PARIS (AFP)-France announced on Sunday that by the end of next week it would begin delivering armored vehicles it had promised to Ukraine for its war with Russia. Earlier in the day, the European Union’s head of foreign policy, Josep Borrell, said in a speech at the Munich Security Conference that the West should provide more military aid to Ukraine and speed up its delivery.
Ukraine war could cost Germany 160 billion euros by end of 2023, finance minister says
The war in Ukraine will cost the German economy about €160 billion in value creation losses by the end of the year, or about 4% of gross domestic product, according to the president of the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK).
This means that per capita GDP for Europe’s largest economy will be 2,000 euros lower than he normally would, DIHK boss Peter Adrian told the ‘Rheinische Post’.
German industry will pay about 40% more for energy in 2023 than it did in 2021, before the crisis triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to a study by Allianz Trade.
US says China considering supplying weapons for Russia in Ukraine war
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday that China was considering providing weapons to Russia in its war against Ukraine, warning Beijing that any supplies would “cause a serious problem.”
Italian PM Meloni to visit Kyiv on Monday to meet Zelensky
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will travel to Kyiv on Monday to meet Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, a political source said on Sunday.
Meloni, who took office in October, has said she planned to visit Kyiv before the February 24 anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year.
France to send Kyiv armoured vehicles within the week
France said on Sunday it will begin delivering the armoured vehicles it has promised Ukraine in its war against Russia by next weekend.
Kremlin says West not willing to engage in Ukraine peace efforts
The Kremlin on Sunday said that Western countries have not yet shown they are open or willing to engage in peaceful initiatives to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.
Russia rebukes Macron on comments, references Napoleon
Russia on Sunday scolded Emmanuel Macron over remarks about Russia’s defeat, saying that Moscow still remembered the fate of Napoleon Bonaparte and accusing the French president of duplicitous diplomacy with the Kremlin.
Macron told paper Le Journal du Dimanche that France wanted Russia to be defeated in Ukraine but had never wanted to “crush” it.
EU’s Borrell supports Estonian proposal for EU joint ammunition purchases
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Sunday he supported an Estonian proposal for the EU to buy ammunition on behalf of its members to help Ukraine. Borrell made his comments to the Munich Security Conference after Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas outlined the proposal.
West must provide more military support to Ukraine, says EU’s Borrell
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Sunday the West must provide more military aid to Ukraine and speed up its deliveries.
Kremlin scolds US for casting Crimea as legitimate target
The Kremlin on Sunday cast the United States was a “major provocateur” of international tensions for condoning attacks on Crimea, warning that the remarks about the peninsula underscored the depth of disagreement between the two countries. At the meeting, Blinken warns China’s Wang Yi not to help Russia in Ukraine
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned Chinese diplomat Wang Yi on Saturday of the consequences if China effectively supported Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, and in an interview after the two met, Washington said Beijing would move to Moscow. He said he was concerned about the possible sale of arms to the United States.
