Photo : Kremlin.ru
In Brief
By Allen Joe Mathew
RUSSIA
CIS summit shows positive trade and security cooperation
On 26 December, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin held an informal summit with the leaders from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). He highlighted the growing trade, technological sovereignty, industrial production, and maintain of security in the Eurasian region. In the meet, Kazakhstan's President Tokaev Kasym-Jomart Kemelevich highlighted the increase in the economic growth by 11 per cent and Astana summit. He also added the cooperation in combatting terrorism, Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway, and supporting the space for Russian language. The meet reflected the joint effort in building cooperation amongst the CIS. (“Informal CIS summit,” Kremlin.ru, 26 December 2022)
SWITZERLAND
Local gas work association plans to build gas terminal despite objection
On 25 December, a plan to build a gas terminal which would be able to store up to 150 gas containers for a year was announced in a joint statement by 15 local gas works. The site is located at Muttenz, near Basel. If built this would be Switzerland’s first Liquified Natural Gas storage facility, and is aimed at reducing the countries dependency on pipelines and a need for constant supply. Previously environmental organizations had raised their concerns over the project. The proposal comes after the Swiss government agreed to address the energy shortage. ("Plans for first Swiss liquefied gas terminal mooted," swissinfo.ch, 25 December 2022)
REGIONAL
Italy puts on hold the Dublin regulation on asylum seekers
On 25 December, Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Migration said that Italy had suspended the provision for the return of asylum seekers. Italy and Switzerland, signatories to the Dublin regulation, which states that asylum seekers have to process their application in the country where they first arrived in. Before implementing the suspension, Italy had notified the Swiss authorities. Italy’s suspension has now led to 184 people being stuck in Switzerland. Tensions have risen in Italy due to large number migrant applications unable to get processed in due time and in Switzerland with refugee centres reaching their limit. ("Italy suspends transfer accord of asylum seekers in Switzerland," swissinfo.ch, 25 December 2022)
Zurich Insurance CEO classifies cyber-attacks as a grave threat for
On 26 December, Zurich Insurance Group’s CEO, Mario Greco in an interview to the Financial Times said that the threat posed by cyber-attacks has become the riskiest till now. Comparing cyber-attacks such as ransomware hacks and other such malicious software attacks, he said that these will soon wreck as much damage equal to natural calamities. Greco stressed on the government: “..set up private-public schemes to handle systemic cyber risks that can’t be quantified, similar to those that exist in some jurisdictions for earthquakes or terror attacks.” (Ian Smith, "Cyber attacks set to become ‘uninsurable’, says Zurich chief," Financial Times, 25 December 2022)
MORES registers a seven-fold increase in abusive workplace behaviour
On 26 December, the Dutch centre for transgressive behaviour reported a seven-fold increase of cases over 2021. These are just limited to those pertaining to the cultural and creative sector. The factor behind the rise in the number of cases is the investigation into the prevalent practice in the media of bullying and stoking fear, conducted by NPO. MORES board member , Amber de Vente, spoke about the complaint process saying that first the complaint goes through the hotline, then later gets assigned to a confidential advisor who contacts the complainant. Such allegations of misconduct have been widespread. ("About 400 cases of abusive workplace behavior in Dutch creative sector reported in 2022," nltimes.com, 26 December 2022)
UK plan to employ mini-robots to prevent pipe leaks
On 26 December, the BBC reports that miniature robots are being developed by the Integrated Civil and Infrastructure Research Centre at the University of Sheffield. These robots are to be used for patrolling water pipelines across the country, to locate and report leaks that occur in the system. Every year, according to the UK water industry economic regulator Ofwat, close to three billion litres of water gets wasted due to leakage. The robots use advanced technology to detect and report leakage in pipes and areas where failure might occur. (Victoria Gill, "Water pipe robots could stop billions of litres leaking," BBC, 26 December 2022)
Silent march in memory held by Kurdish community
On 26 December, members of the Kurdish community held a march in honour of the three people who were killed in the deadly mass-shooting attack that took place at a Kurdish cultural centre in Paris. The suspect was arrested on 26 December and has been placed under psychiatric care. The protestors marched from the Kurdish centre in Paris’s 10th district. In 2013, three female Kurdish activists were shot to death. French authorities have stated the motivations behind the attack as racial hatred towards other communities. Turkey has also waged into the issue, with a minister stating that the immediate violence that followed the attack was orchrestrated by the Kurdish Workers Party. ("The Kurds hold a mourning march after the shooting in Paris 3," nord.news, 26 December 2022)
War in Ukraine: Day 306
By Padmashree Anandhan
War on the Ground
On 26 December, Ukraine’s Zvezda TV reported the blasts and death of three Russians in Engels military airfield base of Russia. The place of blast is seen as the military base of Tu-95 and Tu-160 “strategic bombers.”
On 26 December, Ukraine’s Foreign Affairs Ministry reported on starting the process to remove the permanent membership status of Russia from the UN. In a statement the Ministry said that the UNSC membership to Russia and the 1991 Soviet Union dissolution is “unsettled” from the international law point. It stated that: “….accordance with Article 4 of the UN Charter. It provides that the admission of peace-loving states to membership in the United Nations is effected by a decision of the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council, and only in this way. […]Therefore, the Russian Federation has never gone through the legal procedure to be admitted to membership and therefore illegally occupies the seat of the USSR in the UN Security Council.”
On 26 December, Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) reported on neutralizing more than 4500 cyber attacks launched against Ukraine. The agency’s Head, Ilya Vityuk stated that Ukraine’s preparedness for hybrid warfare and its success in deterring major cyber attacks in January and February 2022. Vityuk said: “We know by name most of the hackers from the Russian special services working against us. After Ukraine wins, a separate block of hearings of the international military tribunal will await them.”
The Moscow View
Claims by Russia
On 26 December, Russian Defence Ministry claimed shooting down Ukraine’s drone that attacked its Engels airfield. According to the report, the Saratov Region which is 900 kilometres from Kyiv was attacked, where three men were found dead due to the debris resulting from the blast. Despite the death, there were no material or infra damage reported in the area.
On 26 December, RT reported on Central Bank of Russia Deputy Chairman Aleksey Zabotkin comments on Russia’s Ruble. He warned the existence of “volatility” in the Russian exchange since December and fall of the Ruble value exceeding eight month record against the USD. Zabotkin said: “The disinflationary contribution of the strengthening of the ruble, which occurred in the second half of spring and summer, has ultimately been exhausted by now.”
On 26 December, RT reported on the France’s December survey held by “Le Journal du Dimanche,” to find the proportion of its people support to “talks plus arms,” or “peace talks.” The survey revealed that majority of people voted for arming Ukraine along with a peace solution. Seven out of 10 favoured for peace talks while providing military aid to Ukraine. The voter group included, 73 per cent of women, 75 per cent of people aged between 25 and 34. 73 per cent of public sector workers, and 72 per cent rural residents.
On 26 December, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandr Novak announced Russia’s intention to “restart” the supply of natural gas to the EU through Yamal-Europe Pipeline. Apart from the Yamal pipeline, Nord Stream was also stopped by Russia upon payment condition by Ruble and sanctions. Although through a transit line in Ukraine and TurkStream pipeline Russia has been sending gas, EU is seen a workable market for Russia.
The West View
Responses from the US and Europe
On 26 December, in an interview with the AP, Ukraine’s Foreign Minster Dmytro Kuleba announced the government’s demand for a “peace summit” at the UN by February to bring the war to an end. He stressed on avoiding the participation of Russia in the summit, with the AP observes it as not plausible way to end war. He said: “Every war ends as a result of the actions taken on the battlefield and at the negotiating table.” In response, the UN stated that it could mediate a meet only upon the consent of all parties. Russian spokesperson Dmitry Peskov responded: “..never followed conditions set by others. Only our own and common sense.”
On 26 December, Deutsche Welle reported on Belarusian Defence Ministry statement on the preparedness of the S-400 air defense system and the Iskander tactical missile systems sent by Russia. The Iskander missile systems which are capable to carry conventional and nuclear warheads can target up to 500 kilometres to reach Ukraine and Poland. Whereas the S-400 is a Russian surface-to-air missile (SAM) with capacity to target aircraft, UAV’s, cruise missiles, and terminal ballistic missiles.
The Global Fallouts
Implications of the Ukraine war
On 26 December, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a phone call with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy where they discussed on G20, facilitating education for Indian students, and Ukraine war. Modi stressed on ending the hostility situation and reiterated his support for diplomacy and peace efforts to end the war.
On 26 December, Ukrinform reported on UAE’s first delivery of 1200 generators for Ukraine. The delivery comes part of the agreement between UAE and Ukraine under humanitarian aid. These will be used in health facility, education institutions, critical infra in the “Kherson, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa and Kyiv.” The next set of 1200 is expected to come by January 2023.
On 26 December, Deutsche Welle reported on Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s comments on China’s intention to improve ties with Russia in 2023. He stated: “..deepen strategic mutual trust and mutually beneficial cooperation.” In terms of the Ukraine war, Yi maintained that China has held “..fundamental principles of objectivity and impartiality,” as its position without siding with either of the party.
References
“Средства ПВО сбили на малой высоте при подлете к военному аэродрому,” Zvezdanews/Telegram, 26 December 2022
“Ukraine initiates Russia’s exclusion from United Nations,” Ukrinform, 26 December 2022
“SBU neutralizes over 4,500 Russian cyberattacks this year,” Ukrinform, 26 December 2022
“Three killed in Ukrainian drone attack on Russian airfield – MoD,” RT, 26 December 2022
“French reveal their priorities on Ukraine crisis – poll,” RT, 26 December 2022
“Russian central bank explains ruble’s slide,” RT, 26 December 2022
“Russia ready to resume gas supplies to EU – official,” RT, 26 December 2022
“The AP Interview: Ukraine FM aims for February peace summit,” AP news, 26 December 2022
“Ukrainian President Zelenskyy speaks to PM Modi about G20, thanks India for aid and UN support,” The Hindu, 26 December 2022
“UAE delivers first shipment of generators for Ukraine, second expected in January,” Ukrinform, 26 December 2022
"Ukraine updates: Kyiv aims for February peace summit," Deutsche Welle, 26 December 2022