The Russian invasion. The outside world's response

 

The Russian invasion. The outside world's response  

Analysis: Putin has played his card - it hasn't worked  

 

Unity within the EU seems to be faltering based on the ninth package of sanctions against Russia. This is written by Reuters' John O'donnell, who notes in an analysis how the Baltic states pushed for tougher measures, while a number of other countries adopted a different stance.  

 

Reaching consensus seems to be more difficult now compared to earlier during the Russian invasion, he writes. It is exemplified by how Hungary's Viktor Orbán at home campaigned against sanctions through posters illustrating how Hungary's economy is being bombed, as a kind of Russian response.  

 

The Telegraph's Matthew Lynn attacks the economic consequences of the invasion in a very different way. Energy prices in Europe may have skyrocketed with cut-off Russian supplies, but despite recent low temperatures, European lights are on and factories are up and running.  

 

Lynn writes that this should be the week when Vladimir Putin toasts with vodka as he has brought Europe to its knees with his "energy card". But that has not been the case, he says. 

 

"[T]his has failed and he cannot play it again."

 

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen and Russian president Vladimir Putin. TT 

 

The Russian invasion. The outside world's response  

EU imposes sanctions on banks and 190 individuals 

  

As announced, the EU introduces a ninth package of sanctions against Russia. In a press release, the European Commission writes that the measures include three new banks, 168 entities in technology that can be used for military purposes, four new media channels and an extended export ban for the aerospace industry, such as drones.  

 

In addition, new investments in the Russian mining sector are prohibited, but with the exception of metals and minerals deemed important for the EU.  

 

A total of 190 individuals and organizations are put on the sanctions list, which thus includes 1,557 people, notes Direkt. Among other things, it concerns people who are responsible for the looting of Ukrainian agricultural products, the shelling of civilians and the kidnapping of children.

 

The Russian invasion. The outside world's response  

Biden aides believe Ukraine has the capacity to seize control of the Crimean 

 

Peninsula An employee of President Joe Biden's staff has said in front of parts of the US Congress that Ukraine's army is capable of retaking the Crimean Peninsula, which was annexed by Russia in 2014. This is written by NBC, whose reporting is based on sources. 

 

It is said to have been stated on a straight question at a briefing on American support to the country, in which several members of Congress participated, two sources state.  

 

At the same time, it is said that Ukraine does not aim to regain the peninsula in the near future, and there is also nothing to indicate that such an offensive is imminent. Officials have also expressed concern that such an offensive could lead to Russian President Vladimir Putin using nuclear weapons    

 

Archive image. Robot is pushed away in Donetsk. Alexei Alexandrov / AP  

 

The Russian InvasionThe Battles Several 

Ukrainian cities without electricity: "Under massive attack"  

 

The air raid sirens sound all over Ukraine and there are reports of explosions in several cities and regions, writes the Kyiv Independent. Up to 60 Russian robots have been fired into Ukrainian airspace, according to Mykolayiv Governor Vitaly Kim.  

 

The mayor of Kharkiv says that critical infrastructure is under attack and that the city is without power, writes Reuters. Similar reports come from the northern city of Sumy, the southern region of Odesa and the capital Kyiv. The attacks also knocked out all electricity in the eastern city of Poltava, local authorities said. 

 

"Ukraine is under massive attack," Kyiv Governor Oleksiy Kuleba writes on Telegram.  

 

At the same time, the Russian news agency Tass writes that at least eight people have been killed and 23 injured in Ukrainian shelling of the village of Lantrativka in the Russian-controlled region of Luhansk.  

 

Oleksіj Reznіkov and a Ukrainian tank. AP  

 

The Russian InvasionThe Battles  

Ukraine: The Kremlin is planning a major offensive after the New Year  

 

Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksіj Reznіkov warns that the Kremlin is preparing a new broad offensive that is likely to be launched early next year. In an interview with The Guardian, Reznіkov says Russia still has half of its roughly 300,000 mobilized population left to commit to the war. 

 

But while the first half received "minimal training," the rest have been carefully prepared, according to Reznіkov. 

 

- They started their training at different bases. It takes at least three months to get them ready. This means that they are likely to try to start the next phase of the offensive in February. That is their plan, he says.  

 

Several Ukrainian military leaders as well as President Zelenskyi have issued similar warnings. Reznikov also believes that Russia will expand its mobilization further next year and likens the tactic to a "meat grinder", throwing as many people as possible into battle in the hope of overwhelming the Ukrainians.  

 

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Illustration image. Virginia Mayo / AP  

 

The Russian invasion. The outside world's response  

The EU has agreed on a ninth sanctions package  

 

The ambassadors of the EU countries have agreed in principle on a ninth sanctions package against Russia. The Czech Republic, the country holding the presidency of the Council of Ministers, confirmed this on Twitter late on Thursday evening.  

 

The details of the sanctions will be presented on Friday. In the past, information has abounded about, among other things, sanctions against several banks, Russian television companies, political parties and the intelligence service GRU, writes TT. It also reportedly contains import bans for metals, drones, underwater vehicles, and certain electronic components, writes Direkt.  

 

Just as before, the EU is also expected to freeze assets for several individuals. The sanctions package is supposed to come into effect the week before Christmas. 

   

Liquid natural gas arrives at the German port of Wilhelmshaven on Thursday. Sina Schuldt / AP  

 

The Russian invasion The energy crisis in Europe  

12 percent of German GDP is used to cover the gas crisis  

 

Germany's gas bill for various support measures is now up to 440 billion euros since Russia invaded Ukraine almost ten months ago, Reuters calculates. This corresponds to roughly SEK 4,800 billion.  

 

Per day, this means a gas cost of 1.5 billion euros, or approximately 12 percent of the country's GDP.  

 

The German Bundestag voted on Thursday for a price cap on gas up to and including April 2024, and on Friday the Bundesrat is also expected to approve the proposal.