Photo : The US Embassy in Ukraine
Photo : The US Embassy in Ukraine
By Neha Tresa George
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 27 September, Ukrinform reported on the Russian airstrike in the village of Kherson. The attack led to the injury of four people including two children. According to the Kherson Regional Military Administration, Russians striked the residential buildings with guided bombs in the evening. The injured people were reported to be hospitalised and treated.
On 27 September, Ukrinform reported on the Russian missile attack in the region of Kryvyi Rih. It was reported by Oleksandr Vilkul, Head of the city's Defense Council. The post he shared read: “Kryvyi Rih. Missile attack. Don’t record or share anything online.” According to the authorities, the missile targeted a residential building and people were believed to be under the rubble. Yevhen Sytnychenko, Chief of the Kryvyi Rih District Military Administration also confirmed the attack
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims from Russia
On 26 September, RT reported on the statements made by Dmitry Peskov, Press Secretary of the Russian President on Ukraine’s “Plan of Victory.” According to him, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, had no genuine plan to settle the conflict with Russia. He added that Zelenskyy’s plan contained no specific points even for his western allies. He further said: “Therefore, there can be no talk of any sort of adoption of the plan.” Zelenskyy had earlier informed that the new plan was about “strengthening Ukraine” and not “negotiating with Russia.”
On 26 September, RT reported on the newly introduced BRICS payment and settlement system for trading within the member states. He said: “As part of cooperation with BRICS countries, we are working to create our own payment and settlement system.” At the Russian Energy Week Forum in Russia, Vladimir Putin, Russia’s President said that the supplies of Russian oil and gas to their allies enabled economic stability and competence in the global market. Meanwhile, he also stressed the “certain difficulties” posed by the sanctions imposed by the western countries in the global market. He added that the usage of national currency for trading among the BRICS members had led to the increase of ruble between 2021 and 2023. He said that the partner institutions supported this.
On 26 September, RT reported on statements made by Peskov on Russia’s proposed revival of its nuclear doctrine. According to his statement, Putin’s proposal to upgrade the nuclear doctrine should be treated as a warning to the western nations who were supporting Ukraine. This was against the backdrop of Putin’s announcement of the new nuclear strategy to “treat aggression against Russia by any non-nuclear state but with the participation or support of a nuclear state as a joint attack.” It meant that Ukraine attempting to attack deep inside Russian territory with the help of western-supplied long-range weapons would be met with serious implications. Referring to these comments, Peskov believed that all the leaders understood the seriousness of the situation. He added: “Especially when it comes to such an unprecedented standoff triggered by the direct involvement of Western nations, including nuclear powers, in the conflict over Ukraine.”
THE WEST VIEW
Responses from the US and Europe
On 27 September, Deutsche Welle reported on the reaction from the US, EU and Ukraine on Russia’s proposal for an updated nuclear doctrine. According to Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State: "It's totally irresponsible, and I think many in the world have spoken clearly about that when he's been rattling the nuclear sabre, including China in the past.” Peter Stano, the EU foreign policy spokesman also called the move “reckless and irresponsible.” Meanwhile, Ukraine accused Russia that it was only left with nuclear threat and no other means. Andriy Yermak, head of the President’s Office of Ukraine said that these attempts to frighten the world would not work.
On 27 September, Deutsche Welle reported on the statements made by Kamala Harris, the US Vice President on the US’s “unwavering support” to Ukraine. According to her statements, the US support for Ukraine is in its "strategic interest.” By urging the need to “stand for international order and norms,” she praised the Ukrainian people who were defending themselves against the Russians. She also warned that if the territories of Ukraine were given away, Russia would set its eyes on Poland, Baltic states and other NATO allies. She also commented on the suggestions made by Donald Trump, former US president that Ukraine could settle the conflict with a deal. Harris referred to such comments as “dangerous and unacceptable.” She added that they were not proposals for peaceful resolutions but rather “for surrender.”
On 27 September, Politico reported on Donald Trump’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. At a campaign event in North Carolina, he condemned Ukraine for not compromising anything which led to the escalation of the conflict. He said: “We continue to give billions of dollars to a man who refuses to make a deal, Zelenskyy.” Further, he said that the destroyed cities and towns of Ukraine could not be replaced. He had also expressed his disapproval of supporting Ukraine and threatened to cut US aid. He said that he would not send American troops to die in Ukraine. Although he has pledged to negotiate a deal with Russia and Ukraine, he always refuses to give further details on the plan.
References
“Zelensky has no ‘tangible’ peace plan – Kremlin,” RT, 26 September 2024
“BRICS developing own payment framework – Putin,” RT, 26 September 2024
“Kremlin reveals target of proposed nuclear doctrine change,” RT, 26 September 2024
“US, EU, Ukraine slam Russia's nuclear deterrence doctrine,” Deutsche Welle, 26 September 2024
“Ukraine: Kamala Harris slams Ukraine 'surrender' proposal,” Deutsche Welle, 26 September 2024
“Trump gives strongest signal yet he won’t back Ukraine and Zelenskyy against Putin,” Politico, 26 September 2024
“Statement from President Joe Biden on U.S. Support for Ukraine,” WH.GOV, 26 September 2024
“Russians launch missile strike on Kryvyi Rih: people trapped under rubble,” Ukrinform, 27 September 2024
“Civilians including minors injured as Russians attack village in Kherson region,” Ukrinform, 27 September 2024