Lindner told the German newspaper Berliner Zeitung that Scholz had fired Christian Lindner, former German Finance Minister, after he suggested sending Ukraine Taurus missiles in lieu of financial assistance.
Scholz’s dismissal on November 6 of Lindner triggered the collapse in Germany’s three party governing coalition. Scholz claimed that economic disagreements were the reason for Lindner’s dismissal.
Berliner Zeitung reported that Lindner, the leader of Germany’s Free Democratic Party, said his dispute with Scholz was centered around Ukraine policy. Scholz, according to Lindner, instructed him to transfer $3,2 billion (about 3 billion euros) to Ukraine. Lindner, however, refused due to Ukraine’s financial problems.
Lindner instead proposed that Ukraine be helped by sending long-range Taurus Cruise Missiles.
Kyiv has repeatedly appealed to Berlin for the German weapons, which can have a range up to 500 km — far exceeding other Western long-range rockets. Scholz has consistently denied Ukraine’s request.
Lindner said that three billion euros wouldn’t make a difference, given the amount of funds available.
“I said, on behalf of the Free Democrats, in the coalition committee, that if we wanted a different, stronger support for Ukraine, then Germany should decide to equip Ukraine with weapons systems the Ukrainians will need to defend their independence, especially the Taurus weapon system.”
According to Lindner Scholz refused to entertain the idea and was fired shortly thereafter.
Scholz’s decision of sacking Lindner is likely to lead the country to a snap election within the next few months.
Members of the budget committee claim that Germany will still be in a position to provide the majority of the 4 billion euro ($4.3 billion) promised by Germany to Ukraine even if 2025 budget approval is delayed due to the collapse of the coalition.
As the Alternative for Germany (AfD), a far-right party, continues to grow, political instability in Berlin could spell trouble for Kyiv. The Kremlin friendly faction has repeatedly called for Ukraine’s funding to be cut.
Local authorities reported that at least 25 people were injured, and that there may be more trapped under the rubble. Search and rescue operations continue at the building.
Lindner said that Scholz had fired the former Finance Minister Christian Lindner because he suggested sending Ukraine Taurus rockets instead of financial assistance, Lindner said.
Sabrina Singh, Deputy Pentagon press secretary, said Washington was “confident” it could fulfill its commitments towards Kyiv.
Five times, guided aerial bombs were used by Russia to strike Zaporizhzhia. The attack damaged houses, an apartment building and a cancer hospital.
According to local authorities, Russian forces launched a mass drone attack in southern Odesa Oblast over night on Nov. 8 that damaged several residential buildings as well as a school located in the city of Odesa.
The International Chamber of Commerce will lower the arbitration court costs for foreign investors who are involved in Ukraine’s rebuilding projects to encourage much needed investment.
At a press conference held at the European Political Community Summit in Budapest, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that he thought Trump wanted to end Russia’s war quickly, but that they had not discussed any plan.
Reuters reported that the collapse of the coalition would not prevent Germany from providing the majority of the 4 billion euro ($4.3 billion) budget promised to Ukraine.
On Nov. 7, Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Donald Trump for his victory in the U.S. Presidential election during the Valdai Forum in Sochi.
The President Volodymyr Zelensky insists on the opening of Boryspil International Airport first.
Vertigo Games, a virtual reality company, released Metro Awakening on November 7, the fourth installment in the popular postapocalyptic franchise set in Russia’s subway.
“We must work together.” “I look forward to meeting with Donald Trump and discussing how we can collectively face these threats, what we need do,” said NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
The locations of military sites in Ukraine are no longer displayed on Google Maps, said Andrii Kovalenko, head of the Counter-Disinformation Center under Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, on Nov. 7.
Naftogaz, the CEO of Ukraine’s state-owned oil company, said that despite reports of a nearing contract, no deal between Europe and Azerbaijan is on the table to keep gas flowing via Ukraine after a transit agreement with Russia expires this year.
The Kyiv Independent interviewed Kurt Volker a few hours after Donald Trump won the U.S. Presidential election. He served as the U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations in 2017-2019 and as U.S. Ambassador to NATO in 2008/2009.
Oleh Tatarov has been to Moscow at least 9 times since the initial Russian invasion of Ukraine, according to RFE/RL Schemes, an investigation project that cites flight data.
“Peace rewards only the strong,” said President Zelensky.
Sergei Shoigu said that the West should recognize the fact that Russia is winning the war in Ukraine and begin negotiations, as reported by the Russian state news agency TASS on November 8.
The U.K. announced on Nov. 7, its largest package of sanction against Russia since May 20,23, focusing primarily on the Russian defense industries and mercenary group.
The fifth meeting will focus, among other topics, on Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine and ongoing escalation of violence in the Middle East.
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