The European Union and the US want to take tougher action against supporters of the Russian offensive war against Ukraine. “Together, we are taking new steps to attack more third-country actors around the world to stop support for the Russian war from every corner of the world where it is detected,” announced US President Joe Biden and the chairman of the United States. the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen in a joint statement on Friday (local time) after a meeting at the White House. The focus is on preventing Russia from circumventing the sanctions, von der Leyen said during a short press statement outside the White House.
They are working together to limit Russian revenues while securing energy supplies in emerging and developing countries, the joint statement said.
Concrete measures were initially not mentioned. China was also not explicitly mentioned. Both the EU and the US are considering sanctions against the country if it is confirmed that the country is supporting Russia with arms shipments. In the past, sanctions have been imposed on companies based in China.
Zelenskyj praises Norway’s help for the spring offensive
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed Norway as a special European ally in terms of military aid ahead of the spring offensive against Russia. Oslo is leading by example by supporting defense with $7 billion (6.58 billion euros) over the next five years, Zelenskyj said in a video message distributed Friday evening after a meeting with Norwegian Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram in Kiev. Other countries should take Norway as an example, Zelenskyy said.
Gram said Norway respects Ukraine’s defense struggles and victims. Oslo will support the country for as long as necessary. According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine has strengthened its air defenses, artillery and other areas thanks to Norway. Steps were discussed to make Ukraine’s spring defense offensive a success.
The possibility of training pilots on Western fighter jets has also been discussed with Norway, Zelenskyj said. Ukraine calls for fighter jets as an urgent necessity to defeat Russia. However, so far there has been no deployment for fighter jets. Russia warns against such a delivery because, according to Moscow, it means that NATO countries are directly involved in the war.
The Scandinavian NATO country Norway will supply Ukraine with eight Leopard 2 main battle tanks. There are also up to four escort vehicles and funds for ammunition and spare parts. For example, Germany wants to deliver 14 Leopard 2A6 main battle tanks to Ukraine. In early February, Norway also announced it would purchase 54 new Leopard tanks from German defense contractor Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, with an option for a further 18.
Ukraine is fighting for security and power supply in the country
Selenskyj again commented on the situation around the strategically important city of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region, which has been fighting for months. The units there would be reinforced, he said. At the same time, Zelensky thanked the fighters for their “strong effort” in defending the eastern Ukrainian city. From Kiev’s point of view, Bakhmut is considered a fortress to prevent Russian troops from penetrating deeper inland.
After the massive Russian missile strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure on Thursday, Zelenskyy complained that there were still problems. There are reports of supply recovery. Yet, for example, Kharkov still has individual problems with household power supply. There are “heroic attempts” by the energy workers to restore the supply. The situation in Zhytomyr is also not easy.
Ukraine throws out Orthodox Church from country’s main monastery
In Ukraine, the state has evicted the largest Orthodox church from the country’s main shrine, the Kiev Pechersk Lavra. Due to violations, the contract of use concluded in 2013 will be terminated on March 29, according to a letter from the state administration of the museum site that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church published on Friday. The basis is a decree issued by Zelenskyy last December to review the activities of religious communities after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Selenskyj believes the church is full of Russian spies. The expulsion concerns the rooms of the so-called lower part of the cave monastery, in which are the entrances to the caves built by monks in the Middle Ages. Before the Russian invasion, the church was modeled on the Moscow Patriarchate. Therefore, the Church is exposed to political persecution.
The Patriarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church in Moscow reacted with horror to the expulsion. This is the “peak of lawlessness” in Ukraine. “An lawlessness that has been unfolding against millions of loyal Ukrainians for years,” said Moscow Church spokesman Vladimir Legoida.
Access to the main meetinghouses at the top of the hill was denied in January. The mass for the traditional Orthodox Christmas on January 7 was first held in the Cathedral of the Assumption by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which was established in 2018 with state support. The historic monastery complex is state-owned and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Ukraine, there are three major churches that follow the Orthodox rite.
What will be important on Saturday
In eastern Ukraine, Kiev forces and Russian units continued to engage in heavy fighting around the city of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region. Moscow troops say they are advancing. Kiev wants to prevent a capture of the city, which once had a population of 70,000, because it fears that Russian troops would then move much further inland. (saw/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.
