Ukraine: realities | «The Weekly Five»: 04.03 – 10.03
«Ramstein-20» to Take Place in March
The next meeting of the Contact Group on Defense of Ukraine (Ramstein format) is scheduled for March 19 at Ramstein Air Base in Germany.
"The U.S. Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, plans to hold a face-to-face meeting with the Contact Group on Defense of Ukraine at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, on March 19, 2024," according to a press release from the U.S. Air Forces in Europe.
The U.S. Air Forces emphasized that Austin has once again invited defense ministers and senior military officials from around the world to "discuss the crisis in Ukraine" and various security issues faced by allies and partners of the United States.
Estonia Announces Security Agreement with Ukraine
Following the lead of other nations, Estonia also intends to sign a security cooperation agreement with Ukraine under the declaration of the leaders of the "Group of Seven," adopted at the NATO Summit in Vilnius.
This announcement was made by the Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Margus Tsahkna, during a press conference after the meeting of foreign ministers from the Baltic countries, Ukraine, and France in Vilnius on March 8.
"We plan to sign a bilateral agreement between Estonia and Ukraine for long-term commitments in the field of military assistance," stated Tsahkna. He reminded that Estonia has contributed 1.4% of its GDP to military support for Ukraine and will continue to do so. The approval of a new package of military aid for Kyiv is expected next week.
"When we sign the bilateral agreement between Estonia and Ukraine, we promise and commit to allocate 0.25% of GDP annually for military support," declared the Estonian minister.
Polish Foreign Minister: Western Troops in Ukraine Is "Not Unthinkable"
Poland's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Radosław Sikorski, views the idea proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron regarding Western troops in Ukraine as a useful means to influence Russia. Commenting on Macron's statements, Sikorski recalled a similar precedent in history, specifically during the Korean War from 1950 to 1953 when a coalition of nations, as decided by the United Nations Security Council, came to the aid of the country.
"Do you remember, at the United Nations General Assembly, immediately after the invasion, more than 140 out of 190 countries voted to condemn aggression as unacceptable. This is not just a statement for the press; it is the creation of a legal basis," he believes.
Considering this, the head of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs added that "a coalition of UN member states here to stop aggression is not unthinkable."
Zelenskyy: Putin's Goal is Not Occupation of Specific Territories but the Destruction of Ukraine Entirely
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that Vladimir Putin is not interested in "just any territory," as his plan is to completely destroy Ukraine.
"I just don't think his goal is any territory. Strikes on civilian objects, intimidation of the population, public statements by Putin's entourage in their media – all these messages indicate that, as they say, they have not completed the mission and will continue it," Zelensky stated.
"All these messages indicate that his goal is not specific territories but the entire Ukraine. Therefore, Ukraine is guaranteed nothing by anyone other than the forces of Ukraine and our allied partners. We are confident that Putin is not interested in just any territory: a city or village, Crimea or Donbas. He is interested in the complete destruction of Ukraine and the annexation of the lands of independent Ukraine to Russia," he emphasized.
Biden: Ukraine Can Stop Putin if We Provide Necessary Weapons
In the opening moments of his "State of the Union" address , U.S. President Joe Biden emphasized the importance of aiding Ukraine. "Ukraine can stop Putin if we stand with Ukraine and provide the necessary weapons," he stated.
"The assistance to Ukraine is being hindered by those who want to step back from global leadership," Biden added. "We cannot step back and put all of Europe in jeopardy."
"I told Putin very simple things: We will not step back," he continued. "Now, as I mentioned earlier, and I mean this in a literal sense, history is watching us. History is watching the House of Representatives."
The project «Ukraine: realities» is implemented by the News agency «Konkurent» together with the Civic Movement «SVIDOMI» in English for readers from other countries to tell to tell about current news and events in Ukraine.
Проєкт «Ukraine: realities» реалізовується Інформаційним агентством «Конкурент» спільно з Громадянським Рухом «СВІДОМІ» на англійській мові для читачів з інших країн аби розповісти про актуальні новини та події в Україні.
