Photo : AFP
Photo : AFP
War in Ukraine: Day 735
By Padmashree Anandhan
War on the Ground
On 28 February, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s President visited Albania to partner for a Ukraine-South-East Europe summit with Edi Rama, Albania’s Prime Minister. The visit also focused on holding meeting with potential leaders to gather support against Russia and discuss on defence, political and 10-point peace plan proposed by Ukraine. In response, Albania’s foreign minister said: “A pivotal moment for fostering bilateral ties and standing in solidarity with Ukraine in its heroic fight against Russia's aggression.”
On 28 February, in response to Zelenskyy’s visit, the Balkan leaders reiterated their support for peace in Ukraine. They vouched for boosting the idea of arms production in the summit held in Albania. A joint declaration was signed by the leaders assuring their participation in the peace summit to be held in Switzerland. They also confirmed to support Ukraine in reconstruction and post-war recovery.
On 28 February, China’s foreign ministry announced on the upcoming trip of a senior diplomat Li Hui to Ukraine, Europe and Russia. The trip indicated its attempt in carrying out “shuttle diplomacy” and to encourage political solution to Ukraine’s crisis.
The Moscow View
Claims by Russia
On 28 February, Maria Zakharova, Director of the Information and Press Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation claimed on the “catastrophic” situation in the front line. She brought out the divide amongst the European countries in supporting Ukraine highlighting Macron’s statement on possibility of sending European soldiers into Ukraine. She stated how the signal from Europe was opposite and seem as a betrayal for Ukraine.
On 28 February, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA), a Russian think tank released a new study reporting on sanctions imposed by the west to have reached the saturation limit. According to the repot in RT the measures which targeted Russia’s economic growth were overcome through loopholes and circumventing by trade with third party countries. It provides two scenarios for Russia from the observation. One, simultaneous reduction of price cap of Russian oil to USD 50 per barrel, against imposing of embargo and secondary sanctions. The study reveals that at a negative situation, the GDP is expected to slow to 0.3 per cent but to revive with 1.5 per cent in next two years.
The West View
Responses from the US and Europe
On 28 February, Donald Tusk, Poland’s Prime Minister hinted on imposing a “temporary” ban in the border with Ukraine as tensions build over entry of Ukraine grain. He said: “We are talking with the Ukrainian side about a temporary closure of the border, the cessation in general of trade.” Following the protests by the Polish farmers over Ukrainian grains, Tusk has come under pressure to act on the inflow of Ukrainian grains claimed to be accumulating inside Poland. The reason behind the protest is EU’s move in 2022 to remove tariffs on Ukraine grain resulting in flooding of Ukrainian cereal exports into Poland affecting the local producers market.
On 28 February, Ursula Von Der Leyen, European Commission President announced on installation of an office in Kyiv on defence innovation. The office is aimed to serve as exchange of battle field experience and industrial innovation.
References
“Ukraine’s frontline situation ‘catastrophic’ – Moscow,” RT, 28 February 2024
“Sanctions have reached their limit – Russian think tank,” RT, 28 February 2024
Pierre Emmanuel Ngendakumana, “Poland in talks with Ukraine on closing border, PM Tusk says,” Politico, 28 February 2024
“Leaders call for an increase of support to Ukraine in the Tirana Declaration,” European Western Balkans, 28 February 2024
“Ukraine updates: Zelenskyy in Albania to drum up support,” Deutsche Welle, 28 February 2024