Day: January 26, 2022

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Germany to send 5,000 military helmets to Ukraine: Defense Ministry

Germany will send 5,000 protective military helmets to Ukraine, a Defense Ministry official said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a news conference in Berlin, Arne Collatz, a ministry spokesman, said German authorities have approved the delivery of 5,000 protective military helmets to the country, following a recent request by the Ukrainian authorities.

The statement came after Ukraine and NATO’s eastern members publicly criticized Germany for failing to show strong solidarity with Kyiv, amid fears of a military action from Russia.

Ukrainian Ambassador Andrij Melnyk has welcomed Berlin’s decision, but said this only represents a “symbolic gesture” and it is far less than what can Germany really offer.

“Ukraine expects a real paradigm shift from the German government, a 180-degree change of course,” he told German news agency DPA.

The German government has so far ruled out delivering lethal weapons to Ukraine, pointing out to the country’s restrictive arms export policy, which does not allow sending weapons to conflict regions.

Russia recently amassed 100,000 troops near Ukraine, prompting fears that the Kremlin could be planning another military offensive against its ex-Soviet neighbor.

Moscow has denied it is preparing to invade and said its troops are there for exercises. It has, instead, issued a list of security demands to NATO, including Ukraine not joining NATO, to calm existing tensions.

Source: Anadolu Agency

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Israel requests Germany’s help to reach prisoners swap deal with Hamas

Israel requested Germany’s help Wednesday in reaching a prisoners swap deal with the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas.

The request was made during a meeting between Knesset Speaker Mickey Levy and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin, according to a statement by the Israeli legislative body.

Levy, who has been in Germany since Monday, will participate in a ceremony marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day later Thursday.

He said the request was made in light of recent success by German mediators in reaching deals.

Germany made an important contribution to the Egyptian-mediated prisoners’ swap between Hamas and Israel in 2011.

In April 2016, Hamas said it had taken four Israeli soldiers captive. It withheld their identities except for Oron Shaul, an Israeli soldier missing since the 2014 Israeli offensive on Gaza.

At least 4,650 Palestinians are held by Israel, according to the Palestinian Prisoner Society.

Source: Anadolu Agency

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US issues advisory for individuals, entities doing business in Myanmar

US government agencies on Wednesday issued a business advisory for Myanmar, warning of “heightened risks” linked to doing business with the military regime and engaging in business activities that benefit the regime.

The advisory from departments of State, Commerce, Homeland Security, Labor, Treasury and the Office of the US Trade Representative is addressing individuals, businesses, financial institutions and other persons — including investors, consultants and research service providers, State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement.

Price said the US does not seek to curtail legitimate business and responsible investment in Myanmar.

“However, businesses and individuals should be wary of the associated illicit finance and money laundering risks, as well as reputational and legal risks, of conducting business and utilizing supply chains under military control in Burma,” he said.

State-owned enterprises, gems and precious metals, real estate and construction projects, arms, military equipment and related activities are the industries identified as primary ones that provide resources for the military.

On Feb. 1, 2021, the Myanmar military overthrew the country’s democratically-elected civilian government in a coup d’etat.

Since then, the military has killed more than 1,400 people and unjustly arrested political leaders and journalists.

Source: Anadolu Agency