There are concerns that Russian President Vladimir Putin will try to persuade Belarus to join a military offensive against Ukraine and create a new conflict when he visits the country on Monday.
President Zelensky calls for help
In a video address to the people of Ukraine, President Zelensky called on Western nations to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses to deter the Russian invasion. On Monday, air raid sirens were heard in Kyiv and eastern Ukraine, and there were reports of explosions and air defense systems being activated. Zelensky emphasized the need for immediate action to protect Ukraine from further aggression.
President Zelensky emphasized the importance of protecting Ukraine’s borders with Russia and Belarus, stating that it is a constant priority. He indicated that the country is taking steps to prepare for various defense scenarios.
Zelenskyy warned that whatever concessions Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko might make to Russia, it will not be beneficial and will only further contribute to the conflict. He emphasized that the war against Ukraine and Ukrainians is not a viable solution.
President Zelenskyy has called for a global peace summit to address the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. He had hoped to use the soccer World Cup final as an opportunity to broadcast a message about his call for peace, but this request was reportedly declined by soccer officials. Despite this, Zelenskyy stated that the world has still heard his call for peace. It is not clear at this time what the next steps will be in terms of efforts to resolve the conflict.
why did FIFA decline Ukraine’s request?
It is not clear why soccer officials would decline a request from President Zelenskyy to broadcast a message ahead of the World Cup final. It is possible that there could have been a variety of reasons for this decision, such as concerns about the timing or content of the message, or logistical considerations. It’s important to note that the decision-making processes of organizations like FIFA are complex and can involve a range of factors and considerations. Without more information, it is not possible to accurately speculate on the specific reasons for the decision.
Phone call between Prime Minister Modi and President Putin on December 16, 2022
During a phone conversation with President Putin, Indian Prime Minister Modi emphasized the importance of diplomacy in finding a resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The leaders also discussed issues such as mutual investment, energy cooperation, agriculture, transportation, and logistics.
During a bilateral meeting in September between Indian Prime Minister Modi and Russian President Putin, which took place on the sidelines of the annual Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Uzbekistan, Modi emphasized the importance of finding a resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He stated that the current era is not one of war and urged Putin to take steps to end the conflict. Putin assured Modi that he was aware of India’s concerns about the situation in Ukraine and that Russia would do everything it could to bring the conflict to an end as soon as possible.
The State Department’s Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel stated during a press conference that they would take the comments made by Indian Prime Minister Modi on the Russo-Ukrainian War at face value and welcome them. Patel also mentioned that other countries will make their own decisions on how to engage with Russia and that the United States is working with its allies to minimize the effects of the war.
The Russo-Ukrainian War began in 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea, a region that had previously been part of Ukraine. This action led to ongoing tensions and conflict between the two countries, including ongoing clashes in eastern Ukraine between Russian-backed separatists and the Ukrainian military. The situation has resulted in thousands of deaths and has displaced many people. Despite efforts to find a resolution to the conflict, tensions between the two remain high, and there are ongoing concerns about the potential for further escalation.
