France & Germany Welcome the Lack of Escalation in Putin's Victory Day Speech

LOCAL NEWS

• France & Germany welcome the lack of escalation on Victory Day by Russia with Putin failing to announce any steps to expand the war. Scholz said that although the rhetoric did not escalate, however, what actually happens on the ground in Ukraine will need to be monitored in the coming weeks.
  • Macron echoed these comments, reiterating calls for a ceasefire while noting that Ukraine’s EU accession would take many years – RTRS, Tass
• Biden says disinformation from Putin’s speech was right out of Russia’s playbook, saying that Putin lacks a path out of the conflict and he’s pondering what to do about it.
  • Biden also reiterated that he had no plans to visit Ukraine yet. Congressional democrats have also agreed on a proposal for $39.7bn in aid for Ukraine. – RTRS, bbg
• UN Chief Guterres says the consequences of Russia escalating the war are unimaginable while on a visit to Moldova, which has experienced some turbulence in the breakaway region of Transnistria in recent weeks.
  • Guterres said he was deeply concerned about the possible spread of the war to Moldova, while Moldovan officials called for UN assistance to remove the 1,500 Russian troops stationed in Transnistria – RIA, Sky
• EU Chief Von Der Leyen says some progress has been made with Hungary on the proposal for the EU embargo on Russian fuels, but further work is needed. Von der Leyen said she would convene a video call with other regional countries to strengthen cooperation in the field – Sky