Ukraine war in live ticker: +++ 01:02 Norwegian army comments on Russian and Ukrainian losses +++

23.01.2023

Ukraine war in live ticker
+++ 01:02 Norwegian military comments on Russian and Ukrainian losses +++

According to Norwegian estimates, nearly 180,000 Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded in Ukraine so far. On the Ukrainian side, more than 100,000 soldiers are believed to be dead or wounded, Chief of Staff Eirik Kristoffersen told Norwegian broadcaster TV2. Also, 30,000 Ukrainian civilians have been killed so far. The general did not explain how the numbers were calculated.

+++ 23:49 Pistorius: Germany not isolated for tank deliveries +++
According to Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, Germany is not alone in the question of the delivery of “Leopard 2” battle tanks to Ukraine. “Germany is not isolated there,” said the SPD politician at ARD, referring to Friday’s meeting of Ukraine’s military partners. The concept picture is not the same as it is sometimes portrayed. The decision is difficult and should be taken carefully. Germany has already provided 3.3 billion euros worth of weapons to Russia-hit Ukraine, with only Great Britain and the United States doing more. The “Leopard” decision will be taken in the President’s House.

+++ 22:10 EU proposes military aid to Ukraine +++
EU foreign ministers will discuss increasing military aid to Ukraine on Monday. Another tranche of 500 million euros for joint arms purchases for Ukraine is under discussion. Kiev’s request for German “Leopard” battle tanks could also be dealt with via video conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.

+++ 21:43 SPD division chief urges moderation in tank dispute +++
SPD leader Rolf Mützenich has again backed Chancellor Olaf Scholz in the dispute over the delivery of key battle tanks to Ukraine. Statements by coalition members about the president in recent weeks have weakened the government’s policies, says Mützenich in ZDF’s “heute journal”. “I held back for a long time, but over the weekend I found this criticism overwhelming, especially from a colleague who heads the security team.” FDP defense expert Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann publicly attacked Scholz over the controversy over battle tanks. He described the president’s communication on the tank issue as “disastrous”.

+++ 21:10 Baerbach: “Leopard” does not block deliveries from other countries +++
Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbach says that Germany will not prevent the export of “Leopard” tanks from third countries to Ukraine. “At the moment the question has not been asked, but if we are asked, we will not stand in the way,” the Green politician told French broadcaster LCI. She was also asked what would happen if Poland supplied Ukraine with “Leopard” tanks. Baerbock follows the trend of Robert Habeck, who has already made similar statements. Ultimately, however, the decision will be made by chancellor Olaf Scholes. So far, the SPD politician has been more cautious on such issues than many Greens and FDP traffic light colleagues.

+++ 8:50 p.m. Dijr-Sarai: “Leopard” tank deliveries must be completed immediately +++
FDP General Secretary Bijan Djir-Sarai has called on his party’s traffic light coalition with the SPD and the Greens to speed up the question of whether Germany should deliver “Leopard 2” battle tanks to Ukraine. It should now be decided in the next few days or weeks, he says on ZDF. Ukraine has no time for long discussions. The test should now be completed.

Read the previous developments of the war in Ukraine Here.