Almost a month into the war, there is still no agreement in sight for a ceasefire in the Russian-invaded Ukraine. The latest news comes from the Elysée, after the talks between President Emmanuel Macron and the Ukrainian and Russian presidents Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin. Yesterday Zelensky spoke via video link with the Italian Parliament. Meanwhile, the news from Moscow sees the spotlight on the statements of the Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov. In an interview with Christiane Amanpour for Cnn, Peskov said that Russia has a very clear concept about the use of the nuclear weapon: only in case of a threat to the very existence of Russia.
SANCTIONS – There is expectation for the extraordinary NATO summit. Zelensky will participate in video link to tomorrow’s summit in Brussels, which will also be attended by Joe Biden. The US president will announce a “further sanctions package” against Russia tomorrowNational Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in a press briefing in which he illustrated the US president’s trip to Europe. Biden’s announcement, Sullivan explained, “will not only focus on adding new sanctions,” but on ensuring that there is a “joint effort” with allies to stop attempts to escape sanctions, on their implementation. and on “any attempt by any country to help Russia”, which may “undermine, weaken or circumvent” sanctions. This, he stressed, is an “important part” of the “next phase” of the joint effort against Moscow.
As for the EU, “it remains ready to move quickly with further coordinated sanctions” against Russia and Belarus, after having so far adopted “significant” measures that have had a “massive” impact on Moscow and Minsk, reports the draft conclusions of the European Council, to be held tomorrow in Brussels.
DRAGHI-MACRON CALL – Yesterday the Prime Minister, Mario Draghi, had a phone call with the French President Macron. At the center of the talks “the war in Ukraine, and the preparation of the NATO and G7 summits, and of the European Council this week” announced Palazzo Chigi.
PENTAGON
– Almost a month after the start of the war with the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, Russian forces are having evident difficulties due to logistical and supply problems, with a lack of food and fuel. This was announced by sources from the Pentagon who, according to CNN, underline that “even with regard to the personal equipment of part of the troops they are having problems. We have collected information about soldiers who cannot fight because of the chilblains” caused by the lack of equipment suitable for the cold.
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby at a press conference explained that Russian forces used hypersonic missiles “at least on one occasion”. This type of missile was used “against a building at a relatively close range” in the words of Kirby reported by CNN. “It’s hard to know exactly what the justification was for this, but it could very well be related to performance issues they are experiencing with respect to precision guided ammunition.” US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Sunday that he did not consider “the use of this type of weapon as a kind of turning point, ”added Kirby.
BORN – The Belarus may “soon” join Russia in its war against Ukraine. This was reported by CNN, citing NATO sources who underline that the country bordering the north with Ukraine is already preparing. “Putin needs support, anything helps,” a NATO source told the American broadcaster, explaining that Belarusian involvement is increasingly “likely”. Belarusian opposition sources explained that Minsk combat units are ready to enter Ukraine within days, with thousands of troops prepared to deploy. These sources then underline that such a move would have a greater geopolitical effect than the actual military one, given that it would be the actual entry of another country into the war. The Alliance also believes, the sources cited by CNN continue, that the Belarusian government is “preparing an environment to justify the attack on Ukraine”. US sources, cited by the American broadcaster, however, underline that the Pentagon sees “no indication that the Belarusians are preparing to enter Ukraine or that they have made agreements to this effect”.
INTELLIGENCE GB – “The Ukrainian civilian population in the cities occupied by Russia continues to protest against Russian control” reports the British Ministry of Defense, in the latest intelligence update on the conflict. “Russian efforts to subjugate the population by manipulating the media, spreading propaganda and installing pro-Kremlin puppet leaders have so far failed,” the report wrote. “Russia is likely to respond to these failures by employing increasingly violent and coercive measures in an attempt to suppress the Ukrainian population,” the report said.
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