Zelenskyj demands an invitation to join NATO – the nightly update without photos

Zelenskyj calls for an invitation to join NATO

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on NATO to pave the way for his country’s entry into the Western military alliance at the July summit. Neither in Ukraine, nor in Europe, nor in NATO would the majority of the population understand if Kiev did not receive a “well-deserved invitation,” Zelensky said in his daily video address on Thursday evening. He had previously hosted NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Kiev for the first time since the start of Russia’s offensive war nearly 14 months ago.

The meeting was not just about defending Ukraine, but about “defending the entire rules-based international order and protecting life,” the president said. Hardly anyone currently contributes more to Euro-Atlantic security than the Ukrainian soldiers. Kiev therefore “made every effort to ensure that our request is met”. Several members of the alliance have reservations about Ukraine’s admission.

Stoltenberg in Kiev: Ukraine’s place is in NATO

By contrast, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, during his surprise visit to Kiev, promised Ukraine further support in its efforts to join the military alliance. “Ukraine deserves a place in NATO,” he said at a joint press conference with Zelensky. With the support of NATO, it will eventually be able to take over.

Stoltenberg also referred to a support program announced in early April for Ukraine’s planned NATO membership. The multi-year initiative aims to make it easier for the country to adapt to alliance standards and enable seamless cooperation with NATO. It is “a testament to NATO’s long-standing commitment to Ukraine,” Stoltenberg said in Kiev.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius assumes that a decision on Ukraine’s desired NATO membership will only be made after the Russian offensive war has ended. “The door is ajar, but now is not the time to decide now,” the SPD politician said on the ZDF program Maybrit Illner on Thursday evening. To do this, you must “first repel this conflict, this attack, and then in the new age you must carefully weigh this step.”

Pistorius: It is normal for the attacked to enter enemy territory

Pistorius considers limited attacks by Ukraine on Russian territory acceptable in the fight against invasion. It is “completely normal” in such a military conflict, “that the attacked person also enters enemy territory, for example to block supply routes,” said the SPD politician in the ZDF program “Maybrit Illner”. “As long as no cities, no civilians, no civilian areas are attacked, you will have to accept that. I don’t like it, but it’s part of it, for example to prevent supply routes. »

Referring to the state of the Russian military, Pistorius said: “We know that some of the equipment now being pushed in from the depots is in appalling condition. Some are literally ancient – ​​tanks from the 50s and 60s.”

Governor: Heavy explosion in the Russian border town of Belgorod

A massive explosion accidentally caused by a Russian fighter jet shook the town of Belgorod, not far from the border with Ukraine. “A huge crater with a radius of 20 meters has formed at the intersection of one of the main roads,” Belgorod region governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on Thursday evening. Two women were injured. The defense ministry in Moscow later admitted that a Russian warplane had dropped a bomb over the city.

Ukrainian public debt rises to almost 80 percent of GDP

Due to the economic malaise caused by the war and new loans, Ukraine’s public debt rose to almost 80 percent of economic output last year. Specifically, state and state-guaranteed debt have increased from 48.9 percent in the pre-war year 2021 to 78.5 percent, the Ministry of Finance in Kiev announced on Twitter on Thursday.

Decided on the basis of the Petersburg dialogue with Russia

The Petersburg Dialogue, a civil society forum between Germany and Russia, is closed due to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The general meeting decided to dissolve the association, the bureau announced in Berlin on Thursday evening. The Petersburg Dialogue was launched in 2001 by Russian President Vladimir Putin and then Chancellor Gerhard Schröder (SPD).

Henkel sells Russian company for 600 million euros

At the same time, the exodus of Western companies from Russia continues. The consumer goods group Henkel has found a buyer for its activities there. The company announced on Thursday in Düsseldorf that it would sell its activities to a consortium of local financial investors. The price is the equivalent of about 600 million euros. The consortium consisted of companies such as Augment Investments, Kismet Capital Group and Elbrus Services. Henkel emphasized that the buyers are not subject to EU or US sanctions. They also had long-standing business relationships in Western countries.

What will be important on Friday

Defense ministers and senior military officials from numerous countries will discuss further support for Ukraine in the war against Russia this Friday (10 a.m.) at the US Ramstein Air Force Base in Rhineland-Palatinate. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin invited members of the so-called Ukraine Contact Group to the conference. (sda/dpa)