Russian invasion

Sanctions
Great Britain lifts some sanctions against Russia

From now on, Britain will allow imports of some Russian oil, several media outlets report. This concerns oil that has become jet fuel or diesel in other countries, such as India and Turkey. The British government announced last autumn that such imports would be stopped.

The decision was made because fuel prices in the world have skyrocketed due to the Iran war and the blockade of the important Strait of Hormuz.

Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch is furious and accuses the government of buying “dirty Russian oil”. Prime Minister Keir Starmer believes that support for Ukraine is still intact despite the lifting of some sanctions against Russia. 

The fighting
Russian nuclear weapons to Belarus during the major exercise

Russia has delivered nuclear weapons to warehouses in Belarus in connection with the major nuclear exercises that Russia is conducting this week. The three-day exercise began on Tuesday and also includes Belarus.

Units in Belarus are being trained to be able to use nuclear ammunition together with the Iskander missile system. Iskander missiles have a range of 500 kilometers and can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads.

President Vladimir Putin has reminded the West of Russia's nuclear arsenal throughout the Ukraine war, with the aim of intimidating and threatening countries from helping Ukraine.

The world’s response
EU: Ukraine to receive the first billion-euro loan next month

The first payment of the EU’s promised billion-euro loan to Ukraine will be made in the summer, announces the Union’s Economic Affairs Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis.

“This support and related reforms will strengthen Ukraine’s economy, contribute to increased state revenues and strengthen the fight against corruption,” he wrote in a statement.

The money is expected to be transferred in June and corresponds to 35 billion kronor, according to the EU summit.

The EU has promised to contribute a total of almost 1000 billion kronor, money that will also go to the Ukrainian defense. 

Foreign Minister promises to pressure Rubio on Ukraine

Sweden will press for the US to do more for Ukraine during the NATO meeting that begins in Helsingborg on Thursday, reports Expressen.

- It is important that we continue to have dialogue, but it is even more important that we continue to increase the pressure on Russia, says Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard (M) in P1 Morgon.

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Malmer Stenergard will have a private meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during the meeting, when they will, among other things, ask questions about long-term support for Ukraine. 

Merz wants to bring Ukraine closer to the EU in anticipation of accession

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is proposing that Ukraine become an "associate member" of the EU, several media outlets report. The proposal means that Ukraine can participate in EU summits and be covered by the union's mutual assistance clause, but will not have the right to vote.

In a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Council President António Costa, Merz presents his proposal. He emphasizes that the membership process is long and complex, but that Ukraine, which is at war, needs political rapprochement now.

Merz emphasizes that the plan does not replace future full membership.

"My proposal reflects Ukraine's special situation, a country at war," he writes in the letter.
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