Russian war against Ukraine: Present situation (Ukrainian Embassy in Tunisia)

MILITARY UPDATE

• In this war, Ukraine has the same goal – deoccupying all the territories within internationally recognized borders. Ukraine’s negotiating position is established in the 10 points of the “Peace Formula” of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Unfortunately, there is currently no actor on the Russian side capable of conducting constructive negotiations.
• The situation at the front may change for the better or for the worse, but Ukrainians have faith in their Defence Forces and work for the sake of Victory. Russians’ large-scale offensive, started at the turn of 2023/2024, is choking. Ukraine’s defence forces are stabilizing the front line. The Ukrainian command plans new counteroffensive operations in 2024.

INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT: NEW WARRANTS

• On March 5, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for the commander of the Black Sea Fleet of Russia Viktor Sokolov and the commander of the Russian long-range aviation Sergey Kobylash. Russian military commanders are suspected of committing war crimes against Ukrainian civilians. Russian war criminals Sokolov and Kobylash are now wanted in 124 countries that have ratified the Rome Statute.
• This is already the second major decision of the International Criminal Court in terms of the Russia-Ukraine war after it issued an arrest warrant for Putin and the so-called “child ombudsman” Lvova-Belova on March 17, 2023.
• ICC warrants are a clear signal to all representatives and accomplices of the Putin regime that they will be held responsible for the crimes they committed.

UKRAINE – AFRICA

• Ukraine left an indelible mark on Africa during the Soviet era. Ukrainian engineers built critical infrastructure – dams, power plants, and factories – laying the foundation for economic development across the continent. Ukraine played a pivotal role in shaping Africa’s future by educating not only tens of thousands of students but also a significant number of prominent leaders and professionals across the continent.
• Ukraine helped significantly assist the fight against famine and played an important role in dismantling apartheid. Today, Russia’s brutal aggression against Ukraine reveals stark hypocrisy, mirroring the very forces they once claimed to oppose and exposing the enduring neo-imperial and neocolonial ambitions of Russian leadership.
• Both Ukraine and many African nations share a complex history of fighting for freedom, independence and self-determination.