With an Eye on Russia, EU to Hold First In-Person Summit with Ukraine

Author : Tanya Kala

Source : Reuters

With the Russia-Ukraine war showing no signs of ending, the 27-nation European Union will hold a summit with Kyiv that will seek to provide financial and military aid to the beleaguered country. The EU-Ukraine summit will take place in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on February 3, 2023.

Ukraine has been devastated by Russian attacks on the country’s critical infrastructure using bombs and other weapons. The statement after a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in the first few days of 2023 said that “the parties discussed the expected results of the next Ukraine-EU summit to be held in Kyiv and agreed to intensify preparatory work.”

According to the EU commissioner, the main focus of the upcoming summit will be on how the EU can further support Ukraine in its war against Russia, as well as provide Ukraine with the necessary support in whichever way possible.

The European Union and Ukraine have developed robust ties that have expanded beyond bilateral cooperation to include progressive economic integration and political cooperation. Ukraine has been designated as a key partner nation under the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). The Partnership and Collaboration Agreement (PCA), which went into force in 1998, provides a comprehensive and ambitious framework for EU-Ukraine cooperation in all critical areas of transformation.

Further read at : https://www.indiawrites.org/diplomacy/with-an-eye-on-russia-eu-to-hold-first-in-person-summit-with-ukraine/

The Author is a Post Graduate Student at Amity Institute of International Studies.

Russian Soldiers’ Deaths: Using Smartphones in War Zone can be Deadly

Author : Swaratmika Dubey

Source : Sky News

Those who live by the smartphone should be ready to die! Addiction to mobile phones can be literally deadly, especially on the battlefield, as Russians discovered at the stroke of midnight on the New Year. Ukraine began the year with a lethal strike that resulted in the deaths of numerous Russian soldiers. These deaths have been blamed on the Russian soldiers using mobile phones in the war zone. But is that the reality? Or, is Russia just playing its usual blame game?

In the early hours of January 1, Ukraine fired six artillery rockets at a barracks in Makiivka, in the Donetsk region, using its HIMARS system, which was provided by the US. Five cranes and rescue personnel were seen lifting large slabs of concrete under a clear blue sky at the scene in Makiivka, a town in the eastern Donetsk area that is partially under Russian occupation.

Since the war started more than ten months ago, it was one of the worst strikes on Russian soldiers. It also sparked new criticism of the war tactics that Russia has been following.

 Read further at : https://www.indiawrites.org/diplomacy/russian-soldiers-deaths-using-smartphones-in-war-zone-can-be-deadly/

Author is a Post Graduate student at Amity Institute of International Studies

India, France Cement Strategic Bonding, Set Stage for Macron’s Visit

 Author : Anushka Ghosh

Source : The Hindustan Times

Amidst the volatile international situation triggered by the Russia-Ukraine war, India and France held their annual strategic dialogue, which focused on enhancing defence cooperation and coordination in the Indo-Pacific, with a view to countering China.

India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Adviser to French President Emmanuel Macron, held discussions in the Indian capital on January 5. The talks covered a wide gamut of issues, including recent developments around the Ukraine war. The talks have set the stage for a visit by President Macron to India, likely February/March.

“The latest talks have reinforced the status of France as India’s key strategic partner in a shifting world order. France will continue to be India’s major supplier of defence equipment and nuclear reactors,” said Manish Chand, Editor-in-Chief, India and the World and Director, Centre for Global India Insights (CGII), a think tank focused on global affairs."

Read further at : https://www.indiawrites.org/diplomacy/india-france-cement-strategic-bonding-set-stage-for-macrons-visit/?fbclid=IwAR1NCHv-jdIBmZFfuA-HIsS7U-J-b2WDNp1qNLIpBxVOUvuNeM6xuC8uLwg&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

Author is a Post Graduate Student at Amity Institute of International Studies