WAR IN UKRAINE: February 28, 2023
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS: Day 370
Russia's offensive in the east is increasingly zeroing in on the city of Bakhmut, the Ukrainian military says, with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy warning that the situation is becoming "extremely difficult" for the defenders of the city, whom he called "heroes” - RFE/RL
U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen visited Ukraine on Feb. 27, 2023. She gave remarks on the vital character of U.S. support for Ukraine. “Our economic support fulfills a basic moral duty to support the brave Ukrainian people in this darkest hour and is also a critical investment in global security and democracy,” she stressed. Together with Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal, Yellen discussed strengthening the foundation for Ukraine’s victory and reconstruction after the war through economic reforms and ongoing support. “People who stand up with courage have the capacity to shape the course of history. Ukraine has been writing the next chapter of its history with a heroic fight for freedom,” Yellen wrote on Twitter.
Ukraine receives $1.25 billion tranche of $9.9 billion in aid from US. According to the Finance Ministry's press statement, the financial assistance will be directed towards reimbursing the state budget expenses incurred for various purposes, including pension payments, housing subsidies, support for internally displaced persons (IDPs), and payment to employees of first response services - Kyiv Independent
Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko will visit Beijing this week, on the heels of China's announcement of its proposed peace plan for the Russia-Ukraine war. Why it matters: Welcoming a close Putin ally, while ignoring Ukraine's repeated requests for dialogue, suggests China's leaders will prioritize Moscow's interests over Kyiv's as they advocate for a cease-fire. Lukashenko's visit may also portend growing Chinese engagement in the Russia-Ukraine war if a cease-fire isn't reached, Yurii Poita, an expert on Ukraine-China relations at the Kyiv-based Center for Army, Conversion and Disarmament Studies, told Axios. “Our assessment is that Russian defeat would be the worst scenario for China," Poita said.
Wizz Air says it will suspend all flights to the Moldovan capital Chisinau from 14 March due to concerns about the safety of its airspace. A Russian missile was fired over Moldovan airspace earlier this month and anti-government protests have taken place again in Chișinău. Moldova's civil aviation authority called the airline's decision sudden and regrettable. In the run up to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year, several airlines stopped flying to Ukraine citing insurance companies unwillingness to cover their aircraft over Ukrainian air space.