War against Ukraine: this is the situation
The USA is providing Ukraine with additional military equipment to defend against the Russian invasion. The new package, worth 100 million US dollars (around 91.4 million euros), is military aid that has already been approved by the US Congress. The arms package includes Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, a Himars multiple rocket launcher and artillery ammunition.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said during his visit to Kiev on Monday: "In a conflict like this, there is no one-size-fits-all solution." It is important to provide the right capabilities and to integrate them sensibly into the Ukrainian defense efforts in order to achieve the greatest possible effect on the battlefield.
He assured Ukraine of further support during his visit. He sees "bipartisan support for this in both chambers of Congress". Some members of Congress had legitimate questions that the government would answer. "What is happening in Ukraine is not only important for Ukraine, but for the whole world," emphasized Austin. President Joe Biden's administration must fight for the release of new funds for Ukraine, as the continuation of aid is controversial in the US Congress.
Selensky emphasizes the value of artillery ammunition
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously announced the arms package from the USA. "In particular, there will be more artillery shells, which are particularly needed now," said Zelensky in his daily video message on Monday.
During the productive talks with Austin, developments on the front and ways to strengthen Ukraine's defense were discussed, Zelenskyi said. He thanked the USA for its "unchanged leading role in providing assistance".
Ten years of Euromaidan: Moscow blames Ukraine and the West
On the tenth anniversary of the pro-European protests on the Maidan in Kiev, the Russian Foreign Ministry has blamed Ukraine and the West solely for the conflict with Moscow. In very derogatory terms, ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova asked what the dream of Europe had brought Ukraine. "From a prosperous, industrially developed, densely populated ex-Soviet republic, Ukraine has turned into an impoverished, dying territory," she said.
Ukraine has lost its independence as a result of the events since November 2013 and is being fed "by Western colonizers who determine its domestic and foreign policy", claimed Zakharova. The Russian Foreign Ministry published the statements on its website on Monday. Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin has been waging war against Ukraine for almost 21 months in order to bring the country back under Moscow's control.
Tens of thousands of women serve in the Ukrainian army
More than 40,000 women are serving in the Ukrainian army during the Russian war of aggression. That is just over five percent of the total strength of the armed forces, the Ministry of Defense in Kiev announced on Monday. Around 5,000 Ukrainian women are directly involved in combat operations. In total, more than 13,400 women have been involved in combat operations to date.
What will be important today
Russian President Vladimir Putin is taking part in a video conference of the Brics states on the Gaza war. During his appearance there, the Kremlin leader wants to present himself as a mediator on an international level despite his own war of aggression against Ukraine. In Ukraine, meanwhile, the tenth anniversary of the pro-European protests on the Maidan in Kiev is being commemorated. Guests from abroad are also expected to commemorate the momentous demonstrations.
In light of the ongoing conflict, President Volodymyr Zelensky appreciated the inclusion of more artillery ammunition in the US aid package, stating its immediate necessity. Following this, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin reaffirmed bipartisan support for Ukraine, stressing its significance not only for Ukraine but for the global community.
In response to the situation, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova criticized Ukraine and the West, blaming them for the conflict with Moscow and accusing them of turning Ukraine into an impoverished territory.
Source: www.dpa.com
