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PRO-PUTIN MP EXCLUDED FROM HIS PARTY IN KAZAKHSTAN
A lawmaker from Kazakhstan, a traditional Russian ally, was expelled by his party on Thursday for backing Vladimir Putin. Ak-Jol, one of the three parties represented in the parliament of this former Soviet republic, “decided to expel him” and “sent a letter to the Central Election Commission about his dismissal”.
In an interview with the Kazakh service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, a media funded by the United States Congress, MP Azamat Abildaev said he “supports Putin and the special military operation”, a formula used by the Russian authorities to describe the offensive against Ukraine. “I think this summer (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelensky will be brought to justice by his own people,” the Ak-Jol party member continued. “Nazis are in power in kyiv,” he added, echoing the Kremlin’s rhetoric to justify his invasion.
THE TWEET OF THE UKRAINIAN MINISTRY
“Western nations are becoming philosophical about what is and is not a ‘tank’. And so are we, of course,” tweeted the Ukrainian Defense Minister, also quoting Jean-Paul Sartre and with Claude François in band sound.
Western nations wax philosophical about what is and is not a “tank.” And so do we, bien sûr. pic.twitter.com/GxOvi7jYRs — Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) January 19, 2023
THE REVIEW OF THE LAST 24 HOURS
Ukrainian Interior Minister Denys Monastyrsky was killed on Wednesday, January 18, near kyiv in a helicopter crash, which killed at least 14 people. At the same time, Volodymyr Zelensky, by videoconference in Davos, called for “speed” in decisions to help Ukraine. The highlights of the last 24 hours.
SWEDEN ARMS UKRAINE
Sweden has decided to start supplying the Ukrainian army with Archer-model long-range guns, a mobile and modern howitzer that kyiv has been asking for for many months, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced on Thursday. After a government meeting, the leader of the Nordic country announced at a press conference “the first decision to start delivering Archer artillery systems to Ukraine” to help it against Russia.
WAGNER HAS ‘THINGS TO LEARN’ FROM THE UKRAINIAN ARMY
The head of the Wagner mercenary group Evguéni Prigojine said his troops had “some things to learn” from the Ukrainian army, in the midst of a fierce battle to take Bakhmout, in eastern Ukraine. “The Ukrainian army is working efficiently, coherently. We have things to learn from them. But in any case Wagner’s units are moving forward, meter by meter,” he said in a statement. message published Thursday by its press service. He assured that “the locality of Artiomovsk (name given by the Russian authorities to Bakhmout, editor’s note) will be taken”.
MOSCOW INVESTIGATES AN AMERICAN “SPY”
The Russian security services (FSB) announced Thursday that they have opened an investigation for “espionage” against an American citizen, in the midst of a diplomatic crisis between Moscow and Washington linked to the conflict in Ukraine. The FSB did not specify the identity of this American citizen, or if he had been arrested, or even if he was in Russia or abroad.
“The American is suspected of having collected intelligence relating to biological matters that go against the security of the Russian Federation,” the FSB said in a brief statement. Several American citizens are detained in Russia, which contributes to poisoning relations between Moscow and Washington.
SEVERAL THEORIES EVALUATED AFTER THE CRASH
“Several theories” are being evaluated in the investigation into the crash of a helicopter near kyiv, which claimed the life of the Ukrainian Interior Minister and 13 other people on Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday. “The investigation is ongoing. Several theories are being studied and I am not authorized to speak about the different hypotheses until the outcome of the investigations”, explained the Ukrainian head of state who spoke by videoconference. at the Davos Forum.
THE PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL LEAVES FOR kyiv
European Council President Charles Michel announced on Thursday that he was “on his way to kyiv” where he is to discuss new support measures for Ukraine with President Volodymyr Zelensky who has called for faster arms deliveries.
The two leaders will discuss “concrete measures (…) to ensure that (Ukraine) is stronger and more powerful”, Charles Michel said in a video message posted on Twitter. NATO allies have promised kyiv “increased support with heavier and more modern weapons” to counter Russia’s offensives.
On my way to #Kyiv . Ukrainians are fighting for their land, for the future of their children. But they are also fighting for our common European values of peace and prosperity. They need and deserve our support. pic.twitter.com/ewLY4E9udX — Charles Michel (@CharlesMichel) January 19, 2023
V. ZELENSKY WANTS TO TAKE BACK CRIMEA
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday that he intended to retake Crimea annexed by Russia in 2014, calling on his Western partners to deliver more weapons. “Our goal is to liberate all of our territories,” he said, speaking by videoconference during a breakfast on the sidelines of the Davos Forum. “Crimea is our land, our territory, our sea and our mountains. Give us your weapons and we will get our lands back,” he added.
V. ZELENSKY CRITICIZES THE HESITATIONS OF BERLIN
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday criticized Germany’s hesitation to allow heavy tank deliveries, saying it was not the “right strategy”. “There are times when you shouldn’t hesitate or compare yourself. When someone says ‘I won’t deliver tanks if someone else does,'” the Ukrainian head of state said at the time. who spoke, for the second time, by videoconference during a breakfast at the Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
He was referring to press reports that Berlin will only deliver advanced tanks if the United States delivers Abrams tanks.
WASHINGTON WILL NOT DELIVER ABRAMS TANKS
The United States is not ready to provide Ukraine with its most advanced heavy tanks, the Abrams, a senior Pentagon official said on Wednesday, citing maintenance and training issues as the reason for the refusal. “I don’t think we are there,” said number three Colin Kahl, when asked during a press briefing on the possibility of sending Abrams tanks to kyiv.
Ukraine has been asking the West for weeks for modern tanks to repel the Russian invasion, but the latter have so far only sent light tanks and armored personnel carriers. The UK was the first country to pledge heavy tanks, Challenger 2s, last week.
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION AFTER HELICOPTER CRASH
kyiv began Thursday a criminal investigation ordered by President Volodymyr Zelensky, after the death of Interior Minister Denys Monastyrsky in the crash of his helicopter, which killed at least 14 people according to a latest official report.
“The Security Service of Ukraine has opened a criminal investigation into this terrible event,” he said in a speech Wednesday evening. “I instructed the head of the Security Service of Ukraine, in cooperation with all other authorized bodies, to clarify all the circumstances of the disaster,” he further specified.