The Russian invasion. The outside world's response

 

The Russian invasion. The outside world's response  

Talks between the US and Germany have begun  

 

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has arrived in Germany for discussions with his German counterpart Boris Pistorius, who took up his new post just hours earlier, writes Reuters. 

 

- Germany remains one of our most important allies [...] I want to thank the German government for everything they have done to strengthen Ukraine's self-defense, Austin said before the ministers withdrew for talks.  

 

The critical issue is tanks – Germany is under pressure from Ukraine, and also the US, to allow willing countries like Poland and Finland to send their German-made Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. Germany has signaled its willingness to send tanks if the United States does as well Leopard 2. 

 

Michael Sohn / AP 

 

The Russian invasion. The outside world's response  

EU Council President Michel on a visit to Ukraine  

 

European Council President Charles Michel arrived on Thursday in Kyiv for a quick visit, he writes on Twitter. 

 “Back in Kyiv to discuss all forms of cooperation. May 2023 be the year of peace and victory.”  

 

Michel is invited by President Zelenskyj and will, among other things, speak before the parliament and visit a rehabilitation center for war wounded, writes TT.  

 

EU Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen is also expected to visit Kyiv soon. On February 3, both she and Michel will participate in the EU's Ukraine summit in the capital. 

 

 

 

The Russian invasion. The outside world's response  

Task: German industry ready with tanks  

 

German industry is ready to supply Ukraine with more than 100 tanks this year, industry sources told the Handelsblatt newspaper.  

 

In addition to the Leopard 1 and Leopard 2 - with the latter high on Kyiv's wish list - these could be upgraded British Challenger tanks, according to the information.  

 

On Thursday afternoon, talks are underway between the US and German defense ministers about the tank issue. Germany has signaled a willingness to send tanks — and let other countries send German-made tanks — if the United States does too.  

 

Germany has received criticism from several quarters, not least from Ukrainian President Zelensky, for its reluctance to send tanks. Michel in Kyiv. Olga Stefanishyna/Twitter

 

 

Ukrainian soldiers and their weapons Kirsty Wigglesworth / AP 

  

The Russian invasion. The outside world's response 

Ten countries have decided on new aid to Ukraine 

 

It is not only Sweden that has decided to send new military support to Ukraine. Reuters writes that a total of ten countries during the day made decisions to send weapons and other equipment to the war-torn country.  

One of these countries is Denmark, which is sending 19 Caesar howitzers. TV2 writes that the Danish defense themselves have long been asking for the weapon system, which they are now giving away instead. 

 

- If all other countries had contributed in the same way as Denmark, then the Ukrainians would have an even better starting point than they have now, says Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen.  

 

Some 50 defense chiefs will meet in Germany on Friday to discuss further aid to Ukraine. Ahead of the meeting, Berlin's reluctance to send German-made tanks is one of the main issues.

 

Cemetery for war victims in Butja. Emilio Morenatti / AP  

 

The Russian invasion. The outside world's response 

EU demands for special court for Russian war crimes 

 

The EU Parliament wants a special international tribunal to prosecute the political and military leadership of Russia and Belarus, AFP reports.  

 

Parliament voted with a large majority in favor of the proposal at its plenary session in Strasbourg. The decision is considered to send a clear signal to the Russian people that President Putin and the rest of the leadership can be convicted of crimes of aggression in Ukraine.  

 

In December, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed for an international tribunal when he received the European Parliament's Sakharov Prize. 

 

- The knowledge that criminal wars are punished is an effective weapon to prevent war, Zelenskyy said.  

Today's parliamentary decision is not binding, but the hope is that the EU's work with the tribunal will begin without delay. At the same time, the collection of evidence must be secured for the future.