ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - July 18, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - July 18, 2024

ZeroFox physical security experts collect, curate, and analyze information derived from open and proprietary sources for comprehensive context of the circumstances surrounding global events. Here is today’s daily roundup of major developments.

Brief Highlights

• Germany Reportedly Plans to Half Aid to Ukraine
• Individual Belonging to Neo-Nazi Movement Arrested For Planning Violent Acts Targeting the Paris Olympics
• Finland Passes Bill Allowing Border Guards to Deny Entry to Migrants Crossing from Russia

Germany Reportedly Plans to Half Aid to Ukraine

Germany reportedly plans to halve its military assistance to Ukraine in 2025, according to a draft budget. Under the proposed budget, Germany reportedly plans to decrease assistance from about EUR 8 billion in 2024 to EUR 4.35 billion (approx USD 4 billion) in 2025. German Finance Minister Christian Lindner explained "Ukraine's financing is secured for the foreseeable future thanks to European instruments and the G7 loans", which he argued would allow Germany to decrease its support. The 2025 budget, if approved, may indicate fatigue among Ukraine's European partners. Any decrease in funding from Europe could be especially concerning for Ukraine in the event Donald Trump wins the upcoming U.S. presidential election; both Trump and his running mate JD Vance have signaled they would cut aid to Ukraine if elected.

Individual Belonging to Neo-Nazi Movement Arrested For Planning Violent Acts Targeting the Paris Olympics

French authorities reportedly arrested a young person belonging to a neo-Nazi movement. The individual was suspected of planning violent actions targeting the Olympic Games. Reports indicate that the individual is suspected of having made threats on a Telegram channel titled, "French Aryan Division.” Media sources stated that he had threatened to attack the drag queen Minima Geste during the Olympic torch relay.

Finland Passes Bill Allowing Border Guards to Deny Entry to Migrants Crossing from Russia

Finnish President Alexander Stubb signed a controversial law allowing border guards to, under some circumstances, deny entry to asylum seekers who cross into Finland from Russia. Finland will not, however, refuse entry to children, disabled people, or other migrants that border guards deem to be in a vulnerable position. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has argued the bill is necessary to combat an increase in the number of asylum seekers traveling from Russia. Late last year, Finland closed its border with Russia after accusing the country of encouraging migrants to cross the Finnish border to create an artificial migrant crisis and destabilize Finland. Opponents of the bill, however, argue the legislation violates Finnish and international human rights obligations.