"Week of Decisions" after corruption scandals and creation of military reserves: last night's highlights
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a “week of decisions” following a series of recent corruption scandals. The military leadership has been tasked with creating reserves of personnel. Here is what you may have missed from the previous night.
Zelenskyy reacts to corruption scandals
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the dismissal of Acting Minister of Community Development Vasyl Lozynskyy, who was caught taking a $400,000 bribe, should be a signal to “everyone whose actions or behavior violate the principle of justice”.
He said that there will be a detailed analysis of the situation with energy and procurement, relations between the central government and the regions, and procurement for the military.
“The society will receive full information, and the state will take the necessary powerful steps”, Zelenskyy said.
Personnel reserves
Zelenskyy said that the military leadership has been tasked with creating reserves of personnel so that the defenders can recover from the fighting.
“This is difficult for various reasons — both injuries and psychological state. It must be normal”, the head of state said.
Zelenskyy stressed that he could not disclose the details of the mobilization processes, but the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Office had made the relevant decisions, and the commanders were working on their implementation in their areas.
Military support for Ukraine
French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France is considering sending Leclerc heavy tanks to Ukraine.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said that together with France, they are finalizing the shipment of the SAMP/T ground-based air defense missile system. According to him, there are also “other actions” that Italy is working on in confidence.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that Germany would not stand in the way if Poland decided to send its Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.
What other weapons does Ukraine need?
Zelenskyy said that Ukraine needs protection on the battlefield, i.e. artillery, MLRS from partners. Armored vehicles — IFVs, APCs — of various types are important. We also need tanks, which are in short supply in Ukraine. Ammunition for the above is also in short supply.
Ukraine is working to increase the number of systems to protect our skies, including Patriot air defense systems.
Zelenskyy added that a “new page in defense” is also wanted. “These are, of course, airplanes. We want the Russians to have no control over the sky”.
Other news:
- Brazil and Argentina are planning to create a common currency, the sur. It could stimulate regional trade and reduce dependence on the US dollar.
- A fatal shooting occurs in California. A man suspected of killing 10 people during a Lunar New Year celebration was found dead. The shooter fled the scene and was hiding in a white van, which police kept surrounded for several hours. Presumably, he committed suicide.
- The star of the head of the Wagnerites, Pryzhyn, seems to have begun to fade. Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War have assumed that Russian President Vladimir Putin has decided not to rely on the founder of the PMC Wagner, Yevgeny Prygozhin, and his militants anymore, and instead to rely on the Russian armed forces.
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