Russian invasion

Sanctions
Graham's sanctions against Russia pass Senate

The sanctions package against Russia and Iran that Republican Senator Lindsey Graham led the work on before his death has been voted through the Senate, US media reports.

The proposal aims to strangle Russia's oil and gas revenues through sanctions against the largest buyers of Russian energy, including China and India. It also includes targeted sanctions against Putin and Russian politicians, military leaders, businesses and ships in the shadow fleet.

- Today we say to the people of Ukraine: You are not alone. And to Vladimir Putin we say: You will not conquer Ukraine, says Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, who worked on the proposal with Graham.

86 senators voted yes and eleven no. The proposal now goes to a vote in the House of Representatives, which is expected to take place next month due to the summer recess. 

Russian reactions
Putin reportedly needs a victory – could test NATO with attack

Russian President Vladimir Putin may test NATO's resilience with a limited attack on a member country in the coming years. This is according to US intelligence obtained by the Wall Street Journal.

Previously, the US assessment was that Russia was unlikely to attack the defense alliance at the same time as invading Ukraine. But now the assessment is that Putin is pressured by his war in the neighboring country and that an attack that divides NATO could be the domestic political victory he needs.

Several possible attack scenarios are being painted, ranging from a cyberattack to a minor land invasion of the countries on NATO's eastern flank. The risk of the latter scenario is assessed as low but increasing.

The fighting
Trump on Ukraine's appeal: "We want missiles too"

Donald Trump has commented on Ukraine's appeal for more Patriot anti-aircraft missiles to defend itself against Russia's ballistic missile attacks.

- We want missiles too. Biden gave (Zelenskyj) ammunition worth $300 billion, he said, according to the Kyiv Independent.

Trump says that the military aid has depleted the US stockpile and that they are now focusing on replenishing it. When asked what he thinks about Russia's increasing attacks on civilian targets, he says:

- We are not involved. An ocean separates us.

However, the American president adds that he "hates to see" the high death toll in the Ukraine war.