Meeting in Germany: Japan, Ukraine FM pledge to “hold Russia accountable”
Rick Rozoff, AntiBellum, May 13 2022
Japan, Ukraine top diplomats agree to keep strong sanctions on Russia
Kyodo News, May 13 2022The foreign ministers of Japan and Ukraine agreed Friday that the international community should remain united in maintaining strong sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, now in its third month with the war showing no signs of easing. During talks with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba in Weissenhaus, northern Germany, Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said Russia must be “held accountable over its atrocities,” calling its actions “unacceptable,” the Japanese Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Meeting on the sidelines of the three-day G7 foreign ministerial meeting through Saturday, Kuleba was quoted by the ministry as telling Hayashi that Zelensky very much appreciates the recent decision by Japan to phase out Russian oil imports. Hayashi also held separate meetings with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, whose country is the rotating chair of the G7, and Moldovan Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu, who doubles as deputy prime minister. Hayashi and Baerbock shared the view that the security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific region are inseparable. Japan will take over the G7 chairmanship next year. In his talks with Popescu, Hayashi applauded Moldova. Popescu explained the situation over Transnistria, a pro-Russian breakaway region in eastern Moldova where tensions are rising. Ukraine, along with Moldova and Indonesia, has been invited to join part of the discussions during the G7 foreign ministerial gathering.
Japan aid to Ukraine counters Russia risk in East Asia: ambassador
Nikkei Asia, May 13 2022“Support for Ukraine is an investment in Japan’s security,” Ukrainian Ambassador to Japan Sergiy Korsunsky told Nikkei, arguing that a Russian victory in its war would heighten the security risks faced by Tokyo. Korsunsky expressed gratitude for Japan’s “unprecedented nonmilitary support,” including medical supplies and sanctions against Moscow. He hopes to see Tokyo play a leading role in Ukraine’s postwar rebuilding, leveraging its prior experience in places like Afghanistan and Cambodia.
NATO announces launching of several large-scale exercises
Rick Rozoff, AntiBellum, May 13 2022
Long-planned NATO exercises across Europe get underway
NATO, May 13 2022Troops from NATO Allies and partners are taking part in a series of long-planned military exercises stretching from the High North to the Balkans to enhance the readiness and interoperability of NATO forces. Two of the biggest drills, with around 18k troops from twenty countries, are “Defender Europe” and “Swift Response.” Currently taking place in Poland and eight other countries, they also include parachute drops and helicopter assaults in North Macedonia. In Estonia, 15k troops from 14 countries are involved in exercise “Hedgehog,” one of the largest military drills in the country since 1991 and involving the US navy Wasp-class landing ship Kearsarge. Meanwhile, exercise “Iron Wolf” in Lithuania involves 3k Allied troops and around 1k vehicles, including German Leopard 2 tanks. In Germany, 7.5k troops are involved in “Wettiner Heide,” a NATO Response Force exercise. In the Mediterranean, the Truman Carrier Strike Group will be placed under NATO command for the second time this year during the “Neptune series” of naval drills. This marks only the second transfer of a US carrier group to NATO since the end of the Cold War. Next month’s “Ramstein Legacy” in Poland and the Baltic countries will be Europe’s largest integrated air and missile defence exercise and involve 23 countries. “Baltops,” also in June, has been held annually for over 50 years and will see amphibious training across the Baltic region. NATO partners Finland and Sweden will be involved in several Allied exercises over the coming weeks. Currently, US, British, Estonian and Latvian forces are participating alongside their Finnish hosts in exercise “Arrow 22,” and involving UK Challenger 2 tanks and US Stryker armoured fighting vehicles.
Turkey to co-produce military drones in Kazakhstan
Rick Rozoff, AntiBellum, May 13 2022
Turkey to co-produce its Anka drones with Kazakhstan
Daily Sabah, May 13 2022Turkey and Kazakhstan are set to start co-producing drones that were sold to the Central Asian just last year, a statement said Wednesday. The Anka UAV will be jointly produced by Turkish and Kazakh experts, according to a statement by the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI). The drones will be manufactured at a facility soon to be established in Kazakhstan, it said. The latest development will make Kazakhstan the first Anka production base outside of Turkey. Kazakhstan was reported in November to have bought three units of the medium-altitude, long-endurance Anka drones in a deal that followed an agreement in October. The two countries back in May signed a military cooperation agreement, foreseeing sharing of tactical and experience using reconnaissance and attack UAVs. Tunisia became the first buyer of TAI’s drone. It was reported in December to have signed a contract to buy three Anka UAVs in a deal worth around $80m. It can conduct a range of missions, including real-time intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, communication relay, target acquisition and tracking. It can also be equipped with weapons such as the Roketsan Smart Micro Munition’s air-launched missile launcher and the Cirit 2.75″ guided rocket pod in its two underwing weapons stations to engage light-armored vehicles, personnel, military shelters and ground radar stations. On Tuesday, Erdoğan and Kazakh President Tokayev signed a joint declaration in the capital Ankara elevating bilateral relations to the level of “enhanced strategic partnership.”
Turkey “opposes” Finland’s, Sweden’s NATO accession because of Kurds
Rick Rozoff, AntiBellum, May 13 2022
Turkey not in favor of Finland, Sweden’s admission to NATO: Erdoğan
Hurriyet, May 13 2022Erdoğan said on May 13 that Turkey was not in favor of the plans by Sweden and Finland to join NATO, saying that the two countries were “home to many terrorist organizations.” Erdoğan told reporters: “We are following developments concerning Sweden and Finland carefully, but we are not in a positive mindset. Previous governments in Turkey were wrong to accept NATO membership for Greece, and you know the attitude of Greece against Turkey with NATO behind it. As Turkey, we do not want to commit the second mistake in this regard. Moreover, unfortunately, the Scandinavian countries are almost like guesthouses for terrorist organizations. PKK, DHKP-C are nested in the Netherlands and Sweden. I go further: they also take part in the parliaments there. It is not possible for us to have a positive look. The YPG is what the PKK is. It is not possible for us to accept this mistake of America. All the recent US administrations have given all kinds of financial support to the YPG in northern Syria. Although we told these to all the incoming administrations, they did not listen to us, and this process continued. I’m telling you openly and clearly: you saw the Claw-Lock operation right now. We will continue to do the same in northern Syria as we did in the north of Iraq. We will continue on our way with the same determination, regardless of who is behind them, against organizations that are hostile to us.”
Turkey slams US over Syria move
Hurriyet, May 13 2022The US decision to exempt YPG-controlled areas in northern Syria from American sanctions is discriminatory and aims to legitimize the PKK/YPG terror organization, Turkey’s diplomat has said. Turkey has long been opposing the US partnership with the YPG, as it is the Syrian offshoot of the PKK, a terror organization acknowledged by the US, the EU and UN. Çavuşoğlu’s statement came days before he is set to visit Washington and hold talks with Blinken. The two will meet on May 18. Çavuşoğlu said: “In order to avoid the repetition of attacks, necessary actions including freezing of assets should be taken against the PKK-affiliated persons. In this regard some steps have been taken by France, but we can see that they are insufficient.”
Crimean Tatar leader: Turkey ready to evacuate, shelter Ukrainian troops in Mariupol
Rick Rozoff, AntiBellum, May 13 2022
Crimean Tartar leader says Turkey outlined plan to evacuate wounded soldiers from Mariupol
Rustavi2, May 13 2022Crimean Tatar leader Mustafa Dzhemilev said that Turkey has suggested a plan to evacuate Ukrainian troops from Mariupol. As per the plan, the evacuated soldiers would remain in Turkey until the end of the war, thus, preventing them from participating in the war, Kyiv Independent reported. Mustafa Dzhemilev said: “A week ago, an adviser to Erdogan was in Ukraine. He said what they do for our heroes. Erdogan has spoken to Putin twice. And he offered to send a ship to the port of Berdyansk, since the port in Mariupol was mined along with Turkish observers, and the Turkish side would guarantee that these fighters would be guests of Turkey until the end of the war. The occupiers said that they would release only civilians, and the military should surrender.” He stressed that a search is underway for options for rescuing the fighters.
US, Ukrainian defense chiefs discuss more war assistance
Rick Rozoff, AntiBellum, May 13 2022
Pentagon chief, Reznikov discuss further security assistance to Ukraine
UkrInform, May 13 2022Austin had a telephone conversation with Minister of Defense of Ukraine Alexei Reznikov. The parties discussed further security assistance to Ukraine. Austin wrote on Twitter: “Today, I had another phone call with my Ukrainian counterpart Alexei Reznikov. We discussed the situation in eastern Ukraine, and we coordinated US and international security assistance efforts.” The previous conversation between Austin and Reznikov took place earlier this week. On May 9, Biden signed into law the Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022 which will expedite the US assistance program to Ukraine.
Georgian PM again vows not to be dragged into war by internal, foreign actors
Rick Rozoff, AntiBellum, May 13 2022
We guarantee the population that there will be no second front in Georgia: Garibashvili
Rustavi2, May 13 2022We guarantee the population that there will be no war in the country. the Prime Minister of Georgia said today. Irakli Garibashvili said: “It is important for all citizens to have peace and stability in Georgia. Without this, nothing will happen in the country. Our country, our people have already fought against with Russia 3 times, starting in the 90s, then we had a civil war, we went through thousands of troubles. Then there was the August war, which left devastating consequences and led to the occupation of our territories, and it continues to this day. If we do not analyze all this well and if we continue this irresponsible rhetoric and irresponsible activities, including the destructive activities of internal enemies, it will be very bad, but, of course, our government will not allow it. We guarantee the population that there will be lasting peace, no second front, no war in the country. On the contrary, there will be development, construction and peace.”
Gov’t “guarantees” lasting peace, no war in country – PM
Agenda.ge, May 13 2022Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili on Friday said his government “guaranteed” the public a “lasting peace and no war” in the country. In comments that made references to “irresponsible rhetoric” of “internal enemies,” Garibashvili said: “Our country and our people have already fought three times against the Russian Federation. This can be said because we went through the 90s, then the civil war and many troubles, and then the August War (2008), which had devastating consequences and led to the occupation of our territories, which still continues. If we do not make a good analysis, and (if we) continue the irresponsible rhetoric and irresponsible activities, including the destructive activities of internal enemies, of course, it will be very bad. We shall not allow such a scenario. We guarantee the people that there will be a lasting peace. There will be no second front, and no war in the country. On the contrary, there will be development, building and peace.”
Niqnaq 