Latest news with #Swedish-made
Bangkok Post
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Phumtham 'signed sub deal' before leaving post
Outgoing Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai confirmed he approved the long-delayed submarine procurement deal before stepping down, marking one of his final decisions in office. Speaking after a farewell ceremony at the ministry on Wednesday, Mr Phumtham said the deal was signed before the end of June in his other capacity as the deputy premier overseeing national security. "The submarine deal required my signature, and I approved it before June ended," he told reporters, adding the agreement is now awaiting placement on the cabinet agenda for final endorsement. The submarine deal, stalled for years due to political and logistical hurdles, was one of the key issues Mr Phumtham aimed to conclude during his nine-month tenure. However, he acknowledged the planned purchase of Swedish-made Gripen fighter jets could not be finalised in time and will be left for the incoming defence minister to handle. "Some matters could be completed, others couldn't. It is now the responsibility of my successor," he said. When asked about the vacant defence portfolio in the cabinet reshuffle, Mr Phumtham said the focus should not be on which party holds the post, but rather on selecting a capable and qualified candidate. "It used to belong to the Pheu Thai Party, but what matters more is choosing someone who can work effectively with the armed forces and protect national interests," he said. "Speculation the post will be vacant for three months is unfounded." He dismissed rumours about potential candidates, saying, "Please don't ask me about things I haven't heard. Any decision must be based on the suitability of the person for the role." Mr Phumtham is set to assume his new role as minister of interior following the swearing-in ceremony scheduled for Thursday. He will retain the position of deputy prime minister. Reflecting on his time as defence minister, he said he prioritised cooperation with senior military commanders to improve welfare for lower-ranking personnel and raise morale within the armed forces. He added that several other matters -- including military housing development and structural reform of army personnel -- are progressing steadily.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
German foreign minister visits Kyiv, pledges continued support for Ukraine
KYIV: Foreign minister Johann Wadephul made an unannounced visit to Kyiv on Monday, in a show of continuing support for Ukraine's fight to repel Russia's invasion as US-led international peace efforts fail to make progress. Wadephul was due to meet with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. Wadephul said in a statement that Germany will help Ukraine "continue to defend itself successfully - with modern air defence and other weapons, with humanitarian and economic aid". Germany has been Ukraine's second-largest military backer after the United States, whose continuing support is in doubt. However, Berlin has balked at granting Zelenskyy's request to provide Ukraine with powerful German- and Swedish-made Taurus long-range missiles. That's due to fears that such a move could enrage the Kremlin and end up drawing NATO into Europe's biggest conflict since World War II. Instead, German chancellor Friedrich Merz pledged in May to help Ukraine develop its own long-range missile systems that would be free of any Western-imposed limitations on their use and targets. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Most Successful Way of Intraday Trading is "Market Profile" TradeWise Learn More Wadephul was accompanied on his trip to Kyiv by German defence industry representatives. Russia's invasion shows no sign of letting up. Its grinding war of attrition along the roughly 1,000-kilometre front line and long-range strikes on civilian areas of Ukraine have killed thousands of troops and civilians. The Russian effort to capture more Ukrainian territory has been costly in terms of casualties and damaged armour. But Russian President Vladimir Putin has effectively rejected a ceasefire and hasn't budged from his war goals. Putin "doesn't want negotiations, but (Ukrainian) capitulation", Wadephul said in his statement. Russia launched its biggest combined aerial attack against Ukraine at the weekend, Ukrainian officials said, in its escalating bombing campaign that has further dashed hopes for a breakthrough in peace efforts.
Euronews
2 days ago
- Politics
- Euronews
Germany's FM Johann Wadephul makes unannounced visit to Ukraine
Germany's Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul made an unannounced visit to Kyiv on Monday, saying Ukraine's freedom was "the most important task" in German policy. In a show of continuing support for Ukraine's fight to repel Russia's full-scale invasion, Wadephul is due to meet Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha later on Monday. Wadephul said in a statement that Germany will help Ukraine "continue to defend itself successfully — with modern air defence and other weapons, with humanitarian and economic aid." In a statement released by the foreign ministry, Wadepuhl said "Ukraine's freedom and liberty is the most important task in our foreign and security policy." Germany has been Ukraine's second-largest military backer after the United States, whose continuing support under President Donald Trump is in doubt. However, Berlin has baulked at granting Zelenskyy's request to provide Ukraine with powerful German- and Swedish-made Taurus long-range missiles. Instead, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz pledged in May to help Ukraine develop its own long-range missile systems that would be free of any limitations on their use and targets. Wadephul was accompanied on his trip to Kyiv by German defence industry representatives. Russia's all-out invasion shows no sign of letting up. Its grinding war of attrition along the roughly 1,000-kilometre front line and long-range strikes on civilian areas of Ukraine have killed thousands of troops and civilians. Moscow's effort to capture more Ukrainian territory has been costly, but Russian President Vladimir Putin has effectively rejected ceasefire proposals and has not shifted from his war aims. Putin "doesn't want negotiations, but (Ukrainian) capitulation," Wadephul said in a statement. Russia launched its biggest combined aerial attack against Ukraine at the weekend, Ukrainian officials said, in its escalating bombing campaign that has further dashed hopes for a breakthrough in peace efforts.
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
German foreign minister visits Ukraine, pledges continued support
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul will meet his Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy AP Kyiv German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul made an unannounced visit to Kyiv on Monday, in a show of continuing support for Ukraine's fight to repel Russia's invasion as US-led international peace efforts fail to make progress. Wadephul was due to meet with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. Wadephul said in a statement that Germany will help Ukraine continue to defend itself successfully with modern air defence and other weapons, with humanitarian and economic aid". Germany has been Ukraine's second-largest military backer after the United States, whose continuing support is in doubt. However, Berlin has balked at granting Zelenskyy's request to provide Ukraine with powerful German- and Swedish-made Taurus long-range missiles. That's due to fears that such a move could enrage the Kremlin and end up drawing NATO into Europe's biggest conflict since World War II. Instead, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz pledged in May to help Ukraine develop its own long-range missile systems that would be free of any Western-imposed limitations on their use and targets. Wadephul was accompanied on his trip to Kyiv by German defence industry representatives. Russia's invasion shows no sign of letting up. Its grinding war of attrition along the roughly 1,000-kilometre front line and long-range strikes on civilian areas of Ukraine have killed thousands of troops and civilians. The Russian effort to capture more Ukrainian territory has been costly in terms of casualties and damaged armour. But Russian President Vladimir Putin has effectively rejected a ceasefire and hasn't budged from his war goals. Putin doesn't want negotiations, but (Ukrainian) capitulation, Wadephul said in his statement. Russia launched its biggest combined aerial attack against Ukraine at the weekend, Ukrainian officials said, in its escalating bombing campaign that has further dashed hopes for a breakthrough in peace efforts. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Leader Live
2 days ago
- Politics
- Leader Live
German foreign minister pledges continued support for Ukraine in Kyiv visit
Mr Wadephul is due to meet with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha. The German minister said in a statement that Germany will help Ukraine 'continue to defend itself successfully – with modern air defence and other weapons, with humanitarian and economic aid'. Our institutions are working on the synchronization of European and Ukrainian sanctions. We are also fully aligning the European sanctions package targeting the regime in Iran, which includes numerous individuals, companies, and entities not only involved in military production… — Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) June 29, 2025 Germany has been Ukraine's second-largest military backer after the United States, whose continuing support is in doubt. However, Berlin has baulked at granting Mr Zelensky's request to provide Ukraine with powerful German- and Swedish-made Taurus long-range missiles. This is due to fears that such a move could enrage the Kremlin and end up drawing Nato into Europe's biggest conflict since the Second World War. Instead, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz pledged in May to help Ukraine develop its own long-range missile systems that would be free of any Western-imposed limitations on their use and targets. Almost all night long, air raid alerts sounded across Ukraine — 477 drones were in our skies, most of them Russian-Iranian Shaheds, along with 60 missiles of various types. The Russians were targeting everything that sustains life. A residential building in Smila was also hit,… — Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) June 29, 2025 Mr Wadephul was accompanied on his trip to Kyiv by German defence industry representatives. Russia's invasion shows no sign of letting up. Its grinding war of attrition along the roughly 620-mile front line and long-range strikes on civilian areas of Ukraine have killed thousands of troops and civilians. The Russian effort to capture more Ukrainian territory has been costly in terms of casualties and damaged armour. But Russian President Vladimir Putin has effectively rejected a ceasefire and has not budged from his war goals. Mr Putin 'doesn't want negotiations, but (Ukrainian) capitulation', Mr Wadephul said in his statement. Russia launched its biggest combined aerial attack against Ukraine at the weekend, Ukrainian officials said, in its escalating bombing campaign that has further dashed hopes for a breakthrough in peace efforts.
