Every day, Midi Libre takes stock of the situation in Ukraine. This Friday, May 3, 2024, discover the latest news around this conflict.
The Kremlin denounces the “dangerous” remarks of Macron and Cameron
The Kremlin ruled on Friday “very dangerous” Emmanuel Macron’s comments on sending Western ground troops to Ukraine and accused the head of British diplomacy, David Cameron, of fueling a “escalation” in the conflict. In an interview with The Economist published this Thursday, May 2, 2024, the French president reiterates his controversial proposal to send ground troops to Ukraine if the Russian army were to “break through the front lines”. “If the Russians were to break through the front lines, if there was a Ukrainian request – which is not the case today – we should legitimately ask ourselves the question”, he said in particular. Emmanuel Macron invites not to “discard a priori” this option, explaining that it is a question of learning lessons from the early stages of the conflict.
NATO countries had in fact ruled out supplying tanks and planes to Ukraine in the war between it and Russia since February 2022, before changing their minds. “This is a very important and very dangerous statement”reacted Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov during a press briefing. “France, he continued, through its head of state, continues to talk about the possibility of its direct involvement, on the ground, in the conflict in Ukraine.” Visiting Kyiv on Thursday, British Foreign Minister David Cameron announced an additional envelope of 500 million pounds sterling (nearly 590 million euros) to provide ammunition and weapons to Ukraine.
He said that London would bring together its international partners in June to raise more funds for Ukraine. The International Fund for Ukraine, established in 2022, brings together the United Kingdom, Norway, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Lithuania, Iceland, Australia and New Zealand. Faced with Russian drone attacks, the United Kingdom insists on the need to supply the Ukrainian army with precision-guided bombs, anti-aircraft defense modules and missiles. David Cameron estimated that the weapons thus supplied by the United Kingdom could be used “to strike in Russia since Russia strikes in Ukraine”. Dmitry Peskov denounced “a direct escalation”deploring worrying remarks which could endanger the European security architecture
Ukraine could end up starting talks with Russia
Ukraine will have to, at some point, begin talks with Russia to end the war between them, a Ukrainian intelligence official said in an interview published Thursday. Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky has repeatedly rejected any talks with the Kremlin, including signing a decree in 2022 officially declaring any negotiations “impossible”. General Vadym Skibitsky, number two in the Ukrainian military intelligence directorate (HUR), told The Economist that discussions would be necessary at some point, as is the case in any war. “General Skibitsky says he does not see how Ukraine could win the war on the battlefield alone. Even if it were able to push back Russian forces to its borders – an increasingly distant prospect – that would not end the war”writes the review.
“Such wars can only be concluded through treaties,” he says. Currently, both sides are striving to achieve the ‘most favorable position’ before possible talks. But he assumes that serious negotiations cannot begin until the second half of 2025 at the earliest., indicates The Economist. Volodimir Zelensky and other officials said Russia would not be invited to the peace summit scheduled to be held in Switzerland in June. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitro Kuleba said this week in an interview with Foreign Policy magazine that the goal of the June summit was “to bring together countries that share approaches and principles on which they can take other actions”.
“Then communication with Russia could be possible and Russia could participate in the negotiations. Because, you are right, ultimately it is not possible to end the war without both sides.” Volodimir Zelensky said in his daily address on Thursday evening that the June meeting would be “the first real chance to begin to restore a just peace”.
“All our positions, whether on the battlefield or in terms of diplomacy and intelligence, must be strong now”he said. “Our strength, our capabilities, our weapons, our unity with our partners, all of this must work in unison. And it will work.”
A group of Russian hackers controlled
This Friday, May 3, 2024, the German and Czech governments accused a group of Russian hackers controlled by Moscow of a recent campaign of cyberattacks in their countries, “malicious behavior” to which the EU promised a firm response. Since the start of the Russian invasion in Ukraine in February 2022, Western countries have been on high alert against the risk of massive computer attacks and disinformation operations orchestrated by Russia.
The latest, revealed jointly by Berlin and Prague, is attributed to the APT28 group “which is run by the intelligence services of Russia”declared the head of German diplomacy, Annalena Baerbock, on Friday. “In other words, this was a Russian-backed cyberattack against Germany and it is absolutely intolerable and unacceptable.”said the minister.
The German government announced in the morning the summons of the charge d’affaires of the Russian embassy, “to make the Russian government understand that we do not accept these actions”. “We will use a range of measures to deter and respond to Russia’s aggressive behavior”warned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
American diplomacy also condemned this Friday the cyberattacks targeting several European countries and attributed responsibility to Russia. The latter judged “unfounded” the accusations.
