The EU extended sanctions against Russia

1 Afghanistan

The Associated Press reported while citing an official source that about 650 US servicemen will remain in Afghanistan after the majority of the US troops will be pulled out from the country. It was reported that the remaining servicemen will provide security for the diplomats after the pulling of most of the US troops. Several hundred US servicemen will remain at the Kabul airport, possibly until September, to help the Turkish forces to maintain security. It was noted that a significant part of the American and international forces will be pulled out from Afghanistan by 4th of July.

2 Belgium

During the summit in Brussels, the heads of states and governments of the EU countries decided to extend the economic sanctions against Russia for 6 months. The head of the EU’s foreign affairs service, Josep Borrell, stated on Twitter that he will try to build a more predictable relationship with Russia in the interest of the community. The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, stated during a press conference after the EU summit in Brussels that the EU should prepare for an escalation in the relations with Russia, and engage in a dialogue with Russia from a position of force.

3 France — The USA

The US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken stated after negotiations with the French Foreign Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, that the USA won’t make any decisions on the arms control, without the participation of Europe. Anthony Blinken added that Europeans are involved in the discussions about strategic stability between the USA and Russia. The French Foreign Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, stated that Paris considers it important to develop a dialogue with Moscow on the arms control. In his opinion, the EU needs stable relations with Russia.

4 Russia

The Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated that Russia will take into account, during the next military planning, the deployment of ’Aegis Ashore’ anti-missile systems by the USA on a base near the Polish settlement of Redzikovo. Sergei Ryabkov noted that the US actions confirm that the original American arguments about building a missile defense system to counter the threats from the Middle East and Far East «are basically forgotten by now». Sergei Ryabkov added that the USA and the NATO have «a good opportunity» to re-think the Russian proposal for the mutually verifiable moratoriums on non-deployment of medium-range strike weapons in Europe.

5 Russia

The Pentagon press secretary, John Kirby, stated that the reports about warning shots at the HMS ’Defender’ off the coast of Crimea are «an example of misinformation by Moscow». The Russian Embassy in the USA called that statement ’’baseless’’. John Kirby added that the UK «openly stated that there were no warning shots» — end of quote. The Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stated that Washington and London are trying to distort the situation with the British destroyer in the Black Sea, and purposefully mislead the population of their countries. According to Ryabkov — Washington and London are trying to provoke a conflict by their actions.

6 Russia — Sudan

The draft agreement between Russia and Sudan on the creation of a logistics center for the Russian Navy on the territory of Sudan was approved by the Russian government. The Cabinet of Ministers instructed to submit a proposal to sign the agreement to Vladimir Putin. The ruling has been posted on the official legal information website. Constantine Reztsov, specially for the ’ANNA NEWS’