Pedro Sánchez announces the shipment of Leopard tanks to kyiv; G7 raises military aid

First modification: 23/02/2023 – 17:55

As a “growing support” that “saves lives” President Volodímir Zelenski described the support of Spain.

His statements came during a joint press conference with the President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez, and after he assured him that he would try to increase the number of Leopard combat tanks for Ukraine from six to 10; the jewel of the German Army in the hands of several European nations that promise to deliver several of their copies to the defenses of the invaded country.

“You are helping to protect the lives of Ukrainians from Russian terror,” Zelensky said during his joint press conference with Sánchez.

However, “in relation to air aid, we will have to study it, obviously it is something that we have to discuss both with the NATO allies and at the European level”, assured the president of the Spanish Government about another crucial military support for which he advocates Zelensky.

In addition to visiting the Ukrainian capital, Sánchez traveled to Bucha and Irpin, two of the towns that have experienced the worst harassment of Russian aggression.

According to the testimonies of survivors and investigations by civil organizations, the Kremlin troops would have perpetrated serious human rights violations there, such as executions, torture, and sexual abuse.

Sánchez toured the streets that lived through the horror before the Russians withdrew, before the advance of the Ukrainian troops that regained control, and described what happened in those areas as “barbarism”.

Despite the evidence, the government of Vladimir Putin insists on denying the accusations and even points out that it was a “montage”.

“Russia is not going to win this war,” remarked the leader of the Spanish Executive, who, like United States President Joe Biden and other leaders of the European Union, have recently arrived in Kiev to demonstrate their support for the attacked nation. , just when Friday, February 24, marks one year of the largest conflict on European soil since World War II.

The G7 announces 39,000 million dollars in aid to Ukraine

The West tries to support the Ukrainian territory from several fronts. This Thursday, the finance ministers of the seven largest economies in the world approved a package for 39,000 million dollars in aid to Ukraine, for this 2023.

A considerable increase compared to the 19,800 million dollars guaranteed last year, aimed at the operation of the country.

“These important commitments and their rapid disbursement give Ukraine security and allow the authorities to safeguard the functioning of the government, continue the provision of basic services, carry out the most critical repairs to damaged infrastructure and stabilize the economy,” the minister said. Japan’s Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki after a meeting of the representatives of the powers in Bangalore, India.

In addition, within the framework of this meeting, the Italian Economy Minister, Giancarlo Giorgetti, asked that the sanctions established by the G7 against Russia be extended to the G20.

“Otherwise, Russia circumvents the sanctions system and the effects risk falling short of our expectations,” Giorgetti explained.

The requirement comes just after this week President Vladimir Putin boasted about the resistance of his financial system despite the economic measures against Moscow, for ordering the conflict, far from the “collapse” predicted by some governments like France.

However, from the European Union they also indicate that the sanctions are effective and their strong effects will be a matter of time.

Hungary disassociates itself from the EU in a resolution that seeks to condemn the Russian war in Ukraine at the UN

The Government of Hungary, a nation that shares a border with the nation invaded by Russia, departs from the position of the European Union that is promoting a resolution, in the UN General Assembly, to condemn the war that Vladimir Putin ordered a year ago.

Contrary to reproaching the hostilities of the Kremlin troops in his neighboring country, the Hungarian Foreign Minister, Peter Szijarto, chose to criticize both the economic sanctions imposed on Moscow and the delivery of weapons to the Army of the attacked country.

“Neither the delivery of arms nor the sanctions (to Russia) save lives; on the contrary, they contribute to the escalation and prolongation of the conflict and bring more suffering,” Szijarto said.

Likewise, the official was in favor of Russia’s alleged intentions to promote peace talks, for which he asked the international community to press for “an immediate ceasefire” and without conditions. A scenario that, according to his words, would foster the right environment for conversations between the parties involved.

The Hungarian minister also did not issue a single criticism against the continuous Russian attacks against civilians or the human rights violations of which victims and relatives of the deceased accuse the Russian military.

His statements occurred a few hours after the condemnation resolution was put to a vote.

With Reuters and EFE