Photo : ZelenskyyUa, X
Photo : ZelenskyyUa, X
By Padmashree Anandhan
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 03 June, Ferdinand R Marcos Jr Philippines President and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine President held a meeting to strengthen their 32-year-old diplomatic ties as Ukraine is set to open its embassy in Manila. Zelenskyy arrived in Manila for a one-day on a working visit after his meeting at the 21st edition of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. Zelensky expressed his sincere gratitude for the continued support offered by Philippines and to the strong stand of the President on the issues affecting Ukraine. The meeting was also an attempt to urge the Asian leaders to join the global peace summit in Switzerland. In response, Marcos promised their continued support for promoting peace and to end the fight even through agencies such as the EU, and UN. The diplomatic ties between them commenced on 07 April 1992. By 2022, Ukraine ranked as the 90th trading partner of the Philippines, the 119th export market and 76th import source. The total trade between the countries was recorded at USD 16.9 million with export valued at USD 1.49 million and imports at USD 15.41 million.
On 03 June, Reuters reported on an overnight Russian attack on a recreation complex leading to death of one and injury of two in the Zmiiv district of Kharkiv oblast. Oleh Synehubov, Governor of the Kharkiv oblast confirmed the same. Both Russia and Ukraine reject claims of targeting civilians in the war but the border city of Kharkiv has witnessed intense attacks as Russian troops launched a new offensive.
On 02 June Ukrainian journalist Iryna Tsybukh who volunteered as a combat medic was killed in an exchange in the Kharkiv area. Tsybukh had facilitated the evacuation of wounded soldiers and had given first aid to many. Her death evoked a wide reaction in social media when her letter went viral which said: “To have the strength to be a free person, one must be brave.” Along with the thousands of people, soldiers, activists, and journalists had followed her on social media. According to the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine, at least 91 media workers had been killed since the invasion in 2022.
On 03 June, in response to Zelenskyy’s comments in the Shangri-La Dialogue, Mao Ning, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson rejected his claims on China’s influence on other countries over peace Summit. She countered saying it placed great importance on the peace summit by maintaining a close connection with all the parties. Earlier, Zelenskyy pointed out Beijing’s role in prolonging the war by pressuring other countries to boycott the Switzerland peace summit. He called for representatives from Asian countries to join the summit which would focus on issues such as nuclear security, food security, the release of prisoners of war along with Zelenskyy’s 10-point peace plan. The plan seeks to restore Ukraine’s territorial integrity and demands for withdrawal of Russian troops. Mao revealed that Beijing would not send representatives as the meeting did not meet China’s requests and expectations. Ahead of Zelenskyy’s speech, Dong Jun, Chinese Defence Minister stressed on China’s will to maintain a neutral stance on the war and said it had not provided military aid to both members.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 03 June, the Kremlin warned on “fatal consequences” for the US if it ignored the warnings from Moscow on usage of US weapons by Ukraine. This came as a result of Joe Biden Ukraine to hit back the advancing troops in Kharkiv. Earlier, Putin warned on western governments against this move by asking how the US would react if such serious consequences occurred in Europe. Sergei Ryabkov, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister also added that Putin’s warning “must be taken with utmost seriousness.”
THE WEST VIEW
Responses of the US and Europe
On 03 June, two pro-Russian activists in Germany Elena Kolbasnikova and Max Schlund moved to Russia who were active in organising pro-Kremlin rallies urging Berlin to halt its military aid to Kyiv. According to Reuters report in 2023, both were engaged in brewing pro-Moscow stance in Germany with financial support from a Russian government agency. Following a raid in August 2023 in their home in north-west Germany, the German prosecutors found them to have used the funds collected through rallies to buy walkie-talkie radios, headphones, and telephones for a Russian army division fighting in Ukraine. According to their lawyer Markus Beisicht: “They say that they can no longer live in Germany as Russian citizens due to the serious Russophobia.” Despite the ongoing criminal proceedings against them, they are believed to have complied with the law.
References
“Pro-Kremlin activist couple quit Germany, move to Russia,” Reuters, 03 June 2024
“Wives, Mothers Of Mobilized Russian Troops In Rare Protest At Defence Ministry In Moscow,” Current Time, 3 June 2024
“Ukraine peace summit: China denies pressuring others not to attend,” South China Morning Post, 03 June 2024
“Russia warns US of ‘fatal consequences’ over miscalculations in Ukraine,” Politico, 03 June 2024
“Civilian dies in Russian attack on Ukraine's Kharkiv, official says,” Reuters, 03 June 2024
“Nearly 1,000 honor Ukrainian journalist, volunteer combat medic killed in action,” abc NEWS, 02 June 2024
“PH, Ukraine vow to strengthen diplomatic relations,” Office of the President of the Philippines, 03 June 2024
“Zelensky in Manila to promote peace summit, which he says China and Russia are trying to undermine,” Associated Press, 03 June 2024
“Proposed EU ban on Russian LNG transhipments pose no problems for Asia - EU commissioner,” UNN, 03 June 2024