عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
World

Scholz Berates EU Allies over ‘Insufficient’ Military Support for Ukraine

A rescuer with a dog works at the site of a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in the town of Pokrovsk, Donetsk region, Ukraine January 8, 2024. (Reuters)
A rescuer with a dog works at the site of a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in the town of Pokrovsk, Donetsk region, Ukraine January 8, 2024. (Reuters)
TT
TT

Scholz Berates EU Allies over ‘Insufficient’ Military Support for Ukraine

A rescuer with a dog works at the site of a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in the town of Pokrovsk, Donetsk region, Ukraine January 8, 2024. (Reuters)
A rescuer with a dog works at the site of a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in the town of Pokrovsk, Donetsk region, Ukraine January 8, 2024. (Reuters)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Monday the majority of countries in the European Union were not delivering sufficient weapons to Ukraine to help it battle a Russian invasion, calling upon allies to increase their efforts.

With American military assistance to Ukraine stalled in the US Congress, Scholz insisted on the need for Europe to step up, repeating his mantra that the German government would support Kyiv for as long as necessary.

Germany itself had come under much criticism in the early months of Russia's invasion for failing to step up and provide the leadership and military backing to Kyiv expected of one of Europe's major powers.

It is now, however, one of the top providers of both weapons and financial aid. Late last year it agreed to double the country's military aid for Ukraine in 2024 to 8 billion euros ($8.8 billion).

"As significant as the German contribution is, it will not be enough to ensure Ukraine's security in the long run," Scholz said at a news conference in Berlin.

"Therefore, I call on allies in the European Union to strengthen their efforts regarding Ukraine. The planned weapons deliveries to Ukraine of most EU member states are not enough," he added.

Scholz said Berlin had asked the EU to check with individual member states what deliveries they were planning as not all perhaps were known.

The chancellor said he was confident the bloc would agree its proposed 50 billion-euro aid package for Ukraine at an upcoming emergency summit on Feb. 1. The EU failed to agree on the deal at an EU summit in December due to opposition from Hungary.

Most Viewed

 
 
World

6,000 Inmates Escape from High-security Prison in Mozambique

Some of the prisoners at the facility snatched weapons from the guards and started freeing other detainees. (file photo/The AP)
Some of the prisoners at the facility snatched weapons from the guards and started freeing other detainees. (file photo/The AP)
TT
TT

6,000 Inmates Escape from High-security Prison in Mozambique

Some of the prisoners at the facility snatched weapons from the guards and started freeing other detainees. (file photo/The AP)
Some of the prisoners at the facility snatched weapons from the guards and started freeing other detainees. (file photo/The AP)

At least 6,000 inmates escaped from a high-security prison in Mozambique’s capital on Christmas Day after a rebellion, the country's police chief said, as widespread post-election riots and violence are roiling the country.

Police chief Bernardino Rafael said 33 prisoners died and 15 others were injured during a confrontation with the security forces.

The prisoners fled during violent protests that have seen police cars, stations and infrastructure destroyed after the country’s Constitutional Council confirmed the ruling Frelimo party as the winner of the Oct. 9 elections.

The escape from the Maputo Central Prison, located 14 kilometers (9 miles) southwest of the capital, started around midday on Wednesday after “agitation” by a “group of subversive protesters” nearby, Rafael said, The AP reported.

Some of the prisoners at the facility snatched weapons from the guards and started freeing other detainees.

“A curious fact is that in that prison we had 29 convicted terrorists, who they released. We are worried, as a country, as Mozambicans, as members of the defense and security forces,” said Rafael.

“They (protesters) were making noise, demanding that they be able to remove the prisoners who are there serving their sentences”, said Rafael, adding that the protests led to the collapse of a wall, allowing the prisoners to flee.

He called on the escaped prisoners to surrender to authorities and for the population to be informed about the fugitives.

Videos circulating on social media show the moment inmates left the prison, while other recordings reveal captures made by military personnel and prison guards. Many prisoners tried to hide in homes, but some were unsuccessful and ended up being detained again.

In one video, a prisoner still with handcuffs on his right wrist says he was held n the disciplinary section of the prison and was released by other inmates.

Violence has engulfed Mozambique since the country’s highest court confirmed ruling Frelimo party presidential candidate Daniel Chapo as the winner of disputed Oct. 9 elections on Monday.

Mozambique's Interior Minister Pascoal Ronda told a news conference in Maputo late Tuesday that the violence was led by mostly youthful supporters of losing candidate Venancio Mondlane, who received 24% of the vote, second to Chapo, who got 65%.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is concerned at the violence and urges all political leaders and relevant parties “to defuse tensions including through meaningful dialogue (and) legal redress,” UN associate spokesperson Stephanie Tremblay said Thursday.

The UN chief also calls for a halt to the violence and redoubled efforts “to seek a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis,” she said.

Associated Press