JAPAN
Zelensky surprise guest of the G7
Volodymyr Zelensky landed in Japan on May 20 for a surprise two-day visit to the G7 summit in Hiroshima. During his diplomatic marathon, the Ukrainian president received the “unwavering” support of the seven member countries of the organization, as well as a new American military aid of 375 million dollars. “Less than ten years ago, Russia was a member of the G8 […] before being expelled following the annexation of Crimea, point CNN. Today, Mr. Zelensky joined the leaders around the summit table, a remarkable turnaround that underscores the isolation of Russia and its president.”
UKRAINE
The Russians claim the capture of Bakhmout
After nine months of bloody fighting and heavy losses, the boss of the Russian paramilitary group Wagner claimed responsibility on May 20 for the capture of the city of Bakhmout. In the aftermath, Vladimir Putin sent his “congratulations” to all the forces involved in “the completion of the operation”. “But the city is now in ruins, nuance it New York Times. Its control will not necessarily help Moscow achieve its stated goal – to conquer the entire eastern region of Donbass – now that Ukrainian troops have exhausted Russian forces and breached their defenses in some areas north and south of the city.”
UNITED STATES
Soon F-16 for Ukraine
Volodymyr Zelensky obtained the green light from Washington on May 19 to acquire F-16s. Good news for Ukraine: this combat aircraft is the most used in the world. “The training is to be conducted in Europe and will probably start in the next few weeks, indicates the LA Times. Biden clarified to leaders [du G7] that decisions on delivery time, number and suppliers […] will be taken in the months to come.” The Netherlands and the United Kingdom – which does not however have an F-16 – have already announced the establishment of an “international coalition” to deliver them in Kiev, which says it needs 200 of these fighters.
GREECE
Triumph for the right
The New Democracy movement of outgoing Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis obtained 40.8% in the legislative elections of May 21, far ahead of the left – 20% for Syriza and 11.5% for Pasok-Kinal. A “victory” which “exceeded his expectations”, reacted the head of government. To ensure an absolute parliamentary majority, Mitsotakis, with an economic record hailed by public opinion, is playing the card of a new election, scheduled for June 25. He intends to take advantage of “a new electoral law which grants additional seats to the winning party”, explain E Kathimerini.
SAUDI ARABIA
The cheap return of Bashar al-Assad
After twelve years of war and more than 500,000 dead, the Syrian dictator returned to the Arab League on May 19 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Bashar el-Assad was the guest of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who intends to reintegrate Syria into the Arab world and then rebuild the country. “The Syrian regime has pledged little to rejoin the Arab League, underline The East-The Day. While concessions are expected, in particular concerning the fight against captagon trafficking and the return of refugees, before any financing for the reconstruction of the country.” The Emir of Qatar, for his part, refused to listen to the Syrian president.
SOUTH AFRICA
War in Ukraine: an African mediation?
President Cyril Ramaphosa said on May 16 that Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky had “agreed to receive” a peace mission composed of six African leaders (South Africa, Senegal, Zambia, Congo, Uganda and Egypt) in Kiev and Moscow. According to Pretoria, this project should materialize as early as June. “Speaking just days after US allegations that South Africa had supplied arms to Russia, the South African president must know that his attempt to portray himself as an honest broker in the conflict is doomed to harm. ‘failure”, ping it washington post.
ITALY
The “Floods of the Century”
The equivalent of six months of rain fell on the Emilia-Romagna region (north) between May 17 and 20. Dramatic results: 14 dead and 36,000 displaced people. “In addition to climate change that affects the whole world and leads us to catastrophic events, our region has a particularity: it tops the unenviable ranking of hydrogeological risks, remind him Corriere di Bologna. Since the post-war period, it has become one of the richest and most industrialized regions of Europe, and therefore among the most artificialized [d’Italie].”