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Ukraine alarmed: Belarus tests combat readiness - Together with Putin's troops in the war?

2022-12-13T16:17:34.182Z


Ukraine alarmed: Belarus tests combat readiness - Together with Putin's troops in the war? Created: 2022-12-13Updated: 2022-12-13, 5:08 p.m By: Markus Hofstetter, Christoph Gschoßmann The Ukrainian ambassador praises Germany for supporting his country in the war with Russia. The international community pledges one billion euros in aid. One billion euros for Ukraine : The international communit


Ukraine alarmed: Belarus tests combat readiness - Together with Putin's troops in the war?

Created: 2022-12-13Updated: 2022-12-13, 5:08 p.m

By: Markus Hofstetter, Christoph Gschoßmann

The Ukrainian ambassador praises Germany for supporting his country in the war with Russia.

The international community pledges one billion euros in aid.

  • One billion euros

    for

    Ukraine

    : The international community wants to help over the winter

  • "Sign of

    Germany's leadership role

    ": Ukraine ambassador praises Scholz government

  • Scholz

    sees

    "isolated" Putin

    : Chancellor also promises "economic cooperation" after the end of the war

  • This

    news ticker on diplomatic developments

    in the Ukraine war is constantly updated.

Update from December 13, 4:15 p.m .:

It has been speculated for months whether Belarus will join Russia in the Ukraine war.

Now the country is apparently ensuring the combat readiness of its military troops.

This is reported by the Ukrainian news portal

The Kyiv Independent

.

The Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukashenko ordered that the army's combat readiness be checked at short notice.

Advances into designated areas, technical equipment, defense and the construction of bridge crossings are being tested.

Latest news from Ukraine: Russia wants to bring Belarus into the fray

Ukraine is apparently alarmed: Russia wants to pressure its ally Belarus to fight alongside Putin's troops in Ukraine, said Andriy Yusov, spokesman for Ukraine's Defense Ministry, according to the report.

Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu recently visited neighboring Belarus.

He reiterated that Moscow is striving for close military cooperation with Belarus.

This is important because of the escalating conflict between Russia and the West, Shoigu stressed.

The West, in turn, has repeatedly warned Belarus against entering the Ukraine war.

Alexander Lukashenko, President of Belarus, supports Vladimir Putin in the war against Ukraine.

(Archive image) © Olga Maltseva/dpa

Ukraine-News: Putin spokesman makes clear condition – Ukraine must cede occupied territories for peace

Update from December 13, 3:21 p.m .:

Clear announcement from Russia in the Ukraine war: A condition for peace in Ukraine is that it cedes the areas annexed by Russia.

Kiev must "take into account the realities that have developed on the ground," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

These are that "the Russian Federation has new territories as a result of referendums that have taken place in these territories".

He considers diplomatic progress "impossible" as long as Ukraine "does not take these realities into account".

At the end of September, Moscow declared the annexation of the four Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia and Kherson, after annexing the Crimean peninsula in 2014.

The annexations are condemned as contrary to international law.

Peskov also said it was "out of the question" for Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine before Christmas.

Selenskyj demanded this in a speech on Monday (December 12).

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov sits in front of a screen showing Russian President Vladimir Putin.

(Archive photo) © Natalia Kolesnikova/AFP

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Update from December 13, 3:10 p.m .:

Selenskyj was once the most famous comedian in Ukraine, today he is President.

In an interview with US moderator David Letterman, he unpacked his humor again and told a nasty joke that came at the expense of Putin and NATO.

International community wants to help Ukraine with one billion euros over the winter

Update from December 13, 2:18 p.m .:

The international Ukraine conference in Paris has promised Ukraine aid of a good one billion euros.

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said it was about donations and material resources.

The aid should be provided from now until the end of winter.

"Russia wants to turn winter into a weapon of war," she stressed.

The international community stand together to alleviate the suffering of the Ukrainian people.

Dozens of countries and international organizations are campaigning at the Paris conference to ensure Ukraine's continued access to electricity, food, heat and mobility in the face of ongoing Russian airstrikes that have plunged millions into the cold and dark of winter. 

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy appears on the screen during the conference on solidarity with the Ukrainian people in Paris.

© Teresa Suarez/EPA POOL/AP/dpa

"Sign of Germany's leadership role": Ukraine ambassador praises Scholz government

Update from December 13, 10:49 a.m .

: The Ambassador of Ukraine in Berlin, Oleksiy Makeyev, expressly thanked Germany for its commitment to supporting his country.

Andrej Melnyk's successor said on the

rbb24 info radio

"Germany has mobilized the G7 countries to support Ukraine (...) I think that's a sign of Germany's leadership."

Germany has meanwhile pledged a further 50 million euros in winter aid to Ukraine.

“Not only do we need funds, we need generators, transformers and cables.

These donations in kind are just as important,” said Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) at the start of an international Ukraine conference in Paris.

Ukraine refugees: Ambassador does not expect "big currents"

Despite the Russian attacks, Ukraine is still able to supply people with food, Makejev told rbb

:

"There are enough deliveries.

Our citizens know what it is like to live in a war.”

That's why Makeyev doesn't expect a new wave of refugees heading west: "We're assuming there will be up to six million internally displaced persons.

It is quite possible that many will move away from the front line.

But today we do not expect large flows of people seeking protection from Ukraine.”

Oleksij Makejew in November 2022 at Schönefeld Airport © Frank Ossenbrink/Imago

Zelenskyy makes "Christmas offer" to Putin: "Will show what they really want in Moscow"

Update from December 13, 8:13 a.m .

: Selenskyj indirectly suggested to Moscow that it withdraw its occupation troops from Ukraine from Christmas.

With this step, Russia can reveal its true intentions, the Ukrainian president said in a video link to the G7 summit on Monday (December 12).

Should Russia withdraw its armies from Ukraine, this would ensure a reliable cessation of hostilities.

"And I see no reason why Russia isn't doing it now, at Christmas.

The answer from Moscow will show what they really want there,” Zelenskyj was quoted as saying by the Unian state agency.

Picture from December 10: Zelenskyy in Kiev © President of Ukraine/apaimages/Imago

Scholz sees "isolated" Putin: Chancellor also promises "economic cooperation" after the end of the war

Update from December 12, 7:32 p.m .:

Chancellor Olaf Scholz has promised Russia a return to economic cooperation if the Ukraine war ends.

Scholz said on Monday at the 70th anniversary of the Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations that Russia would remain the largest country on the European continent even after the end of the war.

It is therefore important to make preparations for this time.

"One thing is clear: the relationships we had are currently being reduced," said Scholz.

"But a Russia that ends the war, and citizens of Russia who strive for a different future for themselves, also need the opportunity to start economic cooperation again in a different time."

Scholz continued: "Only that's not now.

Now we are tightening the sanctions.” With his war, Russian President Vladimir Putin is not only destroying the infrastructure, the cities and villages of Ukraine, but also many lives.

Putin is also destroying the future of Russia.

"And that's what he has to justify to his own country and his own people whose future he's affecting in this way."

G7 countries want to bundle their financial support for Ukraine in the future

Update from December 12, 7:12 p.m .:

The G7 countries want to pool their financial support for Ukraine in the future.

"Today the G7 agreed on key moments for a platform to coordinate the financial support of all donors," said Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) on Monday in Berlin after a video conference of the group of large industrialized countries (G7).

"The goal is now to build this platform quickly, with the participation of Ukraine, international financial institutions and other partners."

Scholz described the reconstruction of Ukraine as a "human task, perhaps comparable to the Marshall Plan after the Second World War".

In view of the Russian war of aggression, the G7 group remains “firmly on the side of Ukraine”, emphasized the Chancellor.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also took part in the video conference of the G7 countries.

An international aid conference for Ukraine is planned for Tuesday in Paris, which is currently suffering particularly from the Russian attacks on the country's energy infrastructure.

Selenskyj will then also be connected via video.

G7 states pledge their continued support to Ukraine in its defensive struggle against Russia

Update from December 12, 6:55 p.m .:

The G7 countries assure Ukraine of their continued support in the defense against Russia.

The states are still firmly on the side of Ukraine, said Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) on Monday evening in Berlin after a switching conference with the other heads of state and government and the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj.

They will support Ukraine “as long as it is necessary”.

At the same time, the economic pressure on Russia is kept high.

At the same time, Scholz took stock of the German G7 presidency in the year that was drawing to a close.

The Russian attack on its neighboring country at the end of February required a determined and strong response from allies, above all the G7.

“We succeeded in giving this decisive answer.

The economically strongest democracies in the world have now moved even closer together than they already were,” said Scholz.

The G20 group of states also found clear words.

“Putin is isolated.

He's standing alone," said Scholz.

On behalf of the G7, the Chancellor again called on the Russian President to "stop the senseless killing in Ukraine and withdraw his troops".

Zelenskyj dreams of the sea and beer after the war

Update from December 12, 6:26 p.m.:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj has talked about his plans for the post-war period with Russia.

"I just want to go to the sea and have a beer," the 44-year-old said in a previously published interview with US show host David Letterman, according to Ukrainian media.

However, that will only be possible after Ukraine's victory.

"But I will be president until we win," said the head of state, who was elected in 2019, confidently.

At the same time, Selenskyj believes that a quick end to the war is possible if Russian President Vladimir Putin suddenly dies.

Authoritarian regimes are tailored to one person.

“When this person leaves, the institutions come to a standstill.

One such time was in the Soviet Union.

Everything stopped,” Zelenskyy claimed.

With the death of 70-year-old Putin, Russia would first be preoccupied with itself.

Selenskyj therefore does not believe that Putin could use nuclear weapons.

"He is aware that if he uses them, there will be personal consequences for him," emphasized the Ukrainian.

Putin loves life too much to take that step.

Poland's President Duda: German Patriot stationing "important gesture"

Update from December 12, 4:26 p.m

.: Polish President Andrzej Duda has described the planned stationing of German Patriot air defense systems in his country as “a very important gesture by an ally”.

After a meeting with Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (SPD) in Berlin, Duda also expressed confidence that the dispute between the two countries over compensation payments for German crimes in World War II could be settled.

After a missile attack in Poland in November, Germany offered to support its NATO partner with the Patriot missile defense system.

However, Warsaw suggested that the Patriot battery be passed on to Ukraine - which triggered an irritated reaction in Berlin.

Last week, however, Warsaw agreed to use the systems for its own defense.

Duda now said that experts from Germany and Poland would meet in the coming days to decide on the location of the Patriot systems.

He hopes that they will arrive in Poland "shortly" afterwards.

Kremlin cancels war in Ukraine: Putin foregoes traditional annual press conference

Update from December 12, 1:56 p.m .

: No speech from the Kremlin boss for the slide in 2023: Vladimir Putin waives his traditional press conference at the end of the year.

"There will be no presidential press conference until the beginning of the new year," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a briefing over the phone.

You can find out more about the background and possible reasons for the cancellation here.

Ukraine News: For the first time in ten years – Putin cancels the traditional appointment

Putin, in office since 2000, had held his big meeting with the press year after year since 2001 - the only interruption being between 2008 and 2012 when he was prime minister and not head of state.

Peskov pointed out that Putin also speaks to the press on other occasions, notably during his trips abroad.

Peskow gave no reasons for not holding the traditional year-end press conference.

Putin press conference canceled: Appointments often lasted hours

The annual press conference, attended by hundreds of Russian and foreign journalists, typically lasted for hours -- over four hours last year.

During the course, the Russian head of state answered live questions on a wide variety of topics - from foreign policy to everyday problems of Russians.

The President's statements to journalists often resembled orders to the government or regional authorities.

Image from December 12: Vladimir Putin at a meeting in the Kremlin © Mikhail Metzel/Imago

Reports of personnel changes among Putin advisers: Kremlin denies

Update from December 12, 12:29 p.m

.: A personal shift among Putin’s foreign policy advisors – given the pressure in the Ukraine war?

The Kremlin has hastened to deny such reports, as the US Institute for War Research (ISW) noted in its most recent situation analysis.

Specifically, the military leader Valeri Gerasimov was named.

The information could not be independently verified.

The US think tank ISW evaluates publicly available information.

Russia, meanwhile, is stepping up production of "new-generation weapons," in the words of former President Dmitry Medvedev.

Update from December 12, 12:02 p.m .:

According to Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, Germany is in favor of freezing EU billion payments to Hungary.

As a Federal Republic, you supported "the very good proposals of the EU Commission," said the Green politician now on the sidelines of a meeting of the EU member states in Brussels.

The EU Commission had recently renewed a corresponding recommendation on the right-wing government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

The other EU member states are now to vote on the proposal.

A qualified majority would be required for acceptance.

The further developments are eagerly awaited, above all because Hungary has considerable means at its disposal to exert pressure on the EU.

For example, the government in Budapest could block all decisions that require unanimity in the EU.

This applies, for example, to sanctions against Russia.

This applies, for example, to sanctions against Russia or decisions to support Ukraine in the war against the neighboring country.

Annalena Baerbock in Brussels © Olivier Hoslet/John Thys/AFP

Macron calls Zelenskyy and supports Ukrainian peace plan

Update from December 12, 9:26 a.m

.: French President Emmanuel Macron called his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday (December 11) and assured him that he supported his peace plan.

The Ukrainian President had suggested that Russian troops withdraw from his country, including Crimea, which had been annexed since 2014.

In addition, there are reparation payments, the legal processing of war crimes and security guarantees from the West.

Ukraine-News: Zelenskyj sets a condition for a possible peace plan

At the meeting of the EU foreign ministers this Monday (December 12, 1 p.m.) in Brussels, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is also to be connected via video.

German arms aid in the Ukraine war

First report from December 12

: Kiev/Washington/Kosice - A new repair center has been put into operation near the Slovakian border with Ukraine.

Large weapons that have been worn out or damaged during battles in Ukraine, such as the Panzerhaubitze 2000, are repaired there.

The German tank builder Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) is in charge of this.

The base has started operations, said Brigadier General Christian Freuding, head of the Ukraine special staff in the Defense Ministry, on Sunday (December 11) of the German Press Agency in the city of Kosice in eastern Slovakia.

The legal basis for the "hub", which is located within a barracks area near the town of Michalovce, is an intergovernmental agreement between Slovakia and the federal government.

The weapons were last serviced in Lithuania.

The Panzerhaubitze 2000, shown here as a Bundeswehr model at the military training area in Munster, Lower Saxony, is used intensively by the Ukrainian armed forces.

© Philipp Schulze/dpa

Maintenance center for the Ukraine: weapon systems should be kept operational at all times

The repair center is urgently needed because the wear and tear of the weapons during combat use is considerable due to the high rate of fire, as experts have determined using the Panzerhaubitze 2000 as an example.

The weapon systems are therefore used at the limit of resilience "and beyond".

A technical maintenance service like in peacetime could not be maintained under the intensity of the fighting.

Germany has so far handed over 14 self-propelled howitzers 2000, five Mars multiple rocket launchers and 30 Gepard anti-aircraft guns to Ukraine.

Seven more Gepard tanks are to be delivered.

In addition, 50 armored personnel carriers of the Dingo type were handed over.

In a first step, the repair work is concentrating on this military device, with weapons from other manufacturers being handed over to the Ukraine from Germany.

Support for Ukraine: US President Joe Biden pledges further aid to Kiev

US President Joe Biden has meanwhile pledged further support to Ukraine in the fight against Russia.

In a phone call with his Ukrainian colleague Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Biden promised that the United States would continue to help the attacked country defend itself against the Russian aggressor.

This was announced by the White House on Sunday evening (local time) in Washington.

The Ukraine War in Pictures - Destruction, Resistance and Hope

View photo gallery

Biden backed his statements with recent US pledges in the area of ​​military aid and to rebuild Ukraine's infrastructure.

At the same time, he emphasized that he wanted to hold Russia accountable for its war crimes and ask the Kremlin to pay for its aggression.

In the conversation, Biden also welcomed Zelenskyj's "openness to a just peace based on the basic principles enshrined in the UN Charter".

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2022-12-13

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