Photo : BBC/EPA
02 June 2022, Wednesday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #217
War in Ukraine: Day 98
By Rishma Banerjee
War on the Ground
On 01 June, the governor of the Luhansk region, Serhiy Gaidai said that Russia’s forces have occupied about 70 per cent of Sievierodonetsk, which is a strategically important city. He also mentioned that the renewed offensive has resulted in some of the forces retreating to “more advantageous, pre-prepared positions.”
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated Ukraine's national soccer team, for winning their World Cup qualifying match against Scotland. He said that this win will bring joy to the country’s military, who are fighting every day against Russian aggression. The team next faces Wales on Sunday for a spot in the final draw.
The Moscow View:
Claims by Russia
On 01 June, Dmitry Peskov, a spokesperson from Kremlin, said that the US was provoking Russia by supplying long-range rockets to Ukraine. This is in response to the US’s recent announcement about supplying long-range missiles as a part of the USD 700 million weapons package. Peskov also spoke about holding a meeting between President Putin and president Volodymyr Zelenskiyy, but said that such talks need time to be facilitated and organized. He also mentioned that he did not doubt the decision-making capacity of the people in the Russia-occupied regions of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Donbas regarding their own futures.
On 31 May, Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov met Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, and they discussed the internal cooperation in the OPEC. This is in the context of some members of the OPEC considering the removal of Russia from the group. While Russia’s foreign ministry released a statement about how the two countries discussed the “stabilizing effect” of the relations between the two countries, no comments were made by Saudi Arabia. Lavrov also spoke about Moscow facing difficulties in exporting grains because there are sanctions that have been levied on their ships.
Alexander Moiseyev, the commander of Russia’s ` Northern Fleet said that they have completed testing the hypersonic Zircon cruise missile. A new frigate on the fleet will be armed full time with the missiles by the end of this year.
The West View:
Responses from the US and Europe
US president Joe Biden announced a new USD 700 million military packages for Ukraine. This new package will include high mobility artillery rocket systems. Referring to the same, the secretary of state, Anthony Blinken said that they have received assurances from Ukraine that these long-range missiles will not be used against Russia.
Germany’s foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock addressed the situation in Eastern Ukraine in a speech at the Parliament. She spoke about how Russia has been flattening settlements from a safe distance in the Donbas region, first with missiles, then artillery, and finally with the help of tanks. The former Chancellor, Angela Merkel also opened up about the war, after her silence for so long drawn criticism. The Chancellor, Olaf Scholz meanwhile announced that Germany will be supplying IRIS-T air defence systems to Ukraine. However, he has not yet specified the exact model.
On 01 June, Denmark conducted their vote on the European Union’s defence policy. The results of the vote show that they will consolidate their defence ties with the bloc, as 67 per cent of voters is in favour of removing the opt-out. Denmark is the only country in the 27-member bloc that was not there in the common security and defence policy. But given the current situation with regards to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Denmark’s vote to scrap the 30-year opt-out holds major significance.
Switzerland, which has been historically neutral, rejected Denmark’s proposal to send armoured personnel carriers to Ukraine. Switzerland has been able to do this because these carriers are Swiss-made, and there is a mandate which requires foreign countries to seek permission to re-export them.
Poland’s prime minister, Mateusz Morawiecki said that Poland will get an economic impulse by helping Ukraine. Poland has been hosting the highest number of refugees from Ukraine and has also been one of the biggest financial supporters of the country. Ahead of a meeting between the two governments, he said: “Today we are preparing several agreements between specific ministries, which will help Ukraine and give Poland an economic impulse.”
The Global Fallouts:
Implications of the Ukraine war
On 01 June, Pope Francis addressed a general audience at the St. Peter’s Square, and urged the authorities involved to lift their blockade on the export of wheat stored in Ukraine. In light of the looming food security crisis, he said that grains cannot be used as a "weapon of war".
On 01 May, Brazil’s famous soccer star of yesteryear, Pele made a plea to president Putin to end his "wicked" and "unjustifiable" in Ukraine. In a statement that was published on Instagram, ahead of Ukraine’s qualifying game for the World Cup.
References
“Governor of Ukraine's Luhansk region says Russia controls 70% of Sievierodonetsk,” Reuters, 01 June 2022
“Ukraine soccer win brings joy to military in war with Russia - Zelenskiy,” Reuters, 02 June 2022
“Attack on chemical plant in Sievierodonetsk criticised by Zelensky – as it happened,” The Guardian, 02 June 2022
“Russia says U.S. is adding fuel to fire by supplying Ukraine with rockets,” Reuters, 01 June 2022
“Kremlin says talks with Zelenskiy possible, but negotiations stalled,” Reuters, 01 June 2022
“Russia and Saudi foreign ministers praise OPEC+, says Moscow,” Reuters, 01 June 2022
“Russia says it's completed testing of hypersonic Zircon cruise missile,” Reuters, 01 June 2022
“Russia says it is facing difficulties exporting grain due to sanctions on ships,” Reuters, 01 June 2022
Steve Holland and Doina Chiacu, “Biden announces new $700 million in military aid for Ukraine,” Reuters, 02 June 2022
“US says Ukraine will not use US-supplied rocket systems to hit Russian territory,” The Guardian, 01 June 2022
“Russia trying to "extinguish civilisation" in Donbas - Germany's Baerbock,” Reuters, 01 June 2022
“After criticism, Germany's Merkel shows solidarity for Ukraine - source,” Reuters, 01 June 2022
“Germany to send IRIS-T air defence system to Ukraine,” Reuters, 01 June 2022
“Denmark votes to drop EU defence opt-out in 'historic' referendum,” BBC, 02 June 2022
“Denmark to join EU defence policy after historic vote,” Reuters, 02 June 2022
“Poland to become 'economic hub' for Ukraine, says PM,” Reuters, 01 June 2022
“Swiss veto Danish request to send armoured vehicles to Ukraine,” Reuters, 01 June 2022
Philip Pullella, “Wheat can't be 'weapon of war', Pope says, urging lifting of Ukraine block,” Reuters, 01 June 2022
Brendan O'boyle, “Brazilian soccer icon Pele calls on Putin to stop 'wicked' Ukraine invasion,” Reuters, 02 June 2022
IN BRIEF
By Padmashree Anandhan
CROATIA
Croatia switches to the single currency and joins the eurozone
On 01 June, European Commission said that Croatia had qualified to take up the euro as its common currency from 2023. Through this, Croatia will become the 20th country to bring euro into daily practice as a single currency. According to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen: “Today, Croatia has made a significant step towards adopting the euro, our common currency… will make Croatia's economy stronger, bringing benefits to its citizens, businesses and society at large.” The switching from the previous currency of Croatia, kuna was not an task as it involves Croatia meeting the legal and economic standards along with a “stable inflation” on par with the set benchmarks. Apart from Croatia, Bulgaria is also on the list to switch to euro and join the eurozone by 2024. (“EU says Croatia ready to join eurozone in 2023,” Deutsche Welle, 01 June 2022)
THE UK
UK to send the first batch of migrants to Rwanda in June
On 01 June, the UK Home Office announced the first transfer of migrants to Rwanda which is scheduled to take place on 14 June. The move is predicted to face legal challenges from individuals and campaign groups, despite that the Home Office is aiming to provide support and has planned to send only single people who have arrived in small boats since 01 January. Till now, 4,850 people have crossed through the English Channel and the UK is yet to confirm the number of people given removal notices. Although people are sent to Rwanda, those who fail the asylum application will face a threat of deportation, but will also be provided an option to apply for visas through other courses if they wish to stay in Rwanda. (“First flight taking Channel migrants to Rwanda set for 14 June,” BBC, 01 June 2022 )
DENMARK
Denmark reverses the 30 years opt-out of EU's security policy
On 02 June, Denmark voted in favour of a historic referendum to remove the 30-year opt-out from the EU security policy. In the total population, the citizen approval rate came up to 65.8 per cent which is considered the highest but also seen as the second-lowest attendance. Denmark has always chosen to stay away from further integration with the EU since the 1992 Maastricht Treaty and due to the EU’s increased security activities post Crimean annexation in 2014. The shift has come mainly due to the Ukraine war and the Nordic neighbour’s military reassessment. Through this vote, Denmark henceforth will become part of the finance and military operations of the EU and will also join the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy which might lead to a new opening of security-related agencies. (Adrienne Murray, “Denmark votes to drop EU defence opt-out in 'historic' referendum,” BBC, 02 June 2022)
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
German scientists discover a faster plastic-eating enzyme
On 01 June, Scientists from Leipzig discovered a new type of enzyme which disintegrates the plastic much faster. In an experiment in the collected compost from a Leipzig cemetery, they found polyester hydrolase, PHL7 which broke down the plastic in less than 24 hours. Till now commonly used enzyme is LCC which is used in PET plastic-eating experiments and when comparing the results of both enzymes, PHL 7 turned out to be faster than LCC. PET plastics have been a major problem in climate degradation and the solution to PET plastics has been either forcing the plastic to stop or end the production of PET plastics. With the newfound enzyme, the scientists hope to bring it into practice within four years in large scale industries.(“Plastic packaging might be biodegradable after all, say German scientists,” Deutsche Welle, 01 June 2022)