Here we go again-Ukraine once again

[Skybird]

Die Welt writes:
------------------
The astonishing ambiguities in the Leopard delivery

Germany, together with allies, is supplying "two battalions" of Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine. This was announced a fortnight ago. But it is still unclear which country will participate and how. However, something is already becoming apparent: The number of tanks to be delivered will probably be much lower than expected.

Poland's President Andrzej Duda visibly enjoyed the bath in the crowd. He shook hands and waved to the cheering passers-by in Lviv, Ukraine. Duda had announced on this 11 January that his country wanted to deliver 14 Leopard battle tanks to Kiev.

It was a move that put Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) under enormous pressure. Until then, Germany had refused to supply battle tanks or to give permission for other countries to export them. It took two weeks after that for Scholz to make a radical change of course.

On 25 January, he promised to deliver 14 German Leopard tanks. At the same time, he promised to form a European alliance that would supply Ukraine with "two battalions". Germany had given in to the pressure, which came mainly from the USA and Poland. But now, after almost a month of feverish tank diplomacy, it turns out that there were many loose commitments from smaller allied states. But no one - neither Poland nor the US nor Germany - had collected reliable pledges for an international coalition.

As a result, it is still unclear who will contribute how many tanks - and how many Leopards Ukraine will actually receive. At present, it appears that in the end there will be fewer tanks than expected. The Chancellor had promised "two tank battalions". In the Bundeswehr, one battalion comprises 44 tanks.

Experts therefore reckoned with 88 Leopards after the German announcement, the German media reported "about 90 tanks" without contradiction. However, as a spokesperson for the Defence Ministry has now said in response to an enquiry from WELT, the exact number is currently unclear. "We are orienting ourselves to Ukrainian requirements," the spokesperson said.

As WELT learned from Ukrainian government circles, it is also not known in Kiev how many tanks will be delivered. At present, it is assumed that 31 per battalion will be delivered. So it could amount to the delivery of about 60 battle tanks. In addition to the 14 German Leopards, 14 from Poland and four from Canada have been promised, making a total of 32. It is completely unclear how the other countries will participate.

A spokesman for Scholz had said on Monday that the tank delivery with European partners would come about "quickly". "The German commitment stands. He said that they were in consultation with the partner states. He could not, however, give any details about the commitments of other governments. As Spain's Ministry of Defence informed WELT, two meetings on Leopard coordination took place last Friday, one under German and one under Polish-Ukrainian leadership.

However, according to a survey by WELT among the most important members of the coalition, still no clear burden sharing has been decided. The governments of Norway, Finland, the Netherlands, Spain and Portugal confirmed that they were still prepared to supply. At the same time, they stated that it was unclear exactly how many tanks they would deliver. This is still being discussed among the allies.
Spain stated that it was already repairing Leopard tanks, but that it was unclear how many would be delivered. The newspaper "El Pais", referring to government circles, had recently reported that four to six of the vehicles were to be delivered. The Netherlands, for its part, has 18 in its possession, leased from Germany. "We have leased them, which means we can buy them, which means we can donate them," Prime Minister Mark Rutte recently told the "FAZ".

When asked by WELT whether this was a binding commitment, the Dutch government now said it was ready to "participate" in the coalition. "We are exploring several possibilities to buy and or deliver tanks".

Firmer is the commitment from Portugal. The Portuguese Defence Ministry referred to statements made by the head of government, Antonio Costa, on Saturday. He had promised a "firm" delivery. It is also clear exactly how many tanks his country will provide, but this has not yet been communicated.

The Finnish government confirmed that it had decided to be part of the "multinational" Leopard cooperation. "The operational form and content of this support is still an ongoing process," it said. The wording leaves open the option that Finland might not supply tanks itself, but participate in other ways, with training, for example.

The Norwegian government confirmed that Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store had spoken with Scholz on Friday about the Leopard tanks. Oslo stands by its commitment to deliver tanks. "The number and details of the delivery are still being worked out," a spokesman said.

Party friends of Chancellor Scholz had recently articulated their frustration about the fact that there are still so few binding commitments. "In recent weeks, one had the impression that the whole world wanted to deliver, but not Germany," SPD Secretary General Kevin Kühnert said on ZDF on Sunday. "Now we make a concrete commitment and suddenly it has become very quiet."

One thing is certain: In the four weeks of wrangling in Europe and America over the delivery, there were many promises and advances. On 20 January, there had even been a meeting of all Ukraine's allies at the US airbase in Ramstein, Rhineland-Palatinate, to discuss arms deliveries.

But apparently there was no coordination, not even from Poland or the USA, which put Germany under pressure. This must now be made up for by the German government - which had also remained inactive for months. So time is likely to be lost again until the tanks arrive in Ukraine.

And the delivery of the older Leopard 1 models is also likely to take some time. The Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology has approved the export of up to 178 Leopard 1A5 main battle tanks to Ukraine, as the Ministry of Economics and the Ministry of Defence jointly announced in Berlin on Tuesday. "How many Leopard 1A5 main battle tanks will actually be delivered to Ukraine depends on the necessary maintenance work," the statement added, however.
During his surprise visit to Kiev on Tuesday, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said at least three battalions from the West should be equipped with such tanks by the first or second quarter of 2024. Pistorius did not say from which European countries besides Germany the Leopard 1 tanks should come.

During his visit to Kiev, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius told WELT that he was impressed by the Ukrainian soldiers he met. The top priority for Ukraine, he said, was air defence.

The minister explained that the tanks would be delivered in stages. By the summer, 20 to 25 tanks were to be delivered, and by the end of the year up to 80. The goal was to reach more than 100 in the course of the first or second quarter of 2024.
--------------------------


Well. This way means no way.

[Jimbuna]

UK hammers Putin with sanctions to cripple 'war machine' as Zelensky jets in

The UK will announce additional sanctions against Russia, as well as "expand training" of Ukraine Armed Force personnel to "marines and fighter jet pilots", Downing Street has announced. No 10 will look to cripple the "Kremlin's war machine" by targeting companies and individuals that helped Vladimir Putin "build his personal wealth machine" and continued to profit from the invasion, they said.

It comes as Volodymyr Zelensky has touched down in the UK for a secret visit, marking only the second time he is known to have left Ukraine since the Russian invasion last February.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/othe...bba489a847647a

[Jimbuna]

[Jimbuna]

[Skybird]

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

UK hammers Putin with sanctions to cripple 'war machine' as Zelensky jets in

Will work as well as the previous ones: morla alibi-creation for the West, essential functionality: almost nill.

But the verbal thunder! The grim faces! Fists slammed on the table, metaphorically! The European Theatre Company on tour again.

https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/sho...&postcount=282

We damaged ourselves more than Putin so far. Some time ago India defended that they buy Russian cheap gas, saying that they will not stop selling this Russian gas to us - for three times the price. We still buy Russian gas via this "mediator" - and we pay three times as much. This superior cleverness to break the Russian economy is beyond my intelligence level. Most Western companies, the overwhelming majority still do business in Russia and refuse to stop it. You can still buy practically evertyhing in Russian metropoles. Just ever more of what until here has not worked, will not make it working.

[Jimbuna]

Putin 'supplied' MH17 missile - investigators

There are strong indications that Russian President Vladimir Putin decided to supply the missile that downed flight MH17 in 2014, international investigators say.

The aircraft was hit by a Russian-made missile over Ukraine, killing nearly 300 people.

Prosecutors said there is evidence that Mr Putin decided to provide the missile to Moscow-backed separatists.

There is no suggestion that Mr Putin ordered the aircraft be shot down.

In November, a Dutch court found three men - two Russians and a Ukrainian - guilty of murder in absentia for their part in the downing of MH17.

The prosecutors said on Wednesday that they had exhausted all leads and could not continue with any more criminal proceedings.

The Boeing 777 was flying from the Dutch capital to Kuala Lumpur when it was hit by a Russian-made surface-to-air missile in July 2014 during a conflict between pro-Russia rebels and Ukrainian forces in the Donbas region of Ukraine.

Of the 298 passengers and crew, 196 were Dutch while many of the other passengers came from Malaysia, Australia, the UK, Belgium and other countries.

In a statement, the Joint Investigation Team said the court ruled that Moscow had "overall control" over the Donetsk People's Republic, which controlled the area in July 2014.

It cited recorded telephone conversations where Russian officials said that the decision to provide military support "rests with the President".

"There is concrete information that the separatists' request was presented to the president, and that this request was granted," it said.

But it adds that is not known whether the request "explicitly mentions" the system used to shoot down MH17.

"Although we speak of strong indications, the high bar of complete and conclusive evidence is not reached," investigators said.

"Furthermore, the President enjoys immunity in his position as Head of State."

The Joint Investigation Team is made up of members from the Netherlands, Australia, Belgium, Malaysia and Ukraine - the countries worst affected by the shooting down of MH17.

The team wanted to prove the identities of the missile's crew members, and who was in the chain of command, but admitted that was not possible for now.

Russia denies all involvement and dismissed last year's Dutch verdict as "scandalous" and politically motivated.

Piet Ploeg lost his brother, his brother's wife, and nephew on MH17. He said he was glad prosecutors had laid out their evidence for Mr Putin's involvement.

"We can't do a lot with it, Putin can't be prosecuted," he told Reuters. "We wanted to know who was ultimately responsible and that's clear."

In January, the European Court of Human Rights confirmed it would hear a separate Dutch case against Russia over the downing of MH17.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-64566297

[Jimbuna]

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky is addressing a joint session of the UK Parliament shortly after making a surprise trip to the UK
"Freedom will win - we know Russia will lose," he says.

He makes a plea for fighter jets from the West, presenting the helmet of one of his most successful pilots with a message reading: "We have freedom, give us wings to protect it"

He thanks Rishi Sunak for providing tanks but also singles out Boris Johnson, who was PM when the invasion began.

Hundreds of MPs and peers are packed into Westminster Hall to hear him speak - he received a long and rapturous applause as he arrived.

It is Zelensky's first visit to the UK since Russia invaded his country, and his second international trip since the war began.

Rishi Sunak told MPs earlier that his government wanted to see Ukraine achieve a "decisive military victory" this year.

It comes after it was announced that the UK would now begin to train Ukrainian fighter jet pilots and marines.

[Jimbuna]

Zelensky met with Sunak in London: he emphasized importance of obtaining necessary weapons. PHOTOS

As part of his visit to Great Britain, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky met with Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Rishi Sunak.

This is reported by Censor.NET with reference to the press center of the President's Office.

As noted, the head of state expressed his gratitude to the British people and personally to Rishi Sunak for the comprehensive support of Ukraine in countering Russian aggression. He emphasized that the United Kingdom is our reliable partner and friend, which has become one of the world leaders in helping the Ukrainian state.

"Thank you for the efforts to strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities, for the humanitarian and financial aid provided after the start of full-scale aggression, for the support of Ukrainians who were forced to leave their homes due to the Russian war," Zelensky said.

The President informed the Prime Minister of Great Britain about the situation at the front and the key needs of the Armed Forces in weapons and military equipment. He emphasized the importance of Ukraine receiving the necessary weapons from its allies in order to stop the Russian offensive and liberate all temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories.

During the meeting, Volodymyr Zelensky and Rishi Sunak discussed defense cooperation and the entire set of issues on the bilateral agenda: implementation of the peace formula, Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine, future support from Great Britain, the possibility of involving the British side in the post-war reconstruction of our country, as well as a number of other promising projects.

"The issue of not allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris was discussed separately," the message reads. Source: https://censor.net/en/p3398556

Russia will lose and victory over it will change world, - Zelensky during speech in Parliament of Great Britain

President Volodymyr Zelensky, during a speech in the Parliament of Great Britain, said that Russia will lose the war and this will change the world.

This is reported by Censor.NET with reference to the Euro Integration.

"We will always choose the mountain over the evil. This is the basis of our traditions and yours. But as soon as the old evil is defeated, a new one tries to raise its head...But we know: freedom will win, we know that Russia will lose," Zelensky said, and the hall began to applaud at these words.

He added that victory will change the world and these will be changes that the world needed for a long time.

"Britain is going with us to the biggest victory in our lifetime. It will be a victory over the very idea of war. After the victory, any aggressor - big or small - will know what awaits him in the event of an attack on the international order," the president added. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3398564

Zelensky will be in Brussels tomorrow and will speak in European Parliament, - Jozvyak

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, will address the meeting of the European Parliament tomorrow, February 9. He will also hold a number of meetings with European leaders.

This was reported by Radio Liberty correspondent Richard Jozvyak, Censor.NET informs.

According to him, Zelensky will address the European Parliament in the morning, and then attend the EU summit.

"The President of Ukraine is to speak at the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels tomorrow before noon in a short 1-hour session, then visit the EU summit after that," the journalist noted. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3398541

[Skybird]

This is potentially explosive for trans-atlantic relations. Seymour Hersh writes that it were the US that blew up the Nordstream pipelines.



https://seymourhersh.substack.com/p/...he-nord-stream

[Exocet25fr]

Of course about nord-stream, I'm not astonished....

Zelensky arrives in Paris in a half hour tonight for a meeting with Macron.

[August]

Originally Posted by Skybird

This is potentially explosive for trans-atlantic relations. Seymour Hersh writes that it were the US that blew up the Nordstream pipelines.



https://seymourhersh.substack.com/p/...he-nord-stream

He also claimed 911 was an inside job. Neither story has any attributable sources.

[Rockstar]

Originally Posted by Skybird

This is potentially explosive for trans-atlantic relations. Seymour Hersh writes that it were the US that blew up the Nordstream pipelines.



https://seymourhersh.substack.com/p/...he-nord-stream

Hey those Brit’s are notorious for their spooks and covert ops too ya know. I’m sure they don’t mind letting the U.S. take the blame.

Let’s not forget those Danes either.

Hell it could have been anyone that has new energy contracts to supply the E.U.

[mapuc]

It all about what you standpoint is...Either you believe all or most of it.
Or
You reject all or most of it.

I haven't taken any standpoint on this story I lack knowledge to do so.

I know Seymour Hersh He wrote an interesting book about KAL 007
Which I have read. I also have read a book about the Vietnam war.

Markus

[mapuc]

Originally Posted by Rockstar

Hey those Brit’s are notorious for their spooks and covert ops too ya know. I’m sure they don’t mind letting the U.S. take the blame.

Let’s not forget those Danes either.

If he could see the future- Lars Wilderäng then Russia will accuse Sweden for it and attack Sweden.

Markus

[Catfish]

Originally Posted by mapuc

If he could see the future- Lars Wilderäng then Russia will accuse Sweden for it and attack Sweden.