Morning Briefing: June 18, 2023

ANKARA

Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Sunday, including Russia’s claim on striking a decision-making center in Ukraine, western sanctions against Russia and the US ruling out privileges to Ukraine in NATO membership.

TOP STORIES

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Western countries introduced more than 15,000 sanctions against Russia.

Lavrov said in an interview with Russian Knowledge in Saint Petersburg that restrictive measures are also used against other countries.

“There are statistics according to which every fourth country in the world is under sanctions,” he said.

He criticized Western countries for treating other states as “inferior,” and said, “Our collective Western partner does not allow any equality.”

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov claimed that a decision-making center was struck in Ukraine.

“On June 16, the armed forces of the Russian Federation launched a group strike with high-precision long-range sea and air-based weapons at one of the decision-making centers of the armed forces of Ukraine. The target of the strike has been achieved. The designated object is hit,” he said at a news conference in Moscow.

US President Joe Biden said Saturday that Ukraine should meet the same standards as other countries regarding membership in NATO and no special convenience will be provided to the country in that context.

Biden answered journalists’ questions before boarding his plane to the state of Pennsylvania.

When asked if the US would facilitate Ukraine’s membership in NATO, Biden replied: “No. Because they gotta meet the same standards. So, I’m not gonna make it easier.”

Biden also said Ukraine has demonstrated its ability to coordinate militarily while questioning its military’s integrity.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• At least one person was injured in Friday’s earthquake in western France, an official said.
• Saudi Arabia said Saturday it received more than 1 million pilgrims so far for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage.
• After more than 30 years, Atari will release “Mr. Run and Jump” as a new cartridge game for the Atari 2600 — a 46-year-old console.
• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen discussed Saturday Türkiye – EU relations in a telephone call.
• The Taliban administration declared Saturday that the day the last US soldier left Afghanistan will be a national holiday.
• The US demanded that Serbia “immediately and unconditionally” release three Kosovar police officers it had detained.
• For the first time, the Bangsamoro autonomous regional government in the southern Philippines participated in a global forum in Chile.
• Five civilians were killed Saturday in new clashes between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group in North Darfur in western Sudan, according to officials.
• Although King Charles III will formally commemorate his 75th birthday on Nov. 14, he is being honored with an early celebration this weekend during “Trooping the Color,” the King’s birthday parade.
• A Serbian citizen saved a bus full of Turkish nationals Saturday from a collapsing bridge in downtown Serbia.

SPORTS

• Anadolu Efes win Turkish basketball title

Anadolu Efes won the 2023 Türkiye Sigorta Basketball Super Lig title on Saturday.

The Istanbul club beat Pinar Karsiyaka 83-74 to sweep the finals 3-0 to secure their record-extending 16th championship in the league.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

• Türkiye eyeing $265 billion in exports by the end of 2023: President Erdogan

Türkiye is looking to increase exports to $265 billion by the end of 2023, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday.

“Despite the negative global economic outlook, we want to increase our exports to $265 billion at the end of this year and $285 billion next year,” Erdogan said at the 30th Ordinary General Assembly of Turkish Exporters Assembly and Export Champions Award Ceremony in Ankara.

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