Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on December 15, 2023, that his country is not observing any willingness from Ukraine to negotiate a peace agreement. This assertion comes as tensions escalate following Ukraine’s claim of a significant strike on a Russian oil tanker in the Mediterranean. Putin, who has referred to the ongoing conflict as a “special military operation,” insists that any negotiation must include Ukraine’s acceptance of territorial concessions and a degree of demilitarization—conditions that Ukraine has consistently rejected.
During a wide-ranging end-of-year news conference, Putin expressed confidence in the Russian military’s capabilities, stating that his forces had “fully seized strategic initiative” and intended to gain additional ground along the nearly 600-mile front line in eastern Ukraine by the end of the year. “Our troops are advancing all across the line of contact,” he asserted, emphasizing that the Ukrainian forces are retreating across all sectors.
As Putin spoke, Ukraine announced a new offensive action, claiming responsibility for the first attack on a vessel belonging to Russia’s “shadow fleet,” a term used to describe ships allegedly circumventing sanctions. The SBU, Ukraine’s intelligence agency, reported that it successfully targeted the Oman-flagged oil tanker Qendil, which was situated in neutral waters and reportedly empty at the time of the strike.
Ukraine’s Strategic Operations in the Mediterranean
The SBU described the operation as “unprecedented,” noting that it took place over 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) from Ukrainian territory. In a statement, the agency emphasized the legitimacy of targeting the tanker, stating, “Russia used this tanker to circumvent sanctions and earn money that went to the war against Ukraine.” A video shared by the SBU purportedly captured the strike, showing explosions on the tanker’s deck.
The Qendil was confirmed by ship tracking service MarineTraffic.com to be in the eastern Mediterranean as of December 15, with its route from the Indian port of Sikka to the Russian port of Ust-Luga. This operation aligns with Ukraine’s broader strategy to disrupt Russian supply lines and undermine its war funding, as Kyiv has recently acknowledged attacks on vessels beyond Russia’s territorial waters.
Despite these developments, there was no immediate response from Russian officials regarding the strike on the Qendil. The U.S. government has intensified efforts to crack down on Russia’s shadow fleet, which is believed to involve numerous ships with unclear registrations that facilitate the evasion of Western sanctions.
EU’s Support Package for Ukraine
In related developments, the European Union announced a substantial support package for Ukraine valued at over $100 billion. However, EU leaders could not reach a consensus on proposals to use frozen Russian assets to fund this assistance. Instead, the EU opted for an interest-free loan against its own budget to support Ukraine’s military and economic needs over the next two years.
Although leaders initially aimed to finance the aid with frozen Russian funds, resistance emerged, particularly from Belgium, where much of the seized Russian assets are held. Putin responded to these discussions with renewed threats, warning of severe consequences for European nations that might utilize Russian assets, labeling such actions as “daylight robbery.”
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever expressed relief that an agreement was reached, stating, “If Europe had walked away today without an agreement, we would not only have failed Ukraine, we would have failed ourselves.” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also praised the loan agreement, emphasizing that the funds are intended to cover Ukraine’s needs for the next two years.
Ukrainian officials welcomed the EU’s support while reiterating their position that accessing frozen Russian assets is essential for their defense efforts. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya remarked, “Indeed, there are moments when one should keep in mind that ‘Perfect is the enemy of good’,” highlighting the complexities of the negotiations.
As the situation unfolds, the international community continues to monitor the implications of these military actions and diplomatic efforts in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
