Ukraine: realities | «The Weekly Five»: 11.03 – 17.03
Macron promises to come to Ukraine «with specific decisions» regarding the war
French President Emmanuel Macron has assured that he will visit Ukraine.
Macron noted that his visit will take place when «specific proposals and specific decisions» are ready.
«I will tell you absolutely sincerely – I will definitely come. I have a rule: for my visit to be as useful as possible for Ukraine... I will come to Ukraine with specific proposals, specific decisions," he said. The French president added that his visit will signify "strong support and new directions in cooperation.»
Stoltenberg: Russia has lost over 350,000 military personnel in Ukraine
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg stated that Russia's losses during more than two years of full-scale invasion in Ukraine amount to over 350,000 military personnel.
The Secretary-General emphasized that through courage and ingenuity, «Ukraine has shown that Russian military can be defeated».
«Russia is paying a very high price for modest gains. Putin's land war has already cost Russia over 350,000 military casualties»,he added, referring to those killed and wounded.
«At sea, Ukrainian attacks have sunk or disabled a significant portion of Russia's Black Sea fleet. In the air, Ukraine is downing key Russian assets, including expensive reconnaissance planes», Stoltenberg noted.
Rheinmetall aims to build at least four weapons factories in Ukraine
Armin Papperger, the CEO of the German arms conglomerate Rheinmetall, announced plans to establish at least four factories in Ukraine during a presentation of the company's 2023 performance results on March 14.
According to Papperger, Rheinmetall's plants in Ukraine will manufacture ammunition, military equipment, gunpowder, and anti-aircraft weapons.
«Ukraine is currently an important partner for us. Here, we see potential for annual sales of between two and three billion euros», added the CEO of Rheinmetall.
Last month, the largest German manufacturer of military equipment already announced a deal with a Ukrainian company for the production of artillery shells in Ukraine.
It is expected that construction of the factory will commence soon. Its location is not disclosed for security reasons. It will be modeled after the ammunition production plant that Rheinmetall is building in Germany.
Odessa Military Administration: Strike on Odessa on Friday - the deadliest in terms of casualties. Mourning in the region
The authorities have described the Russian strike on Odessa on March 15, resulting in the deaths of 20 people, as the deadliest in the city in terms of casualties.
It is noted that as of 9 a.m. on March 16, 40 people injured in the missile attack continue to receive treatment in medical facilities. Nine of them are in critical condition.
On March 16, mourning was declared in the city and the region for the 20 deceased.
Media: German Foreign Minister seeks to change Scholz's mind on Taurus for Ukraine
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is attempting to sway Chancellor Olaf Scholz's stance on supplying Taurus missiles to Ukraine.
Baerbock has refrained from making public statements on Taurus for several months, fearing that Scholz might perceive it as undue pressure.
However, the head of the German Foreign Ministry is relying on her allies.
The publication mentions a statement by the British Foreign Minister in an interview with German media, suggesting swapping Taurus missiles for British Storm Shadow missiles.
The article suggests that it seemed as if the British minister was saying what Baerbock dared not.
The material also states that the German minister is secretly working on a plan for how Germany could still send cruise missiles without crossing Scholz's "red lines."
One option being considered is for the German side to transfer Taurus missiles to the British, who would then pass them on to Ukraine, while retaining control over deployment and targets.
As noted, Baerbock has so far been unsuccessful in persuading Scholz.
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.
