Day 327 since the beginning of the war: A Russian jet has intercepted a German naval aircraft. Foreign Minister Baerbock promotes a special tribunal for Russia. All information in the news blog.
The most important things at a glance
UN Secretary-General condemns attack on Dnipro
8:04 p.m.: UN Secretary-General António Guterres has condemned the deadly attack on a residential building in the eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro. Guterres said it was “another example of an alleged violation of martial law,” his spokeswoman Stephanie Tremblay said on Monday. The attack on a residential building in Dnipro on Saturday night was one of the deadliest attacks in Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion, she added.
The UN coordinator for Ukraine, Denise Brown, has called for an “investigation into suspected war crimes and the prosecution of the suspects,” said Tremblay. So far, 40 dead and 75 injured have been registered in Dnipro. According to Tremblay, the numbers are likely to increase during the rescue work.
Great Britain and Poland insist on Leopard delivery
6.40 p.m.: Britain is urging Germany, as a manufacturing country, to authorize the supply of Leopard main battle tanks to Ukraine. “It has been reported that Poland is obviously keen to give up some Leopards, as is Finland,” British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace told Parliament in London. “All of this currently depends on the decisions of the federal government – not just whether the Germans will supply their own Leopard tanks, but whether or not they will give permission to others. I would urge my German colleagues to do so.”
Finland and Poland are ready to take part in Leopard deliveries to Ukraine. However, you are dependent on the approval of the manufacturer country Germany. Chancellor Olaf Scholz recently opposed calls for quick decisions on Leopard deliveries. He also rejects Germany going it alone. Wallace says, “I know there were concerns in German politics that they don’t want to go it alone. Well, they’re not alone.”
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki also pushed for a German OK in Berlin on Monday. Over the years, investments have been made in heavy war equipment and tanks, which should not remain in warehouses but must be placed in the hands of the defenders of Europe. The reason for Morawiecki’s trip was a ceremony for the CDU politician Wolfgang Schäuble, who has been a member of the Bundestag for 50 years.
Russian fighter jet intercepts German naval aircraft
5.30 p.m.: According to the Defense Ministry in Moscow, a Russian fighter jet intercepted a German naval aircraft that was on patrol flight over the Baltic Sea. The German P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft approached the territory of the Russian Federation, but did not violate the border. After the Russian Su-27 fighter jet took off and approached, the German aircraft turned away, the ministry said. The Su-27 then returned to its base.
Baerbock calls for international Russia tribunal
3:33 p.m.: Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock advocates the formation of a special international tribunal to punish Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. What is needed is a tribunal that could investigate and try the Russian leadership, Baerbock said in a keynote speech at the Hague Academy of International Law on Monday. She can understand the Ukrainian government’s great concern that Russia cannot be prosecuted for its aggression before the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
According to the statute, the Hague Court can only deal with cases in which the plaintiff and the defendant are members of the Court or a case is referred by the United Nations Security Council. Russia is not part of the court and, as a permanent member with veto powers in the UN Security Council, would probably block a referral to the court. Baerbock said she also spoke about this with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba during her visit to Kharkiv last week.