
A look at Eritrea's role as new Tigray war looms in Ethiopia – DW – 07/16/2025
Reports of troop movements and sporadic clashes in northern Ethiopia have emerged in recent months, feeding concern that a fragile calm could soon collapse. The region is still reeling from the brutal two-year civil war between the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and federal government forces — a conflict that claimed an estimated 600,000 lives before it ended with the Pretoria peace agreement in November 2022.
"We can't plan anything at the moment," a woman in Mekele, the capital of Ethiopia's Tigray region, told DW. "We're just trying to survive. A new war could break out tomorrow." She described a climate of fear that has gripped many residents. "Life has become incredibly expensive. We need a peaceful solution so we can return to work and rebuild our lives."
During that war, Eritrean troops supported Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's campaign against the TPLF. But critics warned at the time that peace would remain fragile without Eritrea at the negotiating table. President Isaias Afwerki, who has ruled Eritrea for decades, was notably absent from the talks in the South African's administrative capital, Pretoria.
Now, growing fears of renewed violence point towards Eritrea's involvement.
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Another destabilizing factor is the political turmoil within Tigray itself. The once-dominant TPLF has fractured after internal power struggles — a vulnerability Eritrea could potentially exploit.
Following the split, General Tadesse Werede, former commander of the defeated Tigray Defense Forces (TDF), was appointed head of the Tigray interim government in Mekelle. He has urged caution against misinformation and vowed, "There will be no war and no provocation from Tigray's side."
On the other side of the divide is TPLF chairman Debretsion Gebremichael. His faction has been accused of cooperating with Eritrea — a claim it strongly denies. Debretsion has called for a political resolution grounded in the Pretoria agreement: "We urge the international community to pressure the Ethiopian government, its agents, and allies to refrain from preparing for war."
Despite these reassurances, fear is spreading among civilians. "People are withdrawing their money from banks and stockpiling essentials like oil and teff [an Ethiopian cereal]," a resident of Mekele told DW. He called on both TPLF factions "to step aside — or to use their influence to work with the central government to resolve the crisis and prevent war."
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A full-scale inter-state war may be unlikely, but proxy conflicts are a real possibility, said Gerrit Kurtz, Horn of Africa expert at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP), a Berlin-based think tank.
"Eritrea benefits when Ethiopia is weakened — when it's internally fragmented and beset by local conflicts," Kurtz told DW. "That's why the internal crises we've seen over the past few years — many of which are supported, or at least exploited, by Eritrea — serve its strategic interests."
Observers say Eritrea has trained armed groups inside Ethiopia — including, reportedly, the Fano militia in Amhara region. In March, Fano fighters clashed with Ethiopian federal troops in a two-day battle that, according to Addis Ababa, left more than 300 militia members dead.
Eritrea has a long and contentious history with Ethiopia. After colonial rule ended, the country was absorbed into a federation with Ethiopia in 1952, and later forcibly annexed — a move that sparked a decades-long independence struggle. Eritrea finally broke away in 1993, costing Ethiopia its only direct access to the sea. Since then, Eritrea has become one of the world's most repressive and isolated regimes under Isaias Afwerki. In 2010, the United Nations imposed an arms embargo on the country.
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According to a new report by the US-based watchdog group The Sentry, Eritrea has used its involvement in the Tigray conflict to strengthen its position significantly. "We identified two clear patterns," said Charles Cater, lead investigator for The Sentry, in an interview with DW. "First, the systematic looting of Tigray during the war — factories were dismantled and moved across the border. Everything of value was taken to Eritrea."
The second pattern, he said, was illicit trade: Eritrea profited from smuggling gold, sesame, cultural artifacts, and even people from Tigray. The resulting foreign currency is believed to have helped fund Eritrea's ongoing operations in Ethiopia.
Another pivotal moment came in 2018, when Ethiopia and Eritrea signed a peace agreement, ending years of open hostility. Prime Minister Abiy was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the breakthrough — but Afwerki was left out, despite the deal helping to lift the UN arms embargo against Eritrea. The Sentry also documented how Eritrea subsequently bought weapons, including from Russia.
In response, Eritrean Information Minister Yemane Ghebremeskel dismissed the report as a "fabricated narrative" meant to scapegoat Eritrea.
The Eritrean military is reportedly strengthening its positions near the Tigray border and may have advanced up to 10 kilometers (6 miles) into Ethiopian territory, according to The Sentry. Both sides had previously agreed to a new border alignment during the 2018 thaw in relations.
The Pretoria Agreement stipulated the withdrawal of all non-federal forces from Tigray — including Eritrean troops. It is now up to the Ethiopian government to find a political solution, both with Eritrea and with the divided TPLF, noted SWP's Gerrit Kurtz.
"Abiy's strategy is to keep all domestic rivals weak enough that they can't unite against him. That means sometimes aligning with certain factions, while repressing others. But it's a high-stakes game," Kurtz said.
Ethiopia is scheduled to hold national elections next year, and analysts warn that Abiy could use the Tigray crisis as political leverage. Since 2023, he has also revived calls for Ethiopia to secure its own access to the sea — a move that has already fueled diplomatic tensions with Somalia and led some to fear a potential military incursion into Eritrea.
For now, Abiy has publicly reiterated his commitment to peace.
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- DW
Ukraine updates: Third round of talks ends in Istanbul – DW – 07/23/2025
The Ukrainian and Russian delegations concluded negotiations in Istanbul in less than an hour. According to reports, another prisoner exchange has been agreed upon. DW has to media reports, the Ukrainian and Russian delegations concluded their negotiations in Istanbul by agreeing to carry out another prisoner exchange. The Russian state news agency TASS reported that the talks lasted around 40 minutes. Negotiation teams from Ukraine and Russia began a fresh round of talks in Istanbul on Wednesday evening. The two sides previously met in the Turkish city in May and June, which resulted in exchanges of prisoners and soldiers' bodies, but nothing resembling a move towards peace. The negotiation team leaders from Ukraine and Russia are in one-on-one talks in Istanbul, news agencies have reported. Russia's Vladimir Medinsky and Ukraine's Rustem Umerov reportedly met ahead of a third round of peace talks. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he would submit a new bill to parliament amid strong opposition to legislation restricting the independence of anti-corruption bodies. In his evening address, Zelenskyy committed to retaining the agencies' independence, saying "all standards for the independence of anti-corruption institutions will be in place." Zelenskyy promised that the new law on the function of anti-corruption bodies would answer the concerns of those who have taken to the streets in the largest protests seen in Ukraine since the start of the war. On Tuesday, parliament in Kyiv passed laws placing the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP) largely under the control of the Prosecutor General's Office. Allies reacted with concern, worrying that the move would undermine anti-corruption reforms key to Ukraine's bid to join the European Union. European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen demanded "explanations" from Zelenskyy over the change, the EU said Wednesday. "President von der Leyen conveyed her strong concerns about the consequences of the amendments," the AFP news agency quoted EU spokesman Guillaume Mercier as saying. Ukrainian authorities have arrested the alleged operator of a large Russian-language cybercrime platform in a joint operation with French authorities and Europol. In a statement, Europol said that a lengthy investigation by French police, in cooperation with Ukrainian counterparts, led to the arrest of the suspected administrator of which it said was one of the worlds "most influential Russian-speaking cybercrime platforms." Europol said that the forum had more than 50,000 registered users and was a key marketplace for stolen data, hacking tools and also illicit services. The suspect is believed to have made over €7 million ($8.2 million) by allegedly mediating disputes between criminals while guaranteeing the security of transactions. Before his arrest in Kyiv, the suspect is believed to have been active for over two decades. The Paris public prosecutor's office has been investigating the platform since 2021 on charges including gang-related extortion and aiding and abetting attacks on data processing systems. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said its delegation has arrived in Istanbul for talks with Russia. Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi confirmed the arrival of the team, that will once again be led by former defense minister, Rustem Umerov. Earlier, Russian media outlets reported that the Kremlin team led by Vladimir Medinsky had arrived in Istanbul and that the talks were expected to begin in the evening at the Ciragan Palace. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul told German news outlet that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's move to remove the independence of two key anti-corruption bodies hampers Ukraine's path to the EU membership. Zelenskyy has often expressed that one day he would like Ukraine to join the 27-member European Union. "The restrictions on the independence of the Ukrainian anti-corruption authorities hampers Ukraine's path to the EU," Wadephul said. "I expect Ukraine to continue its fight against corruption consistently." Zelenskyy signed off on legislation that would put the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) under the direct purview of Ukraine's prosecutor general. The Ukrainian prosecutor general was appointed by Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy's support of the legislation has sparked the first widespread anti-government demonstrations in Ukraine since the start of Russia's invasion in February 2022. The Ukrainian leader met with Ukrainian anti-corruption and security agencies in a meeting on Wednesday. "We all hear what society says," Zelenskyy wrote on the social media platform Telegram, while pledging to "resolve existing issues." reported Wadephul spoke with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on Wednesday and urged the Ukrainian side to keep up anti-corruption efforts. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius called for US President Donald Trump's administration to provide "watertight" assurances in regards to Patriot air-defense systems for Ukraine. Pistorius told German news outlet that Germany and its NATO allies need guarantees that US-manufactured Patriot systems delivered to Ukraine would be replaced within a timeframe of about six to eight months. Pistorius's comments come after Trump said European NATO countries could buy weapons from the US which could then be delivered for Ukraine to defend itself amid Russia's invasion. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The US is seeking for Germany and other European countries to send Patriot systems to Ukraine first from their own stocks. Then, the US would send replacement Patriot systems to European allies. This arrangement has led to concern from Germany as Pistorius told Spiegel its necessary that "the countries transferring systems continue to meet their NATO requirements and that no security gaps arise for NATO." Earlier this week, Germany said it would "contribute to providing" five Patriot missile defense systems to Ukraine. Anne Applebaum is an award-winning historian, writer, and publicist. In an interview with DW, she shared her insights on Russian President Vladimir Putin's goals in Ukraine. She also explained what she thinks the West doesn't understand about Putin, and vice versa. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Russia said the direct talks in Istanbul later on Wednesday with Ukrainian officials will be "very difficult." "Indeed, our delegation has left for Istanbul, and talks are indeed scheduled for this evening... No one expects an easy road. It will be very difficult," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told journalists, with French news agency AFP reporting on the comments. Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Russia is seeking to solidify its control over areas in eastern Ukraine, whereas Ukraine wants Russian troops to leave those regions and to stop the invasion to ensure peace. Ukraine's air force has lost one of its French Mirage fighter jets, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, attributing the loss to technical failure. In a video message on X, Zelenskyy said the pilot had ejected safely and there were no injuries or fatalities from the incident. He also clarified that it was not caused by Russian forces. Meanwhile the Ukrainian Air Force said: "The pilot reported a failure of aviation equipment to the flight director. He then acted competently, as is expected in a crisis situation, and successfully ejected." The fighter jet was part of an undisclosed number of Mirages France delivered to Ukraine in February, an important addition to the war-ravaged nation's defenses against Russian drones and missiles. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said that sanctioning Russian oil in a bid to end the war in Ukraine is a "very real possibility," while speaking to broadcaster Fox News. This comes after President Donald Trump said Washington could put 100% tariffs on Russian oil, among other sanctions, if Moscow does not agree on a peace deal with Ukraine before September. "It is huge pressure on Russia. That's the biggest pressure you can put on them," Wright said in the interview. The EU and the US already have some sanctions on Russian energy enterprises but Russia has managed to sell most of its oil via so-called 'shadow fleets' of oil tankers operating around the globe under other country's flags. Wright said a higher level of sanctions was now possible becasue the US has become the world's top producer of oil and gas. "We're able to do things that we couldn't do before," he said. China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao has registered "solemn representations" to his EU counterpart as the bloc included two Chinese banks in its latest round of sanctions on Russia over the war in Ukraine. The objections were expressed in a "candid and in-depth" video call with EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic on Tuesday, Beijing said. The comments come a day before EU heads Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen will arrive in Beijing for talks with Chinese leaders over sensitive issues like trade and the war in Ukraine. China has called the sanctions on its banks "groundless" and lacking a basis in international law. China's economic relations with Moscow have deepened significantly since the war in Ukraine began in 2022, which Brussles believes is instrumental in supporting Russia's economy weather the war under sweeping western sanctions. China has denied the claim. Thousands of people gathered in Kyiv and other cities across Ukraine late on Tuesday after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a controversial bill to limit the autonomy of two anti-corruption bodies. The changes grant the prosecutor general new authority over investigations and cases handled by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO). Critics, including some EU officials, say the move will significantly weaken the independence of the two agencies and give Zelenskyy's circle greater sway over investigations. "In effect, if this bill becomes law, the head of SAPO will become a nominal figure, while NABU will lose its independence and turn into a subdivision of the prosecutor general's office," the two agencies said in a joint statement on Telegram. Tuesday's protest was unusual as most other wartime rallies focused on securing the return of captured soldiers or missing people. The protesters held signs that read "Veto the law" and "Protect the anti-corruption system, protect Ukraine's future," among other slogans. "Corruption is a problem in any country, and it must always be fought," said Ihor Lachenkov, a blogger and activist who urged more than a million online followers to join the protests. "Ukraine has far fewer resources than Russia in this war," he said. "If we misuse them, or worse, allow them to end up in the pockets of thieves, our chances of victory diminish. All our resources must go toward the fight." Officials from Ukraine and Russia are set to meet for a third round of talks in Istanbul on Wednesday. But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dampened expectations, saying the talks would likely focus on another round of prisoner of war swaps rather than details of a ceasefire. "We need more momentum in the negotiations to end the war," Zelenskyy told diplomats in Kyiv on Monday. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also said that "major diplomatic work" was still needed in order to negotiate a ceasefire. A key point of contention is Kyiv's calls for an unconditional ceasefire, as opposed to Russia maintaining its maximum demands that include the complete withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the eastern regions of the country Moscow illegally annexed. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video


DW
28 minutes ago
- DW
Ukraine updates: Third round of talks end in Istanbul – DW – 07/23/2025
The Ukrainian and Russian delegations concluded negotiations in Istanbul in less than an hour. According to reports, another prisoner exchange has been agreed upon. DW has to media reports, the Ukrainian and Russian delegations concluded their negotiations in Istanbul by agreeing to carry out another prisoner exchange. The Russian state news agency TASS reported that the talks lasted around 40 minutes. Negotiation teams from Ukraine and Russia began a fresh round of talks in Istanbul on Wednesday evening. The two sides previously met in the Turkish city in May and June, which resulted in exchanges of prisoners and soldiers' bodies, but nothing resembling a move towards peace. The negotiation team leaders from Ukraine and Russia are in one-on-one talks in Istanbul, news agencies have reported. Russia's Vladimir Medinsky and Ukraine's Rustem Umerov reportedly met ahead of a third round of peace talks. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he would submit a new bill to parliament amid strong opposition to legislation restricting the independence of anti-corruption bodies. In his evening address, Zelenskyy committed to retaining the agencies' independence, saying "all standards for the independence of anti-corruption institutions will be in place." Zelenskyy promised that the new law on the function of anti-corruption bodies would answer the concerns of those who have taken to the streets in the largest protests seen in Ukraine since the start of the war. On Tuesday, parliament in Kyiv passed laws placing the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP) largely under the control of the Prosecutor General's Office. Allies reacted with concern, worrying that the move would undermine anti-corruption reforms key to Ukraine's bid to join the European Union. European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen demanded "explanations" from Zelenskyy over the change, the EU said Wednesday. "President von der Leyen conveyed her strong concerns about the consequences of the amendments," the AFP news agency quoted EU spokesman Guillaume Mercier as saying. Ukrainian authorities have arrested the alleged operator of a large Russian-language cybercrime platform in a joint operation with French authorities and Europol. In a statement, Europol said that a lengthy investigation by French police, in cooperation with Ukrainian counterparts, led to the arrest of the suspected administrator of which it said was one of the worlds "most influential Russian-speaking cybercrime platforms." Europol said that the forum had more than 50,000 registered users and was a key marketplace for stolen data, hacking tools and also illicit services. The suspect is believed to have made over €7 million ($8.2 million) by allegedly mediating disputes between criminals while guaranteeing the security of transactions. Before his arrest in Kyiv, the suspect is believed to have been active for over two decades. The Paris public prosecutor's office has been investigating the platform since 2021 on charges including gang-related extortion and aiding and abetting attacks on data processing systems. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said its delegation has arrived in Istanbul for talks with Russia. Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi confirmed the arrival of the team, that will once again be led by former defense minister, Rustem Umerov. Earlier, Russian media outlets reported that the Kremlin team led by Vladimir Medinsky had arrived in Istanbul and that the talks were expected to begin in the evening at the Ciragan Palace. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul told German news outlet that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's move to remove the independence of two key anti-corruption bodies hampers Ukraine's path to the EU membership. Zelenskyy has often expressed that one day he would like Ukraine to join the 27-member European Union. "The restrictions on the independence of the Ukrainian anti-corruption authorities hampers Ukraine's path to the EU," Wadephul said. "I expect Ukraine to continue its fight against corruption consistently." Zelenskyy signed off on legislation that would put the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) under the direct purview of Ukraine's prosecutor general. The Ukrainian prosecutor general was appointed by Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy's support of the legislation has sparked the first widespread anti-government demonstrations in Ukraine since the start of Russia's invasion in February 2022. The Ukrainian leader met with Ukrainian anti-corruption and security agencies in a meeting on Wednesday. "We all hear what society says," Zelenskyy wrote on the social media platform Telegram, while pledging to "resolve existing issues." reported Wadephul spoke with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on Wednesday and urged the Ukrainian side to keep up anti-corruption efforts. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius called for US President Donald Trump's administration to provide "watertight" assurances in regards to Patriot air-defense systems for Ukraine. Pistorius told German news outlet that Germany and its NATO allies need guarantees that US-manufactured Patriot systems delivered to Ukraine would be replaced within a timeframe of about six to eight months. Pistorius's comments come after Trump said European NATO countries could buy weapons from the US which could then be delivered for Ukraine to defend itself amid Russia's invasion. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The US is seeking for Germany and other European countries to send Patriot systems to Ukraine first from their own stocks. Then, the US would send replacement Patriot systems to European allies. This arrangement has led to concern from Germany as Pistorius told Spiegel its necessary that "the countries transferring systems continue to meet their NATO requirements and that no security gaps arise for NATO." Earlier this week, Germany said it would "contribute to providing" five Patriot missile defense systems to Ukraine. Anne Applebaum is an award-winning historian, writer, and publicist. In an interview with DW, she shared her insights on Russian President Vladimir Putin's goals in Ukraine. She also explained what she thinks the West doesn't understand about Putin, and vice versa. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Russia said the direct talks in Istanbul later on Wednesday with Ukrainian officials will be "very difficult." "Indeed, our delegation has left for Istanbul, and talks are indeed scheduled for this evening... No one expects an easy road. It will be very difficult," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told journalists, with French news agency AFP reporting on the comments. Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Russia is seeking to solidify its control over areas in eastern Ukraine, whereas Ukraine wants Russian troops to leave those regions and to stop the invasion to ensure peace. Ukraine's air force has lost one of its French Mirage fighter jets, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, attributing the loss to technical failure. In a video message on X, Zelenskyy said the pilot had ejected safely and there were no injuries or fatalities from the incident. He also clarified that it was not caused by Russian forces. Meanwhile the Ukrainian Air Force said: "The pilot reported a failure of aviation equipment to the flight director. He then acted competently, as is expected in a crisis situation, and successfully ejected." The fighter jet was part of an undisclosed number of Mirages France delivered to Ukraine in February, an important addition to the war-ravaged nation's defenses against Russian drones and missiles. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said that sanctioning Russian oil in a bid to end the war in Ukraine is a "very real possibility," while speaking to broadcaster Fox News. This comes after President Donald Trump said Washington could put 100% tariffs on Russian oil, among other sanctions, if Moscow does not agree on a peace deal with Ukraine before September. "It is huge pressure on Russia. That's the biggest pressure you can put on them," Wright said in the interview. The EU and the US already have some sanctions on Russian energy enterprises but Russia has managed to sell most of its oil via so-called 'shadow fleets' of oil tankers operating around the globe under other country's flags. Wright said a higher level of sanctions was now possible becasue the US has become the world's top producer of oil and gas. "We're able to do things that we couldn't do before," he said. China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao has registered "solemn representations" to his EU counterpart as the bloc included two Chinese banks in its latest round of sanctions on Russia over the war in Ukraine. The objections were expressed in a "candid and in-depth" video call with EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic on Tuesday, Beijing said. The comments come a day before EU heads Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen will arrive in Beijing for talks with Chinese leaders over sensitive issues like trade and the war in Ukraine. China has called the sanctions on its banks "groundless" and lacking a basis in international law. China's economic relations with Moscow have deepened significantly since the war in Ukraine began in 2022, which Brussles believes is instrumental in supporting Russia's economy weather the war under sweeping western sanctions. China has denied the claim. Thousands of people gathered in Kyiv and other cities across Ukraine late on Tuesday after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a controversial bill to limit the autonomy of two anti-corruption bodies. The changes grant the prosecutor general new authority over investigations and cases handled by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO). Critics, including some EU officials, say the move will significantly weaken the independence of the two agencies and give Zelenskyy's circle greater sway over investigations. "In effect, if this bill becomes law, the head of SAPO will become a nominal figure, while NABU will lose its independence and turn into a subdivision of the prosecutor general's office," the two agencies said in a joint statement on Telegram. Tuesday's protest was unusual as most other wartime rallies focused on securing the return of captured soldiers or missing people. The protesters held signs that read "Veto the law" and "Protect the anti-corruption system, protect Ukraine's future," among other slogans. "Corruption is a problem in any country, and it must always be fought," said Ihor Lachenkov, a blogger and activist who urged more than a million online followers to join the protests. "Ukraine has far fewer resources than Russia in this war," he said. "If we misuse them, or worse, allow them to end up in the pockets of thieves, our chances of victory diminish. All our resources must go toward the fight." Officials from Ukraine and Russia are set to meet for a third round of talks in Istanbul on Wednesday. But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dampened expectations, saying the talks would likely focus on another round of prisoner of war swaps rather than details of a ceasefire. "We need more momentum in the negotiations to end the war," Zelenskyy told diplomats in Kyiv on Monday. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also said that "major diplomatic work" was still needed in order to negotiate a ceasefire. A key point of contention is Kyiv's calls for an unconditional ceasefire, as opposed to Russia maintaining its maximum demands that include the complete withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the eastern regions of the country Moscow illegally annexed. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video


DW
2 hours ago
- DW
Ukraine updates: Third round of talks underway in Istanbul – DW – 07/23/2025
Negotiation teams from Ukraine and Russia have begun meeting in Istanbul, but hopes for a breakthrough remain slim as the third round gets underway. DW has teams from Ukraine and Russia began a fresh round of talks in Istanbul on Wednesday evening. The two sides previously met in the Turkish city in May and June, which resulted in exchanges of prisoners and soldiers' bodies, but nothing resembling a move towards peace. The negotiation team leaders from Ukraine and Russia are in one-on-one talks in Istanbul, news agencies have reported. Russia's Vladimir Medinsky and Ukraine's Rustem Umerov reportedly met ahead of a third round of peace talks. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he would submit a new bill to parliament amid strong opposition to legislation restricting the independence of anti-corruption bodies. In his evening address, Zelenskyy committed to retaining the agencies' independence, saying "all standards for the independence of anti-corruption institutions will be in place." Zelenskyy promised that the new law on the function of anti-corruption bodies would answer the concerns of those who have taken to the streets in the largest protests seen in Ukraine since the start of the war. On Tuesday, parliament in Kyiv passed laws placing the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP) largely under the control of the Prosecutor General's Office. Allies reacted with concern, worrying that the move would undermine anti-corruption reforms key to Ukraine's bid to join the European Union. European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen demanded "explanations" from Zelenskyy over the change, the EU said Wednesday. "President von der Leyen conveyed her strong concerns about the consequences of the amendments," the AFP news agency quoted EU spokesman Guillaume Mercier as saying. Ukrainian authorities have arrested the alleged operator of a large Russian-language cybercrime platform in a joint operation with French authorities and Europol. In a statement, Europol said that a lengthy investigation by French police, in cooperation with Ukrainian counterparts, led to the arrest of the suspected administrator of which it said was one of the worlds "most influential Russian-speaking cybercrime platforms." Europol said that the forum had more than 50,000 registered users and was a key marketplace for stolen data, hacking tools and also illicit services. The suspect is believed to have made over €7 million ($8.2 million) by allegedly mediating disputes between criminals while guaranteeing the security of transactions. Before his arrest in Kyiv, the suspect is believed to have been active for over two decades. The Paris public prosecutor's office has been investigating the platform since 2021 on charges including gang-related extortion and aiding and abetting attacks on data processing systems. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said its delegation has arrived in Istanbul for talks with Russia. Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi confirmed the arrival of the team, that will once again be led by former defense minister, Rustem Umerov. Earlier, Russian media outlets reported that the Kremlin team led by Vladimir Medinsky had arrived in Istanbul and that the talks were expected to begin in the evening at the Ciragan Palace. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul told German news outlet that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's move to remove the independence of two key anti-corruption bodies hampers Ukraine's path to the EU membership. Zelenskyy has often expressed that one day he would like Ukraine to join the 27-member European Union. "The restrictions on the independence of the Ukrainian anti-corruption authorities hampers Ukraine's path to the EU," Wadephul said. "I expect Ukraine to continue its fight against corruption consistently." Zelenskyy signed off on legislation that would put the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) under the direct purview of Ukraine's prosecutor general. The Ukrainian prosecutor general was appointed by Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy's support of the legislation has sparked the first widespread anti-government demonstrations in Ukraine since the start of Russia's invasion in February 2022. The Ukrainian leader met with Ukrainian anti-corruption and security agencies in a meeting on Wednesday. "We all hear what society says," Zelenskyy wrote on the social media platform Telegram, while pledging to "resolve existing issues." reported Wadephul spoke with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on Wednesday and urged the Ukrainian side to keep up anti-corruption efforts. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius called for US President Donald Trump's administration to provide "watertight" assurances in regards to Patriot air-defense systems for Ukraine. Pistorius told German news outlet that Germany and its NATO allies need guarantees that US-manufactured Patriot systems delivered to Ukraine would be replaced within a timeframe of about six to eight months. Pistorius's comments come after Trump said European NATO countries could buy weapons from the US which could then be delivered for Ukraine to defend itself amid Russia's invasion. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The US is seeking for Germany and other European countries to send Patriot systems to Ukraine first from their own stocks. Then, the US would send replacement Patriot systems to European allies. This arrangement has led to concern from Germany as Pistorius told Spiegel its necessary that "the countries transferring systems continue to meet their NATO requirements and that no security gaps arise for NATO." Earlier this week, Germany said it would "contribute to providing" five Patriot missile defense systems to Ukraine. Anne Applebaum is an award-winning historian, writer, and publicist. In an interview with DW, she shared her insights on Russian President Vladimir Putin's goals in Ukraine. She also explained what she thinks the West doesn't understand about Putin, and vice versa. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Russia said the direct talks in Istanbul later on Wednesday with Ukrainian officials will be "very difficult." "Indeed, our delegation has left for Istanbul, and talks are indeed scheduled for this evening... No one expects an easy road. It will be very difficult," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told journalists, with French news agency AFP reporting on the comments. Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Russia is seeking to solidify its control over areas in eastern Ukraine, whereas Ukraine wants Russian troops to leave those regions and to stop the invasion to ensure peace. Ukraine's air force has lost one of its French Mirage fighter jets, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, attributing the loss to technical failure. In a video message on X, Zelenskyy said the pilot had ejected safely and there were no injuries or fatalities from the incident. He also clarified that it was not caused by Russian forces. Meanwhile the Ukrainian Air Force said: "The pilot reported a failure of aviation equipment to the flight director. He then acted competently, as is expected in a crisis situation, and successfully ejected." The fighter jet was part of an undisclosed number of Mirages France delivered to Ukraine in February, an important addition to the war-ravaged nation's defenses against Russian drones and missiles. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said that sanctioning Russian oil in a bid to end the war in Ukraine is a "very real possibility," while speaking to broadcaster Fox News. This comes after President Donald Trump said Washington could put 100% tariffs on Russian oil, among other sanctions, if Moscow does not agree on a peace deal with Ukraine before September. "It is huge pressure on Russia. That's the biggest pressure you can put on them," Wright said in the interview. The EU and the US already have some sanctions on Russian energy enterprises but Russia has managed to sell most of its oil via so-called 'shadow fleets' of oil tankers operating around the globe under other country's flags. Wright said a higher level of sanctions was now possible becasue the US has become the world's top producer of oil and gas. "We're able to do things that we couldn't do before," he said. China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao has registered "solemn representations" to his EU counterpart as the bloc included two Chinese banks in its latest round of sanctions on Russia over the war in Ukraine. The objections were expressed in a "candid and in-depth" video call with EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic on Tuesday, Beijing said. The comments come a day before EU heads Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen will arrive in Beijing for talks with Chinese leaders over sensitive issues like trade and the war in Ukraine. China has called the sanctions on its banks "groundless" and lacking a basis in international law. China's economic relations with Moscow have deepened significantly since the war in Ukraine began in 2022, which Brussles believes is instrumental in supporting Russia's economy weather the war under sweeping western sanctions. China has denied the claim. Thousands of people gathered in Kyiv and other cities across Ukraine late on Tuesday after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a controversial bill to limit the autonomy of two anti-corruption bodies. The changes grant the prosecutor general new authority over investigations and cases handled by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO). Critics, including some EU officials, say the move will significantly weaken the independence of the two agencies and give Zelenskyy's circle greater sway over investigations. "In effect, if this bill becomes law, the head of SAPO will become a nominal figure, while NABU will lose its independence and turn into a subdivision of the prosecutor general's office," the two agencies said in a joint statement on Telegram. Tuesday's protest was unusual as most other wartime rallies focused on securing the return of captured soldiers or missing people. The protesters held signs that read "Veto the law" and "Protect the anti-corruption system, protect Ukraine's future," among other slogans. "Corruption is a problem in any country, and it must always be fought," said Ihor Lachenkov, a blogger and activist who urged more than a million online followers to join the protests. "Ukraine has far fewer resources than Russia in this war," he said. "If we misuse them, or worse, allow them to end up in the pockets of thieves, our chances of victory diminish. All our resources must go toward the fight." Officials from Ukraine and Russia are set to meet for a third round of talks in Istanbul on Wednesday. But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dampened expectations, saying the talks would likely focus on another round of prisoner of war swaps rather than details of a ceasefire. "We need more momentum in the negotiations to end the war," Zelenskyy told diplomats in Kyiv on Monday. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also said that "major diplomatic work" was still needed in order to negotiate a ceasefire. A key point of contention is Kyiv's calls for an unconditional ceasefire, as opposed to Russia maintaining its maximum demands that include the complete withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the eastern regions of the country Moscow illegally annexed. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Welcome to DW's coverage of the latest developments in Russia's war in Ukraine. Ukrainian and Russian delegations are set to meet in Istanbul for a fresh round of ceasefire talks on Wednesday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the meeting would focus on exchanging prisoners of war rather than ending the conflict. Separately, Zelenskyy signed a new law restricting autonomy of Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies, sparking rare protests in Kyiv. Stay tuned for the latest news and analysis from the ongoing war.