While fighting continues in Ukraine and hundreds of soldiers from the Mariupol steelworks surrender to the Russian attackers, Chancellor Olaf Scholz promises the country further defense aid – and sends a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Gerhard Schröder loses some privileges as former chancellor because of his relations with Russia – and he is threatened with further trouble from Brussels. The NATO countries are trying to dissuade Turkey from its opposition to the admission of Sweden and Finland into the military alliance. The 85th day of the war at a glance.
Hundreds more fighters surrender at the steel mill
After weeks of siege, more than 770 other Ukrainians were arrested on the Azovstal site within 24 hours, Moscow said. Since the beginning of the week, 1,730 Ukrainian fighters have surrendered – what happened to them is just as unclear as the number of people who are still holed up in the steelworks. Initially, there was no information from the Ukrainian side. Looking at the numbers now published by Russia, a complete conquest of Mariupol could become apparent after almost three months of war.
According to Russian estimates, around 2,500 soldiers were still in the plant before the evacuation mission began. It is also unclear whether Moscow – as hoped by Kyiv – will agree to an exchange of Ukrainian soldiers for Russian prisoners of war. A total of 80 of the 1,730 captured Ukrainians are said to have been injured, according to Russian sources. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) had registered several hundred fighters from the plant who are now prisoners of war.
Scholz promises Ukraine further support
In a government statement in the Bundestag, Scholz promised Ukraine further support with military equipment and with the reconstruction of the country after the war, but dampened expectations of the country joining the EU. He sent the message to Russian President Vladimir Putin that Ukraine would not allow the conditions for an end to the war to be dictated to it: “There will be no dictated peace.”
Scholz defended the arms deliveries to Ukraine: “Helping a country that has been brutally attacked to defend itself is not an escalation. It is a contribution to repelling the attack and thus ending the violence as quickly as possible.” With a view to the Panzerhaubitze 2000, Germany and the Netherlands do not want to extend their commitment for the time being. He “does not see an increase at the moment,” said Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte in The Hague at a meeting with Scholz. The Chancellor pointed out that the heavy artillery pieces “cannot be easily made available”. The two countries had promised Ukraine the delivery of twelve self-propelled howitzers 2000.
Kremlin spokesman: Ukrainians in occupied territories should decide
According to the Kremlin’s ideas, the people in the areas occupied by Russian troops in Ukraine should determine their own future. The will of the people there is crucial, said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, according to the Interfax agency. “Nothing can be done without them deciding for themselves how and with whom they should continue to live.” Peskov commented on Moscow politicians who had said about the occupied territory of Kherson that Russia came there to stay.
Schröder loses privileges – EU Parliament wants sanctions
The Budget Committee of the Bundestag decided that Gerhard Schröder would have to relinquish some special rights as former Chancellor. His office will be closed and the staff deployed elsewhere. Schröder, who is considered a confidante of Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin and who recently defended Russia, is allowed to keep his pension and personal protection. The EU Parliament wants to impose sanctions on the 78-year-old, according to a resolution adopted by a large majority. Brussels criticizes Schröder’s ongoing work for Russian state companies.
NATO: 42,000 troops and 120 aircraft on high alert
According to the Supreme Commander of NATO Forces in Europe, more than 42,000 soldiers and 120 combat aircraft under his command are currently on high alert. Since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, action has been taken in all areas and in all regions to protect the Allies, US General Tod Wolters said after a meeting of the chiefs of staff of the 30 NATO countries. The number of NATO land forces has increased tenfold, the number of combat aircraft patrolling the airspace has increased by 50 percent.
Despite Turkey’s temporary veto, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg had already expressed his conviction that Sweden and Finland would be quickly admitted to the military alliance. “I am confident that we can come to a quick decision to welcome Finland and Sweden to the NATO family,” he said at a joint press conference with Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Copenhagen. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan underscored his no to the alliance’s northern expansion.
Chiefs of staff of Russia and the USA exchange information
The US and Russian chiefs of staff have held talks on the situation in Ukraine, the Defense Ministry said in Moscow. At Washington’s initiative, Russian Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov and his US counterpart Mark Milley discussed issues of mutual interest, including the situation in Ukraine. Details were not given.
US Senate approves 40 billion package for Ukraine
Ukraine can count on large sums of money from the USA. The US Senate approved a $40 billion aid package for the country. 86 lawmakers voted to support Ukraine, compared to 11 against. President Joe Biden is expected to sign the law swiftly. The country attacked by Russia will thus receive seven billion dollars more than Biden requested in April. The package includes military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
Russia wants to open Ukrainian ports only under conditions
Russia has tied a possible opening of Ukrainian ports to grain exports to a partial lifting of Western sanctions against Moscow. “If our partners want to reach a solution, then the problems associated with lifting sanctions imposed on Russian exports must also be solved,” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko said, according to the Interfax agency. Russia is blocking ship shipments of wheat from Ukraine, on which many countries, especially in Africa and Asia, are dependent.
Because of the grain shortage caused by the Ukraine war, the G7 development ministers agreed on an alliance for global food security. This is intended to ensure financing and close coordination of food security measures. German Development Minister Svenja Schulze said: “There is a risk of famine because Putin is using hunger as a weapon.”
Director Serebrennikov against boycott of Russian culture
At the Cannes Film Festival, director Kirill Serebrennikov spoke out against a boycott of Russian culture. He can understand that people are demanding this in view of the war. “But I don’t accept that,” he said. He described the war as a “total catastrophe”. But a boycott of Russian culture is not the right way, because it is “in the air” and “in the clouds”, i.e. independent of current politics.
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