Russia and Ukraine exchange 400 prisoners. Ukraine fears a shortage of ammunition. All information in the news blog.
The most important things at a glance
Zelenskyj underlines the role of Türkiye as a partner
9:50 p.m.: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj emphasized Turkey’s role as a partner in the Black Sea region in a conversation with Turkish head of state Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. “We have joint projects that have already been successful; and this year we must do even more to strengthen our states and our peoples,” Zelensky said after a telephone conversation. Security in the Black Sea as well as the world’s food supply depended on Ukrainian-Turkish cooperation.
Despite Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, Erdogan maintains close contact with Moscow. Turkey has not joined Western sanctions. But at the same time she is an important contact for Ukraine. Zelensky thanked Erdoğan for his support in exporting Ukrainian grain across the Black Sea.
He also mentioned Türkiye’s role as a mediator. “Turkey’s mediation is very important so that the Crimean Tatars and everyone else, adults and children, soldiers and civilians, who are in Russian captivity can be released,” Zelensky said in his evening video address. Ankara supports the Turkic-speaking Crimean Tatars who suffer from repression on the peninsula annexed by Russia.
Zelenskyj awards Baerbock the Ukrainian Order of Merit
6:10 p.m.: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj awarded German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) with an Order of Merit for her support for his country. Parliamentarians Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann (FDP) and Anton Hofreiter (Greens) were also honored with Ukrainian medals.
In the decree issued shortly before the New Year, the Ukrainian president honored 32 foreign people. They made “a significant personal contribution to strengthening intergovernmental cooperation, supporting state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.” Strack-Zimmermann, chairwoman of the Defense Committee in the Bundestag, called the award a great honor. She will continue to advocate “that Ukraine gets the support it needs in the fight against the brutal Russian attack,” she said.
The FDP politician is considered one of the most committed advocates of aid for Ukraine. In the traffic light coalition, she makes no secret of the fact that she considers the approach of Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) to be too hesitant. Hofreiter, as chairman of the European Committee, also advocates military aid for Ukraine. Baerbock has visited the attacked country several times and advocates a “Europe from Lisbon to Luhansk”. The Minister of Foreign Affairs received the third degree of the Order of Yaroslav the Wise. Strack-Zimmermann and Hofreiter were awarded the third level of the Ukrainian Order of Merit.
Russian authorities want to partially evacuate Belgorod
5:21 p.m.: According to Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov, the authorities in the Russian city of Belgorod are ready to partially evacuate the city, writes the Russian-language internet newspaper “Meduza” from exile in Riga. According to Gladkov, people who want to escape can contact his office, the mayor of Belgorod or the police.
“We are ready to transport you to Stary Oskol and Gubkin (editor’s note: two towns northeast of Belgorod), where you will be in good circumstances and in warm and safe spaces.” However, there is not enough space for everyone in the temporary accommodation, which is why he will ask governors of other regions for help.
