Germany's Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft were scrambled due to a flight of a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance plane in over the international waters of the Baltic Sea, the German Air Force said on Oct. 16.
U.K. counter-terrorism officials are investigating whether Russian intelligence officers planted an incendiary device inside a parcel that caught fire at a warehouse near Birmingham, the Guardian reported on Oct. 16. The parcel, which engulfed in flames at a DHL warehouse on July 22, is believed to have been transported to the location on an airliner.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized that he would speak to Russian President Vladimir Putin "if asked" but stressed that no decisions would be made without the input of Ukraine or other Western allies.
U.S. President Joe Biden is expected to meet the leaders of Germany, France, and the U.K. in Berlin later this week after his earlier visit was postponed due to Hurricane Milton, CNN reported on Oct. 16, citing three unnamed Western officials.
In the wake of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, 81% of young German respondents expressed concern about the possibility of war in Europe, a sharp rise from 46% in 2019.
Moscow's ultimate goals are to "push the U.S. out of Europe," roll back NATO boundaries to the 1990s, and create a "Russian sphere of influence" that will cement a "new world order," said German intelligence chief Bruno Kahl.
At first, there should be an appeal to Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop attacking civilian targets in Ukraine. If Moscow does not concede, Ukraine should be free to use already delivered weapons without restrictions, said the German opposition leader.
The statement came two days after German Foreign Minister Annalenna Baerbock said that Russian President Vladimir Putin is not willing to speak with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz about brokering peace in Ukraine.
The U.K. pledged to provide additional long-range weapons, artillery systems, and robotic systems, while French President Emmanuel Macron discussed the possibility of opening a training center for drone operators in France, according to the announcement.
Biden was supposed to convene a leader-level meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Germany on Oct. 12, where President Volodymyr Zelensky was expected to present his victory plan. However, he put off his visit in order to oversee the emergency response to Hurricane Milton.
Key developments on Oct. 11: * Russia launched new push in Kursk Oblast, Kyiv claims attack 'thwarted' * Ukraine holds 40-50% of Toretsk, official says * Scholz unveils $1.5 billion allied aid package, delivers IRIS-T air defense system * Ukraine sets up supervisory boards for lethal and non-lethal procurement agencies Russian forces launched
President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Germany for its support but highlighted the importance of German assistance next year and the need for it to remain unchanged.
During a joint press conference, Scholz revealed that Germany has already delivered a package of aid for Ukraine worth 600 million euros ($660 million).
German and British think tanks urged decision-makers to set up a "NATO bank" to "Trump-proof" the alliance's military spending in a report published on Oct. 9 and seen by The Guardian.
"I will meet separately in each country with the leaders of Britain, France, and Germany. I will try to be swift, and then I will present the victory plan to all our partners at Ramstein," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Initially a hesitant partner, Berlin has become Ukraine's second-largest military donor after the U.S.
Biden was supposed to convene a leader-level meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Germany on Oct. 12, where President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to present his victory plan.
Two years after a series of explosions tore apart Russia’s controversial Nord Stream pipelines, the investigation has largely remained a mystery full of accusations that have exposed political fault lines across Europe. Stretching from northwestern Russia under the Baltic Sea to Germany’s coast, the pipelines completed before Russia’
Olaf Scholz last spoke with Putin in December 2022, the same year the leaders of the U.S., France, and the U.K. last had direct contact.
Key developments on Sept. 26: * US announces nearly $8 billion military aid package for Ukraine * Germany approves additional $447 million for military aid to Ukraine * Ukraine's 72nd Brigade releases video from Vuhledar, denies claims about withdrawal * 3 energy infrastructure facilities struck in overnight Russian strikes, Ukrainian PM says * Ukraine considers
The German parliament's lower chamber, the Bundestag, has approved the German government's proposal to increase funding for military support for Ukraine by nearly 400 million euros ($447 million), according to the Sept. 25 statement. The Bundestag announced the decision to increase financial aid following a meeting under the Ukraine Compact,
Ukraine reportedly using two of the highly sophisticated German air defense systems.
"Germany will not lift any restrictions. This does not depend on my personal attitude," German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Sept. 23, before meeting with Zelensky to discuss Ukraine's peace plan.
Germany's natural gas storage facilities are full, and all goals have been met, according to German Vice-Chancellor and Economy Minister Robert Habeck
According to the document seen by AFP — a letter to the parliamentary budget committee — additional funds are needed to "fulfill the German government's support commitments to the Ukrainian armed forces."
Berlin has handed over 22 Leopard 1 A5 tanks, 61,000 155mm rounds of ammunition, three Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns with spare parts, and other aid in its latest delivery of military aid to Ukraine, the German government said on Sept. 19.
The European Parliament passed a resolution on Sept. 19 calling for EU member states to lift restrictions on Ukraine's use of Western-supplied weapons inside Russia, and accelerate weapons deliveries, "including Taurus missiles."
While Washington and London are facing pressure to allow Ukraine to strike targets deep inside Russia using the Western-made missiles already in the country, Berlin declines to even provide such missiles. “Germany has made a clear decision about what we will do and what we will not do. This decision
Russia is once again planning a "winter war with the aim of making the lives of people in Ukraine as terrible as possible," German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she supports the decision of allies to give Ukraine the go-ahead, adding that Italy is committed to ensuring Ukraine can enter peace negotiations with Russia in the "very best conditions."
Key developments on Sept. 14, 15: * 103 Ukrainian POWs returned from Russian captivity, including 23 Azov fighters * At least 1 killed, 42 injured in Russian strike on apartment building in Kharkiv * Western aid not enough to equip 'even 4 out of 14' underarmed brigades needed on the front, Zelensky says
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that Berlin "will continue to support Ukraine militarily" so that the country "does not collapse," German media Welt reported.
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