The British expected Russia to fail

Day 314 since the start of the war: Ursula van der Leyen hints at another trip to the Ukraine. Russia acknowledges numerous deaths. All information on news blog.

3:59 pm: According to reports from Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov briefed his Israeli counterpart, Eli Cohen, on the course of the Ukraine war. In addition to bilateral relations and the situation in the Middle East, the call dealt with “individual aspects of the situation in Ukraine in connection with the special military operation conducted by Russia,” according to a Russian Foreign Ministry press release on Tuesday. .

It was the first meeting between the two top diplomats since Israel’s new right-wing government took office at the end of December. The call came amid Western criticism that Israel could reverse course under Benjamin Netanyahu on Ukraine policy. Although Tel Aviv declared its strict neutrality when the war broke out, the government later showed greater solidarity with the invaded Ukraine, although it did not supply any weapons.

That could change under Netanyahu, who calls Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin his friend. This is also indicated by Cohen’s statements that the government will comment less on the conflict in Ukraine in the future. The US Senate has already criticized Israel’s self-restraint.

3:37 pm: The next high-level meeting between the European Union and Ukraine will be held on February 3, according to the Office of the President of Ukraine in Kyiv. The European Union confirmed the date on Tuesday, but not the venue.

A spokesman for EU Council President Charles Michel, who attended the meeting, said: “I cannot yet confirm the location. Apart from Michel, Commission President Ursula van der Leyen will also be attending the meeting on behalf of the EU, the spokesman added. The summit between the EU and Ukraine is the start of the annual Ukraine war. previously held.

In December, a spokesman said Zelensky had received a “standing invitation” from the EU to visit Brussels. Zelenskyj has traveled out of the country only once since Russia’s war of aggression began in late February: in December he met US President Joe Biden in Washington.

1:06 pm: Dozens of Russian soldiers reportedly killed in blast in eastern Ukraine Information about the dead varies – which causes trouble in Russia. Read more here.

11.20 am: According to British military experts, a major Russian military advance near the Ukrainian city of Baghmut is unlikely in the coming weeks. This emerged from the Defense Ministry’s daily intelligence update in London on Tuesday.

Ukrainian troops have strengthened their positions. As a result, Russian attacks have subsided recently – after reaching a temporary peak in mid-December. Both sides suffered heavy damage, the statement said.

6.30 am: More than ten months after the start of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, Saarland Prime Minister Anke Rehlinger (SPD) believes there is no end to the fighting. “We all very much hope that this war will end better today than tomorrow,” he told the German Press Agency in Saarbrucken. “Above all, of course, in the interests of Ukrainians.”

At this point, however, it is unclear when and how the war will end. “Putin has to lose this war, he’s already lost morally. He’s a war criminal who doesn’t shy away from terror against civilians,” Rehlinger said.