HERE IS THE SITUATION ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 10, 2023. (655 DAY)
Kyiv strongly opposes the planned Russian elections in the occupied territory. Meanwhile, Volodymyr Zelenskiy is in Argentina, attending the inauguration of his far-right counterpart, Javier Milei.
Ukraine has strongly condemned Russia’s plans to hold presidential elections in the occupied territory next spring, asserting that such elections would be considered “null and void.” The Ukrainian government has expressed its commitment to prosecute any observers sent to monitor these elections. The announcement of Russia’s presidential election scheduled for next March, with the inclusion of residents in four occupied Ukrainian regions, has sparked a strong response from Ukraine.
In response to these developments, Ukraine’s foreign ministry issued a statement urging the international community to unequivocally denounce Russia’s intention to hold presidential elections in the occupied Ukrainian territories. Additionally, Ukraine called for the imposition of sanctions on those involved in organizing and conducting these elections.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is currently en route to attend the inauguration of Argentina’s president-elect, Javier Milei. Zelenskiy extended his congratulations to Milei, a far-right populist challenging Argentina’s political establishment, on his victory. The two leaders engaged in a phone conversation shortly after Milei’s election, during which Zelenskiy expressed gratitude for Milei’s “clear support for Ukraine,” noting that Ukrainians have taken notice and appreciate it. Following the call, Milei’s office released a statement indicating his offer to host a summit between Ukraine and Latin America in Argentina.
Ukraine’s first lady, Olena Zelenska, issued a stark warning, stating that Ukrainians faced “mortal danger” if Western countries did not continue their financial support. This caution followed the blocking of a crucial aid bill worth over $60 billion for Ukraine by Republican senators in the US.
Contrary to reports suggesting that Polish truckers were obstructing the delivery of military equipment to Ukraine, the Polish government vehemently denied such claims. Marcin Ociepa, the Polish vice-minister of national defense, clarified that military convoys crossing the border were accompanied by military police, dismissing any hindrance by protesting truckers.
A report indicates that Avdiivka, an eastern Ukrainian city with a history of intense conflict, is on the brink of “imminent collapse” to Russian forces. The dispatch, authored by a former Kyiv correspondent for The Times, highlights the dire situation in Avdiivka, with Ukrainian troops defending the frontline struggling due to a shortage of ammunition and challenges in repelling advancing enemy soldiers.
Criticism has been directed at Olympic chiefs for allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete as neutrals next year, especially outside team events and if they do not actively denounce the invasion.
In a notable decision, the Finnish supreme court has blocked the extradition of Jan Petrovsky, a Russian neo-Nazi group leader who fought in Ukraine. The court cited concerns about the risk of Petrovsky facing inhuman treatment, which is prohibited under the European Convention on Human Rights.
SOURCE: Al Jazeera
