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😲 What did Joe Biden just say?

😲 What did Joe Biden just say?

and Russia-West tensions increase further

Ross Crabtree
July 12, 2024

Happy Friday,

The last 24 hours have seen Joe Biden mistakenly call President Zelensky of Ukraine “Vladimir Putin” at the recent NATO summit - in a gaffe that has taken the political internet sphere by storm.

Meanwhile, Russia has vowed to “counteract” NATO’s expanding infrastructure in Europe - the latest saga in tensions between Russia and the bloc.

More below ⤵️

Top 5 Stories

1️⃣🇺🇸 Washington, D.C.: In a press conference ahead of the 2024 election, President Biden mistakenly referred to Ukraine's President Zelensky as "President Putin" while announcing support for the "Ukraine Compact." This gaffe comes amid increasing calls from allies for Biden to step aside after a poor debate performance. Despite these pressures, Biden remains determined to continue his campaign, emphasizing his readiness to face any challenges ahead.

2️⃣🇷🇺 Russia: The Kremlin has vowed to "counteract" NATO's expanding infrastructure in Europe, deeming it a "national security threat." Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov highlighted concerns over NATO's new logistics hubs in the Black Sea and additional facilities across Europe. This follows the US and Germany's announcement of long-range missile deployments in Germany starting in 2026, and the operational status of a US air defense base in Poland. Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for the resumption of intermediate-range missile production in response.

3️⃣🇩🇪 Germany: US intelligence foiled a Russian plot to assassinate Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall, a leading arms manufacturer supplying Ukraine. The plan was reportedly at an advanced stage, with heightened security measures now in place for Papperger and Rheinmetall. This revelation is part of a broader Russian sabotage campaign targeting European defense executives and infrastructure supporting Ukraine's war effort.

4️⃣🇨🇦 Canada: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced at the NATO summit in Washington, D.C., that Canada will meet the NATO defense spending target of 2% of GDP by 2032. Despite current spending at 1.34% of GDP, Trudeau emphasized Canada's significant contributions and criticized the focus on "crude mathematical calculations." This pledge comes amid increasing pressure from NATO allies to enhance military expenditures, especially in the face of a more aggressive Russia and potential foreign policy changes with a possible second Trump presidency.

5️⃣🇭🇺 Hungary: Hungarian minister for EU affairs János Bóka emphasized the need for Europe to maintain some relationship with Russia to build a "sustainable security architecture." Despite supporting Ukraine's sovereignty, Bóka argued that diplomatic engagement with Russia is crucial for long-term stability. This stance comes amid backlash over Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's surprise visit to Moscow and concerns about recent Russian attacks in Ukraine.

Major Story

The recent US decision to deploy long-range missiles in Germany has ignited a significant diplomatic dispute with Moscow, drawing parallels to the missile crises of the 1980s. Announced during a NATO conference in Washington, the plan involves stationing non-nuclear Tomahawk cruise missiles, SM-6, and hypersonic missiles on German soil starting in 2026. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz supports the move, seeing it as aligning with his government's security strategy. However, the response from Russia has been sharp, with Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov warning of military countermeasures and labeling NATO as fully engaged in conflict escalation.

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan countered Moscow's criticism, asserting the defensive nature of the deployment and dismissing Russian threats as mere sabre-rattling. The collapse of the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty has exacerbated concerns among arms control experts about a renewed arms race. Hans Kristensen of the Federation of American Scientists highlighted the cyclical nature of these escalations, questioning whether there is a coherent plan or if both nations are on autopilot toward further militarization.

In Germany, reactions to the missile deployment are mixed. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius argues for a more long-term, independent defense strategy for Germany, beyond temporary US support. He emphasizes the need for substantial investment in defense capabilities, citing an inadequate current budget. Politicians across the spectrum have voiced opposition, fearing the move increases Germany's vulnerability and could trigger a new arms race. Sahra Wagenknecht of the BSW and Dietmar Bartsch of Die Linke are among those criticizing the deployment as a step backward in nuclear disarmament efforts.

Supporters of the deployment, such as Jürgen Hardt of the Christian Democrats, argue it enhances German security and acts as a deterrent against potential Russian aggression. Political scientist Joachim Krause suggests the missiles would shift the military balance in NATO's favor and serve as a strategic countermeasure. However, internal government disagreements persist, with the Green party demanding more clarity from Scholz regarding the plan's specifics and funding.

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Other News

1️⃣🇬🇧 Britain: At the NATO summit in Washington, Defence Secretary John Healey proclaimed that the UK will be "democracy's most reliable ally," highlighting Labour's commitment to NATO and support for Ukraine. Prime Minister Keir Starmer plans to unveil a new defence strategy, reinforcing the UK's leading role in the alliance. Healey emphasized NATO's unity and strength against Russian aggression as member states discussed Ukraine's potential membership and new civil defence measures.

2️⃣🇰🇪 Kenya: President William Ruto dismissed nearly his entire cabinet following weeks of deadly protests against a $2 billion tax hike plan. The protests, led by Gen-Z Kenyans, escalated into violence, forcing Ruto to abandon the tax increases. He plans to form a smaller, broad-based government to address Kenya's massive debt, cost of living crisis, and corruption. Prominent protesters celebrated the cabinet dissolution, emphasizing the power of the people.

3️⃣🇺🇸 US: The US will not reopen the makeshift aid pier in Gaza, initially set up in May to address famine conditions following Israel's invasion. The decision follows failed attempts to reattach the pier due to bad weather. US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan stated that aid distribution within Gaza is now the main challenge, not entry. Despite the project's limited success, over 8,100 metric tonnes of aid were delivered.