Day 389 since the beginning of the war: The Chinese head of state travels to Moscow. And: London wants to advance the investigation of Russian war crimes in Ukraine. All information in the news blog.
The most important things at a glance
Germany participates in procurement of ammunition
5:24 p.m.: In view of the war in Ukraine, Germany and 17 other countries have signed an agreement on the joint procurement of ammunition via the European Defense Agency (EDA). As the EDA announced on Monday in Brussels, artillery shells with a caliber of 155 mm are to be bought for two years in a fast-track procedure. A seven-year project will also enable the joint procurement of other types of ammunition.
According to the information, the aim is to organize urgently needed supplies for Ukraine and to organize a rapid replenishment of the stocks of European EU and NATO countries. Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said in early March that his country urgently needed a million artillery shells in order to be able to launch further counter-offensives against Russia.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius signed the agreement for Germany. “We are thus bundling Europe’s market power,” said the SPD politician. “It has never existed in this form before.” EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said it would be possible to supply Ukraine faster and on a larger scale in the future. In addition to the Federal Republic, 16 other EU countries and Norway are involved in the EDA initiative. According to EU information, other states want to join.
Blinken criticizes Xi Jinping’s trip to Moscow
5:21 p.m.: The United States has criticized the state visit of China’s head of state and party leader Xi Jinping to Moscow. The visit comes just days after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin, Foreign Minister Antony Blinken said in Washington on Monday. This indicates that China does not feel responsible for holding the Kremlin accountable for atrocities in Ukraine. Beijing prefers to offer Russia diplomatic backing.
Putin received China’s head of state and party leader for the first time since Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine began on Monday. It is Xi Jinping’s first trip abroad since he began his third term in office. Unlike the West, China has not criticized Russia’s war against Ukraine. Recently, however, Beijing had positioned itself more strongly as a mediator.
US pledges another $350 million in military aid to Ukraine
5:05 p.m.: The US has pledged another $350 million in military aid to Ukraine. As US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Monday, the new armaments package includes ammunition for Himars multiple rocket launchers, Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, howitzers and anti-tank weapons.
Blinken said that Russia could end the war of aggression against Ukraine immediately. “Until Russia does that, we will stand united with Ukraine for as long as it takes.”
Russia cracks down on Criminal Court judges
1:49 p.m.: Russia is launching a criminal case against prosecutors and judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) who issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Russian Investigative Committee, which is responsible for investigating serious crimes, says there are no grounds for criminal responsibility of Putin. On the contrary, the Criminal Court violates Russian law because it is about accusing an innocent person. On Friday, the ICC issued an arrest warrant against the Kremlin chief on charges of war crimes.
EU states want to supply Ukraine with one million artillery shells
1:42 p.m.: The EU states want to supply Ukraine with a million new artillery shells for the fight against Russia in the next twelve months. This was confirmed by several diplomats from the German Press Agency on Monday on the sidelines of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels.
Xi: Moscow visit will give ‘new impetus’ to relations with Russia
1:16 p.m.: China’s President Xi Jinping says he is confident that his state visit to Russia will give “new impetus” to bilateral relations. Upon his arrival at Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport, the head of state said, according to Russian news agencies: “I am confident that the visit will be fruitful and will give new impetus to the healthy and stable development of Sino-Russian relations.”
Ukraine: Repelled 69 attacks in Donetsk region
11:35 a.m.: The Ukrainian military said it repelled 69 Russian attacks in the eastern Donetsk region on Sunday. “Bachmut remains the epicenter of hostilities,” the military said in its daily situation report on Monday. But there are also fights in Lyman, Ivanivske, Bohdanivka and Hryhorivka. The cities are all in the Donetsk region.
