The Latest on Russia-Ukraine Tensions: Germany Sticks to Its Stance
Russia's conciliation initiative dismissed by Klingbeil
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Stay updated on the ongoing tension between Russia and Ukraine with our live ticker. batten down the hatches, 'cause it's gonna be a wild ride!
16:39 Germany Digs Its Heels: No Detente with Russia The SPD's Hail Mary pass for a change in relations with Russia meets a wall of resistance. Germany's Vice Chancellor and SPD leader Lars Klingbeil throws cold water on the idea of rapprochement, stating that it's Russia causing all the suffering in Ukraine, and they're responsible for the daily deaths there[1]. Klingbeil lashes out, "Putin could end this war right now, but he doesn't." Germany staunchly stands by Ukraine, with Klingbeil promising ongoing military support. There's no U-turn on this bond, as long as he's leading the SPD and serving as Vice Chancellor. The firestorm within the SPD has spread, with a paper advocating for a new security and foreign policy, including an about-face with Russia, being leaked[2]. The Union, the coalition partner, isn't too pleased about this either.
16:30 Pistorius: No Way We're Giving Taurus Missiles to Kyiv Defence Minister Boris Pistorius dashes Ukraine's hopes, flatly refusing any plans to deliver Taurus cruise missiles to their side[4]. These bad boys can reach over 500 kilometers, giving Ukraine the potential to hit target deep in Russian territory. Sigh, Ukraine, it's not happening.
16:15 Wadephul: Lavrov Call? Not Now, SweetieForeign Minister Johann Wadephul sees no reason to jump on a call with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Despite the internal bickering within the SPD over direct diplomatic talks with Russia, Wadephul ain't buying it. "Nope, no opportunity or possibility for further talks at this point," he quips at an international conference in Rome. If talks do happen (which they probably won't), Germany will negotiate with its European partners only. So, Lavrov, you'll have to wait for now.
15:57 Pistorius Gives Ukraine Another $1.9 BillionFederal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius confirms another $1.9 billion in military aid for Ukraine[4]. The cash will be shelled out for missiles, among other things. If the money is approved by the German Parliament, Germany will have shelled out approximately nine billion euros to Ukraine this year.
15:35 Wagenknecht: Let's Get Together, Lefties!Sahra Wagenknecht, head honcho of the Left Party (the BSW), suggests a cozy little get-together with the SPD's left-wing factions and those who signed the peace policy manifesto[3]. This move comes after the expected defeat of the peace political manifesto in the SPD party congress. Wagenknecht proposes a colossal rally with both camps, hoping to mobilize supporters of the manifesto and rally them to the cause.
14:55 Italy: We Need Decades to Meet the Future NATO Target Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani admits they need at least ten years to meet the future NATO target for defense spending[4]. The target is currently under discussion, with the aim being that member countries eventually spend five percent of their economic output on security. Tajani does hint that an agreement on the new target could be reached soon.
14:30 Ukraine and Russia Swap War PrisonersUkraine and Russia exchange prisoners again, with sick and heavily wounded soldiers included this time[2]. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announces that all the freed soldiers require medical treatment, but he doesn't provide specific numbers.
Politics 14:02 Russian Tactic: Capture Town, Rinse, Repeat Russian forces reportedly capture a front section in northeastern Ukraine, taking control of the town of Dvorichna in the Kharkiv Oblast[2]. This move puts them roughly 15 kilometers from the city of Kupiansk. They're also making progress in two other nearby areas.
Politics 13:43 Russia Knocks Down 260 Ukrainian Drones in 24 Hours Russia claims to have shot down 260 Ukrainian drones in just one day[2]. Initial details on the total number of drones Ukraine deployed are still unavailable.
13:13 EU: Tougher Trade Restrictions on Russia The EU is imposing additional tariffs of 6.5% on fertilizers and food imports from Russia and Belarus[2]. The goal is to make it more difficult for Russia to fund its war against Ukraine. The impact of these tariffs will be felt on agricultural products, with sugar, vinegar, flour, animal feed, and nitrogen and urea-based fertilizers all subject to duties.
Politics 12:50 Ukraine Thwarts Bomb Plot with a 15-Year-Old Girl Ukrainian investigators claim to have prevented a bomb attack in Ivano-Frankivsk by intercepting a plot orchestrated by a Russian intelligence service[2]. The plan involved recruiting a 15-year-old girl from the region via social media to assemble an explosive device. Thankfully, the girl had the common sense to spill the beans to the SBU, Ukraine's domestic security service, via a chatbot.
Politics 12:20 Putin's Bloodthirsty Ambition Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy refers to the more than one million Russian soldiers killed or wounded since the start of the war as "the price Putin and his crew are willing to pay for their geopolitical fantasies"[2]. Zelenskyy hints that Putin's willingness to sacrifice so many lives indicates his disregard for human lives, and a lack of concern for any potential harsh sanctions.
11:47 Klingbeil: No Backpedaling on Ukraine Policy SPD leader Lars Klingbeil rejects calls for a change in Ukraine policy[1]. During an Instagram live chat, Klingbeil distances himself from a peace policy manifesto signed by several SPD politicians. Klingbeil sees no reason for a U-turn in supporting Ukraine.
Politics 11:25 Ukraine Repels 63 Russian Drones In the latest in a series of drone attacks, Ukrainian air forces report the destruction of 49 out of 63 Russian drones[2]. Fourteen people were injured in seven locations, with debris falling near residential and school buildings.
10:50 Stegner: A Failed Strategy SPD foreign policy expert Ralf Stegner continues to defend the demands he co-authored for a shift in German foreign policy towards Russia. Stegner still believes that a military strategy to force Russia to negotiate has failed[1]. He advocates for increased diplomatic efforts to end wars like the one in Ukraine.
10:35 Ukraine: Over One Million Russian Soldiers Dead or Injured According to unconfirmed reports from the Ukrainian General Staff, Russia has lost over one million soldiers since the start of the war[2]. This figure includes both the killed and wounded. In April 2023, NATO estimated Russian losses at around 900,000.
10:15 Rubio: Shouting for Peace On Russia's national day, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio sends a message urging peace efforts. He also shows support for peace talks, as long as they are guided by constructive cooperation and a lasting peace in Ukraine.
9:50 Ukraine Strikes Moscow Electronics Factory The Ukrainian military reports striking a Moscow-based electronics factory that produces high-tech weapons and military equipment[2]. Russia has yet to comment on the explosion.
9:25 Brantner: Discord within the SPD Franziska Brantner, co-chair of the Greens, criticizes the discord within the SPD over the peace policy manifesto signed by several prominent SPD politicians. Brantner calls out the mixed messages being sent, suggesting that it's unclear who the SPD is actually working with.
Politics 8:55 Institute for the Study of War: Cutting Aid Won't Work The Washington-based think tank Institute for the Study of War states that reducing U.S. military aid to Ukraine would not lead to lasting peace. Instead, it would give Russia a tactical advantage on the battlefield and strengthen Putin's belief that Russia can defeat Ukraine[3].
You can track previous developments here.
- Ukraine Conflict
- Ukraine
- Military
- Military Operations
- Russia
- NATO
- Cyberwar
- Attack on Ukraine
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy
- Vladimir Putin
- Wars and Conflicts
- War Crimes
- In the face of Germany's firm stance on Ukrainian support, a Peace Policy manifesto signed by several SPD politicians is met with resistance, with SPD leader Lars Klingbeil rejecting calls for a change in Ukraine policy.
- Amidst the ongoing war-and-conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, military aid, politics, general-news, and crime-and-justice are dominant topics of discussion, with both sides making significant moves and countermoves.
