September 14, 2023

Ukrainian war in live ticker
+++ 01:52 Baerbock: Pilot training in Texas is important for European security +++

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock hailed the training of German Bundeswehr pilots in the US state of Texas as an important contribution to the security of Germany, Europe and NATO. Without training at joint NATO bases, “we will not be able to further strengthen security here in Europe,” the Green politician said during a visit to the Federal Air Forces Tactical Training Command in Wichita Falls, Texas. German jet pilots had been trained at Wichita Falls since 1966. In 1981, the program was expanded to include prospective pilots from other NATO countries.

+++ 00:39 Minister: Russian attacks damaged 105 port facilities in 2 months +++
Since Russia withdrew from a grain agreement with Ukraine in July, attacks on Ukrainian ports have damaged or partially destroyed 105 port infrastructure facilities. That’s what he reported “Independent Kyiv” quoted Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakow. According to the minister, grain exports to Asia, Africa and Europe have fallen by almost three million tons per month due to attacks on ports on the Danube and the blockade of ports by Russia, the minister said. Kubrakow emphasized on his Facebook page that the ports needed a “robust air defense system” because otherwise the consequences of an attack could be worse.

+++ 23:42 Russia sentences two Ukrainian soldiers to long prison terms +++
A Russian-appointed court in eastern Ukraine has sentenced two Ukrainian soldiers to long-term prison sentences. According to the Russian Investigative Committee, a court in the Donetsk region sentenced the two men to 29 years in prison for allegedly killing civilians. The two soldiers are accused of opening fire on a car containing two unarmed civilians. Both inmates died immediately, explained the Investigative Committee, which is responsible for serious crimes in Russia. The soldiers then shot two unarmed civilians in the street, killing one of them. The third Azov soldier was reportedly sentenced to 24 years in prison in absentia. He was accused of shooting at an aid distribution point.

+++ 22:48 Zelenskyj could meet Lavrov in New York next week +++
UN Secretary General António Guterres predicted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj’s first visit to New York since the start of Russia’s war of aggression for the upcoming general debate at the UN General Assembly. “I will receive President Zelensky,” Guterres said. However, the 74-year-old Portuguese is not expecting any political breakthrough at the world’s biggest diplomatic meeting – which is also expected to be attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. “I would like the opportunity to mediate, to have peace talks – but I think we are still far from that,” Guterres said. Zelensky’s participation in New York has long been expected, but the Ukrainian has not publicly announced his travel plans. Starting Monday, more than 140 heads of state and government are expected to attend the UN headquarters in New York’s East River; the debate begins on Tuesday and lasts for a week. Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Minister of Foreign Affairs Annalena Baerbock will also attend the event. It is highly anticipated whether Zelenskyj will be able to meet Lavrov on the sidelines of the debate or at the UN Security Council meeting on Wednesday.

+++ 22:02 EU removes three Russian oligarchs from sanctions list +++
The European Union lifted sanctions imposed on three Russian businessmen because of Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine. As confirmed by EU diplomats, businessmen Grigory Bereskin, Farhad Akhmedov and Alexander Shulgin have been removed from the sanctions list. European Union sanctions against around 1,600 businesses and other institutions due to the war in Ukraine will be extended for six months. Sanctions include login bans and account freezes. Several Russian oligarchs have sued to keep them off the EU sanctions list.

+++ 21:20 Hungary wants to maintain Ukrainian wheat import ban +++
To protect its agriculture, Hungary wanted to prevent future supplies of cheap Ukrainian wheat to its country. Therefore, the government asked the EU Commission to extend the relevant regulations that were due to expire on September 15, Chancellor of the Exchequer Gergely Gulyas said at a press conference in Budapest. The regulations allow eastern EU members Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria to block markets for wheat, corn, rapeseed and sunflowers from Ukraine. At the same time, the Hungarian government made it clear that it intends to independently implement an import ban on Ukrainian agricultural products if the EU does not maintain existing regulations. “If necessary, we will expand and broaden the ban on imports of Ukrainian agricultural products within the competence of our country,” Agriculture Minister Istvan Nagy said on his Facebook page.

+++ 20:46 Kiev: Russia launches a hurricane attack near Avdiivka and Mariinka +++
Ukraine’s military reports increased Russian attacks on its front lines in the eastern Donetsk region. “If we talk about the East, then the situation in Maryinka and Avdiivka is getting worse,” Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maljar said on Ukrainian state television. “Russia has stepped up attacks there. They also launched attacks there.” At the same time, Maljar stressed that the Russian army had been trying in vain to capture both places for about a year.

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