RUSSIA – Welcome to The State Signal’s latest updates on Russia-Ukraine war as we explore the latest developments in the conflict as war rages on. Top headlines covered in the news update are:
- EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas comment on recent Russian attacks on Ukraine
- Finland Summons Russian Ambassador over claims of airspace violation
- Russia Liberates new settlements in Ukraine
- Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Moscow
EU Top Diplomat Kaja Kallas Stresses More Pressure on Russia
EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas has criticized the recent Russian attacks on Ukraine, stressing the need for stronger international pressure on Moscow.
“These attacks on Kyiv are totally appalling,” Kallas told reporters ahead of the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels.
“It is clear that Russia has increased its pressure on Ukraine. It is really bombing Ukraine, and we have seen the deadliest attacks,” she said.
Kallas emphasized that the EU stands ready to act to push Russia toward peace.
“It is up to us to put the pressure on Russia so that it would also want peace,” she said.
“We are ready to do it on the European side, and we are hoping that other international partners will follow suit,” she added.
While the meeting primarily focuses on development matters, including the impacts of the US’ withdrawal from development aid, Kallas stressed that Ukraine remains a critical issue for EU ministers.
She also outlined the council’s broader agenda, which includes addressing strategic priorities in the EU’s neighborhood, defending human rights, strengthening media freedom, and advancing preparations for the EU-Africa Summit.
Referring to recent talks with African partners, Kallas said: “There were a lot of exchanges of views, and I think we definitely need to build on that cooperation.”
She also highlighted ongoing discussions about the next Multiannual Financial Framework and the need for more effective external action.
“We will discuss how we can do it better so that it is really modernized and more cost-effective because the funds are always limited,” Kallas noted.
Finland Summons Russian Ambassador
Finland summoned the Russian ambassador over suspected airspace violations by Russian military jets, local media reported Monday.
The Foreign Ministry summoned Russian Ambassador Pavel Kuznetsov for questioning after two Russian military planes allegedly violated Finnish airspace on Friday, public broadcaster YLE reported.
Helsinki also intends to formally request an explanation from Moscow over the incident, according to the report.
Finnish authorities believe the two Russian planes entered the country’s airspace near the city of Porvoo on the Gulf of Finland – the first such incident since February.
“We take the suspected airspace violation seriously, and an investigation is underway,” Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen said.
Hakkanen also told YLE that Russia’s military presence in the Baltic has shifted to protect its shadow fleet – vessels Russia allegedly uses to evade sanctions.
“What is new is that Russia is now protecting tankers belonging to its shadow fleet in the narrow waters of the Gulf of Finland. This has involved military escort operations and the presence of armed forces,” he said.
“I don’t see any immediate threat to Finland. But it’s clear that Russia is strengthening its military capabilities and remains an aggressive and dangerous neighbor to all of Europe,” he added.
Finland, which shares a 1,340-kilometer (833-mile) border with Russia, joined NATO in 2023 following the Ukraine war.
Russia Liberates New Settlements
Russia claimed on Monday that it took control of two settlements in Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy region, where Moscow has begun an incursion amid the ongoing conflict.
A statement by the Russian Defense Ministry claimed that its forces captured the villages of Volodymyrivka and Bilovody, both of which are situated just a couple of miles from Ukraine’s border with Russia.
The two villages are also some 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) north of the city of Sumy, the border region’s administrative center, which has been regularly hit by Russian airstrikes over the course of the Ukraine war, now in its fourth year.
Ukrainian authorities have not immediately commented on Russia’s claims, and independent verification of the claims is difficult due to the ongoing conflict.
Moscow’s claims come as Russian President Vladimir Putin announced last Thursday that he ordered the creation of a “security buffer zone” along his country’s border with Ukraine.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan Meets Putin’s Aide in Moscow
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Monday met with an aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin during a two-day visit to Moscow.
A statement by the Turkish Foreign Ministry on X said that Fidan met with Vladimir Medinsky, who also led Russia’s delegation in the first direct negotiations held between Russia and Ukraine in over three years in Istanbul.
The talks on May 16, which were facilitated by Türkiye, concluded with the two sides agreeing to a large-scale exchange of prisoners involving a total of 1,000 people from each side and to continue negotiations for a truce.
No further details were provided by the ministry on the discussion between Fidan and Medinsky.
On Sunday, the Turkish Foreign Ministry announced Fidan’s two-day visit starting on Monday, without providing further details.
The Kremlin on Monday announced that Fidan would be received by Putin, as well as his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, during the visit.