The Ukrainian armed forces are arming themselves for even tougher defensive battles against the Russian war of aggression. The leadership in Kyiv expects a new Russian offensive and the heaviest fighting since the beginning of the war by spring.
In order for the Ukrainian armed forces to be able to defend themselves even better than before against the attackers from Russia, the scope of the EU training mission is to be doubled.
Trained another 15,000 Ukrainian soldiers
The new goal is to train 30,000 soldiers in EU countries, said several EU officials in Brussels. As part of the mission, the Bundeswehr offers combat training for companies and tactical exercises for a brigade staff and the subordinate battalion staffs. Thousands of Ukrainians are also being trained in Great Britain with the help of other countries.
Kyiv: The toughest battles against Russia are imminent
"We have come a long, hard road, but I understand that the most important battles are still ahead and will take place this year, in the next two to three months," Secretary of the National Security Council of Ukraine Oleksiy Danilov said British television channel Sky News.
These were the crucial months of the war, he supposed. "Russia is preparing for the maximum escalation." Danilov estimated the number of Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine at around 320,000. About half of them could take part in the new offensive.
Goering-Eckardt in Kyiv
Bundestag Vice-President Katrin Göring-Eckardt understands the Ukrainian government's haste with regard to the announced delivery of Leopard main battle tanks. "It is important for the Ukrainian government that the Leopard tanks are delivered quickly because President Vladimir Putin is obviously preparing an offensive," said the Greens politician to the German Press Agency after a conversation with Prime Minister Denys Schmyhal in Kyiv.
After the meeting, Schmyhal emphasized that the creation of a "tank coalition" remains a priority for Kyiv. "I gave thanks for the weapons already delivered, which help protect people and reduce the number of enemies on our country," the 47-year-old said on the government website. Other types of weapons are being discussed. Rapid reconstruction of Ukraine and restoration of the energy system using "green" and energy-saving technologies were also discussed.
The government is reluctant to respond to the mediation proposal
The German government reacted cautiously to the proposal by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for a possible mediation between Russia and Ukraine. "Now we have to see whether anything can come of it," government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said when asked in Berlin.
He added that what is lacking at the moment is not so much the lack of mediators as the Russian side's willingness to engage in mediation efforts. "That's the fact, you shouldn't let yourself be blinded either." Russia shows no signs of breaking off the war of aggression against Ukraine and withdrawing troops.
Pros and cons of fighter jet deliveries
After Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck also rejected the delivery of fighter jets. The Greens politician spoke of a "balancing act" without Germany itself becoming a party to the war. To his knowledge, Ukraine needs the maintenance of the West for such fighter jets, which could "probably" go a step too far, Habeck said on the ZDF program "Markus Lanz".
The CDU politician Johann Wadephul, on the other hand, said in the RTL / ntv "early start" that it was important to think calmly and objectively about such a delivery. The head of the Munich Security Conference, Christoph Heusgen, warned against a hasty rejection of weapons demands from Ukraine. "This rushing forward when saying no should finally stop, it's harmful," Heusgen told the newspapers of the Bayern media group.
From Spain initially up to six Leopard tanks
In a first tranche, Spain intends to initially deliver four to six Leopard main battle tanks to Ukraine to provide support against the Russian attackers. This was reported by the newspaper "El País", citing government circles in Madrid. These are Type 2A4 tanks that have been mothballed in Zaragoza since 2012. They would first have to be repaired, which would take about two and a half months.
The exact number of tanks that Spain can deliver depends on the condition of the 53 Leopards that are mothballed. Germany has promised to supply 14 Leopards 2A6 and has allowed tanks produced in Germany or abroad under German license to be transferred to other countries.
UN experts give IOC backing
The International Olympic Committee has received backing from the United Nations for the push to reinstate Russian and Belarusian athletes in world sport. A press release quoted two UN experts as urging the IOC to "ensure non-discrimination against athletes based on their nationality".
While every precaution must be taken to prevent sport from being exploited, no athlete should be obliged to take sides. But when "states so shamelessly ignore human rights, we have a greater obligation to protect our common values," it said. The Olympic community has an urgent obligation to comply with international human rights law that prohibits discrimination.
