Ukraine: realities | «The Weekly Five»: 25.03 – 31.03
Scholz reminded Germans of the need to support Ukraine
In his Easter address, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reminded of the necessity of a just peace and called for continued support for Ukraine.
«A peace without freedom means oppression. There is no peace without justice. That’s why we support Ukraine in its struggle for a just peace – for as long as it takes»,Scholz stated.
At Easter services, Christians worldwide pray for a more peaceful world, the chancellor said.
“We all aspire to a more peaceful world. People in the Middle East and Ukraine also desire peace,” he noted.
Ministry of Defense: "Armored Technology Coalition" for Ukraine Launched in Warsaw
The first meeting of representatives of the participating countries of the "Armored Technology Coalition" in support of Ukraine took place in Warsaw on March 26, with the Ukrainian delegation led by Deputy Minister of Defense Lieutenant General Ivan Havryliuk.
"The Armored Technology Coalition aims to strengthen the armored shield of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, collectively enhance our military capabilities in countering the Russian aggressor, and ensure the effective operation, technical maintenance, and repair of the equipment and weapons provided to us by allies," said Ivan Havryliuk.
During the meeting, a consolidated position was developed regarding the reinforcement of the technical fleet of the Ukrainian Armed Forces with certain samples of armored vehicles and the organization of their repair system.
France to Transfer Hundreds of Armored Vehicles and Missiles to Ukraine
France plans to transfer hundreds of old but "still functional" VAB armored vehicles, as well as missiles for the SAMP/T air defense systems, as part of a new aid package to Ukraine.
This was announced by the French Minister of Defense, Sébastien Lecornu, in an interview with the newspaper La Tribune.
According to him, such armored transporters are necessary for the mobility of Ukrainian forces to maintain such a large front line.
“This is old equipment that still works, and it will be directly useful to Ukraine if it is transferred in large quantities. We can talk about hundreds in 2024 and the beginning of 2025,” Lecornu added.
VAB armored transporters, which are over 40 years old, are being replaced in the French army by next-generation Griffon armored transporters.
Also, in response to Ukraine's request to strengthen air defense, France will transfer Aster 30 missiles to the SAMP/T anti-aircraft missile systems.
White House: Congress Should Approve Aid to Ukraine and Send More Air Defense Assets
Amid Russian attacks on the Ukrainian energy grid, the White House once again urged the U.S. House of Representatives to approve aid to Ukraine, which would provide new air defense assets to Kyiv.
This was stated by National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson. The statement said that overnight on Friday, Russia conducted one of the largest air attacks on Ukraine's energy grid since the beginning of the war, leaving many people across the country without heat, water, and electricity on still cold early spring days.
"These bombings - part of a series of Russian attacks on Ukraine's critical infrastructure - are a horrific reminder of Vladimir Putin's efforts to break the spirit of the Ukrainian people and plunge them into darkness," Watson said.
According to her, to help Ukraine defend itself against these constant attacks, it is necessary for the U.S. House of Representatives to pass a bipartisan additional national security bill, "so that we can send more air defense assets to Ukraine."
“The need for Ukraine is urgent, and we cannot afford further delays,” emphasized the National Security Council spokeswoman.
Zelenskyy: Russia is preparing for a new offensive in May-June
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has revealed that Russian occupiers may be preparing for a new offensive, expected sometime at the end of May or in June. However, he did not specify which direction this offensive might take.
CBS News, in its description of the interview citing the Ukrainian president's words, noted that "Ukrainian military are currently not prepared to defend against another major Russian offensive expected in the coming months." However, Zelensky himself did not state that the Ukrainian army is not ready to resist a new Russian offensive.
"Today, the situation in the east has stabilized as much as possible. Looking at the shortage of appropriate weapons, ammunition, looking at the fact that we are starting to prepare brigades for the corresponding actions important for us, we have stabilized the situation. It is better than it was 2-3 months ago.We share all the information with our partners and say that Russia will be preparing counteroffensive actions. It could be the end of May or June month... We need help now to prepare the appropriate brigades that will have to fight for our land, especially during the counteroffensive actions that Russia wants to start."
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.
