World

Ukraine war: At home and abroad, pressure is mounting for Zelenskyy

Published

1 year ago

September 22, 2023

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It’s been a trying week for Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

At the United Nations meeting in New York, he appeared a weary, frustrated and at times angry leader.

In his first appearance at the UN in person since the start of the war, the Ukrainian president might have hoped that its funding principles would lead to a groundswell of condemnation of Russia’s illegal invasion.

Ukraine war latest: One missing after strike on Russia’s Black Sea fleet HQ

Instead, not only did a number of nations evidently place self-interest over collective peace and security – many have established closer economic ties with Russia over the past year – but Iran took the opportunity to criticise the US for intervening and prolonging the conflict.

The UN Security Council – with five permanent members – was designed to be the teeth of the UN, able to issue binding resolutions upon member states, but that also proved impotent.

On a more positive note, in Washington Mr Zelenskyy was able to secure a new aid package specifically focused on the next phase of the war, but the backdrop was a lukewarm reception from Congress – reflecting declining US public support for the war.

And frictions over grain tariffs between Ukraine and Poland, Slovakia and Hungary have also served to heighten tensions and test Western unity.

After more than 18 months of war, the pressures continue to mount for Mr Zelenskyy.

Sleep deprivation coupled with the stresses and strains of war are etched into deep furrows on his face. He has proven an exceptionally gifted wartime leader, but cracks are starting to show.

He has no military experience, yet is having to bear responsibility for sending his military forces into a highly attritional battle, with mounting casualties.

Counteroffensive isn’t going as planned

The counteroffensive is not progressing as planned, and he has had to tolerate criticism of his military strategy, even from Western allies.

Mr Zelenskyy has been very effective at maintaining the profile of the war in international media, and securing a vital flow of western military and financial aid.

But western public support for the conflict is waning – Russia’s threat to wider Europe has diminished, and domestic priorities are starting to focus minds away from a “distant” war.

Mr Zelenskyy’s claim that he is fighting Russia to stop Europe descending into a third world war resonated at the start of the war, but the waning level of international support is clearly a major concern.

And he does not have a senior, experienced confidante with which to share his burden, in the way Winston Churchill used the monarchy during the Second World War.

Why does this matter?

To date, despite the mounting pressures and relentless tempo of the war, Mr Zelenskyy has successfully managed to maintain diplomatic pressure on stakeholders without causing friction.

However, as pressure and frustrations have grown, Mr Zelenskyy has – perhaps understandably – used increasingly undiplomatic language, which has exacerbated tensions.

His recent spat with Poland, Slovakia and Hungary over grain tariffs is a great example. Poland has done more than most to support Ukraine – after all, it has a vested interest in ensuring Ukraine does not fail.

Mr Zelenskyy’s very public criticism of Poland over grain tariffs clearly antagonised its prime minister, which would have been music to the ears of Vladimir Putin.

Despite the immense pressures, Mr Zelenskyy must maintain his composure – western unity in support of Ukraine is probably the single most important factor in this gruelling war of attrition with Russia.

World

South Korean authorities attempt to arrest President Yoon for second time – standoff with security service under way

Published

2 hours ago

January 14, 2025

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South Korean authorities attempt to arrest President Yoon for second time - standoff with security service under way

A new attempt to arrest South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is under way, six weeks after his short-lived attempt to impose martial law.

A standoff is in place outside Mr Yoon’s official residence between authorities and the president’s security service.

A previous attempt by law enforcement to arrest the impeached president failed earlier this month.

Mr Yoon’s presidential security service prevented dozens of investigators from arresting him after a standoff which lasted nearly six hours on 3 January.

The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials and police responded by pledging more forceful measures to detain Mr Yoon while they jointly investigate whether his martial law declaration on 3 December amounted to an attempted rebellion.

The National Police Agency convened multiple meetings of field commanders in Seoul and nearby Gyeonggi province in recent days to plan their detainment efforts, and the size of those forces fuelled speculation that more than 1,000 officers could be deployed in a possible multi-day operation.

Anti-corruption agency and police officials met representatives of the presidential security service on Tuesday morning for unspecified discussions regarding efforts to execute the detention warrant for Mr Yoon.

It was not immediately clear at the time if any kind of compromise was reached.

What happened on 3 December?

Mr Yoon declared martial law and deployed troops around the National Assembly at the beginning of last month.

It lasted only hours before politicians managed to get through the blockade and voted to lift the measure.

His presidential powers were suspended when the opposition-dominated assembly voted to impeach him on 14 December, accusing him of rebellion.

Mr Yoon has argued his declaration of martial law was a legitimate act of governance, calling it a warning to the main liberal opposition Democratic Party which he has described as “despicable pro-North Korean anti-state forces”.

He claimed the party used its legislative majority to impeach top officials and undermine the government’s budget.

Over the past two weeks, thousands of anti-Yoon and pro-Yoon protesters have gathered daily in competing rallies near his office in Seoul, in anticipation of the second detention attempt.

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World

Gaza ceasefire deal is ‘on the brink’, Biden says in final foreign policy address

Published

23 hours ago

January 14, 2025

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Gaza ceasefire deal is 'on the brink', Biden says in final foreign policy address

A Gaza deal is “on the brink”, President Joe Biden has said in his final foreign policy address.

The outgoing US leader said it would include a hostage release deal and a “surge” of aid to Palestinians.

“So many innocent people have been killed, so many communities have been destroyed. Palestinian people deserve
peace,” he said.

“The deal would free the hostages, halt the fighting, provide security to Israel, and allow us to significantly surge humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians who suffered terribly in this war that Hamas started.”

The US president also hailed Washington’s support for Israel during two Iranian attacks in 2024.

“All told, Iran is weaker than it’s been in decades,” he said.

Mr Biden was delivering his final foreign policy address before he leaves office next week.

Monday’s address will be the penultimate time he speaks to the country before the end of his presidency. He is due to give a farewell address on Wednesday.

US and Arab mediators made significant progress overnight toward brokering a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war and the release of scores of hostages held in the Gaza Strip – but a deal has not been reached yet, officials said.

A round of ceasefire talks will be held in Doha on Tuesday to finalise remaining details related to a ceasefire deal in Gaza – including over the release of up to 33 hostages – officials added.

Mr Biden went on to claim America’s adversaries were weaker than when he took office four years ago and that the US was “winning the worldwide competition”.

“Compared to four years ago, America is stronger, our alliances are stronger, our adversaries and competitors are
weaker,” he said.

“We have not gone to war to make these things happen.”

World

IDF admits ‘serious offence’ after using vehicle marked ambulance in raid in which a grandmother was killed

Published

1 day ago

January 13, 2025

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IDF admits 'serious offence' after using vehicle marked ambulance in raid in which a grandmother was killed

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has admitted to a “serious offence” after a Sky News investigation analysed CCTV footage showing the moment an 80-year-old Palestinian grandmother was shot in the West Bank.

Halima Abu Leil was shot during a raid in Nablus. The grandmother died soon after.

During the course of the investigation, we noted that a blue vehicle marked as an ambulance and with a red light on its roof was used by IDF troops to enter the West Bank.

Our investigation stated: “Figures who appear to be Israeli military forces exit the ambulance in the foreground. They are equipped with helmets, backpacks, rifles, and other gear.”

The use of a marked medical vehicle for a security operation could be a contravention of the Geneva Convention and a war crime – as well as Halima’s killing.

The IDF has subsequently told Sky News: “On December 19, 2024, soldiers from the ‘Duvdevan’ unit took part in an operational mission to detain terrorists in Nablus.

“During the operation, an ambulance-like vehicle was used for operational purposes, without authorisation and without the relevant commanders’ approval.”

It added: “The use of the ambulance-like vehicle during the operation was a serious offence, exceeding authority, and a violation of existing orders and procedures.”

It also said the commander of the ‘Duvdevan’ unit was “reprimanded”.

However, it gave no update into the death of Halima, saying “the circumstances of the incident are being examined”.

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on occupied Palestinian territory Francesca Albanese watched the CCTV video and told Sky News her death could be a “war crime”.

She said: “When I look at the footage, what emerges prima facie is that there were no precautions taken – within these operations whose legality is debatable – to avoid or spare civilian life.

“No principle of proportionality because there was wildfire directed at the identified target and ultimately no respect for the principle of distinction.

“So this was a murder in cold blood and could be a war crime as an extrajudicial killing.”

According to the United Nations Office Of Human Rights in occupied Palestinian territory, Israeli security forces and settlers have killed at least 813 mostly unarmed Palestinians, including 15 women and 177 children, since 7 October 2023.