2023: Fresh U.S. $3 Bn Ukraine Military Package Announced, New Russian Offensive Expected

NEW DELHI: On ‘The Gist‘, from Vienna, Velina Tchakarova, Director of the Austrian Institute for European & Security Policy in conversation with StratNews Global Associate Editor Amitabh P. Revi.
Velina Tchakarova discusses the 2023 outlook in the Russia-Ukraine war, the latest claim and counterclaim with Ukraine denying the Russian military statement on missile strikes killing 600 Ukrainian troops in Kramatorsk, in eastern Donetsk, the Ukrainian attack in Makiivka, in which at least 89 Russian soldiers died, the ceasefire that President Vladimir Putin announced for orthodox christmas even while continuing strikes through December 25th and the New Year, Ukraine saying it is repelling constant Russian attacks on Bakhmut and other towns in the eastern region of Donbas, reports that a fresh Russian offensive will come this year in the run-up to the first anniversary of the invasion, Putin’s virtual meeting with Xi Jinping, an expected in-person meet, the Russia-China ‘no limits’ partnership, joint naval exercises, the energy crisis, crude oil prices, the western oil price cap, India position of strategic autonomy, Prime Minister Modi telling President Putin that “this is not the era for war” and External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar’s statements and interviews during his first interactions of 2023 in Austria, the Russia-Belarus alliance, President Lukashenko and fears of a nuclear escalation.