Germany and other Western countries are supplying tanks to Ukraine.
In a survey, however, a majority is against it.
The news ticker.
Poll:
Majority of Germans are against supplying tanks to Ukraine
Tank delivery from Germany
: 180 Leopard tanks "awaiting export approval".
Negotiations:
Turkey wants to mediate in the Ukraine conflict between Russia and Ukraine
Update from Monday, January 9, 2023, 12:00 p.m.:
The Kremlin on Monday (January 9) rejected Ukrainian reports that a high-ranking Russian official had spoken to European officials about a possible peace deal for Ukraine.
Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, said Thursday that Dmitry Kozak, deputy head of Russia's presidential administration, held several meetings with European officials to force Kyiv to sign what he saw as an unfavorable peace deal.
This was reported by the
Reuters
news agency .
When asked about Danilov's claim, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it was "another fake".
+
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
© NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA/afp
Negotiations in the Ukraine war: Habeck does not rule out "Leopard" main battle tanks for Ukraine
+++ 10.45 p.m .:
After Germany has promised Ukraine the delivery of 40 Marder armored personnel carriers, Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck (Greens) does not rule out that battle tanks such as the Leopard could also be made available in the Ukraine war.
“We always check the situation, we coordinate with the other countries.
And other decisions are also made within this corridor," said the politician on the
ARD program
"Report from Berlin".
Therefore, he does not rule out this decision.
Pictures of the Ukraine war: great horror and small moments of happiness
Pictures of the Ukraine war: great horror and small moments of happiness
A big movement has already been seen in the decisions to supply everything from bazookas to armored personnel carriers.
"I think this dynamic will continue as long as the war develops dynamically," Habeck continued.
After much hesitation, the federal government confirmed the delivery of armored personnel carriers.
Now voices are calling for battle tanks in a next step.
Negotiations in the Ukraine War: Turning Point with German Tanks?
+++ 18:05:
The announced delivery of armored personnel carriers to Ukraine could indicate a turning point in the Ukraine war.
There could be "a breakthrough" in the south, Vadym Prystayko, Ukraine's ambassador to the UK and former foreign minister, told
Newsweek
.
“Or the whole front will move due to the additional artillery pieces and tanks.
So much so that the Russians decide it's enough.”
Meanwhile, experts assume that Russia's weapons arsenal is decreasing.
Germany and the USA have agreed on a comprehensive military package.
Kyiv is to receive infantry fighting vehicles and Patriot systems.
Negotiations in the Ukraine war: Majority in Germany against deliveries
+++ 10.46 a.m .:
The federal government’s decision to support Ukraine in the war with Russia with Marder armored personnel carriers is shared among people in Germany.
This is the result of a survey by the opinion research institute "Insa" (short for: Institute for new social answers) for the
picture on Sunday
.
Accordingly, the majority of those surveyed see the delivery critically.
According to Insa, 49 percent classify the decision as more wrong and 40 percent as more correct.
According to the institute, 50 percent rejected the delivery of battle tanks currently being debated in the government, and 38 percent were in favor.
Negotiations in the Ukraine war: Russia accuses the federal government of escalation
Update from Sunday, January 8th, 8:46 a.m .:
While in Germany, after the delayed commitment to supply armored personnel carriers, the provision of battle tanks is now being discussed, Russia is outraged by the federal government.
According to a report by the German Press Agency (dpa), the Kremlin describes the delivery as a "step towards escalation of the conflict" and accuses Germany of having once again crossed a "moral boundary".
The Russian embassy in Berlin referred to Germany's historical responsibility for the crimes committed by the Nazis against Russians in World War II.
Negotiations in the Ukraine war: 180 German Leopard tanks "waiting for export approval"
+++ 10.45 p.m .:
After the federal government’s commitment to provide the Ukraine with “Marder” armored personnel carriers, there are increasing calls to also supply “Leopard” battle tanks.
FDP defense expert Marcus Faber has now also demanded that Germany give up its blocking stance.
"Modern battle tanks are one of the most convincing arguments for the Russian invasion troops to start their journey home," Faber told the
Rheinische Post
on Saturday.
180 "Leopard 1" tanks "are waiting for export permits to the Ukraine from German industry," wrote Faber on Twitter.
It is time to “change from procrastinator to designer”.
Negotiations in the Ukraine war: Infantry fighting vehicles from Germany show “Western unity”
+++ 4.30 p.m
.: The CDU foreign politician and former Bundeswehr officer Roderich Kiesewetter defended the much-discussed German tank deliveries to Ukraine.
Only with such deliveries could the war be ended more quickly, he said on
Deutschlandfunk
.
"Our non-delivery did not mean that Russia wanted negotiations," he added.
According to Kiesewetter, the decision to supply infantry fighting vehicles shows unity in the West.
The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, also welcomed the decision.
"It is important that we continue to support the Ukrainian people - politically, humanitarian, financially and militarily," she is quoted as saying by the
German Press Agency (dpa)
.
Negotiation in the Ukraine war: USA ask Italy for participation
+++ 3.40 p.m .:
The USA asks Italy to send air defense systems to Ukraine.
This emerges from reports in the Italian daily newspaper
La Repubblica
.
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spoke to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's adviser about becoming involved in Ukraine's air defenses as soon as possible.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyj had already reported on a possible delivery by the EU member state after his conversation with Meloni shortly after Christmas.
Negotiation in the Ukraine war: Ambassador also expects battle tanks from Germany
+++ 1:53 p.m .:
After President Volodymyr Zelenskyj, the Ukrainian Ambassador to Germany, Oleksii Makeiev, also expresses his gratitude for the support in the war with Russia.
Ukrainian ground troops would benefit enormously from the armored personnel carriers from Germany, Makeiev told
Wirtschaftswoche.
He is confident that he will also be able to get western-style battle tanks.
"I'm an optimist.
After almost a year since the beginning of this great Russian invasion, many people in Germany have finally understood that this war is about the existence of Ukraine and about peace in all of Europe,” Makeiev said.
"German weapons save lives and contribute to the return of peace in Europe."
Negotiation in the Ukraine war: Selenskyj still counts on US support after McCarthy's election
+++ 12.25 p.m .:
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyj congratulated the new chairman of the Republican Party in the US House of Representatives on Twitter.
"Congratulations to Kevin McCarthy," wrote Zelenskyy, who also expressed his expectations regarding the Ukraine war in the social media post.
“US support in all areas has been critical to Ukraine's success on the battlefield.
We count on your continued support and continued US assistance to achieve our common victory," Zelenskyy tweeted.
Negotiations in the Ukraine war: Finland also supplies tanks
+++ 8.36 a.m .:
In addition to Germany and France, EU member Finland is now ready to deliver tanks to Ukraine.
"If Europe starts supplying Ukraine with even an inch more tanks, Finland should be involved," Antti Hakkianen, chairman of Finland's Defense Committee, told Finnish news platform
MTV Uutiset
.
"With our small contribution, of course, because our own defense capability is always a priority for us as a border country with Russia," Hakkianen continued.
According to Finnish reports, this is the older Leopard 2A4 main battle tank model.
Negotiations in the Ukraine war: Ministry of Defense prepares for tank delivery
Update from Saturday, January 7th, 6:50 a.m .:
The Ministry of Defense is preparing to hand over armored personnel carriers from the Bundeswehr stocks.
According to information from the German Press Agency, a corresponding test was still running in the military department on Friday.
It was also examined how the goal of quickly handing over 40 armored personnel carriers can be achieved.
The Bundeswehr has a total of around 370 martens, many of which also have to be overhauled before use.
About half are considered operational.
Negotiations in the Ukraine war: "#Thank you Germany"
Update from Friday, January 6th, 4:40 a.m.:
The decision by Germany and the USA to deliver armored personnel carriers to Ukraine triggered joy and relief in Kiev.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyj thanked Chancellor Olaf Scholz and US President Joe Biden for their commitment on Friday night.
"We will get another Patriot system and powerful armored vehicles, it's really a big victory for our state," he said in his video address.
Ambassador Oleksii Makeiev tweeted black, red and gold hearts and the words "#Thank you Germany".
Negotiations in the Ukraine war: Baerbock calls for solidarity in the fight against Russia
+++ 8.20 p.m .:
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has called on Europe and the West to stand closely and in solidarity with Ukraine in 2023.
In view of the Russian aggression, the strongest reaction lies in the joint response of the partners, the Greens politician said on Wednesday (January 4) at a conference in Lisbon.
The greatest wish for the new year is peace in 2023.
At the same time, Baerbock sharply criticized the Russian attacks on Ukraine over the holidays.
Now is not the time for theoretical questions.
In view of the turning point, all partners would have to sit down to see how the problems could be solved together.
The minister spoke out in favor of pragmatic solutions in the training of Ukrainian soldiers.
Negotiations in the Ukraine war: Erdoğan talks to Putin and Zelenskyy
First report from Wednesday, January 4th
: Ankara – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan wants to call his Ukrainian and Russian counterparts Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin.
This was announced by Ibrahim Kalin, an advisor to the Turkish President, on Tuesday (January 3) on Turkish television.
Kalin gave no further details on what Erdoğan wants to talk about.
Russian media had already reported on the plans for a telephone conversation between the presidents of Turkey and Russia.
Erdoğan last spoke to Zelenskyy on December 11 when they discussed Turkey's humanitarian aid to Ukraine, the situation at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant and a peace deal.
Negotiations in the Ukraine war: Turkey sees itself in the role of a mediator
Turkey has refused to impose sanctions on the Russian Federation since the invasion began, saying its role is that of a mediator between the two sides in the conflict.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said in early December that Ankara expected a "clearer picture" of a possible ceasefire in the Ukraine war or a return to the negotiating table by spring 2023.
(editorial with agencies)
List of rubrics: © NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA/afp
