Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk commented on the report of the Lithuanian Prosecutor General on Russia-related acts of sabotage and arson in the EU, linking it to peace talks with Russia, and warned that “such is the nature of this country“, reports the Guardian, quoted by FOKUS.
In a post on social networks, Tusk said:
''Dear allies, the investigation by the Lithuanian prosecutor's office confirmed our suspicions that those responsible for the arson of shopping centers in Vilnius and Warsaw are connected to the Russian secret services.
It is good to know this before starting negotiations.
This is the nature of this country''.
In an earlier comment, he said the Lithuanian investigation confirmed suspicions raised by Polish authorities after a similar arson attack in Warsaw.
He added that there was "a particular betrayal" in the fact that Russia appeared to have recruited Ukrainian citizens to carry out the attacks in an attempt to sow division and weaken public support for the Ukrainian fight against the Russian invasion.
Germany is increasing aid to Ukraine. Berlin will provide Kiev with an additional three billion euros in 2025, German Foreign Minister Analene Berbock announced, RBC-Ukraine writes, quoted by FOCUS.
According to Berbock, Germany will allocate a total of seven billion euros in aid to Ukraine in 2025
"It is also important that in addition to the investments in security and infrastructure specified in the basic law, we are finally providing another 3 billion euros in support of Ukraine in 2025. "This means that Germany will continue to provide Ukraine with seven billion euros, as we did last year," the minister said before a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels.
Baerbock also noted that lawmakers plan to amend Germany's constitution on Tuesday, March 18, which would significantly increase the country's national debt to finance defense and "ensure greater support for Ukraine."
"Our goal is a strong and sovereign Ukraine. "It is important not only to strengthen our defense capabilities, but also to take quick and ambitious decisions at the level of EU leaders and governments to provide military support," Baerbock emphasized.
Germany's support for Ukraine
The media recalls that Germany previously announced that it was preparing new large packages of military assistance for Ukraine, which could be provided in the first half of 2025. These packages are expected to include, among other things, air defense systems and tanks.
At the same time, Der Spiegel reported that Chancellor Olaf Scholz is allegedly against providing Ukraine with an additional 3 billion euros in aid.
However, the winner of the German parliamentary elections, Friedrich Merz, who is set to replace Scholz, confirmed that his country will indeed allocate an additional 3 billion euros in aid to Ukraine.
On Monday, March 17, the German government updated its list of military aid to Ukraine. It includes three Gepard systems, missiles for the IRIS-T system and ammunition.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said today that his country will not participate in a military mission or spend a cent on military aid to Kiev, Tanjug reports, quoted by FOKUS.
However, in his address, Fico also said that he supports holding another meeting between Slovakia and Ukraine, which would focus on mutually beneficial projects.