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Volodymyr Zelensky urges protest to mark one month of Russian invasion
Calls for Global Solidarity by Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
It has been one month since the Russian forces first attacked Ukraine. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for global solidarity to end this bloody war. Zelenskyy has urged global protests and NATO to provide Kyiv with 'effective and unrestricted' aid to end the Russian invasion.
The Ukrainian President addressed in a video, "come from your offices, your homes, your schools and universities, come in the name of peace". "Come with Ukrainian symbols to support Ukraine, support freedom, and support life". He added, "Say that people matter. Freedom matters. Peace matters. Ukraine matters."
Since the war started, thousands of people have been killed and wounded and driven a quarter of Ukraine's population of 44 million from their homes. In the month-long conflict, NATO has estimated 7000 to 15000 Russian soldiers been killed, a stark contrast to 15000 soldiers lost in Afghanistan over ten years. Ukraine has disclosed little information over its military losses, and the West has not given an estimate. However, nearly two weeks ago, Zelenskyy informed about 1300 Ukrainian servicemen that have been killed.
By Deeplaxmi Patil - Batch 20-22
A Negotiation of Unequals: Peace On Putin’s Terms
Source: Newsweek
The major question right now as the world witnesses the destruction and bombardment of Ukrainian cities and civilian spots is what does Vladimir Putin want. Looking at present circumstances, Putin can clearly lay out his demands.
We regularly witness claims made about Ukrainian sovereignty, its independence and its freedom to choose what it wants. However, if we were to take lessons from history, freedom on paper is very different from freedom in reality. One would do well to remember the Melian dialogue where the Athenians said, 'since you know as well as we do that right as the world goes, is only in question between equals in power, while the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they want.'
For the President of Ukraine, the peace and ceasefire agreement might be a humiliation for his country as its terms have been recently stated - Ukraine ceding the annexed territory of Crimea and recognizing the independence of Luhansk and Donetsk in the ceasefire talks.
However, with the disparity in power between Russia and Ukraine, peace will not be restored until President Putin wants it. Ukraine can continue its struggle as its President always seems to indicate, but this seems unlikely to be a winning struggle and could worsen peace conditions. The options are very clear - humiliating surrender or a miserable defeat. We can only hope for the best.
By Rishav Gupta - Batch 21-23
North Korea test-launches its largest ICBM since 2017
Kim, dressed in a black leather jacket and sunglasses, oversaw the launch of the ICBM
Source: KCNA via Al Jazeera (https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/25/north-korea-confirms-icbm-test-warns-of-long-us-confrontation )
It was reported by Japan and South Korea's military on 24 March 2022 that North Korea had tested an extremely powerful banned intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Pyongyang later confirmed it to be a "new type" of ICBM called Hwasong-17. The missile flew 1,090 km, reaching an altitude of approximately 6,248 km, and fell in Japanese waters after a 67-minute flight. It was a first since 2017, though North Korea has tested nearly a dozen satellites and missiles since the start of this year.
The United States and South Korea have claimed that the tests carried out by North Korea in the last few weeks had not been satellite launches but trials for ICBM. South Korean President Moon Jae-in said that the launch was a "breach of the suspension of intercontinental ballistic missile launches promised by Chairman Kim Jong-un to the international community". UN chief Antonio Guterres condemned the launch by calling it a "clear violation" of the Security Council resolution that has prohibited North Korea from testing ballistic and nuclear weapons.
North Korea's official news agency, KCNA, reported that this ICBM was crucial to boost North Korea's defences and prepare for a "long confrontation" with the US. Washington has imposed new sanctions on North Korea while UN Security Council is set to hold an emergency meeting. However, given the divisions between the West and Russia, any condemnation or fresh sanctions will be difficult to achieve.
By Aarushi Gupta - Batch 20-22
Economic crisis aggravates in Sri Lanka
Source: https://www.financialexpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/sri-lanka-1.jpg
Sri Lanka is spiraling into debt yet again. The economic emergency that the government announced in September 2021 allowed the government to control the rising inflation, which has now spiked up to 14.2%. Like the early 1970s, the country is fighting once again for its survival amid crippling food shortages. Sri Lanka is heavily dependent on imports of food, medicines, pharmaceuticals, papers and transportation equipment. Due to a shortage of printing paper, the government had to cancel the school examinations last weekend. The only fuel refinery in Sri Lanka has run out of crude oil, making it heavily dependent on imports. Moreover, the pandemic skewered tourism, Sri Lanka’s primary foreign exchange-earners.
Sri Lanka’s debt payment is worth nearly $7 billion, which is due this year itself. Sri Lanka’s public debt rose to 119% of its GDP in 2021. In February, consumer prices rose by 15%, the fastest among Asian economies. Sri Lanka is hoping to seek assistance from India and China, the growing economies in the region. India has time and again aided its neighbour in such circumstances. India has helped Sri Lanka with $2.4 billion, including a $400-million currency swap and a $500-million loan deferment for two months since early 2022. Sri Lanka’s dire economic needs are forcing the citizens to flee to the southern states of India. On the other hand, China has turned its back on providing assistance to Sri Lanka, given the huge debt that Sri Lanka owes to China. The best way for Sri Lanka to dispose of its debt may be to secure dollar inflows from multilateral institutions.
By Priyanka Rane - Batch 20-22
Sugar Diplomacy between Russia, Georgia, and Brazil amid Russia-Ukraine crisis
An image depicting a ship docked with Sugar at Santos port on 22 February 2013
Source: Reuters
Sanctions imposed in response to Russia's annexation of Ukraine have increased demands for sugar and other food necessities, and shop shelves have been depleted due to food stockpiling. On the other hand, sanctions may make it more difficult for merchants to obtain reimbursement for their shipments. As per shipping data shown by Reuters, at least five vessels were carried to Russia with around 200,000 tonnes of Brazilian granulated sugar sold by European traders, roughly twice the country's usual annual imports of the sweetener. The sanctions do not apply to sugar shipments, although they do to monetary operations. Security concerns in the Black Sea, according to observers, could also stymie the ships.
Sucden is the most significant player in these arrangements, with one ship bound for Georgia and four others bound for Russia, carrying 188,250 tonnes of raw sugar. Louis Dreyfus Co and Tereos in Europe and Raizen in Brazil are others in the race. Concerns about cargo security and payments went unanswered by the company. According to the International Sugar Organization figures, Russia's expected purchase was roughly 100,000 tonnes of sugar from all suppliers throughout the entire year, not only from Brazil. In comparison, 130,000 tonnes were anticipated to be imported by Georgia.
Due to the conflict in Ukraine, which has shut down ports, and firms refusing to import certain goods from Russia, Black Sea maritime routes have become snarled. Russia-bound ships are awaiting confirmation to travel to the Novorossiysk port in Russia's Krasnodar Krai, which could deepen the threat and may lead to humanitarian loss.
By Vani Sharma - Batch 20-22
