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Ukraine updates: Germany urges funding for path to EU
Published 6 hours agoPublished 6 hours agolast updated 2 hours agolast updated 2 hours ago
The German chancellor wants to set up a “Ukraine facility” to guarantee European Union support. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy vowed Kyiv would retake Crimea with the rest of the country.
https://p.dw.com/p/4XwuK
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz talks to Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal at the German-Ukrainian business forum in Berlin
Scholz also vowed Germany’s support for Israel won’t impact its aid to UkraineImage: John MacDougall/AFP/Getty Images
Skip next section What you need to know
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told business leaders in Berlin he wanted to guarantee European Union support for Ukraine for coming years.
The German leader was speaking at the German-Ukrainian Economic Forum that Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal also attended.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told a security conference in Prague that the “illusion” of Russia’s domination of Crimea had been shattered.
“The Russian [Black Sea] fleet is no longer able to operate in the western part of the Black Sea and is gradually fleeing from Crimea,” Zelenskyy said.
Here’s a look at the latest developments in Russia’s war in Ukraine on Tuesday, October 24:
Skip next section Ukraine in venture with Germany’s Rheinmetall
2 hours ago2 hours ago
Ukraine in venture with Germany’s Rheinmetall
Ukraine said its joint defense venture with German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall has now been registered with the competent authorities.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal told the German-Ukrainian Business Forum in Berlin it was “a significant event that elevates cooperation between our countries to a qualitatively new level.”
The venture with the Ukrainian state-owned company Ukrainian Defense Industry JSC will service and repair weapons supplied by the West to help Kyiv against Russia.
It will also help with the localization of some essential equipment produced by Rheinmetall.
https://p.dw.com/p/4XxZq
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Skip next section Turkey’s Erdogan submits Sweden’s NATO bid to parliament for ratification
5 hours ago5 hours ago
Turkey’s Erdogan submits Sweden’s NATO bid to parliament for ratification
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has submitted Sweden’s NATO membership bid to Turkey’s parliament for ratification.
The Nordic country applied for membership of the military alliance last year following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Like every other NATO member, Turkey has a veto over any new country joining the alliance.
But after delaying a decision for over a year, Erdogan signed the accession protocol in July, but there had been no further action until he forwarded it to the Grand National Assembly for ratification.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson described it as a gratifying move.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said he was looking forward to a “speedy vote” in the Turkish parliament and to welcoming Sweden as an ally “very soon.”
https://p.dw.com/p/4XxOa
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Skip next section Scholz proposes ‘Ukraine facility’ to ensure funding for path to EU accession
6 hours ago6 hours ago
Scholz proposes ‘Ukraine facility’ to ensure funding for path to EU accession
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz wants to solidify EU support for Ukraine by the end of the year to aid its path toward EU membership.
Speaking at the German-Ukrainian Economic Forum in Berlin the chancellor said he wants to set up a “Ukraine facility.”
It would bundle grants, loans, and private and public investment alongside the grants Ukraine already had access to as a candidate for EU accession.
“Anyone who invests in Ukraine now is investing in a future EU member state that will be part of our legal order and our internal market,” Scholz said.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, who is also attending the forum, said Ukraine’s gross domestic product could grow over 4% in 2023 and reach 5% next year.
Ukraine’s economy shrank by about one-third last year due to the war with Russia.
https://p.dw.com/p/4Xx0e
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Skip next section Ukraine reaffirms aim to take back Crimea
6 hours ago6 hours ago
Ukraine reaffirms aim to take back Crimea
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for a “complete de-occupation” of his country, including Crimea.
He made the remarks in a video address to lawmakers from around the world gathered in the Czech capital, Prague, for the Crimea Platform.
“As of now, we have not yet achieved full fire control over Crimea and the adjacent waters. But we will. It’s a matter of time,” Zelenskyy said.
New US missiles and tanks: is Russia losing Crimea?
26:06
Zelenskyy launched the Crimea Platform before Russia invaded Ukraine last year as part of a diplomatic initiative to secure the return of control over the peninsula to Kyiv.
Russia annexed Crimea on March 18, 2014, following a referendum not recognized by the international community.
https://p.dw.com/p/4Xwv3
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Skip next section Overnight drone strikes intercepted by both sides
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Overnight drone strikes intercepted by both sides
Ukraine and Russia said they had thwarted attempted drone strikes overnight.
“The occupiers attacked with six ‘Shahed’-type offensive [unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)] from the south (Chauda, Crimea),” Ukraine’s air force said on social media.
“All six attack drones were shot down by air defense forces and means — fighter aircraft, anti-aircraft missile units, and mobile fire groups,” it added.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said “three unmanned Ukrainian surface boats were detected in the northern part of the Black Sea.”
“The area where the uncrewed surface vehicles were detected was hit by anti-sabotage missile and bomb systems,” it added.
lo,ab (AFP, AP, dpa, Reuters)
