Photo : AP/Ukrainian Presidential Press Office/ Euronews
03 February 2023, Friday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #427
War in Ukraine: Day 344
By Padmashree Anandhan
War on the Ground
On 02 February, Ukraine’s Defence Minister Hanna Malyar reported on continued shelling in the eastern Ukraine, especially in the hub of Lyman. The same was confirmed by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy: “A definite increase has been noted in the offensive operations of the occupiers on the front in the east of our country. The situation has become tougher.”
On 02 February, Zelenskyy called for talks over Ukraine membership into the EU ahead of the summit. He said: “I believe that Ukraine deserves to reach the beginning of negotiations on EU membership this year already.” On the same day, the Energy Minister reported on the restoration of the damaged power plants from the Russian shelling. This has resulted in reducing the deficit from 25 per cent to 19 per cent.
The Moscow View
Claims by Russia
On 02 February, in an address in the 80th anniversary of victory at the Battle of Stalingrad, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin highlighted Germany’s changed stance to supply “modern Armour” to Ukraine and said that the West should stop loading modern weapons into Ukraine.
On 02 February, RT reported on Russia’s industrial production. According to the recent data the production has been stable equal to the 2021 levels despite the sanctions of the West. The Federal Statistics Service reported reduction to be only 0.6 per cent for 2022, while industrial production is expected to increase by two per cent. In the report, electricity generation increased by 0.6 per cent, coal output was 0.4 per cent and LNG has risen by 8.1 per cent.
On 02 February, RT reported on Bulgaria government announcement to send refined oil products produced by Russia to Ukraine. Bulgaria being one of the country to be excepted from the EU to import crude oil and petrol from Russia, it is also been granted to export it to third countries. The fuel production is done in Burgas, a private firm of Russia (Lukoil) which operates with the tanker imported through the Black Sea. According to Russia, close to 500 Bulgarian companies has been selling Russian fuel without involving Ukraine.
The West View
Responses from the US and Europe
On 02 February, European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen assured to counter Russia through new set of sanctions as Ukraine war nears one year. Zelenskyy added stating Europe’s sanctions had slowed Russia a bit down but has also seem to have quick adaptability to sanctions imposed. Along with the other EU representatives, in the EU-Kyiv Summit, a spokesperson highlighted the need for a progress assessment of Ukraine to gain the membership status, which is complex.
On 02 February, The Guardian reported on a former commander who escaped from the Wagner group seeking safety in Norway. He disclosed his experiences in seeing how Russian captured prisoners were being mis-treated and pushed to fight for the Wagner group. UK’s Shell company reported a record of USD 40 billion profits after the hike in “wholesale gas prices” due to the war, while consumer was strained to take the hit of the energy bills.
References
“Russian industrial production withstands sanctions,” RT, 02 February 2023
“EU country to export diesel made from Russian oil to Ukraine,” RT, 02 February 2023
“Putin issues warning to West at Stalingrad event,” RT, 02 February 2023
“Von der Leyen promises 10th package of Russian sanctions in visit to Kyiv,”Euronews, 02 February 2022
“Ukraine updates: Putin compares Ukraine to Stalingrad battle,” Deutsche Welle, 02 February 2023
IN BRIEF
By Femy Francis
AUSTRIA
Austria court rules four guilty to the Vienna terror attack
On 01 February, The Vienna court rules four defendants guilty of being accessories to the terror attack on the Austrian capital on 02 November 2020. The primary convict killed four civilians and wounded 23 before he got gunned down by the police. The Gunman was a history sheeter in 2019 convicted of travelling to Syria to join IS, he was sentenced to 22 months got paroled in eight months. The attack criticized the Austrian government and intelligence service for overlooking the monitored extremists. (“Vienna: Court finds 4 guilty over role in 2020 terror attack,” Deutsche Welle, 02 February 2023)
THE UK
Shells record profit of USD 40 billion puts UK government in retrospect to rethink the windfall taxes
On 02 February, The Guardian reports Shell’s record profit of USD 40 billion in 2022, the largest in UK history calls for the reformation of the windfall tax. Shell also is criticized for overstating its spending on renewable energy where it only invested USD 3.5 billion in 2022. UK climate justice campaigner Elena Polisano said: “World leaders have just set up a new fund to pay for the loss and damage caused by the climate crisis. Now they should force historical mega-polluters like Shell to pay into it.” The pressure is put on British PM Rishi Sunak to rework the tax measure and hold big corporations accountable. (Alex Lawson, “Calls for bigger windfall tax after Shell makes ‘obscene’ $40bn profit,” The Guardian, 02 February 2023)
REGIONAL
EU mandates political and economic checklist to proceed with Ukraine's accession
On 03 February, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel along with 15 other EU commissioners met in Kyiv, Ukraine for the EU-Ukraine Summit. The key topics of discussion is expected to be Ukraine’s accession process and responding to Russian attacks. For the accession request placed by Ukraine, EU’s response has not been positive as it requires political, economic stability necessities to get through the EU laws. It said that the accession can take years comparing the case of Croatia. (“EU, Ukraine hold first summit since Russian invasion,” Deutsche Welle, 03 February 2023)
EU parliament approves IMCO proposal for regulation in political advertising
On 02 February, The European parliament approved the internal market committee’s (IMCO) proposal on regulation of political advertising. Originally introduced in 2020 as part of commission’s democracy action plan to increase transparency and tackle foreign interference. Some key changes include enlarging the role of online repositories, foreign entities banned from financially aiding campaigns and the controversial prohibiting microtargeting based on personal data like religion, race and opinions. The proposal will now focus on commission and council negotiations dealing with legality and provisions. ( Molly Killeen, “EU Parliament adopts position on political advertising regulation,” Euractiv, 02 February 2023)
EU pressured to halt the usage of FADs upon pressure from M&S
On 02 February, The Guardian reports that Marks and Spencer (M&S) and other environmental groups advise EU Fish aggregating devices (FAD) are responsible for overfishing of yellow tuna in the Indian ocean and pressurize EU to halt their usage. FADs are informed to endanger marine life and causes serious environmental damage. On 03-05 February, the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) would discuss measures to restrict the usage of FADs use. Stephen Ndegwa Kenya’s agricultural minister said: “If the stock is depleted here, the EU can go to another ocean. But the coastal states have nowhere else to go.” (Karen McVeigh, “M&S joins calls for EU to restrict harmful tuna fishing methods in Indian Ocean,” The Guardian, 02 February 2023)
Transferring of Ukraine refugees between Estonia and Finland
On 02 February, The ERR News reported that by mid-February the relocation of Ukraine refugee between Estonia-Finland will begin. To accommodate 100 refugees Finland requires that a person should not have a residence permit from another any other EU country. The main objective is to make sure smooth transferring and to clarify with the refugees about their needs and knowledge of what would be offered by Finland. (Mari Peegel, “Estonia-Finland Ukrainian refugee relocation scheme to start mid-February,” The ERR News, 01 February 2023)
ECHR fines Hungary for violation of right of refugee
On 02 February, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) imposed EUR 40,000 as penalty for Hungary for violating a refugee right. According to the court evidence a Syrian refugee including an Iraqi family had crossed into Hungary from Serbia in 2016. During the attempt the Hungarian border guards were reported to have initially thrown stones and later fired tear gas, which led to the death of one of the refugees. The ECHR gave a verdict that Hungary had failed to investigate the case and violated the “right to life” of the refugee. (“Hungary fined almost €40,000 over refugee death,” Duetsche Welle, 02 February 2023)
INTERNATIONAL
EU imports from China at a record high of 34 per cent for 2022
On 02 February, Euractiv reports that according to Chinese customs statistics there has been an increase in exports of 34 per cent from the Xinjiang province of China to EU members in 2022. A contradictory result to the mutual sanctions imposed between EU and China in 2021 over the prosecution of Uygur Muslims. The exports reached USD 1.1 billion in 2022 as Germany imported 1,750 tons of lithium-ion electric accumulators vital for green transition and electric vehicles. The dilemma the EU encounters are to be sustainable and conscious of human rights infringement or to ensure material flow for the growth of the industry. (János Allenbach-Ammann, “EU imports from Xinjiang rose by 34% in 2022 ,” Euractiv, 02 February 2023)