Before the scheduled visit of Kellogg by Zelenskyy: U.S. to intensify efforts in compelling Russia towards peace
In the ongoing Ukraine crisis, large parts of the southern region of Zaporizhzhia, occupied by Russian troops, have been experiencing power and water outages, adding to the region's woes. Meanwhile, the conflict continues to escalate, with increased Russian missile and drone attacks.
Amidst this intensifying conflict, the United States has resumed its aid to Ukraine, following a temporary pause earlier this year. President Donald Trump announced the resumption, emphasising the need to send defensive weapons to help Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression. However, the exact schedule and quantities of further US aid have yet to be officially announced.
A significant shift in the aid strategy involves the US selling weapons to NATO allies, who then supply Ukraine. This arrangement was agreed upon at a recent NATO summit, with the allies now bearing the full cost of these weapons. This approach is seen as faster and more efficient, as existing US-made weapons stockpiles held by NATO countries in Europe can be delivered to Ukraine more quickly than shipments sent directly from the US.
Ukraine continues to urgently seek additional air defense systems, particularly Patriot batteries. President Zelenskyy has requested 10 more, with Germany and Norway having pledged some systems. The Ukrainian military has also launched a "Clear Sky" interceptor drone system project to counter these threats.
Russia, on the other hand, is reportedly expanding its influence in Africa using propaganda channels such as RT and the state news agency TASS. Meanwhile, Ukrainian intelligence, the SBU, claims to have killed Russian intelligence agents of the FSB in a special operation.
In a surprising development, North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un has pledged further support to Russia in the Ukraine conflict. This comes after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met with Kim Jong Un on a luxury yacht and thanked him for sending North Korean soldiers to Ukraine.
The conflict has also had a significant impact on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, with an IAEA team reporting hearing hundreds of gunshots near the plant. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that Ukraine will provide "complete information" about the course of the war and Russia's military potential to US special envoy Keith Kellogg.
Republican US Senator Lindsey Graham expects a massive surge in weapons deliveries to Ukraine in the coming days. The European Investment Bank has also agreed to fund the repair of supply roads for Ukrainian communities to the tune of 134 million euros.
As the conflict continues, the resumption of US aid and the partnership with NATO offer a glimmer of hope for Ukraine in its fight against Russian occupation. The ongoing support from the US and its allies will be crucial in bolstering Ukraine's defense capabilities and helping the country to maintain its sovereignty.
The United States' resumption of aid to Ukraine, focused on defensive weapons, is a response to Russian aggression in the ongoing Ukraine crisis, linking employment policy (aid) to war-and-conflicts (Ukraine crisis). Meanwhile, politics (relations between US, Ukraine, and Russia) and general news (conflict escalation, weapons deliveries) heavily influence the community policy of nations, as evidenced by the NATO summit's decision to sell weapons to allies for distribution to Ukraine.
