The Russian offensive in Ukraine will leave lasting traces in Europe. Arms imports on the continent have increased by 93% in 2022 compared to the previous year, according to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri) published on Monday March 13. Excluding Ukraine, which has suddenly become the world’s third largest arms importer, this increase still reaches 35%. Against a backdrop of fears of a wider confrontation with Russia, states such as Poland and Norway have notably increased their military spending. The trend had already been on the rise for several years.
“Violent fighting” for the center of Bakhmout. Of “fierce fighting” with Russian forces are underway for central Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine, says Ukrainian ground troop commander Oleksandr Syrsky. Russians “attack from several directions” For “move towards the central districts”. “The closer we are to the city center, the harder the fighting”launched for his part Evgueni Prigojine, boss of the Russian paramilitary group Wagner.
The Ukrainian army promises a counter-offensive. “You have to save time” continuing to defend Bakhmout “to accumulate reserves and launch a counter-offensive, which is not far away”the commander of the Ukrainian ground forces, Oleksandr Syrsky, said on Sunday.
The grain agreement on the menu of negotiations. A Russian delegation is expected in Geneva for talks with the United Nations. The agreement which allowed the resumption of grain exports from Ukraine, one of the world’s main producers, is due to expire on Saturday, and Moscow is casting doubt on its intention to renew it.