The Czech Republic is said to have made a proposal to buy ammunition outside the EU. Kiev and Berlin are preparing an agreement. All information in the news blog.
The most important things at a glance
Air alert triggered in eastern Ukraine
1:55 a.m.: The Ukrainian Air Force sounded an air alert in eastern regions of the country on Saturday night. It was said that Shahed drones had been spotted approaching. The Kharkiv, Zaporizhia and Kherson regions are affected. Explosions were reported in the town of Kryvyi Rih. Air defense was active, the Air Force said.
Report: Czech Republic is putting pressure on ammunition shortages
1.35am: The shortage of ammunition is currently Ukraine’s biggest problem. The West cannot deliver quickly enough; its own capacities are not sufficient. Now the Czech Republic has apparently made a proposal, reports Politico magazine. The EU states are to buy 450,000 rounds of 155 mm ammunition from other countries. South Korea, Turkey and South Africa could be considered as suppliers. Prague allegedly put pressure on its partners at the last summit in Brussels.
German-Ukrainian security agreement nearing conclusion
1:30: According to a report, German-Ukrainian negotiations on a bilateral security agreement are nearing completion. Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanischyna, who is responsible for integration into the EU and NATO, told the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” (FAZ) on Friday that a Ukrainian delegation had reached a “draft for an agreement on bilateral security guarantees” with the German side in Berlin on Thursday ” Developed. The text is “not yet decided, but largely finished”.
Report: Ukraine is said to have informed the USA about the dismissal of General
1:03 a.m.: The Ukrainian government informed the U.S. presidential office of plans to fire the country’s top military commander, General Valery Zalushny, according to two people familiar with the matter. According to the insiders, the decision was based on the failed counteroffensive last year, in which it was not possible to regain significant parts of the territory held by Russia. There is no official statement from the USA or Ukraine on this.
UN court largely allows Ukrainian lawsuit against Russia
17 o’clock: The United Nations’ highest court has declared itself competent to hear a Ukrainian lawsuit against Russia. In connection with the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, the International Court of Justice has largely allowed Kiev to file a lawsuit against Russia and will now open main proceedings. The UN court in The Hague rejected most of Moscow’s objections to the proceedings.
At the heart of the lawsuit is Russia’s justification for its attack on Ukraine almost two years ago. Moscow justified the invasion by saying that millions of people in eastern Ukraine needed to be protected from genocide. Ukraine rejected the allegations and sued the neighboring country. Kiev invoked the Genocide Convention and Moscow was abusing the convention, it was said. Kiev had also demanded a declaration from the court that Ukraine had not committed or planned any genocide.
Russia asked that the lawsuit be dismissed entirely. The court largely rejected this. However, the court does not believe it has the authority to decide whether Russia has abused the convention. This case is not covered by the Convention. The world court is intended to resolve conflicts between states. Ukraine is supported in its actions at the UN court by 32 Western allies, including Germany. It is not yet known when the main proceedings will begin. This could take years.
Germany promises Ukraine closer health cooperation
3:34 p.m.: Germany has promised further help with health care for Ukraine, which was attacked by Russia, and wants to deepen cooperation even further. This war is also a war against civilians, health facilities and children, said Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach after a German-Ukrainian conference in Berlin. The SPD politician signs a joint declaration with his counterpart Viktor Ljaschko for closer cooperation, among other things, in training experts and exchanging knowledge about reforms in the healthcare system.
