06/03/2022
Ukraine war in the live ticker
+++ 00:58 “For life in freedom”: Baerbock gives Ukraine long support +++
100 days after the start of the war, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock pledged solidarity and further arms deliveries to Ukraine. In a guest article for the “Bild” newspaper, the Greens politician writes: “We will continue to support Ukraine. Until there are no more Butschas. So that things are normal again for the people of Ukraine, what for such a matter of course for us: A life in freedom.” Additional arms deliveries were also part of the support: “Putin is counting on perseverance – and on our exhaustion.” The fate of Bucha threatens every village. “That’s why we have to continue to support Ukraine right now. Also with weapons, because Putin can’t be stopped with words.”
+++ 00:11 Selenskyj thanks for foreign arms deliveries +++
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanks the US and other allies for recent pledges to deliver modern weapons. In his current video speech, he mainly mentions the HIMARS multiple rocket launchers from the USA. “These weapons will really help save the lives of our people and protect our country,” Zelenskyy said. He also thanked Sweden, which promised anti-ship missiles, among other things, on Thursday. The EU’s new sixth package of sanctions against Russia with an extensive oil embargo is also a help. “The world is finally giving up Russian oil,” says the Ukrainian president. For Ukraine, Friday marks the 100th day of the Russian-imposed war.
+++ 23:38 Habeck expects major disputes over the costs of the war +++
Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck expects major social debates about the costs of the war in autumn and winter. “We will experience a dramatic increase in heating costs,” says “Maybrit Illner” on ZDF. “Whether the political measures will then be sufficient to maintain social peace and the feeling that things are fair in this country will be the decisive question of the autumn and winter. I’m not quite sure about that,” he explains the question of whether Germany could run out of steam in supporting Ukraine and sanctions against the aggressor Russia. According to Habeck, the longer the war lasted, the more habitual effects could set in in this country. Other topics, including the Bundesliga, could suppress outrage at Russian aggression and atrocities.
+++ 23:06 Bundestag votes on Friday on historic rearmament +++
The Bundestag decides on Friday about the 100 billion euro special fund for the Bundeswehr. This requires an amendment to the Basic Law, which must be approved by a two-thirds majority in Parliament. The traffic light coalition is therefore dependent on votes from the Union. After the Bundestag decision, the Bundesrat would also vote on the amendment to the Basic Law on Friday next week. Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) announced the special fund at the end of February after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It is intended to eliminate massive equipment shortages in the Bundeswehr. Plans include the acquisition of modern F-35 fighter jets, new corvettes for the Navy and successors to the Marder infantry fighting vehicle and the Fuchs troop carrier.
+++ 22:33 Prime Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia calls for Germany’s technological independence +++
As a consequence of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, North Rhine-Westphalia’s Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst (CDU) is calling for Germany’s future dependence on authoritarian regimes to be comprehensively avoided. “For all systemically important goods and technologies,” Germany must become independent, says Wüst after consultations with the prime ministers of the federal states. This not only applies to energy, but also to the health sector. Chancellor Olaf Scholz also took part in the deliberations.
+++ 22:17 Russian central bank warns of rising inflation +++
According to the central bank in Moscow, the recent slowdown in the rate of inflation in Russia may not be sustainable. According to a report by the central bank, inflation could rise again, since opposing one-off effects are less effective. There is more of a risk of higher inflation.
+++ 21:58 Chad declares a food emergency due to high food prices +++
Chad has declared a state of emergency because of rising food prices as a result of the Ukraine war. The head of the military junta in power in the African country, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, points to the “constant deterioration in the food and nutrition situation” and warns of “increasing danger to the population” if humanitarian aid is not provided. As a result of the Russian attack on Ukraine, world grain prices have risen sharply. The United Nations warns that 5.5 million people in Chad – more than a third of the population – could be in need of humanitarian aid this year. The World Food Program estimated in March that 2.1 million people in Chad will be affected by “severe food insecurity” by June.
You can read earlier developments of the Ukraine war here.