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Finland's and Sweden's path to NATO membership
Sweden's prime minister Magdalena Andersson, left, and Finland's counterpart, Sanna Marin, met in Stockholm on 13 April. Photograph: Tt News Agency/Reuters
The decision of Finland and Sweden to possibly join NATO comes as no shock considering how things have unfolded between Russia and Ukraine. Both have maintained neutrality toward the former Soviet Union and present-day Russia for the longest time. However, the war between Ukraine and Russia has generated fears that the Kremlin could invade the Scandinavian countries next. The eastern border of Finland is shared with Russia, increasing the security dilemma for the country. The Swedish security dilemma increases as the Kremlin could use Gotland, a Swedish Island, to launch an attack against them in the Baltic Sea. At a joint news conference with her Swedish counterpart Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson, Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin told the reporters, "Everything changed when Russia invaded Ukraine.'' According to reports, Finland's decision to join NATO should come in a few weeks, and Sweden's decision is expected to arrive by the end of May.
However, joining NATO for these two Scandinavian nations comes at a cost. The Kremlin has warned that Finland and Sweden will be met with military and political consequences if they join NATO. As an aftermath of Russia's onslaught in Ukraine, the security landscape of Europe has completely changed.
By Sanjana Gupta; Batch 20-22
Reversing Roe: US Supreme Court Votes to Overturn Abortion Rights<
Source: https://www.ft.com/content/3f1abbd8-4eb8-41c5-8fdf-784c8298d980
The 3rd of May 2022 saw a leak from the US Supreme Court. The leaked document, published on the same day by Politico, was a draft for overruling the historic Roe v. Wade decision. Made over five decades ago, Roe v. Wade guaranteed safe access to abortions for whoever would require one, and with Roe being reversed, the American States would no longer be obligated under the law to keep abortions legal or accessible. The States would be given the authority to restrict or ban abortions.
The leak saw various left-wing political leaders, including President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, take to social media to express their outrage over the draft. The leaders quoted various studies stating that reversing Roe is what the majority of Americans are opposed to. The American people organized rallies throughout the country to protest what they cited as a Human Rights violation by taking away the rights of women over their own bodily autonomy.
`The final decisions will be released by the judges in June or July 2022, and the people of America are hoping for the draft to be scrapped and for the court to preserve the rights of people over their bodies.
By Srishti Singh; Batch 20-22
India continues buying Oil from Russia
Source: Reuters (https://www.reuters.com/world/india/exclusive-indian-refiners-seeking-6-mth-russian-oil-import-deal-sources-2022-04-29/ )
Months of oil price hike has driven inflation through the roof. This led India to continue her alliance with Russia despite the ongoing conflict for more than one reason. Nearly 80% of Indias oil is imported, the Ukraine war led Russian oil prices to fall drastically, and India took the diplomatic turn as soon as she saw one. Following the sanctions, Russia lost her buyers and when global prices spiked, her prices dropped. While India hardly imported 2% oil from Russia till 2021, reports have shown an enormous rise in imports since March 2022, when imports went from 12 million to 40 million barrels. This trade is not interfering with any sanctions but poses a financial problem for Indian merchants due to global sanctions on Russian banks. The United States has been posing sanctions on India's importers, first Iran and now Russia. When the global market is facing a serious inflation risk, there is only so much India will put up with. While negotiations for discounts from Russia are currently ongoing, India seems keen to continue her business per usual as any sudden changes could seriously harm the domestic economy.
By Ruchhika Dasgupta; Batch 20-22
PM Modi visits Berlin, concerned about the humanitarian impact of the Ukraine-Russia war
On Monday, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Berlin and held talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin. During his meeting with the German leader, he said that Germany is a key economic partner.'' Concerning the ongoing Russia- Ukraine conflict, the Prime Minister said, "No party will emerge as victories in the war. We are for peace. He further raised concerns about the humanitarian impact of the war.
In the post-covid era, PM Modi asserted that India had the highest economic growth and would become a pillar of recovery. While addressing a press conference, Prime Minister Modi mentioned signing a trade agreement with UAR and Australia and further making progress with the EU as well.
While welcoming the Indian Prime Minister, Chancellor Scholz informed that over 7000 Indian students are studying in German Universities. The chancellor also appealed to President Putin to end the Ukraine war. "We all agree that the border should not be exchanged. We must ensure a better future by not putting wars against each other'', he said.
By Deeplaxmi Patil; Batch 20-22
UN Secretary General Visits Russia
Source: Russian Pool via Reuters
The UN Secretary-General condemned the ongoing war stating that there is no way in which war could be acceptable in the 21st century. The UN Secretary-General first met Mr Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on 26th April, reiterating the United Nations' position on Ukraine and discussing proposals for humanitarian assistance and evacuation of civilians from conflict zones concerning the situation Mariupol. President Putin did agree in principle to the involvement of the UN and The International Committee for the Red Cross in evacuating civilians from the Avostal Plant in Mariupol. However, after his "very frank discussion" with Lavrov, Guterres told reporters it was "clear that there are two different positions on what is happening in Ukraine," suggesting the Russian diplomat had given him little to fuel hope of any imminent step back from hostilities. Secretary Guterres visited the Ukrainian capital a day after making a trip to Moscow, where he met the Ukrainian President. The UN Secretary-General also visited the Kyiv suburbs of Borodianka, Bucha, and Irpin. He also urged Russia "to accept to cooperate" with the ongoing investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on the massacre in Bucha.
By Rishav Gupta; Batch 21-23