The EU and the U.S. have weighed in on the recent Russian halt in natural gas exports to Finland. The Russian company, Gazprom, said the cuts were due to a dispute over payments. Gasum has reportedly failed to comply with new Russian rules that require payments to be made in roubles. While most supply contracts in Europe are denominated in dollars or euros, Gazprom has also cut off gas to Poland and Bulgaria in recent months.
Gazprom halts natural gas exports to Finland
Gas imports from Russia are halted for the next five years after a dispute broke out between the two countries. Gazprom, which has been supplying natural gas to Finland since the mid-1980s, had demanded that European countries pay for their gas in Russian rubles, but Finland has refused, citing the sanctions imposed on Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine. Finland relys heavily on gas, accounting for more than 5% of the country’s energy consumption.
The two countries share a 1,340-kilometer border. Finland has long sought to build closer ties with Moscow, and years of energy cooperation have been beneficial for both countries. Despite this, the recent cutoff has caused an economic crisis. Since Finland joined NATO, Russian gas prices have skyrocketed. In response to the disruption, Finland has replaced Russian crude oil with other sources of crude oil.
Because the Russian government has decided to block Russian gas exports to Finland, the EU will consider a full oil and gas embargo against Russia. While Russia receives money from oil and gas exports, it can then use this cash for its military aggression in Ukraine. Meanwhile, former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and former German intelligence officer Matthias Warnig, who sits on the Rosneft board, have resigned. Finland has resorted to alternative sources of natural gas, including a storage vessel chartered by the United States company Excelerate Energy.
Ukraine proposes formal agreement to secure Russian compensation for damage caused by its forces during the war
A new proposal by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky seeks to establish a formal agreement with Russia to secure compensation for damage its forces caused during the war. Zelensky argues that Russia has been destroying infrastructure throughout the country in a bid to win back the region. Such a deal would be a signal to other nations that they must pay for their actions. Zelensky also invited partner countries to sign a multilateral agreement to create a mechanism for compensation for damage Russia caused during the war.
The proposal would make it possible for the two countries to reach an agreement that would include military, humanitarian, and economic aid for Ukraine. Despite the proposed agreement, however, the war in Ukraine is far from over. While the outcome of the war is far from certain, the war itself is beginning to take shape. With no clear end in sight, the possibility of the conflict spreading is low but not zero. Should it happen, it could even involve NATO.
The United States and the EU were unhappy with Putin’s attack on Ukraine, but the West is more positive. The war has put China on the defensive. China, after all, has been slowing down in recent years. It needs to expand its economic ties with the West if it is to achieve sustained growth. Xi Jinping, meanwhile, had been upset with Putin’s decision to attack Ukraine, and needs to capitalize on the situation in order to achieve his objectives.
In May, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said that the situation in the Donbas is still difficult, but the Ukrainian forces are holding off the Russian advance. His remarks came after his government rejected a cease-fire with Russia, saying that such a move would play into the Kremlin’s hands. However, he did say that Kiev would not consider any deal that involved ceding territory to the Russians.
After the conflict in Ukraine, the international community must come up with a counter strategy to the conflict. A bold plan to rebuild the country should be formulated, costing $500 billion. While the international community must provide assistance, most of it should come in the form of grants, with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund offering technical assistance. The Ukrainians will also need new mechanisms to rebuild their country and economy.
Another concern is the status of Russian mercenaries. While Ukraine may have financed some of these groups, their contributions are unlikely to be sufficient to meet the “substantially” requirement set out in Article 47(2). This raises further questions about Ukraine’s obligations under the law of war. In this case, the safest route for Ukraine is to consider the AP I, Article 47(2) definition as the controlling one.
U.S. Senate approves $40 billion in new assistance for Ukraine
The new legislation authorizes the transfer of nearly $4 billion in military equipment and weapons to Ukraine. The State Department will receive almost $6 billion for Ukraine’s defense and military operations in Europe. In addition, the United States will send another $4 billion to NATO for foreign military financing and arm Ukraine and other countries in the Eastern Partnership. Earlier this week, the Senate approved the appointment of Bridget Brink as U.S. ambassador to Ukraine.
The U.S. Senate approved $40 billion in new assistance for Ukraine, the largest multi-billion dollar aid package since Russia invaded Ukraine. The measure is bipartisan and will go to President Joe Biden for his signature. It includes additional humanitarian and military aid to the country and a package of weapons to help the Ukrainian people recover from the conflict. Moreover, it includes food aid and humanitarian aid, which will help the displaced Ukrainians.
The $40 billion will help feed the Ukrainian population and support the sovereignty of Ukraine abroad. It will also enable the U.S. government to take action against Russian war criminals and oligarchs, seize the assets of Russian oligarchs, and prosecute Russian war crimes. It is an incredible investment in the country’s democracy and its future as a democracy. In addition, it is likely to help Ukraine fight global hunger.
