The six Leopard tanks promised by Spain to Ukraine left by sea on Friday, April 21, and will reach their destination “within five to six days”, the Spanish Defense Minister announced on Saturday. Madrid had promised at the end of February to send these tanks as part of the aid from European countries to Ukraine engaged against the Russian offensive. “There are four more Leopards under repair and when that is done they will also go to Ukraine,” added Margarita Robles. Follow our live.
Russia announces the expulsion of around twenty German diplomats. The Russian Foreign Ministry on Saturday ordered the expulsion of “more than twenty” German diplomats, in retaliation according to him for a similar measure taken by Berlin. For its part, the German Foreign Ministry reported“flight” Saturday from Berlin with “members of the embassy” Russian on board, without specifying whether they were expelled diplomats.
“Serious nuclear security risks” at the Zaporizhia power plant. Experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have “heard shelling almost every day this week”near the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, occupied for more than a year by the Russian army, reported the director of the body in a press release (article in English) published on Friday. Rafael Grossi expressed concern about “serious nuclear safety and security risks facing Europe’s largest power plant”.
The head of NATO “confident” that Ukraine can regain ground. Meeting on Friday at the American base in Ramstein (Germany), kyiv’s allies passed “reviewing the various capabilities, systems and supplies the Ukrainians need to regain more ground”explained the Secretary General of NATO. “I am confident that [les Ukrainiens] will now be able to free up even more ground”assured Jens Stoltenberg.
Russia blasts ‘dangerous’ claims of NATO. Moscow once again criticized on Friday the prospect of Ukraine joining the Atlantic Alliance, mentioned the day before by Jens Stoltenberg. “Such statements are short-sighted and downright dangerous. It can lead to the final collapse of the European security system”said a spokeswoman for the Russian Ministry of Defense.