Photo : Russian Foreign Ministry in Moscow. Source: Xinhua/Bai Xueqi
Photo : Russian Foreign Ministry in Moscow. Source: Xinhua/Bai Xueqi
By Neha Tresa George
WAR ON GROUND
On 28 December, The Kyiv Independent reported on the attack in Russia’s military facility in the western Oryol region by Ukraine’s Air Force. It led to the destruction of the facility which was a drone storage, maintenance and repair unit. According to the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, the attack reduced Russia’s capability to launch airstrikes using kamikaze drones against Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure. He added that the attack was on one of the largest oil product terminals in Russia, part of its defence military complex. The Oryol region saw several attacks from Ukraine within the past few weeks. Russia claims that another Defence facility was struck by three British-built Storm Shadow missiles two days before.
On 29 December, Ukrinform reported on Poland’s readiness to export more electricity to increase Ukraine’s domestic power production amidst Slovakia’s threats to cut off electricity supplies. This announcement came after Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico threatened Ukraine to stop the electricity supplies as retaliation for its refusal to renew the Russian gas transit agreement. An official from Poland said: “Poland is prepared to step up electricity exports to Ukraine if Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico follows through on his threat to cut off back-up power supplies to the war-torn country.” This comes at a crucial time for Ukraine as the country’s energy grids were constantly attacked.
On 29 December, Ukrinform reported on the new military assistance announced for Ukraine by the US. According to the officials, the US will announce a package of USD 1.25 billion as aid to Ukraine. The package was expected to contain munitions like the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems and the HAWK air defence system along with Stinger missiles and 155 mm- and 105 mm artillery rounds.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 28 December, in response to the EU’s 15th round of new sanctions against Russia introduced, Russia’s Foreign Ministry responded. In a statement, the foreign ministry called the sanctions illegitimate since they were against the terms of international law in the UN Security Council. The ministry published a list of those from the EU who would be banned from entering their territory as per the Federal Law of 1996. The list includes: “Representatives of law enforcement and security agencies, state-run and private entities from the EU, citizens of EU member states in charge of providing military aid to Ukraine, staff members at EU institutions and state bodies in EU member states who were involved in persecuting Russian officials for carrying out illegal arrests and kidnappings from Ukrainian territories,” This also includes those who organised a “special tribunal” for Russian leaders, officials who advocate confiscating Russian state assets, officials responsible for introducing sanctions against our country and trying to undermine its relations with other countries; “…civil activists and representatives of the academic community notorious for their rhetoric, members of parliament from EU member states and members of the European Parliament who voted in favour of anti-Russian resolutions and draft laws.”
On 29 September, Anadolu Agency reported on the claims made by Russia on capturing the village of Novotroitske, located 12 kilometres from the city of Pokrovsk. The recent months saw increased attacks in the eastern Donetsk region, particularly around Pokrovsk as it is a key logistical hub for Ukraine’s military. Ukraine has not yet commented on the development. Russia’s claims could also not be independently verified by the media.
On 29 December, RT reported on the statements of Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the US’s potential peace deal. He said that Russia was against the “mere postponement” of Ukraine’s NATO membership and the installation of European peacekeepers in Ukraine. The advisors of the upcoming US President Donald Trump proposed these two suggestions reported in the media. Although Trump promised a peaceful resolution of the conflict, he did not specify how he would achieve it. Lavrov also said that no official information was received from Trump’s team. He said: “We have always been and remain ready for negotiations. But it is important to understand with whom and about what to conduct them.” According to him, a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine could only be brokered through “reliable, legally binding agreements,” understanding the primary causes of the conflict. He has called for a neutral Ukraine without any alignment with NATO along with restrictions on the presence of foreign weapons.
On 29 December, RT reported on the statements of Lavrov condemning the US for violating the global arms control framework. He said that the successful testing and launch of the hypersonic Oreshnik missile was a response to the US deployment of mid-range missiles to Europe. He said that while Russia continued to follow the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty of 2019, the US abandoned it by supplying missiles to Europe. He pointed out that the US ignored the pleas of both Russia and China to not deploy these overseas. He also highlighted that the Oreshnik missiles showcased Russia’s retaliatory capacities and compensatory measures.
THE WEST VIEW
Responses from the US and Europe
On 29 December, Bloomberg reported that the central and southern European countries Slovakia, Hungary, Austria and Italy plans to continue the Russian gas transit as Ukraine was not willing to extend the primary transit agreement with Russia, from 2025. Ukraine cited the ongoing conflict with Russia as the reason for not renewing the agreement which will expire on 31 December 2024. One of the proposed alternatives was a commercial agreement that did not require a renewed deal between Russia and Ukraine. This would involve a direct engagement between Russian energy company Gazprom and Slovakia and other Central European countries. Another one was a gas exchange between the Azerbaijan state-owned oil company SOCAR and Gazprom. Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban also suggested a shift in the location of Russian gas sales to the Russia-Ukraine border so that the transfer would be covered under Ukraine’s free-trade agreement with the EU.
On 27 December, France24 reported on Slovakia’s readiness to hold peace talks between Ukraine and Russia. Prime Minister Fico said: “If someone wants to organize peace talks in Slovakia, we will be ready and hospitable.” In addition, Slovakia’s Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar had also posted on social media showcasing the country’s interests in hosting negotiations. In response, Putin said that Slovakia would be an “acceptable platform” for future peace talks with Ukraine. He also highlighted that Russia would achieve all its “objectives in Ukraine.” Since Fico became the Prime Minister in 2023, relations between Russia and Slovakia have increased. He has also become reluctant to Ukraine and stopped all military assistance and defence packages. It also condemns Ukraine for stopping the transit deal with Russia, blocking gas supplied to Europe.
On 27 December, The Guardian reported on the announcements by the US national security communications adviser John Kirby on new military aid. The package is expected to contain air defence systems. This announcement came after national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, met the head of the Ukrainian president’s office Andriy Yermak in Washington and promised extensive delivery of military supplies. The package will also include training for new Ukrainian troops who were at sites outside the country. He also discussed the conditions of the North Korean troops deployed in the Kursk region. He said that there were more than 1,000 casualties among them and referred to them as “human wave.” He also cited reports and said that the North Korean soldiers were killing themselves rather than surrendering.
References
“Russia won’t make concessions on Ukraine in NATO – Lavrov,” RT, 29 December 2024
“Oreshnik launch a response to US military expansion in Europe – Lavrov,” RT, 29 December 2024
“EU states seek to protect Russian gas flow despite Ukrainian threat – Bloomberg,” RT, 29 December 2024
“Poland ready to step up electricity exports to Ukraine if Slovakia cuts off power – Bloomberg,” Ukrinform, 29 December 2024
“U.S. may announce $1.25B in new aid to Ukraine – AP,” Ukrinform, 29 December 2024
“Russia claims capture of another settlement amid offensive in Ukraine's Donetsk,” Anadolu Agency, 29 December 2024
“Slovakia says ready to host Russia-Ukraine peace talks,” France24¸27 December 2024
“Biden administration pledges additional military aid to Ukraine amid Russia war,” The Guardian, 27 December 2024
“Ukraine destroys drone storage facility in Russia's Oryol Oblast, General Staff reports,” The Kyiv Independent¸ 30 December 2024
“Foreign Ministry Statement on measures in response to the European Union’s 15th sanctions package against Russia,” The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian President, 28 December 2024