Russia Expels German Diplomats In Ongoing Conflict With Ukraine
As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues, tensions are high between Russia and its European neighbors. Recently, Russia has expelled more than 20 German diplomats in a tit-for-tat move, according to Reuters. Though Germany has not confirmed any expulsions of its own, the arrival of a Russian government plane in Berlin seems to suggest that the issue is connected. RIA Novosti, a Russian news agency, said that Germany has decided to expel more than 20 Russians as well, but no official statement has been made.
Fighting
Over the past several days, fighting has continued to escalate between Russian and Ukrainian forces. At least five Russian missiles hit the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv and surrounding districts late on Saturday night, causing some damage to civilian buildings, according to local officials. Additionally, Russia’s Defence Ministry reported that Russian forces captured three more blocks in the western part of the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. Units from Belarus returned home from Russia after training on how to use the Iskander tactical missile system to launch nuclear weapons, the Belarusian defence ministry said.
Diplomacy and Legal
Brazil’s former President, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, recently garnered criticism in the West for suggesting that Kyiv shared the blame for the conflict with Russia. Despite this, he asserted that he did not want to “please anyone” with his views. Meanwhile, Russia is advising citizens to avoid travel to Canada because of what it calls numerous cases of discrimination against Russians, including physical violence, claims the country’s foreign ministry.
The ongoing conflict has left many alleged war crimes, which Ukraine is working to prosecute. The country revealed that it plans to deploy software from Palantir Technologies Inc. to help it prosecute these crimes.
Economy
The Group of Seven (G7) economic powers recently called for the extension, full implementation, and expansion of a deal to export Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea. Russia, which invaded Ukraine in February 2022, has strongly indicated that it will not allow the deal to continue beyond May 18. Despite this, Russia’s richest people added $152 billion to their wealth over the past year, according to Forbes Russia. This is due in part to high prices for natural resources.
