Photo : Reuters
Photo : Reuters
By Padmashree Anandhan
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 23 July, Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister arrived in China for initiating talks on ending the war. During his talks with Wang Yi, China’s Foreign Minster stated his “extensive, detailed and substantive” discussion held. In a statement he called to “avoid competition” over peace plans and stressed on having direct dialogue between Kyiv and Beijing. Till now, Switzerland has been the only actor which organised the first gathering for negotiating peace while China and Brazil have published a joint “six-point peace” plan in May showcasing their support to host an international peace conference.
On the same day, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said: “The main topic of discussion will be the search for ways to stop Russia's aggression and China's possible role in achieving a stable and just peace.” Kuleba’s trip comes for the first time to China and in response, Dmitry Peskov, Press Secretary of Russian President said: “We intend to continue following the path of developing Russian-Chinese relations in all areas.”
On 23 July, Ukrainian military reported on causing significant damage to Russian ferry on the port of Kavkaz on the Sea of Azov located in the Krasnodar area. According to Ukrainian General Staff: “The occupiers used this ferry to transport railway cars, vehicles and containers for military purposes.” While Veniamin Kondratyev, Krasnodar Governor reported on death of one after Ukrainian drone strike on a ferry. Port Kavkaz is located on the land opposite to Crimean Peninsula and the ferries are used to connect between Russia and Crimea.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 23 July, Russian authorities reported on killing of one person and injury of five after Ukrainian drone attack. Veniamin Kondratyev, Krasnador governor said: “Drones attacked a ferry vessel in the port of Kavkaz.” Whereas the Ukrainian air force reported on Russian attack on critical infrastructure in Sumy region. Although no casualties were recorded. While, Russian defence ministry reported on several air attacks in the border areas especially over Crimean Peninsula. According to the ministry: “Over the past night... air defense systems on duty intercepted and destroyed two UAVs over Bryansk region and two over Belgorod region, as well as 21 UAVs over the territory of the Republic of Crimea and the waters of the Black Sea.”
On 23 July, Moscow’s Mayor office announced a rise in the pay for those residents of Moscow who would sign up for fighting. According to the report, those who enrol will receive a pay of RUB 1.9 million (EUR 20,000). The increase would mean rise in their annual pay to RUB 5.2 million (EUR 55,000), five times increase from the nominal wage than any Russian (As per 2024 statistics). According to Russian authorities, close to 190,000 have volunteered till now to fight in Ukraine and 490,000 contracts since 2023.
THE WEST VIEW
Responses from the Europe and the US
On 23 July, EU foreign and defence ministers announced their decision to hold the next ministerial meeting in Brussels against Hungary’s “rogue diplomacy” on Ukraine. While Viktor Orban, Hungarian Prime Minister called his visit to Moscow as “peace mission.” This earned criticism amongst the EU members on Orban except Slovakia. Hungary condemned the move, Peter Szijjarto, Hungarian Foreign Minister said: “What a fantastic response they have come up with.”
On 23 July, following the resignation of Kaja Kallas, Prime Minister of Estonia, Kristen Michal succeeded her. Michal who is from same centre-right Reform party of Kalla is a similar critic of Russia. In one of her opinion she said: “Russia's aggression against free Ukraine and the entire West” as her priority. Estonia which was part of the Soviet Union from 1940 and 1991, has shared high security concerns over sharing its border with Russia.
On 23 July, Peter Szijjarto, Hungarian Foreign Minister stated the government’s decision to block EU funds from member states which supplied munitions to Ukraine. The block will be applicable till Ukraine allows transit of oil from Russia’s Lukoil which goes through its territory. Szijjarto said: “As long as this issue is not resolved by Ukraine, everyone should forget about the payment of the €6.5 billion from the European Peace Facility (EPF) compensation for arms transfers.”
References
“Ukraine confirms Russian ferry 'seriously damaged' in attack on Crimea,” The Kyiv Independent, 23 July 2024
“Moscow pays soldiers $60,000 a year to fight in Ukraine war,” Ynet, 23 July 2024
“China's FM Wang Yi discusses peace plans with Ukraine counterpart Kuleba,” CNA, 23 July 2024
VICTOR JACK AND GABRIEL GAVIN, “EU ‘ready’ to negotiate as Hungary-Ukraine oil row boils over,” Politico, 23 July 2024
“Estonia will support Ukraine ‘until victory’, new PM says,” Swissinfo, 23 July 2024
“Ukraine updates: Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba visits China,” Deutsche Welle, 23 July 2024