The Ukrainian and Russian forces are engaged in heavy fighting in the east of the country.
(Photo: IMAGO/Le Pictorium)
Kyiv Ukrainian forces in the city of Bakhmut in the east of the country continue to resist constant Russian attacks. “We oppose them,” said President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday evening in his daily video address.
Earlier, at a meeting of the Stavka, Ukraine’s high command, the occupiers’ attempts to surround the city and break through the Ukrainian defense lines were discussed. “And I’m grateful to every soldier who puts his determination into the resistance.”
Zelensky also reported on new appointments on the fronts in Ukraine. “In a number of regions, particularly in the border and frontline areas, we are hiring managers with military experience,” Zelenskiy said. These are people “who can defend themselves most effectively against the current threats”.
In general, military experience from the course of the war so far should be combined with management work in the local and central administration.
In addition, the formation of new brigades of the National Guard, the police and the border guard is progressing. “The beginning is strong,” said Selenski. “And it will continue.” In view of the intensified Russian attacks, the Ukrainian army is forced to move troops to the front that were actually intended for later offensive actions.
Selenski is obviously considering a trip to Brussels
The Ukrainian President is apparently considering a trip to Brussels. Several employees of the European Parliament confirmed on Monday to the German Press Agency that there was a “probability of an extraordinary plenary session in the presence of the Ukrainian President” on Thursday. On the same day, the heads of state and government of the EU countries will meet in Brussels for a summit.
The Ukrainian President seems to want to travel to Brussels.
(Photo: dpa)
It was said that Zelensky would attend as a guest. A spokesman for EU Council President Charles Michel said in the evening that he had been invited to attend a summit in person. Initially, there was no confirmation from Kyiv that Zelensky would travel to Brussels. For security reasons, there should only be one shortly before.
Norway wants to support Ukraine with billions in the long term
Ukraine can count on long-term financial help from Norway. The government of the Scandinavian country wants to support the country attacked by Russia with 15 billion Norwegian kroner (around 1.36 billion euros) annually over the next five years, as Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre announced in Oslo on Monday.
That makes a total of 75 billion crowns (6.8 billion euros). On the one hand, they want to show the Ukrainians that they will be supported in the long term, said Støre. On the other hand, Russia should know that free democratic countries are helping Ukraine in its struggle.
The Scandinavian country has promised Ukraine billions in aid.
(Photo: Getty Images; Per-Anders Pettersson)
Selenski thanked Oslo for the financial support. “This is a very, very important contribution to our victory that we are preparing,” he said in his video address on Monday evening. “A shared victory for all who truly value freedom and life.”
Ukraine plans to ask for missiles and planes at security conference
Ukraine plans to ask for fighter jets and long-range missiles at the Munich Security Conference next week. This is a “priority issue” for Kyiv, said Foreign Minister Dmitro Kuleba, according to a statement from his agency on Monday evening. Airplanes in particular are still an open question that needs to be resolved. He reminded that last year President Zelensky had asked the participants of the security conference to supply arms to Ukraine.
This is how the Handelsblatt reports on the Ukraine war:
Like last year, US Vice President Kamala Harris wants to take part in the conference again. The White House announced on Monday evening (local time) in Washington that Harris would travel to Munich next week. She will give a speech there.
The Munich Security Conference will take place from February 17th to 19th at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof. It is the first security conference since the start of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
CDU foreign politician accuses Scholz of leadership failure on the tank issue
The CDU foreign politician Roderich Kiesewetter attributes the lack of delivery commitments for an international tank alliance to failures on the part of the federal government. “The problem with the Leopard alliance is that Germany did not make any arrangements with the alliance partners and therefore had no leadership or coordination role in advance,” said Kiesewetter of the Düsseldorf “Rheinische Post” and the Bonn “General-Anzeiger” (Tuesday). .
It is “puzzling” why Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) committed himself to the delivery of comparatively modern Leopard 2A6 battle tanks “without internal consultation and without feedback from the Bundeswehr”.
The German government announced on January 25 that it would deliver 14 Leopard 2A6 tanks, after Poland had already applied for delivery permits for older Leopard 2A4s. Both states are thus taking a first step which, together with partners, should lead to the formation of two Ukrainian Leopard battalions.
While there are already announcements from other countries for the older Leopard model 2A4, the supply situation for the newer type 2A6 was initially thin. Although Portugal made a commitment at the weekend, they did not initially announce any specific details.
That’s going to be important today
The struggle between Russian and Ukrainian forces for the city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine continued on Tuesday. Russian troops have almost completely encircled the city.
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