Heading towards World War III?

Ukraine’s ambassador to Israel has slammed the country for refusing to supply Kiev with anti-tank munitions and a sophisticated missile defense system, saying they are needed to fend off Russian forces.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Ambassador Yevgen Korniychuk appealed for increased military assistance from the Israeli government, criticizing its alleged decision to deny Kiev a shipment of Spike anti-tank guided missiles.

“I want the Israeli government to move away from its comfort zone and get back to reality,” he said, claiming that US officials signed off on the Spike missiles, which were to be transferred through Germany, but “Israel said no.”

Korniychuk’s comments appeared to confirm previous reports about the axed missile deal, which indicated the Spike transfer was discussed during a recent visit to the US by Israeli military officials. The director general of the Israeli Defense Ministry, Amir Eshel, reportedly declined to back the idea over concerns the weapons would be used to kill Russian soldiers, potentially harming ties with Moscow.

www.rt.com/news/556778-ukraine-israel-military-aid

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has defended her record on handling Vladimir Putin in her first major interview since leaving office.

She said she had "nothing to apologise for" over her response to Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, when she supported sanctions.

She also defended her opposition in office to Ukraine joining Nato.

Mrs Merkel has been accused of leaving Germany vulnerable by pursuing business-led relations with Russia.

The Nord Stream 2 pipeline to carry Russian natural gas directly to Germany was built while she was chancellor and only suspended by her successor, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, shortly before Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February.

Under pressure to impose stringent new sanctions over the invasion, Germany is struggling to reduce its dependence on Russian energy without damaging its own economy.

But Mrs Merkel said Europe and Russia were neighbours that could not ignore each other. "We have to find a way to co-exist despite all our differences," she said.

The invasion was "not just unacceptable but also a major mistake by Russia", she told German journalist and author Alexander Osang in an interview televised by broadcaster ARD.

"If we start going back through the centuries and arguing over which bit of territory should belong to whom, then we will only have war," she said. "That's not an option whatsoever."

She defended the sanctions imposed on Russia in response to the annexation of Crimea and Germany's role in maintaining the Minsk peace process, which was meant to end the fighting in eastern Ukraine in 2014-15.

The peace process, she argued, allowed Ukraine time to develop as a nation and strengthen its military.

"I don't have to blame myself for not trying hard enough," she said. "I don't see that I have to say 'that was wrong' and that's why I have nothing to apologise for."

She had opposed Nato membership for Ukraine in 2008, she said, because she had wanted to prevent escalation with Russia and because Ukraine itself was not ready. "That wasn't the Ukraine we know today," she said. "The country was not stable, it was riddled with corruption."

www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61727450

Two Britons captured by Russian forces in Ukraine have appeared in court in territory held by pro-Russian rebels.

Aiden Aslin, 28, from Nottinghamshire, and Shaun Pinner, 48, from Bedfordshire, are being held in the so-called Donetsk People's Republic.

They are reportedly charged with being mercenaries. But their families say they were in Ukraine's military.

It is feared the court, which is not internationally recognised, could pass the death penalty if it convicts them.

A video has emerged of the two Britons attending a court hearing alongside a third man, Moroccan national Saaudun Brahim.

www.bbc.com/news/uk-61722243

Ukrainian Commander Defects To Russia In Kherson Region Ukraine

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is planning a military incursion into Syria to drive back Kurdish fighters. Both Russia and the US have warned Erdogan against destabilising Syria. Will Turkey's military plans drag NATO & Russia into a new conflict?

Ukraine will resume grain exports only when its own security is ensured, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Alexey Danilov said on Tuesday as the Russian military offensive continues in his country.

Speaking on national TV, Danilov recalled a statement by the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs “which clearly said that the first issue is security, the second issue is security, the third issue is security.”

“If this issue is not resolved, and the security of our country is not ensured, no grain will go anywhere. Because for us the issue of security is the number one priority,” Danilov stated, without specifying what exactly he meant by the term “security.”

At the same time, he claimed that “this issue is under control” and made clear that the Ukrainian authorities remember their obligations.

“Nobody wants the world to be hungry,” he stressed.

Ukraine and Russia have accused each other of impeding grain exports. Kiev and its Western supporters claim that, by blocking Ukraine’s Black Sea ports, Russia is aggravating the global food crisis. Moscow has rejected such claims, saying it is ready to ensure safe passage for grain-carrying vessels and that the disruption stems from extensive mining of the shoreline by the Ukrainian military.

www.rt.com/russia/556826-ukraine-russia-grain-obstacles