The President of Ukraine speaks at the Council of Europe conference in Reykjavik.
(Photo: Getty Images)
Kyiv Ukraine is a step further in its efforts to acquire modern western fighter jets for its counter-attack against Russia. Britain and the Netherlands want to build an international coalition to help Ukraine procure US F-16 jets, a British government spokesman said Tuesday night, according to the PA news agency.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that France also supports it. He sees the efforts to strengthen the Ukrainian Air Force as a positive development.
The United States, however, has so far refused to send the F-16 fighter jets requested by Ukraine. This position was confirmed by US officials several times. Zelenskiy and the Ukrainian leadership have been trying for months to obtain modern combat aircraft from Western allies. So far, all of Ukraine’s partners, above all the USA, have largely held back on this issue.
Britain and Netherlands for fighter jet coalition for Ukraine
A British government spokesman said: “The Prime Minister and Dutch Prime Minister Rutte agreed to form an international coalition to provide Ukraine with air combat resources, from training to the procurement of F16 jets.” There was no immediate confirmation from the Dutch government .
On his short tour of Europe in the past few days, Selenski seems to have received support for the intended fighter jet coalition in France as well. “Yesterday in the UK we agreed with Rishi, the Prime Minister, that we are working on a coalition of fighter jets – training, aircraft, results,” Zelensky said in his evening video address on Tuesday.
“Yesterday this was supported by French President Macron and today by Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte,” he added. “A good start for the coalition! I thank all of you!”
However, on Sunday, Macron, like Chancellor Olaf Scholz, reacted cautiously to Selenski’s repeated calls to deliver fighter jets.
During Zelenski’s visit to the UK, Sunak announced that London wanted to train Ukrainian pilots on Western jets “quite soon”. The prime minister announced the establishment of a flight school for Ukrainian pilots. This would allow them to be trained on different types of aircraft. On Tuesday, Sunak reiterated that Ukraine has its rightful place in NATO, according to the government spokesman.
Selenski: We show what the power of the free world means
After renewed heavy rocket fire on Ukraine, Zelensky emphasized European cohesion. “Russia is trying hard to improve its ability to kill. We make every effort to improve the protection of our population. And thank you to all the countries and leaders who are helping us improve our overall air defenses. We show what our 100 percent means and what the power of the free world means,” Selenski said on Tuesday at the Council of Europe summit in Reykjavik via video link.
At the Council of Europe summit, Chancellor Scholz spoke out in favor of not cutting the bridges to the “other Russia” beyond President Vladimir Putin and his government. At some point, Russia’s war against Ukraine will end, said the SPD politician at the start of the summit meeting, to which more than 30 heads of state and government from a total of 46 member countries were expected. “And one thing is certain: it will not end with a victory for Putin’s imperialism.” Because Ukraine will be supported until a just peace is achieved.
Russians are advancing in Bakhmut – Ukrainians are advancing around Bakhmut
A paradoxical frontline situation developed in the fighting for the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. While Ukrainian troops continue to advance on the fronts around the city, Russian troops continue to push back Ukrainian defenders inside the city, Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maljar told Telegram. “Within a few days, our troops have cleared around 20 square kilometers north and south of Bakhmut of the enemy, who in turn is advancing inside Bakhmut and completely destroying the city with its artillery.”
With the advance of Ukrainian troops on the flanks of the Russian armed forces, the “mousetrap” indicated by the Ukrainian army commander Olexander Syrskyj could close further for the Russian soldiers.
Kiev: Around 400,000 Russians deployed in Ukraine
According to estimates by the Ukrainian military intelligence service, around 400,000 Russians are currently deployed in Ukraine. The purely military component consists of around 370,000 soldiers, said secret service chief Kyrylo Budanov on state television in Kiev. There are also around 20,000 members of the Russian Guard, an elite paramilitary unit in the Russian Federation. Private groups provided almost 7,000 more fighters. The latter includes the Wagner mercenary group led by Yevgeny Prigozhin.
The losses suffered by Russian troops since the invasion of Ukraine began in February last year are estimated in Kiev at almost 200,000. However, it is not clear from these statistics, which are updated daily, whether this only refers to the dead or also to the wounded. Actual figures on troop strength or casualties are not published by either conflicting party.
This is how the Handelsblatt reports on the Ukraine war:
That will be important on Wednesday
At their summit in Reykjavik, the 46 countries of the Council of Europe want to decide on a register for war damage in Ukraine. In this way, all damage caused by the Russian war of aggression should be documented so that Russia has to take legal and financial responsibility for it. All member countries, but also observers and other states could then join the register.
The idea goes back, among other things, to a resolution of the United Nations. French President Macron also campaigned for the register: “I call on all states to join it and actively contribute to its development.”
More: Current news on the development of the Ukraine war can be found in our news blog