19.01.2023, Moscow.
We publish a summary of events concerning the situation around Ukraine as of 7 p.m., January 19.
Political situation
Russia and Belorussia have a common position on what goals should be achieved during Russia’s “special operation” in Ukraine, Lavrov said after his meeting with Lukashenko.
“Defeat of a nuclear power in a conventional war could provoke the start of a nuclear war,” Medvedev wrote.
Peskov responds to Zelensky, “It is clear that both Russia and Putin are a big problem for today’s Ukraine and for Zelensky. And it is clear that, purely psychologically, Mr. Zelensky would prefer that there be no Russia or Putin. But the sooner he realizes, the sooner the Ukrainian regime realizes that there is and will be Russia and Putin <…>. In any case, the sooner the Ukrainian regime shows its willingness to consider Russia’s demands, which will be achieved one way or another, the sooner everything will be over. And the sooner the people of Ukraine will begin to recover from the tragedy that the Kiev regime has caused.”
The Kremlin considers a new round of conflict possible because of the supply of weapons to Ukraine. We are talking about weapons intended for strikes against Russia, presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. “This will mean taking the conflict to a new qualitative level, which, of course, will not bode well in terms of global pan-European security,” Peskov said.
State Duma Vice Speaker Anna Kuznetsova suggested using the property of citizens who left Russia as an additional resource to provide housing for orphans. “There are those who betrayed their country. There are those people who left the country, there are those organizations on the territory of Russia, the owners of which are people from unfriendly countries. Maybe in the search for funds for housing orphans to turn and look for resources in this direction?” the deputy said.
Kazakhstan’s President Tokayev dissolved the lower house of parliament and set early elections for March 19.
Russia’s foreign debt as of January 1 was $381.8 billion, falling by $100.4 billion in 2022 – Central Band of Russia.
“Tehran, despite excellent relations with Moscow, does not recognize new regions as part of Russia,” said the head of Iran’s Foreign Ministry.
Any desire to destroy Russia will mean the end of the world – Patriarch Kirill.
South Africa announced Thursday the organization in February of joint maneuvers with the Russian and Chinese navies off its coast – Africa News.
Ukraine
Zelensky refuses to negotiate with Putin because he is not sure that the Russian president is alive. Zelensky said this at the Ukrainian Breakfast in Davos. “Today I don’t quite understand who to talk to and what to talk about. I’m not sure that the Russian president, who sometimes appears on chromakey, that he is. I’m not quite sure he’s alive, whether he’s making the decisions or whether someone is making the decisions. What is this circle of individuals? I have no information,” the Ukrainian president said.
Zaporozhye, Donetsk and Luhansk regions experienced The biggest difficulties with the availability of mobile communications in Ukraine due to infrastructure damage, the head of the State Service of Ukraine for Special Communications Yuriy Shchigol, said. In Zaporozhye and Donetsk regions 47.6 percent and 39.3 percent of the total number of base stations are available, respectively.
The Hugo Boss company announced the sewing of 100 thousand sets of military uniforms for the Ukrainian army.
The head of the European Council Charles Michel arrived in Ukraine. “Substantive negotiations with the president of the European Council Charles Michel. Ukraine and the European Union have already achieved significant results in our historic rapprochement. We are working to achieve even more,” Zelensky said.
Charles Michel also reported on the visit on Twitter. “Back in #Kyiv to discuss all strands of cooperation. May 2023 be the year of victory and peace,” he reported.
Western countries and their supporters
The European Parliament voted for a tribunal for Putin. In favor – 472. Against – 19.
Western countries must give Ukraine hundreds of tanks and more artillery. Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe Wesley Clark told CNN. “It’s great we are giving them 10 tanks from Britain. Ten tanks? Ukraine needs 300, 500 tanks. It’s great we are trying to send them a few more Howitzers. It’s not enough. We have got to get serious about this,” Clark said.
The Biden administration will provide $125 million for electrical components and other materials to help Ukraine cope with repairs to its energy infrastructure after Russian strikes. This was announced by the head of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) Samantha Power.
The European Parliament has officially called on German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to deliver Leopard 2 main battle tanks to Ukraine without further delay. This was stated in the annual report on the Common Foreign and Security Policy, which was adopted with 407 votes in favor.
US military equipment has arrived in Poland. More than 640 pieces of equipment of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, were unloaded at a port facility in Gdynia, Poland.
All EU countries, except possibly Hungary, will reject energy resources from Russia by the end of the year – EU diplomacy chief Josep Borrell.
Finland has begun preparations for a biological and nuclear disaster – MTV Uutiset. The country will create stockpiles of personal protective equipment, measuring devices, medicines, and antidotes.
Sweden will send a large package of military aid to Ukraine. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced at a press conference about military supplies from Sweden to Ukraine. The aid includes:
- Archer artillery systems;
- 50 CV90 combat vehicles;
- NLAW anti-tank systems.
Moldova requested air defense systems from allies – Moldovan President Sandu.
Denmark will transfer 19 CAESAR howitzers to Ukraine, Reuters reported, citing the UK Ministry of Defense.
France is considering transferring Leclerc tanks to Kiev – Politico.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry said that it had become more difficult to resume negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.
It is necessary to respond to the threat of deindustrialization of Europe caused by US policies, French President Emmanuel Macron said on January 19 in Barcelona at a joint press conference with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
Though, the Western sanctions enacted after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine — some of the harshest ever to be levied against Moscow — are shutting out the country’s main power brokers. And Russia’s absence at Davos has officials and business chiefs here raising questions behind the scenes about how long the global business community can ignore Moscow and simultaneously find new markets for energy, metals and food – Politico wrote.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky wants to drag all countries into a world nuclear war, French politician and former MEP Florian Filippo wrote on his Twitter.
Boris Johnson called on the West to increase the supply of heavy weapons to Ukraine, speaking at the economic forum in Davos, The Guardian informed.
