Zelensky anticipates an intensification of Russian offensives; US Congress considers aid to Ukraine and Israel separately and more

2024-04-20 23:18:11

The war between Russia and Ukraine comes to your day 783 since its beginning on February 24, 2022, when the Russian president Vladimir Putin ordered a “special military operation” to free the pro-Russian population from the Donbas region of Ukraine.

Hoy Tuesday April 16, 2024, Volodymyr Zelensky anticipates an intensification of Russian offensives in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile he Ukrainian president continued to ask for support from his allies to get involved in protecting Ukraine from Russian air attacks in the same extent as some of them have done to protect Israel from Iran’s missiles and drones.

Zelensky recalled that, as is the case with Ukraine, Israel is not a member of NATOand stated that, due to this, “the activation of article 5” of the Washington Treaty (founding letter of the Alliance, which establishes that an attack on a member state is an attack against all members of the organization) is not necessary to grant Ukraine the same type of protection that the Jewish State received.

IAEA warns that the Zaporizhia power plant is “dangerously” close to a nuclear accident

The director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, warned that the Ukrainian Zaporizhia nuclear power plantoccupied by Russia since March 2022, approaches “dangerously” still accident that if produced would have “enormous radioactive consequences.”

“We cannot rest on our laurels. We must do everything in our power to minimize the risk of a major nuclear accident,” Grossi added during the special session dedicated to this issue at the United Nations Security Council.

The representative of the IAEA, who monitors what was the largest nuclear power plant in Europe when it was fully operational, He asked that the five principles established last year in the Security Council itself be respected to maintain the integrity of the plantamong them that of do not attack the center in any waywhich was violated on April 7.

That day, there were drone raids against the dome of one of the six reactors, and Russia and Ukraine accused each other of these attacks.

In fact, the representative of the Permanent Mission of Russia to the United Nations, Vasili Nebenzia, argued on Monday that they have never attacked the plant and that they have not launched attacks from it either.

“Russia makes every effort to defend the security of the plant against Ukrainian attacks and provocations. Whether others dislike it being under Russian control is another matter.”

Vasili Nebenzia, representative of the Permanent Mission of Russia to the United Nations

However, his Ukrainian counterpart, Sergiy Kyslytsya, called it “far-fetched” to blame his country for the attacks and alluded to an alleged Russian “militarization” of the plant to be protected because it was carried out from a critical infrastructure.

“What happened on April 7 was a well-organized false flag operation to divert attention from the main issue of this problem: the eviction of Russian military personnel from our headquarters,”

Sergiy Kyslytsya, representative of the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the United Nations

When asked by the press at the end of the session about the authorship of the attacks, Grossi considered that they currently do not have “irrefutable evidence” to be able to make such a statement, but that now it is important for the parties to see that the IAEA as a “referee” is on the field and “with the red and yellow card in his hand.”

Minutes before, during the assembly, the Deputy representative of the United States to the UN, Robert Wood, did indicate that the current risk in Zaporizhzhia is a “direct result” of Vladimir Putin’s “decision” to wage an “illegal, unjustifiable and unprovoked” war against Ukraine..

While China called on Russia and Ukraine to respect the IAEA’s five fundamental principles and seven indispensable pillars of nuclear securityas well as establish a dialogue table.

“Faced with this challenge, they must interact with each other and reach a consensus to avoid a catastrophe”

Geng Shuang, deputy representative of China to the United Nations

Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine (Courtesy/twitter)

US Congress will evaluate aid to Israel and Ukraine “separately”

He president of the House of RepresentativesRepublican Mike Johnson, announced on Monday that in the Bills to provide aid to Israel and Ukraine will be addressed “separately” in the coming days ignoring the call of the American president, Joe Bidenof approve a joint package of 95 billion dollars.

Johnson said at a news conference that he hopes there will be a separate vote on Friday night on funds for these two countries and others for provide aid to US allies in the Indo-Pacific.

The Iranian attack on Israel at the weekend has put pressure on Johnson to allow a vote on assistance to certain countries, especially Ukraine which some hardline Republicans oppose.

“There are sudden developments around the world that we are all watching very closely,” Johnson told reporters after meeting with House GOP members.

The Republican, who faces calls for dismissal from the most extreme wing of his party, explained on his X account that they will study separate projects to provide funds “to their ally” Israel, support Ukraine in its war against Russiastrengthen the US allies in the Indo-Pacificand approve additional measures to strengthen national security.

Johnson thus responds to an express request made this Monday by Biden for Congress to approve a $95 billion aid package for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwanstalled for months due to opposition from the Republican Party.

Last February, the US Senate approved a supplemental aid package for Israel and Ukraine but the Republican leader has not brought it to a vote in the House. Johnson has also twice failed to approve funding for Israel.

“Congress has to approve that financing. They have to do it now,” Biden declared to the media this morning.

On Sunday night, the president held a conversation with the four leaders of the US Congress with whom he had reached “a consensus” on the urgency of approving aid for Israel and Ukraine, according to the Senate majority leader, the Democrat Chuck Shumer.

Johnson left open the possibility that the projects could eventually be combined into a single package but said he prefers that they be studied and approved individually.

United States Congress (AFP)

Volodymyr Zelensky anticipates an intensification of Russian offensives in the coming weeks

The president of Ukraine, Volodímir Zelenskisaid in his speech to the nation last night that he has information of its intelligence services that indicates that Russia will try to intensify its attacks and offensive actions on the front in the coming weeks and months.

“It is obvious that the Kremlin’s madness continues to be unleashed, and the occupier will try to intensify its attacks and offensive actions,” said the Ukrainian head of state, citing information received by the heads of its military and foreign intelligence services about Russian plans for this spring and for summer.

Zelensky also reported that will hold meetings with its partners in the coming weeks to receive more air defense and other types of weapons for the front from the countries that are helping Ukraine.

Russia is taking advantage of its superiority in the number of soldiers and in the amount of ammunition and artillery systems for continue advancing on the eastern front.

Both Zelensky and the head of the Army, Oleksandr Sirski, have recognized that the situation has worsened for Ukraine in those theaters of operations in recent days.

Volodymyr Zelensky, president of Ukraine (EFE)

2024-04-20 23:18:11