Military assistance from Latvia, step toward creation of special tribunal for Russia - Tuesday brief
Collage by RBC-Ukraine
Latvia will provide Ukraine with a new military aid package with drones and air defense systems. And the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe made an important decision regarding the special tribunal for Russia.
RBC-Ukraine collected the main news for April 30.
Russia's war against Ukraine: Latest
- Overnight shelling of Crimea: Media report strike on airport with casualties
- Russian forces unsuccessfully storm Nestryha island, recently liberated by Armed Forces of Ukraine
- Russians strike Odesa with cluster munition, debris scatter 1.5 km away: Footage revealed
Latvia to provide Ukraine with new package of military assistance: What is included
The Latvian government has approved the provision of a new package of military assistance to Ukrainian defenders. It will include drones and anti-aircraft defense, reports Latvian Prime Minister Eviķa Siliņa on Twitter (X).
"The government has just approved the transfer of NBS anti-aircraft guns, tactical unmanned surveillance systems, and other necessary materials to the Ukrainian armed forces. This will help improve both Ukraine's anti-aircraft defense and its reconnaissance capabilities," wrote the head of the Latvian government.
She emphasized that Russia is currently the biggest security threat worldwide. Therefore, Latvia allocates 0.25% of its GDP annually to military assistance for Ukraine.
European Council takes significant step toward establishing special tribunal for Russia
The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe has instructed the Secretary-General of the Council, Marija Pejčinović Burić, to initiate preparations for a potential agreement between Ukraine and the Council of Europe on establishing the Tribunal.
According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this is an "important practical step" towards the establishment of a special tribunal for crimes committed by Russia.
TikTok ban in EU is not excluded - Head of European Commission
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has raised the possibility of imposing a ban on TikTok within the European Union.
Von der Leyen made these remarks during debates held in Maastricht, where leading candidates from various parties for the 2024 elections participated.
"It is not excluded," von der Leyen said in response to the moderator's reference to the United States, where TikTok is currently subject to a national ban unless its owner, ByteDance, sells it.
She added that the European Commission was "the very first institution worldwide to ban TikTok on our corporate phones."
Iceland adopts resolution on long-term support for Ukraine
The Icelandic Parliament has passed a resolution for long-term support to Ukraine from 2024 to 2028. The initiative was proposed by the country's Foreign Minister, according to the Icelandic Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The resolution aims to support Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, borders, civilian security, humanitarian aid, and reconstruction efforts.
Zelenskyy: Ukraine can only join NATO after winning the war
Ukraine will become a member of the North Atlantic Alliance after winning the war with the Russian Federation, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated during a meeting with officers who are taking NATO-standard professional military education courses.
According to the President, he does not believe that Ukraine will be able to become a NATO member during the war. This is because some members of the alliance feel a risk or skepticism about this issue.
According to Zelenskyy, the issue of NATO is a matter of majority, which, in turn, is a political aspect. In this regard, Ukraine must win the war to join.
