WORLD BRIEFING: May 18, 2024

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Russia could increase its attacks in Ukraine's north east following its recent gains near the city of Kharkiv. Russian troops have been trying to push forward as Ukraine’s outgunned forces attempt to shore up a weakened front line. Mr Zelensky admitted that there were issues with military staffing and morale, saying a number of existing brigades were empty. He also told the AFP news agency the country's air fleet was lacking and renewed calls for allies to send more air defence and fighter jets. “Today we have about 25% of what we need to defend Ukraine," Mr Zelensky said of Ukraine's air capabilities. "So that Russia does not have air superiority, our fleet should have 120 to 130 modern aircraft." The US recently approved a new $61bn (£48bn) aid package for Ukraine, which includes military support. - BBC

Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has vetoed the so-called foreign agent bill targeting media and NGOs that are funded by foreign governments following weeks of mass protests by Georgians who see the bill as endangering the country's path toward EU integration. The law would require media and NGOs to register as "pursuing the interests of a foreign power" if they receive more than 20 percent of their funding from abroad. Zurabishvili said earlier in the week that she considered the law "unacceptable." Zurabishvili, who has increasingly feuded with the ruling Georgian Dream party since it endorsed her candidacy in 2018, previously expressed her intention to veto the bill, which was approved by parliament on May 14. - RFE/RL

Benny Gantz, a centrist member of Israel's three-member War Cabinet, threatened on Saturday to resign from the government if it doesn't adopt in three weeks a new plan for the war in Gaza, a move that would leave Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu more reliant on his far-right allies. His announcement escalates a divide within Israel's leadership more than seven months into a war in which it has yet to accomplish its stated goals of dismantling Hamas and returning scores of hostages abducted in the October 7 attack. Gantz spelled out a six-point plan that includes the return of scores of hostages, ending Hamas' rule, demilitarizing the Gaza Strip, and establishing an international administration of civilian affairs. It also supports efforts to normalize relations with Saudi Arabia. He said if it is not adopted by June 8, he will quit the government. "If you choose the path of fanatics and lead the entire nation to the abyss — we will be forced to quit the government," he said. Gantz, a popular politician and longtime political rival of Netanyahu, joined his coalition and the War Cabinet in the early days of the war. - VOA