Ukraine War: Close Partner Deals Low Blow to Russia

Created: 01/10/2023 14:58

By: Florian Naumann, Caspar Felix Hoffmann, Karolin Schäfer, Niklas Kirk, Nadja Austel

According to its own statements, Russia is now fighting NATO.

In Germany, the calls for the Leopard delivery are getting louder.

The news ticker.

• Battle tanks in the Ukraine:

  Reservists Association demands delivery

• Negotiations in the Ukraine war:

  Russia's human rights commissioner wants to meet Ukrainian colleagues

• Negotiations:

  Turkey wants to mediate in the Ukraine conflict between Russia and Ukraine

+++ 2.40 p.m .:

The Kremlin has to take a low blow from the former Soviet Republic of Armenia.

Despite an announcement from Moscow to the contrary, the country rejects a military exercise by the Russian-led CSTO alliance on its territory.

"In the current situation, we do not consider it expedient to conduct CSTO exercises on the territory of Armenia," said the head of government of the South Caucasus republic, Nikol Pashinyan.

Pashinyan initially left his exact motives open.

Moscow has repeatedly accused his crisis-ridden country, which is heavily dependent on Russia as a protective power, of inaction in the conflict region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

A Ukrainian soldier stands on the banks of the Dnipro River near Kherson in late November 2022.

© Sadak Souici/Imago

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov assured on Tuesday that Armenia is still a close partner of Russia - but at the same time he also acknowledged "very complicated problems" in view of Pashinyan's recent statements.

Ukraine war: Russia sees itself in a fight with NATO

+++ 11.45 a.m .:

Russia sees itself fighting NATO in the Ukraine war.

"The events in Ukraine are not a collision between Moscow and Kiev," Putin confidante Nikolai Patrushev told

news agency , according to the

.

"This is a military confrontation between Russia and NATO, and above all the US and Britain." The West plans to tear Russia apart and eventually erase it from the political map of the world, the secretary of the powerful National Security Council said.

Negotiations in the Ukraine war: Calls for Leopard main battle tanks are getting louder

Update from Tuesday, January 10, 9:50 a.m .:

The President of the Bundeswehr Reserves Association, Patrick Sensburg, has spoken out in favor of the delivery of Leopard tanks to Ukraine.

"As an armored personnel carrier, the Marder offers the opportunity to move soldiers quickly from one place to another," he told the

with a view to the federal government's decision to supply Marders.

"It is most effective in combination - ideally, of course, with the Leopard battle tank.

That's why the support with battle tanks is the next logical step.” The delivery of battle tanks of a different type from another country is also conceivable.

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Negotiations in the Ukraine war: Russia's human rights commissioner wants to meet Ukrainian colleagues

+++ 10:05 p.m .:

According to information from Moscow, the human rights officer of the Russian government, Tatyana Moskalkova, wants to meet her Ukrainian colleague Dmytro Lubinez in Turkey – and that later this week.

"I confirm that I am planning such a meeting," Moskalkova told the Russian news

on Monday .

The talks are to be held on the fringes of one to which numerous human rights officers from various countries will be arriving from Thursday to Saturday.

So far, there has been no confirmation from Kyiv.

Pictures of the Ukraine war: great horror and small moments of happiness

View photo gallery

Negotiations in the Ukraine war: USA condemns Iranian drone deliveries

+++ 8:55 p.m .:

The US government criticizes Iran for its deliveries of drones to Russia.

These are being used by Russia to kill civilians in Ukraine and destroy electricity and heating for cities, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said.

"From our perspective, Iran is at a point where it may be involved in full-scale war crimes," Sullivan said.

Negotiations in the Ukraine war: Scholz defends his course on arms deliveries to Ukraine

+++ 8.30 p.m .:

Despite criticism, Chancellor Olaf Scholz defended his course in arms deliveries to Ukraine.

At an election campaign event of the Berlin SPD, he rejected accusations of "hesitance".

"Germany is way ahead in supporting Ukraine," said Scholz.

This applies not only to financial and humanitarian aid, but also to arms deliveries.

He continues to rely on a responsible approach, said the Chancellor.

"Everyone can rest assured that it is not public excitement, but what is right about the matter and good for Ukraine and peace in Europe that we will do." He also sticks to his principle that he would only act in coordination with his partners.

“Germany will not go it alone, Germany will always stay together with friends and allies and especially with our transatlantic partner, the United States of America.

Anything else would be irresponsible in such a dangerous situation.”

Negotiations in the Ukraine war: China and Russia demonstrate unity towards the West

+++ 19.40:

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Chinese counterpart Qin Gang have demonstrated their unity with the West.

A statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry said that Russia and China reject "the policy of the United States and its satellites to establish hegemony in international relations."

Both sides again accused Western countries of interfering in internal affairs and provoking conflicts with China and Russia.

They further criticized the fact that their development would be slowed down by sanctions.

Another exchange of prisoners?

Meeting of human rights representatives planned in Turkey

+++ 6.25 p.m .:

According to news agencies from Russia and Ukraine

human rights representatives from both countries are expected to meet in Turkey from January 12th to 14th.

The talks should also deal with the possibility of a further exchange of prisoners of war.

and

quote Russian human rights commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova as saying that there will be a meeting with her Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Lubinets at an international forum in Turkey between Thursday and Saturday.

Furthermore, there are said to have already been talks about the "approximate agenda of our negotiations" without giving further details.

The Ukrainian news agency

quotes Lubinets as saying that the main theme is "the return of our heroes and heroines", which can be interpreted as a reference to a prisoner exchange.

Negotiations in the Ukraine war: are new peace negotiations underway?

Russia speaks out

+++ 4.15 p.m .:

Ukraine has been grateful for the previous and announced western arms deliveries – but from the point of view of the country attacked by Russia they are not yet sufficient.

"No one has done enough as long as Russian boots are on Ukrainian soil," Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba wrote on Twitter.

Arming the Ukrainian army is the shortest way to restore peace and security in Europe.

Negotiations in the Ukraine war: Great Britain is apparently considering the delivery of battle tanks

+++ 3:00 p.m .:

According to a report by the TV channel

, Great Britain is considering the delivery of battle tanks to Ukraine.

Up to ten Challenger 2 vehicles could go ashore to ward off the Russian attacks, it said, citing its own information.

Corresponding discussions have been going on for weeks.

Such a move would also encourage other states to supply main battle tanks,

a Ukrainian source quoted

The British Ministry of Defense initially did not comment on the report.

The UK has so far delivered more than 200 armored vehicles to Ukraine, including Stormer anti-aircraft systems, sources said.

Negotiations in Ukraine war: government has no plans for "Leopard" delivery

+++ 2.15 p.m .:

The federal government has rejected the Russian accusation that the announced delivery of German armored personnel carriers could lead to a further escalation of the Ukraine war.

"The Russian President has the power to end this war overnight by withdrawing his troops and stopping bombing Ukraine," said Steffen Hebestreit.

The government spokesman stressed that Ukraine would receive “up to 40” promised Marder armored personnel carriers by the end of March.

At the same time, Hebestreit dismissed speculation that Leopard main battle tanks would be supplied to Ukraine.

"At the moment, the federal government has no intention of supplying Ukraine with Leopard 2 tanks," Hebestreit said.

He ruled out going it alone and referred to agreements with partners such as the USA and France.

Negotiations in the Ukraine war: delivery of Leopard main battle tanks?

+++ 12.20 p.m .:

Leading Greens politicians also signal openness for the delivery of Leopard main battle tanks to Ukraine.

"We Greens have always said that we have to support Ukraine with everything that is possible," parliamentary group leader Katharina Dröge told Bayerischer Rundfunk on Monday (January 9).

Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) had previously made a similar statement.

"Sometimes it would have been good if we had acted faster," added Dröge, referring to the SPD's reluctance on this issue.

She welcomed the delivery of Marder armored personnel carriers to Ukraine, announced after a long hesitation by Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), but also said: "We will not stop there," the debate about further support was "necessary".

Negotiations in the Ukraine war: Russia comments on possible talks

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

news agency .

When asked about Danilov's claim, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it was "another fake".

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

"Report from Berlin".

Therefore, he does not rule out this decision.

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 

.

“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: 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: 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)