Page 44 - bne IntelliNews monthly magazine November 2024

44 I Eastern Europe bne November 2024
Ukraine was a secondary, but important, consideration.
As his third priority, Rutte cited strengthening the partnership with
"the European Union and with countries around the world that share" Nato’s interests and values.
Work cut out
Rutte’s appointment comes as the Armed Forces of Russia (AFR) are closing in on the key logistical centre of Pokrovsk in the Donbas and the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) are in slow retreat. At the same time, Ukraine fatigue has been building over the last year. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy just returned from New York where he presented his victory plan to US President Joe Biden, but the trip was probably a failure, as the US is increasingly reluctant to provide Kyiv with more money and weapons, bne IntelliNews opined in
a recent opinion piece.
Biden called for a new military Ramstein meeting of Nato leaders
in October, when the US will likely announce concrete new support for Ukraine based on the contents of Zelen- skiy's plan and Rutte will expand on his vision for managing the conflict.
However, some have speculated that Zelenskiy's victory plan was designed to fail as the war increasingly goes against the AFU, as with winter closing in and half the country’s power stations destroyed, Zelenskiy may be preparing the ground to begin ceasefire negotia- tions with Russia.
The flagging enthusiasm of Ukraine allies is fuelling this speculation. Zelenskiy has specifically asked on multiple occasions for permission from the US to use long-range missiles to hit targets inside Russia and has repeatedly been refused. He left New York with
another refusal, The Times reported.
Washington has no “magic capability” to help Ukraine change the course of the war, US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters at a brief- ing on October 1, in remarks assumed
to relate to the missile permissions and other weapons requests in Zelenskiy’s victory plan.
"You and I have had this conversation before about other weapons systems
or tactics that you perceive as the one magic capability that would change the face of the conflict. And I think I have always made clear that that is not how we see it," he noted.
Zelenskiy has also called for a second peace summit this November following the failed Swiss peace summit held on June 16-17, as Ukraine continues to run out of men, money and materiel.
Iran and Russia double down on strategic
relations in first presidential meeting
bne Tehran bureau
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Russian President Vladimir Putin met on October 11 on the sidelines of an international conference in Turkmenistan, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, Iran's presidential website reported.
The meeting took place during the "Interaction of Times and Civilizations - the Basis of Peace and Development" conference. Turkmenistan, as a neutral country, sees itself as an international mediator of regional affairs.
During the bilateral meeting, the Russian president said that relations with Iran are a priority for his country and are developing "very successfully." In particular, an increase in trade turnover between Russia and Iran was recorded in 2024.
Pezeshkian emphasised the strategic
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nature of Iran-Russia relations, stating, "Our relationship with Russia is cordial and strategic. Our economic and cultural ties are strengthening day
by day."
The Iranian president expressed hope for expediting the signing of a strategic partnership document between the two countries, which includes economic and security related agreements.
Iran and Russia double down on strategic relations in first presidential meeting / bne IntelliNews