Scholz: Putin underestimated the unity of Europe – the nightly update without pictures “All hope has died here”: Helper reports from Aleppo

Zelenskyj: All murderers must be punished

According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, he firmly believes that those responsible for the war against his country will be held accountable. The way for the punishment of the Russian perpetrators was paved at an international conference in Lviv, Ukraine, Zelenskyj said in his evening video address on Sunday.

“All Russian murderers, every organizer of this aggression, everyone who in any way causes war against our country and terror against our people, they must all be punished,” Zelensky said. The basis for this has already been laid in recent days at the international conference “United for Justice” in Lviv.

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The fair punishment of those responsible for the war is “not just a dream,” Zelenskyy stressed. “This is work that is already underway.” The world is “strong enough” to punish Russia for the war. “And we will give the world the courage and the means to carry out the punishment.”

At the conference in Lviv it was agreed, among other things, to establish a new international center for the prosecution of war crimes. It is intended to secure evidence for future trials.

Ukraine has been trying for months to form an international court modeled on the Nuremberg Tribunal for Nazi war criminals with its supporters, before which leading Russian representatives must answer for the war against the neighboring country.

Kiev: Russian forces continue to attack Bakhmut

Meanwhile, the Russian army continued its fight to take the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut on Sunday. “They (the Russian troops) will not stop attacking Bakhmut and the surrounding settlements,” Ukraine’s General Staff in Kiev said in its evening situation report. Numerous settlements around Bachmut had been shelled with mortars and artillery. The generals in Kiev gave no information about gains or loss of territory.

Bakhmut has so far been under pressure from three sides, with only one side in the west still open, offering Ukrainian forces a corridor for a possible retreat. “The defenders are holding their position,” said Sehy Cherevaty, spokesman for the Ukrainian Army Group East. “And we have the ability to deliver ammunition, supplies and medicines and transport wounded.”

The Russian troops have been trying for weeks to conquer the fortress city of Bakhmut. Russia is using the infamous Wagner mercenaries, who have already suffered heavy casualties, according to Ukrainian reports. However, the information cannot be verified.

The General Staff in Kiev also spoke in its report of “failed offensive actions” by Russian troops near Avdiivka and Shakhtarsk in the east of the country. There, too, many cities were indiscriminately shelled by Russian artillery.

Von der Leyen: No evidence of arms from China to Russia

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, expressed reservations about possible sanctions against China if the People’s Republic supplied arms to Russia. “So far we have no evidence of that. But you have to look at it every day,” she said on Sunday during an appearance with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on the sidelines of the cabinet meeting in Meseberg, north of Berlin. A journalist asked whether the US had received concrete evidence that China was considering arms sales to Russia.

Scholz: Putin underestimated the unity of the West

According to Olaf Scholz, Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin underestimated the cohesion of the West in supporting Ukraine. “He misjudged the unity of Europe, the United States and all friends of Ukraine, as well as the constant supply of weapons that we make available to Ukraine,” the chancellor said in an English-language interview with US broadcaster CNN broadcast on Sunday. . This way the Ukrainians could defend their country. “And they will be able to do this in the future,” Scholz said.

“We are now the strongest supporter of Ukraine in continental Europe and we will continue to be,” said Scholz. “And that’s also because of the weapons we coordinate with the United States and other friends.” Germany spent 14 billion euros on various forms of aid to Ukraine last year.

Scholz met with US President Joe Biden before the interview in Washington. They discussed how to proceed in the Ukraine crisis and pledged continued support to Kiev in repelling the Russian onslaught.

Finnish army chief: Russia only understands hard power

In view of Russia’s offensive war, Finnish army chief Timo Kivinen recognizes the need for his formerly non-aligned country to join NATO. “We don’t want to threaten anyone,” said the general of the ZDF “heute journal” (Sunday). But with NATO there is more potential for deterrence. “Russia clearly only understands hard power.” Finland has a 1,300 kilometer long border with Russia and, like Sweden, wants to join NATO because of the war in Ukraine. The final decision on admission mainly depends on the attitude of Turkey and Hungary.

After all, the border that the Baltic EU and NATO member state of Estonia shares with Russia is 300 kilometers long. Prime Minister Kaja Kallas’s Liberal Economic Party won a clear victory in parliamentary elections there, taking 37 of the 101 seats in parliament, the election commission announced on Monday evening. Kallas has headed the government since 2021 and is considered one of the most staunch supporters of Ukraine in Europe.

That will be important on Monday

Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) arrives in the evening for a visit to NATO partner country Lithuania. Among other things, he wants to meet the Bundeswehr soldiers stationed there. (sda/dpa)