live blog
Status: 02/06/2023 03:02 a.m
As the anniversary of the Russian attack approaches, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy warns against “symbolic acts” by the Russians. The Ukrainian ambassador is pushing for a fighter jet decision. The developments in the live blog.
3:00 a.m
Selenskyj warns against “symbolic acts”
As the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine approaches on February 24, the President of Ukraine warned against “symbolic acts” by Russian occupying forces. Many reports are already indicating that “the occupiers will do something symbolic in February to take revenge for their defeats last year,” Zelenskyy said in his daily video address. “We are already observing increased pressure in different areas on the front line,” added Zelenskyy. The situation is currently very difficult in the eastern region of Donetsk, “where heavy fighting is taking place,” emphasized the president.
Selenskyj had previously spoken of an “increasingly difficult” situation with regard to the bitterly contested cities of Bakhmut, Wuhledar, Lyman and other regions.
2:07 a.m
Zelenskyy: Exclude Russian and Belarusian athletes
The Ukrainian President wants to use the sponsors to put pressure on the Olympic Committee (IOC) to exclude Russian and Belarusian athletes from the Paris 2024 Games. “Ukraine has sent appropriate letters to the companies that support the International Olympic Committee the most,” Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address. “These are large international companies that clearly have an interest in their reputation and support not being misused for war propaganda.” Participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes under a neutral flag would normalize the Russian invasion of his country.
1:04 a.m
Poland’s ambassador urges fighter jet decision
Poland’s ambassador in Berlin called for a decision at the Munich Security Conference in mid-February on the issue of fighter jet deliveries to Ukraine. “We proposed that the heads of state and government meeting there not only discuss this issue, but also make a decision,” Ambassador Dariusz Pawlos told the editorial network Germany. A policy of hesitation and procrastination, as in the case of the delivery of battle tanks to Ukraine, is counterproductive.
After the German commitment to deliver “Leopard 2” tanks to Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also called for combat aircraft, “long-range missiles” and more artillery for the defense against Russia. Poland had put considerable pressure on Germany in the discussion about the supply of main battle tanks. Chancellor Olaf Scholz has so far rejected fighter aircraft deliveries.