Biden Promises Sanctions Measures on Belarus, Russia Provides Muted Support

LOCAL NEWS

• Biden says US will take measures after the Belarus jet incident, backing the EU call to add targeted economic sanctions and other measures to hold Belarus accountable.
  • Says the incident is a "direct affront to international norms" and calls for the release of Roman Protasevich
  • Analysts say Russia's muted reaction to the Ryanair flight incident speaks to Russia's ambivalent view of Lukashenko – who is now becoming a problem amid improving ties with the US.
  • Opinions remain split over whether the act was committed with or without Russian approval.
• EU banned Belarus airlines from flying to the EU, calling for airlines to avoid Belarusian airspace. Decisions still needs to be approved by the council at the ministerial level.
  • Russian FM says detention of opposition leader Protasevich is an internal issue, calling on the West to refrain from applying "double standards"
• Putin formally accepts Biden's invitation to a one-to-one summit via his representatives during a high level diplomatic meeting in Geneva yesterday.
  • Meeting slated to happen on June 15 or 16 in a "third country, although the exact date and venue have not been decided yet and will be announced later
• Russia confirms 14 cases of Indian Covid strain, but warns the number could be higher