favorable to the Kremlin. This threat is especially relevant in 2024, a year when hundreds of millions of people across Europe and North America go to the polls to select their leaders in European, national, regional, and local elections.
The Kremlin relies on lies, deceit, corruption and disinformation to undermine sovereignty and democracy. While democracy thrives on openness and truth-telling, authoritarianism and disinformation depend on secrecy and deception.
We want to address today the Kremlin’s actions in Moldova. President Maia Sandu and Moldova’s security institutions have warned that the Kremlin is seeking to undermine Moldovan democratic institutions in the lead-up to the October presidential elections and a referendum on Moldova’s EU membership.
We share President Sandu’s strong concerns about the Kremlin’s use of criminal groups to finance political activities and undermine Moldova’s democratic institutions. We commend Moldova’s leaders for continuing to capably manage these threats, build resilience, and maintain peace and security, while driving forward democratic reforms and reviving the country’s economy.
That is why today, in defense of our shared democratic values, we are taking this step to warn our democratic partners and Allies that Russian actors are carrying out a plot to influence the outcomes of Moldova's fall 2024 presidential election. They intend to incite protests in Moldova should a pro-Russia candidate not win. They seek to foment negative public perceptions of Western governments and Moldova's incumbent leadership, while degrading public confidence in Moldova's ability to secure itself and maintain rule of law.
Russia is currently supporting candidates for Moldova's presidency and is exacerbating societal tensions. These Russian actors are actively using disinformation and propaganda online, on the air, and on the streets to further their objectives. They are agitating criticism of the incumbent Moldovan president's government and political party, in order to incite protests. Part of these operations would include spreading lies about the incumbent president's character and intentions, and about supposed electoral irregularities. If Russia's election meddling proves unsuccessful in Moldova, there is reason to believe Moscow will work to incite protests.
Russia's political interference in Moldova in the lead-up to the October election goes back years. For example, personnel of state-funded media outlet RT have been involved in providing direct support to fugitive Moldovan Ilan Shor for several years with Russian government assent. All three of our governments have sanctioned Shor for his destabilizing electoral activities.
We have full confidence in Moldova’s ability to manage these threats linked to the Kremlin’s interference. We are taking a range of measures to support those efforts as part of our partnership with Moldova and its people. We have shared the information outlined above, and additional details, with our Moldovan partners so that they can further investigate, thwart, and disrupt the Kremlin’s plans. We will continue to work closely with the Moldovan government on this.
We will also continue to promote accountability for those involved in these Kremlin-sponsored schemes to covertly finance political activities in Moldova. And we have sanctioned – and will continue to take action against – those individuals and entities attempting to destabilize Moldova’s democratic institutions.
We will continue to support Moldova and the Moldovan people as they manage Kremlin interference and the impacts of Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine.
We strongly support Moldova’s democratic, economic, security, and anti-corruption reforms.
By revealing the Kremlin’s plot, we are making it clear to Moscow that we stand for free and fair elections and will not tolerate its attempts to meddle and undermine democratic processes.
We urge the Kremlin to abandon these efforts to subvert Moldova’s democracy and to respect its sovereignty and the outcomes of free, fair, and independent elections. We will continue to stand with all of our friends, partners, and Allies in defense of our shared democratic values and freedoms."
Szabolcs Panyi: Lying has become a modus operandi of Hungarian diplomacy for many reasons, including to keep up the internal morale within the MFA. Here's the latest – a rumor spread about Czechia's Jan Lipavsky secretly supporting Hungary's pro-Kremlin position.
Italy's Eni has informed markets that due to an unplanned maintenance at the Mellitah complex in Libya, gas exports through the GreenStream pipeline will be significantly reduced. There are also reductions of 20% in the Norwegian gas pipeline because of a severe outage at one key Norwegian facilities. Buckle up, and use your bikes!
Austria and Italy are still important Russian gas importers. The REPowerEU strategy, adopted in 2022, is intended to end the EU dependence on Russian gas by 2027. The current President of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen has repeated several times that the EU must end all imports of Russian gas as soon as possible. Let’s hope that happens sooner rather than later. Italy has maintained its high level due to concerns over energy security. It could diversify with LNG imports but those have been affected by attacks on-going in the Red Sea.
Reuters: 8 EU states call for restricting Russian diplomats' movement. "Free movement of holders of Russian diplomatic and service passports, accredited in one host state, across the whole Schengen area is easing malign activities," the letter to EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said.
Bloomberg: North Korea has sent containers to Russia that could hold nearly 5 million artillery shells and Putin will likely seek even more when he soon visits Pyongyang, South Korea’s defense minister said.
Meanwhile in Russia
The repercussion of the US sanctions unleashed on Jun 12 are starting to make their way into life in Moscow. Russian media report that websites of several large Russian banks are not downloading or not allowing clients to log in. These include Rosbank, Gazprombank, and Moscow Stock exchange.
The restrictions were reported by RSK Bank, Kompanion, Mbank, KCB, KICB, Kyrgyzkommertsbank, Bai-Tushum, Kremet Bank and DemirBank. In total, there are 23 commercial banks in Kyrgyzstan.
Russian Telegram channels report long lines by many currency exchange points in Russia. They appeared after reports that Moscow stock exchange will stop trading in dollars and euros when the United States introduced new sanctions. Russians want to buy dollar while its cheaper as many of them are convinced that the exchange rate will be worse tomorrow.
UK imposes new sanctions against Russia, targeting oil fleet, financial sector, military suppliers. The sanctions were introduced in coordination with Group of Seven (G7) partners during Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's visit to the G7 Leaders Summit in Italy.
The new sanctions include 50 additional items, targeting six ships from the so-called "shadow fleet" and several major Russian financial institutions and businesses. Key entities sanctioned include the Moscow Exchange, SPB Exchange, National Clearing Center, National Settlement Depository of Russia, and Ingosstrakh. Specific individuals affected by the sanctions are Yury Denisov (chairman of the Moscow Exchange), businessman Ivan Tavrin, Avet Mirakyan (founder of Insite), Denys Frolov (co-owner of Astra Group), and Armen Sarkisyan (owner of S8 Capital group).
Additionally, sanctions were imposed on companies from China, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, Israel, the Central African Republic, and the UAE.
China said it firmly opposed Britain’s decision to include five Chinese firms in the sanctions, which target China-based Hengshui Yuanchem Trading and Hong Kong-based HK Hengbangwei Electronics for allegedly being or having been involved in “destabilising Ukraine” or “undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty or independence of Ukraine”.
German Uniper cancels contract with Gazprom after arbitration ruling. An arbitration court awarded the German energy company Uniper the right to terminate a long-term contract with Russia's Gazprom and more than 13 billion euros ($14 billion) in damages for failed gas deliveries, Uniper said on June 12.
Dmitry Medvedev with another rant against the West—sanctions hurt.
In response to new American and European sanctions, he advocates for a comprehensive retaliation strategy. He acknowledges that Russia has adapted to sanctions but insists on active retaliation to defend the nation. Medvedev calls for inflicting maximum harm on the sanctioning countries' economies, institutions, and citizens, targeting their critical vulnerabilities. He suggests disrupting their infrastructure, creating social unrest, and spreading fear through psychological tactics and misinformation. He emphasizes a no-rules approach, urging Russians to contribute to this effort, echoing the principle of "an eye for an eye."
The majority of Russians (60%) reported a deterioration in the quality of products that replaced brands that left Russia. This follows from a survey of the B1 company (formerly the Russian division of E&Y), the results of which are published by Kommersant.
Even last fall, 44% of Russians noted a deterioration in the quality of goods. The latest survey showed that about 50% of respondents are still not willing to pay more to receive familiar, but increased in price, goods. Six months ago, the share of such people was 55%.
Those who are willing to overpay do it largely because of quality - this reason was given by 54% of respondents in May of this year; in the fall of 2023, 36% said this.
The series of accidents at Russian airlines, cut off by sanctions from the ability to repair airliners and purchase spare parts, continued in June with a series of aircraft landing gear failures.
At least five times since the beginning, carriers have experienced destruction, fires and other landing gear failures at airports in the country abroad.
On the night of June 5-6, a Red Wings Boeing 777 landed at Moscow Zhukovsky Airport. During the post-flight inspection, the equipment noticed a fire in the area of the fifth wheel brake of the left landing gear, writes Aviatorschina. The fire was extinguished with a hand-held fire extinguisher. Specialists fixed the problem, and the plane safely completed its next flight. [continue]
Russian 'peacekeepers' complete withdrawal from Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan says. Several thousand Russian "peacekeepers" were deployed to Nagorno-Karabakh in the fall of 2020 following another escalation of the years-long Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over the region. The withdrawal began in April.
Slovak defense minister says sending fighter jets to Ukraine was 'treason,' files criminal complaint. "Weakening the armed forces in this way, contrary to the constitution, cannot be described in our political dictionary as anything other than treason," Robert Kalinak said in comments reported by the Czech news outlet iROZHLAS.
Russian warship, nuclear submarine arrive in Cuba. Officials from both Cuba and the U.S. have said none of the vessels are carrying nuclear weapons, Reuters reports.
China, skipping the coming weekend’s summit on a peace plan for Ukraine, has been lobbying governments with its alternative plan, 10 diplomats have told Reuters, with one calling Beijing’s campaign a “subtle boycott” of the global meeting in Switzerland.
Reuters cited Beijing-based diplomats, one of whom said China had told developing nations the Swiss meeting would prolong the war, while two diplomats with direct knowledge of the matter said China had been telling western nations that many developing countries shared its views.
Trump discussed the conflict between Russia and Ukraine with Nurmagomedov
Former US President Donald Trump said in an interview that he discussed the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine with ex-UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov at the UFC tournament in Newark in early June. They spoke briefly, and Trump promised that he would stop the war in Palestine.
At the same time, the conversation turned to military operations in Ukraine, the politician said. According to the ex-president, Nurmagomedov approached him after the fight and said: “We must stop the wars. We must stop the killing." Trump added that he considers the fighter to be an intelligent person and expressed confidence that he is a good friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“And I think I would have stopped this war. Immediately after the election, if I win, I will stop the war, faster than I take office,” Trump said.
Trump noted that he “had good relations, very good” with both Putin and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky. According to Trump, to end the conflict he would hold negotiations with the heads of both states. The Kremlin believes that the US authorities really have the opportunity to end the conflict within 24 hours.
Me: The story was planted early in the morning today in the Russian outlet, RBC Russia. It will make its way into the American media environment in a few weeks.
I’ll monitor how this story is supposed to play out and the security implications of a former US president (now felon) speaking with a Russian ‘sports’ personality. Most Russian sportspeople are affiliated or are agents for one of the Russian security services.
Allied Support
Speaking at the "Ramstein" meeting, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin highlighted the importance of providing additional Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems to Ukraine, while also urging other countries to supply various air defense systems. Austin noted that although there are no new announcements regarding the Patriot systems, efforts are ongoing to enhance Ukraine's capabilities quickly.
He addressed reports of Poland's refusal to relocate Patriots to Ukraine, clarifying that there will be no changes to the Patriot coverage in Poland and reaffirming ongoing cooperation with other nations to meet Ukraine's defense needs.
Netherlands to provide its first F-16s to Ukraine in summer, Dutch minister says. The Netherlands will deliver its first F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine already this summer, shortly after Denmark, outgoing Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren said in an interview with European Pravda published on June 12.
The Netherlands will contribute to the delivery of €350 million worth of 152mm shells to Ukraine as part of military support from the International Fund For Ukraine (IFU). This was discussed today in Brussels during a meeting of NATO defense ministers.
Bill Blair: Canada will send a new package of military aid to Ukraine, including: • CRV 7 rocket motors • Nanuk Remote Weapons Systems • Small Arms Ammunition. Canada is also beginning to ship a new fleet of 50 armoured vehicles, with four departing London this week. (First clip from a Canadian official in E-Stories! Vive le Canada!) The first of the armoured vehicles are already headed for Ukraine.
Argentina has become a new participant in the Ramstein format. Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin made the announcement during the opening of the meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine's Defense. Argentina began to support Ukraine more actively after the election of new President Javier Milei in November 2023. President Zelenskyy participated in his inauguration at that time. Also, Argentina joined the coalition for the return of Ukrainian children.
Stoltenberg: Arms deliveries to Ukraine will become mandatory for NATO countries. When asked if Ukraine would be allowed to use F-16s for strikes inside Russia, NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg did not directly answer.
"I will not go into different aspects and details, I will only say that Ukraine has the right to defend itself and we have the right to help it," he emphasized.
Canada introduces sanctions against Russian military-industrial complex, propaganda network. Canada introduced new sanctions on June 13 against 11 Russian individuals and 16 entities who have been purportedly engaged in activities that support Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
IFU to provide Ukraine with 152 mm shells worth $376 million. The Dutch Defense Ministry announced it will contribute to the IFU's initiative, but it has not revealed the number of shells to be delivered due to security concerns.
Lithuania to send 14 M113 armored personnel carriers for Ukraine's demining efforts. Lithuania will send Ukraine 14 M113 armored personnel carriers to assist in the country's demining efforts, the country's defense ministry announced on June 12.
President Zelensky met with the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, Kristalina Georgieva yesterday in Italy. They discussed their institutions and society. The IMF is a critical institution for Ukraine’s ability to attract investments that are necessary for the restoration of Ukraine and business development.
Romania will fund the training of Ukrainian F-16 pilots at the Fetești air base. This includes covering costs for contracts necessary for training, as well as accommodation, food, transportation, fuel, special equipment, and other related services.
Norway to allocate $257 million to bolster Ukraine's air defenses. The ministry said that 125 million euros ($134 million) of that sum would be devoted to the re-procurement of Patriot missiles for Ukraine under a German-led initiative.
Zelensky visits Saudi Arabia ahead of peace summit. President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on social media on the evening of June 12 that he had arrived in Saudi Arabia on a previously unannounced visit.
Armenia became the 43rd signatory to the Artemis Accords yesterday at a ceremony at NASA Headquarters in Washington. The Artemis Accords were established in 2020 by the United States and seven other countries to set out a practical set of principles to guide the exploration and use of outer space.
Politico: “I will never visit Belarus again, as long as Alexander Lukashenko is president there. I declare that starting from this moment, no official representative of Armenia will visit Belarus.”
The outburst from Armenia’s president came after the news that broke in Politico.
The Belarusian authorities actively supplied weapons to Azerbaijan, which it then used during the war for Nagorno-Karabakh. And after the conflict, which led to the exodus of about 100,000 Armenians, Belarusian companies began to participate in restoration work in the enclave, Politico reports.
The publication obtained dozens of letters, diplomatic documents, sales contracts and export invoices, which indicate deliveries from Belarus to Azerbaijan in 2018-2022. various types of weapons, including modernized artillery, electronic warfare (EW) systems and components for drones.
Among the documents are letters from the Belarusian arms export agency to state-owned companies regarding the order of the latest artillery guidance systems, as well as correspondence between the governments of the two countries on Azerbaijan’s purchase of Groza-S self-propelled electronic warfare stations.
G7 Meeting in Puglia, Italy
The G7 summit kicked of yesterday. As president of the council of ministers, Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni greeted her counterparts mid-morning.
Yesterday’s agenda included the following discussion sessions:
Africa, climate change and development
Middle East (with working lunch)
Ukraine (G7 + Ukraine format)
Ukraine (G7 format)
Today’s sessions will include discussion on migration, AI, energy, and the Indo-Pacific and economic security. This picture of British PM Rishi Sunak and the premier has made a splash across social media platforms. It’s related to a similar photo which was taken at another edition of a G7 Summit meeting.
G7 agrees on transfer of $50 billion in profits from frozen Russian assets to Ukraine. "We have an agreement," a French presidency official said, ahead of a summit in Italy, which starts on June 13. Ukraine will also receive additional assistance to its energy sector in the total amount of more than $1 billion. It will be allocated by the G7 and additional countries.
US signs long-awaited bilateral security agreement with Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Joe Biden signed a long-awaited bilateral security agreement between Ukraine and the U.S. on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Italy on June 13, Reuters reported.
Under this agreement, in the event of an armed attack on Ukraine, top U.S. and Ukrainian officials will meet within 24 hours to consult on a response and assess Ukraine's defense needs.
The agreement aims to strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities, not by deploying U.S. troops, but by providing weapons and ammunition. Additionally, the U.S. commits to supporting Ukraine's economic and energy recovery, supplying Patriot systems and aircraft squadrons, and accelerating Ukraine's integration into the EU and NATO.
President Zelensky’s comments about US-Ukraine Bilateral Security Agreement
The historic result with the United States is a bilateral security agreement that brings our relations to the level of a true alliance.
And this is the strongest agreement with America in all 33 years of our independence. There is a legally binding part of the agreement, and there are absolutely useful details on air defense, on aircraft. We have recorded that America will help Ukraine in supplying fighter squadrons - as many fighters as Ukraine needs. We will work on this. I also spoke with the leaders about accelerating pilot training.
Importantly, the agreement with America now stipulates that Ukraine will be supported in times of war and peace. It is really long-term. We have the same vision of peace - a just peace for our people. I thank you, Mr. President Biden, I thank both parties and the houses of Congress, thank you, America!
Japan, Ukraine sign bilateral security agreement. President Volodymyr Zelensky and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida signed a 10-year bilateral security agreement on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Italy on June 13.
President Zelenskyi announced the deal, highlighting Japan's commitment to provide Ukraine with $4.5 billion in 2024 and support over a 10-year period.
The agreement covers security and defense assistance, humanitarian and financial cooperation, and efforts to implement the Peace Formula and enforce sanctions against the aggressor. This is Ukraine's first such agreement with a non-NATO Pacific region country.
Military aid for Ukraine will allow for troop rotations, Zelensky says. Recently approved military aid funding will allow for additional troop rotations on Ukraine's eastern front, President Volodymyr Zelensky said during a press conference at the Group of Seven (G7) summit on June 13.
At E-Stories we’re keeping an eye on the elections in the UK and France
A new poll has revealed that the Reform Party, headed by the infamous Nigel Farage, has surpassed the Tories. You’ll remember Farage as the mouthpiece for the Brexit campaign (immigrants!) or his previous 8 attempts at being elected, which all failed miserably.
He was interviewed yesterday on LBC by Nick Ferrari, and it was shocking to hear that he doesn’t know the candidates that have been put on the Reform ticket, which he heads. This is a small clip of the interview. You can find the full interview here.
A note about the French elections: I will be following the lead on reporting and analysis from Claire Berlinski’s The Cosmopolitan Globalist and her team as well as a few other analysts and journalists who I believe have a handle on the situation there.
The snap election has caused quite a bit of turmoil in France amongst parties on the right (especially), and I hope that our French friends will be holding a spaces soon to keep us informed on the ins and outs as we approach the first round of voting for the National Assembly.
Texty: Roller Coaster: From Trumpists to Communists. The forces in the U.S. impeding aid to Ukraine and how they do it
In April 2022, Congressman Mark Amodei praised Ukrainians for their efforts in fighting for their independence and emphasized the importance of supporting them. He backed all pro-Ukrainian initiatives in Congress. However, in April 2024, he unexpectedly voted against allocating aid to Ukraine.
In September 2023, Senators Tom Cotton and Lindsey Graham wrote a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to provide Ukraine with ATACMS missiles ranging from 165 to 270 kilometers, depending on the particular model. By February 2024, however, they voted against a bill proposing aid for Ukraine, only to vote in favor of it in April. Graham and Cotton are not the only flip-flopping politicians in the U.S. Congress.
Such inconsistency in decisions can also be observed in other American politicians. Why do these fluctuations occur?
Texty.org.ua decided to research the reasons expressed by the media and expert communities contributing to political discordance within the decision-making establishment.
As a result, we identified a wide range of groups opposing support for Ukraine, from Trump supporters to communists, and explored the ecosystem of mutual support among those who hold this position.
A little more than half of the individuals in this sample are right-wing, about one in eight are left-wing, and the rest do not associate themselves with a specific ideological platform. The right-wing individuals are mostly politicians affiliated with the Trump wing of the Republican Party. Most of the left-wing individuals are anti-war activists and left-leaning parties that urge the government to stop funding Ukraine. Most of the media, journalists, experts, and think tanks in this list do not have a clear right or left bias.
Out of these, 50 individuals have collaborated with Russian media and government-funded initiatives during Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine (after February 24, 2022). Some have moved to Russia and the occupied territories of Ukraine. Around 30 journalists and influencers work as reporters and contributors for Russian media and also serve as observers at illegal referendums in Russian-occupied territories.
The ecosystem of anti-Ukraine narratives
The research by Texty reveals a complex ecosystem where these diverse groups amplify each other’s messages.
For instance, Trump supporter Marjorie Taylor Greene attended a rally organized by the left-wing CODEPINK, demonstrating a bipartisan effort to halt aid. Brett Cooper uses arguments from Vivek Ramaswamy, while Alex Jones appears on Tucker Carlson‘s show.
Common narratives include:
US taxpayer money is wasted on Ukraine’s “corrupt regime.”
The war harms ordinary Americans more than it helps Ukrainians.
Ukraine is corrupt, Nazi-dominated, and not worth supporting.
The US should focus on its own borders, not Ukraine’s.
The war risks nuclear escalation.
Ukraine should negotiate and cede territory for peace.
The war in Ukraine was caused by NATO expansion and US policy.
The 2014 Maidan was a US-sponsored coup.
The US has biolabs in Ukraine.
Russian war crimes like Bucha were staged.
These narratives mirror Russian manipulations aimed at depriving Ukraine of Western support. As Fiona Hill, a former US National Security Council official, stated in a December 2023 interview: “These are classic Soviet tactics – demoralizing the enemy before defeating them on the battlefield. They aim to make the enemy feel defeated and think that they have already lost, and this is precisely what Putin is doing now, stirring debates in the West.”
Attacks against Texty.OrgUA
The researchers at Texty.OrgUA have released a statement regarding the attacks they are receiving because of the publication of the report. The names, associations and think tanks listed in the report are well-known Russian vectors for the dissemination of its narratives. For any of us who are following these personalities, the information in the report is not shocking. The researchers have done a stellar job in reviewing the data and putting analysing the information in the report.
The report has triggered a “swift and organized wave of hate on social media platform X, based on manipulative accusations. Therefore, we find it necessary to provide an explanation for readers who draw their own conclusions after reviewing the material.
The table of research subjects, which has generated the most controversy, is neither a "list of enemies of Ukraine" nor a "kill list," as it has been labeled in numerous posts circulating on platform X.
These data were collected and published solely to demonstrate the evidence supporting the theses presented in the article. The article itself is not an accusation but a study of the political and media context that influences government decisions regarding further support for Ukraine in the Russian-Ukrainian war.
The editorial team of Texty.org.ua does not deny, condemn, or dispute the right of American citizens, media, and institutions to express any opinions or hold any political beliefs.
We value and respect freedom of speech, which is essential for a democratic society.
Olga Lautman: Elon supports Russia as it commits actual terrorism and genocide in Ukraine and terrorism in the West with arsons, explosions, etc. but has an issue with Texty OrgUA correctly identifying Kremlin shills spreading disinformation and attempting to stop support for aid.
EuroMaidan Press: GOP lawmakers are going haywire over a Texty OrgUA study analyzing the "horseshoe" network of the hard-left and far-right American opponents of aid to Ukraine, with Elon Musk calling the analysis “terrorism”.
