LIVE
CONFLICTSUKRAINE
Ukraine updates: Trump criticizes ‘crazy’ use of US missiles
Published 9 hours agoPublished 9 hours agolast updated 1 hour agolast updated 1 hour ago
The US President-elect said he believes current president Biden’s decision to lift the ban on US-supplied long-range missiles is worsening the conflict. DW has the latest.
https://p.dw.com/p/4o4Pf
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (l) with US President-elect Donald Trump
US President-elect Donald Trump thinks the use of US-supplied missiles in Russia is ‘crazy’Image: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP/picture alliance
Skip next section What you need to know
What you need to know
US President-elect Donald Trump says he ‘vehemently’ disagrees with the Biden administration’s approval of Ukrainian forces’ use of US medium-range missiles in Russia.
Trump called the move an escalation, asking, ‘why are we doing that?’
The US politician said it was in the interest of both Kyiv and Moscow to bring the conflict to an end
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Warsaw is not planning to deploy troops to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire
NATO Secretary General says Europe needs ‘wartime mindset’ in face of Russian aggression
Here are the latest developments in Russia’s war in Ukraine on Thursday, December 12:
Skip next section US announces $500 million military aid package
1 hour ago1 hour ago
US announces $500 million military aid package
The United States has announced a further $500 million (€478 million) package of military aid for Ukraine.
The package included ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and High-speed Anti-radiation missiles (HARMs), among other assistance, said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Time magazine names Trump ‘Person of the Year’
03:18
“The United States is providing another significant package of urgently needed weapons and equipment to our Ukrainian partners as they defend against Russia’s ongoing attacks,” Blinken said in a statement.
Washington said 10 days ago it was sending Ukraine $725 million worth of missiles, ammunition, anti-personnel mines and other weapons.
Just a few days ago, the US announced a package worth around $988 million.
US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said that President Joe Biden had “made clear, we’re going to continue to provide additional packages right up to the end of this administration.”
https://p.dw.com/p/4o5Nq
Copy link
Skip next section NATO should “turbocharge” defense spending, head Rutte says
9 hours ago9 hours ago
NATO should “turbocharge” defense spending, head Rutte says
NATOhead Mark Rutte said that the US-led transatlantic alliance was not ready for the threats it would face from Russia in the coming years and called for a shift to a wartime mindset, with much higher defence spending.
“Russia is preparing for long-term confrontation, with Ukraineand with us,” Rutte said in a speech in Brussels, adding that the alliance is “not ready for what is coming” its way in the next four to five years.
“It is time to shift to a wartime mindset, and turbocharge our defense production and defense spending.”
https://p.dw.com/p/4o4Uo
Copy link
Skip next section Orban-brokered Christmas ceasefire proposal rejected by Ukraine
9 hours ago9 hours ago
Orban-brokered Christmas ceasefire proposal rejected by Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin backs Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s efforts to achieve a Christmas ceasefire in Ukraine and an exchange of war prisoners, the Kremlin said.
Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine has left tens of thousands of dead, displaced millions and triggered the biggest crisis in relations between Moscow and the West since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.
“The Russian side fully supports Orban’s efforts aimed at finding a peaceful settlement and resolving humanitarian issues related to the prisoner exchange,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
However, UkrainianPresident Volodymyr Zelenskiy rejected the plan, while also criticizing Orban for undermining Western unity.
https://p.dw.com/p/4o4Sj
Copy link
Skip next section US President-elect Trump calls Ukraine’s use of US missiles in Russia ‘crazy’
9 hours ago9 hours ago
US President-elect Trump calls Ukraine’s use of US missiles in Russia ‘crazy’
US President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday said he “disagrees very vehemently” with Joe Biden’s change of policy allowing Ukraine to shoot US-made missiles into Russia.
“It’s crazy what’s taking place,” Trump said, “why are we doing that? We’re just escalating this war and making it worse. That should not have been allowed to be done.”
President Biden lifted the ban last month, when North Korea sent some 15,000 troops to the frontline in support ally Russia.
Trump, also a fan of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has repeatedly said he would end the war as soon as he takes office, though he has offered no insight as to how he plans to do so.
After meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris on Saturday, Trump said far too many people were dying in the war — which Putin started by invading neighboring Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
Trump said: “I’m talking on both sides. It’s really an advantage to both sides to get this thing done.”
ft,js/jcg (Reuters, AFP, AP, dpa)
