Russian invasion

Sanctions
Source: EU not in agreement on sanctions package against Russia

EU ambassadors are not in agreement on a 21st sanctions package against Russia, an EU diplomat told Reuters.

The envoys will meet again tomorrow, the source added.

The EU has tried to reach a compromise with Greece, which wanted to change some of the sanctions.

This concerns primarily an import ban and a ban on the transport of liquefied natural gas from Russia. Athens has previously argued that Russia will not be harmed by such a ban. The country will instead turn to other countries such as China for international transport. 

Ukraine's response
Expert on new military chief: "Has won a lot of respect"

Ukraine's new commander-in-chief Mykhailo Drapatyj is respected by high-ranking military commanders and is considered an effective leader. This is what the Kyiv Independent writes in a background text about the 43-year-old, who is otherwise described as media-shy.

Johan Huovinen, a teacher of military strategy at the Swedish National Defence University, shares the picture and states in a comment to Dagens Nyheter that Drapatyj has been with the force since 2014.

- He has been with the force for these twelve years and has advanced his position. He has gained a lot of respect from the soldiers and volunteers, says Huovinen.

Analysis: Zelensky tries to appease discontent after the shock dismissal

The firing of the innovative Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has stirred up emotions in Ukraine, and President Volodymyr Zelensky now seems at a loss as to how to resolve it, according to journalistic observers.

After the controversial firing a week ago, Zelensky also chose to get rid of Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyj on Tuesday.

Syrskyj has been classified as a hero in Ukraine since the first days of the invasion, but he has also been criticized for micromanaging and blocking drone deals, writes the Kyiv Independent and the New York Times.

According to SR's foreign correspondent Trygve Ulriksen Skogseth, the firing of Syrskyj can be interpreted as a sacrifice to appease those who protested and demanded Fedorov's return.

The more innovative Mykhailo Drapatyj will take over as ÖB, Zelenskyj's staff announces, but it remains to be seen how they will deal with the post of defense minister.