Russia Ukraine War
615 Day of the Russia-Ukraine War: Putin vs Zelensky War
The White House has issued a statement regarding the House Republican proposals for funding related to Israel and Ukraine, while Vladimir Putin is holding Ukraine responsible for the antisemitic riot in Dagestan.
Putin vs Zelensky War (615 Day)
- On Monday, the White House expressed its concerns regarding the House Republicans’ request for offsets to fund initiatives in Israel and Ukraine, stating that it could have severe consequences for U.S. national security. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized that making national security interests a political matter is unacceptable. Demanding offsets to support crucial U.S. national security priorities, such as aiding Israel and protecting Ukraine from aggression and Russian expansion, would deviate from the typical bipartisan process and potentially harm our safety and international alliances in the future.
- Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba expressed confidence on Monday that the U.S. House of Representatives would support the request for additional funding for Ukraine’s military. He acknowledged the existence of significant political opposition to certain aspects of the bill. Last week, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson indicated his preference for dealing with funding for Ukraine and Israel separately, implying potential reluctance to endorse President Joe Biden’s $106 billion aid package covering both nations.
- Moldova has taken steps to restrict access to prominent Russian news media websites, including the Interfax and TASS news agencies. The Moldovan authorities have accused these news outlets of participating in an information campaign against the country. An official decree, released by Moldova’s intelligence and security service and made available online, has identified 31 websites that are to be promptly blocked due to their “online content used in the information conflict against the Republic of Moldova.”
- The Netherlands is set to donate the first U.S.-made F-16 combat aircraft to Ukraine, and according to outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, it will reach Romania’s training center in approximately two weeks.
- On Monday, Russian shelling struck the southern Ukrainian frontline region of Kherson, resulting in the tragic loss of two civilian lives, as reported by local authorities. Meanwhile, a Ukrainian military commander noted that Russia has substantially reinforced its presence around the heavily affected Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. Russian troops have transitioned from a defensive stance to engaging in “active actions” in the area.
- According to the UK Ministry of Defence‘s recent intelligence update, a Russian state-supported private military company is actively seeking to enlist women in combat roles in Ukraine, marking the first such attempt.
- In a related development, Russia’s Federal Security Service reported the detention of a Russian man in Crimea on suspicion of treason. He is accused of sharing military secrets with Ukraine, as disclosed by a state news agency.
