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By Samrudhi Pathak
WAR ON GROUND
On 08 December, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said peace was necessary for Ukraine to defend itself from Russia. Donald Trump, the newly elected President of the US, recently stated that he could stop all the funding given to Ukraine for the war. Meanwhile, Russia and Ukraine are also chalking out their foreign policy towards the US, with Trump elected to power. The article suggests Zelensky has also eased his position on territorial claims and ceasefire negotiations. Zelensky said, “Ukrainians want peace more than anyone else.” So far, around 43,000 troops were killed due to the war and 3,70,000 injured. Even Russia is speculated to have lost at least 82,000 soldiers.
On 09 December, Volodymyr Zelensky said that he is open to the deployment of Western troops in Ukrainian territory to defend it from Russia. Zelensky said on his Telegram channel that the deployment of troops would be a step closer to joining NATO. At their summit in Washington in July, NATO declared Ukraine on an “irreversible” path to membership. Ukraine’s borders would need to be clearly demarcated before it could join. Currently, one-fifth of Ukrainian territory is under Russian control. Russia launched nearly 500 powerful guided bombs, more than 400 attack drones and almost 20 missiles of various types against Ukraine in the previous week itself. Zelenskyy thanked Joe Biden, the current President of the US who will be stepping down in January, for the latest U.S. military aid of nearly USD one billion.
On 09 December, Zelensky met with Fredriech Merz, the opposition leader in Germany’s Bundestag. While greeting the leader, Zelensky said, “Germany’s assistance is very serious – the second largest in the world after the United States. In total, financial support for our army and humanitarian aid amounts to approximately 37 billion euros.” The two leaders also discussed Ukraine’s integration into the European Union, ensuring European unity, and its role in strengthening Ukraine. The discussion also focussed on the issue of Ukrainian refugees in Germany who fled their homes because of the full-scale Russian invasion. During the press conference, Merz said that the restrictions many Western allies had placed on Ukraine’s ability to use their weapons was “akin to forcing your country to fight with one hand tied behind your back.” Germany has refused to supply long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine for the war. Merz said that he would reverse the decision if elected to power.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 09 December, TASS published a report on approximate numbers of casualties during the war between Ukraine and Russia. The Russian Defence Ministry reported that the Ukrainian armed forces had lost more than 200 troops in the Kursk area on 08 December. In total, Ukrainian casualties have amounted to more than 39,460 troops since the fighting began in the region. According to the report in TASS, as of 08 December, Ukraine lost more than 200 troops, two tanks, eight armoured combat vehicles, two motor vehicles and three mortars. Since the fighting began in the Kursk Region, Ukraine has lost over 39,460 troops, 234 tanks, 171 infantry fighting vehicles, 123 armoured personnel carriers, 1,241 armoured combat vehicles, 1,100 motor vehicles, 308 artillery pieces, 40 multiple rocket launchers, including 11 HIMARS and six MLRS of US manufacture, 13 anti-aircraft missile launchers, seven transport and loading vehicles, 72 electronic warfare stations, 13 counter-battery radars, four air defence radars, 27 pieces of engineering and other equipment, including 13 counter-obstacle vehicles, one UR-77 mine-clearing vehicle, six armoured repair and recovery vehicles, as well as a command and staff vehicle.
On 09 December, the Russian Federation celebrated its Fatherland Day by honouring the Russian soldiers in the Kremlin. The ceremony included 60 recipients of the Order of Courage and 21 Heroes of Russia. Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, also recognised contributions made by researchers, scholars, scientists and workers in the war against Ukraine. Heroes of the Fatherland Day was established in 2007, marking 1769 when Empress Catherine the Great established the Order of St. George the Victorious.
THE WEST VIEW
Responses from the US and the Europe
On 08 December, in an interview with NBC, Donald Trump said that he is considering reducing military aid to Ukraine and proposing an immediate ceasefire. He claims to have a warm relationship with Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia. He said that he is even reconsidering US membership in NATO. Trump also expects China to play a role in brokering peace between Russia and Ukraine. NATO members have increased their defence budgets partly due to pressure during Trump’s first term.
On 09 December, Kristi Raik, deputy director of the International Center for Defense and Security (ICDS), was interviewed by ERR on issues surrounding Russian aggression and uprising in Syria. She said that the rebellion uprising against Assad’s government in Syria is an indication towards weakening Russian influence. She also said that Donald Trump’s, President of the US, meeting with Emmanuel Macron, President of the Republic of France, is a positive sign for Europe. She also emphasised US support for Ukraine for continuing the war. She said the UK and France are discussing providing Ukraine with more support. All strategies aim to halt military action from Russia, later agreeing to a ceasefire.
On 09 December, Kristen Michal, the Prime Minister of Estonia, arrived in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, to meet Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine. The meeting aims to open an Estonia-Ukraine Business Forum. Michal said, “Russia’s attacks have caused significant damage to Ukraine’s energy system. Estonia’s next aid shipment of turbines, generators and transformers will arrive here within a month.”
References
“Defeating enemy formations, Ukrainian losses: situation in Russia’s Kursk Region,” TASS, 09 December 2024
“Ukraine conflict veterans ‘real elite’ of Russia – Putin,” RT, 09 December 2024
“Trump actively communicating with Ukraine is a positive sign,” ERR, 09 December 2024
“Zelensky Wants ’Enduring’ Peace, Trump Will ’Probably’ Reduce Ukraine Aid,” Kyiv Post, 09 December 2024
Oman Al Yahyai, “Trump urges immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and suggests NATO role rethinking,” Euronews, 09 December 2024
“Zelenskyy open to Western troops providing security in effort to end war in Ukraine,” PBS News, 09 December 2024
“Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Friedrich Merz Discussed Military Assistance and Steps to Establish a Just Peace,” President of Ukraine, 09 December 2024
“Estonian PM visiting Kyiv, to meet with Zelenskyy,” Baltic Times, 09 December 2024
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