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14 July 2023, Friday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #570
War in Ukraine: Day 504
By Sreeja J S
War on the Ground
On 13 July, The Guardian reported on Pentagon's confirmation on the arrival of cluster munitions to Ukraine. According to the US, cluster munitions were critically needed ammunition for Kyiv to push back Russian forces. Joe Biden, US's President decided on 08 July to send them to Ukraine.
On 13 June, Ukrinform reported that Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine's President and Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africa's President, discussed the preparations for Global Peace Summit and the vital diplomatic steps to muster and consolidate African support for Ukraine. Noting the importance of extending the “grain corridor” Zelenskyy invited South Africa to join the Ukrainian Initiative Grain from Ukraine. Earlier in June, a delegation of African leaders led by Ramaphosa visited Ukraine as part of the African peacekeeping mission.
On 13 June, Deutsche Welle reported that over 20 people have got injured following a rocket fire in Zaporizhzhia. According to the local governor, Russian forces have shelled 14 numerous places in the city damaging dozens of buildings. Shellings were also reported in Kherson.
The Moscow View
Claims by Russia
On 13 July, TASS reported on Vladimir Putin, Russia's President comments on the Wagner group. He was quoted said: “The (Wagner) Group exists, but it is judicially non-existent.” He further said: “The formal legalization is a separate issue that should be addressed by the State Duma and the government. It’s a complicated issue.” Putin was answering a question about the group’s future from the viewpoint of Russian legislation.
On 13 July, TASS reported on Alexander Grushko, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister comment that Russia should fulfil the goals of its special military operation in Ukraine, strengthen its armed forces and bolster ties with its allies. He also added that “No matter what NATO does, it will fail. There is no way to reverse this process.” He was responding to the recently concluded NATO Summit in Vilnius on 11 and 12 July in an interview with Channel One.
On 13 July, in an interview with Lenta.ru, Sergey Lavrov, Russia's Foreign Minister said that the West’s move to supply F-16s to Ukraine is an “extremely dangerous development.” Lavrov said: “The US and its NATO satellites create the risk of a direct armed confrontation with Russia and this may lead to catastrophic consequences.” Earlier, along the sidelines of the NATO Summit, Denmark announced that a “coalition” of 11 countries would begin training for Ukrainian pilots to fly F16s. Jake Sullivan, National Security Adviser of the US also mentioned that European countries would transfer F16s to Kyiv.
On 12 July, RT News reported that Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the UN proposed Putin extend the grain deal that is set to expire on 22 July in exchange for partial access to the SWIFT international payment system. According to the report, Russia wants its agricultural bank Rosselkhozbank to get reconnected to SWIFT, pointing out the barriers caused due to restrictions on payments, logistics and insurance thwarting the shipments. EU is now considering connecting a subsidiary of Rosselkhozbank to SWIFT to allow grain and fertilizer exports. The grain deal was originally signed on 22 July 2022 but has been prolonged multiple times over the last year despite the concerns of Russia that it is not beneficial to Moscow.
The West View
Responses from the US and Europe
On 13 July, The Guardian reported that during a press conference following the US-Nordic summit in Helsinki with Sauli Niinisto, Joe Biden, President of the US was quoted saying there was “no real prospect of Putin using nuclear weapons.” He was responding to the question of whether Putin could escalate tensions in Ukraine after the failed Wagner mutiny.
On 13 July, The Guardian wrote that Barbara Woodward, UK envoy to the UN has accused Moscow of “cynical brinkmanship” for its unwillingness to extend the Black Sea grain initiative. She added that the failure to renew the deal could cause global food prices to soar and cause difficulty for middle-income countries and those suffering from starvation such as Afghanistan, Sudan and Somalia. According to The Guardian, Ukraine’s role as the breadbasket of the world could only be realized by protecting its exports westward through Poland.
References
“Cluster munitions from the US arrive in Ukraine,” The Guardian, 13 July 2023
“Zelensky discusses preparation for Global Peace Summit with President of South Africa,” Ukrinform, 13 July 2023
“Over 20 injured in Zaporizhzhia after rocket fire,” Deutsche Welle, 13 July 2023
“Wagner PMC formally non-existent, Putin says — media,” TASS, 13 July 2023
“NATO summit shows Russia needs to meet special operation’s goals — diplomat,” TASS, 13 July 2023
“UN chief proposes deal to Putin – Reuters,” RT News, 13 July 2023
“Russia will treat F-16s in Ukraine as nuclear threat – Lavrov,” RT News, 13 July 2023
“Biden says ‘no real prospect’ of Putin using nuclear weapons – as it happened,” The Guardian, 13 July 2023
Patrick Wintour, “Russia accused of ‘cynical brinkmanship’ over delays to grain deal renewal,” The Guardian, 13 July 2023