President Zelenskyy stated the need to end the war diplomatically next year. He noted Russia's significant losses of 1,500-2,000 troops daily and the wait for manned brigades.
Ukraine must do everything to ensure that the war ends next year through diplomatic means. This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an interview with Suspilne on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Ukrainian Radio, UNN reports .
Details
Asked whether the pace of Russian advance would continue, Zelenskyy replied: “They have losses of 1,500-2,000 wounded and killed per day. They cannot keep advancing with such losses. And in some areas, you can already see how the advance has slowed down. Now the reserves and manned brigades we have been waiting for for so long will be able to stop them. But we have to understand what the Russians want.
Zelensky noted that Russia does not value its people, it does not care how many die.
And on our part, we must do everything to ensure that the war ends next year. Through diplomatic means. This is very important
– Zelensky said.
AddendumAddendum
Zelenskyy reportedthat there is a slow, but nevertheless, pressure and advance of the Russians in eastern Ukraine. According to him, this is due to the slow equipping of brigades with weapons and training of the military.
Zelenskyy also stated that negotiations with Russia are possible provided that Kyiv is not alone with Moscow and that Ukraine is strong. And that the position of US President-elect Donald Trump is very important.
Russia has lost 719,240 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on Nov. 15.
This number includes 1,650 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
According to the report, Russia has also lost 9,338 tanks, 18,994 armored fighting vehicles, 29,236 vehicles and fuel tanks, 20,520 artillery systems, 1,252 multiple launch rocket systems, 999 air defense systems, 369 airplanes, 329 helicopters, 18,914 drones, 28 ships and boats, and one submarine.
The President of Ukraine outlined key conditions for possible negotiations with Russia. Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's position and America's support.
Negotiations with Russia are possible provided that Kyiv is not alone with Moscow and that Ukraine is strong. And the position of US President-elect Donald Trump is very important. This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an interview with Ukrainian Radio, according to a correspondent of UNN.
Provided that Ukraine is not alone with the Russian Federation. Provided that Ukraine is strong. What kind of negotiations can we have with a murderer? If we are talking simply with Putin, simply with a murderer, and we are in the conditions we are in now, without strengthening some important elements, then I believe that this is a losing status of these negotiations for Ukraine at the entrance. It will not be about a fair end to the war and not about a fair peace for Ukraine and the whole world
– Zelensky answered the question under what conditions negotiations between Ukraine and Russia are possible.
The President emphasized that "in a weak situation, there is nothing to do in these negotiations.
Trump on Russia's war against Ukraine: “It has to stop”Nov 15 2024, 06:16 AM • 99262 views
"That is why Donald Trump's position is very important. America's attitude towards Ukraine is very important… They are on the side of Ukraine today," Zelenskyy said.
"That's why mediation always poses certain challenges for me. Anyone can be a mediator, but you cannot say in the abstract: I am a mediator, so I cannot choose one side or the other. No, it cannot be like that in unconditional values and in violation of international law. America must maintain its position of support for Ukraine in that Russia is an aggressor, it has violated our territorial integrity and international law, and this status must remain," the President said.
Trump will be interested in maximum communication with Ukraine – PodoliakNov 7 2024, 06:49 AM • 44194 views
The President noted that maintaining the US position of supporting Ukraine is one of the points "at the entrance" that is very important to any negotiation platform.
To a clarifying question, whether Trump made a demand for Ukraine to participate in negotiations with Russia, Zelenskyy answered: "We are an independent country. And we, during this war, are our people, and I am personally in negotiations with the United States, and with Trump, and with Biden, and with European leaders – proved that the rhetoric of "sit and listen" does not work with us."
At the same time, according to the President, under the Trump administration, "the war will end faster."
Donald Trump's entrance into the White House on Jan. 20 promises to offer a seismic shift in the U.S.'s approach to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and a potential "freezing" of the war.
Trump has repeatedly pledged to end the war within "24 hours," sparking fears he might push Ukraine toward painful territorial concessions to achieve a quick peace deal that could be favorable to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Although he hasn't provided any details about how he will achieve a swift peace deal, multiple media reports indicate his plan could entail freezing the war, suspending Ukraine's NATO accession, and establishing a demilitarized zone in the east of the country.
A lot could change before the change in administrations, and both Ukraine and Russia will be seeking to enter any potential freezing of the front lines, and the negotiations that would follow in the strongest possible position.
With a battlefield situation currently bending in Russia’s favor, Moscow is likely hoping that recapturing territory from Ukrainian troops in its Kursk region, pushing further into eastern Ukraine, and opening a new axis in Zaporizhzhia Oblast could give it the upper hand before Trump takes office.
Kursk
One of the most pressing concerns for Putin will be the sizable number of Ukrainian troops still on Russian soil in Kursk Oblast.
Kyiv launched a surprise offensive into Kursk Oblast in August, swiftly moving to capture around 1,000 square kilometers of Russian territory. Russian forces have taken back about half since then and are moving to recapture the rest.
"From what I've seen, there seems to be this belief that he's told his military, that they have to take Kursk (back) by the beginning of the year," Dr. Stephen Hall, lecturer in Russian and post-Soviet politics at the University of Bath, told the Kyiv Independent.
And all the signs point towards this — on Nov. 11, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukrainian soldiers are holding off nearly 50,000 troops in the Kursk region, including a sizeable contingent of North Koreans.
Fighting there will likely be fierce — if Ukraine can hold on until Trump takes office, it could make the idea of Putin agreeing to any proposal to freeze the war unfeasible. Freezing the war with a front line inside Russia would likely be a non-starter for the Kremlin.
"Russia has amassed forces and will use the same tactics as in Donbas — artillery and glide bombs to smash Ukrainian defenses, before small-scale infantry assaults," John Foreman, the U.K.'s former defense attache in Moscow from 2019 to 2022, told the Kyiv Independent.
"It's not pretty but it has been effective."
Swedish-made Archer howitzer, operated by Ukrainian members of the 45th Artillery Brigade, fires toward Russian positions in Donetsk Oblast on Jan. 20, 2024, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Roman Pilipey/AFP via Getty Images) #foroleksii
Donbas
One of the stated aims of the Kusrk incursion was to draw away Russian troops from Donetsk Oblast in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region, where they have been making grinding advances for months now.
It didn't work. Over the autumn months since the incursion was launched, chunks of Ukrainian territory in the east have been lost.
Russian forces have also made operationally significant gains near Toretsk, Chasiv Yar, and Kupiansk.
It was reported on Nov. 1 that Russia had seized more territory over the course of one week than at any point in 2024.
Russia's gains have come at an enormous cost — according to figures released by Kyiv on Nov. 11, Moscow's forces suffered their deadliest day since the start of the full-scale invasion, losing 1,950 men over the preceding 24 hours.
The figure surpassed the previous record of 1,770 set just the day before, and marks an ever-upward trend that is now months-long.
Despite this, Russia at present appears to be able to sustain the losses, even if it is having to resort to ever-higher financial incentives in order to attract new recruits.
But even at the current increased pace, it would take Russia almost a year to capture the additional 10,000 square kilometers (3,860 square miles) of territory required to capture the entirety of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.
Putin's stated goal of the war is the taking all of Donbas, so how this measures up with a frozen war without all of it under Russian control remains to be seen.
According to Hall, even if Russian forces don't take all of Donbas, Putin will use the current strength of his army to "dictate his terms."
"He believes that negotiations will be done from the position of weakness (on the Ukrainian side), that the West is weak, and therefore he will sit down because it's a way for him to dictate his terms," he said.
"Which will be the end of Western sanctions, it will be Ukrainian neutrality forever, and it will be facts on the ground, these are now Russian lands, and we want a pro-Russian government in Kyiv."
Zaporizhzhia
"Russia is making steady if slow progress forward, and may try and open a new axis of advance in Zaporizhzhia Oblast," Foreman says, adding it's another way the Kremlin could use territory gained to strengthen Moscow's negotiation position.
Ukraine's military has already sounded the alarm, warning on Nov. 11 that Russian assaults in Zaporizhzhia Oblast could begin "any day."
Ukraine's military intelligence said Russia was planning to use armored vehicles and a significant number of drones, although it is not yet clear whether this will be a single offensive push or separate attacks.
A Ukrainian tank crew gets battle-ready, conducting final checks and adjustments on their T-64 tank before heading into the fray as Russia-Ukraine war continues on November 05, 2024 in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine (Fermin Torrano/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Aerial attacks
Away from the front lines, Ukraine has braced for weeks for the next mass missile attack targeting the country's energy infrastructure as winter sets in.
"Putin will continue to attack Ukrainian infrastructure to demoralize the population, and to create political turmoil in Kyiv," Foreman said.
Adding to the tension on the ground in cities like Kyiv, Russia has also in recent days launched simulated attacks — launching large numbers of bombers and using electronic warfare to simulate launched missiles, prompting air raid alerts across the country.
What can Biden do to help Ukraine before he leaves office?
President Joe Biden has several options open to him, despite entering the lame-duck period between White House administrations traditionally seen as one of waning influence, increasing irrelevance, and menial administrative preparation for the successor.
"Key for Biden will now have to be spending down all the funds he committed to Ukraine in September and October," Steven Wolff, professor of International Security at the University of Birmingham, told the Kyiv Independent.
"He needs to ensure that happens before the new Congress takes power in early January."
The Pentagon on Nov. 7 said it was committed to sending Ukraine the full outstanding $6 billion in outstanding military aid before Trump is inaugurated on Jan. 20.
The aid includes a remaining $4 billion under the Presidential Drawdown Authority, which pulls weapons from U.S. stocks, and $2 billion from the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said at a briefing on Nov. 7.
When asked if the U.S. had enough weapons stockpiled to get shipments to Ukraine before Trump's inauguration, Singh said Washington was "confident" it could keep its commitments to Kyiv.
Speaking to the Kyiv Independent last week, Ambassador Kurt Volker, who served as the U.S. special representative for Ukraine negotiations in 2017-2019, said there was also discussion "within the administration" of finally approving the use of long-range weapons to strike deep inside Russia."
"Something that the Biden administration has denied until now," he added.
While Ukraine can already strike inside occupied areas of the country, this could have an effect on Russia's offensive in Kursk.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that if Ukraine had permission to use Western long-range weapons on Russian territory, it could preemptively target "every camp" in Russia where North Korean troops are stationed.
"We are now issuing a warning and believe that if political pressure and corresponding weapons are not applied to Russia, the next step could be a much larger deployment of North Korean forces," he said on Nov. 7.
"Putin always observes the world’s reaction. In my view, the response so far has been insufficient."
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine updated the data on Russian army losses as of November 16. During the day, 1650 occupants were eliminated, 8 tanks and 28 artillery systems were destroyed.
As of Saturday morning, November 16, the loss of personnel of the Russian occupation army since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine has exceeded 819 thousand soldiers. This was reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine UNN writes.
The total combat losses of the enemy from February 24, 22 to November 16, 24 were approximately:
personnel – about 719,240 (+1650) people,
tanks – 9338 (+8) units,
armored combat vehicles – 18,994 (+26) units,
artillery systems – 20,520 (+28) units,
MLRS – 1252 (+0) units,
air defense means – 999 (+0) units,
aircraft – 369 (+0) units,
helicopters – 329 (+0) units,
UAVs of operational and tactical level – 18,914 (+28),
cruise missiles – 2641 (+0),
ships/boats – 28 (+0) units,
submarines – 1 (+0) units,
motor vehicles and tank trucks – 29,236 (+69) units,
special equipment – 3651 (+6) units.
Attack on Kyiv: air defense forces neutralize about a dozen Russian dronesNov 16 2024, 04:30 AM • 11790 views
Severalcompanies in Kazakhstan are playing a significant role in helping Russia circumvent Western sanctions by supplying equipment for the development of electronic warfare (EW) systems, according to The Insider, the Russian independent investigative outlet.
The outlet reported on Nov. 15 that Kazakhstan-based firms, including Askarlab, Dicosta Technologies, Panalem Technologies, and Computer Services Ltd, have been sourcing equipment from Europe, Asia, and the United States, then delivering it to Russia.
From 2023 to 2024, these companies acquired products from international manufacturers, including Germany’s Rohde & Schwarz, France’s Safran Data Systems, the U.S.-based Mini-Circuits, and Ireland’s Farran Technology.
The sourced equipment consisted of advanced components such as radio frequency filters, frequency analyzers, RF adapters, amplifiers, attenuators, frequency extenders, satellite modems, and vector network analyzers.
The Insider cited customs declarations from the Zhetysu customs post in Almaty, Russian records, and communications involving Askarlab’s director. Since 2023, these items have been transported by air, processed through customs, and, in numerous cases, sent to Russia. Askarlab alone reportedly procured high-end radio-technical equipment valued at approximately $2 million between November 2023 and early 2024.
The Insider pointed out that Russia's reliance on alternative supply routes has prompted Western countries to impose secondary sanctions on organizations involved in facilitating such activities. These measures aim to curtail the flow of restricted technology and equipment to Russia amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Ukrainian air defense forces shoot down about 10 Russian drones over Kyiv during a 3-hour air alert. The attack damaged the balconies and windows of a residential building in Obolon district.
On the night of November 16, attack drones once again attacked Kyiv, with air defense defenses neutralizing up to 10 Russian drones in the air above and around the capital. This was reported by KCMA, according to UNN.
The air raid in the capital lasted almost 3 hours. During this time, defense forces detected and neutralized up to a dozen enemy UAVs in the airspace around the city,
– the statement said.
Addendum
It is noted that as a result of this attack in the Obolon district of the capital, damage to residential infrastructure was recorded. Balconies and windows were damaged due to falling debris in a multi-storey residential building. There was no information on casualties.
Russian drone attacks continue in Kyiv and neighboring regions. UAVs may change their course to Kyiv. So watch out for air raid alerts and stay safe!
– KCMA added.
He launched fireworks in the capital: A 23-year-old man was detained, he faces restriction of libertyNov 13 2024, 05:17 PM • 28309 views
Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has received over $100 billion in foreign-backed external financing to support Ukraine's state budget, the country's finance ministry announced on Nov. 15.
In addition to military aid to support Ukrainian military efforts along its eastern border, Western countries and institutions have helped to finance Ukraine's state budget amid increased budgetary pressures on the embattled nation.
Ukraine's external financing is primarily received through various cooperation programs including International Monetary Fund's (IMF) Extended Fund Facility program, the European Union's Ukraine Facility program, the World Bank, as well as directly from individual countries.
European Union nations rank first in providing external budget support with a combined $40.5 billion, the finance ministry announced. EU member states are followed by the United States with $28.2 billion in support, the International Monetary Fund at $11.4 billion, Japan at $6.3 billion, and Canada with $5.4 billion in budget support — all of which amounting to more than 90% of Ukraine's external financing.
"While the military campaign is financed by domestic resources, Ukraine counts on the support of international partners to finance social and humanitarian needs. No country can face challenges of this scale alone," Ukraine's finance ministry said a statement.
Of the total external budget support, about 33% of the aid — or $33.7 billion — has come in the form of non-repayable grants, with the United States providing the plurality of the grant funding.
Combining external funding with military assistance for Ukraine, the United States leads in its support allocating $175 billion to assist Ukraine — although that number includes an number government funding projects associated with the war including domestic weapons production. In April 2024, the U.S. approved its largest foreign aid bill providing $61 billion for Ukraine.
Ukraine expects to receive a total of $40.8 billion in external financing in 2024, having received $27.2 billion as of Nov. 14. The total for 2024 is in line with a record high in external financing provided in 2023 at $42.5 billion.
Ukraine's Deputy Finance Minister Olha Zykova said in August that the country would need to increase its external budget support by $12-15 billion for it to meet its domestic needs.
Earlier this year, Group of Seven (G7) nations finalized a framework agreement for a $50 billion loan for Ukraine backed by frozen Russian assets revenue.
Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwai made a surprise visit to Kyiv for talks with Ukrainian officials. The visit takes place against the backdrop of Trump's victory in the US election and North Korean troops' participation in the war.
On Saturday, November 16, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwai paid an unannounced visit to Ukraine. This was reported by Kyodo News, according to UNN.
Details
It is noted that Iwai arrived in Ukraine for talks with officials, apparently to demonstrate Tokyo's commitment to Kyiv in its fight against Russian military aggression, which now involves North Korean troops.
Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwai will hold talks with Ukrainian officials in Kyiv, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports. According to a ministry spokesperson, after arriving in Ukraine by train from Poland, on Saturday, Ivaya will meet with his Ukrainian counterpart, Andriy Sybig, and later that day, he may hold talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The visit comes as Donald Trump returns to the White House after winning the U.S. presidential election on November 5.
Addendum
Japan, along with the United States and other G7 members, has been supporting Ukraine since the beginning of Russia's invasion in February 2022 by imposing economic sanctions against Russia, including asset freezes and export bans.
Japan to provide Ukraine with $3 billion loan from G7 using its natural resourcesOct 28 2024, 06:35 PM • 34977 views
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's call with Russian President Vladimir Putin opens a "Pandora's box," potentially leading to "other conversations and other calls," President Volodymyr Zelensky warned in his evening address on Nov. 15.
Earlier today, Scholz spoke with Putin for the first time in nearly two years. The German chancellor condemned Russia’s war in Ukraine, urged Putin to withdraw his troops, and discussed potential talks with Kyiv.
Scholz had informed Zelensky in advance of his intention to call Putin. Zelensky reportedly responded, "This will just make Putin feel that the isolation is decreasing," according to Suspilne, citing an undisclosed source in the Presidential Office.
In his evening address, Zelensky criticized any negotiations that could ease Russia's isolation without meaningful outcomes. "It is extremely important for Putin to loosen his isolation, Russia's isolation, and to conduct ordinary negotiations that will not result in anything — as he has been doing for decades," Zelensky said.
"This has allowed Russia to change nothing in its police, to do nothing in essence, and this is exactly what led to this war."
Zelensky also reiterated that there would be no "Minsk-3," referencing the Minsk agreements of 2014 and 2015, which proposed creating autonomous zones in Russian-occupied areas of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts but excluded mention of occupied Crimea.
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry also expressed concerns over the Scholz-Putin call, stating that such lengthy conversations have been a tool Putin has exploited for over 20 years, now providing him hope for easing his international isolation.
"Even if the German chancellor did not express any positions contradicting Ukraine's stance, conversations with the Russian dictator do not add value in achieving a just peace," the ministry said in a statement.
At the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine and Russia held talks in Istanbul in March 2022, but the negotiations were eventually abandoned after Ukrainian retook the north of the country and mass war crimes were discovered in the liberated areas.
In comments to Ukraine's Peace Summit in June this year, Zelensky said the Istanbul talks failed because of the Russian side's "ultimatums."
The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk
