Photo : Sputnik / Alexey Filippov
Photo : Sputnik / Alexey Filippov
By Padmashree Anandhan
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 19 April, Denys Shmyhal, Ukraine’s Prime Minister appreciated the progress on the aid package where the US officials in a meeting held assured to provide new set of weapons. However, this would be possible only after the vote in congress result positive for Ukraine. He also warned of a wake of third world war if Ukraine losses to Russia. On the same day, he thanked Germany for agreeing to send additional Patriot missile systems and vouched to demand for the same in the G7 meeting.
On 19 April, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s President urged once again the west for air defence support after the massive casualty recorded in Chernihiv. He said: “This would not have happened if Ukraine had received sufficient air defence equipment and if the world’s determination to resist Russian terror had been sufficient.”
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 19 April, Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s Foreign Minister stated that Russia has no plans on agreeing for a ceasefire even if negotiations start. He said: “We have said that we are ready for the negotiations, but – unlike the Istanbul story – we will not make any pauses in the fighting during the negotiations. The process must go on.” Since the war began, Russia and Ukraine have not held any direct talks but Russia has accused Ukraine for not agreeing to the progress pushed by Turkey and accused Zelenskyy for being the major obstacle to peace process.
On 19 April, RT reported on crash of a Tupolev- Tu-22M3 supersonic long-range bomber in Stravropol area. Reported by Russia’s defence ministry, the incident was due to engine failure during a return after a combat mission. While the Ukrainian military claimed on engaging with TU-22 air defence systems.
On 19 April, Russia’s defence ministry reported on total 34 long-range strikes on Ukraine in the past week targeting its energy industry, military facilities, air defence systems and fuel storages. In a statement the ministry said on its intention behind the attack to be: “…in response to attempts by the Kiev regime to cause damage to Russian energy and industrial sites.”
THE WEST VIEW
Responses of the US and Europe
On 19 April, Donald Trump, former US President, stated that Ukraine’s survival in the war was important for the US. Citing the report in Reuters on shifting US tone ahead of elections over the delayed vote on USD 61 billion military aid, he stated that although the Ukraine’s survival is key for the US but is more important to Europe. For the US he said it was important to “GET MOVING EUROPE.” He did not approve on direct aid package to Ukraine but highlighted the European allies for not spending enough for Ukraine. The statement is seen as one of the first acknowledgement mentioning Ukraine’s survival as part of the US interest.
On 19 April, two German-Russian citizens were arrested in southern Germany under suspicion of planning for sabotage attacks including on the US facilities. According to the officials, it was seen a serious effort to undermine the support to Ukraine. The suspects were predicted to be operating as spies for Russia. On the same day, a Polish man was arrested under charge of aiding Russian intelligence services to exterminate Ukraine’s President. The suspect identified as Pawel K was blamed for sharing a pass airport security information to Russian agents.
References
Ishaan Tharoor, “Russia’s deadly attacks see Ukraine call out a Western double standard,” The Washington Post, 18 April 2024
“Russian MOD details long-range strikes on Ukraine,” RT, 19 April 2024
“Russian strategic bomber crashes – MOD,” RT, 19 April 2024
“No ceasefire with Ukraine even if talks start – Lavrov,” RT, 19 April 2024
Daria Tarasova-Markina, Antonia Mortensen, Christian Stern, Anna Chernova and Mariya Knight, “Polish man charged in connection with alleged Russian plot to kill Ukraine leader Zelensky,” CNN, 19 April 2024
“Ukraine war briefing: Donald Trump says survival of Ukraine important to the US,” The Guardian, 19 April 2024