Russia-Ukraine War - Current Status, News Summary

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in news?
• Russia-Ukraine war
• What is the Background of Russia-Ukraine conflict?
• Why Russia invaded Ukraine?
• What is the current status of Russia-Ukraine War?
• News Summary: Jeddah peace summit on the Russia-Ukraine war
• Key highlights of the speech delivered by NSA Doval
• India’s participation: what does it signify?

 

Why in news?

• Saudi Arabia hosted Ukraine, the U.S., some European countries and major developing countries, including India and Brazil, for peace talks on the Russia-Ukraine war.
• The aim of this summit was to reach an agreement on key principles for a peaceful end to Russia's war in Ukraine.

 

Russia-Ukraine War

What is the Background of Russia-Ukraine Conflict?

• Tensions between Ukraine and Russia escalated in late 2013 over a landmark political and trade deal with the European Union.
  • After the pro-Russian then-President, Viktor Yanukovych, suspended the talks weeks of protests in Kyiv erupted into violence. Soon, the then pro-Russian President was ousted.
• Russia responded by invading Crimea, which was a part of Ukraine, and annexing it in March 2014.
  • Russia invaded Crimea on the pretext that it was defending its interests and those of Russian-speaking citizens.
• Shortly afterwards, pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine's Donetsk and Luhansk regions declared their independence from Kyiv (capital of Ukraine).
  • They established their own autonomous state called Donetsk People's Republic in 2014.
  • Russia, in February 2022, recognised the independence of these two regions.
• Kyiv and Moscow signed a peace deal in Minsk in 2015. It was brokered by France and Germany. But it could not bring peace in the region.

• Later, in February 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared war on Ukraine in a televised address.
  • He said the military action announced by Russia will seek to demilitarize Ukraine and came in response to threats from Ukraine.

 

Why Russia invaded Ukraine?

• Russia wanted a guarantee Ukraine can never join NATO
  • Russia's main demand was a commitment from NATO to end its further expansion into former Soviet republics — especially Ukraine. 
• Russia wants NATO arms out of Eastern Europe
  • Russia wants NATO to stop deploying its weapons and forces in countries in Central and Eastern Europe that joined the alliance after 1997.
• Russia wants a ban on NATO missiles within striking distance
  • Russia has nervously watched as NATO has demonstrated it can deepen its involvement in Ukraine — providing weapons and training.
  • NATO missiles on Ukrainian soil might pose serious threat to Russia’s security.
• Russia wants autonomy for eastern Ukraine
  • Russia says Ukraine must meet its obligations under 2015 agreements.
    • The peace deal, known as the Minsk agreements, was signed to end the fighting between Ukraine's army and pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.
    • The Minsk agreements also provided additional autonomy to the separatist Russian-speaking territories in the Donbas.

 

What is the current status of Russia-Ukraine War?

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Image caption: Current Status of Ukraine War

 

News Summary: Jeddah peace summit on the Russia-Ukraine war

• The two-day meeting on the Ukraine conflict was hosted by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman and attended by top security officials of around 40 countries.
  • The current meeting follows an earlier meeting in Copenhagen more than a month ago to discuss the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
• While Russia did not participate, Ukraine was present at the meeting. India was represented by NSA Ajit Doval.

 

Key highlights of the speech delivered by NSA Doval

• Underlined the need for respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity by all states
  • He emphasised that respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity by all states must be upheld without exception.
  • He also said that efforts must be made to resolve the conflict and soften its consequences.
• Highlighted the challenges
  • The meeting confronts a two-fold challenge — resolution of the situation and softening the consequences of the conflict. 
  • Efforts must be directed on both fronts simultaneously and much more groundwork is needed to ensure this.
• A solution acceptable to all relevant stakeholders is needed to end the war
  • He said that several peace proposals have been put forward, and each has some positive points but none is acceptable to both sides. 
    • Ukrainian President Zelenskyy had proposed 10-point peace plan during last year’s G-20 summit.
    • China also came up with a 12-point-plan for the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis.
    • In June 2023, leaders of seven African countries, led by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, visited Russia and Ukraine.
      • They proposed a 10-point proposal which suggested the recognition of Russia and Ukraine's sovereignty, and the release of prisoners.
  • The key question that needs to be addressed in this meeting is whether a solution acceptable to all relevant stakeholders can be found.
• Highlighted India’s approach
  • He said that India’s approach has been and always will be to promote dialogue and diplomacy. This is the only way forward for peace.
  • India has engaged both Russia and Ukraine since the beginning of the conflict at the highest levels.
    • While India has not explicitly condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine, PM Modi had said this is not the era of war. 
    • India has also condemned the Bucha massacre, expressed concerns at the nuclear rhetoric by the Russian leadership.
    • In recent days, India condemned the collapse of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, where Russia walked out of the deal.
  • He also pointed out that the whole world and especially the Global South was bearing the brunt of the situation. 
  • New Delhi is providing both humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and economic assistance to its neighbours in the Global South.

 

India’s participation: what does it signify?

• NSA Ajit Doval’s participation in the peace conference on Ukraine shows India’s willingness to step up efforts to end the war. 
• The fact it has raised its level of representation — up from the Secretary-rank official in June — reflects the sense of purpose on India’s side. 
  • In Copenhagen meet, where Ukraine was on the agenda, India was represented by MEA’ Secretary (West).
• As chair of G20, New Delhi is keen to have a consensus document at the leaders’ summit in New Delhi next month.

 

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Source: Doval in Jeddah: Efforts must to resolve Russia-Ukraine conflict | The Hindu  | The Hindustan Times