Ukraine - Samvada World

In the Heart of Deceit: Poisoned Alliances and Power Struggles within Ukrainian Intelligence

9Dec

By Srijan kumarNo Comments

Europe, Featured, World

In the Heart of Deceit: Poisoned Alliances and Power Struggles within Ukrainian Intelligence

While initial speculation pointed towards a "Russian trace," the poisoning of Marianna Budanova appears to be the outcome of power struggles within Ukrainian intelligence agencies. Recent developments suggest an intricate power struggle between GUR and SBU, with Budanov purportedly aiming to bolster GUR's influence over SBU, particularly in foreign partnerships. In recent days, Ukrainian media has been abuzz with a significant incident involving the alleged poisoning attempt on Marianna Budanova, the wife of Kirill Budanov, the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) within the Ukrainian Defense Ministry. Official sources have confirmed the incident, sparking questions about the perpetrators and the methods employed in this audacious attack. Despite stringent security me...

10th Euromaidan Anniversary: A Decade of Challenges, External Interference and Lost Opportunities

23Nov

By Aayush PalNo Comments

Analysis, Europe, Featured, World

10th Euromaidan Anniversary: A Decade of Challenges, External Interference and Lost Opportunities

The aftermath of Euromaidan has left Ukraine navigating a complex web of geopolitical, economic, and societal challenges.Post-Euromaidan, Ukraine found itself facing a myriad of challenges on multiple fronts with economic struggles, allegations of political repression, and the rise of far-right ideologies emerging as critical issues.Despite increased military spending, Ukraine's economic challenges persisted as the country underwent deindustrialisation, marked by the closure of key factories. As we mark the tenth anniversary of Euromaidan on November 21, 2023, a profound examination of the events that unfolded in Ukraine during 2013-14 becomes imperative. Euromaidan, a movement initially sparked by President Yanukovich's decision to suspend the EU Association Agreement, evolved in...

The Great Deception: Yevgeny Prigozhin’s Death and the Web of Secrecy

6Sep

By Aayush PalNo Comments

Analysis, Europe, Featured, World

The Great Deception: Yevgeny Prigozhin’s Death and the Web of Secrecy

The truth behind Yevgeny Prigozhin's death remains enigmatic, with multiple plausible scenarios and motivations. Prigozhin's confrontations with Russian authorities, his personal ambitions, and the June 24th mutiny potentially made him a target for an assassination by the Kremlin. While many suspect the role of the Kremlin, the West's interest in targeting Prigozhin due to Wagner's actions in regions like West Africa and Syria cannot be overlooked. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner organisation, is said to have perished in a plane accident on August 23 in Russia's South West. Later, a Russian aviation investigating agency confirmed the incident, and it was discovered that Yevgeny Prigozhin was one of nine passengers aboard the aircraft, along with Wagner Commander Dmitri U...

Ukraine’s NATO Quest: Challenges and Prospects in the Emerging Geopolitical Landscape

18Jul

By Harshita Sabharwal & Ashish Varghese MathewNo Comments

Analysis, Europe, Featured, World

Ukraine’s NATO Quest: Challenges and Prospects in the Emerging Geopolitical Landscape

While Ukraine's NATO membership would bring numerous benefits, such as enhanced security and economic ties, it also faces challenges, notably Russia's strong opposition and conflicts such as the one happening in Eastern Ukraine. Introduction Ukraine's NATO aspirations have been a subject of significant attention and debate, particularly in light of recent developments and the stance taken by the United States. Since its independence in 1991, Ukraine has sought closer integration with NATO as a means to ensure security, stability, and protection against external threats. However, the path to NATO membership is complex, requiring comprehensive reforms in Ukraine's political, economic, and military spheres. The recent verdict by the United States reaffirmed support for Ukrain...

A year to the Russia-Ukraine war – An Objective Appraisal

23Feb

By Aayush PalNo Comments

Analysis, Europe, Featured, World

A year to the Russia-Ukraine war – An Objective Appraisal

With no signs of negotiations from either side, the international community must take it as a challenge and get involved to stop the ongoing dispute. A year since Russian forces rolled into Ukraine, there are no real signs of a way out of the conflict. Neither side appears primed for an outright military victory, and progress at the negotiating table seems just as unlikely. Meanwhile, neither Russian leader Vladimir Putin nor Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shows any signs of backing down and abandoning one of the largest military conflicts since the end of World War II. For the civilians caught in the crossfire, that means the bloodshed and suffering brought on by the war have no discernible end. Unfolding of the war Armed conflict in eastern Ukraine erupt...

The Battle for Bakhmut – Understanding its importance and the recent trends in the Russia-Ukraine war

13Jan

By Aayush PalNo Comments

Europe, Featured, World

The Battle for Bakhmut – Understanding its importance and the recent trends in the Russia-Ukraine war

With Russia's special operation in Ukraine to complete a year mark, which witnessed a huge turnaround in the world and especially in Europe, which saw instability for the first time after WW2, Russia led this special operation with the pretext of providing freedom to the Russian-speaking population in the region of Donbas. As to Russia, there has been continued shelling by Ukrainian forces along with the genocide of the Russian-speaking population since 2014. It was under this premise that Russia carried out the special operation. Since then, Russia has taken 4 provinces - Kherson, Lugansk, Donetsk, and ZaporZhye, under its control via the referendum it conducted. The Early Days of War In the early days of the war, Russia tried to attack Ukraine, thinking that they would b...

3Nov

By Balaji Subramanian4 Comments

Analysis, Europe, Featured, World

Russia-Ukraine Conflict and India

Given the high levels of fear and mistrust on both sides, it is necessary to avoid inadvertent escalations that might spiral things out of control.It is clear that Russia had no intention of invading Ukraine but all it wanted was to prevent it from becoming a satellite state of the US. India has been cajoled and bullied by the West to pick its side in this conflict because it is today an economic and military power. No other country has to walk the tightrope of international relations more than India which needs to have positive economic indicators for growth.A weakened Russia is more dangerous because the weak always act out of desperation and unfortunately a meaningful compromise is not in sight. Woodrow Wilson who was the twenty-eight President of the United States of America in...

Role of Cryptocurrencies in the Russia-Ukraine Crisis

19May

By Tanu AgrawalNo Comments

Featured, World

Role of Cryptocurrencies in the Russia-Ukraine Crisis

(Image credit: CSIS) Cryptocurrency and block chain technologies have the ability to change the way the world uses money and financial assets, especially in times of war. The role of the encoding currency in the Russian invasion of Ukraine is one of the first major examples of the influence of encoding technology and the scrap chain on the political geography and the unique features of crypto-technology, such as increased privacy and portability, distinguish it from the traditional currency of fiat because it is not supported by physical or third-party goods. These characteristics allow individuals and organizations to use and manage their money in new ways. Ukraine, Russia and its citizens are now using the cryptocurrencies to raise money, avoid sanctions, and take the financial risks...

The urgent need for India’s diplomatic initiative in Russia-Ukraine conflict

24Feb

By Viswapramod CNo Comments

Analysis, Featured

The urgent need for India’s diplomatic initiative in Russia-Ukraine conflict

India has a golden opportunity to increase its soft power and global stature by taking up a diplomatic initiative aiming for strategic outcomes.India needs to look beyond its neighbourhood first policy and adopt an internationalist approach in suggesting peaceful resolution mechanisms in international conflicts, border disputes and ensuring stable relations with other nations.Given the present conflict between Ukraine and Russia, a pragmatic suggestion of a conflict resolution mechanism would certainly impact the impression of global powers towards India. It will remove the impression of India’s strategic ambiguity and would help in projecting India as having firm foreign policy objectives towards establishing a peaceful and secure multi-polar world order Ukraine’s ambassador to In...

The Conflict over Ukraine – Western sanctions, options for Russia and effect on India

24Feb

By Chandrashekar TSNo Comments

Analysis, Featured

The Conflict over Ukraine – Western sanctions, options for Russia and effect on India

Nobody expected the world's attention would shift to Ukraine when Covid-19, its origin, vaccine, Iran Nuclear Deal, Yemen Crisis, Afghanistan: Taliban, American exit, China-Taiwan to South China Sea crisis, India-China border tensions due to the acts of China occupied the major space. But the sudden crisis in Ukraine and the incidents in Donbas changed the scenario. Few countries tried to play politics for their narrow national interests, but like-minded countries from France to India asked for diplomacy and peace. Ultimately, Russia scored a point by recognising Donetsk and Luhansk of Eastern Ukraine as the independent states and sent peacekeeping missions to protect newly created independent states. Russian 190000 soldiers, tanks, jets, Maritime Support, Z form attack and more ar...