Photo : Kremlin.ru
21 June 2022, Tuesday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #233
War in Ukraine: Day 117
By Ashwin Dhanabalan
War On The Ground
On 20 June, Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a reason for the increasing food prices on the African continent. Addressing the Bureau of the Assembly of the African Union, he said: “(I) address you in a state of emergency, when we have a war. In an emergency for the whole world, when Africa is actually taken hostage. Hostage of those who started the war against our state.”
Zelenskyy further mentioned that Russia will soon intensify its attacks on Ukraine and other European countries. He suggested preparing for the hostile activities as the EU’s commission had proposed Ukraine as a candidate for EU membership.
On the same day, Ukraine’s deputy prime minister Iryna Vereshchuk urged the people in the Kherson oblast to leave the city. This comes as 165 out of 350 humanitarian corridors had failed due to violations by Russia. She further mentioned how Russia was holding 1.2 million citizens of Ukraine and that more than 1,500 were being held in Russian prisons.
Also, on 20 June, Ukraine’s troops stated that Russian forces would reach the Luhansk borders by Sunday. Ukraine’s deputy defense minister, Hanna Maliar, mentioned that Moscow had gathered all its troops and was preparing to storm the settlements near the eastern city of Sievierodonetsk.
On 20 June, Ukraine’s military claimed that Russia targeted and destroyed a food warehouse in the city of Odesa. Ukraine said Russia was attacking warehouses as they did not successfully target Kyiv’s troops.
The Moscow View
Claims by Russia
On 20 June, according to Crimea’s leader Sergey Aksyonov, Ukraine’s forces delivered three strikes on the Chernomorneftegaz drilling rigs in the Black Sea. He stated that the three strikes were on the natural gas rigs, and wounded several people.
On the same day, the governor of the Suzemka settlement in the Bryansk Region said that the shelling by Ukraine’s forces had caused a power outage. Governor Alexander Bogomaz also stated that a person was injured, but the enemy’s attacking fronts were suppressed.
Also, on 20 June, Russia warned Lithuania as Vilnius banned the transit of goods across its borders to its Kaliningrad enclave. Lithuania cited EU sanctions rules for blocking the movement of goods sanctioned by the bloc. Kremlin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, said: "This decision is really unprecedented. It’s a violation of everything.” Russia also accused the G20 members of politicizing a meeting on global health. Russia claimed that the G20 accused Moscow’s invasion as the reason for Ukraine’s healthcare system plunging into chaos.
On the same day, the Kremlin announced that the two US mercenaries were not covered by the Geneva convention. Peskov added that they would face responsibility for their actions. On the other hand, Russia’s Nobel peace prize-winning journalist Dmitry Muratov sold his peace prize for USD 103.5 million. He pledged the money to aid the children displaced by the war in Ukraine.
On 20 June, the chair of the Russian security council, Dmitry Medvedev, said there was no point in having nuclear arms reductions talks with the US as Washington was no longer on the Kelvin scale. But, he added: “Let them run or crawl back themselves and ask for it.”
The West View:
Responses from the US and Europe
On 20 June, Germany mentioned that it was confident that Sweden and Finland would be able to reach an agreement with NATO for their membership bids. However, the government mentioned that even if the two countries did not get their membership in this summit in Madrid, it would not be a “catastrophe.”
On the same day, the EU’s diplomat accused Russia of committing a war crime by blocking Ukraine’s grain exports. This comes as the EU was planning on ways to free up the grain blockade and export the crop to avoid a global food crisis. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell added: “One cannot imagine that millions of tonnes of wheat remain blocked in Ukraine while in the rest of the world people are suffering hunger…This is a real war crime.”
The EU has also been discussing the next wave of sanctions on Russia and additional military support to Ukraine. The subject of sanctions was likely discussed at the EU envoy meeting as it was not mentioned in the conclusions of the EU summit. However, Germany has asked the bloc not to impose new complex sanctions but rather focus on the effectiveness of the existing sanctions.
Also, on 20 June, Turkey said it had not accepted next week’s NATO summit as the final deadline for resolving its objections to Finland and Sweden joining NATO. Turkey’s presidential spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin said: “The existence of terrorist organizations must end in those countries. That is what we expect both from Finland and Sweden.”
On 20 June, the UK said it had banned Russia’s ambassador to the country Andrey Kelin “until further notice.” A note to the parliamentarians stated: “As the formally accredited representative of the Russian government, the ambassador will not be welcomed onto the parliamentary estate until further notice.” The UK’s former director of the special forces also mentioned that the UK must prepare for a possible war.
The Global Fallouts
Implications of the Ukraine War
On 20 June, a court in Moscow rejected an appeal by Meta Platforms Inc as it was found guilty of being involved in “extremist activity” in March. Russia had restricted access to social media platforms to control the flow of false information after 24 February. The state’s communication regulator Roskomnadzor has also been cracking down on platforms that fail to comply with Moscow’s guidelines.
On the same day, leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) countries stated that they would be focusing on the war in Ukraine and the potential sanctions against Russia in the upcoming summit. The leaders would also be planning on Ukraine’s reconstruction laying out medium and long-term goals.
Also, on 20 June, on the occasion of World Refugee Day, actor and director Ben Stiller visited Ukraine and extended his support. He was there on behalf of the UNHRC as a goodwill ambassador.
On the same day, Australia said it delivered the first four armored personnel carriers to Ukraine. Australia had promised Ukraine 14 carriers as a part of their USD 285 million aid package. Former defense minister Peter Dutton had also promised 20 additional Bushmaster-protected infantry vehicles.
References
“Russia 'orders troops to reach Luhansk borders by Sunday', says Ukraine,” The Guardian live, 20 June 2022
“Ukraine president says Africa "hostage" in war with Russia,” Reuters, 20 June 2022
“Ukraine delivers three strikes at Black Sea drilling rigs, Crimean leader reports,” TASS, 20 June 2022
“One person injured in Ukrainian shelling of Suzemka, Bryansk Region — governor,” TASS, 20 June 2022
“Russia warns NATO-member Lithuania over Kaliningrad transit,” Reuters, 20 June 2022
Natalia Zinets and Oleksandr Kozhukhar, “Zelenskiy defiant as Russia intensifies attacks on eastern cities, seizes territory,” TASS, 20 June 2022
“Former Russian president and now deputy chair of the Russian security council, Dmitry Medvedev, said Moscow should wait until Americans “crawl back” and beg to hold nuclear arms reduction talks,” The Guardian live, 20 June 2022
Lidia Kelly, “Russian journalist's Nobel Peace Prize fetches record $103.5 mln at auction to aid Ukraine children,’’ Reuters, 20 June 2022
“Germany "very confident" of deal on Sweden, Finland NATO bid - goverment source,” Reuters, 20 June 2022
“Turkey said it does not consider next week’s Nato summit as a final deadline for resolving its objections to Finland and Sweden joining the military alliance,” The Guardian live, 20 June 2022
Sabine Siebold and Charlotte Van Campenhout, “EU's top diplomat calls Russia's blockade of Ukrainian grain a war crime,” Reuters, 20 June 2022
Francesco Guarascio and Jan Strupczewski, “EU nations push for new Russia sanctions, more military aid to Ukraine,” Reuters, 20 June 2022
“Meta loses appeal in Russian court over 'extremist activity' tag -TASS,” TASS, 20 June 2022
“G7 summit to focus on Russia sanctions, Ukraine reconstruction - German source,” Reuters, 20 June 2022
IN BRIEF
By Emmanuel Royan and Sai Pranav
BULGARIA
Petkov to face a no-confidence vote after only six months in office
On 21 June, the prime minister of Bulgaria Kiril Petkov’s cabinet is expected to lose a no-confidence vote to depose a government that promised to clean up the corruption. Petkov has just been in office for six months by forming a four-party coalition in December after a chaotic year of three general elections. With the likelihood of holding its fourth parliamentary election in April 2021, the Balkan nation of 7 million people appears to be heading for even more political turbulence. This might put the country's chances of entering the eurozone in 2024 in jeopardy. Petkov's government also attempted to arrest former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov in connection with a high-profile bribery case, demonstrating its commitment to fighting corruption. (Boryana Dzhambazova, “Bulgaria's government faces collapse this week,” POLITICO, 20 June 2022)
NORTHERN IRELAND
Belfast Harbour recover port activities after pandemic
On 20 June, Belfast harbour was able to bounce back to the pre-Covid levels from the economic hit it suffered due to the pandemic. Turnover increased by 17 per cent up to GBP 73.3 million compared to the previous year and operating profits went up by 13 per cent up to GBP 34 million. The port had been hit by lockdown restrictions and related supply chain problems. But it recovered from the pandemic lul and the trade volumes even reached record levels in 2021. Even the ferry passenger journeys such as cruise ships had 70 visits to the harbour in 2021 when compared to just one in 2020. Post-Brexit, the Northern Ireland port has picked up a lot of trading activities with Great Britain. (John Campbell, "Belfast Harbour records financial performance bounce back,” BBC News, 20 June 2022)
THE NETHERLANDS
Roman temple complex unearthed in the Netherlands
On 20 June, archaeologists unearthed a Roman temple complex in the Netherlands. This discovery was a bit unusual as there had been no sites that were uncovered that showed the proof of the northern border of the Roman Empire. The temple complex was found in a clay extraction site in the village of Herwen-Hemeling, located near the border of Germany. The remains of two temples mainly used by soldiers from the Roman era date back more than 2000 years ago. Several small stone altars were used by the soldiers dedicated to various gods and goddesses and were discovered with inscriptions on them. This archaeological discovery is unique as this was the first intact whole temple complex to be unearthed in the Netherlands. The usage of roof tiles suggests that the complex was used by the military and also tips of spears and lances, as well as a few other military equipment were found nearby. (Rebecca Staudenmaier, "Dutch researchers uncover Roman temple complex,” Deutsche Welle, 20 June 2022)
THE UK
Eight promised wildlife bills were delayed by the government
On 20 June, the Boris administration was accused of failing to deliver his promised eight wildlife bills. The government has been accused of breaking promises by failing to implement measures on environmentally friendly farming, peat and pesticide usage, returning beavers and other endangered animals, and conserving rare marine life. There are worries that the prime minister's desire to improve England's biodiversity has been lost as his power has diminished and he has been forced to listen to the right-wing of the Conservative party, which considers green initiatives to be too expensive. (Helena Horton, “Fears for wildlife as Boris Johnson accused of failing to keep policy pledges,” The Guardian, 20 June 2022)
Five British nationals released from Afghanistan
On 20 June, five British citizens who were taken into custody by the Taliban were released from Afghanistan. Although the UK did not release the names of the five people, one was confirmed to be the former BBC cameraman Peter Jouvenal. He was arrested last year and was detained for unspecified reasons. He had been running a hostel service in Kabul, as well as working for the BBC in Afghanistan before he was arrested by the Taliban. In a statement released by the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office(FCDO), they said that the five Britons had no connection with the UK government's work in Afghanistan and apologized for any breach in Afghan culture, customs and law. The family and relatives of the British nationals who were detained thanked the FCDO for working tirelessly for their release. (Joseph Lee, "Five Britons released after arrest by Taliban,” BBC News, 20 June 2022)
Largest railway strike planned after failed negotiations
On 21 June, thousands of Network Rail staff and 13 rail operators are expected to walk out, disrupting major routes. The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT), which represents rail employees ranging from caterers to signallers, is demanding a salary increase of at least seven per cent. Employers have only given two per cent, with the option of one per cent more, on the condition that workers accept projected job losses and changes in working procedures. After negotiations between rail operators and the RMT union failed, the rail strikes are expected to cancel roughly 80 per cent of train services, with more strikes planned for 23 and 24 June. (Joseph Lee, “Rail strikes: Biggest strike in 30 years to go ahead as talks fail,” BBC, 21 June 2022)
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
A whistleblower of Meta plans to start her own watchdog agency on big-techs
On 16 June, Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen is to raise USD five million to start a nonprofit organization to keep a watch on these big-tech social media platforms and increase their accountability. In 2021, Haugen leaked numerous internal business documents exposing how senior executives and engineers play around with the dissemination of harmful content online. Haugen wants to reveal a number of potentially dangerous activities that were made public as a result of her revelations to the US government and international media houses. Facebook's parent company, Meta, denies that it prioritizes its own financial benefit over the well-being of its billions of users worldwide. Ultimately, Haugen wants to create a "simulated social network," an artificial platform where regulators, researchers, and others may play out prospective situations and learn more about how such platforms work without having to beg, borrow, or steal access from real firms. (“Frances Haugen: From whistleblower to watchdog,” Mark Scott, POLITICO, 16 June 2022)