Russia’s Foreign Minister Lavrov warns of the danger of a third world war. According to media reports, Sweden and Finland intend to apply to join NATO in May. The developments in the live blog.
12:34 a.m
Lavrov: “The danger is serious, it is real”
According to Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, there is currently a real risk of a third world war. “The danger is serious, it is real, it must not be underestimated,” Lavrov said in an interview on Russian television shared by the foreign ministry on its Telegram channel.
Asked about a comparison of the current situation with the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis, Lavrov said that “back then there were actually only a few rules, written rules”. But the “rules of conduct” were quite clear – in Moscow it was clear how Washington was behaving, and Washington was clear how Moscow was behaving.
Even today there are few rules, Lavrov said, referring to the New Start nuclear disarmament treaty. But “at the same time all other instruments of arms control and non-proliferation are practically destroyed”. There was also a channel of communication during the Cuban Missile Crisis that was trusted by the leaders of the Soviet Union and the United States. Today there is no such channel and no one is trying to create it.
12:34 a.m
Media: Finland and Sweden apply to join NATO
According to newspaper reports, Sweden and Finland have decided to join NATO. The Swedish government has expressed to Finland that it would like both countries to apply for NATO membership in the week ending May 22, Finnish newspaper Iltalehti wrote. Sources in the Swedish government also confirmed the information to the tabloid Expressen.
The governments have therefore agreed on a joint application. In view of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, support for joining NATO has increased significantly in Finland and Sweden. The two EU members are already working closely with the military alliance. Among other things, NATO troops exercise on the territory of both countries. Finland and Sweden have also significantly increased their bilateral defense cooperation in recent years.
12:33 a.m
Great Britain waives tariffs on goods from Ukraine
Great Britain waives tariffs on goods originating in Ukraine as part of a free trade agreement. The British government announced that tariffs would be temporarily set to zero percent and all import quotas would be abolished. The measure was taken at the request of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The step should support the economy in Ukraine. Current tariffs on Ukrainian goods in the UK are around 22 percent.
12:33 a.m
Monday’s live blog to read
The armaments group Rheinmetall wants to deliver 88 Leopard 1A5 tanks to Ukraine. The International Criminal Court participates in the investigation of atrocities in Ukraine. Monday’s developments to read.