Ukraine news: Fighter jet project is “message” to Moscow

The essentials in brief:

• Scholz: Probably not a fast fighter jet delivery to Ukraine
• Russia reports full Bakhmut conquest
• Pope entrusts Cardinal Zuppi with peace mission
• Wanted list outraged the Hague Criminal Court

Chancellor Olaf Scholz does not expect modern fighter jets to be delivered to Ukraine in the near future. “What is connected with the training of pilots is a long-term project,” he said on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan. The USA has not yet finally decided “what will be at the end of the training”.

The project is initially a message to those who attacked Ukraine: Russia should not count on support for Ukraine decreasing as the war progresses, stressed the Chancellor. “The message remains: Russia must withdraw troops.”

During the summit of the seven leading democratic economies, the United States gave the green light for the training of fighter jet pilots. The project is supported by Great Britain, France, Belgium, Denmark and Portugal. Only at a later date will it be decided when and how many aircraft will be delivered and who will make them available. It’s all about American-made F-16 aircraft. Germany has so far shown no willingness to participate in the training.

Scholz emphasized that the Federal Republic is already doing a lot for Ukraine. Next to the USA, Germany is the biggest supporter of the country attacked by Russia in terms of financial, humanitarian and military aid. The Chancellor described the presence of the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj in Hiroshima as “very important”. After a series of other one-on-one meetings, including with Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron, Zelenskyy will also meet US President Joe Biden this Sunday.

The G7 leaders said on Saturday: “We reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine for as long as it takes to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace.” They also announced that they would close gaps in the previous sanctions against Russia. The billion-euro trade in Russian rough diamonds should be “restricted”. In addition, the G7 group wants to “deprive Russia of technologies, industrial equipment and services that support its war machine”.

Russia reports full Bakhmut conquest

Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated his country’s troops on allegedly taking the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut completely. The Ministry of Defense in Moscow and the head of the Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, had previously announced the conquest.

“That’s not true,” a spokesman for the Ukrainian armed forces stressed on Saturday. “Our units are fighting in Bachmut.” However, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maljar admitted: “The situation is critical.”

Bakhmut is the scene of the longest and heaviest fighting since the Russian invasion 15 months ago. The city has a high symbolic value for both sides, while the strategic importance is considered limited.

Pope entrusts Cardinal Zuppi with peace mission

With a view to the Ukraine war, Pope Francis commissioned the Italian Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi with a peace mission. The head of the Catholic Church asked Zuppi “to help reduce tensions in the conflict in Ukraine,” a Vatican spokesman said. Francis has the hope that Zuppi’s mission “Paths to Peace” can initiate. The timetable and “modalities” of the mission are still under consideration.

Zuppi has been the President of the Italian Bishops’ Conference since last year. The 67-year-old comes from the Catholic community of Sant’Egidio, which specializes in diplomacy and peace efforts. A week ago, the Pope received the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj for a private audience at the Vatican.

Wanted list outraged the Hague Criminal Court

The International Criminal Court (ICC) reacted with sharp criticism to the appearance of its chief prosecutor on a Russian wanted list. “The ICC considers these measures unacceptable,” said the Hague-based court. “The court will not be swayed in exercising its rightful mandate to ensure accountability for the most serious crimes.”

A picture of the British ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan appeared in the database of the Russian Interior Ministry on Friday. No information was provided on the alleged crime for which Khan appeared on the wanted list. Khan issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin in March. The ICC accuses Putin of war crimes in connection with the alleged kidnapping of thousands of Ukrainian children from war zones.

“Fair Russia” supports Putin’s re-election

“Fair Russia” was the first Russian party to nominate Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin for re-election. At a party conference, leader Sergey Mironov announced that his party would not have its own candidate in the presidential election in March 2024 and would support Putin. In view of the war in Ukraine, the 70-year-old needs the “support of the whole people”.

So far, Putin, who has been in power for more than 20 years, has not yet officially declared his candidacy. However, most observers assume that he will compete again. There are no other applicants in sight.

wa/ack (afp, dpa, rtr)

This article will be continuously updated on the day of its publication. Reports from the combat zones cannot be independently verified.