Russian invasion Russian reactions, The outside world's response

Ukrainian soldiers in Bachmut, stock image. LIBKOS / AP 

The Russian invasion. The outside world's response 

Task: The US steps up military training in Germany  

The Pentagon wants U.S. military training of Ukrainian troops at a base in Germany to be increased from current levels, the New York Times reports.  

According to sources, President Joe Biden earlier this week gave the go-ahead for a venture where between 600 and 800 Ukrainian soldiers are trained at the base every month. The plan is renewed efforts starting at the beginning of next year. 

 US military has previously trained around 300 Ukrainian soldiers monthly. It is about education abroad. The British Army has been offering on-site training in the UK for months. 

Vladimir Putin. Sergei Bobylev / AP  

Russian invasionRussian reactions  

Putin turns to the East to round off Western sanctions  

Russia wants to expand trade cooperation with countries in the East as a response to Western economic sanctions, Reuters reports.  

In a televised speech, President Vladimir Putin says he will lift certain logistical and financial restrictions and increase gas sales to his partners in Asia, Africa and Latin America. He also reiterated his plan to build a "gas hub" in Turkey. 

Russia's gas sales to Europe have fallen sharply since the war in Ukraine broke out. According to Putin, the country's economy is expected to shrink by 2.5 percent in 2022.  

More Patriot system/Dmitriy Peskov. TT  

The Russian invasion. The outside world's response  

Kremlin: Patriot systems in Ukraine become legitimate targets  

Any Patriot systems the US sends to Ukraine become legitimate military targets for Russia to attack. This was said by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Wednesday, Reuters reports. Meanwhile, the Russian embassy in Washington says the proposed Patriot deliveries are "provocative" and could lead to "unpredictable consequences." 

Patriot is one of the US's most advanced air defense systems. Previously, the country did not want to send the system to Ukraine, but in recent days, several major media outlets have announced that the US government has swung and that a decision could be made as early as this week.

The Russian InvasionThe Battles 

  

Ukraine believes that Russia is planning a new Kyiv offensive  

 

Ukrainian representatives fear that Russian troops will make another attempt to attack the capital Kyiv in the spring. In an interview with The Economist, Valery Zaluzny, the head of Ukraine's armed forces, says that several offensives can be expected early next year, including against the capital. 

 

According to Ukraine, Russia is preparing to deploy 200,000 new troops.  

 

- I have no doubt that they will make another attempt against Kyiv, says Zaluznyj.  

 

In parallel, sources tell Politico that the US plans to increase its military support, beyond the Patriot air defense system that will reportedly be sent.  

 

Early in the invasion, Russia made unsuccessful attempts to encircle Kyiv.  According to their own statement, they then left the entire region to instead focus on the battles in the east.

 

Joakim Paasikivi/A Patriot system TT  

 

The Russian invasion. The outside world's response 

"Patriot a complement but not a game changer"  

 

Even if the US were to send the Patriot air defense system to Ukraine, as many now suggest, it may be a long time before it can be put into service. This is what lieutenant colonel Joakim Paasikivi says to SvD.  When Sweden bought Patriot, it took almost a year to get the system operational, says Paasikivi.  

 

Even US General Mark Milley has emphasized that extensive training and knowledge acquisition is required before Patriot can be effectively coordinated with other systems.  

 

According to Paasikivi, another question is where in the country any Patriot systems should be placed. They will not be able to protect the entire country, he points out. 

 

- The availability of Patriot is like a layer of the onion and a supplement in the war, but not a "game changer",