|
By Neha Tresa George
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 10 October, France24 reported on Zelenskyy’s visit to France to present the “Victory Plan” to Emmanuel Macron, the French President. This visit came as part of his 48-hour trip to London, Paris, Rome and Berlin trying to cater military and financial support to Ukraine. According to Elysee, the official website of the French government, the talks aimed "to reaffirm France's determination to continue to provide, over the long term and with all of its partners, unwavering support to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people." The visit came after Macron visited a military camp in eastern France, to meet a brigade of Ukrainian troops who are training in France.
On 11 October, France24 reported on the announcement made by Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s Prime Minister, over the Ukraine Recovery Conference. After discussing with Zelenskyy, Meloni informed that Italy was set to host the Conference from 10 – 11 July 2025. The previous conferences were held in Switzerland, London and Berlin. In the meeting where Zelenskyy presented his “Victory Plan,” Meloni assured Italy’s support to Ukraine. She said that Italy intended to put Ukraine in the best possible condition to negotiate peace. Zelenskyy will also meet Pope Francis at the Vatican as part of his Europe tour.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims from Russia
On 10 October, RT reported on the Kremlin’s response to the Italian source which claimed that Ukraine was ready for a ceasefire. According to Dmitry Peskov, Press Secretary of the Russian President, Russia had not yet received any signals indicating that Ukraine was ready for a truce. Dmitry Litvin, the communications advisor to the Ukrainian President also denied these claims. He said: “We have the ‘peace formula’ which says clearly what Ukraine views as a just peace.” These responses came against the claims put forth by an article in Corriere della Sera, an Italian daily which said: “The Ukrainian leader would be ready for a ceasefire along the current line - without recognizing a new official border - in exchange for some Western commitments.” The article further suggested that the softening Ukrainian stance was due to Russia’s advances in the Donbass region. This came ahead of Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Rome, as part of a tour of several European capitals.
On 10 October, RT reported on the comments made by Dmitry Peskov over the claims of involvement of North Korean soldiers in the Ukraine war. He has refuted the statements of Kim Yong-hyun, the South Korean Defence Minister who claimed earlier that Pyongyang could send its forces to the war. Peskov termed it as another “hoax.” The claims put forth by Yong-hyun were in the context of the “Comprehensive Treaty Partnership” signed between North Korea and Russia which demanded action if one of the countries were attacked.
THE WEST VIEW
On 10 October, Mark Rutte, Secretary General of NATO visited London for meetings with Keir Starmer, the UK Prime Minister, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine and David Lammy, the UK Foreign Secretary and John Healey, the UK Defence Secretary. This was his first visit to an Allied nation after taking charge as the Secretary-General. The leaders discussed the UK’s significant contributions to NATO and support for Ukraine. He appreciated the UK’s commitment to NATO and highlighted that it was one of the three countries that are investing 2 per cent of its GDP in defence. Additionally, he announced the upcoming NATO’s annual nuclear exercise “Steadfast Noon” scheduled on 14 October. He also highlighted the UK’s contribution to the reconstruction of Ukraine. On the same day, Joe Biden, the US President and Olaf Scholz, the German Chancellor spoke on the US-German relationship and support for Ukraine. Biden expressed his interest in continuing their alliance on geopolitical priorities. He also spoke about delivering assistance to Ukraine.
On 10 October, Anadolu Agency reported on the commencement of NATO's annual nuclear exercise “Steadfast Noon” scheduled to be held on 14 October. Mark Rutte announced it during his meeting in London with the leaders of Ukraine, the US and the UK. He said: “In an uncertain world, it is vital that we test our defence and strengthen our capabilities so that our adversaries know NATO is ready and able to respond to any threat.” The two-week exercise will involve around 60 aircraft, including F-35A fighter jets and B-52 bombers, from 13 NATO nations. According to NATO officials, around 2000 military personnel will participate in the missions along with the US nuclear warheads. The drills will be hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands and will take place over the North Sea area.
On 10 October, the European Commission adopted a EUR 1.8 billion support package to Moldova for its Reform and Growth Facility for the period 2025-2027. It aims to boost Moldova’s economy and bring it closer to its path to EU membership. The Growth Plan is based on three pillars mainly- “to increase financial assistance in the next three years, enhance access to the EU’s single market, to support Moldova’s socio-economic reforms.” These will be done through the construction of new roads, infrastructure, energy security, healthcare, flexibility of supply chain, facilitating trade and transport connections, building on economic competitiveness and green transition. This was the biggest package announced by the EU since Moldova’s independence. Once the plan is adopted by Moldova, it will be asked to submit the reforms undertaken to accelerate its growth and alliance with the EU.
On 10 October, the Financial Times reported that the US intended to participate in the G7 fundraising for Ukraine despite uncertainty over the Russian frozen assets. According to some US and EU officials, the US aims to join the USD 50 billion loan to Ukraine even without the EU extending its sanction period. The original plan was to give USD 20 billion each from the US and the EU while Canada, Japan and the UK contributed to the rest. However, the US made its involvement dependent on changes to the EU sanctions thus assuring that the USD 210 billion in the Russian assets remained frozen throughout the year. On this, Hungary vetoed demanding that the sanctions should be renewed every six months. This led to the US and the EU adopting alternative plans to raise funds.
References
“Kremlin comments on reports Ukraine is ready for ceasefire,” RT, 10 October 2024
“Claims about North Korean soldiers ‘a hoax’ – Kremlin,” RT, 10 October 2024
“Secretary General praises the United Kingdom’s contributions to NATO and Ukraine,” NATO, 10 October 2024
“NATO to begin annual nuclear exercise, says alliance chief,” Anadolu Agency, 10 October 2024
“Zelensky presents Ukraine 'victory plan' to Macron in Paris,” France24, 10 October 2024
“Commission adopts €1.8 billion support package to underpin Moldova's economic growth plan on its path to the EU,” DG NEAR, 10 October 2024
“Readout of President Joe Biden’s Call with Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany,” WH.GOV, 10 October 2024
“Italy to host 2025 Ukraine reconstruction conference in July,” France24, 10 October 2024
“US committed to G7 loan for Ukraine despite setback,” Financial Times, 11 October 2024
|
