The Ukrainian energy group Naftogaz is the country’s first state institution to be unable to service its debts. A statement said the cabinet had not given authorization to make the necessary payments for international borrowing. The debtors have also not agreed to a proposal to suspend payments on certain bonds for two years. (Reuters)
Churchill would have applauded and probably wept too.
Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) has promised Slovakia a long-term stationing of German soldiers and anti-aircraft missiles to protect against a Russian threat. “The Patriots will stay as long as you need them here,” she said on Tuesday after a meeting with her counterpart Ivan Korcok in the Slovakian capital Bratislav. “It’s not a flash in the pan, it’s solidarity in action. We are also on this security issue together.”
Patriot air defense systems and around 300 Bundeswehr soldiers were stationed in Slovakia from mid-March after the start of the Ukraine war. In addition, in April the Bundeswehr sent around 300 more soldiers into a multinational battle group in the country bordering Ukraine. Baerbock said 640 soldiers are currently stationed there.
The eastern NATO allies feel particularly threatened by Russia. Although Slovakia has no border with Russia, it does have a border with Ukraine that is more than 100 kilometers long. (dpa)