Poland is ready to take “extraordinary measures” if Germany blocks exports of tanks to Ukraine
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda at a press conference following their talks in Kyiv May 22, 2022.
Sergei Supinsky | AFP | Getty Images
Poland is ready to take “extraordinary measures” and send Ukraine two of its Leopard tanks if Germany opposes the move, Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Pawel Jablonski said.
“I do not exclude that we are ready for such a step,” Jablonski was quoted as saying to a private radio station by Portal.
“Right now we’re trying to get Germany to not only agree to these tanks being sent by Poland or other countries, but also itself.”
NATO allies are meeting at Germany’s Ramstein airbase to make a crucial decision on whether to send German Leopard 2 tanks from various European armies to Ukraine, a move that requires Berlin’s approval even for other countries since it is a German re-export.
Ukraine has long advocated the use of heavy weapons, which it says are essential to striking back against Russian forces, and its close ally Poland has reiterated its demands. Germany has been reluctant to allow heavy weapons to be sent to Ukraine for fear of provoking Russia.
“I think if there is strong resistance, we will be ready to take even such unusual measures … but let’s not prejudge the facts,” Jablonski said.
— Natasha Turak
Russian mercenary company Wagner Group could have up to 50,000 fighters in Ukraine: Britain
Russian mercenary firm Wagner Group now has tens of thousands of fighters stationed in Ukraine, Britain’s Defense Ministry said in its latest intelligence update.
The private military company was not officially registered as a legal entity in Russia until December 2022 and described its core activity as “business consulting”, despite years of documented combat activity in parts of Africa, the Middle East and now Ukraine.
“Wagner now almost certainly commands up to 50,000 fighters in Ukraine and has become a key component of the Ukraine campaign,” the UK MoD wrote in its update on Twitter.
“Registration is likely aimed at maximizing Prigozhin’s commercial gain and further legitimizing the increasingly high-profile organization.”
— Natasha Turak
NATO allies meet in Germany to make decision on main battle tanks for Kyiv
Ukraine has repeatedly requested main battle tanks from its western allies.
Sean Gallup/Staff/Getty Images
NATO defense chiefs are meeting at Germany’s Ramstein airbase to discuss the delivery of main battle tanks to Ukraine.
The decision is a long time coming as Kyiv has been requesting tanks for months, but Western allies are reluctant to comply amid fears of provoking Russia.
Germany has veto power to stop any effort by the 30-nation alliance to send Kyiv its Leopard 2 tanks, which would be exported by armies to a number of NATO countries. Chancellor Olaf Sholz has so far been reticent about his willingness to send certain powerful weapons to Ukraine, drawing criticism from other supporters in the country.
— Natasha Turak
Ukraine’s First Lady urges Davos to continue funding humanitarian aid as war with Russia nears one year mark
Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska attends a “Special Dialogue with CEOs” meeting during the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, January 18, 2023.
Arnd Wiegmann Portal
In Davos, the First Lady of Ukraine urged companies and politicians to continue funding humanitarian aid for her war-weary country.
“People first, capital second. Humanity comes first. Values come first. And when we tell the world about protecting our country and rebuilding it after hostilities, we mean first and foremost protecting people and restoring normal life to them as much as possible,” said Olena Zelenska during a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Zelenska was joined by Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal and First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko.
– Amanda Macias
The US State Department is aware of unconfirmed reports of espionage cases opened against US citizens in Russia
A Russian flag flies next to the U.S. Embassy building in Moscow on December 7, 2021.
Alexander Nemenov | AFP | Getty Images
The State Department said it was aware of unconfirmed reports of an espionage investigation into a US citizen in Russia.
“In general, the Russian Federation does not live up to its timely notification obligations, which often leads to the detention of US citizens in Russia,” Deputy Spokesman Vedant Patel said during a daily news conference when asked about the matter.
“The Russian authorities also do not regularly inform the embassy about the trials, convictions or movements of US citizens. We are investigating this matter and will continue to monitor it,” Patel said, adding that the US Embassy in Moscow is engaged with Russian authorities.
– Amanda Macias