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According to Kyiv, Russia has withdrawn troops around the capital but is carrying missiles into southeastern Belarus. But the Moscow Ministry of Defense shows its own convoy of vehicles 40 kilometers from the Ukrainian capital and announces that it has shot down five enemy planes. The situation in Mariupol is terrible, where “the Russians are pulverizing the city”. For Ukrainian intelligence, Moscow’s goal is to split the country in two after a failed attempt to take control of the entire territory. Meanwhile, Kyiv and Moscow mediators will meet in Turkey, with President Tayyip Erdogan leading the search for a settlement. The head of the Russian delegation Vladimir Medinsky stated that the facetoface meetings will take place on March 2930.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who did not speak at the Oscars, reiterated neutrality but added nothing recognizing the Russianspeaking “rebel” republics, while in Lugansk the possibility of a referendum on union with Russia is raised. And Germany is considering acquiring a missile defense system to protect against a possible Russian attack. Finally, Biden corrects the game: “I did not ask for regime change in Moscow.”
Zelenskyy: ready to accept neutrality status
Ukraine is ready to accept neutrality status as part of a peace deal with Russia. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said so in an interview with independent Russian journalists reported by CNN. «Security guarantees and the neutral and nonnuclear status of our state: we are ready to accept that. That is the most important point, said Zelenskyj. “As far as I remember, this was the first principle for the Russian Federation. And as far as I remember underlined the President of Ukraine they started the war for this ».
Erdogan to Putin: ceasefire necessary
In a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan stressed the need for a ceasefire and better humanitarian conditions. His office said in a statement. “Erdogan pointed out the importance of a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, the realization of peace and the improvement of humanitarian conditions in the region,” the statement said.
Scholz: “Germany evaluates missile defense system”
Germany is considering purchasing a missile defense system to protect itself from a possible Russian attack, said Chancellor Olaf Scholz. “It’s certainly one of the issues we’re discussing, and for good reason,” the chancellor told public broadcaster Ard when asked if Germany could buy a defense system like Israel’s Iron Dome. However, Scholz did not specify which system Berlin is considering. “We have to be aware that we have a neighbor who is willing to use violence to advance his interests,” he explained.