Following the meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Brussels, the Heads of State and Government of the EU countries made a clear commitment to provide further assistance to the country attacked by Russia. At the same time, Russia announces the construction of more tanks.
The night in brief:
Zelenskyy: Progress in summit talks
After several meetings with European allies in recent days, Zelenskyy had previously reported on the progress of talks on further arms supplies for his country. His visit to London brought decisions about the supply of long-range weapons and pilot training closer, he said at a press conference on the sidelines of the EU summit on Thursday. “It’s really a step towards delivering fighter jets.”
“The European Union will provide Ukraine with active support for as long as necessary,” said a statement adopted at the EU summit on Friday evening.
Moreover, people are willing to do so to further tighten sanctions against Russia in close coordination and cooperation with partners. Measures against evasion attempts would be tightened.
Scholz: Selenskyj’s participation at the top has touched everyone deeply
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz described meeting Selenskyj at the EU summit as an extremely emotional moment. “The personal participation in this European Council moved everyone I saw gathered there,” he said. Zelenskyi was often addressed, but the fact that he himself appeared in Brussels on 24 February shortly before the anniversary of the start of the war was something special. “And it is also a symbol of the Ukrainians’ will to resist and a strong sign that the European Union and Ukraine stand together.”Scholz added. Everyone in Ukraine can be sure that the Ukrainians will be supported “as long as it takes”.
During his visit to Brussels, Zelenskyy demanded further arms deliveries from EU member states. “I have no right to come home without a result,” said the 45-year-old head of state. In the Belgian capital, Zelenskyi first gave an emotional speech in the European Parliament before meeting the EU heads of state and government at the summit. On Wednesday he had already been to London and Paris. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that he would check whether fighter jets are available for Ukraine.
After the summit, Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed his optimism that the targets for supplying Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine will be met. “My impression is that it works,” said the SPD politician. “But of course it won’t be easy.” According to his own statements, Scholz again took the opportunity at the EU summit to “ask many to actively support”. We try very hard to move the subject forward. This also included training, supply of spare parts and ammunition.
The President of the EU Parliament is positive about the delivery of fighter jets to Ukraine
President of the EU Parliament Metsola underlined the importance of supplying fighter jets to Ukraine. “Now, as the next step, states should consider rapidly deploying long-range systems and aircraft,” she said. These would be necessary to protect the freedom that too many would have taken for granted. On the occasion of Zelenskyj’s visit to the EU parliament and later at the EU summit in Brussels, she explained: “Our response has to match the threat – and the threat is existential.”
Medvedev announces the construction and modernization of thousands of tanks
In response to Western military aid to Russia-attacked Ukraine, ex-Kremlin chief Dmitry Medvedev pledged to build and modernize thousands of tanks. “As you know, yesterday our enemy begged abroad for planes, missiles and tanks,” Medvedev said during a visit to a mechanical engineering company in the Siberian city of Omsk. Medvedev, now deputy head of the Russian Security Council, was clearly referring to Zelensky’s trips to London and Paris.
“How should we answer?” Medvedev asked employees of the Omsk company, which specializes in weapons production, among other things, according to a video that he himself distributed. He then gave the answer himself: “It is clear that in this case it is natural for us to increase the production of various types of weapons and military technology – including modern tanks,” said the 57-year-old. “We are talking about the production and modernization of thousands of tanks.”
In Russia, a law came into force last summer that makes it possible to better align the economy with the needs of the military. This means that individual sectors can be obliged to supply the armed forces. Moscow repeatedly claims that it is far superior to Kiev militarily. However, international secret services and military experts regularly point to the Russians’ equipment problems, some of which are serious.
According to a report, the United States will support Ukraine in coordinating strikes against the Russian military. In most attacks using US advanced missile systems, the US or allies would provide or confirm the coordinates of strike targets, the Washington Post said Thursday, citing unnamed Ukrainian and US sources. The information would be provided by the US military in Europe. The newspaper named Russian ammunition depots or barracks on Ukrainian territory as targets.
That will be important on Friday
At the initiative of Great Britain, more than 30 countries want to discuss a joint response to the announcement by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that athletes from Russia and Belarus may participate in international competitions under certain conditions. (yam/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.
