Allies’ meeting in Ramstein, threats from the Kremlin, the arrival of the first UN convoy in Soledar… Le Figaro Provides an update on the war in Ukraine this Friday, January 20.
- Follow information about the Ukrainian war with the Figaro app
The meeting of allies in Ramstein. “No decision has been made” on the supply of tanks
Germany said no decision was made at a meeting of allies in Ramstein on Friday on the supply of heavy tanks to Ukraine, undermining the hopes of Kiev, which has been clamoring for them to push back the Russian invasion. If the issue of supplying Leopard tanks was discussed. “No decision has been made”said new German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, unable to say when it would fall. “It was clear that the positions were far from being as homogeneous as one might think”He said on the sidelines of the Ramstein meeting, which is attended by defense ministers and high-ranking military officers of about fifty countries.
Poland and Finland have offered to supply such weapons, but any shipment of German military material must receive the green light from Berlin. Boris Pistorius, in office only since Thursday, refused “impression” that his country opposes their shipment, ensuring that Berlin operates and operates an inventory of leopard stocks available to its military and industry. It is Germany “reliable ally” despite reluctance to supply tanks to Ukraine, however “We can all do more” To help Kiev, however, US Defense Minister Lloyd Austin said on Friday.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, in turn, considered that there is none “there is no other option” Western countries are sending heavy tanks to his country, while Kiev’s allies have not decided anything at a meeting in Ramstein, Germany. “Yes, we still have to fight for the supply of modern tanks, but every day we make it more obvious that there is no other solution than to make a decision on tanks.”said the President of Ukraine in his evening speech on videotape.
” SEE ALSO – Ukraine. “The impression that Germany is against the supply of tanks is false,” assures the German Minister of Defense.
According to the US, it will be “very difficult to expel” the Russian army this year
He will be “very difficult” to withdraw the Russian army from the Ukrainian territory by the end of the year, the American chief of staff said on Friday during a press conference at the American base in Ramstein, Germany. “From a military point of view, I still maintain that it will be very, very difficult to push Russian forces out of all the occupied territories of Ukraine.”US Chief of Staff General Mark Milley said at a meeting of allies on military support in Kiev.
The US expects a counteroffensive from Ukraine in the spring, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also said on Friday, stressing that allies should help Kiev prepare there. “We have a window of opportunity here from now until the spring … as soon as they start their action, their counter-attack.”– he told the journalists. “It’s not a long time and we need to bring together the right capabilities.” he added. Ukraine should not seek to defend the city of Bakhmut at all costs, the site of a bloody battle, and focus more on preparing for a major counteroffensive, a senior US official also said on Friday, asking not to be quoted.
“A sharp increase in the intensity of fighting” in the south.
“The intensity of military operations in the direction of Zaporozhye increased sharply“Vladimir Rogov, the head of Russia’s regional authority for the occupation of Zaporozhye installed by Moscow, announced in Telegram. “If we look at the entire frontline, at the moment the battles are going on everywhereHe told the Russian Ria Novosti. “Nothing like this had happened before“, he said: The line of contact between the Ukrainian and Russian armies in the Zaporizhia region has been stabilized for several months, and there are no major battles, unlike in the Donetsk (East) and Kherson (South) regions.
Earlier on Friday, the Russian army said it had captured the small village of Lobkove, located on the Dnieper River, more than 60 kilometers southeast of Zaporozhye, the regional capital of the same name. Vladimir Rogov, in turn, said:it is not yet an attack on Orichov (the nearest major city, editor’s note), but there is active fighting in its nearby suburbs.“. “Elevations (around) are taken, which determines fire control over Orichov and other settlements“, he elaborated. According to the morning message of the Ukrainian army: “more than 20 settlements were affected“Thursday in the Zaporizhia region”by tank, mortar and artillery fire» in Russian. Elsewhere in Ukraine, the Russian army said on Friday it had taken control of the small town of Klichyivka south of Bakhmut (East), a town that has become the epicenter of fighting.
The US recognizes Wagner as an international criminal organization
The United States has designated the Russian militant group “Wagner” as an international criminal organization, the White House announced on Friday, condemning its activities in Ukraine. “Wagner is a criminal organization that commits massive atrocities and violates human rights,” White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters, adding that the mercenary group has “50,000” members.» people located in Ukraine.
The supply of tanks “will not change anything”, according to Moscow
The Kremlin on Friday responded to Western tank deliveries to Ukraine, saying it would not happen.wouldn’t change a thingthe situation on the spot. “Such supplies (of tanks) cannot fundamentally change anything, they will create new problems for UkraineThis was announced by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, adding that Western countries maintain thisan illusion“About the possible victory of Ukraine”.on the battlefield“.
” SEE ALSO – Delivery of tanks to Ukraine. “Let’s not be afraid” of Putin, says General Trinquand
Finland misses out on 400 million euros
For its part, Finland announced on Friday that it would release 400 million euros, its biggest investment so far, which includes artillery and ammunition but not Leopard heavy tanks. Special adviser Miika Pinnonen told AFP the aid did not include the German-made Leopard heavy tank. The ministry also clarified that Finland will sign a declaration of intent with Sweden on assistance to Ukraine to ensure that the aid is not “endangering the national defense of both countries“.
Seven “Russian agents” were arrested near Dnipro.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) announced on Friday that it had arrested “seven Russian agentsDnipro region (East), which is suspected of spying for Moscow. “The SBU conducted another major special operation to identify and detain enemy agents“, its leader Vasil Maliuk greeted in a press release.
According to the SBU, “The detainees gave the coordinates of critical infrastructure to the Russians“Ukrainian and”.collected intelligence (…) on the movements of units of the (Kiev) forces in the regionbefore reporting them to the Russian army. their “possible participation in the attack on an apartment building in Dnipro on January 14“, which caused at least 45 deaths, including six children.is checked“, the security services of Ukraine also noted.
fig-i-f0ac80e398a402d1fbdc011c3d1fdb2b fig-lazy fig-placeholder–with-dimensions” data-module=”fig-photo” data-context=”was @visible” data-modal-image=’
London wants to help Ukraine recognize Russia’s “criminal responsibility”.
Great Britain is ready to help Ukraine to ensure “criminal responsibilityFor Russiatrespass“from the country. British Foreign Secretary James Kellerley called the invasion of Moscow, which began almost a year ago.a scandalous violation of the international order“.
He claimed that London accepted the invitation to join Kyiv.a core of like-minded partnersto define the legal responsibility of Russia. “Together with other international partners invited by Ukraine, Great Britain will shape the thinking on how to determine criminal responsibility for Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.“, the British diplomacy announced. “This includes assessing the feasibility of a new hybrid court“, he added.
” SEE ALSO – War in Ukraine. Putin says he has “no doubt” that Russia will win
The first UN convoy arrived near Soledar
The United Nations said its first humanitarian aid convoy arrived on Friday in the area of Soledar in eastern Ukraine, one of the most contested areas since the Russian invasion. “This is the first inter-agency humanitarian convoy to reach this area.Jens Laerke, spokesperson of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said at the UN press briefing in Geneva. The convoy consists of three trucks carrying water, food and basic necessities, as well as medicine for about 800 people.
It is being unloaded, the spokesman said. The aid convoy is located in the territory controlled by the Ukrainian government. In its morning bulletin, the Ukrainian army said its forces “pushed back“In the last 24 hours”.attacksRussians in ten settlements of Donetsk region, including Soledar. “Soledar was targeted by enemy fire“, the army also noted. Today largely destroyed, this mining-based settlement had about 10,000 inhabitants before the war.
fig-i-dbd3d5416b2de55482eed08dd8dfba8c fig-lazy fig-placeholder–with-dimensions” data-module=”fig-photo” data-context=”was @visible” data-modal-image=’
Source: Le Figaro
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.