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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, The Guardian reported on the visit of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to Ukraine. During his visit, he announced a military package of EUR 650 million. He said: “Russia should not be allowed to “impose a dictated peace on Ukraine.” He added that no negotiations should take place without the presence of Ukraine. Scholz expressed his hope to bring a “a fair and lasting peace.” Further, he highlighted that Germany would be the “strongest supporter of Ukraine.” He also highlighted quick delivery of weapons and arms.
On 02 December, The New York Times reported that the Pentagon had announced USD 725 million in military assistance for Ukraine. This would include anti-personnel land mines, drones, portable antiaircraft missiles and anti-tank missiles. In an official statement, the Pentagon said that these were part of increasing security aid to Ukraine as it was bracing for a new offensive from Russia. The arms were provided under the provision of “presidential drawdown authority” which allowed for the smooth transfer of Pentagon stocks to Ukraine. Otherwise, it would take years or months for the defence contractors to manufacture the weapons with new contracts. Till now, there have been a total of 15 drawdowns with USD 4.6 billion of arms, ammunition, vehicles and other supplies.
On 02 December, Euronews reported on the visit of Hungary’s Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó to Russia. He met his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov and held talks on Russia’s war with Ukraine and the delivery of energy supplies. Szijjártó said that the war was having negative consequences on the neighbouring countries including Hungary. He added that Budapest was on the “side of peace.” On the resolution of the war, he highlighted the importance of “open diplomatic channels” that promote negotiations. Meanwhile, Lavrov agreed to advocate peace but expressed concern over a “talk of ceasefire in the West.” Szijjártó also met with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak and Russian energy companies to discuss oil and gas imports.
On 02 December, Deutsche Welle reported on the visit of Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock to China. On meeting with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, she raised concerns over China’s growing relations with Moscow. She said that China’s support would affect “the ties between their countries.” She said: “Drones from Chinese factories and North Korean troops attacking peace in the center of Europe violate our core European security interests.” Further, she brought the issue of the EU’s trade tariffs on Chinese EVs into the limelight. She asked the authorities to engage in “constructive discussions” with the EU. This is important for Germany as it is one of the countries that awaits a negative impact on the German car market in China.
THE GLOBAL FALLOUTS
Implications of the War
On 02 December, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute reported on the rise in revenues of the world’s major arms producers amid wars and conflicts. In the EU, the combined arms revenue of the 27 among the top 100 companies in 2023 saw a 0.2 per cent rise from 2022. The estimated USD 133 billion in revenue was the smallest increase in the world. However, this was because they were working on older contracts during 2023. Meanwhile, some European companies from Germany, Sweden, Ukraine, Poland, Norway and Czechia were able to increase their revenue. These were linked to the war in Ukraine. Two of the Russian companies listed under the top 100 were able to increase their revenue by 40 per cent with an estimated USD 25.5 billion. This pointed to the rise in arms revenues recorded by Rostec, a state-owned company controlling arms producers. Turkey’s Baykar UAVs also recorded a 25 per cent increase in revenue with USD 1.9 billion in 2023. These were widely used in the war in Ukraine.
References
“Hungary's foreign minister visits Moscow again to discuss Ukraine conflict and energy,” Euronews, 02 December 2024
“Germany's Baerbock warns China over Russia support,” Deutsche Welle, 02 December 2024
“U.S. Sending $725 Million in Arms to Ukraine, Including More Land Mines,” The New York Times, 02 December 2024
“German chancellor Olaf Scholz pledges €650m in military aid to Ukraine on Kyiv visit,” The Guardian, 02 December 2024
“Updated: 1 killed, 3 injured in Russia's attack on Ternopil,” The Kyiv Independent, 02 December 2024
“Russia launches 110 attack drones into Ukraine amid high-level allied visits,” ABC News, 02 December 2024
“World’s top arms producers see revenues rise on the back of wars and regional tensions,” SIPRI, 02 December 2024
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