Zelenskyy and Scholz are in a phone conversation, and Scholz is issuing a statement to Putin.
Live Ticker: Ukraine War Update +++ 17:46 Scholz talks Zelensky, sends message to Putin
Welcome back! Let's dive into today's updates on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
German Chancellor Turns the Heat on PutinChancellor Olaf Scholz chat-blasts Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, hailing his bravery and stressing that Ukraine's eager for a 30-day armistice. Scholz then fires a message to Putin, urging him to finally ditch his deceitful stall tactics and call off his brutal campaign.
Czechia Ready to Train Ukrainian Fighter PilotsTurbo-charged cooperation between Ukraine and Czechia sees the latter offering to train Ukrainian fighter pilots on their turf. Premier Petr Fiala shares the news after a meet-up with Zelensky, naming the military airport Namest as a potential location.
Russia's Cozying Up: Putin Reveals Kremlin PadPutin rolls out the red carpet for a TV crew, inviting them to tour his private Kremlin crib. The homey digs are outfitted with top-notch German gadgets, and the exclusive sit-down includes a revealing chat about his succession strategy. It's a bold move, but hey, who knows what 'ol Vlad is up to?
Lithuania Pumps Billions into Border DefenseLithuania's dropping a whopping 1.1 billion Euros to enhance its border defenses against the menace of Russia and Belarus. The beefed-up protection includes bulking up the anti-tank mine network, fortifying irrigation ditches, planting trees along crucial routes, and upgrading electronic warfare, drone defense, and observation systems.
The New US Representative Hits the Ground Running in KyivJulie S. Davis, the freshly-appointed US Special Representative for Ukraine, lands in Kyiv ready to advance peace efforts. In a statement from the embassy, she arrives at a critical juncture to drive president Trump's policy of ending the war and securing lasting peace for Ukraine.
Putin Indicts West of Trying to Push Nuclear ButtonPutin accuses Western forces of egging him on to fire nuclear weapons in Ukraine. He spills the beans in a new Russian TV documentary, which also delves into his plans for succession—talk about stealing the spotlight!
One-Day Countdown to the Next German ChancellorWith the German federal election just around the corner, the Kremlin's keeping a keen eye on the prospective new Chancellor. Dmitri Peskov, Kremlin spokesman, assures they'll focus on actions rather than empty promises and subtly hints at disagreements with possible pro-Ukraine policies.
Three Dead in Ukrainian Attacks, Kursk Battle Heating UpHeavy fighting near the Russian border region of Kursk takes a fatal toll on civilians, with Alexander Chinstein, the governor, reporting three dead and brushing off claims that Russia's lost full control of the area.
Critical Journalist Flees Russia with Reporters Without BordersGovernment-critical Russian journalist, Ekaterina Barabasch, narrowly escapes facing up to 10 years in prison for "spreading false information" by fleeing to France with the help of Reporters Without Borders.
Western Allies Consider Additional Patriot Missile Defense Systems for UkraineInsiders reveal that western allies are discussing beefing up Ukraine's air defenses with additional Patriot missile defense systems. Potential suppliers include the US and Greece.
The Expected Meeting Between Trump and Putin Gains MomentumThe Kremlin expresses openness to a future meeting between Putin and US President Donald Trump, adding that the preparations are underway, but nothing's concrete yet.
EU Mulls Over Ban on Russian Gas Imports by 2027The European Union is weighing the possibility of phasing out Russian gas imports by 2027, aiming to break free from their reliance on potentially hostile neighbors.
Ukraine Battles Back: Huge Attack on Kursk, More Civilians KilledIntense fighting in the border region of Kursk sees Ukraine regaining lost ground, as reported by Oleksandr Pivnenko, commander of the Ukrainian National Guard. The rapid response unit of the 4th Battalion has retaken a fortified position previously controlled by Russian forces.
Putin Claims List of Potential SuccessorsIn a clip from a pro-Putin documentary, the Russian President reveals he's constantly monitoring upcoming leaders and maintains a list of potential successors.
Czech Republic to Supply Ukraine with a Staggering 1.8 Million Shells by 2025As part of the Czech ammunition initiative, Czechia will provide Ukraine with a mind-boggling 1.8 million artillery shells by the end of 2025. The initiative, backed by contributions from several other countries, has significantly bolstered Ukraine's artillery power.
Three Civilians Injured in Donetsk after Russian AttacksAt least six civilians sustained injuries in the Donetsk Oblast following Russian attacks on several settlements. In the villages of Zaporizhzhia and Pokrovsk, residential buildings were damaged, and two civilians were killed.
Check out our previous updates here for a recap on yesterday’s developments.
References: https://www.ntv.de/panorama/ukraine-konflikt,5248766,35058966,Ukraine-Konflikt.htm https://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/putin-scholz-ukraine-nato-nahe-zu-ebene-eins-b1-a16d739736f95ca8cd286579 https://www.focus.de/politik/ausland/ukraine-conflikt-da-loesung-ist-zwischen-russland-und-ukraine-zu-finden-bisher-ist-nicht-geklarert-183748157.html
- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz calls upon Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for a 30-day armistice, and later sends a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin urging him to cease the ongoing war in Ukraine, as stated by Scholz during his conversation with Zelensky.
- The Czech Republic, led by Premier Petr Fiala, offers to train Ukrainian fighter pilots at the military airport Namest, following their meeting with President Zelensky.
- In an interview with a Russian TV crew, Vladimir Putin reveals his Kremlin residence, adorned with German-made gadgets, while discussing his succession strategy, showing his dependence on foreign goods even in his personal life.
- After facing potential imprisonment for "spreading false information," critical Russian journalist Ekaterina Barabasch flees to France with the assistance of Reporters Without Borders, highlighting the dependence of some journalists on international organizations for protection.
