Zelenskyj: I have to force Scholz to help Ukraine

Ukraine blog

Almost exactly a year ago Russia the Ukraine attacked and fierce fighting is still raging, especially in the east of the country. Westerners expect February 24 to be the anniversary of the outbreak of war secret services with a renewed offensive by Russia.

Germany, the USA and other NATO countries will supply battle tanks to Ukraine. The first German delivery is expected in March. In addition, Ukraine is to be admitted to the EU and thus receive even better protection. But there is still a long way to go.

Here you will find everything you need to know about the latest developments in the war in Ukraine.

February 9th

3:06 p.m .: Selenskyj: I have to force Scholz to help Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sees them Relationship to Germany because of the debate about the delivery of main battle tanks in a “difficult phase”. “I have to force him to help Ukraine and constantly convince him that this help is not for us, but for Europeans”said Zelenskyj in one interview of the “Spiegel” and the French newspaper “Le Figaro” (Thursday) with a view of Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD).

At the same time, Zelenskyy thanked Germany for the delivery of the Iris-T air defense system. This did “a lot Life rescued.” Ukraine’s relationship with Germany is “wave-like, it’s an up and down,” he said.

12:00 p.m .: Selenskyj sees readiness to deliver fighter jets

After his first personal appearance at an EU summit in Brussels, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed confidence in the prospect of further arms deliveries. “I heard about the readiness, necessary weapons to send, including fighter jets. We will now deepen this further in bilateral talks,” said Zelenskyj at a press conference on Thursday. Initially, however, there was no talk of concrete commitments.

In the afternoon, the Ukrainian President wanted to meet with almost all heads of state and government in pairs or in small groups, with the exception of Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and French President Emmanuel Macron, who had already met with Selenskyj in Paris had met.

Russia has been attacking Ukraine from the air for months, causing great damage. Image: Russian Defense Ministry Press Se / Uncredited

9.58 a.m .: Selenskyj speaks at the special summit of heads of state and government

EU leaders welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Brussels. “Welcome home, welcome to the EU,” wrote EU Council President Charles Michel online on Thursday Twitter. Zelenskyj first arrived at the European Parliament, where Parliament President Roberta Metsola welcomed him. She spoke on Twitter of a “historic day for Europe”.

Selenskyj is to first give a speech in Parliament. He is then expected at the special summit of heads of state and government. As Council President Michel wrote on Twitter, it is about “the best way” to support Ukraine.

EU leaders welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Brussels.Image: EPA POOL / Mohammed Badra

1.48 a.m .: Selenskyj demands fighter jets from Scholz and Macron “as soon as possible”.

Ahead of the EU special summit on Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and French President Emmanuel Macron to deliver fighter jets. The military equipment must be delivered “as soon as possible,” said the Ukrainian head of state at a three-way meeting in Paris. Scholz and Macron did not respond to the demand – but this should determine the EU summit starting on Thursday, in which Zelenskyj will also take part.

Emmanuel Macron (M), President of France, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (r, SPD) and Volodymyr Selenskyj, President of Ukraine, stand together before their working lunch in the Elysee Palace.Image: AP / Lewis Joly

Germany is “close to Ukraine’s side,” stressed the Chancellor. Kyiv will be supported “as long as it is necessary”. Macron promised Zelenskyy France will help Ukraine to victory in the fight against the Russian invasion. France is “determined” to support Ukraine in “restoring its legitimate rights”. Paris will “continue to try” to deliver arms to Kyiv.

February 8th

6:04 p.m .: UNESCO helps traumatized children and journalists in Ukraine

The UN cultural organization Unesco wants to help schoolchildren traumatized by the war in Ukraine, protect cultural assets and journalists with the Work support. In agreement with the Ukrainian Ministry of Culture, experts are to train 20,000 teachers in recognizing and caring for traumatized children from February, UNESCO announced on Wednesday in Paris. Schools should thus be turned into shelters.

Unesco wants to support the work of journalists in the war zone with legal aid and psychological advice, training courses for use in crisis regions and emergency power generators. In addition, there will be help for the media in Moldova, Romania and Slovakia so that these Ukrainian refugees in their own Language can inform.

4:06 p.m .: Scholz will meet Selenskyj in Paris

A visit to Brussels was expected, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is actually undertaking a small tour of Europe that will take him to London, Paris and Brussels. It is on for Wednesday in Paris Three-way meeting planned by Selenskyj with Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and French President Emmanuel Macron, as the federal government and the Elysée confirmed in the afternoon. The three politicians will meet in the Elysée in the evening. A joint dinner and short statements to journalists in advance are planned. On Thursday, all three politicians will travel to the EU summit in Brussels.

Volodymyr Zelenskyj made a surprise trip to Great Britain on Wednesday and gave a speech in Westminster Hall. Image: PA Wire / Stefan Rousseau

The talks will focus on continued support for Ukraine in Russia’s war of aggression. Selenskyj could push for more arms deliveries, such as fighter jets. The path to EU membership should also be an issue.

1:59 p.m .: Selenskyj demands delivery of combat aircraft in London

During his speech to parliamentarians in London, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy once again called on his country’s allies to deliver combat aircraft. “I appeal to you and the world … for fighter jets for Ukraine, wings for freedom,” Zelenskyi told members of both houses of the British Parliament in Westminster Hall on Wednesday.

Later Selenskyj for an audience with King Charles III. at Buckingham Palace and to visit Ukrainian recruits serving in Great Britain are expected to be trained. London had repeatedly pushed ahead when it came to supplying even heavier weapons, putting its allies, not least Berlin, under pressure.

Selenskyj had landed at Stansted Airport in north-east London in the morning. The British government had announced his visit to Great Britain shortly beforehand. It is Zelenskyy’s second visit abroad since Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine began almost a year ago.

5.01 a.m .: Selenskyj thanks Germany for new tank deliveries

In the future, Ukraine should be able to use several battalions of heavy battle tanks from Western armories against the Russian invaders. In addition to the already promised Leopard 2 tanks from a number of western countries, as well as the M1 Abrams from the USA and Challenger 2 from Great Britain, several European countries want to supply more than 100 older Leopard 1 main battle tanks to Ukraine.

Some of the Leopard 1 tanks from German industrial stocks still have to be repaired before delivery.Image: dpa / Constanze Emde

“I thank Germany and all our partners for their support,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his daily video address on Tuesday evening. The delivery will not outperform the Russian invaders on the battlefield, but will at least achieve par with their armed forces.

Selenskyj had previously met with Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius in Kyiv and talked to him about the current situation in Ukraine. “We are doing everything we can to keep the airspace clear, to ensure that our soldiers have strong tanks and that our artillery is as good as that of the occupiers,” said the president. The leadership in Kyiv is currently following “what the occupiers are preparing” with the greatest attention. The situation around Donetsk in eastern Ukraine is currently “the hottest”.

You can find older news about the war in Ukraine here.

(nik/with material from dpa and afp)