Selenskyj says thanks – and the topic of fighter jets
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy returns to Kiev with a promise of further military aid from Germany and France. In Berlin and Paris, Selenskyj insisted on the delivery of fighter jets on Sunday. However, both German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and President Emmanuel Macron reacted cautiously. The French head of state wanted to comment on further military aid in a TV interview on Monday evening, according to the Élysée Palace. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy thanked Germany and France for their military support.
The Ukrainian president arrived on Sunday after talks in Rome for his first visit to Germany since Russia’s invasion began. In Berlin, Selenskyj met Chancellor Scholz, among others. In the afternoon, Selenskyj and the Ukrainian people received the Charlemagne Prize in Aachen for their services to the unity of Europe. Surprisingly, Zelenskyj then traveled on to Paris, where he met Macron – it was his second visit to France since the start of the war. Whether the Ukrainian president would fly out that night or after an overnight stay in Paris was also left open for security reasons.
The subject of fighter jets keeps coming back, it was said from Paris, the question is probably a bit premature. Before you can deliver an aircraft, you must have trained pilots. The training takes a while – and the Ukrainian pilots are not trained on French models. Scholz said on the issue of fighter jets that Germany had supplied a lot to Ukraine. Germany concentrates on supporting the defensive struggle. After the US, the Federal Republic is the second largest supporter of Ukraine.
France promises air defense systems
Germany is one of Ukraine’s main supporters – both militarily and financially. Since the beginning of the war, the federal government has approved arms shipments worth 2.75 billion euros. Zelenskyj’s visit was prepared in Germany with the promise of further military aid worth an additional €2.7 billion. The German defense industry will provide, among other things, another 20 Marder armored cars, 30 Leopard 1 tanks and four Iris-T SLM anti-aircraft systems.
France promised to provide dozens of armored vehicles and light tanks, as well as long-range air defense systems. In addition, thousands of Ukrainian soldiers will be trained by France in the current year.
Zelenskyj also thanks on Twitter
Zelenskyy thanked Germany and France for their military support. “I thank Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the German people for the strong defense package, for their leadership in defending human lives against Russian terror with us,” Zelenskyj wrote on Twitter early Monday. He is grateful to Macron and the entire French people “for the military support of our fighters, which helps in the fight against Russian terrorists”. “Together we bring peace closer to all Ukrainians and Europeans,” he wrote.
SPD leader Klingbeil: proceed with Ukraine’s accession to the EU
German SPD chairman Lars Klingbeil called for accelerated accession of Ukraine to the European Union. “Of course Ukraine’s accession to the EU is subject to the same conditions as for all other countries, but we must move this important issue forward,” Klingbeil told the editorial network Germany (Monday). Germany has a great responsibility in this. “We have the power to initiate and accelerate things in Europe.”
Ukraine has been an official candidate for EU membership since last summer. However, the 27 EU countries have yet to decide unanimously on the negotiations. Ukraine hopes to start concrete EU accession negotiations this year.
Reports of heavy artillery fire on Donetsk
The Russian-controlled city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine reportedly came under heavy artillery fire on Sunday. The city was hit by hundreds of artillery shells and projectiles from multiple rocket launchers, Russia’s state agency TASS reported, citing local authorities. No information has been released about the consequences of the shooting. The rendering could not be independently verified. Donetsk is just behind the front lines in eastern Ukraine.
Kiev: Attacks on Bachmut continue
According to their own words, the Ukrainian troops made further gains in the area around the heavily contested city of Bakhmut. “Our units have captured more than ten enemy positions north and south of Bakhmut and cleared a large forest area near Ivanivske,” deputy defense minister Hanna Maljar said on Telegram on Sunday. Russian soldiers were captured. Despite the Ukrainian successes, the situation near Bakhmut remains tense as the Russian army offers resolute resistance.
In recent days, the Ukrainian army has counterattacked large areas around the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. Now there is a threat of encirclement of the Russian mercenary group Wagner deployed in the city.
That will be important on Monday
China’s special envoy Li Hui travels to Ukraine. It is the first time since the start of the war that China has sent a high-ranking diplomat to the country under attack by Russia. According to Beijing, Li will also visit Poland, Germany, France and Russia to discuss a political solution to the conflict. (con/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.
