1. Their batteries need rare metals: The primary metals in EV batteries include Nickel, Lithium, Cobalt, Copper and Rare Earth metals (Neodymium and Dysprosium). The mining of these materials, their use in manufacturing and their ultimate disposal all present significant environmental challenges.

The eurozone’s big four economies –Germany, France, Italy and Spain – have all had their growth forecasts for 2023 downgraded by the International Monetary Fund, as a combination of the war and higher interest rates put a brake on activity.

Results

1. 143 countries have declared illegal the annexation of Ukrainian territory by Russia
2. 5 countries consider the annexation of Ukrainian territory legal: Belarus, North Korea, Nicaragua, Syria and Russia
3. 35 countries have abstained

Abstentions

Acumen Public Affairs: Ann Marie Borg joins as associate director, via Hanbury Strategy. 

APCO Wolrdwide: Christoph Mielke was promoted to deputy managing director.

AVEC (The Voice of the European Poultry Meat Sector): Gert-Jan Oplaat is the new president succeeding Paul Lopez. 

The European Political Community aims to

• foster political dialogue and cooperation to address issues of common interest
• strengthen the security, stability and prosperity of the European continent

Participants

Since the war broke out in February, ISW has been the elite media’s go-to think tank for information and analysis.

The Institute for the Study of War has neoconservative roots and is run and staffed by pretty extreme hawks. Over the years it has gotten funding from various corners of the arms industry—General Dynamics, Raytheon, lesser known defense contractors, and big companies, like General Motors, that aren’t known as defense contractors but do get Pentagon contracts.

Albert & Geiger: Bernard P. Auxenfans former chairman of Monsanto Europe/Africa and COO of its agriculture business, has joined Alber & Geiger. Guus Houttuin, a retired senior trade adviser for the European External Action Service, is joining Alber & Geiger. Alain Georges Van Hamme has also joined Alber & Geiger after stints dealing with competition and trade law at the European Court of Justice and the European Commission. 

1. The international community will not officially recognize the results  obviously rigged and illegitimate ballots.
2.  Russia’s referendums have the potential to significantly escalate the war.
3. Stage-managed votes will likely lead to even more misery for the millions of Ukrainians currently living under Russian occupation.

Corruption in Russia’s military is endemic and is part of the accepted culture. Russian military corruption can be understood on three levels: individual, cultural, and political.

Author: Olga Khvostunova, Fellow in the Eurasia Program