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Russia Today
3 days ago
- Business
- Russia Today
Defeating Russia impossible
It has been clear from the very beginning of the Ukraine conflict that Russia cannot be defeated, particularly due to its nuclear status, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has told the SZ newspaper. Kiev's Western backers, including top officials in Germany, France, and the UK, as well as the US under former President Joe Biden's administration, repeatedly stated the intent to inflict a 'strategic defeat' on Moscow in the Ukraine conflict, or at least to ensure that it does not emerge victorious. That justification has been used to support continued military assistance to Kiev. Wadephul admitted on Friday that it was obvious the conflict between Moscow and Kiev can only be resolved in a diplomatic way. 'It was clear from the beginning that this war would most likely end through a negotiated settlement,' Germany's top diplomat told SZ in a lengthy interview. 'One thing is true: a complete defeat in the sense of a capitulation by nuclear-armed Russia could not have been expected,' the minister stated, adding that 'we have now become a little more honest' in this regard. He still maintained that Kiev's troops have been 'successfully defending' against Moscow's forces, although the Ukrainian military has been losing ground along the entire front over the past several months. The foreign minister maintained it was important to help Kiev get a 'strong negotiating position' at peace talks and claimed that Russia was 'threatening' Germany as he justified a planned military buildup and increase in defense expenditures. He also said that relations between Moscow and Berlin could no longer be described as a 'clear peace situation.' Berlin has taken an even more hardline position on Russia under new Chancellor Friedrich Merz. In the weeks since taking office, Merz has lifted range restrictions on Ukrainian strikes with German-supplied missiles and hinted at the possibility of providing Kiev with Taurus missiles, which have a range of 500km and could reach Moscow. Germany has also announced a new military aid package for Kiev worth €5.2 billion ($5.6 billion), which Berlin says would be allocated mostly to long-range weaponry production inside Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reacted to Merz's statements by saying that Berlin's 'direct involvement in the war is now obvious.' Germany already followed a similar 'slippery slope' a couple of times in the last century 'down toward its own collapse,' he added.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Taurus missiles for Ukraine 'within the realm of possibility,' Germany's Merz says
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on May 28 that a potential delivery of Taurus cruise missiles for Ukraine is not being ruled out. "Of course, that's within the realm of possibility," Merz said on air on ZDF TV channel when asked about the possibility of Taurus deliveries for Kyiv. The chancellor nevertheless emphasized that using the missiles would require a lengthy training period, potentially taking "several months of training for soldiers in Ukraine." The comments come after Merz hosted President Volodymyr Zelensky in Berlin on May 28. During the visit, the German government announced 5 billion euros ($5.6 billion) in new military assistance and financial support for the Ukrainian long-range missiles program. Merz made no new announcements about a delivery of Taurus missiles. Zelensky's visit was accompanied by fresh speculations about a possible policy reversal, as Merz declared earlier this week that Germany and other Western partners have lifted all range restrictions on arms provided to Kyiv. The chancellor later clarified he was referring to a decision made "many months ago." Talking to ZDF, Merz said that a delivery within six months or a year would be of no use to Ukraine today, which is why Berlin is focusing on improving Ukraine's current military position. Before becoming chancellor, Merz, elected for the CDU/CSU conservative alliance, signaled he would overturn the ban of his predecessor, Social Democrat Olaf Scholz, on delivering Taurus to Ukraine. The Taurus is a powerful cruise missile capable of striking targets at a distance of 500 kilometers (300 miles), more than the long-range capabilities Ukraine received from other partners. Ukraine has been using U.S.-made ATACMS for over a year, and U.K.-French Storm Shadow/SCALP for more than two, initially being allowed to deploy them only against Russian targets on Ukrainian territory. Only in late 2024, the Biden administration and other allies eased the restrictions, allowing Ukraine to use long-range missiles against Russian military targets on Russian territory. In range, speed, and payload, Taurus much resembles the Storm Shadow, which is made by Taurus' manufacturer, MBDA's French affiliate. The primary distinction for Taurus is in the design of the actual warhead — Taurus can be programmed to explode after hitting a specific target, such as a bunker. Read also: Germany to help finance Ukrainian-made long-range systems We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
ABC News
19-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
US officials frustrated Australia sending Abrams tanks to Ukraine
American officials remain privately frustrated over Australia's decision to donate retired Abrams tanks to Ukraine, even as the vehicles finally begin the long sea journey to the battleground. During an overnight meeting in Rome, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Prime Minister Anthony Albanese after he confirmed the fleet of second-hand M1A1 vehicles was on the way. The ABC has confirmed that the process of loading the first of the 49 vehicles onto a cargo ship began recently, but the government will not discuss their current location or expected arrival date in Europe for "security reasons". Before the shipping process could begin, Australia had to wait for Washington's approval to export the US-made tanks to a third country, which was granted despite American officials remaining privately frustrated about the donation. "Last year, even before Donald Trump returned as president, we warned the Australians that sending these Abrams tanks would be complicated, and once they finally get to the battlefield the Ukrainians will find them difficult to sustain," one US official told the ABC, speaking on the condition of anonymity. Last month an Australian Defence official said there were some concerns that sending the large tanks to Ukraine was not the best way to provide military assistance to the war-torn country. "We are starting to doubt if the Ukrainians actually want these vehicles. The tank roof is the weakest point of the Abrams and this is a drone war," the official said. Earlier this year, operations at a key logistics hub in Poland that will eventually receive the Australian Abrams tanks were stalled after Mr Trump suspended military aid to Ukraine. But the facility has now returned to normal business. In April, a Defence Department spokesperson told the ABC: "Australia remains on target to meet the delivery of the M1A1 Abrams in 2025, the M1A1 export process remains ongoing." "Defence continues to work with the Ukrainian government in line with agreed arrangements for the gifting, including on delivery and sustainment," the spokesperson added. In 2024, the Albanese government also faced widespread criticism for not agreeing to a Ukrainian request to donate the Australian retired fleet of advanced Taipan helicopters, which Defence insisted would be too complicated for Ukraine to operate and maintain.
