NU.nl regularly provides you with an overview of the situation in Ukraine. This time: Poland continues to supply arms to Ukraine, new missile attacks from Russia and Zelensky’s visit to the US. The first Ukrainian grain shipment also reached Istanbul after the collapse of the grain deal.
A Polish government spokesman said on Thursday that Poland would simply deliver previously promised weapons to Ukraine. Doubts were raised on Wednesday as Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced the suspension of supplies to Ukraine.
The statement came amid a standoff over Ukrainian grain exports. Poland has banned it. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky opened up about this at the United Nations General Assembly, saying the “political drama” only serves Russia.
Polish and Ukrainian agriculture ministers are now looking for a solution to the grain crisis. Slovakia, which imposed a grain embargo, has already signed agreements with Ukraine. In a trading system, licenses are issued to import grain from Ukraine.
Zelensky asks (and gets) more weapons in Washington.
Losing US support would have major consequences, Zelensky said during a private meeting in Washington. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer issued a stern warning to the Ukrainian leader: “If we don’t get help, we will lose the war.”
The U.S. announced Thursday evening that Ukraine would receive that aid. The new military aid package will also include air defense systems, something Zelensky has been calling for for some time. The package should help with the run-up Kiev in winter.
But Ukraine will have to do without ATACMS missiles for now. US President Joe Biden has “decided not to deliver ATACMS missiles, but he has not ruled out the possibility in the future,” White House National Security Adviser Jack Sullivan said.
1:02Russia launches massive airstrikes in weeks
Russia fired several missiles at Ukrainian energy facilities on Thursday. The biggest Russian airstrikes in weeks led to power outages in five Ukrainian regions.
Several facilities were damaged in the western and central regions. This led to “partial blackouts” in Rivne, Zhytomyr, Kyiv, Dnipro and Kharkiv.
Many people were injured in these attacks. In Kiev, eighteen people at the center were injured by falling debris, the mayor said. Seven people were injured in Cherkasy, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said. In this central city, a hotel and several kiosks were damaged.
0:51First grain ship from Ukraine to Istanbul after completion of grain deal
First grain ship to leave Ukraine after grain deal expires, arrives in Istanbul This can be found on websites for sea transport.
It was the first successful voyage of a cargo ship loaded with grain through the Black Sea after Russia withdrew from the treaty.
According to Ukrainian officials, the Palau-flagged ship Resilient Africa was carrying 3,000 tonnes of wheat when it left the port of Chornomorsk on Tuesday. Israel is the ultimate destination.
“Award-winning beer geek. Extreme coffeeaholic. Introvert. Avid travel specialist. Hipster-friendly communicator.”