Trump has long demanded that NATO allies increase their military spending, previously calling for the alliance to raise its benchmark from 2% to 5% of GDP.
More than 1,000 Russian government entities and 1,200 private companies are involved in the economy of occupied Mariupol, a major southeastern city occupied by Russia after it invaded Ukraine in 2022, according to a research paper published on May 14.
The measures target almost 200 ships of Russia's "shadow fleet," 30 companies involved in sanctions evasion, 75 sanctions on entities and individuals linked to the Russian military-industrial complex, and more.
The government has approved "reform roadmaps in the rule of law, public administration, and democratic institutions, as well as Ukraine’s negotiation position," Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said.
The statement did not name the ex-official by name, but details of the case indicate it relates to Oleh Hladkovsky, a former deputy secretary of Ukraine's top security body who has been wanted since mid-April.
Brazilian President Lula da Silva claimed that Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha had appealed to his Brazilian counterpart, Mauro Vieira, to ask Putin if he was willing to conclude a peace agreement.
"Trump needs to believe that Putin actually lies," Zelensky told journalists in Kyiv. "And we should do our part. Sensibly approach this issue, to show that it’s not us that is slowing down the process."
The EU plans to significantly increase tariffs on Ukrainian goods after the current duty-free deal lapses on June 6, the Financial Times reported on May 14, citing undisclosed diplomatic sources.
The blockade ended at 10:30 p.m. local time. Truck traffic in both directions is now moving as usual, according to Ukraine's State Border Guard's statement.
Russia seems to be preparing a significant offensive in Ukraine as it is moving troops toward key positions on the front, the Financial Times reported on May 13, citing undisclosed Ukrainian intelligence officials.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) meets with China's President Xi Jinping (L) on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states leaders' summit in Astana on July 3, 2024. (Pavel Volkov/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)
Russia and China have started joint naval drills at a Chinese military point in Zhanjiang, the Chinese Defense Ministry reported on July 14.
"Holding such joint maritime military exercises can enhance the collaboration and professional levels of the two navies and contribute to maintaining maritime and regional security," the Chinese Defense Ministry reported, citing a Russian navy officer heading the drills from the Russian side.
The news comes days after NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on July 11 said that alliance members agree that China is a "decisive enabler" of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
A joint declaration of NATO members also mentioned that China is a threat to the interests and security of the alliance, which Stoltenberg said was "the first time that all NATO members state this so clearly in an agreed document."
China, however, immediately rejected the notion that it is supporting Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, characterizing NATO's accusation as "provocative."
At the drill's opening ceremony on July 14, a Chinese navy officer said that "the mechanism for joint naval exercises and training between the two navies, as well as their capability to conduct joint maritime military operations, has continued to improve," according to the ministry's statement.
"Following the ceremony, the naval forces carried out on-map military simulation and tactical coordination exercises," the ministry wrote.
"The exercise is divided into three stages, including the concentration of forces, planning at the harbor, and maritime drills."
Earlier on July 8, the Belarusian Defense Ministry reported that the Chinese and Belarusian militaries were conducting joint "anti-terrorist training" at the Brestskiy training range next to the border with Ukraine and Poland.
China has positioned itself as a neutral party in Russia's full-scale war but has deepened economic ties with Moscow and has become the leading source of dual-use goods that feed the Russian defense industry.
The Chinese leadership has previously denied supporting either side of the war and claimed that its ties with Russia do not go beyond the confines of a "normal" relationship while underscoring its close partnership with Moscow.
Nate Ostiller
