Vladimir Putin warned on Tuesday of the risk of “serious consequences” in the event of the use of Western weapons targeting Russian territory, at a time when the debate resurfaces in Ukraine’s allied countries.
Follow the latest information live.
EMMANUEL MACRON FAVORABLE FOR STRIKES ON THE BACK BASES
Emmanuel Macron raised on Tuesday the possibility of Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory, with Western military equipment. This is a red line in this conflict that not all Western partners are prepared to cross.
UPDATE ON THE SITUATION
- Vladimir Putin warns against the use of Western weapons against Russian territory. “In Europe, especially in small countries, they need to think about what they are playing with. They need to remember that they are very often states with a small territory and a very dense population,” the Russian president warned. during a press briefing in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. “This factor is a serious thing that they must have in mind before talking about striking deep into Russian territory,” he continued. “This permanent escalation can have serious consequences.”
- Emmanuel Macron recommends “neutralizing” certain sites. The French president, who spoke in Germany on Tuesday alongside Chancellor Olaf Scholz, said that “we must allow them (the Ukrainians, editor’s note) to neutralize the military sites from which the missiles are fired (…) , the military sites from which Ukraine is attacked.” “If we tell them you do not have the right to reach the point from which the missiles are fired, in fact, we tell them, we are delivering weapons to you but you cannot defend yourself,” added the leader of the French state. “But we must not allow other targets in Russia and obviously civilian capabilities to be hit,” he said.
- American Secretary of State Antony Blinken returns to Moldova on Wednesday to show his support for the Western aspirations of this country bordering the EU and Ukraine, at a time when Washington is concerned about Russian advances in the region. The head of US diplomacy must announce “a solid set of support measures”, announced Jim O’Brien, responsible for Europe within the State Department.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday warned the international community against becoming tired of the war in Ukraine, which he said Russia is trying to create with “disinformation”. “Otherwise there will be no justice (…), otherwise the world will be changed by people like (Vladimir) Putin.”
- Russia plans tax increases for high earners and businesses, the Finance Ministry said Tuesday, as the country seeks additional revenue to finance the conflict in Ukraine. Public spending has exceeded revenues by tens of billions of dollars since Russian troops entered Ukraine in February 2022, plunging the country into a significant budget deficit. The Finance Ministry has proposed increasing corporate tax from 20 to 25% and adopting new tax thresholds for higher incomes.
- Ukraine will receive in the coming days the first 155 millimeter shells purchased outside Europe as part of an international program implemented at the initiative of the Czech Republic, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala assured Tuesday. This member country of the European Union and the Atlantic Alliance is overseeing a fundraiser to provide ammunition to the Ukrainian army, which has been facing the Russian invasion since February 2022. “Fifteen EU and NATO countries have already contributed (to this program) to the tune of more than 1.6 billion euros,” said Mr. Fiala.
LIVE
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Russia plans tax increases for high earners and businesses, the Finance Ministry announced on Tuesday, as the country seeks additional revenue to finance its war in Ukraine. Public spending has exceeded revenues by tens of billions of dollars since Russian troops entered Ukraine in February 2022, plunging the country into a significant budget deficit.
“Fair and balanced”
The Finance Ministry has proposed increasing corporate tax from 20 to 25% and adopting new tax thresholds for higher incomes. “These changes aim to establish a fair and balanced tax system”Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said in a statement.
Exceptions will be made for soldiers fighting in Ukraine, the ministry said, adding that these reforms could be approved by Parliament this year and come into force in 2025.
Russia recorded a combined budget deficit of $73 billion in 2022 and 2023. It projects a deficit of $18 billion, or 0.9% of its GDP, this year.