Ex-UK leader Truss to urge tougher China stance in Tokyo
LONDON — (AP) — Former British Prime Minister Liz Truss will join the former leaders of Australia and Belgium at a conference in Tokyo later this month to call for a tougher international approach to China. Former Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, who is also a European Parliament lawmaker, will attend as well. Truss is expected to address growing concerns over Beijing's threats to Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory. Truss has kept out of the public eye since she quit as Conservative British prime minister in October after just 45 days in office, following an ill-conceived economic plan she unveiled that triggered a political and financial crisis. Her successor, current British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, has rejected "grand rhetoric" against China and wants a more "pragmatic" relationship with Beijing.
wftv.com5 Ukrainian civilians killed as warring sides mull next move
KYIV, Ukraine — (AP) — Fighting remained largely deadlocked Monday in eastern Ukraine where Russian shelling killed five civilians over the past day, according to Ukrainian officials, as the warring sides sized up their needs for renewed military pushes expected in coming weeks. The casualties included a woman who was killed and three others who were wounded by the Russian shelling of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city in the country’s northeast, regional Gov. The alliance's secretary-general, Jens Stoltenberg, on Monday called for South Korea to send direct military support to Ukraine, too. With more talk of military aid from Ukraine’s allies, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov insisted Western weapons won’t stop Russia. Ukrainian authorities said the southern city of Kherson also has come under Russian shelling.
wftv.com5 Ukrainian civilians killed as warring sides mull next move
KYIV, Ukraine — (AP) — Fighting remained largely deadlocked Monday in eastern Ukraine where Russian shelling killed five civilians over the past day, according to Ukrainian officials, as the warring sides sized up their needs for renewed military pushes expected in coming weeks. The casualties included a woman who was killed and three others who were wounded by the Russian shelling of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city in the country’s northeast, regional Gov. The alliance's Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Monday called for South Korea to send direct military support to Ukraine, too. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov insisted Western weapons won’t stop Russia. Ukrainian authorities said the southern city of Kherson also has come under Russian shelling.
wftv.comRussian shelling kills 5 in tough eastern Ukraine combat
KYIV, Ukraine — (AP) — Russian shelling killed at least five people and wounded 13 others during the previous 24 hours, Ukrainian authorities said Monday, as the Kremlin’s and Kyiv’s forces remained locked in combat in eastern Ukraine ahead of renewed military pushes that are expected when the weather improves. The casualties included a woman who was killed and three others who were wounded by the Russian shelling of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city in the country’s northeast, according to regional Gov. Moscow's troops seized large areas of the northeastern Kharkiv region in the months following its invasion of its neighbor last February. Ukrainian authorities said the southern city of Kherson also has come under Russian shelling. ___Follow AP's coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraineCopyright 2023 The Associated Press.
wftv.comThe West finally commits tanks to Ukraine. It took a lot of arm-twisting.
Only a week ago, Defense Department official Colin Kahl ruled out supplying the tanks to Ukraine, citing exactly these reasons. The pledge emphasized the importance of supplying modern Western battle tanks to Ukraine, adding to the pressure on Berlin to follow. Schröder continued to tout his friendship with Putin even as the bloody Ukraine war dragged on. And his election in December 2021 was not a given.”By requiring America act first on sending tanks to Ukraine, Scholz indemnified himself to criticism at home, while beefing up Ukraine’s offensive capability abroad. Russian military analysts were now "going through five stages of grief," Zhivov said.
wftv.comUS, Germany sending battle tanks to aid Ukraine war effort
The U.S. decision follows Germany agreeing to send 14 Leopard 2 A6 tanks from its own stocks. “German main battle tanks, further broadening of defense support and training missions, green light for partners to supply similar weapons. “German-made tanks will face off against Russian tanks in Ukraine once more,” he said, adding that this was “not an easy thought” for Germany, which takes its responsibility for the horrors of World War II seriously. Scholz sought to reassure people in his country who were concerned about the implications of sending tanks to Ukraine. "Together, we are accelerating our efforts to ensure Ukraine wins this war and secures a lasting peace,” Sunak said on Twitter.
wftv.comBiden announces U.S. will send 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine
Speaking at the White House on Wednesday, President Biden said the U.S. will send 31 Abrams tanks to support Ukraine in its battle against Russia’s invasion. In his remarks, Biden also praised German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for agreeing to contribute tanks to support Ukraine, saying, “Germany has really stepped up.”
news.yahoo.comPutin Lackeys Lose Their Minds Over Ukraine Getting Battle Tanks
GettyIt didn’t take long for Russian officials to start foaming at the mouth and ranting about global conspiracies after Germany agreed to deliver its Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine on Wednesday.After weeks of resistance, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced that, along with allies, the country would provide 88 of the battle tanks to Ukraine, effectively giving Kyiv more firepower to launch new offensives. The Biden administration was also expected to announce a deal to send 30 M1 Abrams t
news.yahoo.comGermany agrees to send tanks to Ukraine; US expected to announce it will send Abrams tanks
Both the United States and Germany are planning to send tanks to Ukraine to aid in its fight against Russia, according to The Associated Press. >> Read more trending newsGermany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced Wednesday that Germany had decided to not only send 14 of its Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine but to allow other nations that have the Leopard tanks to send their own. Poland, which is planning to send 14 Leopard tanks, had threatened to do so with or without Berlin’s permission. The decision to send the Abrams tanks comes just days after the Biden administration argued against sending the tanks. Germany has said for weeks that it would not send the Leopard tanks if the US does not send Abrams to Ukraine.
wftv.comAfter US offer, Germany unleashes Leopard tanks for Ukraine
In a statement, the German government said it would initially provide Ukraine with one company of Leopard 2 A6 tanks, which comprises 14 vehicles, from its own stocks. The goal is for Germany and its allies to provide Ukraine with a total of two battalions, or 88 tanks. Scholz had insisted that any decision to provide Ukraine with powerful Leopard 2 tanks would need to be taken in conjunction with Germany's allies, chiefly the United States. “German-made tanks will face off against Russian tanks in Ukraine once more,” he said, adding that this was “not an easy thought” for Germany, which takes its responsibility for the horrors of World War II seriously. The pressure on Scholz mounted this week after Poland formally asked Germany to approve sending Leopard 2 tanks from Polish stocks to Ukraine.
wftv.comGermany agrees to provide Ukraine with advanced battle tanks
BERLIN — (AP) — The German government has confirmed it will provide Ukraine with Leopard 2 battle tanks and approve requests by other countries to do the same. In a statement, the government said it will initially provide Ukraine with one company of Leopard 2 A6 tanks, which comprises 14 vehicles, from its own stocks. The goal is to provide Ukraine with a total of two battalions together with other countries. Scholz had insisted that any move to provide Ukraine with powerful Leopard 2 tanks would need to be closely coordinated with Germany's allies, chiefly the United States. The pressure on Scholz mounted this week after Poland formally asked Germany to approve sending Leopard 2 tanks from Polish stocks to Ukraine.
wftv.comGermany's Scholz to unveil Ukraine tank plan to parliament
BERLIN — (AP) — After weeks of hesitation that saw growing impatience among Germany's allies, Chancellor Olaf Scholz was expected to announce Wednesday that his government will approve supplying German-made battle tanks to Ukraine. Scholz had insisted that any move to provide Ukraine with powerful Leopard 2 tanks would need to be closely coordinated with Germany's allies, chiefly the United States. By getting Washington to commit some of its own tanks Berlin hopes to spread the risk of any backlash from Russia. The pressure on Scholz mounted this week after Poland formally asked Germany to approve sending Leopard 2 tanks from Polish stocks to Ukraine. Germany news weekly Der Spiegel reported that Berlin could initially approve the supply of one tank company, comprising 14 vehicles.
wftv.comIn reversal, US poised to approve Abrams tanks for Ukraine
In what would be a reversal, the Biden administration is poised to approve sending M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, U.S. officials said Tuesday, as international reluctance to send tanks to the battlefront against the Russians begins to erode. The decision could be announced as soon as Wednesday, though it could take months or years for the tanks to be delivered. U.S. officials said details are still being worked out.
news.yahoo.comFrance, Germany renew alliance strained amid war in Ukraine
PARIS — (AP) — France and Germany are seeking to overcome differences laid bare by Russia's war in Ukraine and shore up their alliance with a day of ceremonies and talks Sunday on Europe's security, energy and other challenges. French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will oversee two rounds of talks at the Elysee Palace, focusing first on energy and economic policy, and then on defense. France wants Europe to counter what it considers an unfair move by Washington. On defense, the neighbors are expected to discuss military aid to Ukraine, according to French and German officials who weren't authorized to be publicly named according to their governments' policies. Both countries have contributed significant weaponry, but Ukraine is asking for tanks and more powerful arms as Russia’s war drags on.
wftv.comGerman caution on Ukraine arms rooted in political culture
Berlin’s perceived foot-dragging, most recently on the Leopard 2 battle tanks that Kyiv has long sought, is rooted at least partly in a post-World War II political culture of military caution, along with present-day worries about a possible escalation in the war. It's a pattern that has been repeated over the months as Scholz first held off pledging new, heavier equipment, then eventually agreed to do so. As pressure mounted last week, he declared that he wouldn't be rushed into important security decisions by "excited comments." Berlin kept up its caution on the Leopard tank even after Britain announced last week that it would provide Ukraine its own Challenger 2 tanks. On Friday, Scholz's spokesman, Steffen Hebestreit, denied reports that Germany had insisted it would only deliver Leopard tanks if the U.S. sends its own Abrams tanks.
wftv.comGerman caution on Ukraine arms rooted in political culture
Germany has become one of Ukraine’s leading weapons suppliers in the 11 months since Russia’s invasion, but Chancellor Olaf Scholz also has gained a reputation for hesitating to take each new step — generating impatience among allies
washingtonpost.comGerman caution on Ukraine arms rooted in political culture
Germany has become one of Ukraine's leading weapons suppliers in the 11 months since Russia's invasion, but Chancellor Olaf Scholz also has gained a reputation for hesitating to take each new step — generating impatience among allies. Berlin’s perceived foot-dragging, most recently on the Leopard 2 battle tanks that Kyiv has long sought, is rooted at least partly in a post-World War II political culture of military caution, along with present-day worries about a possible escalation in the war. On Friday, Germany inched closer to a decision to deliver the tanks, ordering a review of its Leopard stocks in preparation for a possible green light.
news.yahoo.comHow Germany's 'Doctor No' disrupted allied unity on tanks for Ukraine
On Jan. 4th, Paris announced it would be sending “light tanks” in the form of AMX-10RC heavy reconnaissance vehicles to Kyiv. Although Ukraine still has a large number of ex-Soviet tanks in its arsenal, the strains of war have taken a heavy toll over the past year. The promise of the British tanks was welcomed by Kyiv, even if the motive behind it was tacitly conditioned on a third party’s willingness to follow through. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius told journalists at the conference, "we will make our decisions as soon as possible." This evening , German protesters took to the streets of Berlin, many draped in Ukrainian flags, demanding the government send the tanks.
wftv.comUkraine, climate, economy: Takeaways from glitzy Davos event
The meeting perennially draws criticism as a hub of power-mongers and money-grubbers seeking to rule the world, and this year was no exception. Some deep-pocketed execs shell out upward of $1 million a year to be members of the WEF club. It's anybody's guess whether an event that churns up pledges, promises and partnerships to help realize the forum's ambition of improving the world will bring any concrete progress. The activists slammed the heavy-hitters at Davos for prioritizing short-term profits from fossil fuels over people affected by the climate crisis. It added a bookend: Dozens of climate activists — some with clown makeup — braved snowfall to demonstrate Sunday.
wftv.comGermany to appoint regional official as defense minister
BERLIN — (AP) — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will appoint a regional official as the new defense minister following the resignation of the much-criticized Christine Lambrecht, the dpa news agency reported Tuesday. The defense minister-designate, Boris Pistorius, is a member of Scholz’ Social Democrats, and has been serving as interior minister of Lower Saxony since 2013. Pistorius completed his military service from 1980 to 1981, then studied law in the western German towns of Osnabrueck and Muenster. Lambrecht had been defense minister since Scholz became chancellor in December 2021. Earlier this month, Germany agreed to provide 40 Marder armored personnel carriers and a Patriot air defense missile battery to Kyiv.
wftv.comLive updates | World Economic Forum gathering in Davos
DAVOS, Switzerland — (AP) — The Latest on the World Economic Forum gathering in Davos, Switzerland:Polish President Andrzej Duda is predicting that the German government will agree one day to send powerful Leopard tanks to Ukraine, citing Germany’s membership in NATO and rising public support for Ukrainians beleaguered by Russia’s war. The Polish leader quipped during a panel at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Tuesday: “We don’t mention that Ukraine will win this war, we mention that Ukraine will not lose this war,” before chuckling. Scholz, who is speaking at Davos on Wednesday, has said Germany will “weigh every step carefully” and consult with its allies on further weapons deliveries to Ukraine. Duda also said German public opinion was becoming “stronger and stronger and stronger” in favor of Ukraine, and he hoped that would result in the “very needed decision” to send Leopards to Ukraine. ___KEY DEVELOPMENTS:— Ukraine's first lady to speak on the first big day in Davos— Online conspiracy theories target World Economic Forum— Business trusted most in a more polarized world, report says— Anti-poverty group urges windfall tax on food company profitsFollow AP's coverage of the World Economic Forum meeting at https://apnews.com/hub/world-economic-forumCopyright 2023 The Associated Press.
wftv.comGermany's defense minister resigns amid Ukraine criticism
BERLIN — (AP) — Germany’s much-criticized defense minister announced her resignation Monday following a series of missteps while her department steers the massive project of modernizing the country’s military and oversees expanding weapons deliveries to Ukraine. The 57-year-old Lambrecht had been defense minister since Scholz became chancellor in December 2021. But Scholz stood by her, describing her last month as “a first-class defense minister.” Pressure on her mounted recently after an ill-judged New Year's video message. Lambrecht was then-Finance Minister Scholz’s deputy before being appointed justice minister in 2019. Last month, Lambrecht dismissed suggestions that the government had been too slow to get going on its spending drive.
wftv.comTakeaways: Bold proposals and 'net zero' criticism at COP27
The second day of leaders' speeches at the UN's climate conference included bold proposals, recommendations to crack down and standardize “net zero” claims and continued discussion about the situation of a jailed pro-democracy activist who is on a hunger and water strike.
Chinese officials signal no change to 'zero-COVID' policy
Chinese health officials are giving no indication of any relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions following several days of speculation that the government was considering changes to a “zero-COVID” approach that has stymied economic growth and disrupted daily life.
G7 foreign ministers set to grapple with Ukraine war, China
Top diplomats from the world’s major industrialized democracies will grapple with the implications of Russia’s war in Ukraine, China’s growing economic clout and aims on Taiwan and Iran’s treatment of anti-government protesters when they open two days of talks in Germany this week.
German leader urges climate activists not to endanger others
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is urging climate activists to show “creativity” and avoid endangering others after attacking art works and setting up blockades that allegedly delayed the arrival of a specialist rescue crew at an accident scene.