Ukraine war: 'Global catastrophe' threats, 'corruption' at Ukrainian MoD, Berlin tank stance slammed

New weapons for Kyiv will trigger 'world disaster', warns Putin ally

 A detailed ally of President Vladimir Putin stated on Sunday that delivering offensive weapons to Kyiv will result in a world catastrophe by making arguments towards utilizing nuclear weapons untenable.

Vyacheslav Volodin, speaker of the Duma -- Russia's decrease home of parliament -- warned that US and NATO help of Ukraine is pushing the world to a "horrible struggle".

He singled out the supply of longer vary weapons that might hit Russian territory. 

"If Washington and NATO international locations provide weapons that will likely be used to strike civilian cities and try and seize our territories, as they threaten, this can result in retaliatory measures utilizing extra highly effective weapons," Volodin stated on Telegram. 

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Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile system launchers roll throughout a rehearsal for the Victory Day army parade in St. Petersburg, Russia, Thursday, Could 5, 2022.AP/Copyright 2022 The AP. All rights reserved

"Arguments that the nuclear powers haven't beforehand used weapons of mass destruction in native conflicts are untenable. As a result of these states didn't face a state of affairs the place there was a menace to the safety of their residents and the territorial integrity of the nation."

Volodin, 58, has been the Duma speaker since 2016, having beforehand held a senior position within the presidential administration. As a member of Putin's Safety Council, he has common entry to the president.

"Deliveries of offensive weapons to the Kyiv regime will result in a worldwide disaster," he stated.

Ukraine defence ministry denies corruption costs

The Ukrainian Ministry of Protection denied signing army contracts at inflated costs on Sunday, rejecting accusations of corruption in a rustic the place embezzlement is rife. 

The remark follows media reviews in Ukraine accusing the ministry of agreeing to contracts for supplying meals to troopers on the entrance line at "two to 3" instances the conventional worth. 

The contract in query quantities to €320 million for 2023, in response to the ZN.UA information web site.

“The ministry purchases related merchandise in accordance with procedures established by legislation,” stated the Ukrainian Ministry of Protection, dismissing the allegations as "false". 

It claimed the reviews have been "deliberate manipulation", warning that it might open an investigation into the "dissemination" of "deceptive" info, which "harms the pursuits of defence throughout a particular interval".

The ministry claimed it confirmed "zero tolerance in direction of corruption", including "checks are carried out" earlier than contracts are signed.

An "emergency assembly" on the ministry is about to be held on Monday with a purpose to make clear the difficulty and see if any officers have damaged the foundations.

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Navy medics carry a wounded soldier to an evacuation automobile close to Kremenna within the Luhansk area, Ukraine, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023LIBKOS/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved.

In one other scandal this weekend, Ukraine's Nationwide Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) arrested the First Deputy Minister of Group and Territorial Improvement on Saturday on suspicion of embezzlement.

Vasyl Lozynkiï allegedly obtained €370,000 to "facilitate the conclusion of contracts for the acquisition of kit and mills at inflated costs", stated the NABU in a press launch. 

Boris Johnson touches down in Kyiv

Former UK prime minister Boris Johnson made a shock journey to Kyiv on Sunday,  saying that Britain would "stick by Ukraine so long as it takes". 

The Conservative MP -- who resigned in the summertime amid a string of scandals -- stated it was a "privilege" to be invited to the nation by Zelenskyy.  

Johnson was UK chief when Russian tanks rolled throughout the border in February, positioning himself as considered one of Kyiv's main allies within the West. 

"The one strategy to finish this struggle is for Ukraine to win - and to win as quick as attainable," Johnson stated. "That is the second to double down, and to present the Ukrainians all of the instruments they should end the job.

"The earlier Putin fails, the higher for Ukraine and for the entire world".

Johnson additionally visited the cities of Bucha and Borodyanka, northwest Kyiv, which have been occupied by Russian forces in March final 12 months. 

They left scenes of mass destruction of their wake, with the suburbs turning into bywords for the atrocities allegedly dedicated towards civilians in Ukraine. 

As his popularity was muddied by scandals again house, Johnson gained widespread reputation in Ukraine, turning into often called "Borys Johnsoniuk". 

Cafes named muffins after him and road artwork was produced 

Berlin's perspective in direction of Ukraine struggle 'unacceptable', slams Poland

Poland's prime minister slammed Berlin's refusal to provide Kyiv with heavy tanks as "unacceptable" on Sunday, particularly at a time when Russia is on the offensive. 

"Germany's perspective is unacceptable," Mateusz Morawiecki informed PAP information company. "It has been nearly a 12 months because the struggle began. Harmless individuals are dying daily. Russian bombs are wreaking havoc in Ukrainian cities. Civilian objects are attacked, ladies and youngsters are murdered." 

His assertion comes two days after a gathering of fifty international locations on the Ramstein airbase in Germany.

Ukraine's allies introduced substantial new arms deliveries to Ukraine however didn't agree on the supply of heavy tanks, regardless of repeated requests from Kyiv. 

The Polish Prime Minister stated he was ready for "a transparent declaration" from Berlin to authorise the export of Leopard 2 battle tanks. 

Warsaw, like many different international locations in Europe, has the German-made tank, however it should first search Berlin's approval to ship them underneath licensing agreements. 

Poland has stated it is able to ship 14 Leopards to Kyiv and indicated it's in dialogue with fifteen different international locations on the subject. 

If Berlin refuses to provide Kyiv, "we'll put collectively a small coalition of nations able to donate a few of their trendy tools, their trendy tanks," stated Morawiecki.

UK pushes for Ukraine to get its tank goals fulfilled

Britain nonetheless desires a global deal to supply Ukraine with Leopard 2 tanks, which Kyiv says it must defeat Russia, the nation's overseas minister James Cleverly stated on Sunday.

The tanks are seen by defence specialists as probably the most appropriate for Ukraine.

"In fact, I wish to see the Ukrainians geared up with issues just like the Leopard 2 in addition to the artillery programs which were supplied by us and by others," Cleverly stated in an interview with Sky Information.

Michael Sohn/AP2011
A Leopard 2 tank is pictured throughout an indication occasion held for the media by the German Bundeswehr in Munster close to Hannover, Germany, Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011.Michael Sohn/AP2011

"I'll preserve having these conversations with our NATO allies and associates, to facilitate the donation of the most effective army tools to Ukraine to assist them defend themselves towards this brutal invasion."

Requested whether or not Germany was doing sufficient to assist Ukraine, Cleverly stated he needed to see "everyone going so far as they will, however every nation will help Ukraine in a approach that's most applicable to them."

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrat get together is historically sceptical of army involvements and cautious of additional escalation within the battle in Ukraine.

The Kremlin's spokesman stated on Friday that Western international locations supplying extra tanks to Ukraine wouldn't change the course of the battle and that they'd add to the issues of the Ukrainian folks.

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