Photo : Alexander Kazakov/Russian Presidential Press and Information Office/TASS
Photo : Alexander Kazakov/Russian Presidential Press and Information Office/TASS
By Padmashree Anandhan
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 07 May, Ukraine’s State Security Service (SBU) reported on identifying Russian agents within Ukrainian state guard service who had planned to kill Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s President and other officials. In a statement SBU stated how it prevented Russian security service (FSB) plans to execute Ukraine president and other senior authorities in the military. On identification, two colonels from the State Guard of Ukraine were detained under suspicion of being involved in the execution plan.
On 07 May, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) reported on the emerging allegations of use of chemical weapons by Russia and Ukraine. According to the report, despite both actors accuse of use of chemical, no clear evidence was visible. According to OPCW: “The information provided to the Organization so far by both sides, together with the information available to the Secretariat, is insufficiently substantiated.” It also confirmed on receiving no investigations request from both despite allegations but OPCW called the situation as “extremely concerning.”
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 07 May, Vladimir Putin, Russia’s President began his fifth term after the inauguration ceremony. He took the oath to serve Russia and its people with a revised constitution including the annexed regions in Ukraine. This comes as Putin won the presidential elections with 87.28 per cent votes. In his ceremony speech, Putin called for “fair dialogue” with focus on security and strategic stability and value to the parties interest. In his listed priorities, called for a “self-sufficient” Russia, united by the Russian language and preservation of values and traditions. On Russia’s foreign policy, Putin mentioned Russia’s aim to strengthen its relations across globe to showcase how reliable its can be. He criticised the west for continuing to be a barrier to development of Russia and for opting “policy of aggression.” He stressed on working with European integration process and vowed to establish a multipolar world.
THE WEST VIEW
Responses of the US and Europe
On 07 May, Alexander Lukashenko, Belarus President announced on conducting nuclear drills for readiness of the army in deploying nuclear weapons. Belarus Defence Ministry reported on a surprise inspection of “its non-strategic nuclear weapons carriers” on the order from Lukashenko. The move coincides with Russia’s drills in Kaliningrad.
On 07 May, Donald Tusk, Poland’s Prime Minister vouched for increase in defence spending as critical for Europe to avoid conflicts. During the meeting with politicians and business individuals, he called for the EU to increase the spending by EUR 100 billion. He said: “Europe must be prepared in the next dozen or so months and the entire next five years for a situation in which no power in the world will dare raise a hand against it.” Earlier, Poland had begun boosting its defence capabilities and had allotted more than four per cent of GDP to military spending.
References
“Statement attributable to the spokesperson for the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW),” OPCW, 07 May 2024
“Putin inaugurated for fifth term as Russian president,” RT, 07 May 2024
“Putin’s inauguration kicks off in Kremlin,” TASS, 07 May 2024
“IN BRIEF: Unity, care for people, country-civilization: Putin’s inaugural speech,” TASS, 07 May 2024
“Belarus launches nuclear drills a day after Russia announces them amid tensions with West,” Associated Press, 07 May 2024
“Europe must increase defence capabilities to be safe, says Poland’s Tusk,” Swissinfo, 07 May 2024