Photo : Guardian Graphic
War in Ukraine: Day 281
By Padmashree and Pranav
War on the Ground
On 01 December, Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Defence Ministry reported on the movement of Russian troops from the Rostov and Belgorod regions to Kherson via Crimea. The move was to replenish the Russian military strength in the Kherson region. According to GUR, The Russian forces regrouped in the Kherson, Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk regions following the de-occupation of the Dnieper river’s right bank. It stated that the Russians were not building an offensive group in Belarus following rigorous combat training. However, the ministry is cautious of Russia attacking from Belarus or Kharkiv direction in the future.
On 01 December, Ukraine, Sweden, and Denmark’s Foreign Ministers met in Buchares. They discussed on first, Ukraine’s Dmytro Kuleba, Sweden’s Tobias Billstrom and Denmark’s Jeppe Kofod discussed strengthening their support for Ukraine in the war by increasing and toughening their sanctions against Russia. They were looking into the next sanction package against Russia. Second, increasing the pace of Ukraine’s EU accession.
On 01 December, Ukraine pushed for the EU to introduce new sanctions against Russia that would focus on Russia’s missile industry following its attack on Russia’s electricity grids. The next set of sanctions would target Russia’s missile manufacturing industry to stop Russia from damaging Ukraine’s energy facilities further. Kuleba met the EU’s High Representative of Foreign Affairs and Security Policy at the Organization of Security Co-operation in Europe. Both agreed to extend the EU’s support to Ukraine till the war’s end.
The Moscow View:
Claims by Russia
On 01 December, RT reported on the Switzerland Economic Ministry report on the value of frozen assets of the Russians. In the announcement it stated that USD 7.94 billion of Russian assets remained frozen as of 25 November which amounted to only a fraction in Switzerland. According to the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO): “The frozen amounts can increase if, for example, new persons are added to the list or if new assets are identified.” On the same, RT reported that close to USD 300 billion reserves remain frozen in the international, but the European Commission has no record on the assets frozen by the EU member states or the amount of liquid assets held in cash.
On 01 December, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned that conflict between two nuclear states gives a high possibility for a nuclear war. He said: “Аny war between nuclear powers is unacceptable. Еven if someone decides to start it using conventional means, there will be a huge risk of it escalating into a nuclear one.” Lavrov reiterated Russia’s nuclear doctrine on the use of WMD’s only in response to a nuclear strike from the enemy.
On 01 December, in the OSCE meeting Russian Permanent Representative to the OSCE Alexander Lukashevich said that Russia was urged to start the special military operation to respond to the threats faced by the Russians and Ukrainians in the border. He also criticized OSCE for not being effective in stopping the violence in Donbass.
The West View:
Responses from the US and Europe
On 01 December, China’s President Xi Jinping during his meeting with the EU Council President Charles Michel on Ukraine war called out for resolving the crisis through “political means” and with a interest of Europe and countries in Eurasia. Whereas Michel was reported to stressed Xi to make use the UNSC vote to end Russia’s occupation in Ukraine.
On 01 December, US president Joe Biden expressed his willingness to “speak with Mr. Putin” to initiate a dialogue. Biden suggested the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine as one way to end the war.
Germany’s Federal Government released a statement on the list of military aid to Ukraine given so far. It includes unmanned surface vessels, border protection vehicles, three BEAVER bridge-laying tanks, and eight unmanned surface vessels, 12 border protection vehicles, spare parts for Mi-24 helicopters, 28 anti-drone sensors and jammers, 28 anti-drone sensors and jammers in partnership with the Netherlands. The total export of military goods as of 28 November sum to EUR 1,933,456,163.
The Global Fallouts: Implications of the War in Ukraine
On 01 December, China’s President, Xi Jinping, discussed ways to end the war in Ukraine with the European Council President Charles Michel. Both agreed to stop Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin, from using nuclear weapons. Xi and Michel want to avoid using nuclear weapons and the escalation of the war. Michel and XI agreed to work together to urge Putin to respect the UN charter and Ukraine’s sovereignty.
On 01 November, the UN’s Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, announced that humanitarian assistance of USD 5.7 billion was requested for Ukraine in 2023 at the Global Humanitarian Overview report 2023 launch in Geneva. USD 51.5 billion in funds were requested as total aid to people in desperate need around the world in 2023. The Covid pandemic, climate change and the war in Ukraine were held responsible for the UN requesting USD 51.5 billion in aid to help the needy during emergencies.
References
"Today there are no signs of the creation of a powerful strike group on the territory of Belarus" - Skibitsky,” gur.gov.ua, 01 December 2022
“Kuleba, Swedish, Danish foreign ministers discuss support for Ukraine, sanctions against Russia,” Ukrinform, 01 December 2022
“Ukraine Urges EU to Sanction Russia’s Missile Industry,” Kyiv Post, 01 November 2022
“Switzerland reveals value of frozen Russian assets,” RT, 01 December 2022
“EU has no legal way to seize Russian assets – officials,” RT, 01 December 2022
“Russia warns of ‘huge’ risks of sliding into nuclear war,” RT, 01 December 2022
“Russia’s Ukraine operation came in response to OSCE’s inability to end bloodshed — envoy,” TASS, 01 December 2022
“Ukraine updates: China's Xi urges peace efforts,” DW, 01 December 2022
“Military support for Ukraine,” bundesregierung.de, 01 December 2022
“Xi Urges Calming Crisis in Ukraine During Talks With Michel,” Bloomberg, 01 December 2022
“UN appeals for record $51.5 billion to help 230 million on the brink in 2023,” news.un.org, 01 December 2022
IN BRIEF
By Madhura S Mahesh
HUNGARY
Government accused of misusing citizen’s data for election campaign
On 01 December, Human Rights Watch released a report which accused the Hungarian Prime Minister and his party Fidesz of misusing citizens’ data for election purposes. The report outlines how Fidesz used data from Covid-19 vaccination registration, tax benefits applications and association membership registrations to distribute the party’s campaign messages before April 2022 elections. The report further goes on to highlight how this violates privacy rights and calls such moves a “betrayal of trust and an abuse of power.” (“Orbán used Hungarians’ COVID data to boost election campaign, report says,” Politico, 01 November 2022)
LATVIA
Parliament approves the creation of the Ministry of Climate and Energy
On 01 December, the legislation proposing the creation of the Ministry of Climate and Energy and the appointment of deputy ministers was passed by the Saeima. The Law on State Administration Structure Law was passed with 52 votes who also supported the creation of the new Ministry. 36 deputies voted against the Law and 45 were against the creation of the new Ministry. The new legislation did not receive the support of the Legal Affairs Committee which is responsible for the approval of the draft law. The Saeima debated if the law could be voted on if it was rejected where former Saeima Speaker Inara Mūrniece said that it can be voted on despite the rejection as the Saeima’s prior support for the bill overruled the rejection by the committee. (“New ministerial office creation approved by Saeima,” eng.lsm.lv, 01 December 2022)
REGIONAL
EU introduces revised policies to reduce packaging waste
On 30 November, the European Commission put forth revised rules to decrease packaging waste. The revised rules propose to make packaging reusable and fully recyclable by 2023. It also proposes banning certain types of single-use packaging for beverages, food, fresh fruits and vegetables and also extends this ban to small packaging for hygiene products in hotels. The European Commission executive vice president Frans Timmermans said that “The way goods are packaged can and should be done a lot better,” and added that overpackaging by hotels and restaurants is causing damage to the environment. Some of the newly revised rules include precise labelling of reusable packaging, compulsory return programmes for plastic bottles and aluminium cans and new required rates of recycled material in new plastic packaging. The Commission looks to decrease packaging waste by 15 per cent by 2040 in each EU member country based on population. (“Reuse and recycle: EU proposes revised rules to limit packaging waste,” Euronews, 30 November 2022)
Lithuania requests funds from the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility
On 01 November, the Lithuanian Finance Ministry reported that it has submitted a formal request for funds from the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility to the European Commission. This fund will help Lithuania to go ahead with its recovery and resilience plan titled New Generation Lithuania. The Ministry has requested approximately EUR 565 million for the implementation of the plan. Finance Minister Gintare Skaiste said that this is a significant step and added that they are open to amending the plan to extend a proposal towards the development of renewable energy. Lithuania is said to be eligible for loans up to EUR three billion and grants worth EUR 2.225 billion from the Recovery and Resilience Facility. (“Lithuania submits EC request for EUR 565 min RRF payout,” Delfi, 01 December 2022)
Supply of gas begins to Moldova through Greece-Bulgaria connect
On 01 December, the Greece-Bulgaria natural gas interconnector (ICGB) transmission operator announced that it had started transportation of gas to Moldova. The ICGB-which transports gas to Bulgaria from Azerbaijan through Greece- will now transport 80 per cent of its total capacity to the region but has not specified the amount that will be delivered to Moldova. Moldova and Bulgaria in November had signed an agreement to help Moldova reduce its dependency on Russian gas and help secure energy supply in Southeast Europe via the ICGB. (“Greece-Bulgaria pipeline starts carrying natural gas to Moldova,” SeeNews, 01 December 2022)
INTERNATIONAL
EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade agreement green signalled by Germany
On 01 December, the German parliament approved the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement which is the free-trade pact between the EU and Canada. The agreement was signed in 2016 but had to be approved by the parliaments of all 27 members to fully come into force. 559 German lawmakers voted for the agreement and 110 against the agreement. The vote was delayed due to a pending court case regarding the agreement at Germany’s apex court which rejected all the concerns and gave a clean chit to the Agreement back in March. Out of 27 member countries, only 16 EU members have approved the free trade agreement between Canada and the EU and 11 have yet to approve it. (“German parliament votes to approve EU-Canada trade pact,” AP News, 01 November 2022)
Macron meets Biden to discuss the clash over Inflation Reduction and Chips Act
On 01 December, French President Emmanuel Macron met with US President Joe Biden where the two talked about global security, nuclear deterrence, disarmament, economy, trade, supply chain, energy, climate and much more. The two reportedly talked about the US Inflation Reduction Act 2022 which has been a major point of contention recently between Europe and the US. Macron before meeting Biden on 30 December expressed his concern about the Act and called for a “synchronised” effort to solve the differences. Biden then expressed willingness to work with the French and other European officials to address their concerns and the “glitches” in the Act. Biden added: “it was never intended to exclude folks who are cooperating with us.” The two leaders also agreed to increase diplomatic, developmental, and regional engagement in the Indo-Pacific to counter Chinese influence in the region. Biden and Macron also reaffirmed their support for the protection of human rights and the fight against climate change. When it came to defence, Macron and Biden discussed collective security through NATO and ways the US can help Europe increase its defence capabilities. (“Joint Statement Following the Meeting Between President Biden and President Macron,” whitehouse.gov, 01 November 2022 and Biden Says He Is Willing to Talk to Putin About Ukraine, With Conditions,” The New York Times, 01 December 2022)