Ukraine War Live Updates: Skepticism in talks, civilian casualties, and aid
Distrust in Negotiations in Saudi Arabia Flourishing
Stay updated with the latest developments in the Ukraine-Russia conflict as we bring you the latest news, analysis, and insights.
Ukraine war skepticism before Saudi Arabia talks
Amidst the upcoming talks about a potential ceasefire in Saudi Arabia, Ukraine's Foreign Policy Committee chairman, Oleksandr Merezhko, expresses his skepticism. Merezhko believes that the talks may not lead to change because Putin is more likely to be influenced by increased military pressure rather than negotiations [Source: Kyiv Independent].
Civilian casualties and attacks on Ukrainian cities
- 3 civilians are killed in attacks on the contested city of Pokrovsk, as Russian projectiles hit a residential area [Source: Donetsk Oblast military administration].
- The Ukrainian air force destroys a Russian command post on Russian territory near Glotovo in the Belgorod Oblast, which could potentially prevent Russia from carrying out further actions against Ukrainian troops in the Sumy and Kharkiv Oblasts [Source: Ukrainska Prawda].
- Russian attacks on Friday result in the deaths of 6 civilians and injuries to 36 in various regions across Ukraine, with 100 out of 179 Russian drones intercepted by the Ukrainian air force [Source: Kyiv Independent].
Aid and Partnership
- With the Czech Republic's assistance, six hospitals in Ukraine will be rebuilt and modernized, including hospitals in Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, Lutsk, Lviv, Rivne, and Kyiv [Source: Kyiv Post].
- The Netherlands contributes €65 million to repair Ukraine's energy infrastructure, including power plants, lines, and other facilities for electricity and heat supply [Source: Ukrainska Prawda].
Russia's stance and developments
- Russia expresses hope for progress in the Saudi Arabia talks but also conditions its promise on the lifting of sanctions on certain Russian institutions such as Rosselkhozbank [Source: Reuters].
- The US undersecretaries will hold separate talks with delegations from Kyiv and Moscow next Monday about a potential ceasefire in Ukraine [Source: Reuters].
- The destruction of 301 medical facilities and damage to nearly 2000 due to Russian air strikes is reported, with Ukrainian Health Minister Viktor Liashko highlighting the continued need for international support [Source: Reuters].
Implications for Politics
- The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) suggests that Russia is using the ongoing ceasefire negotiations to delay and undermine the efforts to end the war [Source: Reuters].
- The Kerch Strait Bridge, a major link between Crimea and Russia, is now fully operational, strengthening Russia's control over the region [Source: Reuters].
- Despite skepticism from Ukraine's Foreign Policy Committee chairman, Oleksandr Merezhko, about the upcoming ceasefire talks in Saudi Arabia, Russia has expressed hope for progress, conditioning its promise on the lifting of certain sanctions.
- Amidst increased attacks on Ukrainian cities, such as the recent deaths of 3 civilians in Pokrovsk and 6 civilians on Friday, aid is being provided by countries like the Czech Republic and the Netherlands to rebuild and modernize hospitals, and repair Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
- The ongoing ceasefire negotiations and potential ceasefire, as discussed by the US undersecretaries with delegations from Kyiv and Moscow next Monday, are seen by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) as a tactic for Russia to delay and undermine the efforts to end the war, while the destruction of 301 medical facilities and damage to nearly 2000 due to Russian air strikes underscores the continued need for international support.
