June 20, 2022 Ukraine and the World – Against russia’s Aggression. Sanctions in Action

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that the concept of a new Alliance strategy would be adopted at the NATO summit in Madrid in late June. Following russia's invasion of Ukraine, NATO will officially view russia not as a partner, but as a major threat to security, peace and stability.

Stoltenberg acknowledged that the kremlin's war against Ukraine could drag on for years, so partners should not stop supporting Kyiv.

“Even if the costs are high not only for military support, but also because of rising energy and food prices. After all, this is nothing compared to the price that Ukrainians have to pay every day with many lives. But if putin understands from this war that he can just continue, as he did after the 2008 war in Georgia and the occupation of Crimea in 2014, we will pay a much higher price”, he said.

Ukraine will not be defeated in the war with the russian aggressor. The United States will support it as much as necessary. This was stated by US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink in an interview with Voice of America.

The Ambassador added that the current struggle is “very important for Ukraine and really important for European security”. According to her, this is also important for the United States, because, as President Joe Biden said earlier, russia's aggression is an outrageous, unprovoked and unjustified attack on a sovereign state.

“It is vital in America's interests to ensure peace and security in Europe. So the consequences really go far beyond Ukraine. We all understand perfectly well what is at stake. That is why we are here: to help Ukraine win”, said Bridget Brink.

The Chief of General Staff of the United Kingdom, General Sir Patrick Sanders, said that the British Army should prepare to fight in Europe once again. In this regard, it is necessary to create an army capable of defeating the russian aggressor in battle.

“There is now a burning imperative to forge an army capable of fighting alongside our allies and defeating russia in battle. We are the generation that must prepare the Army to fight in Europe once again”, said Sir Patrick.

“russia's invasion of Ukraine underlines our core purpose – to protect the UK by being ready to fight and win wars on land”, the General stressed.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy Luigi Di Maio has accused his own 5-Star Movement party of undermining the government's efforts to support Ukraine in the face of russia's invasion. He stressed the need to protect the values ​​of democracy and freedom. He also added that while everyone wants peace, russian president putin wants a war.

The relevant statements of the Foreign Minister were made before an important vote in Parliament over Ukraine, which will take place on June 21. Some members of the 5 - Star Party want to limit Italy from sending new weapons to Kyiv.

Earlier in Italy, a number of russian top officials were deprived of state awards due to the war in Ukraine. This was done because of the “unworthiness” of the russian authorities to wear the title of Knights of the Order of the Star of Italy.

Italy, Hungary and Cyprus are in favor of a ceasefire and the resumption of peace talks between Ukraine and russia. However, other EU member states are tougher on russian aggression.

The whole civilized world is showing signs of support for Ukraine in the war against russia aggressor country. A banner with the flag of Ukraine and the inscription “Glory to Ukraine!” was hung above the chapel of the King’s College in Cambridge.

“The King’s community is shocked by the suffering and human casualties inflicted by the russian military in Ukraine in recent months, and the catastrophic consequences of hostilities for the lives of thousands of people”, said the College’s spokesperson.

The Verkhovna Rada ratified the agreement on the abolition of import duties and tariff quotas in bilateral trade between Ukraine and the United Kingdom.

According to the Ministry of Economy, the ratification was supported by 301 MPs. The agreement will be valid for 12 months, but by agreement between the parties, it may be extended for a new term.

Due to the abolition of import duties and tariff quotas, Ukrainian producers will be able to increase exports with high added value. These include flour, dairy products, poultry and semi-finished products, tomato paste, juices, sugar, etc. Ukraine traditionally exports these goods to the United Kingdom.

In 2021, the trade turnover between the countries increased by almost 57% and amounted to $ 2.2 billion. Exports showed significant dynamics, adding +62% and exceeding $ 1 billion.

A law banning russian news programs will come into force in Moldova in the near future. On June 2, the country passed a law on the protection of the information space. The document was signed by President of Moldova Maia Sandu. As explained by the head of the Council on Television and Radio of Moldova Liliana Vitsu, such measures are due to the situation around Ukraine. The law is to be published in the Official Gazette on June 24, after which it will enter into force.

“It includes definitions of “misinformation” and tougher sanctions for it. That is, if the fact is proved, the media may be deprived of a license for seven years”, said Vitsu.

The Verkhovna Rada supported the Draft Law on Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine on Restricting the Import and Distribution of Publishing Products Relating to the Aggressor State, the Republic of Belarus, and the Temporarily Occupied Territory of Ukraine (№ 7459 of June 13, 2022).

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This week, avtovaz is going to discuss with suppliers the possibility of reducing the cost of lada cars, because last week putin offered to “think about reducing the price of cars”.  Already now lada granta is made in a simplified configuration: without ABS, seat belt tensioners, immobilizer, airbags. Despite this, cars still rose in price due to rising prices for metal. Motorists wonder what else can be removed from a car that already meets the lowest Euro-0 standard? Unless cars are sold without wheels.

Due to the EU's giving up russian coal, russia must sell it to India at discounts of up to 30%.

Since March, russian film distribution has been experiencing an unprecedented shortage of quality foreign content aimed at a wide audience. After the invasion of Ukraine, five Hollywood major studios (Disney, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros and Paramount) stopped showing films in russia. The Lionsgate mini-major did not announce a shutdown in russia, but the company's main spring project, The Unbearable Burden of Great Talent, has been removed from russia's release schedule.

Microsoft has banned russians from downloading Windows 10 and 11, as well as the Media Creation Tool, which allows to upgrade one’s computer to the latest OS version. On March 4, Windows announced a halt to sales and services in russia and promised to protect Ukraine's cyberspace.

As a result of the russian crisis, the cost of primary real estate in the markets of major cities is stagnating, and in some cases, developers offer discounts of 10-15%. However, even under such conditions, few are willing to invest in russian real estate.

After 23 years of working in russia, Spain’s clothing chain Mango has decided to get rid of 55 stores that the retailer operated independently before the russian invasion of Ukraine. Mango has decided to abandon direct sales in russia because of the “international geopolitical uncertainty” due to the war in Ukraine. In the coming months, the company plans to sell all stores located in russia to franchise partners. Franchisees will deliver Mango products to russia on their own. They also undertake obligations regarding lease agreements and staff remuneration. The brand plans to hand over the first two stores next week, and another 22 in June and July. There will also be no direct sales online for buyers from russia.

Coca-Cola HBC AG and its customers in russia are “in the process of exhausting stockpiles”.  Once the company's stock is sold out, Coca-Cola HBC will no longer produce or sell Coca-Cola or other Coca-Cola Company brands in russia.

russia is suspending shipments of Kazakhstan’s oil following Tokayev's statements at the st. petersburg international economic forum (spef), while Kazakhstan is blocking 1,700 russian coal wagons. russia has imposed restrictions on the export of Kazakhstan’s oil after President Kassym Tokayev’s criticism at the st. petersburg international economic forum. Exports of oil, which Kazakhstan has decided to rename so that Western buyers do not confuse it with the sanctioned russian variety Urals, have been stopped at the port of novorossiysk. The reason for the stop was allegedly detecting in the waters of the port of objects that may be mines from the Second World War.

The waters adjacent to the remote berths of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), which pumps 67 million tons a year to the russian port for export, were closed on the excuse of tests.

Later, Kazakhstan blocked 1,700 coal wagons on its territory.

President Kassym Tokayev said that if the country does not follow anti-russian restrictions, secondary restrictive measures will be imposed against Nur - Sultan.

June 17, during a session with putin,Tokayev publicly stated on the podium that for his country  to recognize the so-called “dpr” / “lpr” is inadmissible.