One year after the beginning of the war of aggression against Ukraine, the Federal Intelligence Service believes that the Russian government is not willing to negotiate. When asked if he saw any will in President Vladimir Putin to make peace, BND President Bruno Kahl said: “Not at all. At the moment, he’s all about trying to decide on the battlefield and realizing as many advantages as possible there – and then maybe dictating a peace on his terms at some point.”
Kahl also told the editorial network Germany that Russia could still send many soldiers to war. In the fall, around 300,000 had already been mobilized and recruited , some of whom were still being trained, but some were already in action. “The further mobilization potential of Russia is a reservoir of up to a million men, if this is deemed necessary in the Kremlin.”
Background: Only 25 percent of Russians want to continue the war
Kiev: Attack on Kherson had no military purpose
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has condemned the deadly Russian artillery raid on the city of Kherson in the south of the country. “This Russian attack had no military purpose,” said Zelenskyj in his nightly video speech on Tuesday. “Just like thousands of similar Russian attacks that are a real message from Russia to the world.” At least six people were killed and twelve injured in the artillery raid on a residential area and a bus station in Kherson.
Background: Kindergarten and clinic in Cherson also hit (euronews)
“The terrorist state is trying to show the world that terror is to be expected by shelling streets, houses, schools, pharmacies and hospitals, churches, bus stops, markets and power plants with rockets,” Zelensky said. However, he is confident that the attacker will be put in his place. Namely “all together – Ukrainians and the world”.
n the end, Ukrainian intelligence and the army would find those responsible for the attacks on Kherson and other cities. “And beyond that, we will prove that only humanity, only the UN Charter and only the right of every people to live free and safe from terror and insane aggressions like those of Russia are worth considering.”
Background: This is how the front runs in Ukraine (Süddeutsche Zeitung)
Russia’s foreign minister meets China’s top foreign officials
On the eve of the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of neighboring Ukraine, Chinese foreign policy chief Wang Yi will meet with Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on Wednesday. In addition to relations between the two countries, the conflict in Ukraine is certainly on the agenda.
In Moscow, Wang wants to sound out Russia’s positions on the peace initiative of its head of state Xi Jinping to end the Ukraine war. The Chinese foreign policy expert had already exchanged views with the head of the National Security Council, Nikolai Patrushev, in Moscow on Tuesday.
Xi wants to present the position paper on the anniversary on Friday (February 24), of which only the basics are known so far. Among other things, it is about “respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity”, as reported by the foreign office in Beijing. Ukraine is demanding the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from its territory, including Crimea, as a prerequisite for talks with Moscow.
Zelenskyy continues «diplomatic marathon»
The day after US President Joe Biden’s surprise visit to Kiev, Zelenskyy continued his “diplomatic marathon” that had lasted for almost a year. He met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Tuesday , who promised Ukraine continued military, financial and civilian support from her country. Among other things, Kiev is to receive additional air defense systems.
Background: During Meloni’s visit, Selenskyj teases Berlusconi (ntv)
In addition, Zelenskyj also received a delegation from the US Congress, as he announced in the evening. “This is a very important signal for our country, the entire region and the world,” he said. “Yesterday President Biden was in Kiev, today there are representatives of Congress, namely members of the Republican Party.”
US President Biden meets Eastern European NATO countries in Warsaw
On the second day of his visit to Poland, US President Joe Biden will meet representatives of several Eastern European NATO countries in Warsaw on Wednesday. The group in the so-called “Bucharest 9” format includes Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and the three Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania – i.e. the states along NATO’s eastern flank. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is also expected to attend the deliberations.
