live blog
Status: 23.10.2022 02:20 a.m
Despite the massive Russian rocket attacks, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy sees his country’s troops on the rise. According to Berlin’s Governing Mayor Giffey, the capacity for taking in refugees is almost exhausted. The developments in the live blog.
2:20 a.m
Kretschmer: Use gas from Russia again after the war
The Saxon Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer (CDU) spoke out in favor of resuming Russian gas supplies after the war. “We need long-term contracts for liquid gas supplies from the USA, Qatar and other Arab countries. We also have to finally develop our own natural gas in the North Sea. And when the war is over, we should use gas from Russia again,” he told the “Bild On Sunday.”
When asked if he expects the damaged Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline to be repaired, he said: “We will need pipeline gas, and that can only be done with functioning pipelines.” Referring to the war in Ukraine, Kretschmer said: “A joint diplomatic effort is now needed by the EU, the USA, China, India and Japan. This war must be stopped.” According to Kretschmer, such negotiations would not automatically result in Ukraine having to relinquish parts of its national territory. “There is not a single reason why Ukraine should give up even one square meter of its territory. War damage must be compensated by Russia, war criminals must be held accountable. You have to approach peace talks with this attitude,” said Kretschmer.
1:11 am
Selenskyj sees his own troops on the rise
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sees his country’s troops advancing in Moscow-held areas despite massive Russian rocket attacks. Zelenskyy said in his video message that the Ukrainian armed forces are advancing on the front line every day and cannot be stopped by Russian attacks on the infrastructure.
Zelenskyi announced that sanctions against Kremlin propagandists are being worked out in coordination with the USA. Russia is already retreating on the battlefield and realizes that it is losing; The aggressor is therefore trying to feign military victories by attacking civilians and infrastructure, Zelenskyy said.
According to Ukrainian information, there were a total of 40 rocket attacks on Saturday, and the Russian side also sent 16 Iranian drones. 20 rockets and 11 combat drones had been shot down, according to Kyiv. In view of the severe damage to the energy infrastructure, Selenskyj once again called on the population to save electricity. According to him, the regions of Khmelnytskyi, Odessa, Zaporizhia and Dnipropetrovsk, among others, were affected by the attacks. “The main target of the terrorists is energy,” Zelenskyy said. The stability of supply in the country depends on each city. In some cases, the supply has already been restored.
12:50 a.m
Giffey: Refugee reception capacity almost exhausted
Berlin’s Governing Mayor Franziska Giffey (SPD) sees the capital on the edge of its possibilities when it comes to taking in refugees. “We city-states in particular, and especially Berlin as the main attraction, have almost exhausted our capacities (…) by now,” she told the “Bild am Sonntag”. 340,000 Ukrainians received first aid in Berlin, and 100,000 are now resident in the capital.
Giffey demanded: “We urgently need more federal real estate to accommodate people well, financial support for the immense costs and fair distribution throughout Germany.” The general manager of the German Association of Towns and Municipalities, Gerd Landsberg, told the newspaper that not only resolutions were needed, but concrete measures. The accommodation options are limited. “Hotel rooms are already being rented and collective accommodation, for example in gyms, is being prepared.”