What the world was watching on 16 June 2024

What was shaping the regional picture around Ukraine on 16 June 2024? In the days leading up to that date, reports pointed to pressure on Russia, tightened borders and a show of naval reach far from Europe.

Sanctions on Russia and its partners

On 12 June 2024, the United States expanded secondary sanctions on foreign financial institutions that had conducted business with more than 4,500 US-sanctioned Russian entities. The same day, Washington imposed sanctions on Evghenia Guțul, the pro-Russian governor of Moldova's Gagauzia region.

Borders and migration

On 10 June 2024, Poland announced a "no-go zone" in the Białowieża Forest, intended to stop migrants crossing from Belarus. Concerns were raised about the potential effect on summer tourism.

On 13 June 2024, the European Court of Justice fined Hungary €200 million and imposed a daily penalty of €1 million. The court found that Hungary had failed to follow the European Union's asylum laws and had illegally deported migrants.

Russian drills in the Caribbean

Also on 13 June 2024, a Russian warship and a nuclear-powered submarine held military drills in the Caribbean Sea, simulating a missile strike on enemy ships. They had passed near the coast of Florida to reach Havana, Cuba.

Taken together, the reports from 10 to 13 June 2024 covered financial pressure on Russia, a legal penalty against an EU member state over asylum policy, border restrictions on the Belarus frontier and Russian naval activity near the United States.