The Monocle Daily A new EU-Ukraine trade deal, the end of USAID and Mark Carney’s first Canada Day as leader
Jul 1, 2025
Aliona Hlivco, CEO of St James's Foreign Policy Group, and James Rogers, an expert on Russia-West relations, share insights on the new EU-Ukraine trade deal amidst ongoing conflict. They discuss the implications of USAID cuts and how they may destabilize vulnerable regions. The conversation also touches on Denmark's conscription of women for military service and Mark Carney's political maneuvers on Canada Day, revealing the intricate ties between national policies and global security dynamics.
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Luhansk Fighting Persists
- Ukrainian media disputes Russia's claim of complete control over Luhansk Oblast; fighting continues there.
- Aliona Hlivko's brother fights there, confirming the area is surrounded but not yet captured.
Propaganda Motivation Behind Luhansk Push
- Full Russian capture of Luhansk Oblast would serve Russian propaganda more than military strategy.
- This would bolster Russia's claim of annexing four Ukrainian regions per its constitutional amendments.
Russia's Domestic War Narrative
- Despite high Russian casualties, domestic political dissent is suppressed and Putin maintains control.
- Kremlin frames the war as a larger fight against NATO to justify the conflict to the public.
