INR | WESTERN EUROPE: Weekly updates

 

Kremlin Denounces EU Plan to Use Frozen Russian Assets for Ukraine Aid as "Theft," Vows Legal Action

• The Kremlin criticized the EU's plan to use interest earned on frozen Russian assets to fund military aid to Ukraine, calling it "theft."

• Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that such actions violate international law and property rights, and Russia will pursue legal action against those involved.

• The EU announced that the first tranche of 1.4 billion euros from these proceeds would be allocated for Ukraine in early August.

• Following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, around $300 billion of Russian assets were frozen by the U.S. and its allies.

• The EU plans to use the interest from these assets, expected to yield 15-20 billion euros by 2027, for an aid fund for Ukraine.

• The Russian Foreign Ministry warned of a tough response to Europe's actions, criticizing the move as contrary to the principles of free markets and potentially damaging to global investment confidence.

Read Ahead At: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/kremlin-pledges-legal-action-over-planned-eu-transfer-ukraine-interest-accrued-2024-07-23/

PM Modi's Vienna Visit: A Strategic Move

• PM Narendra Modi's trip to Vienna is the first by an Indian Prime Minister since Indira Gandhi in 1983.

• Austria, a neutral European country not part of NATO, served as a strategic location for Modi's message to both Moscow and the West.

• The visit followed Modi's meeting with President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, highlighting India's balanced approach in international relations.

• The India-Austria relationship, rooted in trust and friendship, shows great potential for future collaboration.

Read Ahead At: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/how-prime-minister-modis-visit-to-austria-sends-a-message-both-to-moscow-and-the-west-9447882/

European Leaders Condemn Attempted Assassination of Former U.S. President Donald Trump

• European leaders condemned the attempted assassination of former U.S. President Donald Trump.

• U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his horror, stating that political violence has no place in society and offering his thoughts to the victims.

• French President Emmanuel Macron called it a tragedy for democracies and expressed solidarity with the American people.

• German Chancellor Olaf Scholz described the attack as "despicable," emphasizing that political violence is unacceptable in a democracy.

• European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed this sentiment, denouncing political violence.

• Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, an ally of Trump, shared his thoughts and prayers with the former president during this difficult time.

Read Ahead At: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/trump-assassination-bid-european-leaders-condemn-attack/article68402844.ece

 Moscow Renames Europe Square to Eurasia Square

• Moscow's Europe Square has been renamed Eurasia Square, indicating a shift in Russia's stance away from Europe.

• The square, originally built as a symbol of unity with Europe, now reflects Russia's pivot towards Asia amid strained relations with the West due to the war in Ukraine and sanctions.

• Reactions from Moscow residents are mixed, with some supporting the change due to current geopolitical tensions, while others view it as a sign of conflict.

• The renaming of streets and squares in Moscow, including areas near the US and British embassies, highlights the political nature of such decisions in response to international conflicts.

Read Ahead At: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4ng8e3j72yo

Moscow Renames Europe Square to Eurasia Square Amidst Strained West Relations

• Moscow's Europe Square has been officially renamed Eurasia Square.

• The renaming reflects deteriorating relations between Russia and Western nations due to the ongoing war in Ukraine and Western sanctions.

• Europe is now depicted as an adversary by Russian authorities, signaling a shift in political and cultural alignment.

• Moscow Correspondent Steve Rosenberg interviews locals for their perspectives on the renaming.

Read Ahead At: https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/cnl0pqkyqxko

Earth Hits Record Heat: July 21, 2024, Sizzles to Historic High

• July 21, 2024, became the hottest day ever recorded globally, with an average temperature of 17.09°C (62.76°F), surpassing last year’s record.

• Scientists attribute the frequent breaking of heat records primarily to human-induced climate change, exacerbated by greenhouse gas emissions.

• Unusual warmth in Antarctica, extreme heat in California, and a deadly heatwave in Europe contributed to the record-setting day.

• Experts warn that without significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, new temperature records are inevitable, underscoring the urgent need for political action.

Read Ahead At:

https://indianexpress.com/article/world/july-21-earth-hottest-day-european-climate-agency-9472120/lite/

Deepanshi Pathak (BA IR, 3rd year) (Region Head)

Uttam Roy (BA IR 3rd year)

Published By: Varsha Das (BA IR, 3rd year)

INR | EASTERN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA : Weekly Updates

The largest Russian bank reports that transfers of Rupee and Ruble between India and Russia have doubled in 2024.

Russia's largest state-controlled bank, Sberbank, which handles the majority of payments for Indian exports to Russia, reported that despite sanctions by the United States and the European Union, transfers between India and Russia have increased in national currencies (rupee-rouble) since last year.

Economists and Indian businessmen operating in Russia anticipate that the surge may increase following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Moscow last week.

They caution, however, that in the absence of the Indian rupee, Chinese companies and the yuan would continue to benefit from the "vacuum" created by the departure of Western companies.

read more: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-and-russia-have-doubled-rupee-rouble-payments-in-2024-says-largest-russian-bank/article68407397.ece/amp/

What's behind Modi's hug with Putin: Is India staking on Trump to win in November? 

A bear hug is practically a given when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets any male international leader. 

However, the embrace he shared last week in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin sparked strong public criticism from both Washington and Kiev.

US officials denounced Modi's visit to Russia in a series of statements spread over several days. This was Modi's first visit to Russia since Putin declared full-scale war on Ukraine in February 2022.

read more: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2024/7/16/behind-modis-putin-hug-is-india-betting-on-trump-winning-in-november

India expresses its displeasure for President Zelensky's criticism of Prime Minister Modi's visit to Russia to Ukraine. 

India has expressed its displeasure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Moscow, when he met Russian President Vladimir Putin, to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president of Ukraine. 

As per a report published by the news agency PTI, India conveyed its disapproval to the Ukrainian mission located in New Delhi.

read more: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.businesstoday.in/india/story/india-conveys-displeasure-to-ukraine-after-president-zelenskyys-criticism-of-pm-modis-russia-visit-437275-2024-07-16&ved=2ahUKEwjioc2i-KuHAxWXdfUHHarQHq0Q0PADKAB6BAgnEAE&usg=AOvVaw0tOCr5mFihsLoi8SshvgTE

Poland is thinking of intercepting Russian missiles en route to Ukraine. 

Following a speech at the American Enterprise Institute on the margins of the NATO summit on Friday, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski announced that Poland is evaluating a Ukrainian proposal to intercept Russian rockets that are headed towards Ukrainian cities or into Polish territory. 

According to Sikorski, some missiles fired from the St. Petersburg area crosses the Polish border into Belarusian territory, then enter Polish airspace for a brief period of time (about 40 seconds) before striking targets within Ukraine.

read more: https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/2024/07/13/europe/poland-russian-missiles-ukraine-intl-latam

MEPs demand that Hungary's EU voting rights be revoked in light of Orbán's "peace missions."

The European Parliament urged that Hungary's prime minister be removed from office following his trips to China and Russia. 

On July 1st, Hungary replaced Belgium as the rotating EU presidency of the Council. 

Since then, Orbán has gone on self-proclaimed "peace missions" to Beijing, Moscow, Kiev, and Washington and falsely claimed to be speaking for the EU without being granted permission to do so.

read more: https://www.politico.eu/article/letter-63-meps-call-to-strip-hungary-eu-voting-rights-after-viktor-orban-peace-missions/

Drone strike against Putin's forces within Russia following the expulsion of boats from the Crimean port.

Local governors reported on Tuesday that overnight, attacks by the Ukrainians caused a fire at an electrical device business and injured at least six people in Russian districts bordering Ukraine. 

The fire, which was put out by morning and left no casualties in the Kursk area of Russia, was started by a drone strike on a factory in the town of Korenevo.

read more: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russia-ukraine-war-putin-drones-crimea-latest-news-b2580371.html

Floods in Afghanistan are to blame for dozens of deaths while powerful storms devastate the east of the nation. 

According to officials and relief workers, flash floods, strong winds, and heavy rain brought on by a series of storms have wreaked havoc in eastern Afghanistan, killing at least 40 people and causing extensive damage. 

The region surrounding Nangarhar province's capital, Jalalabad, has been the most severely affected.

read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/afghanistan-floods-2024-deaths-severe-weather-climate-change/

Kazakhstan's tourism industry is booming because of a new visa-free entry policy that applies to 100 countries, including the UK, the USA, and the UAE. 

Kazakhstan is a popular tourist destination around the world since it accepts visitors without a visa from 100 countries. 

Kazakhstan, a large country in Central Asia, is full of many cities that provide interesting experiences, fascinating histories, and breathtaking scenery. 

Now that IndiGo is providing flights to Almaty and a number of other towns in Kazakhstan, visiting this fascinating place is easier than before.

read more: https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/kazakhstan-is-surging-in-the-tourism-industry-with-new-visa-free-entry-policy-for-100-countries-including-uk-usa-and-uae/

Rather than the "Great Game," Kazakhstan pursues "great gain."

As questioned by Asia Times, Roman Vassilenko, Kazakhstan's deputy foreign minister, last week in Astana about the country's "multi-vector" foreign policy—a phrase that is frequently used in scholarly contexts. 

According to Vassilenko, Kazakhstan has been able to safeguard and advance its interests as a nation because its diplomatic outreach has been astute and adaptable as opposed to naive, confrontational, and ideological. He expressed this without displaying any signs of arrogance.

read more: https://asiatimes.com/2024/07/kazakhstan-seeks-great-gain-not-the-great-game/

In Osh, Kyrgyzstan, a state of emergency was declared following fatal flooding and mudslides.

A state of emergency has been proclaimed by the authorities in Osh, a city in southern Kyrgyzstan, following the deaths of at least four people on July 14 due to mudslides and flooding brought on by torrential rains.

read more: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.rferl.org/amp/state-of-emergency-kyrgyzstan-osh-deadly-flooding-mudslides/33036835.html

News Bits collected by [Region Head]: 

Poulina Banerjee (BA IR 3rd year)

Drafted by: 

Gauri Upreti (BA IR 2nd year)

Angel Chindalia (MA IR 2nd year)

Published by: Varsha Das (BA IR 3rd year)

INR | EASTERN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA : Weekly Updates

 India and Russia  look forward to PM Modi's visit to Moscow in early July

India and Russia are discussing the idea of Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting Moscow in early July to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to persons familiar with the subject.

If the visit goes forward, it will be Modi's first trip to Russia since 2019, as well as his first since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. Putin last visited India in 2021 for the annual India-Russia Summit, which has not been held in the previous two years.

Read more: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-russia-eyeing-pm-modi-s-moscow-visit-in-early-july-101719306599217.html

The ICC has issued arrest warrants for the Russian army leader and former defence minister.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Russia's former defence minister and military leader for allegedly striking civilian targets in Ukraine.

The Hague-based court said in a statement on Tuesday that warrants were issued because judges believed there were reasonable grounds to believe the men were responsible for "missile strikes carried out by the Russian armed forces against the Ukrainian electric infrastructure" between October 10, 2022, and at least March 9, 2023.

Read more: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/6/25/icc-issues-arrest-warrants-for-russian-army-chief-former-defence-minister

Ukraine has targeted around 30 Russian oil refineries and depots.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on June 24 that his government has targeted around 30 Russian oil processing and storage facilities. 

This year, the Ukrainian military has increased attacks on Russian oil infrastructure in an effort to disrupt oil supplies to the Russian army and reduce Moscow's income used to fund its war against Ukraine.

Read more: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/ukraine-has-hit-over-30-russian-oil-refineries-depots-zelenskyy-says/article68328451.ece

Moldova takes a challenging step towards joining the EU.

Tuesday, June 25 will be a watershed moment for both Moldova and Ukraine, when the European Union begins years of negotiations to admit the two countries as new members.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu, a key proponent of European integration, has set 2030 as the target date for joining the EU, but her country faces a long and difficult road ahead.

Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg330w2x7g3o

Workers struggle in Bucharest as temperatures rise above 40 degrees.

Temperatures in Romania's capital city of Bucharest topped 35 degrees Celsius over the weekend, prompting city workers to adjust to the higher temperatures.

Employers took additional precautions to protect restaurant employees who were working in high temperatures.

Chef Justian Manea told Euronews: "It's about 50 degrees near the grill; I haven't counted. But we're okay; we're taking turns. We will make it through this heatwave."

Read more: https://www.euronews.com/2024/06/25/workers-struggle-in-bucharest-as-temperatures-climb-over-40-degrees

PM Modi interacts with Kazakhstan's President.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Tuesday, and the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to working together to deepen the bilateral strategic partnership.

According to a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Modi expressed India's full support for the success of the upcoming SCO Summit in Astana and expressed confidence that Kazakhstan's leadership would significantly contribute to the advancement of regional cooperation during their phone conversation.

Read more: https://theprint.in/india/pm-modi-speaks-to-kazakhstans-president/2146887/

Tajikistan hijab ban: With 90% Muslim population, why was this decision made?

After years of unofficial restrictions on religious garb, the Tajik government has decided to formally prohibit the wearing of the hijab across the country.

The lower house of Parliament (the Majlisi Namoyandagon) passed the Bill on May 8, and the upper house (the Majlisi Milli) approved it on June 19, following the Eid celebrations. This move adds legal weight to President Emomali Rahmon's words, in which he referred to the hijab as "foreign clothing".

Read more: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-global/tajikistan-muslim-hijab-ban-9410457/

Russia plans to build a nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan.

Russia will build a small nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan, the first of its kind in post-Soviet Central Asia, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced at a meeting with visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin.

On Monday, Putin announced that Russia would contribute $400 million to a $500 million joint investment fund to finance Uzbek enterprises.

Read more: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/27/russia-to-build-nuclear-power-plant-in-uzbekistan

Education remains vulnerable to attack in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

In September 2022, at least 23 schools and kindergartens in southwestern Kyrgyzstan were targeted during a brief but severe border conflict between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Some schools were damaged by shrapnel, and at least one was utilised as a military base by Tajik troops. An estimated 140,000 people were displaced, therefore 53 other schools were transformed into shelters to house families.

According to the United Nations, 161 schools in the Batken and Osh areas were temporarily closed, causing more than 130,000 pupils to miss school, with some youngsters suffering from emotional trauma.

Read more: https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/06/23/education-still-vulnerable-attack-kyrgyzstan-and-tajikistan

 Why did Pakistani students get attacked in Kyrgyzstan?

More than 300 Pakistani students have fled Kyrgyzstan after a crowd attacked international student dorms in the Central Asian country's capital Bishkek last week, injuring some of them.

The incident began late on May 17 and lasted more than six hours, when hundreds of Kyrgyz people attacked international student dorms, injuring more than 30 individuals.

Read more: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/20/panic-in-bishkek-why-were-pakistani-students-attacked-in-kyrgyzstan

News Bits collected by [Region Head]: 

Poulina Banerjee (BA IR 3rd year)

Drafted by: 

Gauri Upreti (BA IR 2nd year)

Angel Chindalia (MA IR 2nd year)

Published by: Varsha Das (BA IR 3rd year)