This is the most important news
- Der Spiegel: Chinese company in talks with Russia for the supply of drones
- China calls on Russia and Ukraine to start peace talks as soon as possible
- Thousands of Ukrainians commemorate the start of the war in Jaarbeurs
Eichelsheim: The Ukrainians also trained on Dutch soil
03:54 | The Dutch military not only trains Ukrainian soldiers abroad, but also on Dutch soil. Armed Forces Commander Onno Eichelsheim confirms this in De Telegraaf. He doesn’t want to talk about it too much in the newspaper, because he’s afraid people will go to the barracks to look.
The general says the training of the Ukrainians includes several aspects related to the weapons and vehicles that the Netherlands supplies to Ukraine. “It happens in various locations. Think about medical education or vehicle training. Of course we are preparing Ukrainians for tank deliveries,” Eichelsheim told De Telegraaf. “We are involving personnel who have previously worked with this weapon. They prepare training sessions.’
De Telegraaf reports on the basis of sources that these would be exercises with, among other things, the Fennek reconnaissance vehicle. Ukrainians in Amersfoort would also learn how to operate tanks and armored vehicles in combat situations.
Earlier this week it was announced that the Ministry of Defense is making around 230 additional troops available to train Ukrainian soldiers and officers in Germany. Dutch soldiers also provide training to Ukrainians in Britain. Courses include medical training, drone use, demining, and driving and navigation drills.
China: not to use nuclear weapons in the war in Ukraine
03:47 | China on Friday called on Russia and Ukraine to start peace talks as soon as possible. It also unequivocally rejected the use of nuclear weapons in warfare: “Nuclear weapons must not be used and nuclear wars must not be fought,” the Chinese statement said. These and other observations are contained in a 12-point document on the ‘political composition’ of the crisis. The document was released on Friday, timed to coincide with the date of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine exactly one year ago.
“All sides should support Russia and Ukraine to work in the same direction and resume direct dialogue as soon as possible,” the document read on China’s foreign ministry website. The main points, according to China, are aimed at a gradual de-escalation to eventually reach a ceasefire.
The list of points that China presents includes countermeasures that have not been approved by the United Nations Security Council. The development and use of biological weapons should also be prohibited. Furthermore, China wants to ensure the safety of nuclear power plants. According to China, the security of one country should not come at the expense of the security of other countries. Dialogue and negotiations are therefore the only way out of the Ukrainian crisis, he believes.
China wants to position itself as a neutral party while maintaining close ties with strategic ally Russia. Chinese diplomat Wang Yi met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and President Putin in Moscow on Wednesday. Following its visit, Moscow said Beijing had given its opinion on how to approach a “political solution” to the conflict.
Ukrainian President Zelensky said on Thursday he had not seen a Chinese peace plan and wanted to meet with Beijing about their proposal before reviewing it. “I think overall it’s a very good thing that China has started talking about Ukraine and sending some signals,” Zelensky said. “We will draw some conclusions after seeing the details of what they offer. We would like to meet China.’
Thousands of Ukrainians commemorate the start of the war in Jaarbeurs
03:30 | 5,000 Ukrainians will commemorate the start of the war a year ago at the Jaarbeurs on Friday. Refugees from all over the country gather in Utrecht. Other places in the country are also reflecting on the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The Jaarbeurs include video messages from Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski and Prime Minister Mark Rutte. Other speakers include Secretary of State Eric van der Burg (Security), Mayor Sharon Dijksma of Utrecht and Ambassador of Ukraine Maksym Kononenko. The day ends with the national anthem.
There will be a commemorative march in Eline Vere Park in The Hague on Friday afternoon and people will also take to the streets in Amsterdam. For example, the Stop the War Amsterdam peace platform is demonstrating at the Russian consulate on Museumplein and there is a demonstration from the same square leading to Dam Square. This is followed by a demonstration with various speakers, such as Deputy Mayor Rutger Groot Wassink from Amsterdam.
There are also meetings with Ukrainian refugees in other places in the country, prayers for peace are held in various churches and in the evening the bells are rung in more than fifty cities in the Netherlands.
Zelensky: Situation in southern Ukraine rather dangerous
01:15 | The military situation in southern Ukraine is quite dangerous in places, while conditions in the east are very difficult, President Volodimir Zelensky said in a video address on Friday.
Zelensky, speaking exactly one year after the Russian invasion, said Russian troops had once again shelled the southern city of Kherson, cutting off the heat of 40,000 people.
“As far as the south is concerned, in some places the situation is quite dangerous, but our troops have the means to respond to the occupiers,” he summarized the events on the various fronts. Zelensky described the situation in the east as very difficult and painful. “But we are doing everything we can to resist them,” he continued, referring to repeated attacks by Russian troops trying to capture eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
Zelensky said repair work in Kherson, which is under daily shelling, would continue until heating was restored.
Der Spiegel: Chinese company in talks with Russia for the supply of drones
00:30 | Russia is in talks with a Chinese drone maker to purchase 100 drones for delivery in April. The German weekly Der Spiegel writes it, without citing specific sources. America, Germany and other Western countries have warned China not to sell weapons to Russia for its war against Ukraine, saying such a move would have dire consequences.
Russia is believed to have bought weapons from Iran and North Korea, but so far China has remained on the sidelines. According to Der Spiegel, Chinese drone maker Xian Bingo Intelligent Aviation Technology said it was willing to make 100 prototypes of the ZT-180 drone, which the magazine says can carry a 35 to 50 kilogram bomb.
The device is said to be similar to the Iranian Shahed 136 drone, with which Russia has launched numerous attacks against Ukraine, killing hundreds and damaging civilian infrastructure. According to Der Spiegel, Bingo also had plans to help set up a drone manufacturing site in Russia, where up to 100 a month could be produced.