May 31, Tuesday, 2022 (1:30 p.m.) Newsline

1.European Union leaders have reached a compromise to impose a partial oil embargo on Russia in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine. But it’s not a total ban. They’re allowing a temporary exemption for imports by pipeline. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, “Council should now be able to finalize a ban on almost 90% of all Russian oil imports by the end of the year. This is an important step forward.”
2.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia is causing a global food crisis by blocking his country’s ports. Zelenskyy said the blockade is destabilizing the situation on a global scale and, as a result, food is becoming increasingly expensive in different countries.
3.A Japanese Defense Ministry think tank says Russia likely launched its invasion of Ukraine without fully understanding the capabilities of Ukrainian forces. The report compiled by the National Institute for Defense Studies concludes that Russia began the invasion because President Vladimir Putin was determined to annex Ukraine. However, Russian forces underestimated Ukraine’s military capabilities and their operations lacked sufficient preparation.