Photo : Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP Photo/picture alliance
Photo : Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP Photo/picture alliance
War in Ukraine: Day 659
The War on the Ground
On 14 December, Kyiv Post reported on the largest drone attack in Odesa injuring 11 people including three children. According to the report from Ukraine’s air force, three waves of drone attacks were observed in the southern region with 41 intercepted out of 42. The debris from the drones damaged warehouses, vehicles, and port infrastructure.
On 14 December, Germany’s local police reported on Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s President visit to Germany. According to a police spokesperson, Zelenskyy has an appointment in the Rhine-Main area which is known as Germany’s financial capital, and was observed to have visited the area close to the US airbase at Erbenheim, the headquarters of the US troops in Europe.
The Moscow View
On 14 December, Vladimir Putin, Russia’s President held the first year-end press conference since the war in Ukraine. During the conference, Putin said: “There will be peace when we achieve our goals. They are not changing.” On the battlefield strength and mobilisation, close to 617, 000 troops are estimated to be on the ground, and 486,000 soldiers have signed contracts till now. Apart from this, thousands of convicts were reportedly recruited into the mercenary group. On reporting the ground situation and Russian forces' position, Putin stated that the forces have strengthened their stance at all fronts, meanwhile attempting to secure a stance in the east back on the Dnipro River in the Kherson region.
On 14 December, Dmitry Peskov, Russia’s spokesperson expressed Russia’s observation on the decline in US military support for Ukraine. He said: “The Kyiv regime promised them that if you give us $100 billion, we will have a victory on the battlefield.” He highlighted the recent announcement of USD 200 million in aid by the US while substantial funding was available.
The West View
On 14 December, ahead of the EU summit, the European Commission unblocked EUR 10 billion in funds for Hungary. The move was seen as a bribe to make Hungary remove the veto for Ukraine’s EU membership and financial aid, which amounts to EUR 50 billion. Charles Michel, European Council President disclosed the EU’s agreement to open talks on Ukraine’s EU membership decision. In response, Zelenskyy said: “This is a victory for Ukraine. A victory for all of Europe.”
On 14 December, ahead of the high-level EU summit in Brussels, Olaf Sholz German Chancellor and Emmanuel Macron, France’s President held a meeting with Ursula von der Leyen European Commission President, and Charles Michel EU Council chief. The meeting involved a discussion on Ukraine and initiating talks on its accession to the EU. On the same, Mark Rutte, Netherlands’ Prime Minister issued a statement expressing confidence in the EU in reaching a consensus over enlargement and long-term financial aid to Ukraine. Scholz stated that the occurrence of the EU summit is an “important sign” for Ukraine and Russia. He added: “One thing is important, however: that we succeed in making the financial facility for Ukraine possible and thus create the basis for Ukraine to continue its resistance against Russian aggression.”
On 14 December, Deutsche Welle reported on the German government's delivery of the Patriot air defence system to Ukraine along with missiles to improve its air defence capacity. The delivery also included “nine Bandvagn tracked multi-purpose vehicles, 7,390 155-caliber artillery shells, three more mobile remote-controlled mine-clearing devices, and eight tankers.”
References
“Huge Russian Drone Attack on Odesa Region Leaves 11 People Injured,” Kyiv Post, 14 December 2023
“Germany confirms delivering second Patriot system to Ukraine,” Ukrainska Pravda, 14 December 2023
“Zelenskyy says Ukraine to celebrate another ‘victorious decision’ with EU accession,” Anadolu Agency, 15 December 2023
“Results of the year with Vladimir Putin,” Kremlin.ru, 14 December 2023
“US aware of Ukraine’s inability to win conflict with Russia, Kremlin spokesman says,” TASS, 15 December 2023
“Ukraine updates: Zelenskyy on surprise visit to Germany,” Deutsche Welle, 15 December 2023