On the other hand, there was movement on the part of Slovakia, which announced on Friday the delivery of an S-300 anti-missile system to Ukraine. Prime Minister Eduard Heger announced the donation during a trip to Kyiv, which he undertook on Friday together with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The Russian anti-aircraft missile system S-300, which was developed in Soviet times, uses precise guidance technology to destroy enemy aircraft or missiles.
The step came as a surprise because the government in Bratislava had always said that the missile system was essential for its own defense. Heger has always denied that she could send the S-300 to Ukraine without a permanent replacement. At the same time, Heger assured that the step does not mean that Slovakia has become part of the armed conflict. In Slovakia, a domestic dispute broke out over the delivery. The two social democratic opposition parties Smer and Hlas accused the government of endangering the security of their own country.
Zelenskyy: “They tell us that we have to wait”
Selenskyj had previously lamented the wait for large armaments from the West. His country still has to ask for equipment and always hears the answer that it has to wait for fighter jets, anti-missile defense systems and anti-ship weapons, Zelenskyy said in a video address to the Finnish parliament in Helsinki on Friday.
“They tell us that we have to wait in the situation in which we are losing hundreds of people every day because of the Russian attacks, in which dozens of our cities have been destroyed.” Finland, on the other hand, was quick to provide his country with defense equipment. When countries are fighting for their freedom, they need help, stressed Zelenskyy. Smaller countries understand this better than larger ones.
EU solidarity visit in the Ukraine war
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Saturday.
On Friday evening he then explicitly criticized Germany, criticizing “Bild” for being too hesitant: “Germany didn’t support us with weapons. Germany has spoken openly about not being a member of NATO. But if we remain honest: Germany’s rhetoric has changed. Germany is conservative and cold – but the train has moved.”
Time slot for Ukraine
A Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine is currently expected – but it is questionable when this could start. Both warring parties are currently repositioning themselves. For Ukraine, this also creates a time window in which rapid arms deliveries to the West could influence conditions in Ukraine’s favour.
Even before the visit of EU Commission President von der Leyen, Selenskyj had emphasized that a new painful sanctions package against Russia and arms deliveries from the West were now needed.
If this does not exist, Russia will see it as “permission to advance”. And his foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba said the day before as a guest at the NATO foreign ministers’ meeting: “Either you help us now, and I’m talking about days, not weeks, or your help will come too late.” Then many people would die, many civilians theirs Losing homes and destroying many more towns and villages.
Dozens dead in train station shelling
The attack on the Kramatorsk train station has given new urgency to these words. The rocket attack on the train station with fleeing people claimed at least 50 lives, including five children. Around 100 injuries were reported. Ukraine, Western politicians and experts see Russia as responsible, but pro-Russian separatists and Russia blamed Ukraine.
The Russian Ministry of Defense spoke of a “provocation” and said that the Totschka-U missile type was not used. But Western experts dismissed this claim as false. In addition, investigative reporters had reported the day before that the Russian troops stationed in Belarus had received several Tochka-U. Furthermore, the missiles were last used in a joint exercise by Russia and Belarus.
The missiles, with a range of up to 120 kilometers, are believed to be less accurate than the Iskanders, which Russia has frequently used. The consequence is high damage in populated areas, said the western official. Tochka-U can transport banned cluster munitions – that was the case in Kramatorsk, say the Ukrainians.
“despicable”
The Kramatorsk attack happened on the same day that von der Leyen, the first Western leader, and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell traveled by train to Kyiv as a sign of support. Von der Leyen condemned the attack as “despicable”. Borrell tweeted, “This is yet another attempt to close escape routes for those escaping this unjust war and cause human suffering.”
Von der Leyen also visited the Kiev suburb of Bucha, where massacres had recently taken place: “The whole world is in mourning after everything that happened here,” said von der Leyen. The EU has just decided on an extensive package of new sanctions against Russia. An energy embargo was also passed for the first time. With a transitional period of four months, no more Russian coal is to be imported into the EU.
Von der Leyen is also encouraging Ukraine in the EU accession process. The EU Commission President emphasized that the Ukrainian request for EU membership was heard loud and clear. At the same time, von der Leyen spoke of an “initial positive response” when she handed Selenskyj a questionnaire that should form the basis for talks about accession. Zelenskyi said he would come back with answers in a week. According to von der Leyen, Ukraine will be given intensive support.
Germany cautious about tanks
Borrell is confident that the EU states will follow his proposal to provide Ukraine with a further 500 million euros to support the armed forces, which would total 1.5 billion euros. But Ukraine also requires heavy equipment. The Ukrainian ambassador to Germany, Andriy Melnyk, proposed the delivery of one “Marder” tank per week to Ukraine, here the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was reluctant.
You want to deliver weapons that are helpful and could be used well. He referred to anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons and ammunition. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also said that primarily defensive weapons would be made available. He announced a £100million (€120m) supply of arms. These are Starstreak anti-aircraft missiles and deliver 800 anti-tank missiles.
Nehammer in Kyiv
Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) also left for a “solidarity visit” to Ukraine on Friday evening. In Kyiv he will meet Selenskyj, Shmyhal and Mayor Vitaly Klitschko. He will also visit Butscha. The return is on Sunday. The aim of the visit is to “continue to provide Ukraine with the best possible humanitarian and political support,” said Nehammer’s office in the run-up to the mission.
To date, Austria has supplied 10,000 helmets and 9,000 protective vests for civilian use. Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP), together with the foreign ministers of Germany, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg and Switzerland, called for an immediate end to the hostilities.