Russian invasion China's role

Analysis: Ukraine's window for victory is closing  

The West seems to be preparing for a long war, but time is on Vladimir Putin's side, not Ukraine's.  

That's what the Washington Post's Josh Rogin writes in an analysis on the anniversary of the large-scale invasion. 

Ukraine needs warplanes and long-range robots to win the war, which the West is skeptical about. The fear of the conflict escalating is too great. 

"By the next anniversary, there may not be any Ukraine left to save," writes Rogin.  

Hufvudstadsbladet's Marcus Lindqvist is also aware that a protracted conflict benefits Russia. 

"Russia will have time to build up its military capacity again. Ukraine must constantly prepare for a new conflict. There is no time to rebuild the country.”  

Whoever hopes that Vladimir Putin will change his foot and withdraw can stop hoping, writes the BBC's Steve Rosenberg. 

"This Russian president is not much for change."

China's top diplomat Wang Yi in a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov earlier this week Alexander Nemenov / AP  

Russian invasion China's role  

Beijing is said to be leaning towards conducting a Russian arms deal  

US intelligence sources state that China is leaning towards selling both drones and ammunition to Russia, reports CNN.  

According to the information, negotiations are ongoing between the countries, but Beijing has not yet made its final decision on the matter. 

Der Spiegel stated on Thursday that the Chinese drone manufacturer Xi'an Bingo is ready to deliver 100 so-called kamikaze drones to Russia.  

The Chinese Foreign Ministry states that the country never makes irresponsible arms deals.  

- China does not allow arms sales to conflict areas or to belligerent countries, spokesman Wang Wenbin said earlier on Friday.  

John Kirby. Susan Walsh/AP  

Russian invasionRussian reactions  

USA: Russia may give Iran fighter jets in exchange for weapons 

Iran has sent both tank and artillery ammunition to Russia and in return has been given the opportunity to make major arms deals with Russia. This is what John Kirby, who is the spokesperson for the US Security Council, says at a press conference, according to AFP. 

- We believe that Russia can send military aircraft to Iran in exchange for the support, he says.  

He says that Iran wants to buy billions of dollars worth of Russian military equipment and that the US is concerned about the situation. 

- Iran's support for Russia's invasion continues to increase, he says.   

Stoltenberg in Estonia on Friday. Pavel Golovkin / AP  

Russian invasion China's role 

Stoltenberg dismisses China: "Has no credibility" 

China's twelve-point proposal for peace in Ukraine may be cold handed by NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg. 

- China does not have much credibility in this matter because they have not yet condemned the illegal invasion of Ukraine, says Stoltenberg, who is today visiting Estonia, according to Reuters.  

He points out that China signed a declaration of solidarity with Russia just days before the large-scale invasion began.  

In the document, China proposes, among other things, the establishment of humanitarian corridors and calls for an end to attacks on civilians. The country also demands that Western sanctions against Russia be removed. 

 

Ulf Kristersson and EU leader Ursula von der Leyen. Geert Vanden Wijngaert / AP  

 

The Russian invasion The sanctions  

 

Ulf Kristersson: EU agrees on new sanctions package  

 

Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) announces on Twitter that the EU's tenth sanctions package against Russia has been approved. 

 

"I welcome the agreement on the package that targets Russian military capabilities, the economy and government representatives," writes Kristersson on Twitter. 

 

"Maintaining unity in support for Ukraine is Sweden's top priority as the country holding the presidency," he continues. 

 

The sanctions follow the measures introduced by the United States and the United Kingdom earlier on Friday and target, among other things, individuals and companies that support Russia's invasion of Ukraine.