Russian invasion of Ukraine crosses its 100th day. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declares: “Victory will be ours”. Russia currently controls 20 percent of Ukrainian territory.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine crossed its 100th day yesterday. Its troops are currently trying to snatch the Donbas region away from Ukraine. On the other hand, Ukraine has offered stiff resistance in Donbas and other areas. The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, addressed the world and his nation yesterday. He was speaking outside the Presidential palace in Kyiv and was flanked by key advisors. Ukrainian troops have “done what seemed impossible”. They have “stopped the second army of the world”, he said. “Victory will be ours,” Zelensky claimed.
Later, Zelensky addressed his supporters on Telegram. He said the Russians have been “unable to achieve any strategic goal” and have instead shifted their powerlessness to “civilian infrastructure and people”, he wrote. On the other hand, Russian spokesperson Dmitry Pskov replied back. Russian troops have achieved certain results. They have liberated some regions from the “pro-Nazi armed forces of Ukraine,” he insisted.
Meanwhile, western nations have praised Ukrainian resilience. The new American ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink, spoke on the BBC’s News Hour. The US’s “entire focus” is to “help Ukraine defend itself and deter Russian aggression.” The US pledge to send long-range weapons is an acknowledgement that the “situation has changed”. It is also what the Ukrainian forces need. Also, the US has received assurances from Zelensky that these won’t be used against Russian targets in Russian territory, she said. Even the EU Commission President, Ursula Von der Leyen, commended Ukraine. She said the bravery of Ukrainians commands our respect and admiration, she said.
Putin Made a Historic Mistake: Macron
The French President, Emmanuel Macron, gave an interview on regional French media yesterday. He discussed the ongoing war in Ukraine. So far, Macron has been the only leader who’s spoken to Putin more than other western leaders. “I think he made a fundamental error for his people, for himself and for history,” he said. Macron also doesn’t rule out a visit to Kyiv soon.
Even UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss warned that the Russian invasion threatened world peace and economic stability. She said that Putin had miscalculated. He expected the invasion to be over in days, but significantly underestimated the resolve of brave Ukrainians to defend their country. Putin’s invasion has led to death and destruction on a scale not seen in Europe since World War 2. It has huge ramifications for global peace, prosperity, and food security. She argued that it matters to us all. Truss then paid her respects to the Ukrainians who died during the invasion and reaffirmed Western support for Ukraine.
Departs from Neutrality to Supply Tanks to Ukraine
Switzerland has agreed to end the Swiss use of Leopard 2 tanks in Ukraine. Reuters Image source:
In a recent development in western support in the Ukraine war, Switzerland agreed to send tanks it once owned to Ukraine. Swiss laws usually don’t allow exports of weapons made or purchased by its forces. Switzerland had previously bought Leopard 2 tanks from Germany for its armed forces. These tanks were later re-sold to Germany. Recently, the Swiss government has agreed to send these tanks to Ukraine.
Switzerland had previously hesitated over economic sanctions against Russia but then relented. It called Russia’s invasion of Ukraine a violation of international law. Recently, it has allowed the UK to take its place in the queue to buy Swedish anti-tank weapons. The UK thinks it has depleted its stocks after sending them to Ukraine. However, Switzerland has put Polish requests to buy its used tanks on hold. The government says it has to be approved by Parliament. With Switzerland’s departure from its neutrality laws, there seems to be an emerging western consensus against Russia.
A few days before, EU nations agreed to ban 90 per cent of Russian oil imports. There are exemptions, however, for landlocked countries like Hungary and Czech Republic. These nations don’t have the ports to import oil from elsewhere and are reliant on pipelines from Russia. Nor do they have the infrastructure to shift to renewable sources of e-energy, hence the concession. Even then, the EU hopes to significantly dent the Russian economy and its war machine with these sanctions.
