02/21/2023
Ukraine war in the live ticker
+++ 05:02 China “deeply concerned” about war +++
According to Foreign Minister Qin Gang, China is “deeply concerned” about the conflict in Ukraine. This is “intensifying” and “even getting out of control,” said in a speech on global security. Beijing will “work with the international community to promote dialogue and consultation, address the concerns of all parties and strive for common security.” Referring to the upcoming first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, Qin said Beijing will “continue to promote peace talks.” “At the same time, we call on the affected countries to stop pouring oil on the fire as soon as possible.” In addition, “the blame should no longer be shifted to China”. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken previously said China may be considering arms sales to Russia.
+++ 03:49 Only half of the promised financial aid paid to Kiev +++
According to an analysis by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW), Ukraine has not yet received at least a quarter of the heavy weapons promised by the West. “The donor countries have so far delivered between 65 and 75 percent of the promised heavy weapons to Ukraine,” says IfW expert Andre Frank to the “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland”. The delay in financial aid from the two largest donors, the USA and the EU, is even greater. “So far, only about half of their commitments have been paid out.”
+++ 03:00 Russia can deliver oil to third countries again +++
The Russian state-owned companies Rosneft and Gazprom can again supply oil to third countries. The member states of the European Union have agreed to adjust the sanctions against Russia accordingly. The decision was made to “avoid negative consequences for food and energy security around the world,” according to a statement. According to traders, the EU sanctions have resulted in the Russian oil trade moving into a gray area with weak accident insurance and older ships.
+++ 02:34 Poland ratifies NATO accession of Finland and Sweden +++
Poland ratifies the accession of the Nordic countries Finland and Sweden to NATO. President Andrzej Duda will sign the legislation on Friday after both chambers of the Polish parliament have given their approval. “This is a very important day not only for NATO and for our part of Europe, but also for the security of future generations,” says Duda. Finland and Sweden have been neutral for many decades. According to Duda, the Russian aggression against Ukraine, which in its cruelty is reminiscent of the Second World War, changed this perspective.
+++ 01:16 Authorities confiscate further assets from Putin friend Medvedchuk +++
According to the Ukrainian security service, other assets belonging to oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk and his wife Oksana Marchenko have been confiscated. This reports “Kyiv Independent”. According to the authorities, there are two plots of land with a total area of 3 and 5 hectares, as well as two hotel premises, company rights and banknotes.
+++ 00:08 Kremlin paper describes takeover of Belarus +++
Moscow apparently plans to gradually take over Belarus. This is suggested by a document from the Kremlin that is available to the Süddeutsche Zeitung, WDR, NDR and nine other European media outlets. The paper, entitled “Strategic Goals of the Russian Federation in Belarus,” dates from the summer of 2021. It uses short-, medium-, and long-term goals to describe how Russia intends to gradually incorporate the neighboring country by 2030.
+++ 23:41 EU decides another 500 million euros for weapons for Ukraine +++
As announced, the European Union is increasing its financial aid for the supply of weapons and equipment to the Ukrainian armed forces to 2.5 billion euros. The EU member states have officially decided on the next tranche of 500 million euros, the Council of Member States announced. “Ukraine needs more weapons, we will deliver them,” said foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. Specifically, 490 million euros of the money is to be spent on weapons and ammunition and 10 million euros on protective equipment, petrol or first-aid kits.
+++ 22:55 Selenskyj: The future of the world order will be decided in Ukraine +++
According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the outcome of the war is also groundbreaking for the shaping of future global relations. “Right now and here in Ukraine, the future of a world order based on rules, humanity and predictability is being decided,” he says in his nightly video address. He points out that it is known what Ukraine needs to ward off the invasion. “All it takes is determination,” he says. “Today I saw this determination from President Biden and the United States of America,” he said, referring to Joe Biden’s surprise visit to Kiev.
+++ 22:17 Organization: More and more reports about the worst violent crimes against children +++
According to one report, about four children are injured or killed every day in the Ukraine war – but the actual number is likely to be drastically higher. “For children, this year-long war is a catastrophe,” says Inger Ashing, chairwoman of Save the Children. Accordingly, reports of the worst violent crimes against children, including torture, sexual violence and murders, are increasing. In addition, many cases are never reported. Since the beginning of the war, every child in Ukraine has spent an average of 920 hours in bunkers, more than a month, the organization reports. The situation is even more dramatic in the regions near the front. Many children lead lives of constant fear. In addition, there are other burdens such as the loss of relatives or experiences of fleeing.
+++ 21:51 Rheinmetall: Marder “are already finished here” +++
The armaments group Rheinmetall has confirmed that its contingent of Marder armored personnel carriers will be delivered to Ukraine without delay. “It has been agreed to deliver at the end of March. They are already finished here,” said CEO Armin Papperger in Unterlüß in Lower Saxony. The federal government had announced that it would hand over a total of 40 armored personnel carriers to Ukraine. Of these, 20 are said to come from the stocks of the Bundeswehr, and 20 more will be supplied by Rheinmetall. According to Papperger, the ammunition line for the Gepard anti-aircraft tank is to be set up in April or May. Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said in Unterlüß: “I would like the industry to expand production capacities quickly. Material has to get to where it is needed.”
You can read earlier developments in the Ukraine war here.