Articles
SBU Scores Better in Fighting Russian Operatives Since Personnel Reshuffles
Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has been in a whirlwind of activities as its officers have been involved in fighting Russian operatives, seizing assets belonging to sanctioned oligarchs, and protecting Ukraine’s most important officials and state facilities. The SBU, which has seen a wave of harsh criticism following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, is now far more efficient.
Ukraine Demands Access to Imprisoned Mikhail Saakashvili
The incumbent government in Georgia has not backed Ukraine in its defensive fight against Russia. Its officials grounded volunteers headed to Ukraine to fight against Russia and refused to join international sanctions against Moscow. In addition, Ukraine has been at odds with Georgia over Mikheil Saakashvili, currently behind bars. The health of Georgia’s jailed former President Mikheil Saakashvili continues to rapidly decline. The authorities in Kyiv alongside Western nations urged Tbilisi to suspend his sentence and allow him to leave the country for treatment abroad.
No Peace Talks: Ukraine Presents 10-Point Peace Formula, Russia Delivers Ultimatum
Moscow is not ready to accept Kyiv’s terms for negotiations over Ukraine, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. Russia is ready to discuss Ukraine in its absence, with just Western nations. As the Russian invasion of Ukraine is entering its twelfth month, Ukraine aims for a February peace summit to present a peace formula. Neither warring party is now seeking peace as Ukraine is willing to strengthen its negotiating position through battlefield gains and Russia is making no further concessions.
Ukraine Continues Crackdown on Russian-Affiliated Orthodox Church
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church affiliated to Moscow could no longer be allowed to lease Kyiv Pechersk Lavra churches, including the Church of the Assumption, according to Pavlo, head of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra. This could be another step towards curbing the influence of churches affiliated to Moscow.
Russian Forces Retreat From Bakhmut: The Beginning of Ukrainian Offensive?
First the Russian assault on Bakhmut lost momentum and then rumors were that Russian troops made a retreat from the area. All eyes are now on Bakhmut while Ukrainian forces managed to advance towards Luhansk along the Svatove-Kreminna line after a weeks-long standstill. This could prompt a major Ukrainian assault in Donbas. Perhaps this could serve to distract Russian forces from the southern regions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, where Russia has expected a Ukrainian attack for weeks now.
Volodymyr Zelensky’s Visit to Washington: No Concessions to Russia
Volodymyr Zelensky’s historic visit to the United States and remarks by the Ukrainian and U.S. leaders on that delivered a powerful message to Russia. Kyiv, which enjoys support from the United States and other Western nations, is making no concessions to Russia. Ukraine would sit at the negotiating table only after the invader leaves its territory. Washington will be sending Patriots missiles to Ukraine while it has rebuffed the ATACMS request. Joe Biden said some NATO states refuse strong support to the Ukrainian offensive potential.
India Rushes to Buy Russian Oil
Russia has for the first time emerged as a top oil supplier to India replacing Iraq. as refiners last month snapped up oil from Moscow in October and November fearing the December 5 price cap. India will prioritize its own energy needs and continue to buy oil from Russia. India announced last week that it would not comply with the price cap on Russian seaborne oil imposed by Western nations.
China And The Middle East – An Emerging Front?
Since the end of the Gulf War, American strategic interests in the Middle East have set the pace of Saudi and U.S. relations. However, diverging stands on key issues like energy, human rights, military security and oil trading have accumulated for the last six years culminating in Saudia Arabia finding common ground with other partners, including China.
China Supports Russia Through Joint Drills and Top Beijing Meeting
Although Beijing has not thrown any official support to Russia in its war with Ukraine, its authorities back Moscow unofficially. One example of that is meetings between top state officials and joint navy drills.
Putin Pledges Reinforcements To Country’s Western Flank
Russian President Vladimir Putin attended an expanded meeting of the Russian Defense Ministry Board. The Russian leader made some remarks on what he referred to as the “special military operation” in Ukraine, but what Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told the meeting seemed more far-reaching. He publicly presented a series of proposed Russian defense policy changes to significantly increase the size of the Russian military by raising the age limit for conscripts and forming a new military unit near the border with Finland, a prospective NATO member.
Gazprom Opens New Arctic Field Despite Shrinking Export
Russian gas giant Gazprom was forced to reduce its export volumes due to the war and sanctions. Despite that, it opened a new Arctic field. A major problem is rebuilding infrastructure to redirect gas flows from the Gulf of Ob to China from Europe.
Moldova Is Becoming Independent of Russian Gas Flows
Moldova has imported natural gas from new directions, for the first time obtaining volumes pumped from elsewhere than Russian state-run gas firm Gazprom. The pro-Western government in Chisinau is seeking to diversify its energy resources and accumulate supplies against the background of Gazprom’s policy that consists in using gas as a tool of blackmail.
Russian Economy Is Now in Far Better State than Expected
The Russian economy has somewhat performed well throughout 2022 and experienced the aftermath of energy sanctions only in November. Officials and analysts have been gradually improving GDP forecasts for the full year, but suggested that the overall drop in output may be more prolonged. Gross domestic product fell 0.9 percent, according to September estimates, but now it could be 2 percent. The key story for the Russian economy in the coming months could be the launch of the EU’s oil embargo mechanism from Dec. 5 and the imposition of a price cap on Russian oil.
Gazprom, Rosneft Employees Banned from Leaving Russia
Employees of Russian state-run oil and gas companies have been banned from leaving the country, according to independent Russian media outlets. Gazprom employees have seen the strictest ban as neither they nor their families are allowed to travel abroad. It is another chapter of Russia’s wartime communism strategy that seeks to align the state economy with its war machine. Likewise, the authorities hope to prevent senior energy officials from fleeing the country.
