Photo : Sputnik/Sergey Bobylev/Pool via REUTERS
03 January 2022, Monday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #88
IN FOCUS
By Joeana Cera Matthews
Geneva: What to expect in the January US-Russia security talks?
On 28 December, The Guardian reported Russian and the US officials to have verified security talks between the two countries on 09 to 10 January 2022 in Geneva, Switzerland. Earlier, on 27 November, a spokesperson for the White House’s National Security Council had said: “When we sit down to talk, Russia can put its concerns on the table, and we will put our concerns on the table with Russia’s activities as well. There will be areas where we can make progress, and areas where we will disagree. That’s what diplomacy is about.” The bilateral talks are expected to be a part of the Strategic Security Dialogue, an initiative begun by US President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.
The discussions, actors, reasons, and results
First, the discussions. The 09 and 10 January talks are not the only deliberations scheduled for Russia with the West. On 12 January, Russia and NATO are set to talk over the escalating border crisis and the measures to be adopted regarding the same. On 13 January, Russia will meet with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
Second, the actors. The 2021 Geneva Summit saw Biden and Putin personally meeting and deliberating issues of significance. The upcoming security talks, however, will be held between Russian officials along with officials from the US, the EU, NATO, and the OSCE. It is still unclear who will represent Russia and the US during the high-stakes discussions.
Third, the Ukraine crisis. The primary focus of the NATO-Russia Council meeting and the OSCE’s Permanent Council is expected to be the Ukrainian border standoff. The Guardian, in its article, had stated that the deliberations were expected to cover “Russia’s military buildup on Ukraine’s borders, while Moscow will press demands that Nato pledges not to admit Ukraine and roll back the alliance’s post-cold war development”. Russia, however, seems to be clear on its result from the talks – get the West out of its “sphere of influence”. The Kremlin despises NATO’s expansion into eastern Europe. However, a spokesperson for the White House’s National Security Council stated that no decisions about Ukraine would be made without its presence.
Fourth, the expected results. The Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that Russia would be taking a “hard line” during the negotiations, permitting “no concessions” concerning their demands. Meanwhile, commenting on the possibility of discussions on arms control and the Russian military build-up during the talks, Kremlin Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated: “(there was) no need to invent an oversized agenda and to stuff it with issues, which have long been addressed through other channels, to serve one’s own interests.” The focus, according to Ryabkov, is set to be the two documents submitted to NATO and the US which lists Russian demands for the region.
References:
Jarrett Renshaw and Vladimir Soldatkin, “'Serious' talk between Biden and Putin sets stage for diplomacy,” Reuters, 31 December 2021.
Andrew Roth and Jon Henley, “US and Russia to hold talks amid Ukraine tensions,” The Guardian, 28 December 2021.
“US, Russia to hold talks on arms control, Ukraine on January 10,” France24, 28 December 2021.
IN BRIEF
By Padmashree Anandhan and Ashwin Dhanabalan
AUSTRIA
Vienna: Law implementing assisted suicide approved
On 01 January, Austria implemented a law legalizing assisted suicide of terminally-ill adults or people with a permanent health condition. As reported by the BBC: “Parliament approved the new law in December, following a constitutional court ruling on the issue. The practice will be tightly regulated, with each case assessed by two doctors - one of whom would have to be a palliative medicine expert.” Assisted suicide has been gaining traction across Europe with countries such as Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands decriminalizing it, while Switzerland has legalized the act. The Archbishop of Austria Franz Lackner commented on how the Austrian legislation had ignored the importance of human life and further said it was “unfair toward all those people who make it possible to die with dignity through reliable and attentive care and who will continue in the future”. (“New law allowing assisted suicide takes effect in Austria,” BBC, 02 January 2022; Stefan J. Bos, “Austria: Assisted suicide legalized despite Church opposition,” Vatican News, 02 January 2022)
DENMARK
Domestic flights to be fossil fuel-free by 2030
On 02 January, the Government of Denmark announced its goal to eliminate the use of fossil fuels in its domestic flights by 2030. It aims to cut down the carbon emissions by 70 percent in comparison to the 1990 levels. The plan to achieve the goal is through developing hydrogen-fuelled planes, where the fuels are expected to be produced from renewable energy. An unclear factor is that, whether the said technology will be cost-effective to achieve it by 2030. According to Denmark Prime Minister Metter Frederiksen: “When other countries in the world are too slow, then Denmark must take the lead and raise the bar even more.” Apart from Denmark, countries like Sweden and France have also drafted similar plans to cut down fossil fuel usage. (“Denmark to make domestic flights fossil fuel free by 2030,” BBC, 02 January 2021)
UKRAINE
Tkachenko registers complaint against Netflix’s “Emily in Paris”
On 03 January, Ukraine's Cultural Minister Oleksandr Tkachenko registered a complaint to Netflix regarding the portrayal of a character from Kyiv. In the Netflix show “Emily in Paris”, the protagonist Emily’s Ukrainian friend Petra is depicted as a shoplifter. Petra's role was seen as “insulting” to the country and the Ukrainian people; this instigated Tkachenko to write to the streaming service. Tkachenko said: "In Emily in Paris, we have a caricature image of a Ukrainian woman that is unacceptable. It is also insulting… Is that how Ukrainians are seen abroad?" This is not the first time the series has been criticized. As reported by BBC, its previous season “...was criticized, particularly in France, for promoting stereotypical images of the city and its residents. It portrays the French as rude people who wear berets and frequently cheat on their partners”. (“Emily in Paris: Ukraine complains over Kyiv character stereotype,” BBC, 03 January 2022)
REGIONAL
France: New Year’s Eve sees Paris at the helm of the EU presidency
On 01 January, France took over the rotating presidency of the EU for the 13th time on the eve of the new year. The EU presidency which rotates every six months amongst the 27-nation bloc, saw France lighting up the EU’s blue flag across historical places in Paris. The move of displaying the EU flag on the day when France was taking over was criticized by right-wing politicians leading to the flag being taken down later. The EU presidency is seen as an advantage to the French President Emmanuel Macron who is up for elections in April 2022. In a statement, Macron said: “This agenda for a sovereign Europe will be accelerated with the French Presidency. Europe must rise to the major economic, educational, migration and military challenges.” Overall, France aims to bring a new model of growth in Europe which includes innovation, job creation and job security to compete internationally and adopt climate harm reduction initiatives. (“France takes over EU presidency with push for 'strategic autonomy,” Deutsche Welle, 01 January 2022; “EU flag removed from Arc de Triomphe after right-wing outrage,” BBC, 02 January 2022)
Germany: EU proposal to label gas and nuclear power as ‘green’ garners criticism
On 02 January, the EU announced its plans to categorize certain gas and nuclear energy as green. The proposal arose from the pledge the bloc has taken to maintain the temperatures within 1.5C. Meanwhile, Germany, which considers nuclear power to be polluting, has shut down most of its major reactors. The EU looks at gas and nuclear energy as a way to shift to cleaner power. Germany’s Environmental Minister Svenja Schulze criticized the move by calling the proposal “absolutely wrong”. A significant element of the proposal is that it approves only highly standardized gas and nuclear plants as green. However, if the majority of the EU members back the proposal, it will become a law. In such a scenario Germany will have to stand out, maybe along with a few other countries like Belgium. (“EU plans to label gas and nuclear energy 'green' prompt row,” BBC, 02 January 2022)
COVID-19
The Netherlands: Amsterdam witnesses protests against pandemic restrictions
On 02 January, Amsterdam witnessed mass protests against the restrictions imposed to prevent the spread of coronavirus. A huge number of people gathered at the center of the city engaging in clashes with riot police as the latter tried to clear the place. The signboards carried by the protestors varied from, “It's not about a virus, it's about control”' to “Trump 2021”. This showed the difference in demands amongst the protestors. Although the 02 January protests were banned, the local government was aware of the protestors’ plan to cause violence. It later issued an order for people to exit the area. (“Amsterdam: Thousands protest COVID measures despite ban on gatherings,” Deutsche Welle, 02 January 2022)
INTERNATIONAL
Biden and Zelenskyy hold 2022’s first telephonic conversation
On 01 January, US President Joe Biden spoke on a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and reiterated his support for Ukraine as tensions continued to loom large with Russia. According to the White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki: “President Biden made clear that the United States and its allies and partners will respond decisively if Russia further invades Ukraine.” Psaki further mentioned how Biden “…reaffirmed the United States' commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity”. After the call, Zelenskyy tweeted about his telephonic conversation with Biden where he said: “The first international talk of the year with @POTUS proves the special nature of our relations.” Russia has been skeptical about the recent developments and has expressed their concerns that Ukraine joining NATO, would leave Moscow vulnerable from the West. (David Cohen, “Biden reaffirms support for Ukraine in phone call with president,” POLITICO, 01 January 2022; Meryl Kornfield, “Biden says he warned Putin of 'severe sanctions' if Russia invades Ukraine again,” The Washington Post, 31 December 2021)