Photo : Institute for the Study of War
02 July 2022, Saturday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #243
War in Ukraine: Day 128
By Rishma Banerjee
War on the Ground
On 01 July, missiles struck an apartment building and two-holiday camps near Odessa. Reportedly, at least 18 people were killed and dozens were wounded. Odessa’s regional emergency official, Ihor Budalenko informed that 41 people have been rescued from the region. Odesa region governor Maksym Marchenko said that the missiles were Soviet-era Kh-22 missiles, and came from the direction of the Black Sea. President Zelenskyy addressed this incident and said that these attacks were “conscious, deliberately targeted Russian terror and not some sort of error.”
Ukraine has requested Turkiye to seize a Russian-flagged ship off the Turkish coast. While it is not clear where the cargo was obtained from or where it is being shipped to, the ship set sail from Berdyansk.
On 01 July, Ukraine’s foreign ministry announced that they have introduced visas for Russians willing to visit Ukraine. Since Ukraine’s embassy and consulates in Russia have been closed, people will have to apply at centers run by external service providers in eight cities in Russia. However, people with a visa might be denied entry at the border, as that decision will solely be taken by Ukraine’s border guards.
The head of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), Denis Pushilin spoke about a prisoner exchange between the two countries. He said that 37 members of nationalist battalions of Ukraine have been handed over, as they were uninvolved in war crimes. Pushilin also said that such members will not join active service soon, owing to their grievous injuries. Likewise, Ukraine’s authorities have handed over 49 fighters from Russia.
The Moscow View
Claims by Russia
On 01 July, president Putin made a statement regarding the West. He said that the collective West was using Ukraine and the Ukrainians as a pawn for their geopolitical games. Addressing a meeting of the Foreign Intelligence Service he said: “this model is nothing but a new version of neo-colonialism and a US-style world order for the chosen ones, where the rights of others are simply trampled on.”
The chairman of the State Council of Crimea, Vladimir Konstantinov said that the majority of citizens in Kherson preferred o accede to Russia. On the sidelines of the ninth Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia in Grodno, Konstantinov reiterated that activists in both Zaporizhia and Kherson regions have been looking forward to becoming a part of Russia from the very beginning.
On 30 June, Russia’s parliament approved legislation that will allow the blocking of foreign news outlets. This is in response to the bans that Russian State media is facing abroad. As per this bill, Russia’s prosecutor general has the right to ban foreign outlets, if they are found to be “hostile” against Russia, without waiting for the court’s approval.
The West View
Responses from the US and Europe
On 01 July, the European Council president, Ursula Von der Leyen said that it might take a long time for Ukraine to complete the accession process to the EU. She noted that many crucial reforms were to be made by Ukraine and that it requires “hard work.” She also said: “There is a long road ahead but Europe will be at your side every step of the way, for as long as it takes, from these dark days of war until the moment you cross the door that leads into our European Union.”
The Pentagon announced new aid to Ukraine. The USD 820 million military packages will include new surface-to-air missile systems and counter-artillery radars. Up to 150,000 rounds of millimeter artillery ammunition will also be provided to Ukraine. This marks the 14th military package sent to Ukraine by the US.
Norway’s prime minister Jonas Gahr Stoere met President Zelenskyy in Kyiv and pledged USD 1.04 billion to Ukraine for their war efforts. He said: “This war is a breach of international law... You have the right to defend yourself and we have the right to help you defend yourself."
The Global Fallouts
Implications of the Ukraine war
The Arctic Council announced that they will suspend all contacts with Russia with regards to international Arctic cooperation. Russia’s ambassador-at-large and chair of the Council’s senior arctic officials, Nikolay Korchunov reported to TASS that currently their partners in the Arctic had ‘frozen’ their contacts in “...fields of science, youth ties, and contacts between people.”
On 30 June, United Nations Secretary General’s Spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric spoke about the export of Ukraine’s grains via the Black Sea. He said that it was still too early to anticipate the results. Dujarric said that further announcement will be made only upon a conclusive decision.
References
“Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 129 of the invasion,” The Guardian, 02 July 2022
“Russian missile strikes kill 18 in Ukraine's Odesa region, authorities say,” Reuters, 01 July 2022
“Ukraine demands the seizure of Russian-flagged grain ship off Turkey,” BBC News, 01 July 2022
“Ukraine receives 37 members of nationalist battalions in prisoner swap, DPR head says,” TASS, 01 July 2022
“Ukraine introduces entry visas for Russians,” TASS, 01 July 2022
“Putin blames West for using Ukrainian people in geopolitical games,” TASS, 01 July 2022
“Most Kherson Region residents advocate joining Russia — official,” TASS, 01 July 2022
“Russian Lawmakers Approve Bill to Fast-Track Foreign Media Bans,” The Moscow Times, 30 June 2022
“We'll be with you on 'long road' to membership, EU tells Ukraine,” Reuters, 01 July 2022
“Norway pledges 1 bln euros to support Ukraine,” Reuters, 02 July 2022”
“Arctic Council states suspended contacts with Russia, envoy reveals,” TASS, 01 July 2022
“UN refrains from predictions about talks on Ukrainian grain,” TASS, 01 July 2022
CZECH REPUBLIC
Prime minister Petr Fiala set to lead the EU Council presidency
On 30 June, the leaders of the Czech Republic, prime minister Petr Fiala and the minister of European affairs Mikulas Bek assumed the presidency of the EU as it was their turn to lead the bloc. They are presiding over the bloc at a tumultuous time of war, energy crisis, climate change, and a European summit. The leaders primarily focus on helping Ukraine in the war against Russia as the Czech Republic is the second most strong supporter of Kyiv. They have to deal with the coronavirus pandemic too as the virus is spreading rapidly across Europe. The leaders set their priorities straight by focusing on each problem at a time and they adapted the motto "Europe as a task" from the former Czech Republic president. Their goal is to achieve unity among the EU members. The Czech Republic has to preside over the mega summit that will take place in Prague in October 2022 and also have to solve the energy crisis. (Lubos Palatia, "Czech Republic assumes EU Council presidency with confidence and ambition," Deutsche Welle, 30 June 2022)
REGIONAL
Poland's recovery funds are held back until it changes its judiciary reforms
On 01 July, Warsaw’s EU recovery funds were held up due to an important missing factor in its proposed judicial reforms. The reform looks upon the disciplinary chamber of the Supreme Court which penalizes a judge for the content of their ruling, for asking questions to the European Court of Justice (ECJ), and for validating that other courts are independent and unbiased. The reform was deemed to be not up to the standards of the EU. Warsaw is looking to reform the chamber and create a new body that aligns with the EU's standards. The blockage of the EUR 35 billion recovery plan was due to the country not obeying the EU's demand of removing the chamber and adhering to the ECJ rulings. Even the new body proposed by president Andrzej Duda has the executive holding too much power over the judiciary. Poland cannot receive the recovery fund until the judiciary reforms are fully implemented in the country that complies with the standards of the European Commission. (Jorge Liboreiro, "Brussels questions Poland's judicial reforms to unlock EU recovery funds," Euronews, 01 July 2022)
The EU creates order for the crypto market with new rules
On 01 July, new rules were passed in the EU regarding cryptocurrencies. The rule stated that cryptocurrency companies should have a license and customer safeguards to issue or sell digital tokens in the EU. The recent fall of the digital currency has led to some issues regarding the freezing of withdrawals, rising interest rates and the collapse of major crypto companies. Even Bitcoin has taken a hit by 70 per cent since its record of USD 69,000 in November. Protecting a consumer's wallet and their crypto assets are the main requirements that are needed to be fixed by the firms. The law will issue providers of crypto assets and related services a "passport" to serve the needs of the clients across the EU from a single base. (Huw Jones and Tom Wilson, EU agrees to tame 'Wild West' with new crypto market rules," Reuters, 01 July 2022)
The inflation rate increased to 8.6 per cent in the EU countries
On 01 June, the inflation rate of the eurozone increased by 8.6 per cent in June. Rising energy prices, the war in Ukraine, global food security, disrupted supply chain and indirect effects of the Chinese lockdown have caused the inflation rate to rise to 8.6 per cent in June compared to 8.1 per cent in May. The alternative energy to cheap Russian oil and gas has become expensive in turn contributing to the rise in energy prices by 41.9 per cent. The price for unprocessed foods such as fruits and vegetables has risen by 11.1 per cent due to increased fertilizers cost. Every EU country has been affected by inflation. The European Central Bank has decided to increase the interest rates if inflation increases further. ("Inflation in the eurozone reaches new record high of 8.6%," Euronews, 01 July 2022)
INTERNATIONAL
Germany signs a restitution agreement with Nigeria
On 01 July, an agreement was signed in Berlin between Germany and Nigeria for the return of the Benin Bronze artifacts. Germany becomes the first European country to return a large number of relics that were stolen in the colonial period to their rightful owner. The agreement formally transferred ownership of the Benin Bronzes to Nigeria with immediate effect. More than 1,130 artifacts were taken from five museums in Germany to be returned to the people of Benin and Nigeria. The items were auctioned in London and Germany acquired the second-largest collection in the world. Only the ownership was transferred through the contract, the artifacts would be slowly moved to Nigeria. It would be placed in museums, institutions, galleries, and in the rebuilt royal palace in Benin City. (Annabelle Steffes-Halmer, "Germany returns Benin Bronzes to Nigeria," Deutsche Welle, 01 July 2022)