Costa Rica Receives First Wave of U.S.-Deported Migrants Under New Bilateral Agreement 
Spain's Sanchez Urges China to Take Greater Global Leadership Role During Beijing Visit 
Peru Presidential Election 2025: Lopez Aliaga Leads Early Results 
Trump Dismisses Iran Talks, Orders Strait of Hormuz Blockade 
Taiwan Insists Government Must Lead Cross-Strait Engagement Amid China's New Incentives 
U.S. Blockade of Iran Begins as Nuclear Talks Collapse in Islamabad 
Trump Blasts Pope Leo as "Weak" Amid Foreign Policy and Immigration Disputes 
Peter Magyar Ends Viktor Orbán's 16-Year Rule in Historic Hungary Election 
Manhattan DA Investigates Sexual Assault Allegations Against Rep. Eric Swalwell 
Viktor Orban Loses Power After 16 Years as Hungary's Tisza Party Claims Landslide Election Victory 
U.S.-Iran Nuclear Talks Resume in Islamabad Amid Strait of Hormuz Standoff 
Poll: Israelis Split on Iran Ceasefire as Netanyahu's Approval Declines 
Trump Warns China Over Iran Arms as Diplomatic Talks Intensify 
BCA Research Warns U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Could Collapse, Maintains Cautious Equity Outlook 
U.S. Blockades Strait of Hormuz After Iran Nuclear Talks Collapse 
The West continues to provide more weapons and ammunition to Ukraine as it resists Russia’s aggression since the invasion in February. Sweden’s finance and defense ministers said this week that the country would continue to provide Ukraine with economic and military assistance.
Reuters reports Sweden’s defense minister Peter Hultqvist and finance minister Mikael Damberg said Thursday that the country would be providing additional economic aid and military equipment. The equipment will include anti-ship missiles, anti-tank weapons, and rifles.
“The proposals that are submitted (to parliament) mean that allocated funds for the central government will increase by SEK 1.0 billion ($102 million) in 2022,” the Swedish finance ministry said in a statement. “In solidarity with Ukraine, and as part of the international response to Russia’s actions, the government sees a continuing need to support Ukraine.”
Back in February, Sweden announced that it would be delivering military materials, including 5,000 anti-tank weapons, helmets, and body armor, to Ukraine. In March, Sweden said it would send an additional 5,000 anti-tank weapons.
Many countries have joined in imposing sanctions on Russia for its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, which continues to this day. According to Germany’s economy minister Robert Habeck Thursday, the country must work harder to lessen its energy dependence on Russia. However, Habeck noted that the West’s sanctions on Russia are already taking their toll on Moscow’s war machine.
“The Russian economy is collapsing,” Habeck told lawmakers, citing Germany’s part in reducing exports to Russia in March by 60 percent, and a sharper fall was expected in April.
Habeck also cited that exports to Russia dropped to 53 percent in the previous months among the allied nations joining the sanctions. Exports among countries that are neutral or are pro-Russia have dropped to 45 percent.
“Putin is still getting money but…time is not working for Russia, it is working against Russia,” said Habeck, who added that Moscow has now lost access to important parts that would help it fight the war. Habeck cited “the security updates for airplanes, with the result that the planes will soon be grounded” as one of the parts.
