The European Union has agreed to redefine sanctions on some Russian exports to make it easier for poorer nations to import Russia’s fertilizer products. While a group of Western states say the amended policy will help to ease a growing food crisis in Africa, Kiev was outraged at the EU for taking any steps that would even slightly ease the economic war on Moscow.
Russia will not hesitate to bomb American Patriot missile batteries should they be deployed to Ukraine, the Kremlin said, warning that the systems would be treated as legitimate targets amid reports that Washington may soon approve shipments to Kiev.
The Joe Biden administration is now discussing whether to send advanced air defense systems to Kiev, according to a senior Pentagon official. The statement came just days after Poland suggested Germany should transfer its own Patriot interceptor missiles to Ukraine, as Moscow warned any such shipments would become “legitimate targets” for Russian forces.
Washington and Seoul are reportedly discussing plans to ramp up anti-submarine military exercises set to begin next year. The talks came amid soaring tensions in the region, days before North Korea pledged to further develop its nuclear arsenal.
Around two-thirds of NATO states have depleted their weapons stockpiles following countless rounds of arms shipments to Kiev since late February, according to an alliance official. Even NATO’s wealthiest members are struggling to meet the demands of Ukraine’s war effort.
The Department of Defense has announced that it will send Avenger air defense systems and a number of other weapons to Ukraine, bringing US security assistance to Kiev to over $1 billion in the last month alone.
Pyongyang carried out large-scale military exercises as Washington and Seoul conducted record-setting aerial war games, unleashing 23 missiles and over 100 artillery rounds before launching additional munitions on Thursday.
America’s top military officer General Mark Milley praised SpaceX CEO Elon Musk by name at an event hosted by the Space Force. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs lauded the “Chief Twit” as symbolizing ”the civil and military cooperation and teamwork that makes the US the most powerful country in space.”
