Photo : kremlin.ru
Photo : kremlin.ru
By Neha Tresa George and Advik S Mohan
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 24 September, ABC News published an interview with Zelenskyy wherein he stated the war with Russia was closer to ending than expected. Zelenskyy stated the victory plan of Ukraine could be achieved only through support from the friends and allies of Ukraine. The President also stated Ukraine could push Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia towards ending the war only from a strong position. According to Zelenskyy, the incursion by the Armed Forces of Ukraine into the Kursk Oblast of Russia had made Putin afraid, for his citizens saw he could not defend Russian territory. Zelenskyy had requested the US and UK governments to drop their restrictions on the usage of long-range missiles by Ukraine to conduct strikes inside Russia. However, Putin warned the use of Western weapons against Russian targets would significantly escalate the war.
On 25 September, Politico reported that the Government of Ukraine was depending upon the Government of India to help end the war against Russia. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine held a meeting with Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India during the United Nations General Assembly session in New York. An anonymous high-ranking Ukrainian official stated India was the biggest hope for Ukraine reaching a favourable peace deal. The official stated Modi had made clear that any proposal to end the war must not include Ukraine giving up territory to Russia. The Ukrainian government views India and its non-aligned stance as an essential intermediary in helping end the war. While countries like Switzerland, Austria, China, and the US have faced allegations of being biased in favour of either Russia or Ukraine, India is viewed as a non-aligned party with an emphasis on sovereignty being protected. Jaishankar, the Minister of External Affairs of India stated India was the only country which could openly talk with Russia over the Ukraine issue. Jaishankar also stated India was concerned and engaged in trying to end the war, and suggestions had been made for a peace summit to be hosted in India. Heorhii Tykhyi, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine stated India was a reliable partner for Ukraine. Tykhyi also informed Ukraine wanted to see Indian participation in the peace formula process since India could make a difference.
On 25 September, Ukrinform reported on the Russian attack on the city of Kramatorsk in the Donetsk region. The attack had led to the death of two people and injury of 15 others. According to Vadym Filashkin, the Chief of the Donetsk RMA, the Russian strike had destroyed two multi-story buildings, shops and cars. Authorities and rescue missions were reported to be working on the site.
On 25 September, CNN reported on Zelenskyy’s statements condemning Russia’s attack on Ukraine’s energy grid. He said: “Since Russia can’t defeat our people’s resistance on the battlefield, Russian President Vladimir Putin is looking for other ways to break the Ukrainian spirit.” He added that Russia was intensifying its attacks to push the country into “dark and cold.” He further recalled the attacks on the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and warned of a possible nuclear incident there. Apart from that, he talked about the potential threats faced by Ukraine’s energy system. According to his estimates, 80 per cent of Ukraine’s energy system remained disabled by Russia’s attacks. These statements came as part of his recent speech at the United Nations Security Council.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims from Russia
On 25 September, the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation claimed the successful repulsion of Ukrainian troops near the settlement of Novy Put in the Kursk region. The latest update from the ministry stated that the interception was carried with the joint support of Russia’s aviation and artillery, as a result of which Ukraine lost over 50 personnel, three tanks, and infantry fighting vehicle and an armored combat vehicle. The Ministry further informed that the Russian forces had countered two Ukrainian attacks near the settlement of Lyubimovka in the Kursk region, leading to the death of 15 Ukrainian troops and the elimination of several vehicles. The Russian forces were continuously engaged in combating the Ukrainian troops entering the Kursk region. According to the ministry's estimates, more than 300 servicemen, seven armored vehicles including three tanks, one infantry fighting vehicle, two artillery pieces and six cars were eliminated.
On 25 September, RT reported on the statements made by Dmitry Peskov, Press Secretary of the Russian President in response to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine in its recent speech at the United Nations Security Council. Zelenskyy said that the Russia-Ukraine conflict could not be resolved through talks and Moscow “could only be forced into peace.” In response, Peskov said: “A stance that is based on an attempt to force Russia into peace is an absolutely fatal mistake because it is impossible to force Russia into peace.” He referred to this thought as a “profound delusion” that would impact Ukraine. He further added that Russia advocated for peace that ensured the foundations of its security and the goals of the ongoing military special operations. He assured that Russia would not settle for anything less.
On 25 September, The Moscow Times reported on the capture of two villages in eastern Ukraine by the Russian troops. According to the statements from the government of Russia, the troops “liberated the settlements” of Hostre and Hryhorivka in the Donetsk region. Hostre is located around 30 kilometres west of the city of Donetsk and Hryhorivka lies near the town of Chasiv Yar. These advances would push Russia much closer to Pokrovsk, the strategic and logistics hub of Ukraine.
THE WEST VIEW
Responses from the US and Europe
On 25 September, The Washington Post reported on Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia statements on Russia’s nuclear doctrine. He stated attacks on nonnuclear states were a part of the nuclear doctrine of the Government of the Russian Federation. At a meeting with the Russian Security Council, Putin stated acts of aggression against Russia by nonnuclear states with the participation and support of a nuclear state would be considered as a joint attack on the Russian Federation. Putin also informed Russian nuclear weapons would be launched after reliable information about a massive aerospace attack which crossed the Russian border was communicated. However, analysts stated the threats made by Putin were impractical. Andrey Kartapolov, the Head of the Defence Committee in the State Duma informed the changes in the Russian nuclear doctrine would make it more flexible and effective. Sergey Markov, a prominent supporter of Putin stated the threshold for nuclear weapon usage had been lowered, and it would be easier now for Russia to deploy these weapons. According to Markov, Russia could now use nuclear weapons against Ukraine since it was being supported by nuclear states like France, the UK and the US. Pavel Podvig, an analyst who runs the Russian Nuclear Forces Project stated the statements of Putin were designed to warn the West of the potential consequences of greater support for Ukraine.
On 26 September, Ukrinform reported on the Joint Declaration adopted by the leaders of the G7 and other partner institutions for the reconstruction and redevelopment of Ukraine. It provided for increased military, economic and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine in the short-term and post-war period. According to Joe Biden, US President: “We are launching a Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine's Recovery and Reconstruction to make it clear that we stand with Ukraine now and in the future.” He added that more than 30 countries along with the EU had joined the declaration. It aimed at reasserting international support for Ukraine and assisting for its long-term recovery and reconstruction. Apart from that, the document reaffirms Russia’s responsibility to financially provide for the damages caused in Ukraine.
References
Seb Starcevic and Veronika Melkozerova, “ Ukraine bets on India to help get peace deal with Putin,” Politico, 25 September 2024Francesca Ebel, Natalia Abbakumova, and Robyn Dixon, “Russia’s nuclear doctrine to include attacks on nonnuclear states,” The Washington Post, 25 September 2024Meredith Deliso, “Zelenskyy says Ukraine’s war with Russia is ‘closer to the end’ as he appeals for more help: GMA exclusive,” ABC News, 24 September 2024