Photo : American Journal of Transportation
23 November 2022, Wednesday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #365
War in Ukraine: Day 272
By Sai Pranav
War on the Ground
On 22 November, Ukraine’s Economy Minister and First Deputy Prime Minister, Yulia Svyridenko, announced sanctions on 3000 Russians linked to its military industry at the Interdepartmental Working Group (IWG) meeting on the State Sanctions Policy. The sanctions are placed on 3000 individuals and legal entities of the Russian military sector and its suppliers. The sanctions would have to be approved by the National Security and Defence Council and Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to be implemented. On 19 October, Ukraine sanctioned 2,507 individuals and 1,374 legal entities, including Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, founder of the Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, and other Russian oligarchs.
On 22 November, Ukraine’s Energy Minister, Herman Galushchenko, met virtually with France’s Energy Transition Minister, Agnes Panier-Runachet. Galushchenko thanked Panier-Runachet for France’s humanitarian aid by supplying 73 tons of materials and equipment to Ukraine’s energy sector. France pledged to help Ukraine with its energy restoration following Russia’s shelling of Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructures. Galushchenko and Panier-Runachet emphasized the need to demilitarize and de-occupation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and IAEA’s monitoring mission. Both Energy Ministers agreed on sending representatives from energy companies from France to provide operational assistance to Ukraine’s energy sector.
The Moscow View
Claims by Russia
On 22 November, TASS reported on Gazprom’s comments holding Europe responsible for destabilizing the global LNG market. The European energy demand also led suppliers to redirect LNG export to Europe, eroding Asia of its LNG supply. Gazprom also criticized the US for failing to increase shale gas production during the 2022 energy crisis, missing a favourable market situation.
On 21 November, Russia’s embassy in Washington stated that the US has been enabling neo-Nazis in Ukraine following the US Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice, Beth Van Schaack’s response to the video of the execution of Russian prisoners of war by the Ukrainian troops. Van Schaack said: “when we’re looking at the sheer scale of criminality exhibited by Russian forces, it’s enormous compared to the allegations that we have seen against Ukrainian forces.”
The West View
Responses from the US and Europe
On 22 November, the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, announced in her tweet that the Commission would allocate EUR 2.5 billion to Ukraine for repairs and fast recovery from the Russian shelling. The funds are also provided for the reconstruction of Ukraine after the war. The Commission has pledged EUR 18 billion to be provided to Ukraine for 2023, with the funds distributed regularly.
On 22 November, the UK’s Defence Ministry in its intelligence update reported that Russia’s Black Sea Fleet is concerned about its amphibious landing ship flotilla following an attack on an oil terminal in Novorssiysk port, near the fleet’s base. The fleet is responsible for supplying materials and resources to Russian soldiers in Crimea since the Kerch Bridge was damaged. The attack on the Novorssiyk port will undermine Russia’s already declining maritime influence in the Black Sea.
On 21 November, Reuters reported that the US army had increased its pace in acquiring weapons following the depletion of arms by supplying them to Ukraine. The defence contract backlogs are looked into quickly to restock the US weaponry. The US had provided Ukraine with weapons worth USD 17.9 billion since the start of the war on 24 February. The US Army has spent USD 2.6 billion to replenish the US arms supply by using the special Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA), which allows quick arms transfer without the consent of Congress in times of emergency. Lockheed Martin group received USD 477 million contract to restock the US weaponry.
On 21 November, Telegraph.co.uk the UK provided Ukraine with its advanced model of the laser-guided Brimstone missile. The Royal Air Force supplied Brimstone 2 missile to the Ukrainian air force to counterattack Russian troops. The new Brimstone missiles exceed the target range better than the previous model. The Brimstone 2 costs around GBP 175 hundred and has the capability to hit moving vehicles. It can also select a particular target that can be programmed into the equipment. It uses laser technology to hit the target successfully.
The Global Fallouts
Implications of the Ukraine war
On 22 November, in his address at a plenary session of the State Duma, Cuba’s President, Miguel Diaz-Canel, condemned the West’s sanctions against Russia. During his visit to Moscow, Diaz-Canel said that the US and NATO’s aggressive policies were responsible for the war in Ukraine. He condemned the role of sanctions in escalating the Ukrainian war and said that he favoured the negotiated solution to the war.
On 22 November, Japan’s government approved extending Emergency Grant Aid of USD 2.57 million to help Ukraine's electrical needs through winter. The aid will be implemented through the Office of the UNHCR. Generators and solar lanterns will be provided to Ukraine through aid.
References
“FOR INVOLVEMENT IN THE MURDERS OF UKRAINIANS: NEW SANCTIONS HAVE BEEN PREPARED AGAINST 3,000 MEMBERS OF THE RUSSIAN MILITARY INDUSTRY,” me.gov.ua, 22 November 2022
“Herman Galushchenko and the Minister of Energy Transition of France Agnes Panier-Runache discussed the needs of the energy sector of Ukraine and the situation at the NPP,” kmu.gov.ua, 22 November 2022
“Europe destabilized global LNG market — Gazprom,” TASS, 22 November 2022
“Moscow condemns US reaction to execution of Russian POWs,” RT, 22 November 2022
Ursula von der Leyen, “The @EU_Commission is disbursing a further €2.5 billion for Ukraine.,” Twitter, 22 November 2022
The UK Ministry of Defence, “Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 22 November 2022,” Twitter, 22 November 2022
Mike Stone, “U.S. Army's weapons contract reviews accelerate to replace Ukraine aid,” Reuters, 22 November 2022
Dominic Nicholls, “Britain’s Brimstone missiles primed to make Russian soldiers' lives hell,” Telegraph.co.uk, 21 November 2022
“Cuba condemns Western sanctions against Russia, says president,” TASS, 22 November 2022
“Emergency Grant Aid for winterization assistance in Ukraine,” mofa.go.jp, 22 November 2022
IN BRIEF
By Madhura S Mahesh
ITALY
Meloni government introduces EUR 35 million spending cuts and tax raises in new budget
On 22 November, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni signed the new budget which entails a EUR 35 billion spending plan and fiscal policies that intend to “...avoid a collision course with Brussels.” Meloni said that the increased spending plan would encourage a faster recovery in the current quarter and the first quarter of the next year. The proposed budget will now be scrutinised by the Parliament who has to approve it before January 2023. With an extension of the single tax rate of 15 per cent from an annual income of EUR 65,000 to EUR 85,000 and cutting VAT on necessities by half, she has also prioritised the capping of increasing energy prices and providing a “citizen’s income” poverty relief scheme as part of the plans. Meloni said: "I consider it a courageous and coherent budget, courageous in the sense that it bets on the future." The opposition has criticised the budget for its inadequacy to combat inflation and added that the tax cuts will hit the poor the hardest calling it “inhuman.” (“Italy PM Meloni's new budget proposal more EU-friendly than expected,” Euronews, 22 November 2022; “Italy's Meloni hails "courageous" budget, opposition plans protests,” Reuters, 22 November 2023)
REGIONAL
European Parliament introduces new policies for infrastructure protection
On 22 November, the European Parliament passed new policies addressing essential infrastructure protection. It was agreed by the European Council to increase the protection of essential infrastructure. The policy includes cross-border communication, new national resilience strategies and increased transparency between critical actors and national authorities. It will be applicable to 11 essential sectors such as energy, transport, banking, financial market infrastructure, digital infrastructure, drinking water and wastewater, food, health, public administration, and space. (“MEPs approve new rules to protect essential infrastructure,” europarl.europa.eu, 22 November 2022)
European parliament decision to increase funds for ESA raises concern
On 22 November, the European Parliament increased funding for space by 25 per cent over the next three years. The European Space Agency (ESA) submitted a request to increase its budget from EUR 14.5 billion to EUR 18.5 billion for 2023-2025. This request was made to keep Europe in the Space sector amid increasing investments by the US and China. Currently, France, Germany and the UK launching small launchers have voiced complaints about the expensive materials acquired by the ESA to build small launchers. The increase in funding will ensure that the materials are acquired at a sustainable price and improve the scope of space technology in Europe. (“Europe ministers tackle sharp increase in space funding,” Reuters, 23 November 2022)
Finland, Norway and Sweden sign agreement to increase defence cooperation
On 22 November, the Defence Ministers of Finland, Norway and Sweden signed a trilateral defence cooperation agreement. This new trilateral Statement of Intent (SOI) aims to increase defence cooperation between the three countries and boost operations planning in Finland, Sweden and Norway. The SOI supports other agreements between Nordic countries such as the Nordic defence cooperation (NORDEFCO). The agreement outlines four points of cooperation which are, first conducting discussions and exercises based on common security concerns and national requirements. Second, discuss national operations plans between Finland, Norway and Sweden in common areas of concern. Third, undertake common operations planning in areas of mutual interest and fourth hold combined or coordinated military operations. (“Defence Ministers of Finland, Norway and Sweden signed an updated trilateral Statement of Intent,” defmin.fi, 22 November 2022)
INTERNATIONAL
German to withdraw troops part of the MINUSMA mission from Mali
On 22 November, Germany announced that it will be withdrawing troops stationed in Mali as a part of the MINUSMA mission. German government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit said the government will ask the parliament to extend German troops’ presence in Mali till May 2024 to “..bring this mission to a structured end after 10 years.” Germany has been a part of the MINUSMA mission since 2013 and has deployed 1,400 troops to Mali as part of the mission. Germany is the next to announce its withdrawal after the UK and Ivory Coast as tensions rise between the UN and Mali’s military leaders. (“Germany to withdraw troops from UN Mali mission by May 2024,” Al Jazeera, 22 November 2022)