Russia Zelensky thanks Germany - NATO foreign ministers meet
Following the Federal Chancellor's first visit to Kiev in two and a half years, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi has reiterated his gratitude for Germany's continued support in the defensive struggle against Russia.
03.12.2024, 05:36
SDA
Germany is "number one on the continent (...) in terms of support for Ukraine, almost 30 billion euros", Selensky emphasized in his evening video address. "I would like to thank you personally, Olaf, and I thank your country, I thank Germany!"
The USA is the most important supporter and supplier of weapons to Ukraine, which has been defending itself against a military invasion by its neighbor Russia for almost three years. However, Germany and other European countries also play a key role, which is likely to become even more important in view of the imminent change of power in Washington. At a two-day meeting between the NATO foreign ministers and the new Ukrainian chief diplomat Andrij Sybiha in Brussels today, one of the topics to be discussed will be the situation on the front and the current need for support in the defensive war against Russia.
During his visit to the capital Kiev yesterday, Scholz assured Ukraine of continued arms deliveries and sent a message to Moscow: "We have staying power. And we will stand by Ukraine's side for as long as it takes." Further arms worth 650 million euros are to be made available this year from funds already pledged. The arms package includes dozens of battle tanks, thousands of missiles, drones and air defense systems.
Ukrainian wishes remain unfulfilled
However, after the meeting with Zelenskyi, Scholz reiterated his rejection of the delivery of the Taurus cruise missiles requested by Kiev, which could theoretically be used to hit targets far from the border in Russian territory. "This has to do with the range and the need to control the targeting," said the Chancellor, who had arrived in Kiev in the morning after a nine-hour journey on a special train from Poland. The Ukrainian wish for an invitation to join NATO also remains unfulfilled.
It is important for Ukraine that the level of German support does not decrease in the future, emphasized Selenskyj. "That will be the most important signal to all our other partners." It had also been agreed with Scholz that Germany would continue to stand by Ukraine in the future, "regardless of what happens in world politics and what mood swings there may be".
Ukraine fears change of power in Washington
In view of Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election, there are fears in Ukraine and its European supporter countries that the USA could soon stop its aid for Kiev - and that Russia could effectively emerge victorious from the war of aggression that Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin ordered in February 2022 in violation of international law by means of a unilateral peace settlement at Ukraine's expense. Trump has indicated several times that he will significantly reduce support for Kiev.
This is another reason why the outgoing administration of US President Joe Biden is seeking to strengthen Ukraine ahead of the change of power in Washington on 20 January - and is providing additional military equipment worth around 725 million US dollars (around 690 million euros) to defend against Russian attacks. According to the US State Department, the new package includes ammunition for the Himars missile launcher system as well as drones, Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, anti-tank weapons and 155 and 105 millimeter calibre artillery ammunition.
Biden's security advisor Jake Sullivan announced that the US President had instructed the Department of Defense to deliver the material to Ukraine "quickly". Hundreds of thousands of additional artillery shells, thousands of additional rockets and other important military equipment would now be delivered by mid-January "to help Ukraine defend its freedom and independence". The Ukrainian troops are currently under heavy pressure, especially in eastern Ukraine, and have to abandon positions almost daily.
More protection for supply hub in Poland
Meanwhile, Norway wants to send several fighter jets, around 100 soldiers and Nasams air defense systems to Poland to protect the airport in Rzeszow near the Ukrainian border. "The situation in Ukraine is critical and the transport of material into the country is largely taking place through Poland," said Norwegian Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram. The protection mission will be integrated into NATO's air and missile defense in Polish airspace and will last until Easter.
Poland, an EU and NATO member state, is an important political and military ally of Ukraine and plays a key role as a logistical hub for Western military aid. The airport near Rzeszow, around 100 kilometers from the border with Ukraine, is central to the transport of armaments. US soldiers are stationed there and the airport is protected by units of the American Patriot air defense system. Germany has also announced that it will once again deploy Patriot systems to south-eastern Poland at the beginning of the year.
Heavy fighting in western Russia
Meanwhile, the Russian and Ukrainian armed forces continue to fight fierce battles in the Kursk region of western Russia. Ukrainian troops made a surprise advance into Russian territory there in August and have occupied it ever since. Ukrainian media reported that a massive Russian attack in the Novoyvanovsk region had been repelled with artillery support, with 16 casualties among the Russian military. The information could not be independently verified and no figures on Ukrainian casualties were given.
In order to recapture the Kursk region, Russia has gathered around 50,000 soldiers there, including 10,000 fighters from North Korea. According to the Ukrainians, the aim of the Russian military is to bring the area back under Russian control before Trump's inauguration on January 20. The Ukrainian leadership, in turn, sees the occupied territories in the neighboring country as a bargaining chip in any negotiations on a ceasefire.
