Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain countries with Council Decision concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.
Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain countries with Council Decision concerning restrictive measures against cyber-attacks threatening the Union or its Member States
Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision concerning restrictive measures against cyber-attacks threatening the Union or its Member States. Source link
UN rights chief calls on South Sudan’s warring parties to end renewed fighting
At least 75 civilians have been killed in hostilities between the national army (SSPDF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO) – which is both a political party and militia group loyal to First Vice President Riek Machar – and their respective allied armed groups, said UN human rights office, OHCHR, in a press release.
Thousands have been displaced from their homes.
South Sudan was plunged into civil war in 2013 between supporters of the President Salva Kiir and his rival Mr. Machar but a 2018 peace accord led to a fragile power-sharing agreement.
Escalating hostilities “portend a real risk of further exacerbating the already dire human rights and humanitarian situation,” said Volker Türk, head of the UN human rights office (OHCHR), urging all parties to the conflict to “urgently pull back from the brink.”
Intensifying hostilities
The latest armed violence erupted in February when a militia group identified as the White Army reportedly launched a series of attacks in Upper Nile State, OHCHR said.
Hostilities intensified between 3 May and 20 May with reports of indiscriminate aerial bombardments and river and ground offensives by the SSPDF on SPLA-IO positions in the states of Jonglei and Upper Nile.
Civilian displacement further increased on 21 May because of the SPLA-IO and allies’ counter-offensive in Jonglei State.
“I urge all parties to uphold the 2018 peace agreement,” said the UN human rights chief, calling for the warring parties to “ensure protection of civilians and civilian objects,” and facilitating “humanitarian access in line with their obligations under international law.”
Concern of arbitrary detention
Between 5 and 26 March, at least 55 high-ranking government officials affiliated with the SPLM-IP, among them civilians, have been arrested across the country. Notably, South Sudan’s first vice-president, ministers, members of parliament and military officers were among the dozens of politicians who have been detained.
“I am concerned that many of the detentions are arbitrary in nature,” Mr. Türk said, as these arrests were conducted without warrant or due process.”
Mr. Türk called for the immediate and unconditional release of those arbitrarily detained, as he urged for authorities to grant the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) access to National Security Service detention sites to assess the welfare of those detained there.
Finally, the UN also urged the authorities to take “prompt, effective and meaningful” steps to halt the spread of hate speech in the country.
Guterres calls on Israel to accept UN’s ‘detailed, principled’ aid plan for Gaza
Addressing reporters outside the Security Council, António Guterres called once again for a permanent ceasefire to end the fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas militants, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and full humanitarian access so aid can flow in following nearly 80 days of Israeli blockade.
‘Cruellest phase’
He said Palestinians in the enclave are now “enduring what may be the cruellest phase of this cruel conflict,” with families being “starved and denied the very basics,” as Israel intensifies its offensive and promotes a new privatised aid distribution network reportedly due to begin on Sunday which would bypass the UN and partner organizations’ aid operation.
Israel has clear obligations under international humanitarian law to treat civilians in Gaza humanely, Mr. Guterres added, and “must not forcibly transport, deport or displace the civilian population of an occupied territory.”
He noted that despite authorising a “trickle of aid” to enter in recent days, supplies from only 115 out of 400 trucks have been cleared for collection and distribution – while nothing has reached the besieged north.
UN ‘working round the clock’
“We are working around the clock to get whatever aid we can to people in need,” the UN chief said, but “needs are massive – and the obstacles are staggering.”
Israel is causing unnecessary delays, imposing quotas on distribution and barring essentials such as fuel, shelter, cooking gas, and water purification supplies – are prohibited.
Furthermore, the lives of UN and other humanitarian staffers are being placed at risk if they continue to be prevented from distributing food parcels and flour to those in desperate need, the UN chief continued.
He said absent rapid, reliable, safe and sustained aid access, more Gazans will die – with profound long-term consequences.
Without making direct reference to the US-backed Israeli plan to create new distribution sites overseen by private contractors in coordination with the military, Mr. Guterres said the UN had been clear: “We will not take part in any scheme that fails to respect international law and the humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, independence and neutrality.”
5-point aid plan
Instead, he said the UN and partners had “a detailed, principled, operationally-sound 5-stage plan” – supported by UN Member States.
- Ensure the delivery of aid to Gaza
- Inspect and scan aid at crossing points
- Transport aid from crossing points to humanitarian facilities
- Prepare aid for onward distribution
- And transport aid to people in need
“We have the personnel, the distribution networks, the systems and community relationships in place to act,” said the UN chief. “The supplies – 160,000 pallets, enough to fill nearly 9,000 trucks – are waiting.
“This is my appeal for life-saving aid for the long-suffering people of Gaza: Let’s do it right. And let’s do it right away.”
G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ Communiqué, Banff, Alberta, 20-22 May 2025
G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, met on 22 May 2025 in Banff, Canada and issued a joint communiqué.
UN rights mission deplores deadly Russian strikes in Ukraine
According to the UN mission, the overnight assault from Saturday into Sunday – one of the largest of its kind since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 – resulted in civilian casualties and damage to homes and infrastructure across 10 regions of Ukraine, including the capital, Kyiv.
At least three children were among those killed and nine children were reported injured. The mission is currently working to verify the full extent of the casualties and the broader impact of the attack.
“With at least 78 people reported killed or injured across the country, last night’s attack tragically demonstrates the persistent deadly risk to civilians of using powerful weapons in urban areas, including those far away from the frontline,” Danielle Bell, HRMMU Head, said in a news release on Sunday.
“It is yet another addition to the staggering human toll this war continues to inflict on civilians, with more families across the country now grieving their losses.”
No place is safe
Matthias Schmale, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, also voiced deep concern over the civilian suffering.
“I am horrified that yet again civilians – among them children – were killed in last night’s massive attacks,” he said in a statement posted on the social media platform X.
“Across Ukraine, no place is safe. Homes and civilian infrastructure were hit. Grateful to humanitarian NGOs and state services who are immediately supporting affected people. Civilians must never be a target.”
Use of long-range weapons
Ukrainian authorities reported that the Russian armed forces launched at least 367 missiles and loitering munitions during the night, in a coordinated attack with air, sea and land-based systems.
The strike followed a similar assault the previous night, which had mainly targeted the Kyiv region.
HRMMU noted that the use of long-range weapons in urban areas has been a major driver of civilian casualties in March and April. While the number of casualties in May had been somewhat lower than April before the latest attack, the toll from this weekend’s strikes will add to the monthly figures.
Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain countries with Council Decision concerning restrictive measures against cyber-attacks threatening the Union or its Member States
Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision concerning restrictive measures against cyber-attacks threatening the Union or its Member States. Source link
Escalating violence drives food crisis across eastern DR Congo, warns WFP
Conflict has plagued the DRC for decades, particularly in the east. Armed clashes escalated sharply this year as M23 rebels wrested control of Goma, the capital of North Kivu, in January, followed by Bukavu in South Kivu a month later.
The security and humanitarian situation further deteriorated with recent outbreaks of anthrax and mpox in April and May, fuelled by overcrowded conditions and poor sanitation.
Deepening food insecurity
WFP’s latest report estimates that 7.9 million people are food insecure in the conflict-affected eastern provinces, with 28 million in need across the country.
Food production in Grand Nord, an important agricultural hub in eastern DRC, has been slashed due to recent conflict and displacement. In addition, the closure of Goma’s airport – critical for aid delivery – continues to disrupt operations.
Despite these challenges, WFP reached 1.1 million people in the east between January and March, providing school meals and take-home rations for 100,000 children, nutrition supplements for 340,000 children and pregnant or breastfeeding women – along with logistics and supply chain assistance.
Regional turbulence
The 140,000 Congolese who have fled to neighbouring countries since January – mainly Burundi, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania – have turned a national emergency into a regional crisis.
Refugee camps in these countries, already under strain from refugees from other countries, are struggling to absorb the new arrivals.
WFP warned that the surge in need is outpacing available resources. Budget constraints have forced the agency to make sharp cuts: food rations have been halved in Burundi, while cash support has also been halved in Rwanda.
In Uganda, the number of refugees receiving assistance has dropped from 1.6 million to 630,000. In Tanzania, food rations have been reduced from 82 to 65 per cent.
To sustain its emergency operations, WFP is appealing for $433 million to support its work inside the DRC through October.
Additional funding needs include $16.6 million to provide full food assistance in Burundi through 2025, $12 million to maintain full rations for refugees in Rwanda through 2025, $26 million to sustain operations in Uganda through 2025, and $18 million to provide just 75 per cent of full rations in Tanzania through April 2026.
Displaced families in the Bulengo camp on the outskirts of Goma face a dire and uncertain future as M23 authorities instruct them to dismantle their makeshift shelters.
remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas at the joint press conference
Prime Minister,
Dear people of North Macedonia,
thank you for the warm welcome here. It is my first time in North Macedonia. It is good to be in Skopje.
We just had a meeting on a broad range of topics. The European Union stands firmly with North Macedonia on your path to the European Union. North Macedonia is the first beneficiary in the region of the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. You were just describing how well your economy is doing, I think we also benefit from that. And [you are] the first country in the region to sign a Security and Defence Partnership with the European Union.
This partnership boosts joint work on Ukraine, hybrid threats and counterterrorism, and it shows that gradual integration is working in practice – but we both want more, that is very clear.
North Macedonia belongs to the European Union. You have a strong track record of aligning with European Common Security and Foreign Policy. This is very important to us, especially in these very turbulent times that we see major geopolitical shifts happening in the world.
Your contribution to the EUFOR Althea in Bosnia Herzegovina is a clear example that you are a reliable partner for the regional security. I commend your strong efforts made by North Macedonia and your government on your reform agenda.
You know better than anybody that the road to membership is not easy, so my message today is to stay on course and to take the next steps necessary towards the opening of the negotiations. It will also mean that the European Union will give North Macedonia even more support, be it in strengthening the rule of law, fighting corruption, or modernizing North Macedonians public administration.
We know from experience that the progress can be fast if there is political will. Albania and Montenegro are good examples of this. And North Macedonia faces area-defining choices for its citizens and its future. We believe that the integration of the Western Balkans into the European Union is the best recipe for peace and security, also in the whole region.
So let us move together forward, and I assure you that European Union stands firmly by your side.
So once again, dear Prime Minister, thank you for hosting me here today.
Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-272442
Q&A.
Q. I have a question to High Representative Kallas. The Macedonian government and Prime Minister yesterday said that they believe the EU will find mechanisms to de-block our euro-integrative process. What are the mechanisms of Brussels for final de-blocking of this process? Another question arising from your speech: how much can a non-integrated Western Balkans be a security threat?
Thank you for your question. So first, it is clear that we want North Macedonia to really move on this path. We know that there are obstacles on the way, and we were discussing those as well to find really mechanisms to overcome these obstacles. So, of course, the Prime Minister can explain his ideas better, but I think there is definitely room [to] operate. I would not go into details if we move on. Then, of course, we will let also the press know.
[When it] comes to the non-integration of the Western Balkans, how big of threat it is. I think if we look at the big picture the world, then we clearly see these different big powers shifting; tectonic shifts. It is in our interest – if we look at the map, because the Western Balkans are in Europe – that we are all fully integrated, because the European Union is a peace project. And that also makes it possible to bring the tensions down in the Western Balkan regions. I think it is definitely a security issue as well. Thank you.
Q. Two weeks ago, you personally from Ukraine, announced that the European Union has a plan B, even plan C for the European integration of Ukraine. Last week, President Costa also shared that the European Union does not have a plan B for North Macedonia. Why?
This is also for the other cases that you referred. Why are we focusing on plan A and trying to make the plan A work? Because when you are taking already Plan B, then the Plan A is out of the question. Being very critical here, but what I want to say is that we still have hope that the plan A works. We are working for this. And if not, then we will move into the next phase. Yes.
Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-272688
North Macedonia: remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas at the joint press conference
INTERVIEW: Time’s being wasted on politics of aid while deaths mount in Gaza, warns senior official |
“There’s been so much time wasted talking about the various proposals and the various plans. In the meantime, people are dying and are left without aid,” Olga Cherevko said in an exclusive interview with UN News.
This week, UN agencies were able to bring limited amounts of food, flour and other items into Gaza after Israel lifted a nearly three-month aid blockade.
Ms. Cherevko said humanitarians were told this was a temporary measure until aid distribution is implemented through the so-called Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, an initiative backed by Israel and the United States.
The plan sees aid dispersed from four points south of the Netzarim Corridor, which is under Israeli military control, and involves the use of private US contractors.
She discussed this development, the positive impact of the trickle of aid allowed into Gaza, and the need to scale up efforts.
“There is a sense that some people feel like this is the end and that there is no turning back – and that they are just waiting to die,” she said.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity
Olga Cherevko: We’ve been speaking about this and other proposals and plans. Our concerns are that any distribution of aid, any system that exists, needs to be in line with globally established humanitarian principles. And if it isn’t, it’s not something that we can be involved in.
We have concerns about the scalability of this proposed plan, and about various other parts of it.
The biggest issue is that we have a plan, and we have a system that we are using as we speak, and the system has been tried over various crises across the world. It has been proven to work, it has mechanisms to mitigate theft, to mitigate diversion and it ensures that it reaches people wherever they are.
So, there’s been so much time wasted talking about the various proposals and the various plans. In the meantime, people are dying and are left without aid.
The volume of aid is literally a drop in the ocean of what is needed
UN News: The UN definitely will not be taking part in this plan, but did you receive any indications that you will be able to proceed with the work that you’ve been doing over the past couple of days?
Olga Cherevko: For the time being it’s unclear because obviously the resumption of limited volumes of aid entering that the Israeli authorities have approved as of a few days ago, we were obviously assured that we would be using our mechanisms – so the ones that were using now, the ones that are already in place.
We were informed that this would be an interim measure until this Foundation starts working. At this point, we really don’t have more details and again, it will have to be seen on the ground how things will develop.
Al-Banna Bakery resumes bread production after more than 40 days of waiting for a flour delivery in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip.
UN News: Were any trucks allowed in today and was more aid distributed?
Olga Cherevko: There have been batches of trucks coming in since this decision to allow them was approved. We have already been able to get some of the aid to the people in need, including getting flour to bakeries, and a number of bakeries have resumed their operations and fired up their ovens.
We also had some partners who picked up the bread for direct distribution. A field hospital also received a batch of medical supplies.
These are obviously very positive steps and positive developments in the right direction, but the volume of this aid is literally a drop in the ocean compared to the extent of needs on the ground.
UN News: We heard that most, if not all, of the supplies that were allowed in yesterday were nutritional and food aid. Is this a new development that some medical supplies were allowed in today? How many people can be served with these food items and medical supplies?
Olga Cherevko: The medical supplies were always part of the agreement to be included. But again, this is something that in itself is limiting because at the moment what is being allowed is things like nutrition, flour, some medicines and a few other things. It has to be a full range of things for us to be able to really deliver assistance at scale.
In terms of how many people it will serve, you can compare the kind of volumes that we were having during the ceasefire to what we have now and you will see that it’s woefully insufficient. But we have enough food alone to feed people for several months waiting at the crossings.
UN News: The World Food Programme (WFP) said 15 of its trucks were looted. Can you tell us what’s being done to prevent looting?
Olga Cherevko: Regarding looting and break-ins or whatever to try to divert or take aid – if you look at the numbers of these kinds of incidents before the ceasefire and during the ceasefire you will see a huge change.
There were barely any such incidents during the weeks of the ceasefire when we were able to bring in these large volumes (of aid).
When the ceasefire broke down and the crossings were closed for the entry of any cargo, and we got to the point where we were really in a desperate situation and we were running low on everything, that is when they started again.
UN News: Let’s go back to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. As the four distribution points are going to be south of the Netzarim Corridor – reportedly one in Middle Gaza and the others in the south – are you already starting to see movements towards those areas? What are your concerns about displacement?
People are sleeping in the streets because there’s nowhere for them to go
Olga Cherevko: Our concerns about displacement are what they have always been. Obviously, we would never support any sort of forced displacement, or any type of ethnic cleansing, or anything that would forcibly drive people from the areas where they are.
Before the ceasefire, more than 90 per cent of people were forcibly displaced across Gaza and they were being squeezed into an increasingly smaller piece of land. When the ceasefire happened a lot of them went back.
They tried to restart their lives and they kind of had a bit of time to process what’s been happening. When the ceasefire broke down again on 18 March, we saw another 610,000 people displaced again. These types of displacement are getting more and more dangerous and desperate because people are coming with nothing. People are fleeing with just the shirt on their back.
We’re now hearing and seeing people sleeping in the streets because there’s nowhere for them to go. As we’ve said time and time again, there is no safe place in Gaza, and this has been proven time and time again.
Children of a displaced family in Gaza City gather around a cart carrying their belongings.
UN News: You’ve been back and forth to Gaza for quite some time now, and you’ve seen the suffering first-hand. Can you give our audience an idea of what it means in real-life terms when aid is prevented from reaching those in need?
Olga Cherevko: Something that has always stuck me about the Palestinians in Gaza is their resilience and their strength, and the spirit that they have kept throughout these months of war.
I knew Gaza well before because I used to work there for several years starting from 2014, and knowing how people have endured so much suffering and despite that they find the strength to go, they find the strength to smile at you and to offer you tea or anything that they might still have.
Now when I speak to people, the thing that is most devastating is that there is a sense that some people feel like this is the end and that there is no turning back and that they are just waiting to die.
Before this limited aid was allowed to enter, the remaining operating community kitchens would have hundreds of people huddled around them waiting for hours with empty pots.
Many were told to turn back because there’s no food for them. People were telling me that they weren’t eating for several days at a time. I saw children that are being malnourished, and suffering from malnutrition.
These kinds of things are very preventable, and preventable deaths are happening all around us because of this intentional crisis imposed on Gaza by closing the crossings.
And that is the most frustrating thing for me – knowing that we can quickly address these issues if only we were given the opportunity – because we have everything waiting outside of Gaza to come in.
