While Kiev is hoping for a future for the grain agreement without Russian approval, new threats came from Moscow.
(Photo: dpa)
Kyiv After the devastating Russian attacks on Black Sea ports, Kiev has called for further help with air defense. “With every such attack, we keep appealing to our partners: Ukraine’s air defenses must be strengthened,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in his evening video address on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the southern Ukrainian region of Odessa came under fire again on Thursday night.
After the cancellation of the grain agreement, Moscow is now also threatening civilian ships in the Black Sea. And Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin is only promising a possible resumption of the agreement under Russian conditions.
Meanwhile, a meeting of EU foreign ministers on Thursday morning gives Ukraine hope for new far-reaching support commitments from the European Union. According to information from the German Press Agency, the EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has suggested that Kiev be assured of a significant expansion of the military training program for the Ukrainian armed forces. Ukraine has been defending itself against Russian war of aggression for almost 17 months.
Odessa under fire for third night in a row
The Odessa region in southern Ukraine has come under shelling for the third straight night. According to local media reports, explosions were heard again near the port of Odessa on Thursday night.
The air defense was active. The Ukrainian Air Force warned Telegram that supersonic anti-ship missiles had been launched in the direction of the Odessa region. She called on people to stay hidden. In the previous two nights, Russia had already carried out airstrikes in the Odessa region on the Black Sea.
Russia had already attacked the Odessa region from the air on Tuesday night.
(Photo: dpa)
According to Ukrainian sources, the port city of Mykolayiv has again become the target of Russian attacks. A three-story apartment building in the city center was hit, the governor of the region, Vitaly Kim, said on the news app Telegram. Several people were killed and at least nine people were injured.
Zelenskiy: Ukraine isn’t the only one suffering from attacks on ports
Zelenskiy stressed on Wednesday evening that not only Ukraine was suffering from attacks on Black Sea ports, but also countries in Africa and Asia waiting for food deliveries.
Zelensky emphasized on Wednesday evening that not only Ukraine was suffering from attacks on Black Sea ports, but also other countries.
(Photo: dpa)
Russia, which last Monday allowed an internationally mediated grain agreement with Ukraine to expire despite widespread criticism, had deliberately bombed the port region of Odessa in the past few nights.
According to Ukrainian information, around 60,000 tons of grain were destroyed by the shelling. Zelensky spoke of “possibly the biggest attempt by Russia since the beginning of the large-scale war to inflict damage on Odessa”.
Russia threatens ships in the Black Sea
While Kiev is hoping for a future of the grain agreement without Russian approval, new threats came from Moscow: According to its own statements, since Thursday night Russia has been viewing ships that are heading for Ukrainian ports as “potential carriers of military cargo”.
A warning to shipping had been issued in connection with the end of the Black Sea Initiative. Accordingly, areas of the north-west and south-east of the international waters of the Black Sea have been classified as dangerous for shipping.
Putin: Return to grain deal only on Moscow’s terms
Meanwhile, Kremlin chief Putin has not ruled out a resumption of the important agreement – but only under Russian conditions. According to the Interfax agency, Moscow was originally promised by the West that it would meet several demands at a meeting with government officials. “Once all of these conditions that we agreed on earlier are met (…), we will return to this agreement immediately.”
Russia declared the agreement over last Monday, amid widespread international protest. Moscow claims that Western countries have allegedly not sufficiently implemented the promised relief for Russian fertilizer and food exports. Internationally, however, Russia has been criticized for using hunger as a weapon. The Ukrainian grain exports are particularly important for poorer countries in the Global South.
US announces billions more in military aid to Ukraine
Meanwhile, the US government announced new military aid for Ukraine worth 1.3 billion US dollars (around 1.16 billion euros). In particular, this is intended to strengthen the defense of Ukrainian airspace and meet the need for ammunition, the Pentagon said.
The new equipment is said to be procured from industry and not from US military stocks. The package includes four Nasams air defense systems, drones and anti-drone equipment, 150 tankers, 115 transport vehicles and ammunition.
What will be important on Thursday
Ukraine can also hope for new far-reaching support commitments from the European Union. According to dpa information, EU chief diplomat Borrell proposed at a meeting of foreign ministers this Thursday (10:00 a.m.) that the government in Kiev be assured of a significant expansion of the military training program for the Ukrainian armed forces. If circumstances allow, a gradual transfer of training activities to Ukraine could even be considered.
This is how the Handelsblatt reports on the Ukraine war:
In addition, Borrell recommends providing additional billions for the delivery of weapons and equipment. Specifically, the Spaniard wants to promise, among other things, that the EU will also contribute to the costs of providing modern fighter jets.
More: All developments in the Ukraine war in our news blog