Kiev regrets FIFA’s refusal of peace message – the nightly update without photos Pope: “I have already signed my waiver”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy lamented FIFA’s rejection of a request for a peace message ahead of the World Cup final in Qatar. Zelensky’s military, meanwhile, fears Russia could potentially launch a new wave of missiles against Ukraine’s infrastructure ahead of the New Year celebrations.

Selenskyj: The world heard our message after all

Zelenskyj said in his daily video message on Sunday evening that while FIFA prevented this call for peace from being shown at the stadium ahead of the final in Qatar, “the world has heard our message”. The world federation had denied receiving a request from Ukraine.

The final between France and Argentina was an emotional one, Zelenskyj said. After all, the goal of football is that everyone can win. “But the game is held on the field, not the battlefield,” Zelensky said. “And the worst that can happen is a red card, not a red button. When people are united by football, people are united by peace.”

In his peace message, which was distributed on YouTube, he pointed out that a special summit was being prepared, a peace summit. “For our country and for any other nation facing the same aggression, the same terror that Russia has brought upon our country.” The peace formula proposed by Ukraine could help create a new globally important security architecture. The peace plan includes the full withdrawal of Russia from Ukraine, including Crimea, and the prosecution and settlement of all Russian war crimes.

Ukraine fears Russian missiles before New Year

The Ukrainian military leadership fears new Russian missile attacks around the turn of the year. As army spokesman Yuri Ignat explained on Sunday, it cannot be ruled out that the opponent will “congratulate” in this way at the end of the year. “They have a clear plan in which they have prioritized goals.” The aim is to inflict as much damage as possible on Ukraine.

“And depending on where it hurts us the most, they will aim there, as viciously, brutally and painfully as possible,” Ignat told the Unian state service. In addition, the date of the next attacks will be set “to please the dictator (Vladimir Putin)”. But the attacks at the turn of the year were also intended to appeal to the “internal public”, the Russian population.

The Russian army has been using a new tactic for several weeks and is targeting Ukraine’s energy supply network with missiles and cruise missiles. As a result, supplies of electricity, water and district heating in Ukraine repeatedly collapsed. This is mainly to put pressure on the civilian population this winter. Most recently, on Friday, Russia launched a major attack with more than 70 projectiles, which caused severe damage in Kiev, among others.

Kiev: Russian ammunition depots and anti-aircraft systems destroyed

According to their own statements, Ukrainian forces destroyed at least two Russian ammunition depots and anti-aircraft system positions during fighting in the east of the country. This was announced by the General Staff in Kiev on Sunday. The Luftwaffe flew several missions. Location details were not given.

Heavy casualties were inflicted on Russian troops in bitter fighting for the city of Bakhmut in the Donbass. There, a Russian unit with a strength of 400 to 800 fell into a carefully prepared ambush and was “put out of action,” presidential adviser Oleksiy Arestovich said in Kiev. The information could not be independently verified.

During the day, the Russian-controlled city of Donetsk came under artillery fire several times. A hospital was hit, the Russian state agency TASS reports on the basis of local authorities. A patient was killed. Due to the fire, staff and patients were evacuated.

Monday will be important

Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet ruler Alexander Lukashenko this Monday on his first visit to Belarus in years. The two old heads of state want to talk about the strategic partnership between the two countries forming a union state, as well as regional and international issues. Against the background of Russia’s offensive war against Ukraine, both ex-Soviet republics have significantly expanded their military cooperation. For example, Belarus makes its military bases available for attacks on Ukraine.

In view of this meeting, it was said in Kiev that all possible defense scenarios were being prepared. “No matter what is planned in Minsk, it will help them as little as other sick ideas in this war against Ukraine and the Ukrainians,” President Zelensky said. (sda/dpa)