Kiev-Moscow negotiations today in Abu Dhabi with US mediation and the presence of European representatives; EU meeting of the Contact Group for the Defense of Ukraine in Brussels. A theft of data from the Moscow Statistics Agency brings out the figure of Russian losses: 400 thousand dead. 'Italy hit by pro-Moscow attacks', Tajani said yesterday from the G7 in Paris against the threat of hybrid warfare.
Western countries, as part of their "neocolonialist" policies, seek to establish control over global strategic resources by replacing universal trade rules with the "logic of blocs," Russian Foreign Minister Serghei Lavrov said in an article for the Kommersant newspaper. "It is difficult to overestimate the role of efficient supply chains for the global economy: they stimulate growth, enable mutually beneficial division of labor and reduce costs. However, today we observe a clear trend towards replacing universal and non-discriminatory trade rules with the logic of blockades," Lavrov said. "Western countries, in line with neocolonialist principles, openly seek to control the circulation of strategic resources, including energy and critical minerals", added the Russian minister, specifying that "to this end, they require good faith market players to disclose sensitive information and renounce independent regulation".
Russian forces are repelling a Ukrainian drone attack on Sevastopol in Russian-occupied Crimea. This was reported by the city governor, Mikhail Razvozhayev, quoted by the Tass agency. "In Sevastopol, our forces are repelling a Ukrainian attack. Air defense systems and mobile anti-aircraft units have come into action", declared Razvozhayev, inviting the population to leave the open spaces and reach safe places. The governor specified that Russian forces are trying to shoot down the drones also with the use of light weapons. At the moment no information has been provided on any damage or victims.
Russian forces have struck the Trypillia thermal power plant in the Kiev region, causing potentially serious damage to one of Ukraine's strategic energy infrastructures. The state energy company Centrenergo announced this on November 9, as reported by the Kyiv Independent. The company warned that the consequences of the attack could be "extremely serious", at a time when Ukraine's electricity grid is already under severe pressure from continued Russian bombing. Despite the installation of protective structures against drone attacks, Centrenergo general director Serhiy Isachenko underlined the difficulties associated with Moscow's evolving military tactics. "The nature of Russian attacks has changed significantly. In a short span of time the enemy can use different types of weapons, including ballistic missiles and jet-propelled drones, against a single target," he explained. Located less than 30 kilometers south of Kiev, the Trypillia power plant was one of the main electricity supply facilities for the Kiev, Zhytomyr and Cherkasy regions.
Japan Tobacco (JT) is assessing the financial impact of Moscow's decision to take temporary control of the group's operations in Russia. Last week, President Vladimir Putin signed two decrees placing four manufacturing and three commercial entities under Russian management. JT specifies that the measures concern all the group's entities in the country, but operations continue: the company monitors the situation and evaluates options and potential implications. In the meantime, the Japanese government has lodged a protest in Moscow asking for the measure to be withdrawn. According to public broadcaster NHK, the Russian business is expected to be worth around 10% of the group's revenues in the financial year to December, and 25% of operating profit net of extraordinary items. At the end of September, assets linked to Russia were worth around 1,500 billion yen, equal to around 8.4 billion euros. JT's European subsidiary reportedly maintained local sales and production at four locations even after the conflict in Ukraine began in 2022. In an editorial, the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper called the measure "an arbitrary interference" in company management, calling on Moscow to withdraw it immediately. The decree, we read, is a retaliation against Japan, listed among the "hostile nations" due to the sanctions. The newspaper warns of the risk that the subsidiary will be confiscated, sold or nationalized and that other Japanese companies in Russia will be affected, calling on companies to exercise caution and the government to take a firm response, protecting people and companies.
The straw that would have broken the camel's back would have been the announcement by the deputy prime minister and foreign minister Antonio Tajani at Porta a Porta that the provision on the thirteenth arms package had been signed by the three ministers delegated to do so (the head of the Farnesina, Guido Crosetto and Giancarlo Giorgetti). But this was not the case, Giorgetti had not yet signed it and Matteo Salvini had already expressed his doubts about this measure on several occasions. A line - explain League sources - which would have become more stringent after the recent Northern League congress. 'After four years of war' between Russia and Ukraine we need to change pace, find the path to a just peace. In essence, no more weapons and opening other channels, is the line that the League is pursuing, currently alone in the majority, and on which it is awaiting answers from its allies and from Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Hence the harsh reaction with the secretary's stop. You don't sign until all the new rules of engagement are defined. And it is in this situation that Defense Minister Guido Crosetto will find himself when he goes to the Copasir meeting scheduled for tomorrow afternoon to discuss the provision. A meeting where the League already announces battle. The allies throw water on the fire. There is no "mystery, no case" about the failure of the Minister of Economy to sign the thirteenth package of aid and weapons for Ukraine, it is explained in majority circles close to Palazzo Chigi who underline that it is a "package" of "classified" materials and on which it is not possible to affix a "digital signature". It must be "read and signed by hand" but Giorgetti was unable to be in Rome, the same sources explain, assuring that in any case the Defense Minister, Guido Crosetto, will be at Copasir tomorrow to illustrate it.
