Von der Leyen ties Ukraine’s EU accession to reforms Russia allegedly hinders the escape of civilians The situation in the Ukraine war in the stern ticker.
Day 86 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine: Ukraine can continue its defense against Russia with new billions in aid from the USA. A good week after the House of Representatives, the other chamber of Congress, the Senate, passed the package with a volume of almost 40 billion dollars (38 billion euros) with a large majority on Thursday. $6 billion is earmarked for direct military aid to Ukraine, which was attacked by Russia nearly three months ago. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked for the help, but also emphasized in a video message: Ukraine’s foreign partners should not see aid as a gift. “It’s your contribution to your own safety.”
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen linked reconstruction and EU accession to reforms on ZDF, but the country was ready for them. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy called the situation in Donbass “hell”; the region was practically completely destroyed. Meanwhile, Ukrainian fighters are still in the Asovstal plant near Mariupol, which has been the subject of fighting for months. The suggests the video of a commander of the troops.
News of the war in Ukraine for Friday, May 20th:
6.42 a.m .: Ukraine accuses Russia of obstructing the escape of civilians
In the Zaporizhia region in southern Ukraine, the Russian occupying forces are said to be preventing civilians from fleeing to Ukrainian-controlled territory. “Currently, there are more than 1,000 vehicles in front of the Russian checkpoint in the city of Vasylivka, which are not allowed into the territory controlled by Ukraine,” Deputy Chief of the Zaporizhia Regional Administration Slata Nekrasova told the Ukrinform news agency. Corresponding videos have also appeared on social networks. There are also many women and children in the cars. Nekrasova explained that officials in her administration had therefore arranged for water and provisions to be delivered to the refugees. In the past, Ukraine has repeatedly accused the Russian troops of preventing civilians from fleeing the occupied territories and of forcibly abducting them to Russia.
6.28 a.m .: Union criticizes delays in arms deliveries
The Union faction criticizes the federal government for delays in the delivery of Gepard anti-aircraft tanks to Ukraine. He wonders “whether that was just a bluff,” said the defense policy spokesman for the Union faction, Florian Hahn (CSU), the “Bild” newspaper. “Bad for Ukraine, because it urgently needs supplies.” CDU opposition leader Friedrich Merz had already made similar allegations directly to Scholz in the Bundestag on Thursday. The Ukrainian ambassador to Germany, Andriy Melnyk, told the newspapers of the editorial network Germany (RND): “We have the impression that the chancellor does not want to deliver.” The Bundestag decision on the delivery of heavy weapons was now three weeks ago. “One can get the impression that one is waiting for a ceasefire,” speculated Melnyk. “Then the pressure from Germany will be gone and there will no longer be any need for courageous decisions.”
4.30 a.m .: The Czech Republic is to receive the first Leopard tanks later this year
For the handover of tanks to Ukraine, the NATO partner Czech Republic is to be “quickly” equipped with Leopard 2 tanks from Germany. “Delivery is scheduled to begin this year and will also include a 30-day supply of 120 mm ammunition,” the German Ministry of Defense told the responsible officials in the Bundestag. “Equipment and ammunition come from industry stocks and are financed by the Federal Republic of Germany. The Czech Republic is responsible for subsequent supply.” The letter is available from the German Press Agency in Berlin.
The Czech Republic intends to provide significant support to Ukraine by selling 20 T-72 main battle tanks from its own stocks. “In a first step, the Czech Republic is to receive 14 Leopard 2 A4 main battle tanks and one Leopard 2-based recovery vehicle as a replacement for its own delivery,” it says.
3.44 a.m .: Zelenskyj speaks of the “hell in Donbass”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has described the situation in the Donbass as “hell” given the Russian war of aggression. The army continues to work on the liberation of the Kharkiv region, said Zelenskyj in his evening video address on Thursday. “But in the Donbass, the occupiers are trying to increase the pressure. Hell is there, and that’s not an exaggeration,” the president continued. The Donbass was “completely destroyed”.
Fighting between Russian and Ukrainian troops continued, especially in eastern Ukraine in the Donbass. The command of Ukrainian forces in the region reported Thursday that 14 enemy attacks had been repelled. The information could not be verified. As a sign of the intensity of the fighting, numerous civilian deaths were once again recorded. According to the authorities, five people were killed in the Donetsk region alone. Journalists also report
12:00 a.m .: Von der Leyen ties Ukraine’s EU accession to reforms
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wants to stick to the usual accession process in the case of Ukraine. How quickly Ukraine can become a member depends “a lot on Ukraine itself,” said von der Leyen on Thursday on the ZDF program “Maybrit Illner” and added: “What I’ve seen so far is a very firm will to make this way.” The accession and reconstruction of the country must be linked to the necessary reforms, said von der Leyen, citing, among other things, the fight against corruption, the establishment of the rule of law and changes in the economy. “Ukraine wants that too,” said von der Leyen. One point in the Ukrainian reform process will be how the country gets rid of the oligarchs. The Commission may want to use their frozen assets to help rebuild the devastated Ukraine. However, the procedure must be legally substantiated (ZDF).
