Russia-Ukraine War Enters Day 1,446 with Ongoing Conflict and Diplomatic Efforts

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Key Developments in Russia’s War on Ukraine (Day 1,446)

On Monday, February 9, Russian forces launched an attack on facilities belonging to Naftogaz, Ukraine’s major oil and gas company, located in the eastern Poltava region. The company confirmed that this was the 19th attack on its facilities by Moscow.

Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha stated that Ukrainian and Russian leaders need to meet in person to discuss outstanding issues in peace talks. He also mentioned that only US President Donald Trump has the power to bring about an agreement to end the four-year-old war.

Sybiha noted that from a 20-point peace plan, which formed the basis of recent trilateral negotiations, several items remain unresolved. However, he emphasized that the most sensitive and difficult issues need to be addressed at the leaders’ level.

The US has informed Ukraine that it is prepared to ratify security guarantees in Congress, should a ceasefire deal be reached. The US would then provide a security “backstop” to support the peace agreement, although no US troops would be deployed on the ground in Ukraine.

Other countries beyond France and the United Kingdom have confirmed their readiness to send troops to Ukraine as a deterrence force if an agreement is reached.

In related news, a Ukrainian-born Russian citizen has been extradited to Moscow from Dubai on suspicion of involvement in a shooting attack against one of Russia’s most senior military intelligence officers. Lieutenant General Vladimir Alexeyev survived the attack.

Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with his United Arab Emirates counterpart, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, over the phone and thanked him for his help in detaining the suspect.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that he is imposing sanctions on foreign manufacturers of components used in Russian drones and missiles. He stated that Moscow continues to obtain drone components abroad despite sanctions.

Indian refiners have decided to avoid purchasing Russian oil for delivery in April, citing concerns about the impact on their operations. This move may help New Delhi seal a trade pact with Washington.

Source: Al Jazeera