Zelensky is looking for security
Almost two years ago, Russia invaded Ukraine, and the shock and big words have now given way to concerns about empty arsenals and war weariness. The country is under constant Russian fire and the troops at the front are on the defensive. Under these auspices, President Volodymyr Zelenskyj is traveling today first to Berlin and then to Paris; it is his second visit to Germany since the Russian invasion on February 24, 2022.
In both countries he will conclude bilateral security agreements that are intended to guarantee long-term support for his country, as a consolation for the fact that it will not become a NATO member in the foreseeable future. It was already decided at a NATO summit last summer that there should be such agreements. However, this does not appear to be associated with any substantial new help. Presumably it's all about the signal: the Europeans are reaffirming their responsibility for the attacked Ukraine - at a moment when the USA threatens to fail.
That is important, but Ukraine needs more weapons and ammunition even more urgently. President Emmanuel Macron may be a master of pithy words, but according to a report from the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, France has reportedly only provided 540 million euros in support to Ukraine, while Germany has provided 17.1 billion euros. The French deny these figures: They don't report everything, and in general they provide "game changers". Subtext: Our weapons work differently than the Germans.
And Germany? Although it is Ukraine's biggest supporter in Europe in absolute terms, it is only in 10th place in terms of economic power. So far, much has only been promised but not delivered. And: Chancellor Olaf Scholz is still refusing to give the Ukrainians Taurus cruise missiles, which can destroy bunkers and weapons depots up to 500 kilometers away. The Chancellor fears an escalation if Russian territory is hit with German weapons. Great Britain, on the other hand, has already delivered cruise missiles and France has announced them. It is unlikely that Scholz will give up the Taurus today. But it would be a long overdue decision.
Zelensky will travel from Paris to the Munich Security Conference, where he was last in 2022, when Vladimir Putin's army had already deployed. A few days later the war began.
You can read more background information here: Zelenskyj is planning security agreements with France and meetings with Scholz
Where the powerful meet
When UN Secretary General António Guterres opens the 60th Munich Security Conference (MSC) today, some will be paying particularly close attention. For example, the President and Foreign Minister of Israel, who both traveled to Munich. In October, Guterres was sharply criticized for saying that the brutal Hamas massacre on October 7th did not take place "in a vacuum." It was MSC boss Christoph Heusgen who defended the UN chief - albeit clumsily - and was then attacked himself. The Guterres invitation can certainly be seen as a retaliation.
The UN chief will probably speak about the allegations against the Palestinian aid agency UNRWA, but also about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip - and call for a ceasefire. The appropriate musical accompaniment comes from Daniel Barenboim's West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, featuring an Israeli, a Palestinian and an Egyptian.
This should set the tone for the security conference, which this time is taking place in a particularly bleak world situation. Crises, conflicts, wars - and then there is the threat of Donald Trump's return to the White House and a Russian nuclear weapon in space.
For the MSC, however, the poor state of the world is, to a certain extent, a basis for business; this year more heads of state and government, ministers and experts are taking part than ever before. An informal summit at which no decisions are made or declarations are adopted, but world politics is still made. Vladimir Putin railed against NATO's eastward expansion here in 2007. Many see this as the moment when the Russian president broke with the West.
You can read more about the background here: What is behind the alleged Russian plans for nuclear weapons in space?
A bad week for Donald Trump
You can sometimes lose track of the many cases against Donald Trump. Four criminal trials are in preparation and various civil proceedings are also ongoing. And a lot is coming together this week. Yesterday it was about the affair of District Attorney Fani Willis, which could blow up the election fraud trial against Trump in Georgia. The ex-president also appeared in court in New York regarding hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels. This trial is now scheduled to begin on March 25th - it would be the first criminal trial against a former president in US history.
Things continue today in New York, but again in a different, civil case: Judge Arthur Engoron is expected to publish his written verdict in the Trump fraud trial later today. The public prosecutor's office is demanding a fine of $370 million, including the repayment of swindled funds. To summarize, Trump is said to have inflated his assets by up to $3.6 billion in order to get cheaper loans. Among other things, he is said to have stated the area of his apartment in Trump Tower to be three times larger than its real size. The manipulations are said to have spanned over a decade. The judge could also revoke Trump's business license in New York state or place his Trump Organization under the management of a regulator. Then the ex-president might have to sell his Trump Tower.
Whatever the verdict, Trump will surely appeal and try to delay payment. Otherwise, he is likely to react as usual: with even more ruckus.
You can read more about the background here: New York judge paves way for hush money trial against Trump
Read the current SPIEGEL editorial here
The tragedy of Christian Lindner:
Since being in government, the FDP has suffered numerous electoral defeats. The Liberals have nothing to gain from the coalition and yet they cannot leave it.
Click here for the current daily quiz
The starting question today: Who wrote the lyrics to the German national anthem?
Loser of the day...
...is Jürgen Klinsmann. The coach of the South Korean national soccer team is threatened with retirement after an advisory committee of the Korean Football Association recommended parting ways with the former German national coach. The current reason is probably the defeat against outsiders Jordan in the semi-finals of the Asian Cup. But there have been atmospheric disturbances between the team and coach for a long time, and the 59-year-old has also been criticized by fans and the media in South Korea. One of the reasons: that he is rarely there, preferring to be in his home country of California. My colleague Marc Hujer recently met Klinsmann in South Korea and California. The final decision lies with the association president. Forecast: It should happen quickly.
You can read the entire Klinsmann portrait here: A Swabian in Korea
The latest reports from the night
US government takes Russia's plans for anti-satellite weapon "very, very seriously":
According to the US government, Russia is developing an anti-satellite weapon. This was confirmed by John Kirby, spokesman for the National Security Council. President Joe Biden has already ordered the first measures.
Greece allows same-sex marriage:
Greece is the first Christian Orthodox country to allow marriage between homosexual couples. "Today is a day of joy," said Prime Minister Mitsotakis after the vote in parliament.
Another complaint against Gérard Depardieu for sexual assault:
Another woman makes serious allegations against Gérard Depardieu. She reported the 75-year-old for sexual assault. According to a media report, she once worked as an assistant during filming for the film star.
I would particularly like to recommend this text to you today:
"African Apocalypse":
The war in Ukraine, the battles in the Gaza Strip - between all the news about major international conflicts, what is often overlooked is that there is also fighting in another country, with catastrophic consequences. In Sudan, the regular armed forces and the paramilitary RSF face each other. My colleague Fritz Schaap describes what the war means for the population: Millions of people had to flee in 2023 alone, more than 40 percent of the residents suffer from acute hunger, cholera is rampant, children, girls and women are victims of sexual violence. Fritz quotes Unicef spokesman James Elder, who reports on the situation in Sudan in drastic terms: What is happening in the country, says Elder, is "on the verge of pure evil."
I wish you a good start to the day.
Your Juliane von Mittelstaedt, deputy head of the international department