August 19, 2023 Ukraine and the World – Against russia’s Aggression. Sanctions in Action

August 19, 2023 Ukraine and the World – Against russia’s Aggression. Sanctions in Action

Principal Deputy Spokesperson of the US Department of State Vedant Patel on the eve of Ukraine's Independence Day reminded US President Joe Biden’s words that victory in the war will come when the rf completely withdraws from Ukraine.

Denmark and the Netherlands have confirmed receipt of permission from the United States to transfer F-16 fighters to Ukraine. The White House has pointed out that the United States will approve the provision of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine after the completion of training of Ukrainian pilots.

Czech Defense Minister Jana Černochová has said that her country can transfer Soviet-made Mi-24 helicopters to Ukraine.

In Turkey, took place the ceremony of laying the second ship of the “corvette” class for the needs of the Navy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

“The russian attack on Ukraine poses great new challenges for all of us. russia's brutal illegal war threatens not only Ukraine, it threatens the entire European security architecture. We must all finally adapt to this new geopolitical reality, strengthen our own security, help Ukraine and sometimes make inconvenient decisions”, said Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz.

Lithuanian Interior Minister Agne Bilotaite has said that Lithuanian Border Guard Service, together with the Armed Forces, plan to conduct joint exercises on August 27 in preparation for potential threats. At the same time, Bilotaite did not rule out the possibility of closing the border with the rf.

Switzerland proposes to increase military spending to 50 billion francs ($57 billion) by 2030 over the deteriorating security situation in Europe caused by russia's war against Ukraine.

Turkiye has warned the rf against interfering in shipping in the Black Sea.

Japan scrambled its fighter jets after two russian Il-38 jets were seen in the airspace between the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea.

Switzerland has joined the EU's decision not to recognize documents issued by russia in the occupied territories of Ukraine and Georgia.

Moldova began denouncing the agreement on military cooperation between the CIS member states.

Israel has extended health insurance for refugees from Ukraine until the end of 2023.

According to President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, EU gas storage facilities are already 90 % filled ahead of schedule by almost three months, which will allow to safely survive the winter without russian gas.

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South Korea has deported russian shakirzhon ulpidzhanov, who was detained for transferring money to the terrorist organization “Islamic State”, later it was used to purchase weapons.

The French concern Pernod Ricard, which owns alcohol brands Chivas Regal, Jameson, Ballantine's, Ararat, closes its representative office and will not supply products to russia.

The world's largest manufacturer of automotive catalysts Johnson Matthey has sold its plant in krasnoyarsk.

According to the commodity accounting web service for retail and catering kontur.market, as of the end of July 2023 compared to July 2021, the main socially significant products in russia have risen significantly: salt – by 64%, spices – by 54%, onions – by 33%, lemons – by 22%, kefir – by 31%, sour cream – by 24%, cottage cheese – by 22%, bananas – by 71%, beer – by 27%, cognac – by 20%, vodka – by 13%, wine – by 9%, bread – by 19%, sugar – by 20%, cereals (except for buckwheat) – by 18%, confectionery – by 17%, milk – by 14%.

The share of russians who, in order to save money, have reduced their spending on food and essential goods, increased from 16 % in June to 19 % in July, according to a study by the holding “romir”.

More than 50% of respondents said that amid the russian crisis, they constantly buy goods at discounts, choose only cheaper products or have completely given up some categories of goods. Every third began to go to stores less often and buys only according to a pre-prepared list. Only 8% of respondents said that they were not affected by economic problems in russia.

russian transport companies need almost 60 thousand drivers, the largest road carriers shortage of personnel has increased from 15 % to 21 %.

The association national taxi soviet has addressed the government of the rf with a demand not to force taxi drivers to buy cars assembled in russia. “You cannot make entrepreneurs buy what is not on sale, and if there is, then at a price that leads to bankruptcy”, the letter says. Members of the association emphasize that such a demand of the authorities causes “mass discontent” of taxi drivers and will lead to an increase in prices for services and worsen their quality.

According to the national taxi soviet, prices for economy class cars assembled in russia have recently increased by 70-80%: in 2023, the price of a car that previously cost up to 1 million rubles has risen to 1.8-2 million rubles. Cars with an automatic transmission and anti-lock braking system are not currently produced in russia, while prices for Chinese products are high and do not meet demand.

According to rosstat, the production of passenger cars in the first half of the year decreased by 30%, to 197 thousand units. The annual need of the taxi market to renew the fleet is almost 200 thousand cars, in the conditions of the russian crisis, entrepreneurs manage to update only a fifth of this volume.

The moscow city court has decided to liquidate the NGO Public Commission for the Preservation of the Heritage of Academician Sakharov, which had been operating since 1990.

At 00.00 on August 18, Lithuania closed Šumskas/Losha and Tverečius/Vidzy checkpoints on the Lithuanian-belarusian border.

Lithuanian Interior Minister Agne Bilotaite has said that if all border crossings are closed, Lithuania will leave a humanitarian corridor for belarusians fleeing the lukashenko regime.

The russian ministry of defense has proposed minsk to create a joint coordination council “for systematic work with young people in order to counteract the information and psychological war waged by the West”.

self-proclaimed president of belarus lukashenko has signed a decree on belarus’ withdrawal from the Berne Convention for the Conservation of Wild Fauna and Flora and Their Natural Habitats. The Berne Convention brings together 50 member states, including all countries of the European Union. belarus joined the Berne Convention in 2013.

In belarus, the shortage of personnel continues to grow rapidly. Today, hospitals and clinics are looking for 6,542 doctors and 4,060 nurses. 8,242 vehicle drivers are needed (three months ago, in May, 4,027 were needed). The shortage of electricians is 3,485 professionals, tractor drivers – 3,142, cooks – 2,657, sellers – 2,666, gas welders – 1,323.