The Netherlands submits a proposal to supply Kiev with anti-aircraft systems. Russia declares a German foundation an “undesirable organization.” More information in the news blog.
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Scholz: We will “never accept” Russian espionage
7:19 p.m.: After a new case of suspected Russian espionage became known, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) emphasized that countering such activities must be a high priority. “We can never accept that such espionage activities take place in Germany,” said Scholz after the EU summit in Brussels. High demands must therefore be placed on the security authorities. When asked about possible consequences, Scholz says the main thing is to prevent such activities from succeeding.
Two men had previously been arrested in Bavaria who were said to have scouted out possible attack targets in Germany for Moscow. Here you can read more about it.
“No evidence presented”: Russian embassy defends itself after arrests of suspected spies
7:00 p.m.: The Russian embassy in Berlin rejects all allegations following the arrest of two suspected spies for Moscow. “No evidence was presented to testify to the plans of those arrested and their possible relationships with Russian structures,” the embassy said in a statement. The summoning of Ambassador Sergei Nechayev to the Foreign Ministry was an “open provocation aimed at fueling the already excessive spyomania in the Federal Republic of Germany and inflaming anti-Russian sentiment,” the statement said.
The ambassador demanded quick access to the suspects if they really had Russian citizenship. “We have made it clear that all unfriendly actions towards Russia will not go unanswered,” it continued. In the past, diplomats from the opposing side were often expelled in espionage cases. In such cases, Russia always responds in the same way. Because of the war in Ukraine, both countries have expelled many diplomats anyway. In addition, most consulates in both countries were closed.
Assassination attempt on Zelenskyj planned? Poland arrests suspected spy
6:24 p.m.: Polish and Ukrainian authorities have worked together to arrest a suspected spy who is said to have worked for the Russian military intelligence service GRU. According to the Polish Attorney General’s Office, the man collected information about Rzeszów-Jasionka airport in southeastern Poland to pass on to the GRU. “This was intended, among other things, to help the Russian special services plan a possible assassination attempt on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during his stay in Poland,” said the Ukrainian domestic secret service SBU. The person arrested is said to be a Pole.
The very good cooperation between the Polish and Ukrainian law enforcement authorities should be emphasized, according to the Polish Public Prosecutor’s Office. “The coordinated action of the Polish and Ukrainian services made it possible to secure evidence outside of Poland.” The investigation continued.
It is not known when Zelensky is expected to visit Poland. In April 2023, the Ukrainian president traveled to Poland for the first time since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression. The country is considered one of Ukraine’s closest supporters.
Advance by the Netherlands: Kiev could receive more Patriot systems
4.20 p.m.: Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte is making a proposal to support Ukraine with additional Patriot anti-aircraft systems. The Netherlands could buy such weapons systems from countries that do not want to support Ukraine directly and then deliver them to Kiev, Rutte said on Wednesday at a meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels, according to the British Guardian. “We know that many countries are sitting on Patriot systems and may not want to deliver them directly,” said Rutte. “We can buy them from them, we can deliver them to Ukraine, we have the money available,” he added. This is crucial.
