Sunday, October 29, 2023

Russia-Ukraine War: Key Events Day 367

Date:

As the Russia-Ukraine war enters its 367th day, the situation on Saturday, February 25, 2023 is one of ongoing conflict and diplomatic efforts to end it. Ukraine’s military reported that Russia had doubled the number of ships on active duty in the Black Sea, likely in preparation for more missile attacks. Russia claimed its forces continued their attack in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, killing up to 240 Ukrainian soldiers over the past 24 hours. In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy promised to do everything to defeat Russia this year, and the first German-made Leopard tanks arrived in Kyiv from Poland to mark the occasion. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, who was visiting Kyiv, said his country wants to help Ukraine repel Russian troops and deliver a “clear and measurable signal of further support”.

In the diplomatic arena, China called for urgent peace talks and released a 12-point plan to end the war. While Zelenskyy welcomed some elements of the Chinese proposal, he said only the country where a war is being fought should be the initiator of a peace plan. US President Joe Biden said he saw nothing in the Chinese plan “that would be beneficial to anyone other than Russia”. Washington announced a $2bn package of military aid for Ukraine and additional sanctions and tariffs hitting Russia’s mining and metals industries, as well as companies from third countries accused of supplying Moscow. Group of Seven (G7) members Britain and Canada unveiled similar measures, as did the 27-nation European Union. The EU package includes tighter export restrictions regarding dual-use goods as well as measures against entities supporting the war, spreading propaganda or delivering drones used by Russia. Global financial crimes watchdog Financial Action Task Force (FATF) also suspended Russia’s membership on Friday, saying Moscow’s war in Ukraine violated the organisation’s principles.

The conflict has taken a heavy toll on both sides, with residents like Olha visiting the grave of her son, Yuri Stiahliuk, a Ukrainian service member killed in action against Russian troops, at a cemetery in the town of Bucha, outside Kyiv. As the war enters its second year, diplomatic efforts are ongoing to bring an end to the conflict and restore peace in Ukraine.

Latest stories