08/02/2022
Ukraine war in the live ticker
+++ 00:32 Selenskyj sees the first grain carrier as a positive signal +++
After the resumption of grain exports, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj is cautiously optimistic that he will be able to solve the global supply crisis and boost his own economy. “The port has started to work and this is a positive sign that there is a chance to stop the development of the food crisis in the world,” says Zelenskyy in his daily video message. According to him, 16 more ships are waiting in Ukrainian ports to be cleared for export. The implementation of the grain agreement is also of enormous importance for Ukraine. It’s not just about billions in foreign exchange earnings. “About half a million Ukrainians are involved in growing export agricultural products, and if we add related industries, that’s another million jobs,” Zelenskyy said.
+++ 23:52 Kyiv reports delivery of the first Mars II rocket launcher from Germany +++
Ukraine has received the first Mars-II multiple rocket launcher system from Germany. Defense Minister Oleksiy Resnikov announced this via Twitter. In addition, the United States had supplied four more Himars multiple rocket launchers. Germany has promised Ukraine a total of three Mars II systems. From Kiev’s point of view, the multiple rocket launchers are crucial in the fight against the Russian attackers.
+++ 23:12 Baerbock: Nuclear participation within NATO necessary +++
Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock defends that US nuclear warheads are still stored in Germany. In the federal election campaign, the Greens had called for it to be removed. “At the time, even in the opposition, we didn’t say that you were pretending that nuclear weapons didn’t exist,” said Baerbock on RTL Direkt. They have campaigned for joint disarmament steps. “Unfortunately, since February 24, the brutal reality has changed.” Russia did not come to the negotiating table on nuclear disarmament and “literally blew up” the European peace order. Therefore, these days, nuclear disarmament goes hand in hand with nuclear sharing within NATO. “Because we unfortunately have to experience that we cannot rely on the promises that the Russian regime once made on our own,” says Baerbock.
+++ 22:08 report: USA rule out Ukrainian attack on prisoner of war camps +++
According to a report, the US has ruled out that Ukraine is responsible for the deaths of several Ukrainian prisoners of war in Olenivka in the Donbass. “We know that Ukraine did not attack the complex with HIMARS missile systems because there are no signs of a HIMARS attack on the railings,” the US news portal quoted political two American government officials familiar with the investigation into the incident. Russians and Ukrainians accuse each other of being responsible for the deaths of Ukrainian prisoners of war.
+++ 21:41 Heineken wants to sell business in Russia before the end of the year +++
The Dutch brewery Heineken wants to find a buyer for its Russian business in the second half of the year. “We announced on March 28 that we were leaving Russia,” the company said. “We are making progress in finding a new owner to whom we can transfer the business in accordance with international and local laws.” Heineken gives the value of its Russian business at 475 million euros.
You can read earlier developments of the Ukraine war here.