Breaking News 🚨 +++ 07:20 - Pistorius Firms up Call for Voluntary Military Service; dismisses Union's Clamor for Conscription
7:20 Military Service: Pistorius Stands Firm Against Union's Draft Call
Social Media Email Print Copy Link In the run-up to the SPD federal party conference, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius reaffirms his stance on voluntary military service. He clarifies that he does not endorse the Union's push for early conscription. Pistorius shares his determination to attract and retain driven, talented young people through an appealing and voluntary service. At present, barracks and training grounds are scarce, despite ongoing infrastructure construction. The current pool of volunteers is sufficient; there's no urgency for compulsory service enactment.
Politics European Union confronts Stumbling Block on Next Sanctions Package against Russia 🇷🇺 Slovakia resists the European Union’s plan for the 18th sanctions package against Russia. This refusal has been made clear during the summit in Brussels by Slovak Prime Minister, Robert Fico. Fico demands assurances from the EU Commission for his country's gas supply beyond 2027 before he can back the agreed-upon sanctions. As a result, the other 26 EU heads of state and government cannot sanction the package, as a unanimous vote is essential. A potential decision is expected next week.
06:03 - White House mulls Consolidation of War Crimes Prosecution Programs Reports indicate that the White House is considering phasing out nearly two dozen programs globally dealing with prosecution of war crimes and accountability. These programs aim to address atrocities in countries like Myanmar, Syria, and Ukraine on behalf of the US. Secretary of State Marco Rubio may challenge this decision; insiders, however, express indirect optimism that he'll approve the termination of most programs.
05:42 - China: Uninvolved in Ukraine Conflict Following accusations from various sources, China adamantly denies providing weapons to either Ukraine or Russia. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun attests that China is seeking a political solution to the crisis. The Chinese government has set strict export controls on dual-use goods, ensuring that arms from China should not appear in Ukraine or Russia.
04:48 - Russia Declines Recognition of Tribunal Verdict on Ukrainian Incursion Russia refuses to acknowledge the decisions of the planned international tribunal established to investigate the military aggression against Ukraine. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova dismisses the tribunal's significance and threatens that any country joining as a member would be regarded as hostile. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed an agreement for the tribunal, set to prosecute leaders from Russia for the "crime of aggression" against Ukraine.
03:45 - Ukrainian Embassy in Georgia Initiates Evacuation Process for Deported Ukraine Nationals An estimate of 56 Ukrainian citizens stranded at the Russian-Georgian border under poor conditions are being evacuated by the Ukrainian Embassy in Georgia. These individuals have been detained and then deportated from Russia. Ukrainian consular officials have already provided humanitarian aid at the border crossing and carried nine deportees to Moldova, with fourteen more slated for departure tomorrow.
02:55 - Ireland Aims to Persuade Hungary for Ukraine's EU Entry Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin has criticized Hungary's stance on Ukraine's EU accession process, calling it unproductive and concerning. Martin declared that Ireland will persist in urging Hungary to endorse Ukraine's entry process, emphasizing its importance for Ukraine to join the European Union.
Top Trending Topics 🔥
- Women in the Military – First recruitment of Ukrainian Women
- In May, the Ukrainian army began recruiting women, and the first females are now starting their service. Hopes are that 70,000 female soldiers will be enrolled by the end of 2023. The military struggles with a critical shortage of personnel, prompting the exploration of innovative recruitment approaches.
- Negotiations – No Signs of Light at the End of the Tunnel
- Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda expresses pessimism about the progress of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, asserting that Russia is not prepared to advance. He insists that a ceasefire is a precondition for a peace deal and that the EU's 18th sanctions package against Russia is strong enough to pressure the Kremlin.
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- The Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, in line with the SPD federal party conference, emphasizes his preference for voluntary military service over the Union's push for early conscription, aiming to attract talented young individuals through an appealing and voluntary service.
- The ongoing Ukraine conflict is making headlines, with the first recruitment of Ukrainian women in the military, as the country grapples with a critical shortage of personnel, and the Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda expressing pessimism about the progress of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, suggesting that a ceasefire is a precondition for a peace deal.
