EU Leaders Agree to Ban Most Russian Oil Imports |
European Union (EU) leaders reached a deal (FT) to ban seaborne oil imports from Russia, with the aim to deprive Moscow of funds for its ongoing war in Ukraine. Although pipeline imports were temporarily excluded from the ban due to objections from Hungary, German and Polish pledges to restrict pipeline imports means the ban is expected to cover around 90 percent of Russian oil by the end of this year.
The summit of EU leaders continues today in Brussels. They are discussing (NYT) an economic relief package for Ukraine and efforts to help Ukraine export wheat despite a Russian blockade of its ports. In the coming days, EU representatives could settle on a sanctions package that would finalize the oil import ban and cut off Russia’s largest bank from the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT), an interbank messaging service.
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“Now that many Europeans are signaling that they are serious about cutting off Russian energy imports, the United States and its allies need a coordinated strategy. Together, they must figure out how to slash Russian energy revenue without unduly damaging the global economy,” the Center for a New American Security’s Edward Fishman and Tufts University’s Chris Miller write for Foreign Affairs.
“The tortured process of reaching a political agreement on the embargo highlighted the increasing difficulty the EU is facing in punishing Russia over the war,” Politico’s Jacopo Barigazzi, David M. Herszenhorn, and Barbara Moens write. |
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Pacific Island Nations Rebuff Chinese Efforts at Trade, Security Pact |
During a visit to the region, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was unable to reach an agreement (ABC) with counterparts from ten Pacific Island countries. Beijing instead released a “position paper” detailing its vision for its relationship with the countries. Australia: With votes from last week’s parliamentary elections fully counted, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s Labor Party won seventy-seven seats in the lower house and was able to form a majority government (SMH). For the Asia Unbound blog, James Curran examines Australia’s political earthquake. |
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Pakistani Leader Visits Turkey |
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Middle East and North Africa |
Israel, UAE Sign Trade Deal |
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DRC, Rwanda Leaders Hold Call After Clashes Near Border |
The presidents of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda aimed to de-escalate tensions (New Times) following recent clashes between the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group and the Congolese army. The DRC accused Rwanda (Bloomberg) of backing the rebel group, which is based in eastern Congo.
Mali: The UN peacekeeping mission to Mali found that the country’s security forces killed 248 civilians (AFP) in the first quarter of 2022, more than triple the previous quarter’s total. | |
| Biden Will Not Send Ukraine Long-Range Rocket Systems |
U.S. President Joe Biden said Washington will not send (FT) Ukraine long-range rocket systems that could hit targets inside Russia, despite Kyiv’s request for them. | |
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Canada Introduces Bill to Buy Back Military-Style Assault Weapons |
The bill, which is expected to pass, would require most owners of such guns to relinquish them (NYT) to the government. Ottawa also announced bans on handgun sales and imports.
This Backgrounder compares countries’ gun control policies.
Brazil: Ninety-one people were confirmed dead (AP) from flooding and mudslides in the northeast city of Recife. More than two dozen people are still missing.
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Biden to Meet New Zealand’s Ardern at White House |
President Biden and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern are expected to discuss (Axios) their visions for the Indo-Pacific region, climate policy, and efforts to counter radicalization. |
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Council on Foreign Relations |
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