Putin Claims Russia Is Defending ‘Motherland’ by Invading Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin sought to justify the invasion of Ukraine as necessary for “defending the motherland” (RFE/RL) during a parade celebrating the Allies’ victory over Germany in World War II. In his speech, Putin falsely cast Ukrainian fighters as Nazis, but did not announce (NYT) a change in Russia’s military campaign or say how long it could continue.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy released a video of his own speech, in which he compared Russia’s forces to those of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler. At a virtual meeting with Zelenskyy yesterday, leaders of Group of Seven (G7) countries pledged to ban or phase out imports of Russian oil.

Analysis

“[Putin’s] speech remains incredibly belligerent. It justifies both further fighting and territorial acquisition—and does the latter more clearly than ever before,” King’s College London’s Sam Greene tweets.

“However the war unfolds, Putin’s inner circle assumes no letup in Russia’s broader confrontation with Europe and the United States,” CFR’s Stephen Sestanovich writes.

Pacific Rim

Philippines Hold Presidential Election

Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the son of the country’s former dictator, was leading in polls (Nikkei) ahead of today’s election. Marcos has given few interviews about his policy stances, but analysts predict he would continue several policies (Reuters) of outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte.

CFR’s Joshua Kurlantzick lays out what to know about the Philippines’ high-stakes election.

New Zealand: As part of global efforts to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, New Zealand announced emissions budgets (Bloomberg) for the next fourteen years.

South and Central Asia

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Resigns

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa stepped down (Daily Mirror) amid ongoing anti-government protests. Meanwhile, a nationwide curfew was imposed after pro-government groups attacked protesters in several parts of the country, including the capital, Colombo.

China/India: In a court filing seen by Reuters, Chinese tech company Xiaomi said its executives faced threats of physical violence and coercion during a probe conducted by Indian authorities. Indian officials denied the claims.

Middle East and North Africa

Syria’s Assad Visits Tehran

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad held meetings (Al Jazeera) yesterday with Iran’s president, Ebrahim Raisi, and its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran aims to boost bilateral ties, Khamenei’s office said.

Egypt: A group affiliated with the self-declared Islamic State claimed responsibility (The National) for an attack at a water plant in the Sinai Peninsula that killed at least eleven Egyptian soldiers and wounded five others.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Nigerian Airlines Call Off Plan to Suspend Flights Due to Fuel Costs

Government agencies reportedly offered assurances to airlines (BBC) after an umbrella organization of carriers said it would ground domestic flights due to fuel price hikes triggered by the war in Ukraine.

DRC: An attack on a gold mine in the northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) killed at least thirty-five people (AFP). A local official blamed the Cooperative for Development of the Congo (CODECO) militant group.

Europe

Northern Ireland Seeks Power-Sharing Agreement After Nationalists Win Elections

Representatives from Northern Ireland’s main political parties are due to meet today (Irish Times) following nationalist party Sinn Fein’s victory in parliamentary elections.

This Backgrounder looks at the future of peace in Northern Ireland.

Americas

Colombia Sends Troops to Contain Gang Attacks in Country’s North

The Gulf Clan drug cartel has burned cars and issued threats (BBC) in protest of its leader’s extradition to the United States. Colombia’s army sent two thousand troops and police to contain the attacks.

Mexico: President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said he will urge the United States (Bloomberg) to include Cuba in next month’s Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles.

United States

Biden to Lay Out Plans to Reduce High-Speed Internet Costs for Households

President Joe Biden is set to announce (The Hill) a plan today to offer low-cost, high-speed internet access to nearly 40 percent of American households. Eligible households are expected to pay no more than $30 per month.

This Backgrounder looks at the state of U.S. infrastructure.

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