live Ukraine war
“If we run out of gas, we’ll be busy with popular uprisings”
“Putin keeps Germany on a short leash”
“Putin keeps pointing out how big the dependency is,” says WELT correspondent Christoph Wanner. He expects gas to flow through Nord Stream 1 again. Nevertheless, Putin is pursuing an important strategic goal.
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock admits that the German government “perhaps exaggerated a bit” in order to get the gas turbine from Canada. Accordingly, it was said that without gas Germany “can no longer provide support for Ukraine because we are then busy with popular uprisings”. More in the live ticker.
In the negotiations with Canada about the export of a gas turbine serviced there, the German government also argued that there could be devastating domestic political effects in Germany. This was admitted by Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock Baerbock as part of the talk series “RND on site” by the editorial network Germany.
“The Canadians said, ‘We have a lot of questions’, so we said, ‘We can understand that, but if we don’t get the gas turbine, then we won’t get any more gas, and then we won’t be able to support Ukraine at all perform because we are then busy with popular uprisings,” said the Foreign Minister verbatim.
When asked if she was really counting on popular uprisings, Baerbock said that that was “perhaps a bit exaggerated”, but also emphasized “if we ran out of gas”. And further: “That’s exactly my point, that we still need gas from Russia.”
The high gas prices are a great burden for many people in Germany, the Foreign Minister continued. “This is our important task for the winter, we must ensure that this war does not lead to a division in society,” she added. “It is the task of the federal government to cushion social skills.”
All developments in the live ticker:
4:18 a.m. – Sports committee chairman warns of “energy lockdown” for sports facilities
The chairman of the Bundestag Sports Committee, Frank Ullrich (SPD), has warned against the closure of sports facilities due to the energy crisis. “An energy lockdown would be a devastating signal for sport,” Ullrich told the Düsseldorf “Rheinische Post” on Thursday. The general movement, physical and mental health have suffered enough from the corona pandemic. “As a result, everything must be done to keep sports facilities open.”
2:10 a.m. – Experts document Russia’s massive breach of international law
International experts have documented serious and widespread violations of international humanitarian law by Russian troops since the beginning of the war against Ukraine. The Warsaw-based electoral and human rights office ODIHR of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) presented a report supporting the allegations. Particularly serious cases are the shelling of the theater full of refugees in Mariupol in mid-March and the busy Kramatorsk train station in early April.
The ODIHR also expressed dismay at the sieges of cities. Civilians were not given the opportunity to evacuate. The actions of the Russian troops violated every principle of proportionality and consideration. Witnesses reported many cases of illegal executions, detentions, torture, sexual violence and kidnappings.
The Ukrainian army also violated international humanitarian law, albeit to a lesser extent, the report said. Violence against suspected looters was criticized. Both sides would also violate applicable international law when dealing with prisoners of war.
12:41 a.m. – Hard coal industry not prepared to “jump into the breach so much”
The Association of Coal Importers (VDKi) warns of logistical problems in view of the increased demand for hard coal and urges a longer-term perspective for the industry. “Our industry has shrunk significantly since 2016. Between 2016 and 2020 we had a volume drop of around 50 percent. The logistics have adapted accordingly,” said VDKi chairman Alexander Bethe to “Bild”. “We only hear from politicians that we are the emergency nail. That we’re only needed for one more winter. As if Germany’s energy problem would be solved afterwards,” explains Bethe.
However, companies would have no incentive to invest in logistics personnel and equipment now if all of this would no longer be needed in spring 2023. You need a five-year perspective. According to Bethe, the hard coal industry was not prepared in 2022 to “jump into the breach to such an extent” to secure Germany’s energy supply. But they will “do everything to make our contribution”.
11:32 p.m. – Zelenskyy: “It started with gas wars and ended with a large-scale invasion”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accuses Russia of using Ukraine as a testing ground for possible further attacks against other European countries. “Russia is testing everything in Ukraine that can be used against other European countries,” Zelensky said in his video speech on Thursday night. “It started with gas wars and ended with a full-scale invasion, rocket terror and burning down of Ukrainian cities.”
Ukraine must also defeat Russia so that other countries are safe, Zelenskyj said. “The faster this happens, the less harm and suffering all European families, all European countries will experience.”
Around five months after the start of the war, the Ukrainian head of state once again expressed his gratitude for the Himars multiple rocket launchers supplied by the USA. At the same time he insisted on the preservation of air defense systems. There are already agreements with international partners, but in view of the Russian attacks “a completely different speed and a completely different level of protection” are required, said Zelenskyj.