Zelenskyy's visit to Vilnius, fugitive prisoner in Ecuador and NATO-Ukraine Council - Wednesday brief
Photo: Collage by RBC-Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived on an unannounced visit to Lithuania, where he held several meetings. Meanwhile, a regular meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council took place. Also, Ecuador was shaken by armed attacks, including the seizure of the local TC Television channel. A state of emergency has been declared in the country, with reports of the first casualties.
For more details on what happened on Wednesday, January 10, read RBC-Ukraine's material.
Zelenskyy arrives in Lithuania
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has already arrived in Vilnius. He met with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, according to the Office of the President of Ukraine and Nausėda on X.
Zelenskyy, in turn, thanked his Lithuanian counterpart for the reception and Lithuania's strong defense and humanitarian and political support for our country.
In addition, Ukraine and Lithuania have signed bilateral agreements, and the leaders of both countries will reveal their content at a joint press conference.
Ukraine-NATO Council condemns Russian strikes, reaffirms support for Kyiv
The Ukraine-NATO Council held a meeting at the ambassadorial level to discuss the massive Russian strikes on Ukraine using Iranian drones and North Korean missiles. NATO countries pledged to continue assisting Kyiv, reports the NATO press service.
The Ukraine-NATO Council held a meeting today with the participation of, among others, the Commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, Mykola Oleshchuk, and the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Oleksii Serhiiev. At the meeting, NATO countries strongly condemned the escalation of Russian airstrikes on Ukraine using Iranian and North Korean weaponry.
Lithuania approves long-term aid package for Ukraine
Lithuania has approved a package of long-term military aid to Ukraine amounting to 200 million euros. Additionally, new deliveries have been announced for January and February, says Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda during a joint press conference with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
According to the Lithuanian President, in January, Lithuania will send ammunition, generators, and detonation systems to Ukraine, and in February, M577 armored personnel carriers.
Lithuania will also train Ukrainian soldiers and strengthen cooperation with Ukraine in the defense industry.
Riots, online hostages, and state of emergency: Situation in Ecuador and fugitive prisoner's role in it
Yesterday, on January 9, armed individuals in masks seized the local TC Television studio in the city of Guayaquil. Hosts and other staff were taken hostage. All this happened live and was broadcast for about 20 minutes.
Gunshots and shouts could be heard in the live broadcast, and some attackers gestured towards the camera. Someone could be heard shouting, "No police."
Law enforcement detained 13 attackers, and the hostages were released. According to reports, two employees of the TV channel were injured.
The incident occurred a day after a group of prisoners escaped from prison. Among them was one of the most notorious leaders of the country's drug cartels, José Adolfo Macías ("Fito"). The leader of the Los Choneros gang was serving a 34-year sentence in La Regional prison for drug trafficking and murder.
Zelenskyy on threat of war freezing: No pressure from partners yet, no corresponding signals
There is currently no pressure from partners to cease Ukraine's defense. Allies are not yet ready to officially send corresponding signals, according to the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during a press conference with the President of Lithuania.
"There is no pressure from partners to stop our defense. I wouldn't say stopping the fighting, after all, it is our defense. Stopping our just defense and ending our struggle. There is no pressure on this matter. So far, there is none," said the head of state.
Zelenskyy added that he had heard and read about Russia's threat of freezing the war in the media. However, he emphasized that partners have not officially provided such signals.
Trump said he'd never help Europe in case of war, top EU official
During a meeting with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in 2020, former White House Chief Donald Trump said he would not assist Europe in case of war, says French European Commissioner Thierry Breton.
According to the commissioner, during a meeting with the President of the European Commission at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump claimed that NATO was supposedly "dead" and promised to withdraw from the Alliance.
Breton revealed Trump's threats at an event in the European Parliament in Brussels on January 9, just a few days before the Republican Party held caucuses in Iowa.
In turn, Breton insists that the European Union should strengthen its capabilities for self-defense against the backdrop of Russia's war against Ukraine. He announced the creation of a fund of 100 billion euros to boost arms production in the bloc.
Iran develops new explosive drone for Russia's war against Ukraine
Iran has developed a new explosive and reconnaissance combat drone, Shahed-107, for Russia, which the aggressor nation plans to use for attacks against Ukraine, according to Sky News.
The Shahed-107 is described as an explosive and reconnaissance drone, possibly equipped with technology for identifying military targets, such as British and American multiple-launch rocket systems used by Ukrainian forces.
The source also revealed that several units of the specially designed drone may have been offered to Russia as part of a deal estimated at over $2 million.
It is expected to be equipped with a transmitter for video transmission. Such reconnaissance capabilities mean that the drone can be used to identify targets on the front line for engagement by other UAVs or weapon systems.
