While the Russian Chancellor, Sergey Lavrov, accuses the West of wanting to destroy Russia “like Napoleon and Hitler”, Giorgia Meloni confirms the sending of the Samp-T missile defense system to Ukraine and the willingness to visit Kiev. “President Zelensky invited me again – she explained at the end of the extraordinary European Council -, he especially wants us to be present”.
Meanwhile, Russia intensifies its attacks on the regions of Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia and Donbass. But according to Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the mercenary company Wagner, the full ‘liberation’ of the self-proclaimed republics of Donetsk and Luhansk will take “at least another year and a half or two”. A period of time that could be extended to three years if Russia tried to get “as far as the Dnieper”.
Thus, expectations are growing for the speech announced by the Kremlin that Vladimir Putin will deliver in parliament on February 21, a few days before the anniversary of the beginning of the war in Ukraine. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov explains that Putin will focus on “the special military operation and the economy”. In those same days, the President of the United States, Joe Biden, will be in Poland, from February 20th to 22nd. White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed rumors of a possible visit on the anniversary of the Russian invasion.
On the ground, Kiev denounces massive attacks by Moscow and the passage of two Russian missiles over Moldovan and Romanian airspace before entering Ukrainian skies at the border point between the three countries. Moldova, where pro-Western Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita resigned today, confirms. But Bucharest does not, and only states that “the trajectory point closest to Romanian airspace was recorded by radar systems approximately 35 kilometers northeast of the border”. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reacted angrily, calling Moscow’s move “a challenge to NATO and collective security. A terror that must be stopped.”
That’s why Ukraine continues to push for fighter jets from Western partners. “Enough of words and political hesitation, we need clear and quick decisions,” thunders Mykhailo Podolyak, an influential adviser to President Zelensky. “Long-range missiles and jet fighters”, Kiev’s request, otherwise “genocide cannot be stopped”. The first country to receive an official request in this regard is the Netherlands. Ukraine would like to have its F-16 fighters. Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren confirms that she has received Kiev’s request, but goes no further. That Europe, despite Zelensky’s efforts, is still lukewarm in this respect is also confirmed by French President Emmanuel Macron. “I do not rule out absolutely anything”, but the fighter jets requested by Ukraine cannot “under any circumstances” be delivered “in the coming weeks”, and this “does not coincide with today’s needs”.
Source: IL Tempo
John Cameron is a journalist at The Nation View specializing in world news and current events, particularly in international politics and diplomacy. With expertise in international relations, he covers a range of topics including conflicts, politics and economic trends.
