Crisis in Ukraine:
Daily Briefing
3 September, 7 PM
Kyiv time
1. Russian invasion of Ukraine
The National Security and Defense Council (RNBO) reported at 12PM Kyiv
time that Anti-Terrorism Operation (ATO) forces have carried out a
redeployment, established new lines and have switched to active defense. Over
100 Russian mercenaries were killed in an airstrike on a Kremlin-backed
terrorist base by Ukrainian forces near Snizhne. In the ATO zone, Russians have
begun to loot mines and transport coal from Ukrainian mines to Russia. The RNBO
stated that despite the fact that many civilians remain in cities and towns,
Russian soldiers and Kremlin-backed terrorists continue to shell towns in
Donetsk and Luhansk oblast. On 2 September, Kremlin-backed terrorists shelled
Popasna, Luhansk oblast; civilians were forced to flee the city. The RNBO
stated at 5PM Kyiv time that they are “seeing a reduction in military activity,
including the use of artillery and other heavy weapons.”
2. Obama: NATO must send “unmistakable message in support
of Ukraine”
US President B. Obama, speaking in Tallinn ahead of the
Wales NATO Summit (4-5 September) stated,
“Because of the work of generations, because we’ve stood together in a great alliance, because people across this continent have forged a European Union dedicated to cooperation and peace, we have made historic progress toward the vision we share -- a Europe that is whole and free and at peace. And yet, as we gather here today, we know that this vision is threatened by Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. It is a brazen assault on the territorial integrity of Ukraine -- a sovereign and independent European nation. It challenges that most basic of principles of our international system -- that borders cannot be redrawn at the barrel of a gun; that nations have the right to determine their own future. It undermines an international order where the rights of peoples and nations are upheld and can’t simply be taken away by brute force. This is what’s at stake in Ukraine. This is why we stand with the people of Ukraine today…It was not the government in Kyiv that destabilized eastern Ukraine; it’s been the pro-Russian separatists who are encouraged by Russia, financed by Russia, trained by Russia, supplied by Russia and armed by Russia. And the Russian forces that have now moved into Ukraine are not on a humanitarian or peacekeeping mission. They are Russian combat forces with Russian weapons in Russian tanks. Now, these are the facts. They are provable. They’re not subject to dispute… And just as we never accepted the occupation and illegal annexation of the Baltic nations, we will not accept Russia’s occupation and illegal annexation of Crimea or any part of Ukraine…
[W]e must continue to stand united against Russia’s aggression in Ukraine…So the United States will continue to help Ukraine reform -- to escape a legacy of corruption and build democratic institutions, to grow its economy, and, like other European nations, diversify its energy sources, because no country should ever be held hostage to another nation that wields energy like a weapon…We’ll continue to offer training and assistance to help the Ukrainian military grow stronger as they defend their country. And since ultimately there is no military solution to this crisis, we will continue to support President Poroshenko’s efforts to achieve peace. Because, like all independent nations, Ukraine must be free to decide its own destiny. And this week, NATO must send an unmistakable message in support of Ukraine as well. Our Alliance has had a partnership with Ukraine for more than 20 years. Ukrainian forces have served with distinction in NATO operations in the Balkans and Afghanistan. So in Wales, we’ll meet as an Alliance with President Poroshenko to show that our 28 nations are united in support of Ukraine’s sovereignty and right to defend its territory. Now, Ukraine needs more than words. NATO needs to make concrete commitments to help Ukraine modernize and strengthen its security forces.”
3. Ukrainian and Russian Presidents discuss ceasefire
Ukrainian President P. Poroshenko and Russian President V.
Putin held a phone conversation. According to the press service of the
Ukrainian President, “The conversation resulted in an agreement on ceasefire
regime in the Donbas. The parties reached mutual understanding on the steps
that will facilitate the establishment of peace.” Poroshenko stated that that
he expects the Trilateral Contact Group to begin negotiations on Friday on the
peaceful regulation of the situation in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, and that
“I have great hope that in Minsk on Friday the peace process will finally
start…The entire world knows that Ukraine is a country that strictly complies
with obligations, international law, and today is the object of aggression by a
neighboring state.”
4. Putin’s seven-point “peace” plan
Russian President Putin today again denied that Russia’s
army has invaded Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, in the same way he denied Russia
had invaded Crimea, before later admitting to it. Putin told journalists, “I
did speak with President Poroshenko this morning, and it seemed to me at any
rate that our views on how to settle the conflict are very close, as the
diplomats say. Putin identified a 7 point plan as follows: First, end active
offensive operations by armed forces, armed units and militia groups in
southeast Ukraine in the Donetsk and Luhansk areas. Second, withdraw Ukrainian
armed forces units to a distance that would make it impossible to fire on
populated areas using artillery and all types of multiple launch rocket
systems. Third, allow for full and objective international monitoring of
compliance with the ceasefire and monitoring of the situation in the safe zone
created by the ceasefire. Fourth, exclude all use of military aircraft against
civilians and populated areas in the conflict zone. Fifth, organise the
exchange of individuals detained by force on an ‘all for all’ basis without any
preconditions. Sixth, open humanitarian corridors for refugees and for
delivering humanitarian cargoes to towns and populated areas in Donbass –
Donetsk and Luhansk Regions. Seventh, make it possible for repair brigades
to come to damaged settlements in the Donbass region in order to repair and
rebuild social facilities and life-supporting infrastructure and help the
region to prepare for the winter.”
5. Ukrainian PM: Putin’s “peace” plan an attempt to
freeze conflict in Eastern Ukraine
Ukrainian Prime Minister A. Yatsenyuk stated that the “
‘Seven points’ suggested by the Russian President, allegedly to resolve the
crisis in Ukraine, remarkably imply the plan of salvation for the Russian terrorists…This
is yet another ‘plan’ – an attempt to confuse the international community
before the NATO summit [to] try to avoid the inevitable decisions of the
European Union on imposing a new wave of sanctions against Russia…All
previously approved by Russia understandings – in Geneva, Normandy, Berlin,
Minsk – were just ignored or violated blatantly by the Russian regime. The best
plan to stop [the] war of Russia against Ukraine can be comprised of [only one]
point: Russia withdraws their regular troops, mercenaries and terrorists from
Ukrainian territory, then peace will be reinstated in Ukraine.”
6. European Commission adopts further
restrictive measures against Russia for consideration by member states
The European Commission adopted for
consideration by member states of the EU proposals for the EU to take
“significant further steps” on restrictive measures against Russia. “The
proposals complement those adopted on 31 July and regard access to capital
markets, defence, dual use goods and sensitive technologies.” The proposals
will now be considered by member states of the EU.
7. UCC President: “Ukraine needs NATO’s
weapons, not its words”
Ukrainian Canadian Congress National President
Paul Grod stated in the Globe and Mail, “Moscow’s aggression in Ukraine
can only be stopped with a strong and unwavering response from NATO and the G7
countries that make it prohibitive for Russia to continue. This includes:
decisive sectoral economic sanctions – particularly against the financial,
defense and energy sectors; political isolation of Mr. Putin; and military
support to Ukraine.”
The full article is available at http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-debate/ukraine-needs-natos-weapons-not-its-words/article20321269/#dashboard/follows/
Taras Zalusky, Executive Director
Ukrainian Canadian Congress
(613) 232-8822
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