Russia and Ukraine are attacking each other. Joe Biden has apparently released more weapons for Kyiv. All information in the news blog.
5 a.m.: Volodymyr Zelensky left room for temporary Russian control over Ukrainian territories. “Perhaps Ukraine needs to outlive someone in Moscow in order to achieve its goals and restore the entire national territory,” Zelensky said, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin in parliament. There he presented a plan on how his country could better withstand Russian pressure.
There has been speculation in the international media for some time that the war in Ukraine could be frozen along the front line without Kiev legally ceding territory to Russia. Nevertheless, Zelenskyj categorically rejected formal legal cessions of territory. “We are not giving up Ukraine’s rights to its territory,” the head of state emphasized.
Kiev will also not allow Ukraine to be used in election campaigns, Zelensky said, without mentioning the upcoming federal elections in Germany. “Winning at the expense of Ukraine is not possible. But we can win together with Ukraine,” he said.
3:10 a.m.: If US military aid to Kiev is cut, Ukraine will lose the war against Russia, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. “If they cut, (…) we will lose, I think,” Zelenskyj said in an interview with the US broadcaster Fox News on Tuesday. “We will fight. We have our production, but it is not enough to prevail.”
US President-elect Donald Trump announced during the election campaign that he would massively cut support for Kiev in its defensive war against Russia. The United States is currently Kiev’s largest financial and military supporter. There are many politicians among the future ministers who sharply criticize this aid for Ukraine. Trump had also repeatedly assured that the war in Ukraine would end quickly. But the Republican did not provide any further details on how he would do this.
“Unity” between Ukraine and the USA is “the most important thing,” Zelensky continued. Trump could influence Russian President Vladimir Putin “because he is much stronger than Putin.” The Russian leader “can be willing and end this war, but it also depends much more on the United States of America. Putin is weaker than the United States of America.”
Zelenskyj and Trump (archive photo). (Source: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP/dpa/dpa-bilder)
Ukraine and Russia attack each other with drones
3 a.m.: Russia and Ukraine attacked each other with drone attacks last night. Initially, Ukrainian drones caused alarm and damage in several Russian regions. “In the city of Alexeyevka, production halls were damaged by the crash of drone debris on the territory of a company,” wrote the governor of the Russian border region of Belgorod, Vyacheslav Gladkov, on Telegram. In addition, an infrastructure object and a power line were hit.
There was also an impact in the neighboring Voronezh region. A fire broke out in an industrial plant there after a drone attack, said Governor Alexander Gusev. According to him, no military goods were manufactured at the factory that was attacked by five drones. The fire was later extinguished. There were no deaths or injuries.
Drone attacks were also reported in the Bryansk and Tula regions and the Moscow area. So far nothing has been reported about any damage there. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, a total of 42 Ukrainian drones were shot down.
The Russian military, for its part, once again launched several swarms of drones that flew into Ukraine from different directions. An air alarm was triggered overnight in numerous regions of the country as well as in the capital Kiev. There was initially no information available about possible impacts of the combat drones.
1. As the war in Ukraine continues, President Zelensky has expressed that it is crucial for Ukraine to maintain unity with the United States. What factors do you think have led to this sentiment, and how does Zelensky envision this unity playing out in the context of the ongoing conflict?
Guest 1: Well, since the start of the war, the United States has been one of Ukraine’s strongest supporters in terms of military and financial aid. This support has been instrumental in helping Ukraine defend itself against Russia’s aggression. President Zelensky knows that without this backing, Ukraine might not have been able to withstand the onslaught as long as it has. Moreover, the Biden administration has shown a commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, which is something that Russia has repeatedly challenged. Therefore, maintaining a close relationship with the US is vital for Ukraine’s security and interests.
As for how this unity will manifest, it could involve continued military and financial aid from the US to Ukraine. It could also involve further cooperation between the two countries on the international stage, including diplomatic efforts to isolate Russia and apply pressure on it to end the war. Additionally, it could mean working together on reconstruction efforts once the conflict ends. President Zelensky envisions a strong partnership with the US that will help Ukraine not only survive this war but also emerge stronger in the future.
2. In a recent interview, President Zelensky stated that if US military aid to Ukraine were cut off, Ukraine would lose the war against Russia. How significant is this military aid in the ongoing conflict, and what makes it so crucial for Ukraine’s success?
Guest 2: The military aid from the US has been crucial for Ukraine’s success in this war. It has provided Ukraine with lethal weapons, including Javelin anti-tank missiles, Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, and other advanced equipment. These weapons have helped Ukraine defend against Russian advances and even launch successful counteroffensives. Without this aid, Ukraine would lack the firepower necessary to match Russia’s vastly superior military might.
Furthermore, the US has also facilitated the flow of other Western military aid to Ukraine, which includes ammunition, food, medicine, and supplies. This
