08:22 Green defends stationing plan: It's about protection
Green Faction Deputy Agnieszka Brugger justifies the planned rearmament with far-reaching US weapons in Germany. She understands if many people have associations with the Cold War, says the defense expert in Deutschlandfunk. However, these measures are not a contribution to arms race but serve defense purposes. In the 80s, two power blocs stood against each other, both of which did not want maximum escalation, explained Brugger. Nevertheless, there were many dangerous situations back then. Today, there is a brutal aggressor who is breaking international law, has switched to a war economy, and is leading the most brutal war against Ukraine. It's about solidarity and protection, not aggression.
07:53 Shocked by the Attack on Children's Clinic: Russian Pilot Leaked Apparent Commander Data
A Russian pilot allegedly provided confidential information to the Ukrainian Military Intelligence Service (HUR) that contributed to the identification of 30 commanders of the Russian heavy bomber aircraft division. This is reported by "Kyiv Independent" citing a confidential source from the intelligence service. The Russian pilot, who is said to serve in the 22nd heavy bomber aircraft division, reportedly contacted the HUR on July 8 after the devastating Russian attack on the children's hospital in Kiev. This shocked him so much that he decided to take this step. The pilot is said to have passed on personal information, including photos and other confidential documents, about 30 Russian commanders.
07:28 Rheinmetall CEO: Russian Wear-Out War Could Last Forever
Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger assumes that the war in Ukraine could last a long time. The current wear-out war damages the Russians as well. "But it can still last forever. Russia has completely converted its industry to war economy," says the manager in an interview with the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung". Papperger also expects sustained growth for the Düsseldorf arms manufacturer. This year, the sales are expected to increase by 40 percent.
07:05 Threats against Rheinmetall CEO? Suspected Russian Agents Were Reportedly Already in the EU
The danger for Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger from alleged assassination plans was apparently more concrete than known. According to information from the "Spiegel" from security circles, Western intelligence services observed suspicious travels of suspected agents in the past months. The men were allegedly from countries of the former Soviet Union, at least one from Russia. Some were already in the Schengen Area, others had planned entries. Suspicious individuals were detected not only near the Rheinmetall headquarters but also at Papperger's travel destinations abroad. Senior officials suspect that these could have been "proxies" of Russian intelligence services – that is, agents hired by Moscow.
06:49 Heusgen: Berlin underestimates the gravity of the situation
The chief of the Munich Security Conference, Christoph Heusgen, criticizes the German government for its communication regarding the Ukraine war. "The German defense minister speaks candidly and says that we need to become battle-ready," Heusgen criticizes. "But his cabinet colleagues still underestimate the seriousness of the situation." He lamented that "I have the feeling that most responsible politicians believe they can't give the population a pure glass of wine and say: 'We're dealing with an aggression like in the Cold War'." Putin reportedly aims to restore the old Soviet Union. "We're still downplaying it all here," Heusgen added. "People must be given a clear glass of wine and told what Russia has broken in treaties, how Russia is arming, and that Russia has nuclear-capable missiles stationed in Kaliningrad that can reach Germany."
06:22 Spying for Russia: Australian Couple Arrested
Two Australian citizens of Russian origin have been arrested in Australia on espionage charges. The 40 and 62-year-old couple are accused of obtaining material from the Australian military to give to Russian authorities, according to the Australian Federal Police. One of the wives is a soldier in the Australian military. The Australian authorities accuse the couple of preparing a spying offense. They face a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. The operation to uncover the couple was a complex one by a special taskforce of the police and intelligence services, according to Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw.
05:55 Outrage after Report on Murder Plans: "Putin's regime now targets German citizens"
A CNN report on alleged Russian assassination plans against Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger has caused outrage in Germany. "It shows once again that Russia is bringing its war and terror to Europe," says the chairman of the Defense Committee, Marcus Faber of the FDP, to the "Bild" newspaper. "Putin's regime now targets German citizens." The chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Michael Roth of the SPD, tells the paper that Putin is "not only waging a war of annihilation against Ukraine, but also against its supporters and our values." US intelligence services reportedly discovered Russian government plans to assassinate Papperger in early 2021. According to CNN, the German side was informed, and Papperger was subsequently given increased protection.
05:18 Hungary accuses NATO partners of hypocrisy and failure
The Hungarian government accuses NATO partners of hypocrisy and failure in dealing with Russia's attack on Ukraine at the conclusion of the NATO summit in Washington. "We will continue to advocate for dialogue and diplomatic channels, as the current strategy of the last two and a half years has been a total failure," said Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, according to a spokesperson in a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Szijjarto represented Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who left the summit early to meet with former US President Donald Trump in Florida.
04:35 Britain calls on NATO allies to increase defense effortsBritish Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced at the NATO summit in Washington a plan for his government to increase defense spending to 2.5 percent of the Gross Domestic Product. At the same time, he urged other allies to do the same. According to reports, 23 out of the 32 alliance members currently spend only 2 percent of their GDP on defense. Starmer emphasized that given the serious threats to security, more needs to be done.
03:30 Biden: I would speak with Putin if he were open to changeUS President Joe Biden currently sees no point in holding talks with Russian President Putin. In general, he is open to speaking with any state or government leader - including Chinese State and Party Chairman Xi Jinping, Biden said at a press conference following the NATO summit. This also applies if Putin calls him. "I'm saying I'm willing to talk, but I don't see the willingness for that," Biden said. Putin must be willing to change his behavior.
02:32 NATO Ukraine Command setup starts in WiesbadenThe setup of the new NATO Ukraine Command for coordinating weapons deliveries and training activities for the Ukrainian armed forces begins today in Wiesbaden. However, the commander for Europe is expected to still need several months to set up the command so that it can take on all planned tasks, NATO representatives said on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Washington. Until then, US forces will continue to handle the coordination. The deployment is also intended to be a precaution for the possibility of a return of Donald Trump as US President in January 2025.
01:58 Scholz rules out unlimited weapons use against RussiaFederal Chancellor Olaf Scholz rejected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's call for lifting all restrictions on the use of Western weapons against Russian territory. "Nobody is changing the previous guidelines and regulations - for good reasons," Scholz said at the end of the NATO summit. We want to support Ukraine as much as possible, but we also want to prevent the war between Russia and NATO from escalating. Zelenskyy is primarily concerned about military bases in the Russian hinterland from which rocket attacks on Ukraine originate. More than 40 civilians, including children, were killed in attacks on Ukrainian cities on Monday.
01:25 Scholz on attack report: We are aware of the threatsIn connection with a media report about Russian threats against Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger, Chancellor Olaf Scholz referred to Russian threats at the NATO summit in Washington. "I won't say anything about that in detail," Scholz said. "But I'd be happy to tell you that we are already very well aware that we are exposed to various threats from Russian activities."
00:40 UN calls on Russia to withdraw from Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power PlantThe United Nations General Assembly calls on Russia to withdraw its military and other unauthorized personnel from the Ukrainian Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Russia is urged to place the facility under the full control of Ukrainian authorities, according to a UN resolution passed with 99 yes votes, nine no votes, and 60 abstentions. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europe's largest, was seized by Russia shortly after its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Although it has been shut down, it requires external energy to keep the nuclear material cool and prevent a nuclear meltdown.
23:36 Pistorius expects correction in budget 2025German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius is confident that there will be changes in favor of the defense budget in the 2025 budget. "I assume that further talks will lead to changes," says the SPD politician in ARD. He will not stop advocating for the Bundeswehr to be equipped so that it can fulfill its mission.
22:46 Kremlin: "On the way to a Cold War"Russia criticizes the planned deployment of US long-range weapons in Germany as a return to the Cold War. "We are on the way to a Cold War. All this has happened before," says Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov to Russian state television. Peskov accuses Germany, the US, France, and Britain of directly involving themselves in the conflict in Ukraine. "And all the signs of the Cold War are returning - with confrontation, with direct confrontation between adversaries," he says. "All this is being done to undermine our country. All this is being done to ensure our strategic defeat on the battlefield," emphasizes Peskov. However, during the Cold War, Europe enjoyed peace. Russia began its war against Ukraine in 2014, which it escalated again in 2022.
21:34 Zelenskyy: Restrictions on western weapons must endUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy calls for the lifting of all restrictions on the use of western weapons against Russian territory at the NATO summit in Washington. "If we want to win and save our country, then all these restrictions must be lifted," emphasizes the Ukrainian leader. The focus is primarily on military bases in Russian territory from which rocket attacks are launched. "If they attack us and kill our children, it's insane to ask why we can't attack this military base," says Zelenskyy.
20:58 USA announces new aid package with Patriot systemUS President Joe Biden announces a new aid package for Ukraine worth $225 million. Part of the package includes a Patriot system to strengthen Ukraine's air defense against Russian air attacks. Additionally, the package contains NASAMS missile defense systems, multiple rocket launchers of the HIMARS type, and artillery ammunition with calibers of 155 and 105 millimeters, according to the US government. The weapons are reportedly from US military stocks.
20:19 Stoltenberg accuses Russia of intimidation campaign against NATONATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg reports on a Russian campaign of hostile actions against NATO. It aims to intimidate NATO members and prevent them from supporting Ukraine. However, this approach has had the opposite effect, says Stoltenberg at the NATO summit in Washington.
All former developments can beread here.**
- The conflict in Ukraine has escalated to a brutal war, with Russia leading the aggression and violating international law, as mentioned by Brugger.
- The Russian military is heavily involved in the Ukraine-Conflict, as indicated by the report of a Russian pilot leaking confidential information to the Ukrainian military.
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, has called for the lifting of restrictions on the use of western weapons against Russian territory, in an effort to defend his country from Russian attacks.
- Germany, under Chancellor Scholz, has rejected Zelenskyy's call, citing a desire to avoid escalating the conflict into a war between Russia and NATO, as reported in the media.
- The cyberwarfare aspect of the conflict has also been highlighted, with NATO setting up a new command in Wiesbaden for coordinating weapons deliveries and training activities for the Ukrainian armed forces, in response to Russia's attack on Ukraine.
