Photo : Reuters/Anna Kudriavtseva
27 May 2022, Thursday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #212
War in Ukraine: Day 92
War On The Ground
On 26 May, Ukraine’s foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba shed light on the situation in East Ukraine. He said that it was in terrible shape, given the intensity of the Russian aggression. This was a part of a live question-answer session that Kuleba was conducting with some Twitter users. The deputy chief of the main operations department, General Oleksiy Gromov, also spoke about the same issue. He said that Russia’s forces were starting to encircle Ukraine’s troops in the east, and seizing positions in the last cities that are being held by Ukraine. He also mentioned that Russia has the advantage, but Ukraine’s troops were doing the best they can to hold on.
On 26 May, contradictory statements were released about Russian aggression in Lyman, in Donetsk. A presidential adviser in Ukraine said that he had unverified information about Ukraine had lost control over Lyman, while the armed forces said that the Russian forces were trying to further consolidate their positions in the country. The governor of the region, however, reported heavy fighting in the region while the Russian authorities said that they had gained complete control over the region.
In the latest war crime trials, two Russian soldiers pleaded guilty of shelling a town in Eastern Ukraine. State prosecutors have asked Alexander Bobikin and Alexander Ivanov to be jailed for 12 years for their actions, while both the soldiers acknowledged that they were both a part of the artillery unity firing at the targets in Kharkiv. The verdict is expected to be heard on 31 may.
The Moscow View:
Claims by Russia
On 26 May, Russia said that they should blame the West for the growing food crisis. They also reiterated that they are willing to get Ukraine’s stored grains out in the world, if the US and their allies scrap the sanctions, which Russia has cast as illegal. President Putin said that he was thankful that some foreign companies have stopped their business in Russia, as that meant that Russian businesses could now take their place. This comes in the context of companies like Starbucks, McDonalds, Nike and many other such companies withdrawing their services from the country.
Denis Pushilin, the leader of the Russian-backed separatists in the breakaway Donetsk region, said that the military operation in the Donbas region should be accelerated even further. He also said that Kyiv has blocked the water supply to some of the key cities in the north and asked for the military action there to be stepped up.
As reported by RIA, Russia’s defence ministry posted videos of an Iskander-K missile being launched against a “military target” in Ukraine. They also gave an update on the condition of the port at Mariupol and said that it has now been completely de-mined. As per the update, civil vessels are now free to use the port.
The West View:
Responses from the US and Europe
On 26 May, the White House said that the Russian debt default will not be affecting the economy of the country and the global economy too.. The spokesperson, Karine Jean-Pierre said that this was the case, since Russia has already been isolating financially.
On May 26, Finland’s prime minister Sanna Marin visited Ukraine, and met with Ukraine’s President and Prime Minister. She mentioned that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will be seen as a turning point in world history. Marin visited Irpin and Bucha and said: “We, Finland, support all the actions of the International Criminal Court to consider these crimes, collect evidence for future proceedings and convict Russia.”
The Global Fallouts:
Implications of the Ukraine war
On 26 May, the WHO passed a motion, which condemned Russia, and mentions that it is due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that a health emergency has been created in the region. USA had submitted a proposal originally, citing Russia’s aggression, but Russia had responded by submitting a counter-proposal. The WHO rejected the resolution from Moscow, as it made no mention of their own role in the ongoing crisis.
References
“Military situation in East Ukraine is very bad - Ukrainian foreign minister,” Reuters, 27 May 2022
Pavel Polityuk and Conor Humphries, “Russian forces edge closer to encircling Ukraine troops in east,” Reuters, 27 May 2022
Pavel Polityuk, “Two Russian soldiers plead guilty in new war crimes trial in Ukraine,” Reuters, 26 May 2022
Guy Faulconbridge, “Putin says 'Thank God' some foreign companies have left Russia,” Reuters, 26 May 2022
“Donbas separatist leader calls for Russia's military operation to be accelerated - RIA,” Reuters, 26 May 2022
“Russian defence ministry shows footage of Iskander missile launch - RIA,” Reuters, 26 May 2022
“Russia says civil vessels may use Mariupol port, mine danger lifted,” Reuters, 26 May 2022
Steve Holland and Kanishka Singh, “White House expects minimal impact on U.S. and global economy from Russia default,” Reuters, 27 May 2022
Natalia Zinets, “Finnish PM says Russian actions in Ukraine a 'turning point',” Reuters, 26 May 2022
Emma Farge, Jennifer Rigby and Mrinalika Roy, “WHO condemns Russia's aggression in Ukraine in rare vote, rejects Moscow's counter-proposal,” Reuters, 26 May 2022
“Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 93 of the invasion,” The Guardian, 27 May 2022
IN BRIEF
By Padmashree Anandhan
FRANCE
Former head of Louvre museum alleged art trafficking
On 27 May, French investigators accused the former head of Louvre museum, Jean-Luc Martinez for art trafficking. As per the reports, a granite stele engraved with ancient Egyptian pharaoh, Tutankhamun was found to be transferred to Louvre Abu Dhabi. The investigation also revealed: “Louvre Abu Dhabi applies a strict international protocol for artworks entering the collection, as outlined in the intergovernmental agreement between Abu Dhabi and France, signed in 2007.” Martinez is charged with “complicity in fraud” and “concealing the origin of criminally obtained works by false endorsement.” Till now Martinez has denied all the charges and accusations. (“Louvre museum's ex-president charged in art trafficking case,” BBC, 27 May 2022)
SPACE
JPL predicts the shutdown of Elysium Planitia mission by July
On 18 May, NASAs InSight deputy project manager at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) estimated that the French-UK seismometer installed in the mission will soon be turned off. In 2018 NASA sent a mission called Elysium Planitia to observe the inner layers of Mars. The seismometer which helped in collecting data was found to be affected due to Marsquakes which have led to the accumulation of dust. Due to the settling of dust, the meter has become dysfunctional as it no longer can take solar energy, a main source to operate the machine. Hence the scientists despite their efforts to clear the dust have predicted the mission to be shut down by July 2022. (“Nasa InSight: 'Marsquake' mission in its last months,” BBC, 18 May 2022)
REGIONAL
G7 minister gather to discuss on addressing climate goals amidst Ukraine war
On 26 May, G7 ministers gathered to discuss the climate goals, energy and rising food prices amidst the Ukraine war. Germany’s economy minister Robert Habeck urged at the G7 talks for stopping the use of coal, and fossil fuels and push towards the use of green energy. Apart from green energy, the talks also focussed on steps towards achieving net-zero electricity sector by 2035 and banning the use of inefficient fossil fuels. According to EU's Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson: “We have to send a clear message that we agree here in Berlin that our green transition remains our priority.” The commission also decided on providing more time to Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia to stop the energy imports from Russia. (“G7: Germany urges leading role in coal phaseout,” Deutsche Welle, 26 May 2022)