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Ukraine Invasion
Defense Policy / Programs
Foreign Policy
News Reports

Ukraine Invasion

• Russia sees 'window of opportunity' as Ukrainian forces await US weapons VOA 16 May 2024 -- Russian forces are expanding their attacks on Ukrainian border settlements close to the northeastern city of Kharkiv, opening up a new front in the war, as Kyiv struggles to hold off a renewed Russian offensive.
• Zelenskyy visits Kharkiv amid Russian offensive VOA 16 May 2024 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he traveled Thursday to the northeastern city of Kharkiv to meet with military officials amid a Russian offensive in the region.
• Zelenskiy Visits Kharkiv, Says Situation Difficult But 'Under Control' RFE/RL 16 May 2024 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says the situation in the northeastern region of Kharkiv, where Russian forces have been pressing with a large-scale assault since last week, continues to be very difficult, but it is "generally under control.
• Ukraine Loses Over 520 Soldiers in DPR in Battles With Russian Southern Troops - MoD Sputnik 16 May 2024 -- Russia's Battlegroup Yug have improved their position along the front line and defeated Ukrainian troops, with Ukraine losing more than 520 soldiers in this direction over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday.
• Russia Destroys Drones, Rockets Over Crimea, Bryansk, Kaluga, Tula Regions - MoD Sputnik 16 May 2024 -- This night, Russian air defenses shot down Vilkha multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) rockets, a Tochka-U missile and a drone over the Belgorod Region, as well as drones over Crimea, the Bryansk Region, the Kaluga Region and the Tula Region, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

Defense Policy / Programs

Foreign Policy

• Putin, Xi Talk War In Ukraine As They Boast Stronger China-Russia Ties RFE/RL 16 May 2024 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin praised his strengthening partnership with China during a state visit to Beijing where Chinese leader Xi Jinping pledged to play a constructive role in helping Europe return to "peace and stability."
• Russian-Chinese talks President of Russia 16 May 2024 -- At the invitation of President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin arrived in China for a state two-day visit.
• Media statement following Russia-China talks President of Russia 16 May 2024
• Meeting with Premier of the State Council of China Li Qiang President of Russia 16 May 2024 -- During his state visit to China, Vladimir Putin met with Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China Li Qiang.
• Russia and China open cross years of culture President of Russia 16 May 2024 -- Vladimir Putin and President of the PRC Xi Jinping made a speech at the gala concert devoted to the 75th anniversary of Russia-China diplomatic relations and the opening of Russia and China's years of culture.
• National currencies used in 90% of Russia-China transactions: Putin IRNA 16 May 2024 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has said the vast majority of transactions between Russia and China are now being conducted in their national currencies, describing dedollarization as an "inevitable" process.
• Putin: 90% of Payments Between Russia and China Made in Rubles and Yuan as Trade Grows Sputnik 16 May 2024 -- As part of the highly anticipated state visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to China, the leaders of the two countries discussed an array of pressing bilateral and global issues, including the unprecedented high level of trade between the nations.
• Putin in Beijing: Russia, China agree to deepen 'strategic partnership' Press TV 16 May 2024 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping have agreed to further deepen the "strategic partnership", scolding the United States for posing threats against their countries.
• Putin arrives in China on 1st state visit after re-elected as Russia's president Press TV 16 May 2024 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in China on his first state visit and met with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping after he was sworn in for a record-breaking fifth term as Russia's president earlier this month.
• Russian-Chinese Partnership Constantly Improving, Diversifying Due to New Areas - Putin Sputnik 16 May 2024 -- The Russian-Chinese partnership is constantly improving and diversifying due to the new areas of cooperation, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday.
• Russian-Chinese Cooperation is One of Main Stabilizing Factors in International Arena - Putin Sputnik 16 May 2024 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has begun his first state visit to China since his inauguration. The Russian leader was invited by his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping during Putin's previous visit to Beijing in October 2023.
• Why Putin Is Visiting Harbin, China's Former 'Little Moscow' RFE/RL 16 May 2024 -- In a state visit rich in symbolism, Russian President Vladimir Putin will go to Harbin, a northeastern Chinese city with deep cultural and historic links to Russia, as part of a bid to trumpet burgeoning economic and political ties between the two countries.
• Xi, Putin pledge to deepen strategic ties at Beijing talks VOA 16 May 2024 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping praised the relationship between China and Russia and pledged to deepen their partnership as he hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin for talks in Beijing.
• Sino-Russian alliance has 'concrete, tangible' goals, analysts say Radio Free Asia 16 May 2024 -- As Russian President Vladimir Putin visits China for the first time since beginning a new term, he and Chinese President Xi Jinping have been at pains to underline their "long and strong" friendship, and a strategic partnership that has been described as having "no upper limits."
• Xi, Putin discuss 'sovereignty' ahead of US officials' Taipei visit Radio Free Asia 16 May 2024 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed the importance of "respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries" in talks on Thursday with his Russian counterpart, Vladmir Putin, while highlighting the importance of the political settlement of disputes.
• Xi, Putin hold talks, sign joint statement on deepening ties Global Times 16 May 2024 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping held large-group talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is in China on a state visit, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday. Analysts from both countries said the visit will reinforce and further promote the bilateral strategic ties with high level mutual-trust and broad common interests.
• Xi hosts Putin for Beijing talks VOA 16 May 2024 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin for talks Thursday in Beijing, the start of a two-day visit by the Russian leader.
• Greetings to Arab League summit participants President of Russia 16 May 2024 -- Vladimir Putin sent greetings to the participants in the 33rd Arab League summit.
• Imposing Sanctions in Response to DPRK-Russia Weapon Deals US Dept. of State 16 May 2024 -- The United States is today imposing sanctions on five Russia-based individuals and entities connected to the transfer of military equipment and components between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Russian Federation in violation of the UN arms embargo on the DPRK. Russia has increasingly relied upon the DPRK for munitions to wage its war on Ukraine and has fired dozens of DPRK-supplied ballistic missiles against targets in Ukraine.
• Treasury Designates Sanctions Evaders Facilitating Illicit Arms Transfers between the DPRK and Russia US Treasury 16 May 2024 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is imposing sanctions on two Russian individuals and three Russia-based entities for facilitating weapons transfers between Russia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

News Reports

• Russian Gas Tycoon Hires Putin's Daughter's Beau For Murmansk LNG Project RFE/RL 16 May 2024 -- The domestic partner of Russian President Vladimir Putin's elder daughter was named head of a pipeline company set to service a Kremlin-connected tycoon's ambitious liquefied natural gas (LNG) project just months after Putin himself publicly backed the initiative, RFE/RL's Russian investigative unit has found.
• Fugitive Moldovan Oligarch Gets Russian Citizenship RFE/RL 16 May 2024 -- Fugitive oligarch Ilan Shor has obtained Russian citizenship and identity documents, Moldovan authorities confirmed on May 16, a move that runs counter to current legislation in the tiny country wedged between Ukraine and Romania.
wolf" gunman in an attack that has sent shock waves across the country and Europe as a whole.