|
By Advik S Mohan
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 07 November, Ukrinform reported on the meeting between the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer. The meeting held on the sidelines of the European Political Community summit involved the implementation of the prospective victory plan by Ukraine. Another key point from the meeting was the discussion of support for the Ukrainian defence industry. Zelenskyy thanked Starmer and the UK for their support for Ukraine.
On 07 November, Ukrinform reported on the head of the Centre for Countering Disinformation, Andriy Kovalenko report on deployment of North Korean troops on the contact line in the Kursk Oblast of Russia. Kovalenko, who heads the Centre at the National Security and Defence Council informed North Korean troops were embedded in Russian units fighting on the Lyubimovka-Novoivanovka line, and near Pogrebki. Kovalenko also stated the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy had confirmed combat casualties amongst the North Korean troops.
On 07 November, Ukrinform reported on Zelenskyy's discussion on military aid to Ukraine with the President of France, Emmanuel Macron. Zelenskyy said that he discussed military assistance, training and long-range capabilities with Macron during the meeting. The Ukrainian President also thanked Macron for French participation in coalitions and support for the Ukraine Victory Plan. Zelenskyy stated that European unity was essential to support Ukraine.
On 07 November, Ukrinform reported on Zelenskyy's statement that the US President-elect, Donald Trump wanted a quick end to the war. According to Zelenskyy, Trump wanted a quick fix, and Ukraine needed to prepare for any decision. Zelenskyy stated Ukraine wanted a just end to the war, and a quick end implied losses. The Ukrainian President said he had good conversations with Trump in the past. However, he stated the conservations needed to be more substantive.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 07 November, RT reported on Russia's President Vladimir Putin views on several global issues. At the annual Valdai Club forum in Sochi, Putin congratulated Donald Trump for his victory in the US presidential election. Putin referred to Trump as courageous and capable and stated he was ready to open dialogue with the US government under Trump. Additionally, Putin accused NATO of being an anachronism which incited conflicts. The Russian President also accused NATO of creating security imbalances which destabilized Eastern Europe through its expansionist policies. Putin also stated that neoliberalism was a totalitarian ideology responsible for enforcing uniformity and curbing national sovereignty and traditional values. Additionally, Putin informed the global order needed to become a multipolar one, rather than a unipolar one which served only a small number of powerful elites. The Russian President also stated that Western sanctions on Russia had backfired, as Russia withstood the economic impact.
On 07 November, an op-ed in RT reported on how the victory of Donald Trump in the US presidential election was a defeat for the left-liberal globalist agenda. The op-ed informed the return of Trump was a failure of the propaganda campaign by the Democratic Party to project him as a criminal. According to the op-ed, right-wing nationalist forces in Europe gained a powerful ally from the victory of Trump, and liberal globalism faced a rollback. The op-ed further noted Trump would take a stricter foreign policy towards US allies, such as shifting the burden of military and financial expenditures. Additionally, it stated countries viewed as US adversaries like Iran and China would face greater pressure economically and diplomatically under a Trump administration. Another key point mentioned in the op-ed was that it was difficult to expect the Trump administration to initiate a substantive dialogue along the issues of the new territorial positions in the Ukraine war, and the military-economic status, potential and nature of a future government in Ukraine. According to the op-ed, the US government was unlikely to take the core interests of Russia into account, even if it agreed to a dialogue. The op-ed concluded the only positive from the victory of Trump was a reduction in military aid to Ukraine. According to the op-ed, this would increase the prospects of peace.
THE WEST VIEW
Responses from the US and Europe
On 08 November, the Financial Times reported on the worries over the trajectory of the European gas market this winter. Due to its diversification to liquified natural gas(LNG) from Russian gas after the Ukraine war, the European energy market is now more globally connected. LNG accounts for 34 per cent of all European gas supplies, and its global supply is tight. This means that Europe competes with Asia during periods of high demand. Due to this, traders selling gas are incentivized with high gas prices. Mild temperatures and winters allowed Europe to reduce its LNG demand, and end winter with record levels of gas left in storage. However, a partner at Rystad Energy, Sindre Knutsson informed the market was taken into account, and this winter would be normal. This would increase gas demand compared to previous winters. Additionally, the gas transit contract between Ukraine and Russia which accounts for 5 per cent of the annual gas imports of the EU expires on 31 December. Analysts and traders estimate Europe will end the winter with gas storages about 45 to 55 per cent full. This is less than the previous two winters. Storage levels could drop to 35 per cent full if Europe experienced a colder winter.
References
“Zelensky, Starmer talk Victory Plan, support for Ukraine’s Armyl” Ukrinform, 07 November 2024
“Zelenskyy, Macron discuss military aid to Ukraine,” Ukrinform, 07 November 2024
“Zelensky believes Trump wants quick fix to Russian war against Ukraine,” Ukrinform, 07 November 2024
“North Korean troops now deployed on line of contact in Kursk region- Ukraine official,” Ukrinform, 07 November 2024
"‘New world order, anachronistic NATO and courageous Trump’: Highlights from Putin’s talk at the Valdai Forum,” RT, 07 November 2024
Dmitry Trenin, “Dmitry Trenin: Here’s what Trump’s victory means for the US, Russia and the world,” RT, 07 November 2024
Shotaro Tani and Alan Smith, “Europe’s winter gas supplies at risk from market disruptions,” Financial Times, 08 November 2024
|
