Photo : Mikhail Metzel/Sputnik
Photo : Mikhail Metzel/Sputnik
By Padmashree Anandhan
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 06 December, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko announced an expected treaty between Russia and Belarus assuring security guarantees. He said: “I'm sure that the treaty will ensure the security of Russia and Belarus." The move comes after a modification to Russia’s nuclear doctrine by lowering the threshold on the usage of nuclear weapons. On the same, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin said that the document would have the potential use of transferring tactical nuclear weapons into Belarus.
On the same day, Putin said that the hypersonic Oreshnik missiles to Belarus could be deployed. He confirmed that the deployment would take place in the “second half” of 2025 as the production of the missiles had “ramped up.” The Oreshnik nuclear-capable missiles were revealed in November and were used to strike Dnipro in central Ukraine escalating tensions in the war. It is also capable of flying 10 times the speed of sound striking up to 5,500 kilometers.
THE WEST VIEW
Responses from the US and the Europe
On 06 December, the Czech government reported on Russian oil flowing back to Czech through the Druzhba pipeline. The oil supply had stopped earlier in the southern branch for unknown reasons. The supply has been exempted by the EU for the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. In 2023, the Druzhba pipeline had received 58 per cent of the oil consumed by the Czech. It is also in the process of expansion through the Transalpine Oil Pipeline (TAL) connecting Italy and Central Europe to end the dependency on Russian oil.
On 06 December, the governments of Sweden and Denmark announced signing a contract with a Swedish military equipment manufacturer to acquire 205 armoured combat vehicles. Out of the 205 CV90 vehicles ordered, 115 will be given to Denmark, 50 to Sweden and 40 to Ukraine. The Contract amounts to SEK 25 billion (EUR 2.17 billion). According to Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson: "These investments will make it possible for more Swedish combat vehicles to make Europe, and especially Ukraine, safer."
On 06 December, Romania’s far-right presidential candidate Calin Georgescu, stated his decision to stop aiding Ukraine on victory. The latest run-off against conservative-liberal reform politician Elena Lasconi scheduled this weekend was stalled after the court’s annulment. The court called for a re-run of the election post-declassification of security documents. Georgescu said: “Zero. Everything stops. I have to take care just about my people. We have a lot of problems ourselves.” As per Romania’s system, the president is the core decider for foreign and security policy.
References
“Putin Says Belarus Could Host Oreshnik Missile in 2025,” The Moscow Times, 06 December 2024
“Putin signs agreement offering Russia’s security guarantees to ally Belarus,” The Associated Press, 06 December 2024
“Russian Economy Shows Signs of Slowdown, Top Banker Warns,” 06 December 2024Sarah Rainsford, “Romania's far right presidential frontrunner vows to end Ukraine aid,” BBC, 06 December 2024
George Allison, “Denmark and Sweden sign $2.5B deal for CV90 Combat Vehicles,” ukdefencejournal.org.uk, 06 December 2024
“Oil flow to Czech Republic through Russia's Druhzba pipeline resumes after unexplained shutdown,” ABC News, 06 December 2024