Photo : AFP-JIJI
27 April 2023, Thursday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #498
War in Ukraine Day: 427
By Padmashree Anandhan
War on the Ground
On 26 April, in the phone conversation held between China’s President Xi Jinping and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Xi reiterated that China will be “on the side of peace.” He stressed China’s position to promote negotiations and assured to send representatives to hold talks with the parties to the conflict. China published a 12-point position paper in February indicating it as a “neutral mediator in the Ukraine war along with mentioning “no limit” to its relations with Russia. Zelenskyy remarked the call as “long and meaningful.” France, and Germany welcomed the phone conversation as a positive signal. France said: “..encourages all dialogue that contributes to a resolution of the conflict [in Ukraine] in accordance with the fundamental interests of Ukraine and international law.”
On 26 April, Ukraine’s Presidential Office Spokesperson Andriy Yermak reported in his Telegram account on the exchange of prisoners. During the exchange, 42 soldiers and two civilians had been brought back, while Russia’s Defence Ministry reported the return of 40 Russian soldiers from Ukraine.
The Moscow View
Claims by Russia
On 26 April, Russia’s Ambassador to the UN, Gennady Gatilov, complained over insufficient progress in fulfilling Russia’s condition in exchange for the grain deal. According to him, despite the UN efforts, Russia’s demands to allow its Agricultural Bank reconnect with Swift payment, freeing the supplies of agricultural machinery, spare parts, granting insurance for its ships and access to foreign ports have remained standstill. Gatilov said: “I don't know whether they will be able to achieve sufficient progress in the time left.”
On 26 April, Russia’s Foreign Ministry criticised Ukraine’s government for undermining the efforts towards negotiations to settle the conflict. In a statement: “The Ukrainian authorities and their Western minders have already shown their ability to mess up any peace initiatives.” Highlighting China’s attempts to establish the peace talks, it blamed the Ukraine government for rejecting it.
The West View
Responses from the US and Europe
On 26 April, Italy’s Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, asked the EU allies to fasten Ukraine’s membership process. The remark comes after the bilateral conference held between the Italy and Ukraine business in an effort to plan for reconstruction. Meloni said: “The future of Ukraine must include an always wider capacity of integrating with the European dynamics and institutions.” Appreciating Ukraine’s efforts to “reform its system,” she stressed that it should be given an opportunity to become part of the EU.
On 26 April, the US General Christopher Cavoli assured on Ukraine receiving arms from the US on time to help its counteroffensive. He highlighted that 98 per cent of the combat vehicles pledged for Ukraine had been delivered. He added: “I am very confident that we have delivered the material that they need, and we'll continue a pipeline to sustain their operations as well.”
On 26 April, the Czech Republic’s Foreign Minister announced a sanction on Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill due to his support for the Ukraine war. Kirill’s public remarks in support of the war, which has made the acts committed by the Russian forces acceptable has been taken as evidence to impose sanctions.
References
Joseph Ataman, “France “encourages all dialogue” over Ukraine,” egyptindependent, 26 April 2023
“Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning’s Regular Press Conference on April 27, 2023,” my.china-embassy.gov.cn/, 27 April 2023
“Partners have delivered over 98% of combat vehicles promised to Kyiv – Supreme Allied Commander Europe,” pravda.com.ua, 26 April 2023
“Czechs put Russian Patriarch Kirill on sanctions list over Ukraine,” Reuters, 26 April 2023
“Kiev unlikely to appreciate calls for peace regardless of China’s efforts — Russia's MFA,” TASS, 26 April 2023
“Ukraine updates: China wants peace talks, Xi tells Zelenskyy,” Deutsche Welle, 26 April 2023