Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reaffirmed that his country needs more arms shipments in addition to the main battle tanks now promised. “Russian aggression can only be stopped with adequate weapons,” Zelenskyj said in his evening video address on Thursday.
According to its own statements, Ukraine also needs warplanes to defend itself against the Russian invasion, which has been going on for eleven months. However, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has rejected such a delivery. The EU country of Poland, which borders Ukraine, is open to this idea in principle. Even the US government does not rule out the delivery of fighter jets to Ukraine. The first Ukrainian soldiers have now arrived in Germany for training on the Marder infantry fighting vehicle.
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Zelenskyj: “Terrorist state” only understands military language
“The terror state will not understand otherwise,” Zelenskyj justified his demand for further arms deliveries. The most recent wave of Russian attacks with at least 11 deaths a few hours earlier had once again demonstrated this, he emphasized.
On Wednesday, the German government decided that Germany would hand over 14 Leopard 2A6 main battle tanks to the Ukrainian armed forces as a first step. Other countries should also be allowed to pass on German-made tanks to the attacked country. In addition, the United States wants to contribute Abram’s main battle tanks.
Selenskyj thanked Chancellor Scholz and US President Joe Biden for this – but also pushed for the additional supply of long-range missiles, fighter jets and more artillery. However, Scholz has ruled out the delivery of fighter jets or even the deployment of ground troops.
Poland would support the delivery of fighter jets to Ukraine
The Polish government, on the other hand, says it would support NATO if it decided to supply fighter jets to Ukraine. “I think we, NATO, should be more courageous,” Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki told French broadcaster LCI. But of course it can only be a decision by NATO as a whole, the head of government said.
The US and France are not ruling out the supply of fighter jets
The United States and France are not ruling out supplying fighter jets to Ukraine, which is under attack by Russia. When asked if the US is considering supplying fighter jets, US President Biden’s deputy national security adviser Jon Finer said on MSNBC that no particular weapon system had been ruled out. The support will be tailored to Ukraine’s needs. “We will discuss this very carefully,” Finer said Thursday (local time) regarding requests from Ukraine.
According to British media reports, the chairman of the Defense Committee of the French National Assembly, Thomas Gassilloud, said in London on Thursday along the same lines: “We must examine investigations on a case-by-case basis and leave all doors open.”
Canada sends four Leopard main battle tanks to Ukraine
In his most recent speech, Selenskyj particularly thanked Canada, which had announced a few hours earlier that it would also supply four Leopard tanks. The tank coalition — as he called it — now consists of 12 countries, Zelenskyj said. The delivery of the main battle tanks will take place “in the coming weeks”, Canadian Defense Minister Anita Anand said. In addition, Canadian soldiers would have to support their Ukrainian counterparts in deploying the tanks. Canada is considering sending more tanks at a later date.
First Ukrainian soldiers for tank training in Germany
The first Ukrainian soldiers have arrived in Germany for training on the Marder infantry fighting vehicle. The group landed in Cologne on Thursday and should immediately begin training on the weapons system, security circles told the German news agency in Berlin. The training is part of the military aid to Ukraine, which will also receive 40 martens. The United States sends Bradley armored personnel carriers to Ukraine.
Pentagon: Delivery of Abrams tanks not a “symbolic” act
According to the US government, the delivery of Abram’s main battle tanks is not a “symbolic” act. Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said the US announcement was only to clear the way for Allies to supply tanks. However, this is not the case. The US main battle tanks would give Ukraine an advantage on the battlefield, Singh said. The Russian offensive war against Ukraine could drag on for years. The spokeswoman emphasized that the delivery of the Abrams tanks shows the long-term commitment of the United States.
Council of Europe plenary calls for tribunal on war in Ukraine
In response to the war in Ukraine, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has unanimously called for the establishment of an international war crimes tribunal. The tribunal in The Hague should prosecute the political and military leaders of Russia and its ally Belarus who “planned, prepared, initiated or carried out the offensive war against Ukraine,” the Strasbourg assembly said.
Japan imposes more sanctions on Russia
Japan freezes the assets of other Russian individuals and organizations because of the Russian offensive war against Ukraine. As Japan’s Kyodo news agency reported on Friday, citing the government in Tokyo, it affects 36 people and 52 organizations, including Russian politicians, officers, businessmen and companies. In addition to asset freezes, the additional sanctions also include export bans. (sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
