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Defense Policy / Programs

• Army announces contract awards for OMFV US Army 26 Jun 2023 -- The U.S. Army announced today the award of two firm-fixed price contracts for the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle Phase III and IV Detailed Design and Prototype Build and Testing phases, using full and open competitive procedures. The contracts were awarded to General Dynamics Land Systems Inc. (Sterling Heights, Michigan) and American Rheinmetall Vehicles LLC (Sterling Heights, Michigan). The total award value for both contracts is approximately $1.6 billion.
• III MIG Conducts Exercise Vanguard USMC News 26 Jun 2023 -- U.S. Marines with III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, recently conducted exercise Vanguard to enhance and refine the III MIG's information warfare capabilities in Okinawa, Japan, from June 9-16, 2023.
• Gowen Field ANGB to transition to F-16 mission US Air Force 26 Jun 2023 -- The 124th Fighter Wing at Gowen Field Air National Guard Base, Idaho, is expected to transition to an F-16 Fighting Falcon mission.
• Air Force transitions to A-Staff structure for air expeditionary wings US Air Force 26 Jun 2023 -- The U.S. Air Force is implementing standardized A-Staffs for air expeditionary wings to support commanders, maximize responsiveness in crisis and ease integration with joint force elements.
• Moody AFB selected to host next F-35A mission US Air Force 26 Jun 2023 -- The Department of the Air Force selected Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, as the preferred location to receive the next active-duty F-35A Lightning II mission.
• Multilateral Maritime Security Meeting: Joint Statement from Participating Nations US Navy 26 Jun 2023
• U.S. and Republic of Singapore Navies Conduct Exercise Pacific Griffin 2023 US Navy 26 Jun 2023 -- The U.S. and Republic of Singapore navies are conducting combined naval training near Guam during exercise Pacific Griffin, June 16-29.
• The World's Largest Aircraft Carrier - USS Gerald R. Ford - Arrives in Split, Croatia US Navy 26 Jun 2023 -- The U.S. Navy's newest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and embarked staff from Carrier Strike Group 12 arrived in Split, Croatia, for a scheduled port visit, June 26.
• Türkiye's Erdogan urges Sweden to end PKK protests for its NATO membership People's Daily 26 Jun 2023 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday urged Sweden to prevent the demonstrations by supporters of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in Stockholm in exchange for a green light on its NATO bid.
• Germany says 'ready' to permanently station 4,000 troops in Lithuania Press TV 26 Jun 2023 -- Germany says it is prepared to station 4,000 troops in Lithuania to strengthen NATO's eastern flank, which borders Russia.
• Germany Ready to Deploy Combat-Ready Troops in Lithuania Sputnik 26 Jun 2023 -- Germany is ready to permanently deploy a combat-ready brigade in Lithuania to reinforce NATO's eastern flank, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said on Monday.
• NATO Secretary General visits German and Lithuanian troops in Exercise Griffin Storm NATO 26 Jun 2023 -- Visiting Pabrade, Lithuania, on Monday (26 June 2023), NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met German and Lithuanian troops training together in Exercise Griffin Storm. He was joined by President Gitanas Nausėda and German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius.
• NATO Secretary General lauds President Grybauskaitė at Manfred Wörner Medal ceremony NATO 26 Jun 2023 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg praised the leadership of Dalia Grybauskaitė as the former Lithuanian president was awarded the Manfred Wörner Medal in a ceremony in Vilnius on Monday (26 June 2023).
• Secretary General thanks Lithuania for contributions to NATO, hosting upcoming Vilnius Summit NATO 26 Jun 2023 -- Visiting Vilnius on Monday (26 June 2023), Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg thanked President Gitanas Nausėda for Lithuania's many contributions to NATO, and for hosting the Alliance's upcoming Summit.
• The German-led brigade will permanently deploy to Lithuania, says Minister A. Anušauskas Lithuania MND 26 Jun 2023 -- Lithuanian and German Defence Ministers have agreed on the deployment of a German-led brigade in Lithuania: approx. 4 thousand troops will be permanently stationed in Lithuania in a while.
• Data on interceptions of aircraft completed near the Baltic States' borders on June 19-25, 2023 Lithuania MND 26 Jun 2023
• The President in Pabradė: Deployment of German brigade units is a defense priority for Lithuania President of the Republic of Lithuania 26 Jun 2023 -- On Monday, President Gitanas Nausėda together with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius visited General Silvestras Žukauskas Training Area in Pabradė, where they observed the Lithuanian-German Exercise Griffin Storm.
• The President: Germany's contribution to collective defense is invaluable President of the Republic of Lithuania 26 Jun 2023 -- On Monday, President Gitanas Nausėda met in Pabradė with German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who is visiting the joint Lithuanian-German Exercise Griffin Storm.
• The President: Strengthening NATO's eastern flank should be a priority for the whole Alliance President of the Republic of Lithuania 26 Jun 2023 -- On Monday, President Gitanas Nausėda met with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Vilnius to discuss preparations for the Vilnius NATO Summit to be held in July.
• The President to the North Atlantic Council: It is necessary to strengthen deterrence and forward defense capabilities in the eastern flank of NATO President of the Republic of Lithuania 26 Jun 2023 -- President Gitanas Nausėda together with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and members of the North Atlantic Council discussed preparations for the NATO Summit in Vilnius in July and the current security situation in the region.
• Wider Europe Briefing: Sweden's NATO Membership Is Still On A Knife-Edge RFE/RL 26 Jun 2023
• Minister Sklenár: The NATO battlegroup in our territory is a show of force, unity and commitment to defend Slovakia as an ally against any threat Ministry of Defence of The Slovak Republic 26 Jun 2023 -- Defence Minister Martin Sklenár paid a visit to the Training Centre (TC) Lešť, where he was given a tour of the NATO Multinational Battlegroup Slovakia and spoke with soldiers who have brought new capabilities to the Battlegroup, including Leopard 2A6 MBTs, as part of the latest rotational deployments.
• Russian Defence Minister inspects Zapad Group of Forces forward control centre in the special military operation zone Russia MoD 26 Jun 2023 -- During a visit to the special military operation zone Russian Defence Minister General of the Army Sergei Shoigu inspected a forward control centre of the Zapad Group of Forces in the special military operation zone.
• Shoigu Visits Battlegroup Zapad's Command Post Sputnik 26 Jun 2023 -- Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has inspected Battlegroup Zapad's frontline command post and has ordered commanders to continue reconnaissance to uncover and suppress enemy plans, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Monday.
• Russia defense chief visits front-line troops after Wagner mutiny, urges vigilance Press TV 26 Jun 2023 -- Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has visited front-line troops, appearing in public for the first time after the Wagner Group's armed mutiny against Moscow.
• The United States is playing nuclear Russian roulette - and they will finish the game RIA Novosti 26 Jun 2023 -- Sergei Karaganov took a very important and bold step: he opened a discussion on the topic of the use of nuclear weapons, which for a long time remained, in fact, a taboo. It must be borne in mind that neither he nor any other serious person is going to throw nuclear missiles. But this does not mean that the issue of nuclear weapons can be turned into a figure of silence. This is a question that really affects absolutely everyone.
• Fyodor Lukyanov: Why Russia cannot 'sober up the West' by using a nuclear bomb RT 26 Jun 2023 -- "Public debate on the permissibility of using atomic bombs has been taboo since the United States dropped two on Japan. The consequences of those attacks are well known."
• U.S. Studying Russian Revolt, Focused on Supporting Ukraine DoD News 26 Jun 2023 -- The U.S. remains laser-focused on supporting Ukraine's defense, sovereignty and territorial integrity, said President Joe Biden, today, at the White House.
• US Providing up to $500 Million in More Aid for Ukraine VOA 26 Jun 2023 -- The United States is providing up to $500 million in additional military aid for Ukraine, three U.S. officials tell VOA, in a package that is expected to include 55 more Stryker and Bradley armored vehicles.
• Australia pledges further support to Ukraine Prime Minister of Australia 26 Jun 2023 -- The Australian Government will provide a new $110 million assistance package to Ukraine. This assistance will help Ukraine defend and support itself against Russia's illegal, immoral and unprovoked invasion.
• Australia to Boost Military Aid to Ukraine VOA 26 Jun 2023 -- Australia will send an extra 70 vehicles to Ukraine in a new $74 million package of military assistance. Australia is one of the largest non-NATO contributors to Ukraine's efforts to repel the Russian invasion.
• Australia to supply Ukraine with over $70mn in military aid Press TV 26 Jun 2023 -- Australia is set to provide a new military package worth $73.5 million to Ukraine, including 70 armored vehicles, for the war against Russia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says.
• Australia to Allocate Another $74 million in Military Support for Kiev Sputnik 26 Jun 2023 -- The Australian government announced a new package of military aid to Ukraine on Monday, in the amount of $74 million ($110 million AUD).
• Denmark to Speed Up Transfer of NATO's F-16s to Ukraine Sputnik 26 Jun 2023 -- Ukraine could get F-16s sooner than NATO announced, thanks to Denmark's new rearmament program.
• The Ministry of National Defense issues a press release explaining reports that "the wheeled armored vehicle prototype is too tall to be put into production" ROC MND 26 Jun 2023
• Taiwan obtains U.S. Jump 20 drone to strengthen maritime security: CGA CNA 26 Jun 2023 -- The United States has provided a Jump 20 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system to Taiwan and offered training on operating the drone to strengthen regional security in the Taiwan Strait, Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration (CGA) confirmed Monday.
• Domestically made military vehicles on schedule: Taiwan military CNA 26 Jun 2023 -- Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) said Monday that the development of the domestically produced Clouded Leopard armored vehicle is on schedule following reports the project was set to be shelved.
• Foreign minister suggests military attaché exchange with Australia CNA 26 Jun 2023 -- Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) has suggested exchanging military attachés with Australia to improve information sharing in light of the rising security threat of China.
• Combined arms team defends the gun line Australia DOD 26 Jun 2023 -- Bullets, rockets and artillery shells flew down range simultaneously in an intense defence of the gun line during Exercise Chau Pha.
• CNO: AUKUS Builds Upon Three Nations' Close Naval Ties DoD News 26 Jun 2023 -- The security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States aimed at promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific region builds upon the long-established ties between the three countries, the U.S. Navy's top admiral said today.
• INTERACTIVE CONFERENCE & B2B SESSION ON INDIGENISATION REQUIREMENTS OF INDIAN NAVY: OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDUSTRIES India PIB 26 Jun 2023 -- An 'Interactive Conference & B2B Session on Indigenisation Requirements of Indian Navy: Opportunities for Industries' was conducted by the Indian Navy in association with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) on 26 Jun 23 at Hari Shankar Singhania Commission Auditorium of FICCI, FICCI Federation House.
• Denmark Eyes New Patrol Ships in Major Navy Upgrade Sputnik 26 Jun 2023 -- The Danish military stressed that the importance of "securing the vital sea lanes" around the country in a "fundamentally changed threat picture." Fittingly, Copenhagen pledged to allot as much $5.5 billion on shipbuilding alone to strengthen its navy and is even considering buying back submarines.
• New Bulgarian PM Pledges Increased Security For Defense Industry Following Second Arms Depot Fire RFE/RL 26 Jun 2023 -- New Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov, whose government assumed power three weeks ago, has pledged increased support and better security for the country's defense industry following a second serious fire in less than a year at a private arms company.
• European Defence Fund: EU to invest €832 million in 41 ambitious defence industrial projects European Commission 26 Jun 2023 -- Today, the Commission announced the results of the 2022 calls for proposals under the European Defence Fund (EDF) amounting to €832 million of EU funding in support of 41 joint defence research and development projects across the EU.
• Joint Statement by Canada and the Prime Ministers of the Nordic countries Prime Minister of Canada 26 Jun 2023 -- On 26 June 2023, the Prime Ministers and the Heads of Government of Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, the Åland Islands, Faroe Islands and Greenland met in Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland.
• Nordic countries and Canada to deepen security and defence cooperation Finnish Government 26 Jun 2023 -- The main theme of the Nordic prime ministers' summer meeting in Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland on 25 and 26 June was how to respond to various security threats. Along with the Nordic prime ministers, the Icelandic Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers invited Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to the meeting.
• Deputy Secretary Verma's Meeting with Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Al Thani US Dept. of State 26 Jun 2023
• Readout of President Joe Biden's Call with Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni The White House 26 Jun 2023
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby The White House 26 Jun 2023

Defense Industry

• Contracts For June 26, 2023

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 26 June 202 -3Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 26 Jun 2023
• Preventing 'contagion of atrocities' hinges on responsibility to protect UN News 26 Jun 2023 -- For "countless civilians" caught in current conflicts around the world, taking responsibility for protecting them to prevent atrocities is more critical than ever, a senior UN official told the General Assembly on Monday.
• UN refugee agency predicts spike in resettlement needs next year UN News 26 Jun 2023 -- The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, is anticipating a significant rise in global refugee resettlement needs for next year.
• Taliban Flaunts Terrorism Commitments by Appointing al-Qaida-Affiliated Governors VOA 26 Jun 2023 -- For more than 15 years, Qari Baryal has been on a special list of Washington's "most-wanted" Taliban and al-Qaida leaders in Afghanistan, accused of carrying out bombing and suicide attacks across the country.
• Dozens of militants killed as Syrian, Russian jets hit terror bases in Idlib Press TV 26 Jun 2023 -- Dozens of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) Takfiri terrorists have been killed and many more wounded after Syrian and Russian warplanes carried out numerous retaliatory airstrikes on terrorist bases and arms depots in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib.
• Three Kosovar Police Officers Released Following Serbian Court Order RFE/RL 26 Jun 2023 -- Three Kosovar police officers arrived in Kosovo after a court in the central Serbian city of Kraljevo on June 26 ordered their release following their detention by Serbian authorities earlier this month along the border between Serbia and Kosovo in an escalation of already simmering tensions between the two neighbors.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Serbian President Vucic US Dept. of State 26 Jun 2023
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Kosovan Prime Minister Kurti US Dept. of State 26 Jun 2023
• Foreign Secretary's meeting with Kosovan Prime Minister Kurti, 26 June 2023 UK FCDO 26 Jun 2023 -- The Foreign Secretary met Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti in London to stress the need for de-escalatory steps to reduce tensions in northern Kosovo.
• India's Manipur extends ban on internet services until June 30 amid ongoing violence People's Daily 26 Jun 2023 -- A ban on internet services in India's northeastern state of Manipur has been extended till June 30 in the wake of continuing incidents of violence, said an official order from the state government on Sunday.
• Observers: West Bank Violence Risks Spiraling Out of Control VOA 26 Jun 2023 -- The West Bank is witnessing some of the worst violence between Israelis and Palestinians in years. It's an explosive mix, observers say, as the Palestinian Authority appears unable to rein in militants while the Israeli military is doing little or nothing to stop attacks by extremist Jewish settlers.
• Canada continues its support of Palestinian refugees Canada 26 Jun 2023 -- Providing humanitarian assistance and responding to the needs of Palestinian refugees is part of the path toward peace and prosperity in the Middle East. Canada is committed to meeting the basic needs of the poorest and most vulnerable among this population.
• Israel approves construction of nearly 5,700 new settler units in occupied West Bank Press TV 26 Jun 2023 -- Israeli authorities have approved the construction of nearly 5,700 new settler units in the occupied West Bank as the regime presses ahead with its illegal settlement expansion policy in the Palestinian territories under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's extremist cabinet.
• Security in eastern DR Congo continues to worsen, Security Council hears UN News 26 Jun 2023 -- A senior UN official warned the Security Council on Monday that the security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has continued to deteriorate over the past three months, despite a lull in fighting between M23 rebels and the national army (FARDC).
• The UK is fully committed to supporting a conditions-based withdrawal of the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: UK statement at the Security Council UK FCDO 26 Jun 2023 -- Statement by UK Political Coordinator Fergus Eckersley at the UN Security Council meeting on the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• Demarche conveyed to the U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 26 Jun 2023 -- The US Deputy Chief of Mission was called to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs this evening and a demarche was made to him regarding the US-India Joint Statement, issued on 22 June 2023.
• National security our top-most priority: Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh in Jammu India PIB 26 Jun 2023 -- National security is the Government's top-most priority and it is committed to protect the sovereignty, unity & integrity of the country. This was stated by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh while addressing a 'National Security Conclave' in Jammu on June 26, 2023. He asserted that India has witnessed a paradigm shift in its security scenario in the last nine years. He pointed out that India's image in 2013-14 was that of a weak nation which allowed its adversaries to create problems, but today the country has the ability to overcome every threat.
• Searching Tibetan monasteries, China requires monks to renounce ties to Dalai Lama Radio Free Asia 26 Jun 2023 -- Chinese authorities in Tibet are randomly searching monasteries and forcing monks to sign documents renouncing all ties to the "separatist" Dalai Lama, Tibetan Buddhism's foremost spiritual leader, Tibetan sources living in exile told Radio Free Asia.
• More than 100,000 children fleeing Sudan conflict face new dangers amid desperate situation in Chad UNICEF 26 Jun 2023 -- Children and families who have arrived in Eastern Chad in search of safety after fleeing the intensifying conflict in the neighbouring Sudanese region of Darfur, now face new needs and challenges as they seek refuge in provinces of Chad that are already some of the most deprived.

News Reports

• Torture as a weapon of war must cease, rights experts demand UN News 26 Jun 2023 -- UN rights experts marked the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture on Monday, by reiterating their call for an "absolute prohibition" on the use of torture during armed conflict, calling also for a push to end the international trade in instruments of torture.
• Commission welcomes political agreement on new rules to boost cybersecurity in EU institutions, bodies, offices and agencies European Commission 26 Jun 2023 -- The Commission welcomes the political agreement reached between the European Parliament and the Council of the EU on the Regulation proposed by the Commission laying down measures for a high common level of cybersecurity at the institutions, bodies, offices and agencies of the Union.
• MONEYVAL publishes follow-up reports on Albania and Slovenia EC/CEU 26 Jun 2023 -- The Council of Europe's anti-money laundering body MONEYVAL has published new reports on Albania and Slovenia assessing measures to tackle money laundering and terrorist financing.
• Beijing Condemns US Indictments of Chinese Persons on Fentanyl-Related Charges Sputnik 26 Jun 2023 -- Beijing has denounced the arrest and indictment of Chinese nationals and companies on fentanyl-related charges and has voiced a strong protest to Washington, the Chinese embassy in the United States said in a statement on Monday.
• Eleventh Meeting of the Law Enforcement Coordination Group Focuses on Countering Hizballah's Global Terrorist, Financial, and Procurement Networks US Dept. of State 26 Jun 2023 -- The U.S. Departments of State and Justice convened the Law Enforcement Coordination Group (LECG) on June 22-23 at Europol's Headquarters in The Hague.
• Address to citizens of Russia President of Russia 26 Jun 2023 -- "Today, I am addressing the citizens of Russia once again. Thank you for your restraint, cohesion and patriotism. This civic solidarity shows that any blackmail, any attempt to stage domestic turmoil is doomed to fail."
• Putin Excoriates Wagner Group Over Rebellion, Absolves Soldiers of Culpability VOA 26 Jun 2023 -- In a speech to the Russian nation, Russian President Vladimir Putin excoriated the organizers of the Wagner rebellion by calling them "traitors." The Russian leader said the organizers lied to their own people and "pushed them to death, under fire, to shoot their own," deflecting Wagner fighters' culpability for storming the southern city of Rostov, which they temporarily seized on their way toward Moscow.
• In Address To Nation, Putin Says Wagner Soldiers Who Took Part In Revolt Can Join The Army Or Go To Belarus RFE/RL 26 Jun 2023 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin in an unscheduled address to the nation on June 26 reiterated his offer of amnesty to fighters who took part in the revolt over the weekend but not to its ringleader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, in a sign of the Kremlin leader's complete break with his former ally.
• Meeting with heads of security agencies President of Russia 26 Jun 2023 -- The President held a meeting with heads of security agencies.
• Telephone conversation with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan President of Russia 26 Jun 2023
• Russia lifts counter-terrorist operation regime in Moscow People's Daily 26 Jun 2023 -- The legal regime of the counter-terrorist operation against the Wagner private military group has been canceled in Moscow and the Moscow region due to the normalization of the current situation, said the Russian government.
• Putin after mutiny: West, Ukraine wanted Russians to kill each other Press TV 26 Jun 2023 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says he ordered his country's forces to avoid bloodshed during Wagner group's armed mutiny over the weekend, adding that the West and Ukraine wanted Russians to "kill each other."
• Putin: Mutiny Organizers Wanted Russian Soldiers to Kill Each Other, Kiev Wanted the Same Sputnik 26 Jun 2023 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has chastised the organizers of the recent aborted mutiny perpetrated by forces of the PMC Wagner Group, stating that these people betrayed not only their country and their people but also the men whom they duped into participating in this "crime."
• Counter-Terrorism Operation Regime Lifted in Russian Capital & Moscow Region Sputnik 26 Jun 2023 -- The counter-terrorism operation measures imposed on Saturday have been canceled in Moscow and the Moscow Region, Russia's National Antiterrorism Committee (NAC) said on Monday.
• We didn't want to overthrow Putin's government, Wagner chief says Press TV 26 Jun 2023 -- The head of Russia's Wagner paramilitary group says its recent aborted mutiny was not an attempt to overthrow the government of President Vladimir Putin.
• With mutiny over, Russia's prime minister underscores 'rallying around' Putin Press TV 26 Jun 2023 -- Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin says the Russian nation should beef up support for President Vladimir Putin since the country has been facing "a challenge to its stability" in the wake of a fleeting armed mutiny by the paramilitary Wagner Group.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's interview with RT television, Moscow, June 26, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 26 Jun 2023
• Lavrov Calls Western Media's Coverage of Events Around Prigozhin Wishful Thinking Sputnik 26 Jun 2023 -- Western media apparently indulged in "wishful thinking," covering the events around the situation with the aborted mutiny attempt by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of private military company (PMC) Wagner, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday.
• As China Throws Support Behind Russia, Analysts See Deeper Fissures VOA 26 Jun 2023 -- China has thrown its support behind Russia after a brief mutiny posed the gravest challenge to the 23-year rule of President Vladimir Putin.
• China holds breath in reaction to Russia's rollercoaster weekend Radio Free Asia 26 Jun 2023 -- China's reactions to a weekend rebellion that President Vladimir Putin described as a threat to Russia's very existence were muted in the aftermath of a chaotic chain of events that have been put on hold by a negotiated truce.
• China supports and believes Russia in maintaining national stability Global Times 26 Jun 2023 -- Despite that the Kremlin quelled the Wagner revolt within a short period of time over the weekend, Western officials changed their initial low-profile stances and began badmouthing the authority of the Putin administration as some said the Wagner mutiny exposed the fragility of his government. Some Western media even used the incident to question China-Russia relations, which, some experts said, reflected consistent ill-intentioned motives and the hostile narratives of the West targeting Beijing since the Ukraine crisis.
• Raisi, Putin discuss Wagner insurrection, Caucasus issues IRNA 26 Jun 2023 -- Following a failed mutiny of the Wagner group in Russia, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin have held a phone conversation, the Kremlin has said.
• Putin, Raisi discuss latest developments in Russia ISNA 26 Jun 2023 -- Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi on Monday spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin and expressed his "full support" following the aborted mutiny of a mercenary chief, the Kremlin said.
• Telephone conversation with President of Iran Ebrahim Raisi President of Russia 26 Jun 2023 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ebrahim Raisi.
• Raeisi voices Iran's support for Russia's national sovereignty in phone call with Putin Press TV 26 Jun 2023 -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi has expressed the Islamic Republic's support for Russia's national sovereignty following the aborted mutiny by the paramilitary Wagner group.
• Telephone conversation with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani President of Russia 26 Jun 2023 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, at the initiative of the Qatari side.
• Biden Says US Had Nothing to Do With Prigozhin Mutiny Sputnik 26 Jun 2023 -- The United States was not involved in the situation involving Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of private military company (PMC) Wagner, US President Joe Biden said on Monday.
• West Says Failed Wagner Mutiny Reveals Putin's Weakness VOA 26 Jun 2023 -- Western leaders say that the failed mutiny by the Russian mercenary Wagner Group over the weekend reveals the weakness of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
• Edgars Rinkēvičs: The EU must be prepared for different scenarios relating to developments in Russia Latvia MFA 26 Jun 2023 -- On 26 June 2023, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs, took part in the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union in Luxembourg.
• Yashin Warns Czech President That His Comments On Monitoring Russians Play Into Putin's Hands RFE/RL 26 Jun 2023 -- Jailed anti-Kremlin politician Ilya Yashin, addressing recent comments by Czech President Petr Pavel that Russians in the West should be monitored, said any such attempt would only play into President Vladimir Putin's hands.
• Wagner Group: Foreign Secretary's statement, 26 June 2023 UK FCDO 26 Jun 2023 -- Foreign Secretary James Cleverly gave an oral statement to the House of Commons on the situation in Russia.
• 'It Was Tense': How Russia's Rostov-On-Don Spent A Day As Ground Zero Of Prigozhin's Mutiny RFE/RL 26 Jun 2023 -- The first inkling that something unusual was happening came when uniformed men with weapons at the ready blocked traffic at the intersection of Budyonnovsky Prospekt and Bolshaya Sadovaya Ulitsa. Although cars were turned back, pedestrians were allowed to enter the underpass and proceed on their way.
• Will Prigozhin's Brief Russia Rebellion Have an Impact in Africa? VOA 26 Jun 2023 -- Analysts say it's too early to assess how the Wagner Group's operations in Africa will be affected after its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin threatened to lead troops into Moscow over the weekend before backing off.
• Putin Extends Response Measures to Russian Oil Price Cap Until Year-End Sputnik 26 Jun 2023 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has extended response measures to the oil price cap imposed by the Western nations until the end of 2023, according to a decree published on Monday.
• Russia endeavors to defuse Wagner rebellion People's Daily 26 Jun 2023 -- Russia appears to have stabilized the situation after the country's Wagner private military group was accused of attempting to launch an armed rebellion.
• Chinese FM spokesperson makes remarks on Wagner Group incident People's Daily 26 Jun 2023 -- China supports Russia in maintaining national stability and achieving development and prosperity, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Sunday.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on June 26, 2023 PRC MofA 26 Jun 2023
• Blinken upholds Biden's calling Xi 'dictator'; Beijing slams label as 'extremely absurd' Press TV 26 Jun 2023 -- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has upheld the American president's recent labeling of his Chinese counterpart as a "dictator," which Beijing slammed as "extremely absurd."
• Chinese Premier's visit to Germany, France injects more vigor, dynamism into bilateral cooperation in next stage: FM Global Times 26 Jun 2023 -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang's official visit to Germany and France last week has achieved fruitful results, and will inject more vigor and dynamism into bilateral cooperation in the next stage, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular press briefing on Monday.
• Macron calls for China-US cooperation and autonomous Europe, an indication of shrinking distance between China and Europe: experts Global Times 26 Jun 2023 -- French President Emmanuel Macron again made a public call for building an autonomous Europe in a persistent attempt to shake off Europe's shackles and prove that it is not the vassal of any superpower.
• Taiwan presidential hopefuls reheat decade-old China trade deal debate CNA 26 Jun 2023 -- Taiwan's three presidential contenders sparred last week over whether to revive the Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement (CSSTA), an unratified treaty between Taiwan and China that sparked the 2014 Sunflower Student Movement.
• Specter of war in Taiwan puts Philippine islanders on edge Radio Free Asia 26 Jun 2023 -- As Jinky Cabardo worked at her eatery in Batanes, a chain of islands that form the Philippines' northernmost territory, a helper relayed some alarming news: The small archipelago province had run out of rice.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Jun. 26, 2023 ROC MND 26 Jun 2023
• Threat of Nuclear War on Korean Peninsula Increasing, Pyongyang Warns Sputnik 26 Jun 2023 -- South Korea and the United States are pushing the Korean peninsula to "the brink of a nuclear war," the North Korean foreign ministry's Institute for American Studies warned in a report on Monday.
• U.S. Denounced as Destroyer of Peace and Stability of Korean Peninsula KCNA 26 Jun 2023 -- The Institute for American Studies of the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK released a research report on Sunday to give the full picture of the war of aggression provoked by the U.S. against the DPRK in the 1950s and to disclose once again the aggressive nature of the U.S. still making desperate efforts to ignite a nuclear war.
• Iran: Council targets seven individuals over serious human rights violations EC/CEU 26 Jun 2023 -- The Council decided today to impose a ninth package of restrictive measures on an additional 7 individuals responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.
• EU Adds Seven Iranian Officials To Sanctions List Over 'Serious' Rights Violations RFE/RL 26 Jun 2023 -- The European Council has approved a ninth package of sanctions on an additional seven individuals it says are responsible for "serious human rights violations" in Iran.
• Prisoner swap with US still on agenda: Kanaani ISNA 26 Jun 2023 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Nasser Kanaani stressed that the issue of prisoner swap between Iran and the US is still on the agenda and is being pursued through mediators who are in good faith seeking to play a role in this regard.
• Separatists, traitors can never feel safe anywhere in Iran: IRGC chief Press TV 26 Jun 2023 -- The chief commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has warned that separatists and traitors will never feel safe anywhere in the country because the Iranian nation will not tolerate any schemes to undermine their independence.
• Junta arrests 51 people for alleged dollar, gold speculation Radio Free Asia 26 Jun 2023 -- Myanmar's junta has arrested 51 people for allegedly trying to cash in on the sudden spike in the price of gold and U.S. dollars, according to the regime-controlled central bank.
• Pakistan Army: More Than 100 Ex-PM Khan Supporters on Trial in Military Courts VOA 26 Jun 2023 -- The Pakistan army revealed Monday that more than 100 people are being prosecuted in military tribunals for their alleged roles in last month's nationwide violent protests over the sudden arrest of former prime Minister Imran Khan.
• Television Interview - ABC News Breakfast Prime Minister of Australia 26 Jun 2023
• Prime Minister strengthens partnerships with Nordic countries Prime Minister of Canada 26 Jun 2023 -- The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today concluded his visit to Iceland, where he met with the leaders of Iceland, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Åland to continue strengthening ties and advancing key mutual priorities.
• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Prime Minister of Sweden Ulf Kristersson Prime Minister of Canada 26 Jun 2023
• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Støre Prime Minister of Canada 26 Jun 2023
• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen Prime Minister of Canada 26 Jun 2023
• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Prime Minister of Finland Petteri Orpo Prime Minister of Canada 26 Jun 2023
• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Prime Minister of Iceland Katrín Jakobsdóttir Prime Minister of Canada 26 Jun 2023
• Foreign Affairs Council: Press remarks by High Representative Josep Borrell at the press conference European External Action Service (EEAS) 26 Jun 2023
• Foreign Affairs Council: Press remarks by High Representative Josep Borrell upon arrival European External Action Service (EEAS) 26 Jun 2023
• Somalia: Council conclusions confirm a new strengthened partnership between the EU and Somalia EC/CEU 26 Jun 2023 -- The Council today approved conclusions reaffirming the EU's commitment to its long-standing partnership with Somalia and the willingness to deepen its strategic cooperation.
• Lithuania's Foreign Minister Landsbergis ahead of the EU's Foreign Affairs Council: "Events in Russia should not distract us. We should keep our focus on Ukraine" Lithuania MFA 26 Jun 2023
• As US aircraft carrier docks in Da Nang, Vietnamese premier visits Beijing Radio Free Asia 26 Jun 2023 -- A day after the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan began a port call in Da Nang, Vietnam's prime minister, Pham Minh Chinh, met Monday with his Chinese counterpart in Beijing's Great Hall of the People.
• Horn of Africa: Around 60 million in urgent humanitarian need UN News 26 Jun 2023 -- Climate, armed conflict, high food prices and post-COVID-19 economic fall-out have caused record food insecurity in the Horn of Africa, with an estimated 60 million urgently in need of help, UN humanitarian agencies warned on Monday.
• Millions in Horn of Africa Trapped in Hunger Crisis VOA 26 Jun 2023 -- Leading United Nations agencies warn that millions of people in the greater Horn of Africa are trapped in an emergency hunger and health crisis driven by overlapping disasters, including climate change and conflict.
• Zambia Seizes Properties Linked to Former President Edgar Lungu VOA 26 Jun 2023 -- The lawyer for Zambia's former President Edgar Lungu has denounced a government takeover of some 20 properties linked to his family, calling it a political witch hunt. Zambia's current president has been cracking down on corruption, but critics say he is targeting political opponents.
• Conservatives Win Reelection in Greece VOA 26 Jun 2023 -- With nearly all of the votes counted, Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his New Democracy party won just over 40 percent, giving him the mandate to press ahead with promises to remake the Greek economy and rebrand the nation among the European Union.