Photo : Biden announced aid to Ukraine. Source: SAUL LOEB / AFP
Photo : Biden announced aid to Ukraine. Source: SAUL LOEB / AFP
By Neha Tresa George
WAR ON GROUND
On 30 December, Anadolu Agency reported on the prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia, which the UAE mediated. According to the Russian Defence Ministry, 300 were exchanged, and 150 Russians were sent to psychological and medical assistance in Belarus. It added that they would be transferred to Russia for further treatment and rehabilitation. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that around 189 Ukrainians had returned as part of the prisoner exchange. Till now 60 such exchanges have taken place since 2022.
On 30 December, Anadolu Agency reported on the announcements made by Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on the agreement funded by the US worth USD 15 billion signed between Ukraine and the World Bank. He said: “The United States will provide Ukraine with $15 billion, secured by revenues from frozen Russian assets.” The package comes under the World Bank’s “PEACE in Ukraine” project and was part of the US contribution to the G7 initiative (USD 20 billion). Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Finance Ministry informed that the US support for Ukraine had increased to USD 30 billion between 2022 and 2024. These funds were used to recover Ukraine’s critical infrastructure and deliver necessary services to the public. Ukraine’s Finance Minister Serhii Marchenko said the country was confident in its ability to finance social and humanitarian needs in 2025.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 30 December, RT reported capturing of two villages by Russian forces in the Donbas Oblast, Novoolenovka and Novotroitskoe. Both were in the southwest of the Donbas city of Pokrovsk, just 20 and 15 kilometres away. Russia has been reportedly advancing towards Pokrovsk, a key logistical hub of the Ukrainian army. The Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation released a video showcasing soldiers waving Russia’s national flag in Novoolenovka. The ministry claims that Ukraine had lost over 420 troops in the western part of the Donetsk People’s Republic, two German-made Leopard tanks and half a dozen artillery pieces.
On 30 December, RT reported on the tightening of laws on illegal immigrants in Russia. Russian President, Vladimir Putin signed a decree asking illegal migrants to either legalise their stay or leave the country by 30 April 2025. The decree read: “Foreign citizens and stateless persons in the Russian Federation… are obliged to leave the Russian Federation on their own or settle their legal status from 01 January to 30 April 2025.” The law formed part of Russia’s migration policy, which requires the migrants to “…submit biometric data, undergo medical checks for drugs, infectious diseases, and HIV, and pass tests on the Russian language, history, and legal system” if they wished to stay. They were also asked to settle any debts incurred and ensure valid work or residence permits. Only the undocumented immigrants who signed contracts with the military were exempted from these. From 05 February, authorities would have the power to dismiss undocumented immigrants without the court’s say. Heavy penalties were also imposed on the people accused of organising illegal migration. All these measures comes following the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall in Moscow.
On 30 December, the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation reported on the attack in Ukraine’s Kharkiv Oblast. According to video footage taken by a kamikaze drone, the attack struck a Ukrainian pickup truck. However, the Ministry did not provide further details on the operation carried out or the type of vehicle destroyed. They said it was carried out by a unit serving with the North forces group. These forces fought in the Kharkiv and Kursk region.
THE WEST VIEW
Responses from the US and Europe
On 30 December, the US Department of Treasury released an official statement close to USD six billion to Ukraine. Secretary of the Treasury Janet L Yellen said that this aid was crucial to Ukraine as it was grappling with Russian attacks on civilians and infrastructure. Of the alloted budget, USD 2.5 billion would be given as security assistance, USD 1.25 billion would be “military drawdown,” including “High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), optically guided missiles, anti-tank weapons systems, air-to-ground munitions and spare parts” and another USD 1.2 billion will be used to fund Ukraine’s Security Initiative. The fund allocated in coordination with the US Agency for International Development and the Department of State was the final one from the Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2024. The move followed the US’s allocation of USD 50 billion from the G7 loan. Yellen further said these funds indicated the US’s national interests and unwavering support to Ukraine. She also called for increasing military support to Ukraine and further sanctions on Russia.
THE GLOBAL FALLOUTS
Implications of the War
On 31 December, France24 reported on Chinese President Xi Jinping’s New Year’s message to Putin. Xi said: “No matter how the international situation changes, China will remain steadfast in further comprehensively deepening reform... and promoting world peace and development.” He called Putin his “best friend” and said that despite changes in the international framework, the relationship between Russia and China was growing towards the correct path. He further highlighted the 75th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations with Russia, thus reaching an “important milestone.” He also noted that despite the strains in their relationship, it had become more “mature and stable” over the years.
References
“Two more Donbass villages liberated – Russian MOD,” RT, 30 December 2024
“Putin issues deadline to illegal immigrants,” RT, 30 December 2024
“Russian drone hits Ukrainian military vehicle in Kharkov Region,” RT, 30 December 2024
“Russia, Ukraine swap 300 prisoners of war,” Anadolu Agency, 30 December 2024
“Ukraine, World Bank sign $15B agreement funded by US: Premier,” Anadolu Agency, 30 December 2024
“Ukrainian Strike on Occupied Kherson Kills Doctor, Kremlin-Backed Official Says,” The Moscow Times, 30 December 2024
“Xi pledges’ world peace’ in New Year’s message to Putin,” France24, 31 December 2024
“Statement by Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen on the Disbursement of U.S. Direct Budget Support for Ukraine,” US Department of the Treasury, 30 December 2024