Iruni Kalupahana JadeTimes Staff
I. Kalupahana is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Russia-Ukraine war
Strengthening Borders in Eastern Europe
The major defense initiatives are being pursued by the NATO members comprising Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland in order to strengthen their borders with Russia and Belarus. According to officials in Estonia, these countries will seek funding from the European Union for building a network of bunkers, barriers, distribution lines, and military warehouses. Up to now, the plan presents what was called the "Baltic Defence Line," first introduced by the Baltic nations themselves this January, while Poland announced a similar project called the "Eastern Shield" in May. The projects are part of a broader drive to increase security because of continuing tensions.
The defense line is essential for the current security situation, and it also corresponds to the forward defense concept of NATO," highlighted Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur. "Coordination with Poland will be fundamental." This shift does not only solidify the borders of the Baltic countries but also strengthens the security of the European Union. Pevkur says this is a project which should be financed by the EU because it's so important for regional defense.
Russian Attacks on Ukrainian Civilians
In the prolonged fighting between Russia and Ukraine, at least nine were killed in two successive Russian attacks on a hospital in the city of Sumy. The first shelling killed one person and significantly destroyed the hospital, but during the patients' evacuation, the Russian troops attacked again and caused even more deaths. Ukrainian authorities reported at least 12 injured during these attacks. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denounced the attack, saying such actions testify that Russia strikes at hospitals deliberately, at civilian areas, and the lives of people.
Comments by Zelenskyy followed his meeting with Donald Trump in New York, where he repeated that only strength can bring peace. At least seven other civilians have been killed in separate Russian missile and air strikes over the last 24 hours across Kryvyi Rih, Kherson, Donetsk, and Odesa, Ukrainian authorities said, injuring many more. The near constant bombardments have destroyed large swaths of the country and killed thousands of people.
Nord Stream Pipeline Dispute
Russia is preparing to sue over the September 2022 explosions that damaged the Nord Stream pipeline. Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said pre trial claims had been filed against Denmark, Germany, Sweden and Switzerland. Moscow sees the explosions, which took place seven months after Russia invaded Ukraine, as an act of international terrorism. Zakharova accused the West of attempting to hush up the incident and said Russia would seek clarity in court.
The blasts heavily impacted the multibillion dollar pipeline, which is very significant and vitally needed to carry natural gas between Russia and Europe. Since then, the disruption in the Nord Stream pipeline has become one more point of tension between Russia and Western countries, further complicating diplomatic relations amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
International Reactions to Russia’s Ongoing Conflict
The war against Ukraine by Russia has been uproarious, especially as the Russian army continued with attacks on civilian infrastructure that include, but are not limited to, hospitals, schools, and residential areas. Many heads of states from around the world labeled it as war crimes in breach of international law and humanitarian principles.
It has also meant the increased military assistance from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom to Ukraine and NATO members in their advanced defense systems air missiles, drones, and heavy artillery. NATO is sending more troops and equipment to Eastern Europe as a counterreaction. The European Union also expanded financial aid to Ukraine, announcing billions of dollars in assistance to Ukraine to reinforce its economy and military effort. An increasingly firm international community seemed ready to support the defense of Ukraine.
