European Union nations reached a preliminary agreement to clear the way for Ukraine to receive aid from the bloc worth €18 billion ($19 billion), while French President Emmanuel Macron separately pledged $132 million of emergency help to the nation through the winter.
(Bloomberg) — European Union nations reached a preliminary agreement to clear the way for Ukraine to receive aid from the bloc worth €18 billion ($19 billion), while French President Emmanuel Macron separately pledged $132 million of emergency help to the nation through the winter.
“It’s up to Ukraine, which is the victim of this aggression, to decide on the conditions for a fair and lasting peace,” Macron told international donors conference in Paris on Tuesday, attended via video conference by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
Zelenskiy warned late Monday that a respite in Russian aerial assaults was likely an indication that Moscow is preparing a fresh wave of attacks.
(See RSAN on the Bloomberg Terminal for the Russian Sanctions Dashboard.)
Key Developments
- Macron Pledges $132 Million in Aid to Ukraine at Conference
- Corn in Longest Run of Gains Since August on Weather and Ukraine
- EU Breaks Logjam on Ukraine Aid With Deal on Funds for Hungary
- EU Seeks to Break Deadlock Over Capping Natural Gas Prices
- Russia, North Korea Restore Rail Trade Halted Since Early 2020
On the Ground
Russian forces are focusing on offensive operations on the Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiyivka and Zaporizhzhia axes, Ukraine’s General Staff said in a regular update. A bridge near the Russia-occupied city of Melitopol was damaged in an explosion Monday, according to local authorities. Russia continued shelling the southern city of Kherson, according to the Ukrainian military.
(All times CET)
UK Sanctions Russians, Iranians After Ukraine Strikes (12:22 p.m.)
The UK government announced sanctions targeting Russian commanders, Iranian businessmen and officials involved in the production and supply of drones to the Kremlin, according to a statement.
UK Sanctions Russians, Iranians After Ukraine Strikes
Nestle Launches New Production in Ukraine (11:57 a.m)
Nestle plans a new production site in the town of Smolyhiv in the north-western Volyn region, the company said in a statement. It will invest 40 million Swiss francs ($42.7m) in a noodle production facility that will employ 1,500 people.
Russia Ties Can be Renewed Post-War, Scholz Says (11:30 a.m.)
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said it’s important that Russian citizens realize that economic ties with the west can be expanded again once the war ends, though he cautioned that this likely won’t happen anytime soon.
“One thing is clear: at present, the relations we had are being scaled back, scaled back and scaled back,” Scholz said late Monday in a speech in Berlin. “But a Russia that ends the war, and citizens in Russia who want a different future for themselves, also need the chance that in another time it will be possible to start economic cooperation again,” he added. “Only: that is not now.”
Meloni Vows to Send More Arms to Ukraine as War Drags on (10:48 a.m.)
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Italy will continue to support Ukraine militarily, since there are no signs Russia’s invasion of the country will ease anytime soon.
“The possibility of a cease-fire seems very limited, and while we support efforts in that direction in the meantime we need to continue to fully support Ukraine,” Meloni told Rome lawmakers ahead of an EU summit this week, the first she will attend as prime minister.
Ukraine Needs 1.5 billion Euro for Urgent Energy Fixes (10:47 a.m.)
Ukraine needs some €1.5 billion for urgent repairs to its energy system, which has been battered by Russian attacks — as well as energy equipment and electricity from the EU worth €800 million, Zelenskiy said in a video address to a conference in Paris.
“This is significant, but significantly less than the cost of a blackout in Ukraine,” Zelenskiy said. About 12 million people in Kyiv and in almost all regions of the country are cut off from electricity supply, according to Zelenskiy. “This is a typical situation for us. Every day we expect Russian strikes that can increase the number of outages.”
Eight Ships With Food Leave Odesa (9:53 a.m.)
Eight ships carrying 238,600 tons of agriculture products — part of the Black Sea Grain Initiative — left Odesa ports for Asia and Europe, the Ukrainian Infrastructure Ministry said on Telegram. Another 23 ships are currently in Odesa ports and are being loaded with 690,000 tons of food.
Russia Claims Ukraine Shelled City Klintsy, RIA Novosti Says (8:53 a.m.)
Ukrainian forces fired a rocket at the town of Klintsy in Russia, RIA Novosti reported, citing local authorities.
Klintsy is strategically situated 40 kilometers (25 miles) from both Belarus and Russia near a key supply route for Russian troops in Belarus. The Ukrainian side hasn’t commented on the reports.
Belarus Begins Snap Military Check (8:52 a.m.)
President Alexander Lukashenko ordered to a snap check of his armed forces’ military readiness, the country’s Defense Ministry said on Telegram.
Measures will involve organizing pontoon bridges over the Neman and Berezina rivers, as well as the movement of troops via main roads in unspecified locations, limiting public traffic. The military checkup is happening amid a renewed Russian military buildup in the country, which borders Ukraine.
All Nuclear Units Controlled by Ukraine Back in Operation (7:26 a.m)
All nine units at nuclear power plants located on the territory controlled by Ukraine are now back in operation, the Energy Ministry said.
The country’s energy system was hit in eight massive missile and drone attacks over the last few months that damaged almost half of the nation’s energy facilities. Ukraine now operates three nuclear power plants.
EU Nations in Deal to Allow Ukraine Aid (12:20 a.m.)
EU countries reached their preliminary deal on Ukraine aid after Hungary dropped its opposition in exchange for a reduction in penalties over graft concerns.
Hungary had been vetoing an €18 billion support package for Ukraine, a measure that requires the consent of all 27 EU members. As part of the deal struck among EU ambassadors, Hungary removed its block on the money.
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