Morning Briefing: June 5, 2025

ISTANBUL

Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Thursday with, including the US once again vetoing a UN Security Council draft resolution calling for a Gaza ceasefire, US President Donald Trump telling Russian President Vladimir Putin that he was not informed about a Ukrainian attack on airfields in Russia, and South Korea’s new President Lee Jae-myung appointing top campaign aide Kim Min-seok as prime minister.

TOP STORIES

• US once again blocks UN push for immediate Gaza ceasefire, humanitarian aid access

The US vetoed a UN Security Council draft resolution that called for an "immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" in the Gaza Strip.

The draft resolution expressed "grave concern over the catastrophic humanitarian situation, including the risk of famine," and recalled all parties' obligations to abide by international humanitarian and human rights law.

Slovenia proposed the draft resolution on behalf of the Security Council's 10 elected members -- Algeria, Denmark, Greece, Guyana, Panama, Pakistan, South Korea, Sierra Leone, Somalia and Slovenia -- and received 14 votes.

• Trump told Putin he was not informed about Ukrainian attack on airfields, Russia says

US President Donald Trump told Russian President Vladimir Putin during a phone call that Washington had not been informed in advance about Ukraine’s weekend attack on multiple airfields in the country, said a Moscow-based official.

“As for the strikes on military airfields, this topic was also touched upon. Moreover, Donald Trump reiterated that the Americans were not informed about this in advance,” Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov told reporters in the capital following talks between the two presidents, which he said lasted for about an hour and 10 minutes.

Noting that the talks began with a discussion of the situation around Ukraine, Ushakov said Putin spoke in detail about the outcome of the second round of direct negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv in Istanbul on Monday.

• South Korea’s new President Lee taps campaign aide Kim Min-seok as premier

South Korea’s newly elected President Lee Jae-myung appointed top campaign aide Kim Min-seok as prime minister, his first Cabinet nomination made just hours after being sworn into office.

Lee, 61, secured victory in Tuesday’s snap presidential election with 49.42% of the vote, winning over 17 million ballots in an election that saw the highest turnout in 28 years—79.4%.

The early election was prompted by the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol following a failed attempt to impose martial law in December.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• French authorities are preparing to intercept small boats carrying asylum seekers, including those already at sea, as part of a crackdown on Channel crossings.
• North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has vowed to "unconditionally" support Russia in all areas, including in its war in Ukraine, state media reported.
• US President Donald Trump announced a ban that is set to prohibit travel to the US from a dozen countries and restrict travel from seven others over alleged security risks.
• Elon Musk continued his crusade to convince lawmakers to kill President Donald Trump's tax and spending bill, which is estimated to add $2.42 trillion to US budget deficits over the next decade.
• The US veto of a draft UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip amounts to direct support for the Israeli genocide against Palestinians, said Hamas.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia must begin to understand that the ongoing conflict in Ukraine "carries a cost," reiterating Kyiv's calls for additional sanctions against Moscow.
• Bolivia entered a third day of widespread blockades, with clashes between police and supporters of former President Evo Morales that have left at least 13 officers injured.
• The UN Human Rights Office said a drone strike on a UN humanitarian convoy in Sudan's North Darfur state has severely impacted the delivery of aid and breached international humanitarian law.
• Israel plans to prevent the ship Madleen, which set sail from Italy in an attempt to break an Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip, from approaching or docking along the coastal enclave.
• Three unexploded World War II bombs found in the German city of Cologne were successfully defused by expert teams.
  

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Russia's oil, gas revenues down 35% in May

Russia’s Finance Ministry said that oil and natural gas revenues fell 35.4% in May, compared to the same month last year, to 512.7 billion rubles ($6.5 billion).

In the first five months of 2025, they dropped 37.4% to 4.24 trillion rubles.

The ministry said there was more revenue loss from oil and natural gas in May than planned.

• EU allocates €175M for Syria's recovery after lifting sanctions

The European Union announced a €175 million ($200 million) package to support Syria's social and economic recovery following the lifting of sanctions.

The funding is to bolster public institutions, improve access to basic services and revitalize local economies through community-led projects in energy, education, health, agriculture and livelihoods, according to a statement.

The support will further promote transitional justice, accountability and human rights, including efforts to address the issue of missing persons.