While Ukraine claims new territorial gains, Moscow announces an “official visit” by Kim Jong-un to Russia “in the coming days”.
Kim Jong-un is preparing to make his first trip outside North Korea since 2020. Moscow has announced “the official visit” of the North Korean dictator in Russia “in the coming days” near Vladivostock. Washington warned against this meeting, the aim of which would be, according to its services, a delivery of military equipment to Russia, in search of arms. This day was also marked by a warning from the European Union as well as announcements of territorial gains by Ukraine in its counter-offensive. Here’s what you need to remember.
A North Korean visit which could lead to “new American sanctions”
The Kremlin announced on Monday that it was preparing for a “official visit” imminent, Kim Jong-un’s armored train “seeming” be on the way to Russia. The meeting between Vladimir Putin and the North Korean dictator should take place in the Russian Far East, not far from Vladivostock where Vladimir Putin has just arrived to participate in an economic forum. The North Korean news agency KCNA confirms the Kremlin’s announcement, specifying that “Respected Comrade Kim Jong-un will meet and hold talks with Comrade Putin during his visit”.
The rumor had been buzzing for days. A week earlier, the White House said such a meeting was being prepared so that the two leaders could discuss arms sales to Russia. The State Department, through its spokesperson, estimated Monday that Vladimir Putin found himself forced to “cross your entire country” in order to meet a “pariah of the international scene” for him “beg” help. “We will not hesitate to (…) impose new sanctions”threatened the American spokesperson.
Moscow tried to destroy a cargo ship in the Black Sea
The United Kingdom on Monday accused Russian forces of attempting to destroy a Liberian-flagged civilian cargo ship docked at the port of Odessa. The facts date back to August 24, specifies the British Foreign Office in a press release. Despite several missile attacks, the attempt was foiled by kyiv, assures London.
“This attack is a clear demonstration of Russia’s repeated attempts to strangle the Ukrainian economy and of President Putin’s contempt”denounces British diplomacy, which mentions consequences “for the lives of civilians” And “the interests of countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East“.
According to London, Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure and ports have destroyed since July “280,000 tonnes” of cereals, either “more than Russia promised to give to African countries.”
Successes claimed on the Ukrainian side
“Ukraine regains control of the ‘Vishki Boika'”, welcomed the military intelligence of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense on Monday in a press release. This oil and gas platform located in the Black Sea had been controlled by Moscow for eight years. The date of this qualified transaction “unique” was not communicated. The Ukrainian military authorities are delighted to have got their hands on “a stock of ammunition for helicopters” as well as on a “radar which makes it possible to follow the movements of ships in the Black Sea”. Military intelligence also broadcast a ten minute video on social networks, where elite units are shown, on board the platform.
On the same day Monday,The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense claims “success” on the southern front. The Ukrainian army has made slight progress in recent weeks as part of its counter-offensive. Ukrainian forces “continue their offensive operations in the South” And “have recorded successes south of Robotyné [localité reprise aux Russes fin août] and west of Verbové”Deputy Defense Minister Ganna Maliar told state television. It is in this area of Verbové, in the region of Zaporijjia, that kyiv says it has “pierced the first line of defense” Russian.
Europe warns Russia of “consequences” after elections deemed illegal in annexed territories
The European Union says it rejects “strength Russia’s futile attempts to legitimize or normalize its illegal military control” as well as “its annexation of part of Ukrainian territory”, specify the 27 in a press release on Monday. The day before, Moscow claimed the victory of the presidential party, “United Russia”, in the Ukrainian territories annexed by the Russians. These elections took place in Zaporizhia, Kherson, Donetsk and Lugansk as well as in Crimea.
Brussels also warned that there would be “consequences” for all those involved in the organization of these elections deemed illegal. A new package of sanctions would be the twelfth imposed on Russia, since the start of its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. These elections take place a few months before the presidential election, scheduled for early 2024 in Russia and which could strengthen Vladimir Putin in power until 2036.