Ukraine: realities | «The Weekly Five»: 24.06 – 30.06

Ukraine and the EU signed a security agreement with financial commitments

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and EU institution leaders Charles Michel and Ursula von der Leyen signed a security agreement.

The signing took place in the European Council hall before the start of its meeting. The document, titled "Joint Security Commitments between the European Union and Ukraine," significantly differs from the bilateral security agreements between Ukraine and NATO member states. In particular, the deal with the EU does not mention future NATO membership for Ukraine or its support, as the EU includes non-aligned states (Austria, Ireland) and Hungary, which generally refrain from supporting Ukraine.

EU member states gave unanimous consent to the signing of the agreement.

"The greatest success of this agreement is that it was agreed upon and signed despite Hungary's position," a high-ranking official of the EU's foreign service.

Ukrainian sources note the importance of the provision that Ukraine will receive funding from the European Peace Facility (EPF).

“The recently created Ukraine Assistance Fund within the EPF adds another 5 billion euros for 2024 to ensure further military assistance and training, and further comparable annual increases may be provided until 2027 based on Ukraine’s needs and subject to political directives from the Council,” the agreement states.

 

Stoltenberg: Russian troops are incapable of "significant breakthroughs" in Ukraine

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated that Russian troops are incapable of "significant breakthroughs" on the battlefield in Ukraine, while Kyiv's deep strikes into Russian territory inflict significant damage.

"And we have no other indications or reasons to believe that Russia can make significant breakthroughs." Stoltenberg noted that Russia launched another offensive in Ukraine during the spring-summer, "but so far only with minor successes."

The NATO Secretary General warned, however, that Russia is likely to "continue advancing along the front line" and carry out airstrikes on Ukraine.

"But we see that the Ukrainians have managed to hold the front line. They have continued to inflict heavy losses on the Russian occupiers – both along the front line and with strikes deep into Russian territory," Stoltenberg said.

 

NYT: In May, Russia lost more than 1,000 soldiers killed and wounded daily

The losses of the Russian occupation army in Ukraine in May significantly increased due to the offensive in the north of Kharkiv region, reaching an average of more than 1,000 killed and wounded daily. This was reported by The New York Times  with reference to US and NATO intelligence data.

Estimates cited by NYT indicate that Russia's daily losses in Ukraine in May averaged over a thousand soldiers. At the same time, the Russian army recruits 25-30 thousand soldiers each month – approximately the same number as it loses.

Such "meat assaults" tactics have allowed Russia to achieve one of Vladimir Putin's goals – to create a buffer zone along the border to complicate Ukrainian strikes deep into the country, NYT sources say.

On the other hand, the recruits sent to the front to replenish losses are poorly trained, limiting Moscow's ability to form more combat-ready units – and also increasing losses.

US estimates of losses in the war are based on satellite imagery, intercepts, social media, and media reports, as well as official reports from Russia and Ukraine, The New York Times clarifies.

Sources in Western intelligence believe that Russia will not need to conduct another similar mobilization or conscription this year, as it will be able to replenish losses with both Russians and convicts and Russian mercenaries from Africa.

 

Zelenskyy: This year, Ukraine will present a clear and detailed plan to end the war

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced  that Ukraine is preparing a "clear and detailed" plan to end the war, which will be ready this year. Shortly, Ukraine will present its detailed vision on energy, food security, and exchanges.

"The diplomatic path chosen by Ukraine is our initiative because we are the victim in this war. The peace summit has passed, and now we are working in detail on three plans: energy, food security, and exchanges. I am confident that we will resolve these issues. At least we will prepare a detailed plan. This will be shortly. All other points of the peace formula will also be developed and we will prepare a comprehensive plan that will be on the table before all our partners. We need to show a plan to end the war that will be supported by most of the world. This is the diplomatic path we are working on."

 

OSCE PA recognized Russia's actions as genocide against the Ukrainian people

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly adopted a resolution recognizing Russia's actions as genocide against the Ukrainian people and the need for the decolonization of Russia.

This was reported by a member of the parliamentary delegation Pavlo Frolov on Telegram (https://t.me/verkhovnaradaukrainy/69758).

"On the opening day of the summer session in Bucharest, the OSCE PA adopted a resolution condemning the 10-year armed aggression of Russia against Ukraine, recognizing the actions of the military-political leadership of Russia and its armed forces during the full-scale invasion as genocide against the Ukrainian people."

Frolov emphasized that the resolution identifies the decolonization of Russia as "a necessary precondition for establishing lasting peace."

 

The project «Ukraine: realities» is implemented by the News agency «Konkurent» together with the Civic Movement «SVIDOMI» in English for readers from other countries to tell to tell about current news and events in Ukraine.

Проєкт «Ukraine: realities» реалізовується Інформаційним агентством «Конкурент» спільно з Громадянським Рухом «СВІДОМІ» на англійській мові для читачів з інших країн аби розповісти про актуальні новини та події в Україні.