Photo : REUTERS/Florion Goga
29 December 2022, Thursday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #396
IN BRIEF
By Allen Joe Mathew
KOSOVO
Serbian President announces the removal of 19-day blockade
On 29 December, ethnic Serbs of northern Kosovo announced the removal of barricades from three major roads. These had been blocked as a sign of protest against the arrest of a Serbian police officer on 10 December. The officer has now been released and placed under house arrest. To calm tensions down in the area, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic held meetings with the Kosovo Serbs and announced the barricades will be removed beginning 29 December. The conflict is connected with Serbia repeatedly trying to block the independence of Kosovo and the western powers backing Kosovo in its quest. The majority of Kosovo’s population are ethnic Albanians and the minority are ethnic Serbs, which leads to minor clashes and breakouts of violence. (Fatos Bytyci, “Serbs in northern Kosovo to start removing barricades from Thursday,” Reuters, 29 December 2022)
FINLAND
Olkiluoto nuclear reactor restarted in full capacity to produce electricity
On 28 December, a nuclear reactor on Finland’s west coast restarted its operations. It was shut down due to repairs and this was causing a shortage of electricity supply to the main grid. The Olkiluoto nuclear power plant has been operating since 1979, but it was stopped this year when cracks appeared on the feedwater pumps. The operating company, Teollisuuden Voima, through a spokesperson issued a statement “During the 10-day trial period the reactor will undergo around 10 so-called 'full capacity tests'.” The reactor started operating at 400 MWh and reached its total capacity of 1600 MWh. (“Olkiluoto 3 restarts after shutdown,” yle.fi, 28 December 2022)
SWEDEN
Survey reveals reduced support amongst public for Kristersson’s government
On 28 December, a poll carried out by Demoskop announced the findings from its latest survey report on support for Sweden government. The results showed that the majority of the citizens do not have confidence in the Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson with six out of ten respondents marking the government’s performance as “very badly” in the survey. The major grievances of the people are to do with the rising energy costs, including that electricity and fuel. The government has only been able to announce schemes and promises but has not implemented any, said the people who were surveyed. There has been a steady rise in the number of people dissatisfied with the performance of the government over the past months as the survey indicates, report stated. (“Six out of ten Swedes already think the new government is ‘doing a poor job,” thelocal.se, 28 December 2022)
REGIONAL
Finland to help Estonia in accommodating Ukrainian refugees
On 27 December, Estonia’s Interior Ministry announced that Estonia was struggling to provide accommodation and refuge to all the Ukrainian refugees who were coming to the country. Finland has responded to this plea by announcing that it will take in 50-100 refugees per week arriving in Estonia starting in January 2023. Finland has offered free education for children and has stated that every refugee will be treated with the same rights as Finnish citizens. (“Finland to accept displaced Ukrainians from Estonia,” yle.fi, 27 December 2022)
INTERNATIONAL
Exxon Mobil sues the EU to avoid windfall tax
On 28 December, The New York Times reported on the The US oil company Exxon Mobil suit over EU’s windfall tax. The European Council which passed the windfall tax, ruled that it can bypass the Parliament in emergency case. The tax will come into effect from 31 December has come under lawsuit as Exxon believes the tax to undermine its investor confidence, discourage investment and fears it would lead to “competitive crisis.” According to the spokesperson Casey Norton, the company accepts the high energy price burden placed on the consumers but does not view the windfall tax as the solution to the energy price hike. (Melissa Eddy, “Exxon Mobil sues to try to block Europe windfall tax,” The New York Times, 28 December 2022)
Albania to allow Chinese citizens visa free
On 27 December, Albania became the second country after Serbia, in Europe to allow Chinese citizens visa-free entry into the country. The decision came after talks with Chinese officials to abolish the visa regime for both countries. Chinese citizens would no longer need to obtain a Schengen visa to enter Albania. The European Parliamentary report stated that countries take such actions to become attractive destinations for foreign investments but it leads to negatively impacting the cohesiveness of EU policies. The report stated this could hinder Balkan countries' bid to join the EU. (Fjori Sinoruka, “Albania Backs Scrapping Visas for Chinese in Snub to EU,” BalkanInsight.com, 28 December 2022)
Osman Kaval to remain in sentence says Turkey’s court
On 28 December, an appellate court in Turkey upheld the conviction of the human rights activist Osman Kaval, who has been jailed on serious charges. The charges include financing and leading the 2013 Gezi Park protests in Istanbul, inciting violence to overthrow the government, and creating civil unrest. The West believes the arrest to be politically motivated. Kaval has been in detention since 2017, along with seven others who are serving 18-year sentences. In 2021, ten foreign ambassadors had written a joint letter calling for Kavala’s release, to which Turkey responded by threatening to declare them as ‘persona non grata’. The court has been criticized by the European Court of Human Rights and the Council of Europe for its decision. (“Turkish court upholds life sentence for activist Kavala,” Deutsche Welle, 28 December 2022)
War in Ukraine: Day 308
By Madhura S Mahesh
War on the Ground
On 28 December, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented his annual address to the Verkhovna Rada, the Ukrainian Parliament. In his speech, Zelenskyy outlined how in the past 10 months Ukraine has emerged as one of the global leaders and has been instrumental in promoting the values of strength and freedom from tyranny. First, emphasised the role of Ukraine in uniting the EU to combat the energy crisis due to decreased supply of Russian oil and gas. Second, outlined the plans for 2023 which include restarting EU membership negotiations, developing indigenous missiles, boosting their security and digitising public services and permits. Third, highlighted increasing Ukraine’s presence in green energy, and grain exports to secure ties with countries in Africa and Global South. Fourth, addressed the ongoing efforts to rebuild destroyed territories and stressed the importance of coming together to ensure the return of normality in Ukraine. Lastly, Zelenskyy announced the establishment of a tribunal which would look into the crimes committed by the Russian forces and develop a compensation mechanism for all the victims.
On 28 December, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry released a statement condemning the visit of Russian Presidential Administration official Sergey Kiriyenko to the Zaporizhzhia and Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. The ministry highlighted how the visit of Kiriyenko violates the IAEA’s guidelines which called for the withdrawal of Russian troops and officials from the power plant. The Ministry urged the IAEA members to cease nuclear cooperation with Russia and suspend the rights and privileges of Russia in the IAEA.
On 28 December, Ukraine’s Infrastructure Ministry announced that in the past two days 11 vessels have left the ports of Greater Odesa to Africa, Asia and Europe under the Black Sea Grain Initiative. The Ministry said that around 422,000 tonnes of agricultural goods have left the ports and added that: “Among them are the ALANDA STAR bulker with 30,800 tonnes of wheat for Egypt and the EUROCHAMPION tanker with 45,000 tonnes of [sunflower] oil for India.” The Ministry added that the main obstacle in the working of the grain corridor is the delay in inspections by Russia.
The Moscow View
Claims by Russia
On 28 December, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov criticized the ten-point agenda proposal of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelnskyy saying that it ignores reality. Peskov said that the “peace plan” proposed by Ukraine ignores reality as it does not acknowledge the four new regions annexed by Russia and added that Russia will not be following it. The peace plan for the Global Peace Summit was proposed by Zelnskyy to discuss his ten-point “peace formula” in February 2023 at the UN. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that for any peace talks to resume between the two countries, Ukraine must recognise the annexation of the four new regions in order to: “Prevent the creation and continuation of any threats to our security from Ukrainian territory.”
The West View
Responses from the US and Europe
On 28 December, the French Minister of Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu announced the setting up of a EUR 200 million innovative fund to help Ukraine purchase arms from French manufacturers directly. Speaking from Kyiv, Lecornu said that both France and Ukraine are working on a “common agenda” which will outline France’s military support to Ukraine. He also promised more military aid to Ukraine from the French army and outlined future plans to supply the MAMBA anti-missile system. The Ministry stated that they will be training the Ukrainian personnel to use the missile system before its delivery so that it could be deployed immediately.
On 28 December, the Lithuanian Interior Ministry said that over EUR 86.78 million of Russian and Belarusian companies’ funds have been frozen by the Financial Crime Investigation Service (FNTT). This was a result of the sanctions imposed by the FNTT on nine Russian and six Belarusian companies and one Belarusian individual on 20 December. Some of the sanctioned companies are Inter RAO Lietuva, Lifosa, EuroChem Logistics International, PhosAgro Baltic, Vydmantai Wind Park, and IDS Borjomi Europe.
On 28 December, the UK Defence Ministry released its intelligence update where it reported on the movement of Russian Forces in Kremina. According to the Ministry, Kremina located in the Luhansk Oblast has seen increasing reinforcements by the Russians at the frontline amid renewed pressure from Ukraine. The Ministry outlined that Kremina is an important town for Russia in the Luhansk Oblast and a strategic frontline town for Donbas.
References
“President of Ukraine delivered the annual Message to the Verkhovna Rada and presented state awards to Ukrainian defenders,” president.gov.ua, 28 December 2022
“Statement of the MFA of Ukraine on Russia's New Illegal Actions against the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant,” mfa.gov.ua, 28 December 2022
“Eleven grain ships leave Ukrainian ports in past two days,” Ukrinform, 28 December 2022
“Ukrainian proposal is not ‘a peace plan’ – Kremlin,” RT, 28 December 2022
“Ukraine 'peace plan' must factor in Russia’s four new regions, Kremlin emphasizes,” Tass, 28 December 2022
Felipe Dana, Renata Brito and Angela Charlton “French defense chief visits Ukraine, pledges more support,” AP News, 28 December 2022
“French defence minister promises more military support for Ukraine,” Euronews, 28 December 2022
“€87m of Russian, Belarusian companies’ funds frozen in Lithuania,” LRT.Lt, 28 December 2022
“Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 28 December 2022,” Twitter, 28 December 2022