Russia threatened on Tuesday (20) to attack Ukrainian “decision-making centers” in case of bombings on Russian territory, or in Crimea, with Western weapons, which Moscow accuses Kiev of preparing. In the morning, the European Commission proposed a new aid package to Ukraine of about €50 billion over the next four years.
(RFI) “According to our information, the commanders of the Ukrainian Armed Forces plan to attack Russia’s territory, including Crimea, with (American systems) Himars and (British missiles) Storm Shadows,” Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said.
“The use of the missiles outside the (combat) zone would mean full involvement of the United States and the United Kingdom in the conflict and would provoke immediate attacks on the decision-making centers in Ukraine,” he added.
He did not reveal whether the threats involve the military command centers, which Moscow already claims to attack, or Kiev’s political decision-making centers.
Since the start of the military campaign against Ukraine in February 2022, Moscow has issued several warnings about the escalation of the conflict in the event of direct attacks against its territory.
Russia considers Crimea part of its territory since it annexed the Ukrainian peninsula in 2014.
In recent months, drone attacks and cross-border incursions by armed men into Russian territory have increased. Kiev has not claimed any actions.
Shoigu’s warning was announced at a time when Kiev is executing a counteroffensive in various sectors of the front. Many analysts consider that Ukraine is testing Russian defenses before deploying the bulk of its troops into battle.
European Aid
The European Commission, the executive arm of the European Union (EU), proposed on Tuesday (20) to the bloc’s countries to allocate an aid package to Ukraine of about €50 billion over the next four years.
“We propose a financial reserve for the next four years of €50 billion. This includes loans and grants,” Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told a press conference.
This financial reserve “will really allow us to calibrate our financial support according to developments on the ground,” the German official said.
The proposal seeks to strengthen Ukrainian finances and cover the immediate costs of reconstruction after the Russian invasion. The EU has already pledged €30 billion from its budget to support Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
It is hoped that money from this aid plan could strengthen Ukraine’s judiciary and fight corruption, putting the country on the path to EU membership.
The proposal was released ahead of a donor conference scheduled in London this week that focuses on paying for Ukraine’s reconstruction.
In March, the World Bank estimated Ukraine’s long-term reconstruction costs at more than €380 billion.
Resistance
In any scenario, demands for a new injection of money to Ukraine will face serious obstacles from EU countries still dealing with the consequences of the pandemic and the war.
The bloc’s countries have not yet agreed to increase the budget.
“We are fully aware of the fact that member states have also been affected by the crises, and after years of great public support for their economies, now is the time to consolidate,” Von der Leyen said Tuesday.
Viral Baby Yoda
The force is with him. An image of Ukrainian army commander-in-chief Valery Zalouzhny has gone viral on social media because of an insignia with the image of ‘Baby Yoda’ on his bulletproof vest.
Baby Yoda, from The Mandalorian series, is a character from the Star Wars universe.
On Monday night, the Ukrainian Army press service published a video of General Zalouzhny visiting Ukrainian positions. And right at chest height is the effigy of the little green-skinned being with big ears.
The image generated a wave of memes about Zalouzhny, nicknamed the “iron general” in his country and who has become an icon of Ukrainian resistance to the Russian invasion launched in February 2022.
“The Force is strong with him: Ukrainian commander-in-chief Valery Zaluzhny wears a Baby Yoda emblem,” the trade publication Business Ukraine tweeted.
“God, Zaloujny and Baby Yoda are with us,” echoed internet user Ukr.Donbas.