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collapse of the USSR, when geopolitical interests turned out to be more important for the West than confrontation with the Soviet Union. "Frankly speaking, it seemed to the people of my generation, including myself, and even a little bit younger ones, that yes, it was regrettable that the Soviet Union collapsed, but nevertheless, the basis for confrontation between the former Soviet Union and modern Russia and the Western world was gone, that that basis disappeared and there were no ideological foundations for confrontation anymore," Putin said. "It seemed that now everything would be fine forever. It turned out that this was not so. It turned out that the geopolitical interests of our <...> partners were much more important than, among other things, contradictions with the former Soviet Union," he added.
The EU has no more options for new sanctions against Russia. Therefore, the bloc should focus on financial and military support for Ukraine, EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell said in Stockholm. Over the past year, the EU has approved ten rounds of sanctions against the aggressor state to make financing the war more challenging and deprive Russia of technical equipment and spare parts for weapons that will be used against Ukraine. "After the invasion, we're coming to the end of that ladder," Borrell admitted, commenting on the question of the next potential steps the bloc could take in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Borrell said battlefield operations were “up to Ukraine to decide”, but Europe’s responsibility “is to support them by providing arms and ammunition.” He added the EU has financial capabilities that need to be turned into military power and delivered to the front line, with proper training for Ukrainian soldiers.
European Council extends sanctions against Russia for 6 months. The European Council issued a press release on March 13 extending sanctions against 1,473 individuals and 205 entities who support Russia's war against Ukraine.
The US and Ukraine are losing unity on issues of war. After a year of full-scale war, Washington and Kyiv are increasingly at odds over the war’s goals and how and when the conflict will end, reported Politico. First, the US worries that Ukraine wastes manpower and ammunition in Bakhmut, undermining its ability to mount a major counteroffensive this spring. Second, although American intelligence does not suspect Ukrainian involvement in the Nord Stream attack, the Biden administration has made it clear to Kyiv that those responsible for acts of violence outside of Ukraine will face consequences. Third, there is also dissatisfaction with Kyiv's constant requests for more weapons. Fourth, a growing number of Republicans criticize using the American budget to support Kyiv with no end in sight to the war. And the recent report that the Pentagon is preventing the transfer of evidence of possible Russian war crimes to the International Criminal Court has introduced another wrinkle in the narrative of unity. Moreover, the Pentagon also doubts Ukraine is capable of liberating Crimea in the near future.
49 RUSSIA Country Report Russia April 2023 www.intellinews.com