UN’s Guterres Meets With Putin While NATO Allies Talk in Germany

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for a cease-fire (WaPo) in Ukraine during a visit to Moscow today. While Guterres meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, U.S. military leaders are meeting (NYT) with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies in Germany. Yesterday, Lavrov accused NATO of “essentially” entering a proxy war by shipping weapons to Ukraine and warned of a “very significant” risk of nuclear confrontation.

Speaking at the NATO meeting, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said the alliance had convened “to help Ukraine win the fight against Russia’s unjust invasion.” Germany agreed to provide heavy weapons to Ukraine for the first time, saying it will send radar-equipped tanks. Guterres will travel to Kyiv on Thursday and meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Analysis

“It may require an international figure of [Guterres’s] status and seniority to hammer out agreements to assist civilians in Mariupol and other centers of fighting, even as the war continues,” the International Crisis Group writes.

“US policy toward Russia continues to be plagued by lack of rhetorical discipline. First calling for regime change, now [the] goal of weakening Russia. This only increases Putin’s case for escalating & shifts focus away from Russian actions in Ukraine & toward Russia-US/NATO showdown,” CFR President Richard Haass tweets.

CFR offers background and the latest analysis on the war in Ukraine.

Pacific Rim

North Korea’s Kim Vows to Strengthen Nuclear Capabilities

During a military parade, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un vowed to boost the country’s nuclear capabilities (Yonhap) at the “fastest possible speed,” state media reported.

For Foreign Affairs, Sue Mi Terry looks at why Kim chose to exploit the Ukraine crisis.

Japan: Tokyo announced a $48 billion package (Kyodo) to soften the domestic economic impact of the war in Ukraine. It includes cash handouts to low-income households with children and subsidies for gasoline wholesalers.

South and Central Asia

U.S. Panel: Religious Freedom in India ‘Significantly Worsened’ in 2021

It is the third consecutive year that the bipartisan U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has asked that India be placed (The Hindu) on an official U.S. government list of countries of concern. The U.S. State Department has never followed the recommendation.

Sri Lanka: The presidential cabinet approved a proposal (Bloomberg) to limit executive powers amid anti-government protests and political upheaval.

Middle East and North Africa

Israeli Parliamentary Panel Blocks Prime Minister’s Critic From Joining Different Party

The seven-person committee classified Amichai Chikli, a member of Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s Yamina party, as a defector. The classification blocks him (Haaretz) from running for reelection with a different party.

UAE: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) plans to ship crude oil to Europe in May to help replace Russia’s supplies to the region, traders told Reuters.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Burkina Faso, Guinea Miss Deadline for Announcing Political Transitions

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) had placed sanctions on both countries’ military governments, giving them until yesterday (Reuters) to announce plans to transition to civilian rule.

CFR’s Jendayi E. Frazer, Kamissa Camara, and Christopher Fomunyoh discuss the threats to democracy in Africa at a virtual event.

Mali: A group of extremist rebels linked to al-Qaeda said they captured Russian mercenaries (AP) earlier this month. Mali’s government has denied that Russian fighters are in the country.

Europe

Turkish Court Sentences Activist Businessman to Life in Prison

Washington said it is “deeply troubled” (BBC) by Osman Kavala’s conviction on charges of orchestrating anti-government protests and a failed coup attempt. The European Court of Human Rights has said the accusations are politically motivated and unsubstantiated.

Americas

Mexican Court Strikes Down Cell Phone Data-Collection Law

The controversial law would have required (AP) phone companies to collect biometric data from users.

Cuba: Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla accused Washington (Al Jazeera) of trying to exclude Havana from the Summit of the Americas, a meeting of Western Hemisphere governments that will take place in Los Angeles in June.

United States

Musk’s Purchase of Twitter Greenlit Amid Free Speech Concerns

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has criticized what he calls excessive moderation of social media platforms, prompting concerns (NPR) about a possible rise in misinformation and harassment on Twitter under his ownership.

This In Brief examines how countries regulate hate speech on social media.

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