Germany reaches record level of defense spending. Estonia warns of a Russian confrontation. All information in the news blog.
The most important things at a glance
Ukraine announces the destruction of another Russian warship
9.12 am: A Russian landing ship sank off the southern coast of Crimea. This appears to be an operation carried out by Ukrainian intelligence. Here you can read more about it.
Poll on aid to Ukraine: The Germans are particularly critical of this aspect
8:03 AM: After nearly two years of war in Ukraine, willingness to support the country remains high. But the Germans are particularly critical of one aspect. Here you can read more about it.
Observer: Russia relies on 100-year-old Soviet tactics
7:39 AM: According to observers, Russia could try to return to mobile warfare on the Ukrainian front using military theories from the Soviet era. This is what the US Institute for the Study of War (ISW) wrote, citing Ukrainian military observer Kostyantyn Mashovets. According to the analyst, the Russian army relies on the Soviet military doctrine of “deep operations,” which dates back to the 1920s and 1930s.
The doctrine includes the strategy of attacking enemy positions simultaneously in terms of their breadth and depth. For this purpose, coordinated and simultaneous offensive operations with artillery, air strikes and attacks in remote areas of enemy positions are planned. The doctrine also states that “successful operational design includes sequential plans for successive operations to prevent the defender from re-assuming cohesive defensive positions after a breakthrough (…),” ISW wrote.
However, there are doubts that Russian forces are actually capable of carrying out such operations in Ukraine at the present time. Russia currently faces problems in creating effective counterattacks, combating targets in operational depth, and concealing troop concentrations. However, the element of surprise is essential in “deep operations.” Trench warfare is currently taking place in Ukraine. However, analysts see the Kremlin forces as having slight advantages due to Russia's overall fire superiority.
Ammunition shortage in Ukraine: Christian Democratic Union politician accuses the chancellor of failure
6:09 AM: In light of the Ukrainian army's ammunition shortage, foreign CDU politician Norbert Röttgen makes serious accusations against EU governments as well as against Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz personally. Ukraine's military inferiority to Russian attackers, including in terms of ammunition, is not surprising, he said in a podcast by Bild newspaper vice president Paul Runzheimer. He added: „This is a serious moral, political and historical failure of the European leadership as well as of the German Federal Government and the German Chancellor, who wanted exactly this policy that would lead to this result.”
Regarding Schulz, Röttgen said: „He could have changed it. Others could have changed it, too.” If the ammunition is not reproduced, it will be lost. He added that trench warfare, in which the military dynamic increasingly shifted to the Russian side because it had a five-fold superiority in artillery shells, was to be expected.
Röttgen also once again criticized the Chancellor's refusal to supply Ukraine with German Taurus cruise missiles: “The Chancellor still prevents the Ukrainians from acquiring this cruise missile, which is capable of depleting the Russians' ammunition and weapons supplies to 'destroy Ukrainian territory from a great distance.'” Röttgen also noted That Germany, based on its economic strength, ranks only 13th or 14th when it comes to aid to Ukraine: “The Baltics and Poland are far ahead of us.”
Update from June 1, 8:05 a.m.: US President Joe Biden also spoke out in reaction to the ruling against Donald Trump in the secret money trial. „It’s reckless, it’s dangerous, and it’s irresponsible for someone to claim the process was rigged just because they don’t like the ruling,” Biden told reporters at the White House. Biden responded directly to the comments of the convicted man, who used media attention to attack the American judicial system. “This is all the work of Biden and his people,” Trump said after the verdict was pronounced. This is Washington’s job. „No one has ever experienced anything like this before.”
Nearly 50 million euros in donations to Trump after the ruling: the willingness to help shows the reaction of American citizens
Update from June 1, 6:35 a.m.: In response to the ruling in Trump’s impeachment trial, the convicted former US president received nearly €50 million in donations. On Friday, Trump’s campaign team spoke of a „wave of support from patriots” across the country. The donation income will be equivalent to more than two million dollars per hour. More than a third of the total amount came from new donors.
Donald Trump had previously described the New York illicit funds trial against him as „extremely unfair.” Shortly after the guilty verdict, his campaign launched a fundraising appeal entitled “I am a political prisoner!” The fundraising page crashed shortly after launch for about an hour due to the massive rush.
Reactions to the ruling against Donald Trump in the silent money trial: “The ruling will determine the American election campaign”
Update from May 31, 6:16 p.m.: There are also other reactions to the European condemnation of former President Donald Trump. CDU foreign policy expert Norbert Röttgen expects the ruling to lead to a tougher US election campaign for the White House. He added: „The ruling and the subsequent appeal will define the entire election campaign until election day. „The election campaign will become uglier and more toxic,” the CDU politician said. Rhine Post.
Meanwhile, Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini of the right-wing populist League party expressed his support for Trump on the 10th. The former president was “a victim of legal persecution and political prosecution,” Salvini wrote in SMS X.
Reaction to the verdict in Trump’s impeachment trial: The Russian Kremlin responds to the guilty verdict
Update from May 31, 1:45 p.m.: The Kremlin has now also responded to the ruling in Trump’s trial in New York. The news agency said that the guilty verdict shows that the White House is “eliminating” its “political opponents” by all possible means. France Press agency According to Moscow. “The fact that there has been a virtual liquidation of political rivals there by all possible legal and illegal means is clear,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the press.
The jury falls Judgment In the Trump impeachment
Update from May 31, 12:00 PM: While Republicans are reacting angrily to the ruling in Trump’s impeachment trial in New York, many celebrities are happy with the guilty verdict. Actress Lynda Carter, known as Wonder Woman in the TV series of the same name, joked: „34 is now my favorite number.” Meanwhile, singer, actress and Democrat Barbra Streisand turned her attention to the 2024 US elections, writing on the online platform: “Convicted felon Donald Trump blames judge, jury and New York for convicting him on 34 counts.” Tenth: Trump should not be allowed to approach the White House again.
Update from May 31, 10:53 a.m.: Right-wing talk show host Tucker Carlson reacted to the ruling in Donald Trump’s impeachment trial in his own way. Carlson said Trump will now win the US election – if he is not killed first: “This will not stop Trump,” Carlson wrote on Stage X. “He will win the election if he is not killed first. But it represents the end of the fairest justice system in the world. “It is dangerous for you and your family.”
Stormy Daniels’ reaction to the verdict in Trump’s impeachment trial
Update from May 31, 9:52 a.m.: Donald Trump is now a convicted felon because he hid a payment he made to adult actress Stormy Daniels. Daniels himself has yet to comment on the guilty verdict. According to her lawyer, she reacted „very emotionally” to the guilty verdict in the silent money trial. Attorney Clark Brewster told the television station that his client was relieved the case was over CNN.
Update from May 31, 9:00 a.m.: Following the historic conviction of her father, Ivanka Trump broke her previous silence about the trial in New York. Trump’s daughter, who also served as a special adviser during his time in office, sent a clear message Via Instagram“I love you daddy,” she wrote, adding a heart emoji.
Interactions onJudgmentIn the Trump impeachment
NEW YORK – Donald Trump has made history again: the 77-year-old is the first former president of the United States in history He was convicted in a criminal trial He was. Five months before the 2024 US election, a jury found the former president guilty on all 34 counts in the landmark secret money trial. The ruling is scheduled to be announced on July 11. The identities of the New York jurors were kept secret.
Trump, who was released without bail, initially accepted the sentence silently in the Manhattan courtroom. As he left, he spoke to the press about the „disgrace” and the „rigged process.” Trump said that the „real verdict” will come at the ballot box on November 5 in the presidential election. He’s innocent. Shortly after the ruling, the Trump campaign issued a fundraising appeal titled „I’m a Political Prisoner!”
Prominent Republicans reacted angrily to the guilty verdict. First of all, we should mention here Trump’s eldest son. Donald Trump Jr. posted several messages on Platform X. One of them was: „Such nonsense!” The Democrats have succeeded in their years-long attempt to turn America into one country “Third World Monster.” To transform. Regarding the date of the US elections, he warned: “November 5 is our last chance to save them.”
Such nonsense!
Marjorie Taylor Greene didn’t hold back either. The radical MP followed the slogan: “A picture is worth a thousand provocative words.” I posted on X The flag of the United States is upside down. This symbol is used by Trump fans and it also played a role in the attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. This is why Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito has been making headlines recently.
Meanwhile, Mike Johnson, a loyal Trump supporter and Speaker of the US House of Representatives, spoke of “a shameful day in American history.” Representative Jim Jordan called the ruling a “travesty.” Former US Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell said the ruling could not stop Trump. Grinnell wrote on X: “I’ve seen enough… Donald Trump has been elected the 47th President of the United States.”
Jury finds Donald Trump guilty on all counts in New York trial
Trump was convicted of covering up $130,000 paid by former porn actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election by forging business documents. This push convinced Stormy Daniels to remain silent about an alleged affair she claims to have had with Trump, which Trump denies. Experts expect a fine or suspended sentence. However, even a prison sentence, which is unlikely, would not prevent Trump from running for president.
Test for you Let’s know About the American Policy
A new President of the United States is scheduled to be elected on November 5. How are the elections going and who is the youngest official to ever enter the White House? Find answers to these questions and more in our American Politics quiz. (CS/AFP/AFP)
Israel proposes a „full” ceasefire and disengagement from Gaza
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Israeli soldiers on a tank near the border between Israel and Gaza
Source: German News Agency/Tasfir Abayov
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US President Biden wants to move the faltering Gaza negotiations forward. Now he presented a proposal that Israel presented to Hamas. The offer includes the release of the hostages and withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.
IAccording to US President Joe Biden, Israel has proposed a new “comprehensive” agreement in the faltering ceasefire negotiations in the Gaza Strip. Biden said at the White House on Friday that this includes a “complete ceasefire,” a six-week withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, and the release of Hamas hostages. Biden called on the Islamic movement Hamas to approve the agreement. He added: „It is time to end this war.”
According to Biden, the offer consists of three stages. The first will last six weeks and include a „complete ceasefire.” Israeli forces will withdraw from all populated areas in the Gaza Strip. Hamas will release a number of hostages – including women, the elderly and the wounded – in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
Biden said that during these six weeks, representatives of Israel and Hamas should continue to negotiate a permanent ceasefire, according to the proposal. Accordingly, the ceasefire will remain in effect if the talks continue. In the second phase, all remaining hostages, including male soldiers, will be released. Israeli forces will withdraw completely from the Gaza Strip. The third phase seeks to begin a comprehensive reconstruction process for the Gaza Strip.
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Biden described the Israeli offer as a “road map for a permanent ceasefire and the release of all hostages.” If Hamas really wants a ceasefire, it can prove it by agreeing to the deal. Addressing Israel, Biden said that Israel can enter into the deal without fear for its security. After several months of war, Hamas is no longer in a position to commit a massacre like the one that took place on October 7.
Biden continued: “I know that there are some in Israel who do not agree with this plan and will demand that the war continue indefinitely.” He complained that “some, even in the ruling coalition, have made it clear that they want to occupy the Gaza Strip.” They have wanted to continue fighting for years, and releasing the hostages was not a priority for them. But Biden stressed: “I called on the Israeli leadership to stand behind this deal” – despite all the pressure.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later referred to Israel’s war aims. Netanyahu’s office said in a statement on Friday evening that the war will not end until all the hostages return and Hamas’s leadership and military capabilities are destroyed. She added that the Israeli Prime Minister gave the negotiating team the green light to submit a proposal that could achieve these same goals. It was not clear from the letter whether this meant the proposal made by Biden.
Hamas has recently hardened its position
In order to continue negotiations on a ceasefire and the release of hostages in the Gaza Strip, Hamas has recently hardened its position. The terrorist organization said that as long as Israel does not stop the fighting in the Gaza Strip, it is not ready to negotiate. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh reiterated on Friday that the basic demands of the Islamists, which are a permanent ceasefire and a complete Israeli withdrawal, are „non-negotiable.”
Israel gave the green light to continue negotiations with Hamas last week. Mediators Egypt, Qatar and the United States have been trying to reach such an agreement for months, but they have not succeeded so far. The war has been going on for more than seven months.
Hamas fighters carried out a major attack on Israel on October 7, killing 1,189 people, according to Israeli reports. In addition, 252 people were taken hostage in the Gaza Strip. According to Israeli information, 121 hostages are still being held by Hamas. It is said that 37 of them have already died. In response to this unprecedented attack, Israel has since undertaken large-scale military actions in the Gaza Strip.
War and climate – harassment: The Catholic day in Erfurt was marked by difficult topics for Chancellor Schulz. For example, he warned of the expansion of the war in Ukraine. Climate activists disrupted the event.
On Catholic Day in Erfurt, Chancellor Olaf Scholz warned of the expansion of the war in Ukraine. “We have to avoid a big war,” Schulz said, referring to a possible military conflict between Russia and NATO.
At the same time, he called for continued close coordination among allies to support Ukraine’s defense against Russia. Scholz did not address the fact that the federal government announced that morning that Ukraine could also use the weapons provided against targets on Russian territory.
After the event, Schulz also visited the church mile and spoke to volunteers.
Call for teamwork and respect
The Chancellor does not currently believe that imposing a ban on the AfD is logical. “A ban is very difficult in a democratic country, which is why there are very high obstacles,” Schulz said. He believed that the Office for the Protection of the Constitution must do its work first and the laws must be implemented. There is also debate about making the constitution more crisis-resistant.
In response to a question about the threat posed by the right and the intimidation of politicians, Schulz said: “We have to defend public space so that everyone can express their opinion anywhere in Germany.” All citizens are called upon not to accept xenophobic and inhumane statements. „We have to insist on cooperation and respect for each other. It is an ongoing task to be very clear here.”
The almost hour-long Catholic Day event with the Chancellor was interrupted for a few minutes shortly before the halfway point after massive heckling that repeatedly prevented Schulz from making excuses. The demonstrators demanded that more efforts be made to protect the climate. According to the Katolikentag newspaper, the disturbance came from several people from the “last generation.”
A monk in the audience talks to a demonstrator.
As reported by the German News Agency (DPA), the audience began singing “Lord, give us your peace.” As a result, disturbances decreased. The organizers later said that they tried to talk to the six activists, but dialogue was not possible. That’s why they had to be taken out.
Habeck: Residents need to be more involved
Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck was also present. On the platform, he admitted that there was a deficit in social and economic transformation in Germany. The Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Protection said greater justice is needed – and larger parts of the population must be more involved in discussions. Much has been achieved recently in the fight against climate change. But in general, the transformation process must be accelerated.
From his point of view, churches have a special function as giving hope that a better world can be built. He acknowledged the contribution of Catholic influences to the Basic Law. “What holds the republic together at its core, the model of a social market economy, would have been unthinkable without Catholic social teaching,” Habeck said.
20,000 people expected on Catholic Day
The 103rd five-day German Catholic Day ends in Erfurt on Sunday. About 20 thousand people want to participate in 500 events. Every two years, the Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK) organizes a Catholic Day, in each different diocese.
