The number of arrests during protests once morest the partial mobilization ordered by Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin continues to rise: According to the human rights organization OVD-Info, more than 1,200 people are in police custody. According to the information, arrests are known in at least 38 cities. Recently there have also been reports of sold-out flights from Russia. A report regarding a long traffic jam on the border with Finland was put into perspective by the Finnish authorities.
Putin previously announced a partial mobilization of the armed forces. A corresponding decree has already been signed – details, such as exceptions and a possible border closure, are still open, but partial mobilization will begin today. Russia’s goal is to “liberate” the eastern Ukrainian region of Donbas. The West didn’t want peace between Ukraine and Russia; rather, it wanted to destroy Russia, Putin said. According to Putin, Russia will use all of its resources to defend its people, which does not rule out the use of nuclear weapons.
Sharp criticism of the partial mobilization ordered by Kremlin chief Putin has come from Brussels, among others. From the point of view of the EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, it is “further proof that Putin is not interested in peace, but in escalating his war of aggression”. From the point of view of the EU Commission, Putin is also playing a very dangerous “nuclear game”.
China wants ceasefire talks
The international community must put pressure on Putin to “stop this reckless behavior,” said a Commission spokesman in Brussels today. London spoke of a “worrying escalation” and Berlin of a “bad and wrong step”.
Like many representatives of Western countries, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg sees the next escalation of the war. Nevertheless, the step did not come as a surprise. Meanwhile, even China, which Russia has recently approached, “calls on all relevant parties to reach a ceasefire through dialogue and consultations.”
How far away is peace?
Russia has now responded to Ukraine’s successful offensive in the east of the country with partial mobilization. However, military experts question whether this will quickly have military consequences. How will the war develop in the coming weeks and then in the winter? What are the consequences of partial mobilization for the mood in Russia? How far off is peace?
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