Photo : president.gov.ua
20 May 2023, Saturday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #520
War in Ukraine: Day 450
By Padmashree Anandhan
War on the Ground
On 19 May, Ukraine’s Armed Forces Eastern group spokesperson reported on the situation in Bakhmut. According to the report, the area remains a hotspot, while Ukraine forces have advanced to 500 meters defending the southwest front. In the fight Ukraine is reported to have destroyed Russia’s tank, armoured vehicle, four UAV’s and three ammunition depots. According to the spokesperson: “..carry out a combat mission as long as the command considers it appropriate, as long as it inflicts the utmost damage to the enemy and allows us to preserve our forces and means and prevent large casualties.”
On 19 May, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman and representatives from UAE, Oman, and Kuwait during the Arab League Summit. During the meeting, both discussed on peace initiative and elements of the peace formula to end war and bring back peace. They also discussed on Saudi Arabia mediating the next exchange of prisoners, energy security, bilateral relations and protection of the Muslims in Ukraine.
On 19 May, Ukrinform reported on the ICC inspection team headed by Brenda Hollis report on Russia’s war crime. During the ICC visit, close to 10 sites were found to be documented confirming war crimes incurred against the civilians. It included the acts of “indiscriminate shelling, targeting medical facilities and residential buildings.” According to the report: “Everyone guilty of these crimes must be held accountable, including high-ranking officials.”
The Moscow View
Claims by Russia
On 19 May, RT reported on Saudi Arabia’s stance in the Ukraine war following the meeting with Zelenskyy. According to the report it stated the Foreign Minister statement on how Saudi Arabia takes “positive neutrality,” as its position despite other Arab states being impartial. According to the minister: “we welcome hearing the viewpoints of both sides of [the] Russia-Ukrainian conflict.”
On 19 May, Russia announced a ban on 500 US individuals which include former president Barack Obama. The move comes in response to latest US sanctions in G7 summit. The list also extends to heads of the companies dealing in military support to Ukraine.
The West View
Responses from the US and Europe
On 19 May, following the discussion over the UK and Netherlands supporting a coalition to provide fighter jet training for the Ukrainian soldiers and Germany denying it. US President Joe Biden at the G7 summit, assured to support Ukraine with “advanced aircraft, and F-16s.” Biden said: “As the training takes place over the coming months, our coalition of countries participating in this effort will decide when to actually provide jets, how many we will provide, and who will provide them.” On the same, during the ministerial meet Portugal government announced its decision to join the coalition in training Ukrainians pilots.
On 19 May, in its intelligence update, UK Ministry of Defence reported on a damage in the Crimean rail line. Due to the damage, it predicts a disruption in the weapon delivery for Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. The rail line which leads into Sevastopol being blocked has resulted in a quick move by Russia to fix and such infrastructural damage raises concerns on Russia’s ability to keep its logistics in place.
References
“Situation in Bakhmut: Armed Forces of Ukraine seize initiative, try to counterattack,” Ukrinform, 19 May 2023
“In Saudi Arabia, President of Ukraine met with Crown Prince, Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud,” president.gov.ua, 19 May 2023
“In Saudi Arabia, the President met with the heads of delegations of the UAE, Oman and Kuwait.” president.gov.ua, 19 May 2023
“International Criminal Court team gathering evidence of war crimes committed by Russia in Kherson,” Ukrinform, 19 May 2023
“Saudi Arabia reveals stance on Ukraine conflict,” RT, 20 May 2023
“Ukraine updates: Zelenskyy addresses Arab League Summit,” Deutsche Welle, 19 May 2023
“Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 19 May 2023.,” Ministry of Defence/Twitter, 19 May 2023
“Portugal joins air coalition for Ukraine – FM Kuleba,” Ukrinform, 19 May 2023
IN BRIEF
By Nithyashree RB & Sreeja J S
ESTONIA
Exercise Spring Storm 23 moves to its active phase
On 18 May, the division commander of Estonia’s defence forces Major General Veiko-Vello Palm said that the most active phase of Spring Storm 23 would begin on 19 May. Spring Storm 23 is the largest Defence Forces exercise of the year conducted by Estonia, involving allied units from the US, UK and France. The focus of the exercise is on practicing planning and implementation of military operations and enhancing cooperation between Estonian and allied units. It will also focus on defeating the enemy in depth to inflict losses in close combat to prevent them from winning the battle. (“Exercise Spring Storm 23 enters its most active phase,” Republic of Estonia Defence Forces, 18 May 2023)
GERMANY
DAX stock index hits a record high on Friday
On 19 May, Germany's leading trading benchmark, the DAX stock market index, hit a record high of 16,331 points amid expanding market optimism. The upswing occurred in hopes of consensus in US Congress to lift the US debt ceiling to raise its credit limit and borrow more. The last record high at 16,290 points was recorded before Russia invaded Ukraine. Despite the turbulence in the global economy caused by COVID and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the DAX index is faring better since its expansion from 30 blue-chip companies to 40 in 2021. Beijing's decision to drop draconian COVID-19 restrictions also significantly contributed to the recovery of the Index. (“Germany's DAX stock index hits record high,” Deutsche Welle, 19 May 2023)
GREECE
Asylum seekers’ mistreatment confirmed as a new video emerges
On 19 May, Euronews reported on a video where asylum seekers were seen being left out in the middle of the sea by Greece's border patrol near the Lesbos island on 11 May. The video was shared by an anonymous activist to The New York Times. The video showed 12 asylum seekers arriving in a van and then transferred to a speedboat. They were seen boarding a Greek Coast Guard vessel and later abandoned in the Aegean Sea on an inflatable raft. The asylum seekers were rescued by Turkish Coast Guard. Greece has denied mistreating asylum seekers. The new evidence proves otherwise. (Giulia Carbonaro, “Evidence emerger of asylum seekers’ mistreatment in Greece, despite government’s denial,” Euronews, 19 May 2023)
HUNGARY
Protests against Status Law
On 19 May, thousands of Hungarians rallied against the Status Law which will eliminate the public servant status of teachers and teargassing of teenagers by the police in Budapest. The police teargassed the teenagers who according to them have pelted the police in a similar protest in early May 2023. The protesters called out the government’s inefficiency to offer teachers, better working conditions and higher salaries. Critics called out the Status Law as Revenge Law against teachers’ year-long protests. Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s government said that the law will enhance the quality of education. (Boldizsar Gyori, “Hungarians protest against new teachers’ law, police violence,” Reuters, 20 May 2023)
ICELAND
Iceland joins NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence
On 16 May, Iceland became a member of the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence(CCDOE) in Tallinn, Estonia. CCDOE was established in 2008 to strengthen its members’ capacity to face cyber defence and cybersecurity challenges. It consists of 39 members, including NATO countries and partner nations. Membership in the organisation was one of the objectives of the government’s action plan on cyber security, published in 2022. (“Iceland becomes a member of the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence, Government of Iceland, 19 May 2023)
POLAND
Delay in adopting the judicial reform bill
On 19 May, Politico.eu exposed Poland’s divided Constitutional Tribunal which was supposed to adopt the judicial reform bill. Poland is yet to receive the COVID-19 recovery fund of EUR 36 billion from the EU. In order to receive that Poland has to adopt the judicial reform bill. In February 2023, Polish President Andrzej Duda sent the bill to Constitutional Tribunal to be reviewed. 11 judges are supposed to present at the meeting called by the tribunal’s President Julia Przylebska whose term has expired. Hence, six of the judges refuse to attend the meeting called by her. MPs have put forth a bill that reduces the number of judges from 11 to nine to review the judicial reforms bill. The parliament will decide on it from 24 to 26 May 2023. (Wojciech Kosc, “A civil war in Poland’s top court upends efforts to reconcile with Brussels,” Politico.eu, 19 May 2023)
SERBIA
Protests against gun violence
On 19 May, thousands of protesters gathered in Belgrade against gun violence. This is the third protest this month following two mass shootings that killed 18 people. Opposition parties accuse President Aleksander Vucic’s government’s failure to stop the broadcasting of violent content. The protesters are calling for the resignation of the interior minister and the head of intelligence. On the same day, the opposition members left the parliament’s special session accusing the ruling party of silencing the protesters. Interior Minister Bratislav Gasic admitted that several complaints have been filed against the gun shooter but now actions have not been taken during the session. Vucic in a counter rally in Pancevo called out the opposition for using the protests for their self-promotion. (Ivana Sekularac, “Tens of thousands gather in Belgrade protest over mass shootings,” Reuters, 20 May 2023; “Serbia: Tens of thousands protest against gun violence,” Deutsche Welle, 20 May 2023)
THE UK
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly to visit Chile
On 19 May, the government announced that Foreign Secretary James Cleverly will visit Chile on 22 May. He will also meet Chilean Foreign Minister Alberto van Klaveren to commemorate 200 years of diplomatic relations. This visit is part of a Latin America and Caribbean tour. The delegated will discuss bilateral trade relations, climate change and sustainability. The Foreign Secretary will commence a campaign to celebrate Great Britain’s first Consul General in Chile 200 years ago. (“Foreign Secretary James Cleverly visits Chile,” GOV.UK, 19 May 2023)