Photo : Sputnik News
23 December 2021, Thursday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #80
IN BRIEF
By Joeana Cera Matthews
Moscow: Putin’s Annual Press Conference
On 23 December, Russian President Vladimir Putin while addressing the annual press conference stated: “This is our (preferred) choice, we do not want this (conflict with Ukraine) ... We have to think about ensuring our security prospects not just for today and next week but for the near future.” He further stated: “They keep telling us: war, war, war. There is an impression that, maybe, they are preparing for the third military operation (in Ukraine) and give us a fair warning: do not intervene, do not protect these people but if you do intervene and protect them, there will be new sanctions. Perhaps, we should prepare for that.” The four-hour-long conference also saw Putin commenting on various other issues such as Russia’s escalating inflation rate which he termed “a serious challenge”; other subjects covered included that of the surging COVID-19 cases. There was even a mention of Kremlin-critic Alexei Navalny.
Commenting on the response to recent security proposals given to the US and NATO, Putin said: “Our actions will not depend upon the negotiations, they will depend on the unconditional compliance with Russian security demands… We have so far seen a positive reaction. US partners told us that they are ready to begin this discussion, these talks, at the very start of next year.” Putin further claimed NATO to have “cheated” Russia by expanding eastwards. He said: “We just directly posed the question that there should be no further NATO movement to the east. The ball is in their court, they should answer us with something.” Responding to his allegations, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg denied retaliatory military actions during Christmas and said: “It’s a significant military buildup and there are no signs this is stopping or slowing down.”
Putin, however, blames the West for escalating tensions. He said: “Is it us who are putting missiles near the US borders? No, it’s the US who came to our home with their missiles. They are already on the threshold of our home. Is it some excessive demand not to place any offensive systems near our home?” However, the Kremlin head expressed hope in the talks scheduled for 2022 in Geneva. He said: “American partners tell us that they are ready to launch this discussion, these talks in Geneva at the very beginning of next year. Both sides’ representatives have been appointed. I hope that the situation will unfold exactly under this scenario.” A Kremlin official also commented on the January talks, saying: “I expect we will have our substantive response in those (January) talks… clearly, there are some things that have been proposed that we’ll never agree to. I think the Russians probably know that on some level. I think there are other areas where we may be able to explore what’s possible.”
Concerns also arose from regional actors, with Lithuanian Defense Chief Lieutenant General Valdemaras Rupsys warning: “It’s possible that in case of escalation (in Ukraine), or, if we see that Belarus could be finally occupied (by Russia), extra NATO troops could be deployed in Lithuania.”
Putin concluded the conference on a strong yet thoughtful note. He stated: “I remind you of what our adversaries have been saying for centuries: ‘Russia cannot be defeated, it can only be destroyed from within.”
References:
Vladimir Soldatkin, “Putin says Russia doesn't want conflict but needs 'immediate' guarantees,” Reuters, 24 December 2021.
“Russia: Putin addresses Ukraine, NATO tensions,” Deutsche Welle, 23 December 2021.
Andrew Roth, “Putin accuses west of 'coming with its missiles to our doorstep',” The Guardian, 23 December 2021.
Sarah Anne Aarup, “Putin demands Western security guarantees to end the threat of Ukraine invasion,” POLITICO, 23 December 2021.
“Putin says Russia doesn't want Ukraine war but needs 'immediate' guarantees,” France24, 23 December 2021.
IN BRIEF
By Padmashree Anandhan and Ashwin Dhanabalan
RUSSIA
Putin raises concerns on the US supplying weapons to Ukraine
On 21 December, Russian President Vladimir Putin raised concerns about the US and the West's aggressive stand on Ukraine. Putin said: "What the US is doing in Ukraine is at our doorstep... And they should understand that we have nowhere further to retreat. Do they think we'll just watch idly?" Putin made these remarks as he felt Russia had no room to retreat if the US supplied more weapons to Ukraine. Moscow also rejected claims of planning a Ukrainian invasion and instead stated that they wanted to de-escalate tensions via the draft agreement and treaty. The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken mentioned that an in-person meeting between the two heads would not be possible as the situation continued to be diplomatically sensitive. The US, in the meantime, has planned to continue exporting military equipment and supplies to Kyiv. (Mark Trevelyan, "Putin says Russia has 'nowhere to retreat' over Ukraine," Reuters, 22 December 2021; "Russia simply has "nowhere to retreat" if US weapons appear in Ukraine — Putin," TASS, 21 December 2021)
REGIONAL
Germany and France call for a renewed ceasefire in eastern Ukraine
On 23 December, Germany and France called on Ukraine and pro-Russian separatist forces to respect the ceasefire pledge in eastern Ukraine. Germany and France gave a joint statement saying: "We urge the sides to respect the ceasefire and to continue discussions on further steps in the humanitarian field, e.g. the opening of crossing points and the exchange of detainees.” Ukraine claimed pro-Russian separatists had violated the peace three times and the escalating situation urged Germany and France to de-escalate tensions. Furthermore, Berlin and Paris reminded the separatists of the 2019 Paris summit's conclusions and urged the parties to abide by it. (Sarah Marsh and Maria Sheahan, "Germany, France urge all sides to respect eastern Ukraine ceasefire," Reuters, 23 December 2021; "Germany and France urge pro-Russian forces and Ukraine to stick to ceasefire," Deutsche Welle, 21 December 2021)
COVID-19
WHO head warns of another wave as Omicron cases surge
On 22 December, the World Health Organization's (WHO) Europe head Hans Kluge warned of another COVID-19 wave given the significant increase in cases. Kluge said: "We can see another storm coming…Within weeks, Omicron will dominate in more countries of the region, pushing already stretched health systems further to the brink." His statements come after cases of Omicron were detected in at least 38 countries across Europe. Kluge also urged people to get booster shots to tackle the spread of the virus and stated: "The booster is the single most important defence against Omicron." The new variants' effects have been moderate until now and show common COVID-19 symptoms. However, Kluge is concerned about the rapid increase in cases that could lead to hospitalization and disruption of health systems in Europe. ("WHO's Europe chief says 'another storm coming' as Omicron takes hold," The Guardian, 22 December 2021)
ENERGY
Belgium: Brussels to turn off all its nuclear plants by 2025
On 23 December, Belgium declared that it would close all its nuclear reactors by 2025. The current government had committed to this target when it was elected to office in October 2020. Belgium will shut down its seven nuclear reactors, but it plans on opening doors and funds to smaller generators. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo said that his government's objective was "to fully opt for innovation…In concrete terms, this means that we will invest in research into newer technologies". As reported by Deutsche Welle, Belgium's stance comes in line "...as the European Commission prepares a so-called EU taxonomy, in which it lists what the bloc considers as environmentally sustainable economic activities". EU members have a divided opinion on nuclear energy being sustainable as France pushes for green use of the power while Germany intends to shut down its last nuclear plant by 2022. ("Belgium agrees to close controversial ageing nuclear reactors," BBC, 23 December 2021; "Belgium to close all current nuclear reactors by 2025," France24, 23 December 2021; "Belgium to close all existing nuclear power plants," Deutsche Welle, 23 December 2021)
INTERNATIONAL
Germany: Foreign Minister assures plan of action for evacuation in Afghanistan
On 23 December, Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that the German government would take all the measures to evacuate all those in need of protection from Afghanistan. She outlined the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and Germany’s plan of action to hasten the evacuation. So far, the government has promised to rescue 15,000 people from the region, which includes 135 Germans. According to Baerbock: “Major sectors of the economy have collapsed, many people are starving, one can hardly bear it when one reads that families in their desperation are selling their daughters to buy food.” (“Afghanistan suffering ′humanitarian catastrophe′ says Germany Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock,” Deutsche Welle, 23 December 2021)
16 western countries issue statements against Russian involvement in Mali
On 23 December, 16 western countries released a joint statement accusing the deployment of Russian mercenaries in Mali. The statement said: “This deployment can only further deteriorate the security situation in West Africa, lead to an aggravation of the Human Rights situation in Mali, threaten the Agreement for peace and reconciliation in Mali.” The situation in Mali took an adverse turn when French President Emmanuel Macron announced the withdrawal of troops from the Sahel region by early 2022. It is believed that Russia has been supporting the government with a private military which it has denied. This was identified when the private military was seen helping pro-Russian separatists in the Eastern Ukraine Conflict. The EU has also levied sanctions on the Wagner group due to its human rights violations. The issuing of the statement is seen as a strong disagreement from the West against the Russian involvement in the region. (“West condemns ′deployment′ of Russian mercenaries in Mali,” Deutsche Welle, 23 December 2021; “Mali: West condemns Russian mercenaries 'deployment',” BBC, 23 December 2021)
EU and Germany call for dialogue to resolve the issue of Ukraine
On 23 December, EU high representative for Foreign Policy Josep Borrell responded to Russia’s controversial security demands that were put on 17 December. The diplomat alleged that Russia was causing deterioration to Europe's security and called for a dialogue to resolve the Ukrainian issue. On 22 December, the EU released a statement: “They underlined that any further military aggression against Ukraine will have massive consequences and severe costs.” The EU representative spoke on the same lines with the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to discuss the Russian proposals. With regard to the issue, Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has called for Berlin to take a stronger stance against Moscow compared to the previous government and has also highlighted the need for a dialogue to prevent the conflict. (Jennifer Rankin, “Russia causing ‘severe deterioration’ of European security – EU,” The Guardian, 23 December 2021; “Germany urges dialogue with Russia, says 'greatly concerned' by Putin military threat,” France24, 22 December 2021)