Photo : GCIS/Reuters
19 June 2023, Monday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #546
War in Ukraine: Day 479 & 480
By Sreeja JS and Sneha Surendran
War on the Ground
On 17 June, The Kyiv Independent reported on the African leaders' delegation that visited Kyiv to present a peace plan to end the war. Mykhaiol Podolyak, an advisor to Ukraine’s Presidential Office, was of the opinion that the leaders were more absorbed in suspending the arrest warrant issued against Russian President Putin by the ICC on 17 March.
On 16 June, Ukrinform reported that South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa introduced the African Peace Mission’s ten-point peace plan during the visit. The plan called for an end to the war and peace restoration through diplomatic talks. However, Ukraine President Zelensky answered that peace talks would transpire only after the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian soil.
The Moscow View
On 18 June, RT reported on the statements made by the chairperson of the Zambian Socialist Party that the involvement of African nations in the Ukraine peace initiative was an indication of the African continent's influence in global affairs. An African delegation made official visits to Ukraine and Russia, meeting with the heads of both states. The delegation, which included the Presidents of South Africa, Senegal, Zambia and Comoros, the PM of Egypt, and officials from Congo and Uganda, introduced a 10-point roadmap to end fighting between the two countries. During his interaction with them, Putin informed the African officials that Kyiv was indisposed to talks, whereas Moscow had “never refused to conduct negotiations.”
On 17 June, African leaders met Putin in Saint Petersburg a day after concluding their talks with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa said that the delegation respect the positions of both sides while calling for negotiations to end the war. According to Deutsche Welle, Putin welcomed the “balanced stance” on the conflict in Ukraine taken by the delegation. He also said that Moscow is “open to a constructive dialogue with all those who want peace based on the principles of justice and consideration of the legitimate interests of the parties.”
The West View
On 18 June, The New York Times reported that the Kakhovka Dam collapse was likely the result of an explosion set off by Russia. An article titled, “An Inside Job,” in The New York Times, suggested that the explosive charge set deep in the structure of the concrete barrier destroyed the dam on 06 June. The dam collapse flooded the battleground and destroyed farmland and cut off water supplies to civilians.
On 18 June, Deutsche Welle reported that EU Commissioner responsible for the bloc’s internal market Thierry Barton in an interview with Le Parisien said that the EU would step up their efforts to hasten the delivery of arms and ammunition to Ukraine.
On 18 June, the UK Defence Ministry, in its latest intelligence update, highlighted the intense fighting in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, western Donetsk Oblast, and around Bakhmut, where Ukraine has made small advances. According to the update, Russian forces are conducting “relatively effective” defensive operations in the South. It also emphasized that both sides are suffering high casualties, and Russian losses are likely the highest since the peak of the battle for Bakhmut in March.
On 18 June, Deutsche Welle reported that Britain would host the International Ukraine Recovery Conference 2023 on 21 June. The Summit hosted by both UK and Ukraine would aim to unlock the potential of the private sector to help make the war-torn nation “financially stronger” and more technologically advanced.”
On 17 June, the UK Defence Ministry said in its daily intelligence update that Russia has stepped up its helicopter attacks as Ukraine began its counteroffensive. Russia has deployed an additional 20 military helicopters to the Berdyansk Airport, which is about 100 kilometres from the front line. It also mentioned the possible temporary advantage Moscow gained in Southern Ukraine as its attack helicopters could launch longer-range missiles against Ukrainian ground targets.
On 17 June, Deutsche Welle reported that NATO Defence ministers endorsed plans for a new maritime centre to secure the critical underwater infrastructure at NATO’s naval headquarters in Northwood, near London. The facility would contain a new surveillance system of undersea data cables and pipelines responsible for monitoring alliance areas in the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea, the Baltic Sea, the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. According to Deutsche Welle, the new facility could also prevent attacks on energy infrastructure.
References
“Podolyak: African leaders came to Ukraine to ask for suspension of Putin's arrest warrant,” The Kyiv Independent, 17 June 2023
“Ukraine peace initiative puts Africa at the table, Zambian delegate says,” RT, 18 June 2023
“Ukraine updates: Dam collapse a Russian 'inside job',” Deutsche Welle, 18 June 2023
“Ukraine: African leaders meet Putin on 'peace mission',” Deutsche Welle, 17 June 2023
In Brief
By Prerana P and Melvin George
FRANCE
Protests against the high-speed rail construction
On 17 June, Euronews reported a large crowd protesting the construction of a new high-speed train line between France and Italy. The railway project includes a 57.5 kilometres tunnel that crosses the Alps between Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne and Suse, which the protestors say would ruin the sensitive Alpine environment. Police used tear gas at the crowd who gathered against the official ban on gatherings. For the supporters of the project, the traffic would be reduced, while the opponents are worried about the ecological damage. They say the springs have already dried because of the construction activities. (“French police use tear gas during protests in Savoy against Lyon-Turin rail link,” Euronews, 17 June 2023)
GREECE
Fallouts of the Mediterranean shipwreck
On 19 June, Politico reported on the migrant tragedy that took place in the Mediterranean Sea. The boat disaster off Greece carried over 750 passengers, out of which 100 have survived. According to the UN’s migration and refugee agencies, hundreds are missing and the survivor’s testimonies were marked against Greece. Frontex stated that the ship was heavily overcrowded, and the Commissioner of Home Affairs informed the increasing cases of migrants from Libya to Europe. There has been criticism against the Greek authorities on insufficient rescue capacity. The Greek Supreme Court has urged to maintain secrecy in maintaining the investigation over the shipwreck, and the protest against the Greek authorities and their migration policies has increased on large pace. (Nektaria Stamouli, “Questions mount over latest migrant tragedy in Mediterranean,” Politico, 19 June 2023)
INTERNATIONAL
Taiwan hopes in strengthening EU ties
On 18 June, Politico reported on Taiwan’s desire to strengthen bilateral relations with EU countries. Taiwanese Foreign Minister Wu has addressed that if the TSMC, based in Taiwan, feels comforted in producing a positive result in EU markets, then the government would certainly agree in future investments. Wu expressed his concern about the status of TSMC in Taiwan and hoped for better bilateral support from other EU countries. Additionally, the minister has urged the German automobile industry to work upon the semiconductor TSMC’s input and has alerted issues of necessary sanctions to be made against China. The Foreign minister has requested the media platforms not to disclose the location and meeting details, which might be a threat to Taiwan. Although the EU stays neutral in the event of U.S.- China over Taiwan, the Minister showed great hope on the upcoming bonding. (Stuart Lau, “Build better ties instead of only asking for microchips, Taiwan tells Europe,” Politico, 18 June 2023)