Russian invasion

Negotiations
New prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine

Russia and Ukraine have begun a new prisoner exchange, AFP reports.

“A group of Russian officials has returned from territory controlled by Kyiv. In exchange, a group of Ukrainian prisoners of war have been handed over,” reads a statement from the Russian Defense Ministry. It is not clear how many have been handed over.

The two countries agreed on new prisoner exchanges in connection with talks in Istanbul earlier in June, but after that a verbal spat broke out between the parties. The Kremlin accused Ukraine of delaying the exchange.

Security around the Baltic Sea
West promises tougher action against the Russian shadow fleet

The Nordic and Baltic countries, together with a number of other European countries, including the United Kingdom, France and Germany, have agreed on new joint measures against Russia's so-called shadow fleet. This was stated by both the Swedish and British Foreign Offices in a joint statement.

“Russia’s destabilizing actions have strengthened our determination to protect maritime safety, security, the marine environment and freedom of navigation in accordance with international law,” the statement said.

That Russian vessels carrying Russian goods under false flags are singled out as a particularly serious problem and the countries promise to “take appropriate measures” against such vessels in the Baltic and North Seas.