Photo : Reuters
Photo : Reuters
By Padmashree Anandhan
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 25 July, Ukraine’s air force reported on Russian drone attack in the southern port city of Izmail for second continuous day. Apart from this Ukraine authorities in Kyiv, central Ukraine and Odesa also confirmed on attacks reporting damage on infrastructure. According to the report in Deutsche Welle Russia was found to be attacking ports in Odesa since the end of Black Sea Grain deal. In the drone attack, Ukraine’s air force claimed to have destroyed 25 out of 38 drones and same was acknowledged by Romanian defence ministry. It found debris from the Russian Geran ½ drone near village of Plauru near Danube and Izmail port. Whereas Oleh Kiper, Odesa governor reported on injury of two from the debris.
On 25 July, during his visit to Hong Kong, Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister stressed to John Lee, leader of Hong Kong to prevent Russia from circumventing sanctions through Hong Kong. According to the US government, Hong Kong and China are seen as major route for Russia to procure military and drone components and semiconductors. Kuleba asked the Hong Kong administration to take required measures to “weaken Russia’s” ability to continue war.
On 25 July, in an exchange of statements between Ukraine and Russia on peace negotiations, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry expressed its readiness to hold talks with Russia in “good faith,” while Kuleba denied the state of readiness at present. Whereas, Russian Press Secretary, Dmitry Peskov reiterated Zelenskyy’s ruling out of option for talks as the obstacle to begin the negotiation. The conditions placed till now by both remains far from talks as Ukraine demands for Russian troops withdrawal while Vladimir Putin, Russian President includes the four self-annexed (Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Luhansk and Donetsk) regions as part of Russia.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 25 July, Russian government claimed on holding joint military exercises with China near Alaska. According to the report, the exercises were not against “third countries” and Tu-95MS strategic missile carriers along with China’s Xian H-6 strategic bombers were used in the exercises over Chukchi, Bering Seas and north Pacific Ocean. According to the report, the strategic bombers were of nuclear technology.
On 25 July, Alexander Khinshtein, head of the State Duma lower house of parliament's Committee on Information Policy stated the possibility of reducing the speed of YouTube in Russia. According to Khinshtein, YouTube speeds in desktop can be reduced to 40 to 70 per cent on violation of Russian legislation. Since YouTube blocked Russian channels, it has been subject to criticism from Russia. Similarly, Google has also been fined by Russia for not shifting content that are considered “illegal or undesirable” by Russia. He added: “If the administration of the resource will not change its policy and will not start observing our laws, it can expect nothing good here.”
THE WEST VIEW
Responses from the Europe and the US
On 25 July, in response to the Russia-China joint military drills, the US military's North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) confirmed on Russian and Chinese aircraft remaining in international airspace and had not entered US or Canadian sovereign. In a statement NORAD: “This Russian and PRC activity in the Alaska ADIZ is not seen as a threat, and NORAD will continue to monitor competitor activity near North America and meet presence with presence.”
On 25 July, Annalena Baerbock, German Foreign Minister issued a statement asking the Chinese government to work more towards peace in Ukraine. This comes as she visits the arms manufacturer Flensburger Fahrzeugbau (FFG) in northern Germany. She added: “[China] has not only the right to veto, but, above all, the duty to do everything in its power to bring about peace.” She also highlighted Kuleba’s visit to be essential to being China’s perspective in achieving peace.
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