3:23 pm: Biden talks about the Ukraine war – “We will not bow down”

In commemoration of the Allied landing in Normandy 80 years ago, US President Joe Biden called for the defense of democracy. Biden said at a ceremony held at an American military cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer: “We know the forces of darkness that these heroes fought 80 years ago. They never disappear.” Biden said that the United States and NATO „will not walk away” from the crisis in Ukraine. Ukraine has been invaded by a „tyrant” and democracy is more vulnerable today than at any time since World War II.

Biden said: „We will not bow down. We cannot surrender to tyrants. This is simply unthinkable. If we do that, freedom will be suppressed, and all of Europe will be threatened.” The US President complained that aggression, greed, the desire to dominate, control, and push borders by force – all this still exists today. Biden said: “The battle between dictatorship and freedom never ends. Here in Europe we see a stark example,” referring to the Russian attack on Ukraine.

3 p.m.: Weapon company Diehl expands production of IRIS-T

Diehl Arms Company in Nuremberg is once again increasing production of IRIS-T anti-aircraft systems. From 2026 onwards, CEO Helmut Rauch wants to produce at least ten launchers a year and double projectile production next year, he said at the International Airshow (ILA) in Berlin. He left it open to whom the systems should go.

Germany has delivered two modern air defense systems to Ukraine, which it uses mainly to protect the capital, Kiev, from Russian missile attacks. Six others are in follow-up. The first six systems, ordered by the Federal Government for the German Armed Forces, are scheduled to be delivered to the Air Force in October. NATO countries such as Estonia and Latvia also want to purchase IRIS-T.

2:11 PM: Stoltenberg – NATO has “no plans” to deploy troops in Ukraine

According to its Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, NATO does not want to deploy soldiers on Ukrainian territory. „NATO has no plans to send troops to Ukraine,” Stoltenberg said during a visit to Helsinki. In addition, from the Alliance’s perspective, „there is no immediate military threat against any NATO member state.”

During his first visit to Finland since the northern European country joined NATO in April 2023, Stoltenberg also said: “The idea that there is some kind of countdown to the next war is wrong.” However, NATO is seeking a „long-term financial commitment” from its allies so that it can support Ukraine „for as long as necessary.” There have been “gaps” and “delays” in support in recent months and it is essential “to ensure this does not happen anymore”.

2:02 PM: Schulz – Support for Ukraine is the legacy of June 6, 1944

Shortly before celebrations for the Allied landing in Normandy, Chancellor Olaf Scholz called for increased European defense efforts. “It is clear to me that Europe will bear more responsibility in the future,” the chancellor wrote in an article published in the French newspaper Ouest-France. He added that an economically, militarily and socially strong Europe is necessary to maintain peace, referring to Russia.

He added: „Working for this Europe is the legacy of June 6, 1944,” referring to the so-called „Victory Day.” It is clear to Germany and its partners that “brutal Russian imperialism” should not succeed: “And it will not succeed because we will continue to support Ukraine in its heroic defense struggle as long as it is necessary.”

1:49 PM: Zelensky on Victory Day – “Ukrainians defend Europe’s freedom today”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrives to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy. “The Allies defended Europe’s freedom then, and the Ukrainians are doing so today,” Zelensky said in online remarks. “There was unity then, and true unity can prevail today as well.” He posted a video of his arrival with his wife, Olena Selinska.

The Ukrainian president also wants to meet French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the celebrations. Macron is expected to announce additional military aid to Ukraine. A meeting between Zelensky and US President Joe Biden is also scheduled.

1:14 PM: A cross-party initiative wants to support Ukraine with Russian money

Bundestag members from the Social Democratic Party, Christian Democratic Union, Christian Social Union, Greens and Free Democratic Party are calling for the confiscation of frozen Russian assets in a cross-party initiative. These should be “used in accordance with international law to support Ukraine,” Michael Roth, a foreign policy expert for the Social Democratic Party, said during a joint event in Berlin. He referred to military support as well as the country’s reconstruction and humanitarian aid.

After the start of the war, Western countries froze Russian deposits amounting to about $300 billion. EU countries already use the interest income from this to support Ukraine, at around three billion euros annually. Christian Democratic Union MP Nicholas Zebelius said: „We must have the courage to hold Putin accountable.” There must also be a clear signal in financial terms: “Aggression does not pay off.” Green MP Sebastian Schäfer said that simply using interest income is not enough. MP Markus Faber of the Free Democratic Party demanded: “Russia must and will pay for its crimes against Ukraine.”

12.50pm: Schulz justifies the use of German weapons against targets in Russia

After new threats from Moscow, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) justified his permission to use German weapons in the Ukraine war, including against targets on Russian territory. But in his government’s statement in the Bundestag, he also called for caution in dealing with the Ukrainian conflict. However, CDU leader Friedrich Merz accused the chancellor of being too hesitant in her support for Ukraine.

“Ukraine has the right under international law to defend itself against attacks on its territory, cities and citizens,” Schulz said. “This also applies to attacks such as the one in the Kharkiv region, which Russia carries out from locations in the immediately adjacent Russian border area.” Last week, after much consideration, the federal government of Ukraine allowed the use of German weapons against targets in the Russian border region. Thus, this came in the wake of a similar decision taken by the United States.