The Ukrainian President again called for Russian assets to be used to rebuild his country.
(Photo: dpa)
Kyiv A video allegedly showing the beheading of a Ukrainian prisoner of war by Russian fighters has caused horror far beyond Ukraine. Observers from the United Nations in Ukraine and Czech President Petr Pavel were shocked.
“The long history of Russian impunity must finally end,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The Kremlin in Moscow, however, questioned the authenticity of the video. In fact, this had not yet been finally verified by an independent party.
A video of around one and a half minutes appeared on the Internet on Wednesday night. It shows one man in uniform being beheaded by another. The perpetrator wears a white marking on his clothing that is typical for Russian soldiers. In addition to checking the authenticity, an independent analysis of the time of the recording is still pending.
Selenski calls for a minute’s silence
Zelenski called for a minute’s silence at an event in Washington after the video was released. “I would now ask you to observe a minute’s silence for the Ukrainian soldier whose death we all witnessed yesterday,” Zelensky, who joined the video, said at a roundtable on Ukraine during the spring meeting of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. He also remembered the other victims of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine.
“Ukraine is going through a storm of emotions right now,” the Ukrainian President said. The Russian army is trying to make this level of violence and atrocities routine throughout Ukraine and is proud of it.
The new Czech president sharply criticized Russia’s war in Ukraine.
(Photo: IMAGO/CTK Photo)
Czech President Pavel was also shocked. “If this video turns out to be authentic, then Russian soldiers have lined up with the Islamic State, which we all around the world should condemn,” Pavel said in Prague.
Zelensky demands confiscation of Russian assets
In Washington, Zelensky also called for the confiscation of Russian state assets and making them available to his country for reconstruction. “Russia must feel the full price for its aggression.” It is realistic to confiscate Russia’s assets and those of the Russian central bank so that life in Ukraine can be restored.
Selenski repeated this demand a little later in his evening video speech. The world community has largely lagged behind similar calls by Ukraine in the past. The main reasons were legal concerns and practical hurdles.
Yellen: Supporting Ukraine is a joint effort
The US government called on the world community not to let up on financial aid to Ukraine. “Supporting Ukraine is a joint effort,” US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned at the spring meeting of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. “We applaud the efforts of our allies and partners to provide extensive (…) and timely assistance,” Yellen said, urging everyone “to continue to do so.”
US imposes sanctions on Russian bank based in Budapest
The US Treasury Department, meanwhile, imposed sanctions on the Russian-controlled, Budapest-based International Investment Bank (IIB).
This was announced by the ministry in Washington and the US ambassador in Budapest, David Pressman. Overall, the US imposed new sanctions on more than 120 entities and individuals from more than 20 countries, according to the US Treasury and State Departments.
This is how the Handelsblatt reports on the Ukraine war:
What will be important on Thursday
Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock will begin her inaugural visit to China this Thursday (around 8 a.m.) in the port city of Tianjin. Among other things, because of the Chinese backing of China for Russia’s war against Ukraine, the visit is likely to be one of the most difficult diplomatic missions in Baerbock’s term of office so far.
More: Current news on the development of the Ukraine war can be found in our news blog