May 20, 2022

*) Zelenskyy: Donbass completely destroyed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russian forces have completely destroyed the eastern Donbass region. He also accused Moscow of carrying out senseless bombardments as it intensified its military offensive. Zelenskyy claimed Russia was trying to exert even more pressure in the Donbass, saying “it is hell there - and that is not an exaggeration." *) US Congress approves $40B for Ukraine US Congress has approved a 40-billion dollar aid package for Ukraine, the latest share of assistance under President Joe Biden's promise of unwavering support for Kiev. The bundle includes 6 billion dollars earmarked for Ukraine to boost its armoured vehicle inventory and air defence system. Nearly 9 billion dollars is set aside to help with Ukrainian "continuity of government," among other items, including humanitarian aid. The vote was an unusually bipartisan move for harshly divided Washington. *) NATO addressing Türkiye’s concerns over Finland, Sweden bids NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg says the alliance is in close contact with Finland, Sweden, and Türkiye as they work to address Ankara’s security concerns. Stoltenberg said when an important ally as Türkiye raises security concerns, the only way to address the issue is to find a common ground on how to move forward. Türkiye has voiced objections to Finland and Sweden joining NATO, criticising the Nordic countries for supporting the terror group PKK and its Syrian offshoot YPG. *) Biden, South Korea’s Yoon to meet amid worries about North Korea US President Joe Biden has landed in South Korea to meet the country’s new President Yoon Suk-yeol. North Korea is expected to be at the top of the agenda, with leader Kim Jong-un abandoning a freeze on intercontinental ballistic missile testing. Pyongyang appears poised to resume testing of nuclear bombs, perhaps while Biden is in the region And, finally... *) Oscar-winning composer Vangelis passes away Vangelis, the Greek electronic composer who wrote the unforgettab