|
By Neha Tresa George
WAR ON GROUND
On 02 December, The Kyiv Independent reported on a Russian drone attack on Ternopil in western Ukraine. It led to a fire in a residential building. According to Ternopil Mayor Serhiy Nadal, the attack had led to the death of one person and injured three. He said: “Doctors are doing everything possible to save the wounded.” The emergency services and rescue teams were working to put down the fire and prepare temporary shelters for the rescued residents.
On 02 December, ABC News reported on the Russian overnight drone attack recorded by the Ukrainian Air Force. According to them, 52 out of 110 drones were intercepted. Six of them flew into Russian or Belarusian airspace and one was still lingering over Ukraine. Since the attack of Massed Russian drone barrages were increasing during the winters, Zelenskyy pointed out that Ukraine was faced with “Russian aerial terror.”
THE WEST VIEW
Responses from the US and the Europe
On 02 December, Reuters reported on the meeting between the US and Ukrainian defence chiefs Lloyd Austin and Rustin Umerov. They discussed Russia’s new ballistic missiles, the US’s plans for military aid for 2025 and preparation for the upcoming meeting of arms donors. During the meeting, Austin expressed his discontent with Russia’s usage of barrage missiles, UAVs and an Intermediate Range Ballistic missile upon Ukraine’s critical infrastructure. Meanwhile, Umerov considered this meeting as a “strategic planning for 2025” concerning weapons and equipment. He further said that the meeting highlighted the preparations for the upcoming Ramstein Group, an alliance of NATO and the EU, in support of Ukraine. This meeting came amidst the US announcing USD 725 million in aid to Ukraine.
On 03 December, Swissinfo.ch reported that the Swiss parliament was planning to limit the issuance of Ukrainian S permits to the residents of war-stricken areas of the country only. Ukrainian S is a permit system that allows Ukrainians to seek protection, residence and livelihood in Switzerland without asylum. The House of Representatives of Switzerland partially approved the alteration with 96 votes in favour. Thus the new change would restrict the permit to people who lived in “contested and partially or wholly Russian occupied areas” of Ukraine. People who lived in areas without fighting would not be granted this permit. However, this motion would not affect the S status permits for non-Ukrainians.
On 03 December, Politico reported on the statements of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer about his support for Ukraine. He said: “The UK must continue to back Ukraine and do what it takes to support their self-defense for as long as it takes.” According to him, this would push Ukraine toward a “just and lasting peace” guaranteeing their future. On the question of whether the UK’s approach was changing to the Ukraine war, Foreign Office Minister Catherine West argued that the UK had always supported Ukraine in achieving peace on its terms. She added that it was in Ukraine’s hands to identify its position during future discussions.
References
“Ukraine says Russian attack targeted energy infrastructure in Rivne region,” Anadolu Agency, 03 December 2024
“US, Ukraine defense heads discuss Russia’s use of new missiles, 2025 aid to Kyiv,” Reuters, 03 December 2024
“Russia fired at least 60 North Korean missiles against Ukraine, military intelligence says,” The Kyiv Independent, 04 December 2024
“Switzerland mulls S status restrictions for Ukrainian refugees,” Swissinfo.ch, 03 December 2024
“UK on Ukraine: All wars end in negotiation,” Politico, 03 December 2024
“Ukraine pushes NATO membership as allies sidestep invite call,” Reuters, 04 December
|
