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‘new phase.’ While the first in-person Biden-Zelenskiy talks since 2021 are expected to focus on further US military and economic support, as well as Russia sanctions, top US official John Kirby said that the two would also discuss how the war could come to an end.
Russia rules out withdrawal from Ukraine by end of 2022. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Dec. 13 that Kyiv needs to accept new territorial “realities,” dismissing a peace proposal by President Volodymyr Zelensky that would include the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine.
On December 7, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the war in Ukraine could last for a long time, but that there was no reason for further military mobilisation, Reuters reported. On the same day Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Russia remains open to peace talks on “reasonable grounds.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said that no talks are possible until Russia first quits Ukrainian territory entirely.
In an interview with the German national weekly Die Zeit published on December 7, Merkel described the conclusion of the Minsk agreements in 2014 as a ploy to buy Ukraine time to build up military strength. She argued that it was clear to everyone that the conflict was stalled and the problem had not been resolved, "but this was what gave Ukraine invaluable time." She doubted whether NATO countries would have been able to provide support to Kyivat that time to the same extent that they are doing now.
White House: Biden has no intentions to talk to Putin for now. US President Joe Biden is not planning to speak to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin about ending the war in Ukraine war as Putin has shown no inclination for dialogue, the White House said on December 2.
Macron says the West should consider security guarantees for Russia. French President Emmanuel Macron said, should Russian President Vladimir Putin agree to negotiations to end Russia’s war, the West should consider providing Russia with guarantees in the future security architecture, Reuters reported on December 3.
Germany expects new wave of Ukrainian refugees as winter looms. Miguel Berger, Germany’s Ambassador to the U.K., said the country expects a new wave of Ukrainian refugees in the coming weeks, as Russia's attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure may force more people to flee the country.
Germany blocks Polish offer to place Patriot systems in Ukraine. Polish defence Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said on Dec. 6 that he was disappointed by the decision, made after speaking with his German counterpart Christine Lambrecht, as “the deployment of Patriots in western Ukraine would increase the security of Poles and Ukrainians.”
Forbes estimates Russia spent $400-500 million on December 5 missile strikes. Russia fired more than 70 cruise missiles at targets across Ukraine on December 5 with a total value of $400-500 million, according to Forbes. Including the two big barrages that were fired over the New Year’s Eve holidays that sum will almost certainly top $1bn.
10 UKRAINE Country Report January 2023 www.intellinews.com