Oorlog in Oekraïne #972 - Iran zonder president

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Ukraine's budget received about EUR 50B thanks to Solidarity Lanes - European Commission
The EU's Solidarity Corridors have helped export Ukrainian goods to the European and global markets for two years and generated about EUR 50 billion in income for Ukraine's economy.
Transport Commissioner Adina Valean said this on the second anniversary of the creation of Solidarity Lanes -- alternative logistics routes via rail, road and inland waterways, Ukrinform reports.

"Two years ago Solidarity Lanes reshaped the logistic routes across Eastern Europe to keep Ukraine and Moldova's economies functioning and to prevent a global food crisis. Until today, they have generated about EUR 50 billion in income for Ukraine's economy. At the same time, they are strengthening Ukraine's economic ties with the EU, with imports worth around EUR 107 billion to date," Valean said.

According to the European Commission, to date, Solidarity Lanes have helped Ukraine export more than 136 million tonnes of goods, such as grain, ores and steel, and import more than 52 million tonnes of essential merchandises, including fuel, vehicles, fertilizers as well as military and humanitarian assistance.

Initially established to bypass Russia's Black Sea blockade of Ukraine's grain exports, today the Solidarity Lanes cover trade across all sectors. They allow Ukraine and Moldova to export all types of goods to world markets while also ensuring crucial imports reach Ukraine

On May 22, 2022, the European Commission, in collaboration with Ukraine and Moldova, created the Solidarity Lanes to help improve the EU–Ukraine–Moldova transport routes in response to Russia's illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

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Why is the steering wheel Chinese?! Russian PM jabs domestic carmaker over foreign parts.
Mikhail Mishustin wasn’t impressed during a business expo tour.

So much for Moscow’s “no-limits” partnership with Beijing.

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin isn't impressed with the use of Chinese car parts in Russian-made vehicles.

While viewing new models of Volga cars at a business expo in Nizhny Novgorod, Mishustin asked, “Friends, I understand everything but where was this steering wheel made? [Is it] Chinese?”

“We want it to be Russian,” he added, as seen in a video posted on the Russian government’s Telegram channel.

SPOILER

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Zelenskyy to visit France, urging NATO to shoot down Russian missiles over Ukraine – Politico
The Ukrainian president will seek more support from the West, the publication notes

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to visit France in June, where he will urge NATO countries to shoot down Russian missiles over Ukraine, Politico reported, citing two unnamed sources familiar with the Ukrainian leader's intentions.

According to the sources, Zelenskyy may visit France as early as next month. According to them, the Ukrainian leader is expected to participate in events commemorating the anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy.

This trip will allow Zelenskyy to meet with world leaders, including US President Joe Biden, to promote his country's interests, journalists say.

The sources told the publication that Zelenskyy's plans could change. However, if all goes according to plan, the president will seek more support from the West and urge NATO to shoot down Russian missiles over Ukraine, similar to how the US and Britain responded to Iran's attack on Israel.

The publication notes that Zelenskyy will also demand that the United States and European countries seize Russian assets to help finance "Ukraine's defense and eventual reconstruction.

Politico also reports that Zelenskyy plans to visit Italy for the G7 summit, which will be held June 13-15.

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Parliament votes to set up temporary commission for fortifications
UKRAINE, May 22 — Ukrainian parliament, Verkhovna Rada, voted to establish a temporary special commission to research the construction of fortifications and engineering barriers on the frontline, and allocation of funds for fortifications.

MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak said the Verkhovna Rada voted for corresponding draft law No. 11282 in the first reading. This commission will work for a year and must submit a report to the parliament within six months.

A conversation about lacking fortifications along the frontline in Ukrainian society started after the Armed Forces withdrew from Avdiivka on February 17, and reports about soldiers having to dig trenches under Russian fire started to come in. With the beginning of the Russian new ground offensive on May 10, the Kharkiv Oblast government was criticized for insufficient fortifications near the state border.

On May 3, the Ministry of Defense announced that the construction of the fortification is “nearing completion” in five directions, including in Kharkiv Oblast. Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov said that fortifications were constructed in Vovchansk, Kupiansk, and Luhansk directions, noting that the construction work continues.

The head of the Vovchansk military administration, Tamaz Hambarashvili, said that the fortifications had been built before the current offensive, but perhaps “not so tightly” because of Vovchansk’s proximity [~3 miles — ed.] to the state’s border.

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FT: EU countries push for visa-free travel suspension, other sanctions against Georgia over 'foreign agents ' law
Estonia, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, and Sweden are among several EU countries pushing for sanctions against Georgia in response to its government's passing of the controversial "foreign agents" law, the Financial Times (FT) reported on May 22, citing official sources.

Concerns about Georgia's democracy have reached a fever pitch after the ruling Georgian Dream party passed the foreign agents law, which requires organizations that receive foreign funding to be labeled as "foreign agents" and mirrors repressive Russian legislation used to crack down on Kremlin regime critics.

The country has been rocked by protests which grew out of opposition to the controversial law, and have now begun to morph into a larger sign of discontent against the government and the direction the country is heading.

According to the FT, sanctions could include the suspension of visa-free travel to the EU. The issue will reportedly be discussed at a meeting of EU foreign ministers next week.

Another option on the table is the freezing of EU funds, officials familiar with the matter told the newspaper.

Even before the law was revived after a failed attempt to pass it in 2023, EU and U.S. officials warned that Georgia's democratic institutions were weakening and that the country was under the control of the oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, who only holds the title of honorary chairman of Georgian Dream.

Georgia received EU candidate status in December 2023, but a report by the EU's Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum (EaP CSF) the following month said that the country had made limited progress in its required reforms and was at risk of drifting toward Russia.

The U.S. is considering a package of military, trade, and visa liberalization incentives for Georgia if it reverses the trend of democratic backsliding and abandons the controversial law, Politico reported on May 20, citing a draft bill to be introduced in Congress in the coming days.

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Romanian President outlines condition of sending Ukraine Patriot system
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis stated that supplying a Patriot system to Ukraine must be approved by the Supreme Council of National Defense, and must not compromise Romania's air defense.

He emphasized that this issue will not be discussed in public, but instead privately with military experts and the Supreme Council, Romanian news channel Digi24 reported on May 22.

Iohannis said that supplying a Patriot system comes with numerous logistical and legal complexities.

"Even if Romania finally makes some concessions, it must receive something in return. Otherwise, nothing will happen," Iohannis said.

Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu later noted that despite the challenges in providing a Patriot system to Ukraine, it is still possible.

Romania signed a deal in 2017 to obtain Patriot systems but so far only has one that is operational.

According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine needs 25 Patriots to protect the country from Russian attacks, but Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said he is for now focused on securing seven to protect Ukraine's largest cities.

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Translation: So, its here, sash (short from sasha, alexandr). Thats what problems baba yaga is causing to us. Here were standing bmp-3. We had good forest here, with nets. We were able to hide bmp here. Right here were bmp, then baba yaga arrived, made 3 drops. One got stuck in net, thats why we were able to run away with guys, 2nd hit ammo. Vehicle were torn apart, total detonation. And 3rd one were dud. Now i'll show you what problem its carrying. Shaped charge. Like that. So, we do need thermal sights. We have prepared lookout posts, so it wont go to our rear, wont burn our vehicles and to save our guys.

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He says there were two hits... One of those split that car in two parts which ended up on different sides of the building. They actually thought at first that the car exploded...

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Russian media reports dozens of explosions in center of Belgorod
In the center of the Russian city of Belgorod, two series of dozens of explosions were heard, according to RIA Novosti.

A missile danger was declared in Belgorod and the Belgorod region.

A correspondent for the Russian edition reported that a series of explosions were heard in the city center.

Fifteen minutes later, he reported another series of twenty explosions.

On May 16, the Russian army dropped three air bombs on the Belgorod region.

Yesterday, May 22, residents of the Belgorod region complained of shelling. Some residential buildings have been damaged.

Residents of the city of Murom in the Belgorod region were asked to leave the city for several days.