Photo : IAEA
07 September 2022, Wednesday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #300
War in Ukraine: Day 195
By Padmashree Anandhan and Sai Pranav
War on the Ground
On 06 September, the advisor to the Head of the Ukrainian President’s office, Mykhailo Podolyak, said in his tweet that since 40 days of the attack on Olvenivka prison, accused Russians for not letting the UN and the ICRC visit the site. He blamed the Russians for planting the attack on the Azovstal defenders at the Olenivka prison in the Donetsk region.
On the same day, during the nationwide telethon, Natalia Humeniuk, Head of the Joint Coordination Press Centre of the Defence Forces of South of Ukraine, said that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are improving their position along the front line and are impeding the Russian army, especially their logistics. The UAF keeps Russian transportation arteries under check and exposes any movements in the active region, which has made it difficult for the Russian army to redeploy troops.
On the same day, Kyiv Post reported that Ukraine’s Black Sea port city, Odessa, was preparing for a harsh winter fueled by the Russian invasion and rising energy prices. Odessa Regional Military Administration announced on 30 August that it was ready for heating in the winter season by 80 per cent. Kyiv Electric Networks which has been renovating 900 energy facilities in the region had repaired 600 kilometers of power transmission lines of various voltage levels. The houses without meters are now found to be facing difficulty in paying for the heating as their electricity bill are very expensive. Another problem in Odessa is the growing consumer debt before the winter season. The debt had already exceeded UAH one billion, and the government had forbidden the collection of debts from citizens for housing and communal services under martial law during the summer.
The Moscow View
Claims by Russia
On 06 September, upon UN releasing the report on Zaporzhzhye nuclear power plant Russia’s permanent representative to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia expressed regret over IAEA’s. He accused it for not disclosing the responsible party for shelling the nuclear plant despite Ukrainian General Staff’s claim on targeting Energodar, which is located in the north-western area of the plant.
Russia’s Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov pointing to the grain deal, said that the western countries had not withdrawn the sanctions yet on Russian grain and fertilizers, which was part of the negotiation of the grain deal. He blamed the West for not fulfilling the promises made during the signing of the grain deal. Russia issued a warning stating it will not start back the oil supply through Nord Stream pipeline unless the sanctions are lifted. Till now the energy prices have soared in UK, England, Wales and Scotland.
On 06 August, TASS reported on the poll conducted by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center. A survey was held to know the public support for Russia in its special military operation in Ukraine. In the poll, 1600 Russians were picked randomly where the support was found to be high ranging from 70 -73 per cent. According to the people, 39 per cent viewed it as a defence for Russia, and as a preventive strategy to keep the NATO’s military base away.
The West View
Responses from the US and Europe
The NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg is scheduled to attend the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting held in Germany. The meeting is being organized by the US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, to discuss on the Ukraine crisis and security threats to NATO and its allies.
On 06 September, the European Commission reported on the results from the 2022 Standard Eurobarometer survey. As per the findings, the EU citizens trust over EU’s response to Russia was observed to be increased. Especially in terms of investments in renewable energies, reducing dependency from Russia, and approval rate of the Euro. But there was a high concern towards the deteriorating economic situation amongst the citizens. At the national level, issues relating to inflation, cost of living, and energy supply were high per centile concerns.
On 06 September, BBC reported on the crisis faced by Russia in keeping up its military hardware due to cornering sanctions. As per report from the US, Russia is expected to purchase millions of rockets and artillery from North Korea due to severe shortages. It predicts that with increasing sanctions and export restrictions Russia’s military, training operations were affected.
On 06 September, The US Defence department’s spokesperson said that Russia was trying to request ammunition and missiles from North Korea and Iran. Brigade General Pat Ryder added that Russia is desperately searching for ammunition to withstand the war in Ukraine. The information obtained by the US suggests that the Russian army is facing difficulties in the ongoing war and is reaching out to what the US deems rogue nations like North Korea and Iran due to a severe supply shortage. Russia has already bought drones from Iran and aims to strike a deal to get artillery rounds from North Korea.
The Global Fallouts
Implications of the Ukraine war
Also on 06 September, IAEA released its report on the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP). The report said that the Russian occupation of the power plant had caused continued destruction to the complex, hindering emergency response from the staff. Although the report does not indicate the perpetrator of the attack. It provides safety guidelines for the ZNPP and advises establishing a nuclear safety and security protection zone immediately to avoid any nuclear disaster. A team of IAEA experts led by Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi had gone down to the ZNPP to check up on the atomic reactor after the shelling by both Ukraine and Russia.
References
“No international missions allowed to Olenivka following Russian terrorist attack - Podolyak,” Ukrinform, 06 September 2022
“Transportation arteries in south under fire control of Ukrainian troops,” Ukrinform, 06 September 2022
Ugo Poletti, “Odesa Prepares for Harsh Winter,” Kyiv Post, 06 September 2022
Yonhap, “Russia asks N. Korea for ammunition, indicating challenges in Ukraine war: Pentagon,” KoreaHerald, 07 September 2022
“RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, SEPTEMBER 6,” ISW, 06 September 2022
“Moscow accuses West of breaking ‘grain deal’ pledge,” RT, 06 September 2022
“Russia comments on IAEA nuclear plant report,” RT, 06 September 2022
“Russia blames sanctions for gas pipeline shutdown,” BBC, 06 September 2022
“Poll shows Russian public support for special operation stably high over six months,” TASS, 06 September 2022
“NATO Secretary General attends Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting,” nato.int, 06 September 2022
“Eurobarometer: Trust in the EU on the rise, amid strong support for the EU's response to Russia invasion of Ukraine and energy policies,” ec.europa.eu, 06 September 2022
“Ukraine war: North Korea supplying Russia with weapons, says US,” BBC, 06 September 2022
IN BRIEF
By Rishma Banerjee
GERMANY
Germany to keep two nuclear power plants functional
On 05 September, Germany’s Economics and Climate Protection Minister, Robert Habeck said that Germany will keep two nuclear power plants on standby to prevent an energy shortage in the winter. Germany had originally committed to phasing out the power source by the end of this year. However, the situation in Ukraine and Russia’s responses to the sanctions have increased Germany’s risk of an energy shortage. The announcement came after a stress test was conducted on the country’s electricity grid, following the summer droughts, the nuclear power problems faced by France, and the current crisis of the energy market in Europe. After the test, Habeck informed that while there was no imminent danger of major shortages, Germany will keep the Isar 2 and Neckarwestheim plants open to prevent a crisis in the winter. (“Germany to keep two nuclear power plants on standby in case of energy shortage,” Euronews, 06 September 2022)
HUNGARY
Hungary to introduce anti-corruption body to unlock EU funds
On 06 September, in the government’s official gazette, Hungary said that it will create an anti-corruption authority and a network of non-governmental organizations to supervise the spending of European Union funds. The European Commission, which has been withholding funds allocated to Hungary as a part of their COVID-19 recovery plan because of deadlocks on issues like corruption, migration, LGBTQ rights, and democratic standards. As a response, the anti-corruption body will be set up. The government will introduce the bill in parliament by 30 September and expects the body to be functional by 21 November. Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s Chief of Staff, Gergely Gulyas said that through this body, Hungary will install a “stricter than ever” and transparent system for the use of EU funds. (“Hungary to set up anti-corruption body in bid to unlock EU funds,” Reuters, 06 September 2022)
THE NETHERLANDS
Dutch agriculture minister resigns as protests rage on
On 06 September, Netherlands’ Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality Minister, Henk Staghouwer resigned after a series of protests by the country’s farmers over pollution regulations. The lucrative agriculture sector has been in crisis since 2019 after a court ruling ordered to slash emissions of nitrogen oxide produced by livestock by 50 percent by 2030. Since then, protests have taken place against the forced downsizing or closure that many livestock farms will face if the ruling comes into force. Before tendering in his resignation, Staghouwer, who has largely been unsuccessful in dealing with the protests, said that he was not the right person for the job. Prime Minister, Mark Rutte tweeted his appreciation for him and said that he respected Staghouwer’s decision to step down. Former Dutch agricultural minister Carola Schouten will temporarily take up the office. (Sofia Stuart Leeson, “Dutch agriculture minister resigns as nitrogen row simmers,” Euractiv, 06 September 2022)
THE UK
Liz Truss takes over from Boris Johnson as UK Prime Minister
On 06 July, Liz Truss took over the office of the UK’s Prime Minister from Boris Johnson. She is the 56th Prime Minister of the UK and the third female to do so. After the transfer of responsibilities, Truss appointed a top team diverse in gender and ethnicity. Kwasi Kwarteng is appointed as the first Black Chancellor of the Exchequer; James Cleverly is the Foreign Secretary, and Suella Braverman, the Home Secretary. Therese Coffey is also the first female deputy prime minister. Truss inherits a series of tasks from Johnson, like curbing soaring prices, especially energy, and fixing the national health care system that is burdened by long waiting lists and staff shortages. She has also promised to boost the economy and ease the labor unrest in the country. After assuming office, Truss spoke to Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Joe Biden. Truss’s office said that she spoke about the Ukraine war and defense cooperation with both Zelenskyy and Biden, and with Biden, she also discussed economic issues and maintaining the British-Irish Good Friday Agreement. (Danica Kirka and Jill Lawless, “New UK PM Truss vows to tackle energy crisis, ailing economy,” AP News, 07 August 2022)
REGIONAL
France preparing to supply gas to Germany in exchange for power for the upcoming winter
On 06 September, representatives from the energy ministry said that France will reactivate a disused pipeline in the northeastern Moselle administrative department, to supply gas to Germany. This pipeline was originally built for east-west flows, but will now deliver up to 20 terawatt hours (TWh) of gas, over the winter to Germany. Germany has also agreed to provide France with power if the supply gets narrowed. France’s state-run power company EDF (EDF.PA) is grappling with a record number of nuclear reactor outages that are aggravating the energy crisis. Germany also is apprehensive that the low volumes of Russian gas can lead to severe winter shortages. The collaboration comes after the sanctions on Russia are exacerbating the energy crisis in Europe. The reopening of the Moselle pipeline is thus an effort to present a united front against Russia’s actions. (Elizabeth Pineau and Caroline Pailliez, “France preparing disused pipeline to supply more winter gas to Germany,” Reuters, 06 September 2022)