Russia's Ambassador to Mali Igor Gromyko said that Ukraine has opened a second front against Russia in Africa. According to him, the Kiev government tolerates illegal armed groups.
“ Unable to defeat Russia on the battlefield, Volodymir Zelensky decided to open a second front in Africa and tolerate illegal armed groups against African countries friendly to Moscow,” said Igor Gromyko.
Mali has severed diplomatic relations with Ukraine, warning countries that aid Kiev that their assistance would be considered support for international terrorism. Several other African countries have also condemned Ukraine's actions: Burkina Faso criticized Kiev, Senegal summoned the Ukrainian ambassador to the Foreign Ministry, and Niger severed diplomatic relations.
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| Ukraine is stepping up support for rebel forces in Africa. Photo: Reuters |
Mr Zelensky invited the African leader to Kiev.
Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelensky had a phone call with Angolan President João Lourenço and invited him to Kiev. On his personal Telegram channel, the Ukrainian President said that African solidarity and support are very important to restore peace.
“I thank my colleagues for supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Solidarity and support from Africa are important for restoring peace,” Zelensky noted.
According to Mr. Zelensky, Ukraine is interested in developing bilateral relations with Angola and is preparing to appoint a Ukrainian ambassador to Angola. Finally, Mr. Zelensky invited Mr. Lourença to Kyiv, and the Angolan leader accepted the invitation.
Russia-Ukraine conflict divides South African government
The African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance in South Africa have been rocked by disagreements over an agreement to provide visa-free travel for Ukrainian citizens holding diplomatic, official and service passports.
According to the Associated Press (AP), Democratic Alliance Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber prepared a deal but it was rejected by the ANC. Parliamentary Secretary General Fikile Mbalula said South African President Cyril Ramaphosa would not sign the document.
In addition, earlier at the BRICS summit, Mr. Ramaphosa called Russia a valuable ally of South Africa and his statement was rejected by Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen who stated: “ The Democratic Alliance does not consider Russia or Vladimir Putin as allies of our country.”
The South African president is responsible for the country's foreign policy and will carry it out without pressure from the Democratic Alliance, presidential spokesman Vincent Mugwenya said.
“In this process, South Africa has also maintained its strong historical ties with the Russian Federation, while maintaining warm bilateral diplomatic relations with Ukraine. South Africa is also steadfast in its support for a peace process that fully involves both countries,” said Vincent Mugwenya.
Ukraine will be forced to retreat in the Kharkov region
The Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) will be forced to retreat, leaving their positions in the village of Boguslavka, Kharkov region, amid the fierce offensive of the Russian army.
TASS news agency quoted a former military leader of the Lugansk region, Andrey Marochko, as saying that the location on the hill of the city of Lozovaya was controlled by the Russian army on December 22, which may have contributed to the development of this event.
Mr. Marochko noted that the Russian army has begun to advance along the mountain slopes from the populated area with the initiative on the battlefield.
“ If we coordinate our actions and advance along this ridge in the direction of the Boguslavka settlement, then in principle we can strike deep into the enemy’s rear. The AFU will be forced to retreat from this settlement,” Marochko predicted.
The Russian attack points are now only about 3 km east of Boguslavka.
Ukraine will counterattack at all costs in 2025
AFU, despite various problems, will try to launch new attacks in 2025. That is the opinion of Mr. Vasily Kashin, political scientist, Director of the Center for European and International Studies (CCEMI) of Russia.
“The AFU will try to regain the initiative on the battlefield and continue offensive operations. This is completely natural ,” Vasily Kashin assessed the plans of the Ukrainian command for the coming year.
Expert Vasily Kashin assessed that even the Wehrmacht (Nazi German army) until the last months of the Great Patriotic War in 1945, tried to carry out counterattacks and launch local attacks on the opponent. However, it is difficult to predict exactly where the AFU will try to attack, but it is possible that it will be an attempt to inflict a heavy psychological blow on Russia, comparable to the cross-border attack on the Kursk region.
Earlier, military correspondent Yury Podolyaka spoke about the AFU’s preparations for the “last hope offensive”. According to him, Ukraine may try to deploy it in the Kursk region.
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