Zelenskyj: Set course for victory in the spring
Partly in view of the expected new arms aid, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj sees his country in a decisive phase. “We need to shape the spring in such a way that it is really noticeable that Ukraine is on its way to victory,” Zelenskyy said in his evening video message on Wednesday.
Selenskyj was referring to the huge losses that Russia is currently suffering daily at the front in eastern Ukraine, experts said. This phase should now be used for military successes by the Ukrainian army, he explained: “Our task is to ensure that (in Russia) less and less effort is made to keep Ukrainian territories occupied.”
Meanwhile, federal defense minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) had to admit that the so-called armored coalition for Ukraine, which attacked Russia a year ago, is likely to miss its target for now. And also from London – with a view to possible deliveries of fighter jets – there was a setback from a Ukrainian point of view.
The current developments in the live ticker:
Ukraine reports six suspected spy balloons over Kiev
According to the authorities, several suspected spy balloons have been discovered over Kiev. Ukraine’s air force registered “about six enemy air targets” and shot down some, Kyiv’s military government said. According to initial findings, these are balloons floating in the wind, which can be fitted with reflectors or Secret Service equipment.
The Russians may have sent the balloons to help locate Ukrainian anti-aircraft positions, it said. To get more detailed information, the shot down objects are now being thoroughly examined.
The German armored coalition for Ukraine initially missed its target
Ukraine will not receive the number of main battle tanks promised by Germany for the time being. According to Pistorius, no new commitments were made for Leopard 2A6 tanks at a meeting of the so-called tank coalition. Accordingly, only Germany and Portugal want to supply this model. “We don’t reach the battalion strength there,” the SPD politician admitted.
On January 25, the German federal government announced the goal of “quickly assembling two tank battalions with Leopard 2 tanks for Ukraine”. In Ukraine, these are usually equipped with 31 tanks each. At the end of last week, Chancellor Olaf Scholz was still optimistic that the goal could be achieved.
In the UK, Defense Secretary Ben Wallace has also dampened Ukraine’s hopes for rapid deliveries of fighter jets. “I don’t think we will be delivering fighter jets for the next few months or even years because they are very different weapon systems than, say, anti-tank missiles,” Wallace said in a BBC interview.
Inspector General confirms German Leopard schedule
At the same time, the Inspector General of the German Armed Forces, Eberhard Zorn, confirmed that German tanks would soon be deployed in Ukraine. “I assume that our leopards and martens will be used in Ukraine in March,” Zorn told the “Welt”. It took a while to organize majorities for delivery, but now the following applies: “If we decide to deliver a weapon system, we will also make it sustainable. In other words: with the right parts packages and the accompanying ammunition.”
The Bundeswehr started training Ukrainian soldiers on the Leopard 2 main battle tank on Monday. It should be ready by the end of the first quarter. The federal government has also promised Ukraine 14 Leopard 2A6s.
US Secretary of State Blinken attends the Munich security conference
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken attends the Munich security conference. The US State Department said it plans to discuss further aid to Ukraine in bilateral and multilateral meetings there. In addition, Blinken will continue to travel to Turkey and Greece.
What will be important on Thursday
At the opening of the Berlinale on Thursday evening, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj will be connected via video. The festival spoke of “a special honor”. (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.
