Explaining complex things in simple words: Opposing Putin's 'axis of evil', Ukrainian sky protection, sanctions against aggressor

OPPOSING PUTIN'S “AXIS OF EVIL’’

In response to the Russian-North Korean comprehensive strategic partnership agreement, the government of the Republic of Korea announced its intention to revise its position on not providing Ukraine with lethal weapons.

• The reaction of official Seoul to the alliance between Moscow and Pyongyang is more effective than hundreds of notes of protest and expressions of concern. This is how the democratic world should act in response to the growing threat from aggressive totalitarian regimes.

• Putin's assurances that the agreement with Kim Jong Un is exclusively of a defensive nature are not worthy of trust. The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact of 1939 was also officially called the “Non-Aggression Pact’’.

• North Korea supplies ammunition to Russia without any restrictions. Similarly, the Russian Federation is ready to invest in the military machine of the North Korean regime.

• Russia will certainly lose if the democratic world maintains unity and mobilizes its resources to repel aggression. The Global Peace Summit has become an important consolidating component of the international community.

• The Kremlin is resorting to nuclear blackmail to deter Ukraine's partners from taking decisive action. Thus, it seeks to deal with its enemies alone.

UKRAINIAN SKY PROTECTION

The U.S. will first deliver missiles to Ukraine, and the other countries’ orders will be fulfilled only after providing supplies to the Ukrainian Air Defence Forces.

• The U.S. decision on the priority provision of missiles for the Patriot air defence system and NASAMS is long-awaited. Ukrainian diplomacy has called for this since the beginning of the year.

• This is a rational and pragmatic decision. No one U.S. partner is subject to such large-scale missile attacks as Ukraine. Missiles for air defence are primarily needed by Ukraine—right here and right now.

• Modern air defence systems save the lives of peaceful Ukrainians and give them the opportunity to work in their homeland, instead of seeking salvation and refuge abroad.

• By defending itself, Ukraine restrains the onslaught of the Russian war machine on the West. Exactly in Ukraine, the aggressor state is grinding down its military potential.

• We are grateful to Romania and other countries that decided to transfer their units of the Patriot air defence system to Ukraine.

SANCTIONS AGAINST AGGRESSOR

EU countries have agreed on the 14th package of sanctions against the Russian Federation.

• European sanctions are an important tool for deterring the aggressor and his war waging capabilities. It is a long process that involves constant audits and efficiency improvements.

• Despite the duration, the EU still agreed on the 14th sanctions package.

• New restrictive measures maximize the effectiveness of previous sanctions by closing loopholes to circumvent them.

• Sanctions will include a ban on the transshipment of Russian liquefied natural gas and EU operators' control over compliance with restrictions by subsidiaries and partners in third countries.

• In addition, the sanctions will apply to several dozen individuals and legal entities from the Russian Federation, involved, in particular, in the appropriation of European assets located in Russia and the spread of Russian propaganda.