Photo : European Union
Photo : European Union
By Shilpa Joseph and Padmashree Anandhan
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 11 June, The Kyiv Independent reported on Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian President participation in the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2024 in Berlin. During the conference he held meeting with Olaf Scholz, the German Chancellor. The Conference aimed to address Ukraine's ongoing reconstruction needs, focusing primarily on energy infrastructure. Zelensky said: "In the face of Russia's air terror, urgent solutions for Ukraine's energy sector will be our top priority."
On 11 June, at the Ukraine Recovery Conference, the Ukrainian Ministry of Economy presented the Ukraine Investment Guide which highlighted the government's priority sectors for processing industry development, addressing export logistics bottlenecks and increasing value. It provided an overview of key sectors like energy, infrastructure, agrifood, green steel, pharmacy, medicine, critical materials, and IT and an outline of the investment landscape in Ukraine. The document included 95 investment projects worth more than USD 27 billion in different sectors of the economy. According to the delegates, Ukraine needed investments or technology transfers worth USD 10-30 billion per year over the next decade, to catch up with EU countries in terms of GDP per capita. They also noted that investing in Ukraine now was strategically beneficial due to significant opportunities and high returns for reconstruction with international support. Additionally, Ukraine's progress toward the EU accession aligned its standards with the European market, enhancing investment prospects. The ministers encouraged the participants to invest in the country's recovery and economic growth by addressing the risks involved. The conference also highlighted Ukraine’s efforts in the process. The Ukrainian government was assisting investors by analysing business cases, providing data, and working with experts to make investment decisions. They claimed to establish recovery and development initiatives with international financial institutions and insurance companies to reduce investment risks. Ukraine also offered incentives for large investments, including tax and customs benefits, subsidies, and simplified access to infrastructure and utilities.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 10 June, Russia’s defence ministry claimed on seizing control of another village in southern part of eastern Ukraine. The village located in Donetsk is partially occupied by Ukraine and according to the report, Russian troops continue to advance further into the settlement of Staromaiorske. In July 2023, Ukrainian troops had captured back the village during its counteroffensive but it gained only limited success. Staromaiorske which is located on southwestern of the Donetsk region experience fierce fighting at present.
On 10 June, YonhapNews reported on the upcoaming visit of Vladimir Putin, the Russian President’s plan to North Korea and Vietnam was confirmed by the Russian Ambassador to North Korea Alexander Matsegora. After 24 years, Putin is expected to visit North Korea to strengthen military ties and cooperation following the leaders' summit. The visit would increase doubts over suspected provision of weapons and munitions to Russia in exchange for Russia's assistance in advanced military technologies.
THE WEST VIEW
Responses of the US and Europe
On 11 June, European Commission announced the signing of EUR 1.4 billion of new guarantee and grant agreements to support Ukraine’s recovery and attract investment from private sector. The agreements underlined EU’s steadfast commitment to support Ukraine. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission said: “The European Union is rallying financial firepower to help Ukraine resist and recover. From the proceeds of immobilized Russian assets, to our €50 billion Ukraine Facility, we will make sure Ukraine has all the support it needs.” The agreements consist of EUR one billion of loan guarantees and blended finance worth EUR 400 million which will benefit private companies and small to medium sized enterprises. The focus relies on energy infrastructure, rehabilitation, and repair. The entire list of programmes aims to unlock EUR six billion investments which includes initiatives to support Ukraine’s private sector, Resilience, Reconstruction and regeneration of Ukraine programme, infrastructure and financial inclusion programme focusing majorly on reconstruction, Ukraine’s energy sector, green, circular economy and critical infrastructure.
On 11 June, in a ceremony attended by international representatives, Brigadier General Avraam Kazantzoglou Deputy Commander of NATO’s southern Combined Air Operations Centre in Spain handed over the mission-ready certificate to the Finnish F/A-18, Lieutenant Colonel Rami Lindström Detachment Commander. The deployment of the fighter jets for NATO’s air policing mission in Romania became Finland air force’s first-ever major contribution to NATO's collective peacetime missions, after it joined the alliance in 2023. The seven Finnish F/A-18 jets will fly air policing sorties alongside the British Royal Air Force Typhoons along with Romanian F-16 fighter jets operating out of Borcea air base, responding to potential threats to Romania’s airspace watching over the territorial integrity. In addition, the Finnish and UK fighter aircraft took part in joint manoeuvres, assurance operations, and training exercises with other Allied forces in the area and abroad.
On 11 June, the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2024 commenced in Berlin. Robert Habeck, German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action during the conference expressed on Germany’s firm stance for Ukraine. According to Habeck, Ukraine provides a wide range of opportunities at the economic level with massive natural resources, showing potential for development and highly educated population. He called for German and international companies to make use of such opportunities and invest in Ukraine early. Yullia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine stated how many foreign investors find Ukraine as an attractive place. She added: “By preparing for joining the EU, we are laying the foundations for a successful future of our country. We are also putting together guarantee and financing programs for investors.” She highlighted nine billion euros given under the EU Investment Framework to prioritise on energy, logistics, critical raw materials and digital transformation with an aim to boost Ukrainian market.
On 11 June, the US State Department confirmed the lift of its long-standing ban on weapon supplies and training to Ukraine’s Azov brigade. The decision was made after a vetting process which "found no evidence of gross violations of human rights" after the brigade’s controversial origins were allegedly linked to far-right groups. The vetting process comes under U.S Leahy Law, under which a military unit found violating Human Rights means it can be cut off from U.S military assistance. The move received praise from the Azov brigade, a volunteer militia battalion set up in May 2014 to combat Russian forces in the Donbas regions, but was condemned by Moscow, with accusations of U.S flirting with neo-Nazis being alleged by Russia’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. This comes from Russian President Vladimir Putin’s false claims about a “neo-Nazi regime” in Ukraine to justify his multiple incisions into Ukraine. The ban had originally come about when UN reports arose in 2016 about the brigade looting civilian property which led to displacement. However, the current leadership of the regiment claimed that its members have no ties the any extremist or far-right organisations.
References
Abbey Fenbert, “Zelensky arrives in Germany for recovery conference, talks with Scholz,” The Kyiv Independent, 11 June 2024
“THE MINISTRY OF ECONOMY PRESENTED 95 INVESTMENT PROJECTS WORTH OVER $27 BILLION DURING THE UKRAINE RECOVERY CONFERENCE 2024 IN BERLIN,” Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, 11 June 2024
“Lighthouse projects in the reconstruction of the economy in Ukraine,” gtai.de, 11 June 2024
“The EU signs €1.4 billion of new guarantee and grant agreements to support Ukraine's recovery and attract private sector investments,” European Commission, 11 June 2024
“Russian Navy ships train for long-range strikes en route to Cuba,” RT, 11 June 2024
“Russia gains more ground against Ukraine – MOD,” RT, 11 June 2024
“Second stage of tactical nuclear drills kicks off in Russia — top brass,” TASS, 11 June 2024
“FIRST FOR FINLAND, F/A-18 JETS MISSION-READY TO POLICE SKIES OVER ROMANIA,” NATO allied Air Command, 11 June 2024
“US lifts weapons ban on Ukraine's Azov brigade,” BBC, June 11 2024