Latest Developments in Ukraine: Nov. 25
VOA –
The latest developments in Russia’s war on Ukraine. All times EST.
2:16 a.m.: Committing war crimes have become an integral part of how Moscow wages war and Kyiv shouldn’t wait to bring alleged Russian perpetrators to justice, argues Oleksandra Matviychuk, head of the organization that jointly won the Nobel Peace Prize this year.
«For decades, Russia has used war as a method of achieving its geopolitical interests and war crimes as a way to win these wars,» Matviychuk, who heads the Center for Civil Liberties, told RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service in an expansive interview. «They learned that they can do whatever they want because they weren’t punished for war crimes in Chechnya, Moldova, Georgia, Mali, or in Syria. Therefore, until we can bring justice, there will be no sustainable peace in our region.»
4:13 a.m.: In an interview with the BBC, Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska said that even amid cold and blackouts, Ukraine will keep fighting, saying that «without victory there can be no peace. It would be a false peace and wouldn’t last long.»
3:23 a.m.: The latest intelligence update from the U.K. defense ministry said recently mobilized Russian reservists continue to have problems.
Their deployment is often characterised by confusion over eligibility for service, inadequate training and personal equipment, and commitment to highly attritional combat missions, the update said. Additionally, they’ve likely had particularly heavy casualties after being committed to dig ambitious trench systems while under artillery fire around the Luhansk Oblast town of Svatove.
2:20 a.m.: Europe should be able to cope with the natural gas supply crunch in the coming months thanks to considerable reserves although the continent could face a bigger energy crisis next winter, the head of the International Energy Agency said Thursday, according to The Associated Press.
Fatih Birol said that, barring unforeseen events, “Europe will go through this winter with some economic and social headaches, bruises here and there” as a result of efforts to wean itself off Russian gas and the wider increase in energy costs resulting from the war in Ukraine.
“Next winter will be more difficult than this winter» he said.
Birol cited the fact that Russian gas supplies to Europe may end completely next year, while China’s demand for liquefied natural gas looks set to rebound as its economy recovers from the pandemic.
Meanwhile, the IEA projects new gas capacity coming online in 2023 to be the lowest in two decades, he said.
12:02 a.m.: British foreign minister James Cleverly will pledge millions of pounds in further support for Kyiv during a visit to Ukraine, his office said, according to Reuters.
A statement from his office issued early on Friday said Cleverly had traveled to Ukraine.
Cleverly, who is set to meet President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on the trip, also condemned Russia for its «brutal attacks» on civilians, hospitals and energy infrastructure.
«The UK stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine,» said Cleverly, as he set out 3 million pounds to help rebuild vital infrastructure and committed another 5 million for a Ukraine-led initiative to ship grain to countries at risk of famine.
Cleverly’s trip to the European country comes just days after new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made his first visit to Kyiv during which he vowed to continue the firm support for Ukraine that Britain provided under his predecessors.
Some information in this report came from The Associated Press.