Photo : President.gov.ua
Photo : President.gov.ua
By Padmashree Anandhan
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 02 July, during this visit to Kyiv, Viktor Orban, Hungary’s Prime Minister called for swift ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia. In a joint press conference Orban said: "I asked [Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy] to consider weather… a quick cease-fire could speed up the peace talks” In response, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s President called for ending of the war with “just peace.” While addressing Orban, Zelenskyy appreciated his visit after Hungary starting its Presidency of the EU. He called the visit as clear signal of “common European priorities,” and significant to being “just peace to Ukraine.” He also added: “It is also very important for all of us in Europe that Europe's support for Ukraine remains at a sufficient level, including our defence against Russian terror.”
On 02 July, Ukrainian military claimed on carrying out “destructive strike” on Russian ammunition depot in Crimea. This was confirmed by Mykola Oleshchuk, Ukrainian air force commander who did not provide an exact location of the strike but posted a video showing the strike on Balaklava near Sevastopol. Mihail Razvozhaev, Russian deployed governor confirmed the destruction of five target of the Ukrainian air force over the Black Sea and in the Balaklava district, although no severe damage was reported.
On 02 July, Rustem Umerov, Ukrainian Defence Minister reported on holding talks with Llyod Austin, USs Defence Minister. In the meeting, both discussed on military cooperation, security issues and way to strengthen defence partnership between the US and Ukraine. The move follows Zelenskyy’s reiteration for more weapons and Russia’s strike on Zaporizhzhia oblast which killed seven. Till now US has been the biggest aider for Ukraine accounting for USD 50 billion military aid since 2022.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 02 July, Russian Defence Ministry claimed on destroying five Ukrainian SU-27 fighter jets and inflicting damage on two additional jets at the Ukraine’s Myrhorod airfield in the central Poltava region. On the same, the Ministry published a video which showed the smokes rising from the airfield. Although it did not specify when the attack tool place but it showed how the jets were damaged using Iskander-M missiles. According to the ministry: “As a result of the Russian strike, five active SU-27 multi-purpose fighters were destroyed and two were damaged.” The move comes as Russia is observed to be keen on targeting the airfields which are prepared for first set of F-16s from the US. On the same, Yuriy Ihnat, Ukrainian air force spokesperson said: “There was an attack. There are some losses, but not the ones the enemy claims, after all, they have always done this since the beginning of the invasion.”
THE WEST VIEW
Responses of the US and Europe
On 02 July, Orban visited Ukraine since the war began in 2022. In his meeting with Zelenskyy, he discussed on opportunities to create peace and ways to improve Hungary-Ukraine bilateral equation. He has been the only leader in the EU to have maintained ties with Russia and has been the barrier to EU’s decision making against Russia especially in terms of granting financial aid to Ukraine or imposing sanctions on Russia. During the war he was only EU leader to have met Vladimir Putin, Russian President in a summit held in Beijing in October 2023. Earlier when he was as nationalist leader in 2010 also condemned EU on opening membership talks with Kyiv.
On 02 July, Olaf Scholz, German Chancellor and Donald Tusk, Poland’s Prime Minister held a meeting in Warsaw as part of first governmental consultations between Germany and eastern European neighbours. During the meeting, Scholz emphasized on both countries being major supporters of Ukraine at the political, military and humanitarian levels. Tusk stressed on Germany’s commitment to secure Europe as the most critical factor amid the war in Ukraine. He added: “We would just like to point out to everyone, including our German partners, that the issues of the Continent's security should not be seen separately and sometimes in competition with various initiatives.” Both agreed on a 40-page action plan which calls Russia as “The most immediate threat to Euro-Atlantic security.” The major part of the plan includes the defence issues of the EU countries and the need for development of joint initiatives in tanks, ammunition and increasing the stock of spare parts to Leopard battle tanks sent to Ukraine.
References
“Ukraine’s air force says it destroyed Russian ammunition depot in Crimea,’ Swiss info, 02 July 2024
Isabelle Khurshudyan and Kate Brady, “Hungarian leader Viktor Orban visits Ukraine and suggests a cease-fire,” The Washington Post, 02 July 2024
“Russia Says Strikes Destroy Several Ukrainian Fighter Jets,” The Moscow Times, 02 July 2024
Hans Von Der Burchard, Joshua Posaner And Nette Nöstlinger, “Poland’s Tusk rails at fractured defense planning in jibe at Germany’s Scholz,” Politico, 02 July 2024
Joseph Clark, “Austin Underscores U.S. Commitment to Ukraine in Meeting With Counterpart,” US Department of Defense, 02 July 2024
“Ukraine updates: Orban visits Kyiv for first time since war,” Deutsche Welle, 02 July 2024