Jun 12, 2026, 06:00 PM UTC

The European Union has officially confirmed that intergovernmental conferences with Ukraine and Moldova will commence on June 15, marking the formal start of accession negotiations and the opening of the first negotiation cluster, "Foundations." This development coincides with a report from the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, which stated that May 2026 recorded the highest number of civilian casualties in four years, with 274 killed and 1,763 wounded. Additionally, EU intelligence services have now confirmed earlier reports, finding evidence that China trained Russian military personnel on its territory, with some later deploying to Ukraine. Beijing continues to deny these allegations.

Sources: Українська правда, Радіо Свобода, Громадське

Three judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) have reportedly eased certain conditions for executing arrest warrants against sitting heads of state or government. This decision, made on Tuesday, June 9, clarifies that an individual facing war crimes charges could potentially attend a United Nations-orchestrated peace conference in an ICC member state without fear of immediate arrest. The ruling aims to provide clarity for capitals, including Moscow, regarding the participation of leaders like Vladimir Putin, who is currently subject to an ICC warrant, in international diplomatic events under specific circumstances. The court's decision specifically applies to UN-organised gatherings.

Sources: Le Monde

Sinologist Sebastian Veg, author of Minjian. The Rise of China’s Grassroots Intellectuals, has observed a significant contraction of space for personal criticism against China's top leadership. In an interview, Veg explained that the social and intellectual landscape preceding Xi Jinping's ascent to power in 2012 featured limited but present avenues for critical discourse within sectors such as journalism and academia, particularly from the late 1990s to the early 2000s. However, Veg now states that "in China, there is no longer any space for personal questioning of high-ranking leaders," indicating a shift in the political and intellectual environment under the current administration.

Sources: Le Monde

Sri Lanka is implementing strict fuel rationing across the country, including in Colombo, as the nation grapples with its complete reliance on imported hydrocarbons. The majority of these supplies traditionally originate from the United Arab Emirates and transit through the Strait of Hormuz. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is reportedly exacerbating the island's energy challenges, leading to widespread rationing measures that directly affect the population. One resident described the situation as "no longer tenable," highlighting the severe impact on daily life.

Sources: Le Monde