While tens of thousands of people fleeing from Ukraine took shelter in safe spots, the clashes continue with all its violence. From the very first moment of the war, there has been a search for negotiation. Finally, this search yielded results and the delegations of Ukraine and Russia sat at the table in Belarus. While the economic sanctions of the Europe Union (EU) and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) against Russia gripped Russia, it was announced from the Kremlin that Putin would turn to the economy.
On the fifth day of Russia's invasion attempt against Ukraine, a negotiating table was set up. Although the Kyiv administration said that a neutral meeting would not take place in Belarus due to the attack of a part of the Russian army from Belarus to Ukraine, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko and Ukrainian leader Zelensky assured security. Delegations of Ukraine and Russia met at the Belarusian border. It is also estimated that the Russian side is willing to reach an agreement with Ukraine, especially due to financial sanctions, and that the meeting will not be concluded immediately. The head of the Ukrainian delegation at the negotiation is led by Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov.
THE EFFECT OF ECONOMIC SANCTIONS STARTED TO BE SEEN IN RUSSIA
After the statements of the President of Ukraine Zelensky asking for support, the West took ‘economy’ steps. At the beginning of these steps was Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT). The exclusion of Russian banks from SWIFT and the denial of access to the Russian Central Bank's reserves are expected to deal a heavy blow to Moscow economically. The United States of America (USA) and Europe also targeted Russia's reserves of 640 billion dollars. The EU has announced that it has decided to ban transactions related to the management of reserves and assets of the Russian Central Bank. The effects of the depreciation of the Russian Ruble in the face of economic sanctions began to be seen in Russia.
AMMUNITION SUPPORT FROM NATO
President of Ukraine Zelensky frequently expressed that he was left alone by NATO and Western countries. NATO countries also began to increase military support to Ukraine. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg expressing NATO allies' military and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine "NATO allies are increasing their support with air defense missiles, anti-tank weapons, as well as humanitarian and financial aid," he said.
500 MILLION EUROS WEAPONS AID FROM EU TO UKRAINE
The EU announced last day that it would provide 500 million euros of military weapons and equipment assistance to Ukraine. It has been announced that EU countries will send some models of warplanes at the request of Ukraine. While NATO countries decided to send thousands of anti-tank and hundreds of air defense missiles to Ukraine, as well as a large amount of small arms and ammunition stockpiles, EU countries took action to provide 450 million Euros worth of weapon support and 50 million Euros for protective equipment aid.
EU AIRSPACE CLOSED TO THE RUSSIAN
The EU continues its sanctions against Russia. According to the sanctions, the media organs of the Russian state, Russia Today and Sputnik, and their subsidiaries will also be banned. For the first time in EU history, arms purchase for a country at war and finance will be delivered. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the EU Commission, announced that the Union will close its airspace to Russian aircrafts. Von der Leyen, in his statement, stated that they decided to close the EU airspace to Russia's airlines and said, "This will also include the private jets of the oligarchs."
“OUR LOSSES ARE LESS THAN UKRAINE REVEALED”
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that its armies suffered casualties in Ukraine, but the number was below what was announced by Ukraine. Ministry Spokesperson Igor Konashenkov said, “Unfortunately, some of our comrades were killed or injured. However, our losses are much less than the losses of the Ukrainian army and the nationalists." Stating that 1,067 military infrastructure facilities belonging to Ukraine have been destroyed to date, "Among these, there are 27 command centers, 56 radar stations, 38 air defense missile systems." Konashenkov added.
PUTIN SENT A TEAM TO ZELENSKI
It was alleged that Putin set up a 400-men assassination team to kill Zelensky, symbol of the resistance in Ukraine. It was claimed that Putin sent a force of more than 400 from Russia's mercenaries Wagner group to Ukraine. A source with knowledge of Wagner's activities told the Times that between 2,000 and 4,000 mercenaries arrived in Ukraine on different missions in January.
422 THOUSAND REFUGEES GO TO NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES
The United Nations (UN) announced that 102 civilians lost their lives in Ukraine during the Russia-Ukraine war, 304 civilians were injured, and 422,000 refugees moved to neighboring countries after the attacks. Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said: “Between Thursday morning and last night, our office recorded 406 civilian casualties, including 7 children, 102 dead and 304 injured. Many of these civilians were killed by heavy artillery and explosive weapons with a wide range of effects, including multiple launch rocket systems and air strikes. I'm afraid it's true that the numbers are much higher.” Adding that 422,000 civilians fled the country and sought refuge in neighboring countries, and many more were internally displaced.
US-RUSSIAN BATTLE AT UN
Vassily Nebenzia, Permanent Representative of Russia to the United Nations (UN), argued that the Russian army does not target civilians and civilian infrastructures in Ukraine. Nebezia spoke at the UN Security Council (UNSC) after the decision to hold an extraordinary session of the UN General Assembly on Ukraine was passed. Responding to the warning of the US side that Russian soldiers are being watched for the possibility of committing war crimes, Nebenzia said, “The Russian army does not target civilians and civilian infrastructure. On the contrary, the nationalists use the Ukrainian people as human shields and use air defense systems in residential areas. This is something that should be banned.”
MORE THAN 4 MILLION REFUGEES
Jenaz Lenarcic, the member of the EU Commission responsible for crisis management, said that after Russia's attack on Ukraine, if the intense conflicts continued, they estimated that 4 million Ukrainians could seek refuge in other countries.
Lenarcic shared the United Nations' forecasts in a statement to reporters after the EU Interior Ministers Meeting. Lenarcic said that 18 million people in Ukraine and neighboring countries will be affected by conflicts in humanitarian terms.
Noting that 7 million people may be internally displaced in Ukraine, Lenarcic shared his estimation that 4 million Ukrainians may become refugees.