LIVE – Ukraine: Scholz calls for Russian troop withdrawal to find ‘diplomatic solution’
GERMANY CALLS FOR THE WITHDRAWAL OF RUSSIAN FORCES
During a telephone conversation between Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the latter asked the Russian president to withdraw his troops from Ukraine. In a statement, government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said the chancellor “urged the Russian president to find a diplomatic solution involving the withdrawal of Russian troops as soon as possible.”
“Inevitable” VEHICLES
According to the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin condemned the West’s “destructive line” regarding Ukraine to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. According to information, during the two-hour meeting between the two leaders, he added that strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure will also be “inevitable”.
“MILITARY OPERATION CONTINUES”
After US President Joe Biden’s statements about a possible meeting with Vladimir Putin under the conditions, the Kremlin rejected this possibility. “Biden de facto said that negotiations will be possible only after Putin leaves Ukraine,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. “Military operations continue,” he added.
RUSSIAN OIL PRICES WILL APPROX
A deal on Russian oil price caps was struck by EU ambassadors in Brussels on Thursday evening and agreed with their G7 allies, notably the Americans and the British, as well as Australia.
According to diplomatic sources, the mechanism under review plans to impose a $60/barrel cap on the price of Russian oil sold to third countries, in addition to the EU embargo that came into force on Monday.
Only Poland lacked approval on Friday, with the country calling for a lower price, deeming the instrument too limited. Sources indicated an offer of $30 per barrel.
RE-ADJUSTMENT OF RUSSIAN LOGISTICS SCORE
According to the British Ministry of Defence’s Daily Update publication, Russia’s withdrawal from the west bank of the Dnieper River last month has given Ukrainian armed forces the opportunity to strike other Russian logistics sites and communication lines.
This threat likely prompted Russian logisticians to shift supply points, including rail crossings, to the south and east.
“Russian logistics units will have to carry out labor-intensive loading and unloading operations to switch from rail to road transport. After that, road movements will be vulnerable to Ukrainian artillery when they pass. It will act to secure Russian forward defense positions.” report added.
“Russia’s munitions shortage (exacerbated by logistical problems) is probably one of the main factors currently limiting Russia’s potential to revive effective, large-scale offensive ground operations.”
EUROPE IS ‘NOT STRONG ENOUGH’
Finland’s Prime Minister Sanna Marin has made a “very honest” assessment of Europe’s capabilities in the face of Russia’s war against Ukraine, making it clear that it is “not strong enough” to stand alone against Moscow.
During his visit to Australia, the leader of the candidate country for NATO membership emphasized that Russia’s aggression and occupation of neighboring Ukraine reveals Europe’s weaknesses and Vladimir Putin’s strategic mistakes vis-à-vis Russia.
SITUATION UPDATE
Find information from the last 24 hours on the Russian invasion of Ukraine on this 282nd day of the war.
13,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed since the conflict began
An adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday that a maximum of 13,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed since Russia attacked his country since February.
Mykhailo Podoliak, one of Mr. Zelenskiy’s advisers, told Ukraine’s Channel 24: “We have official estimates from the headquarters (…) Their number ranges from 10,000 (…) to 13,000.” According to him, the head of state will announce the official information “when the time comes”.
On the other hand, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said in September that 5,937 Russian soldiers had died since the conflict began on February 24. The two are suspected of minimizing casualties so as not to affect the morale of their enemy soldiers.
MANY CASUALTIES AMONG THE RUSSIAN MILITARY
US Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley estimated in November that more than 100,000 Russian soldiers had been killed or wounded since the invasion, and losses were likely to be similar on the Ukrainian side.
These numbers, which could not be independently verified, are the most accurate figures the US government has provided to date. Several thousand civilians died in the most violent armed conflict in Europe in decades.
THOUSANDS OF UKRAINIAN MILITARY KILLED
An adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday that a maximum of 13,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed since Russia attacked his country since February.
Mykhailo Podoliak, one of Mr. Zelenskiy’s advisers, told Ukraine’s Channel 24: “We have official estimates from the headquarters (…) They vary between 10,000 (…) and 13,000 dead.”
According to him, the head of state will announce the official information “when the time comes”.
PROVIDE BIDEN AND MACRON “SUPPORT UKRAINE”
During the French president’s state visit to the United States, Joe Biden and Emmanuel Macron promised to support Ukraine “as long as necessary” in a joint statement.
According to this document, the American and French presidents “reaffirm their countries’ continued support for Ukraine” and, in particular, undertake to provide it with “political, security, humanitarian and economic assistance as long as it is necessary.”
GOOD MORNING EVERYONE
Welcome to this Friday, December 2nd live broadcast, mainly dedicated to information about the war in Ukraine.
