Weekly newsletter
Interview with Rafael Mariano Grossi; How Putin tried to disrupt the Global Peace Summit; Ukraine has added another Russia’s fighter to its collection of targets and more in today's Weekly Newsletter
Photo of the week:
The camera of military photographer Arsen Fedosenko, who died in Kharkiv Region as a result of a severe wound from Russian anti-aircraft fire, next to his body in a coffin, Kyiv, June 13, 2024.
Interviews:
Rafael Mariano Grossi. Director General at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
In an interview with an Ukrinform correspondent in Vienna, Grossi explained his position on why he generally prefers not to voice political statements, including demands for Russia to withdraw forces from the Zaporizhzhia NPP. At the same time, the head of the IAEA expressed hope that Ukrainians, who generally praise clarity, will understand the balance required to fulfill the tasks of avoiding a nuclear accident.
The top official also touched upon the problem of spent fuel at the ZNPP, the invaders’ plans to resume operations at the facility, sanctions against Russia and Rosatom, failure to fulfill resolutions regarding the return of the ZNPP to Ukraine’s control, a possible IAEA reform, and other issues.
Publications:
FAILED BLUFF: how Putin tried to disrupt the Global Peace Summit
On June 14, on the eve of the Global Peace Summit in Switzerland, Putin delivered a long speech during a meeting with the leadership of the Russian Foreign Ministry. Formally, it was addressed to Russian diplomats, but its content indicates that it was a message to the international community, primarily to representatives of states that intended to participate in the Summit in Bürgenstock.
Ukrainian success at the G7 Summit: use of windfall proceeds from Russian sovereign assets, security pacts with the USA, Japan
The G7 summit has proved that Ukraine will remain high on the Allies’ agenda for as long as Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine drags on
The 50th anniversary G7 Summit was held from June 13 to 15, 2024 at Borgo Egnazia in the city of Fasano in Apulia, Italy. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended the gathering among other invited participants. The first day of the event saw the signing of important agreements for Ukraine.
In particular, President Zelensky signed two 10-year security agreements. One is with the United States, signed by President Joe Biden, which reaffirms the unwavering U.S support for Ukraine as it is fighting for its sovereignty and territorial integrity. And that support is not with words only, but with deeds as well, as the document contains a number of specific commitments (see below for details), including new air defense systems.
When will Ukraine finally launch its own window glass production?
The country needs 27 mln m² of window glass. But how can we meet this demand if we don’t have our own production facilities, even though the raw materials are available?
According to experts’ estimate, $65 to $100 bln will be needed to purchase construction materials for the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine. Therefore, it is very important for us to have our own production of at least the basic ones, like cement, concrete and metal structures, bricks, roofing elements, and window glass. According to various estimates, even with the construction industry capacities lost due to Russian aggression, Ukraine will be able to meet 80 to 90% of its needs with its own construction materials in the first post-war years. However, there may be problems with metal structures (due to the destruction of key production facilities in the eastern part of the country), roofing materials (heavy dependence on Chinese imports), or, for example, cement, which is produced in half the amount of expected ‘reconstruction’ needs. But the situation with sheet (window) glass is the worst: Ukraine does not produce it at all, and each enemy shelling means new losses.
Ukraine has added Russia’s most advanced Sukhoi Su-57 fighter to its “first time hit” collection of targets
June 8 became a gloomy day for the Aerospace Forces of the aggressor country, Russia: on that day Ukrainian forces for the first time had struck one of Russia’s most advanced Su-57 stealth fighter jets on ground at Akhtyubinks air base in Astrakhan region, at 589 kilometers away from the front line. Though the Su-57 is proudly referred to by the Russians as "5th Generation fighter", it actually belongs to Generation 4++, experts say.
Fact Checks
Russian propaganda spreading fake about France's intention to use nuclear weapons against Russian army
Footage from Macron's press conference on his decision to dissolve parliament was used in fake video
Pro-Russian Telegram channels are sharing a video with part of footage from France's Le Figaro. The post notes that there was allegedly a discussion of "the use of French nuclear weapons against the Russian Federation" in Ukraine, the reason for which was a tweet by Mounir Belhamiti, a member of the French National Assembly from the pro-presidential Renaissance party. In a post on X, he allegedly supported French President Emmanuel Macron's decision to defeat Russian troops in Ukraine with nuclear weapons and believes that "it's only a matter of time."
Top Videos:
At night, Russian "shaheds" attacked Lviv
Action "Don't be silent. Captivity kills" was held in Zaporizhzhia
Alternative plans to the Peace Formula were not considered at the summit in Switzerland - Kuleba
The Global Peace Summit is based on President Volodymyr Zelenskyi's Peace Formula - alternative plans were not considered. There are already countries that were not participants of the summit, but plan to join the final communiqué.
This was stated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba at a briefing within the framework of the Peace Summit.
News:
War
U.S. experts on situation near Kharkiv: Ukrainian forces gaining momentum
Successful Ukrainian counterattacks near Kharkiv and Russia's deployment of its troops to this sector from Donetsk show that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are gaining momentum.
Bundeswehr’s ex-general says Ukraine Army’s operation in Kharkiv region “great success”
The Armed Forces of Ukraine successfully repelled the latest Russian offensive, but it is important to prevent the enemy from taking advantage of the fact that other parts of the front could be weakened due to the movement of Ukrainian troops.
Ukraine’s forces decimate Russia’s tank company in Pokrovsk axis
Units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed a Russian tank company in the Pokrovsk axis.
Politics
Second Ukraine peace conference may take place in a year or two – Latvian president
Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics predicts that the second international conference on finding ways to bring about peace in Ukraine may take place in a year or two.
Czech MFA: Summit in Switzerland is a strong support for Ukraine's peace plan, not a discussion of peace
The Peace Summit in Switzerland is a strong support for Ukraine's peace plan but support with weapons remains necessary.
Human rights
Vereshchuk about children abducted from Ukraine: We looking for them all over Russia
Russians are changing the personal data of children abducted from Ukraine in their databases and moving them to complicate the search for the Ukrainian side.
Economy
Estonia to provide EUR 56M to implement projects in Zhytomyr region
In 2024-2027, Estonia will provide another EUR 56 million to implement projects in the Zhytomyr region.
See you next Friday!