War against Ukraine: this is the situation
Following the visit of German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius to Kiev, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi expressed his gratitude for the new arms package from Germany.
EU Council President Charles Michel pledged Ukraine's efforts to start EU accession negotiations as soon as possible. And the United Nations published new figures on the number of civilians killed and injured by Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine to date.
Selenskyj: "Strong support package from Germany"
With regard to the announced military aid worth 1.3 billion euros, which will include new Iris-T SLM air defense missile systems, Zelensky said in his video message: "This will protect our cities and thousands of lives from Russian terror." This is "a new strong support package from Germany".
Pistorius announced the new military aid during his visit to Kiev. In addition to the air defense systems, the package will also include anti-tank mines and artillery shells of the NATO 155 millimeter caliber.
The head of the Ukrainian president's office, Andriy Yermak, wrote of four Iris-T systems. According to an overview list from the Ministry of Defense, Germany has already delivered three Iris-T SLM systems to Ukraine. Prior to Pistorius' most recent announcement, five more of these systems had already been announced there. Meanwhile, regarding the German Taurus cruise missiles that Ukraine has been demanding for some time, Pistorius only said: "There is no new information on Taurus."
EU Council President: Commitment to negotiations with Ukraine
EU Council President Michel, who had also traveled to Kiev, assured both Ukraine and the neighboring Republic of Moldova of his full support in their efforts to quickly start EU accession negotiations. He said that he intended to do everything in his power to convince the 27 heads of state and government that a positive decision was needed in December.
Ukraine and Moldova are waiting for a decision on the start of accession negotiations. The EU Commission recommended this step in principle two weeks ago, but the governments of the EU countries still have to agree. A decision is to be made at the last regular summit meeting of the year on December 14 and 15. The outcome is open. The main reason for this is that reform requirements have not yet been fully met.
UN: At least 10,000 civilians killed
Since Russia's invasion 21 months ago, the United Nations has registered at least 10,000 civilians killed in Ukraine - including more than 560 children. However, as many bodies have not yet been identified, the actual number of victims is likely to be "considerably higher", according to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva. In addition, with the help of UN observers stationed on the ground, more than 18,500 injured civilians have been registered so far.
USA fears Russian missile deliveries to Iran
The US government fears that Iran could supply Russia with ballistic missiles for use in Ukraine in the future. In return for this support, Russia has offered Tehran unprecedented cooperation in the field of defense, said National Security Council Communications Director John Kirby. During a visit to Iran in September, Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu was shown ballistic missiles, Kirby continued. "We are therefore concerned that Iran is now considering providing Russia with ballistic missiles for use in Ukraine."
What will be important today
India has hosted a virtual G20 summit, at which Russian President Vladimir Putin also intends to speak. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is also taking part in the online event together with other heads of state and government from the group of leading economic powers (G20).
- Despite the strong support package from Germany, including new Iris-T SLM air defense missile systems, more Iris-T systems are needed to further protect Ukrainian cities and lives from Russian aggression.
- EU Council President Charles Michel has emphasized the commitment of the EU to starting accession negotiations with Ukraine as soon as possible, intending to persuade the 27 heads of state and government for a positive decision in December.
- The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva estimates that the actual number of civilians killed in Ukraine due to Russia's war of aggression is likely to be "considerably higher" than the reported 10,000.4.bin Boris Pistorius has not yet provided any new information on the German delivery of Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine, which Ukraine has been requesting for some time to counter Russian attacks.
Source: www.dpa.com
