The New Strategy Center publishes the June edition of its monthly newsletter, where we assess the most relevant information and events in or impacting the Black Sea and Balkan region.
Events in Ukraine this month were marked by intense Russian offensives in Donetsk and Kharkiv and attacks on energy infrastructure. Ukrainian forces held out in Ivanivske and advanced in Staromaiorske, while defending against Russian troops in Kharkov. The Western allies announced military and financial aid, including air defense systems, ammunition and support for the repair and reconstruction of the energy network, including Romania’s decision to donate a Patriot missile defense system to Ukraine.
Major summits in June focused on Ukraine’s security and peace efforts. At the G7 summit in Italy, member countries pledged 50 billion dollars to Ukraine, signed a bilateral security agreement with the US and issued warnings to Iran and Russia over nuclear activities. The peace summit in Switzerland focused on Ukraine’s 10-point peace plan, emphasizing territorial integrity, and the final communique was endorsed by 78 countries.
Russia’s nuclear rhetoric has escalated as a result of Western support for Ukraine’s use of supplied weapons against Russian territory. President Putin has warned of possible nuclear retaliation and reiterated peace terms, including Ukraine’s withdrawal from regions partly occupied by Russia. The joint nuclear exercises with Belarus and the strategic partnership with North Korea have been of concern to the West.
The Republic of Moldova and Ukraine made progress in EU accession negotiations, with formal negotiations starting on June 25.
In the Balkans, the Serbian Progressive Party won municipal elections amid legal disputes, while the victory of the VMRO-DPMNE party in North Macedonia raised concerns about tensions with Greece.