Day 416 since the beginning of the war: The Russian attacks continue, with four cities in particular being the focus. Brazil’s President Lula wants to mediate – and blames Ukraine for the war. All information in the news blog.
The most important things at a glance
Baerbock in Japan: show determination against Putin
3:13 p.m.: Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has announced a clear signal from the G7 group of economically strong democracies against Russia’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine. “Now it’s about showing Putin our determination that he won’t achieve his goals through wear and tear,” said the Green politician on Sunday at the start of the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting in Karuizawa, Japan Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.
So far, the G7 have opposed Russia’s aggression “as a continuous crisis team” one barrier after the other: with winter aid for the people in Ukraine, with the Russian sanctions and the oil price cap, said Baerbock. “With our support, Ukraine has withstood Russia’s energy war and winter offensive.” She added: “At the meeting in Japan we will sharpen our commitment.”
Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, as host, said: “Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has shaken the international order to its foundations. (…) The world is at an historic turning point”.
Lula wants to mediate – and blames Ukraine for the war
2:58 p.m.: Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva wants to mediate with China and the United Arab Emirates in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. He has already discussed this idea with the leaders of the two countries, Lula said on Sunday during an inaugural visit to Abu Dhabi. Earlier, during a visit to Beijing, he called on the United States to end military support for Ukraine.
Lula said he had talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Sayed al-Nayhan and Chinese leader Xi Jinping about forming a mediation group. A group based on the model of the G20 group could be formed with other countries. He believes “that we will have great success with it,” Lula told journalists in the Emirati capital. He has also spoken to US President Joe Biden, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), French President Emmanuel Macron and the heads of state of some South American countries about the initiative.
Lula emphasized that the war was caused “by decisions made by two countries” – an assessment that puts the Russian attack on the whole of Ukraine on February 24, 2022 into perspective and is viewed critically, especially in Ukraine. Lula said neither Russian President Vladimir Putin nor his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy took any initiative to end the war. “Europe and the US continue to contribute in their own way to the continuation of the war”. Lula demanded that they “sit down at the table and say, ‘Enough’.”
EU criticizes Polish and Hungarian grain import ban
2:47 p.m.: The European Union has criticized the ban on imports of Ukrainian grain decided by Poland and Hungary. Unilateral trade measures by EU member states are not permitted, a spokesman for the EU Commission said on Sunday. It was “important to stress that trade policy is the exclusive competence of the EU and therefore unilateral action is not acceptable,” the spokesman wrote in an emailed statement. Especially in challenging times it is important to coordinate decisions within the EU.
