War in Ukraine: Live Updates +++ 12:56 Putin Hugs Kim's Generals
12:56: Discussion with North Korean Military Leaders by Putin
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Russian President Vladimir Putin greets generals of the North Korean military during the Victory Day parade in Moscow. He shakes hands and even hugs one of them. North Korea is aiding Russia in its war against Ukraine with thousands of troops. Early reports suggested that North Korea had sent about 15,000 soldiers, but later revisions put the number around 10,000 to 12,000[1]. Some believe that as many as 4,000 North Korean soldiers have lost their lives in combat[3].
12:43 Merz Threatens Russia with New Sanctions
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warns Russia that if it doesn't agree to a longer ceasefire in Ukraine and peace talks soon, more sanctions are on the way[2]. "We demand that Russia finally takes the path to genuine peace talks," Merz says during his inaugural visit to the EU institutions and NATO in Brussels. "If this doesn't happen, we won't hesitate to increase the sanctions pressure together with our European partners and the United States of America." Merz had previously spoken with US President Donald Trump regarding a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine[3].
12:29 Nord Stream 2 Can Continue
The debt-laden Russian pipeline operator Nord Stream 2 AG can continue searching for a new investor for now. A Swiss court approves an inheritance agreement that allows the company to restructure through a debt cut. Otherwise, the company would face bankruptcy under Swiss law, which is equivalent to an insolvency proceeding in Germany[4]. Nord Stream 2 is owned by the Russian state-owned company Gazprom and based in Switzerland. The pipeline, which was set to transport natural gas from Russia through two 1,200-kilometer long strands in the Baltic Sea to Germany, was completed but never put into operation. Soon after the Russian attack on Ukraine, the German government halted the project. One of the pipeline strands was destroyed in a sabotage attack, as was the strand of the already operational Nord Stream 1 pipeline.
12:14 Lviv: Aid, Tribunal, and Remembrance
A group of top European diplomats visited Lviv to support Ukraine. Among the attendees were numerous EU foreign ministers, including German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul. They paid their respects at the Lychakiv Cemetery for Ukrainians killed since the Russian attack in 2022. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Schmyhal explained the event as "important and symbolic that European partners are shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine on Europe Day." The group discussed the situation of the front lines, the need for weapons, and financial aid for the Ukrainian arms industry[4].
12:00 Arrested Spies
The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) claims it has uncovered a Hungarian spy ring that was working against Ukraine's interests and collecting information about its defense capabilities and air defense systems in the southwest. Two spies have been arrested, allegedly controlled from Hungary. Hungary is a member of the European Union and NATO, but its prime minister, Viktor Orban, is known for his pro-Russian stance.
11:35 Secret Talks in Baku
SPD Bundestag member Ralf Stegner, former Brandenburg Minister President Matthias Platzeck (SPD), and former Chancellor's Office chief Ronald Pofalla (CDU) have defended a meeting with Russian representatives in Baku. A joint statement by them, seen by the "Süddeutsche Zeitung," states that maintaining dialogue with all parts of the world, including Russia, is a principle of good foreign policy, especially in times of increasing tensions and conflicts[5].
Politics Secret Meetings in Baku: SPD and CDU Politicians Met with Putin Allies
11:20 Criticism for Stegner
Reports of meetings in Baku between German politicians and Russian envoys from the Kremlin's orbit have drawn outrage. Konstantin von Notz, chairman of the Bundestag's Parliamentary Control Committee, sharply criticized SPD Bundestag member Ralf Stegner, saying, "This is a completely impossible and confusing incident that needs to be clarified immediately," he told "Der Spiegel." Stegner is a member of the control committee, which oversees Germany's intelligence services[5].
10:55 Alleged Meetings in Baku
Media reports suggest that German and Russian delegations have met several times in Baku, with varying attendees. Participants include SPD Bundestag member Ralf Stegner, former Brandenburg Minister-President Matthias Platzeck of the SPD, and former head of the Federal Chancellery Ronald Pofalla of the CDU. According to the reports, most recently in mid-April, several German politicians and lobbyists met with Kremlin envoys in Baku[5].
10:10 Jaeger: Putin Grossly Underestimated in the USA
The first conversation between new Chancellor Merz and US President Trump is met with slight positive tones but little progress. Meanwhile, in Moscow, attempts to drive a wedge between China and Russia have proved fruitless[6].
Politics Jaeger on Trump, Merz, Xi, and Moscow: Putin Grossly Underestimated in the USA
09:48 Putin: "All of" Russia Stands Behind Ukraine Offensive
Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasizes that all of Russia supports the war offensive in Ukraine during the Victory Day parade[7]. "The whole country, society, and the people support the participants of this special military operation," says Putin. Putin has been escalating the military parade to celebrate the end of World War II increasingly to boost his rule and Russia's great-power aspirations. Russia justified its attack on Ukraine by claiming to fight against fascism once more, which is firmly rejected by Ukraine and Germany[7].
09:37 Attacks despite Ceasefire in Saporischschja
Russia has launched attacks on eight settlements in the Saporischschja region during the self-declared ceasefire. The governor of the region reported 150 drone attacks, 220 clashes, and 15 air strikes near the front line, leading to a 63-year-old woman's death[7]. Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a three-day ceasefire to mark the 80th anniversary of the surrender of Nazi Germany in World War II. Ukraine has criticized the ceasefire as a propaganda stunt and demands that it be extended to 30 days for peace talks[7].
09:09 Military Parade in Moscow Commences
The annual military parade to commemorate the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II has begun in Moscow. Notable guests include Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is the most important guest of Russian President Vladimir Putin this year[8]. European representatives are mostly absent, as expected, due to Putin's anticipated justification of the invasion in his speech. The only EU and NATO country leaders present are Slovakia's Robert Fico and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.
Military Show in Moscow: Putin Speaks of Russia's Strength, Contradicts Trump
Read all previous developments here.
Source: ntv.de, ino/hul/dpa/rts/AFP
- Ukraine Conflict
- Ukraine
- Military
- Military Operations
- Russia
- NATO
- Cyberwar
- Attack on Ukraine
- Volodymyr Zelensky
- Vladimir Putin
- Wars and Conflicts
- War CrimesThe ulterior motives and gravity of secret meetings between German and Russian delegations in Baku, Azerbaijan, are the focus of scrutiny. Here are the key points:
- Proposed Meetings: There have been several unofficial encounters between German and Russian delegations in Baku, with varying attendees and dates. The most recent gathering occurred in mid-April[5][8].
- Emphasis on Dialogue: German politicians involved maintain that fostering dialogue with all parts of the world, including Russia, is essential in times of increasing tensions and conflicts[5].
- Lack of Transparency: The meetings in Baku were neither commissioned nor financed by public institutions, and neither Germany's intelligence services nor governmental departments were implicated[5].
- Controversy: These clandestine meetings have drawn criticism from German officials, particularly from Konstantin von Notz, chairman of the Bundestag's Parliamentary Control Committee, who views the gatherings as "confusing" and demands clarification[5].
- Public Response: SPD Bundestag member Ralf Stegner has defended the meetings, stating that he is not on a mission and will not comment on private matters publicly[5]. The investigation is ongoing, and the true purpose and nature of these meetings remain unclear.
- The reported meetings between German and Russian delegations in Baku have become the subject of intense scrutiny, raising concerns about their ulterior motives.
- Secret meetings between German and Russian representatives, including SPD Bundestag member Ralf Stegner, have sparked controversy due to the lack of transparency surrounding their purpose.
- Konstantin von Notz, chairman of the Bundestag's Parliamentary Control Committee, has criticized the secret meetings in Baku, urging immediate clarification of the incident's details.
- The secret meetings between German and Russian delegations, which have occurred several times in Baku, are defended by those involved as essential dialogue initiatives for foreign policy, particularly amid rising tensions and conflicts.
