NU.nl regularly gives you an overview of the situation in Ukraine. This time: Talks between military delegations from Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul about the safe export of Ukrainian grain have not yet yielded any tangible result. Furthermore, North Korea has recognized the two Russian-backed self-proclaimed “people’s republics” in eastern Ukraine as independent states.
It was the first time since the end of March that the parties met in person. A spokesman for Russia’s defense ministry said Russia has made proposals “for a quick practical solution” without going into further details, Russia’s state news agency said. TASS† A spokesman for the United Nations called the consultation “positive”, reports news agency Reuters.
Ukraine and Russia together account for at least a third of world wheat production. However, the export of Ukrainian grain is hindered by the war in that country and that leads to food shortages elsewhere in the world. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been making efforts for some time to secure safe shipping routes for cargo ships through the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea.
Ukrainian refugees think they can’t go back for the time being
The majority of Ukrainian refugees want to return home as soon as possible, but also think that a return is not yet possible for the time being. In a survey by the UN refugee agency UNHCR, two-thirds of the refugees surveyed express the expectation that the situation in Ukraine will not be safe enough in the coming months.
Only 16 percent of those surveyed plan to return home within two months. Most of them come from the west of the country or from the areas around Kyiv. There is still heavy fighting between the Ukrainian and Russian army, especially in the east. The people who haven’t returned yet are waiting for the situation to improve or for the fighting to stop altogether.
North Korea recognizes ‘republics’ in eastern Ukraine
North Korea has recognized the two Russian-backed self-proclaimed “people’s republics” in eastern Ukraine as independent states. North Korea is the third country after Russia and Syria to recognize the breakaway states of Donetsk and Luhansk.
Donetsk leader Denis Pushilin said via messaging service Telegram that he hoped for fruitful cooperation with North Korea and more trade. His embassy in Moscow posted a photo of a ceremony in which the North Korean ambassador to Russia presents a certificate of recognition to the Donetsk envoy.
North Korea’s embassy in Moscow later confirmed that it had recognized the independence of both states. Russia did so shortly before invading Ukraine on February 24. Ukraine says it will cut ties with North Korea.
–
–
–
Germany will soon stop with coal from Russia
Germany will stop buying Russian coal from August 1 and will stop purchasing Russian oil on December 31. That said the German Deputy Finance Minister Jörg Kukies on Wednesday at the Sydney Energy Forum. Until recently, Russia supplied 40 percent of Germany’s coal and oil, according to Kukies.
Keeping taking coal and oil from Russia is not an option, Kukies said. “Anyone who knows the history of the Druzhba oil pipeline, which was already an instrument of the Soviet empire in Eastern Europe, knows that it is essential to free yourself from that dependency.”
According to the deputy minister, the gas supply is a challenge. He is deeply concerned about “the huge void that will be created if the European Union gets rid of the 158 billion cubic meters of gas a year supplied by Russia.”
–
