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Robert Habeck sharply criticized the Russian partial mobilization
Photo: ANNEGRET HILSE / REUTERS
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Vice Chancellor Habeck condemns Russian partial mobilization
9.07 a.m .:
A “worse and wrong step” – that’s what Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck (Greens) calls the Russian partial mobilization.
The federal government is currently discussing an answer to this decision by Russian President Vladimir Putin, said Habeck.
In this context, the Federal Minister of Economics again assured Ukraine of Germany's full support.
According to Putin, the partial mobilization means that reservists will be drafted.
They would get the same status and pay as the current contract soldiers and would receive military training before going to the front, Putin said.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said the decree would gradually call up 300,000 additional soldiers.
Putin announces immediate partial mobilization
9:01 a.m .:
Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a partial mobilization of the armed forces.
A corresponding decree has been signed, says Putin in a speech.
"In order to protect our homeland and our integrity, I consider it necessary to support a partial mobilization," said the President in his televised address.
He follows the proposal of the Ministry of Defense.
Read more here.
Selenskyj is calm about sham referendums
8:40 a.m.: Sham referendums in
response to the Ukrainian counter-offensive in the east: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is demonstratively calm in the face of Russian propaganda.
"Our position is not changed by noise or any announcements," he said in his video address on Tuesday evening.
"We are defending Ukraine, we are liberating our country, and above all we are not showing any weakness." Zelenskyy thanked the unanimous condemnation of the Russian plans by many countries and organizations.
"We have the full support of our partners," he said in Kyiv.
At the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, he said he wanted to make Ukraine's position clear and unambiguous.
Putin announces possible annexation of occupied territories
8:32 a.m .:
Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced the possible annexation of Ukrainian territories using mock referendums in the occupied territories.
"We support the decision made by the majority of citizens in the Luhansk and Donetsk People's Republics, in the Kherson and Zaporizhia Oblasts," Putin said in a televised address.
In addition to the self-proclaimed People's Republics of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine, the Russian-occupied areas of Cherson and Zaporizhia in the south also want a vote on joining Russia.
The mock referendums taking place at the same time are to be held from 23 to 27 September.
They are seen as a reaction to the current Ukrainian counter-offensive in the east of the country.
/AFP/dpa/Reuters/AP