EU imposes new sanctions on Russia
The European Union (EU) on June 24 approved the 14th package of sanctions against Russia. The ban aims to reduce Moscow's revenue from liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, by banning cargoes from EU ports and adding a clause allowing Sweden and Finland to cancel some LNG trading contracts, Reuters reported.
The sanctions will come into effect after a nine-month transition period. The move also prohibits new investments to complete LNG projects under construction in Russia.
Russian LNG tanker to be delivered to Bilbao port (Spain) in 2022
Gas experts say the EU ban will have little impact, as the EU still imports gas from Moscow, while Russian LNG shipments to Asia via EU ports account for just 10%. One EU official said Moscow could lose only a few million euros, rather than billions.
Flashpoints: Crimea hit by ATACMS; Houthi attack on US aircraft carrier?
Several Central European countries still receive Russian gas via pipelines that run through Ukraine. The EU banned oil imports from Russia in 2022, with limited exemptions. The bloc also added 116 individuals and entities to its sanctions list on June 24.
EU mobilizes Russian assets, surpassing Hungary
On the same day, June 24, the EU agreed to use 1.4 billion euros ($1.5 billion) of profits from frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. This move was vetoed by Hungary, an EU member with moderate relations with Moscow, but the alliance came up with a solution that is considered a "circumvention of the law".
Normally, the bloc’s foreign policy decisions require consensus from all members. However, Josep Borrell, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, told the Financial Times on June 24 that Hungary had abstained from voting on an earlier agreement on the use of Russian assets, so Budapest “didn’t necessarily have to be involved in the decision-making process.”
On Facebook, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto stated: "This is a red line and there has never been a case of regrettable violation of EU regulations before."
Sources familiar with the matter said Budapest did not explicitly oppose the legal content of the proposal presented at the EU foreign ministers’ meeting on June 24. However, some officials revealed that there were concerns among EU members that this case would create a precedent and a legal loophole that the union could bypass if a country vetoed a policy.
Ukraine to receive 'Frankenstein' anti-aircraft guns from Germany
Russia raids warehouse in Odessa, causing widespread fire
Ukrainian officials said on June 24 that a Russian cruise missile hit a warehouse in the port city of Odessa, injuring four people and causing a major fire. The Ukrainian Air Force said the Russian military launched two cruise missiles and one was intercepted.
AFP quoted Odessa Governor Oleg Kiper as saying that the fire had spread to an area of more than 3,000 square meters and emergency forces had been mobilized to control the blaze.
Additionally, in the Kherson region, where each side controls parts of the territory, officials there said Russian forces attacked areas controlled by Ukraine with guided bombs.
Scene of the area in Odessa attacked by Russia on June 24
Kyiv Independent reported on June 24 that a Russian missile was launched at the city of Pokrovsk in Donetsk province, eastern Ukraine, killing four people and injuring 34. Donetsk Governor Vadym Filashkin said the Russian military used two Iskander-M ballistic missiles. The attack destroyed one house and damaged 16 others. Russia has not commented on this information.
According to AFP, Kyiv admitted that Russian forces had made progress in the Donetsk region, where the Ukrainian army was outgunned and outnumbered and was struggling to hold the line.
Ukraine boasts of capturing Russia's first "warehouse" tank
Russia summons US ambassador after Ukraine's attack on Crimea
The Russian Foreign Ministry said on June 24 that it had summoned US Ambassador to Moscow Lynne Tracy in connection with Ukraine's attack on the city of Sevastopol in the Crimean peninsula.
Moscow blamed Washington for Kyiv’s use of US-supplied ATACMS missiles to attack Crimea. Sevastopol leader Mikhail Razvozhayev said Ukraine attacked the city with five ATACMS missiles on June 23. Four were intercepted, while the remaining one hit the city, killing four people and injuring more than 150.
TASS news agency quoted a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry emphasizing that Moscow would certainly take countermeasures, but did not specify. The Kremlin also directly criticized the US for its involvement in the attack on Crimea.
According to Reuters, the US and Russia have had conflicts in recent times related to the conflict in Ukraine, but the direct criticism is a further step in the tension between Moscow and Washington and the West in general.
President Zelensky gives instructions to new security agency head
Reuters reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on June 24 introduced the new head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), Colonel Oleksiy Morozov, to the agency's staff. Mr. Zelensky made it clear that the task for the SBU leader was to eliminate those who affected the reputation of the unit specializing in protecting government officials.
In May, the SBU arrested two members of its own agency on suspicion of spying for the assassination of President Zelensky and senior Ukrainian officials. The detainees said they had collaborated with Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) and leaked classified information. Moscow did not comment on the information. Two days after the incident, Mr. Zelensky fired former SBU head Serhiy Rud, Mr. Morozov’s predecessor.
The Ukrainian president asked Mr Morozov to ensure that the SBU would recruit only those who see their future as tied to Ukraine, and exclude those who prioritize their own interests over the country.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/chien-su-ukraine-ngay-852-nha-kho-odessa-chay-lon-eu-lach-luat-de-ho-tro-kyiv-185240624222948988.htm
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