Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj has shown himself confident of victory shortly before the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of his country. Ukraine will win this "historic confrontation," Zelenskyj said in a video address on Monday evening. "The aggressor state, which is increasingly becoming a terrorist state, will be held accountable for its crimes." The entire free world is helping Kiev defend its freedom, independence and international legal order.

Almost a year after the war began, US President Joe Biden was a guest in Kiev – "in our free capital of our free country," Zelenskyj said. This is a sign of how resilient Ukraine is. The Russian war of aggression enters its second year this Friday.

Biden visits NATO partner Poland

After his visit to Ukraine, Biden is expected in neighboring Poland on Tuesday. In the capital Warsaw, he is planning, according to the White house, among other things, a meeting with President Andrzej Duda and in the early evening a speech in front of the Royal Castle.

Putin delivers State of the Union address

Russian President Vladimir Putin will deliver his State of the Union address on Tuesday. The Federal Assembly meets near the Kremlin. According to the Kremlin, Putin will address the war and the current situation in Russia. In addition, he wants to comment on the economy and social policy. Because of Western sanctions, the Russian economy is under massive pressure.

Rheinmetall: Marder tanks to be delivered as planned at the end of March

The armaments company Rheinmetall confirmed that its contingent of Marder infantry fighting vehicles for Ukraine would be delivered without delay. "It has been agreed to deliver at the end of March. They are already finished here," said CEO Armin Papperger in Unterlüß. The German government had announced that it would hand over 40 infantry fighting vehicles to Kiev. Of these, 20 are to come from the Bundeswehr stocks, 20 more will be supplied by Rheinmetall.

Baerbock appeals to China: Do not supply weapons to Russia

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock appealed to China not to supply Russia with weapons for the war against Ukraine. At the Munich Security Conference, she made it clear in talks with the Chinese delegation that China, as a member of the Security Council, is responsible for world peace, says the Green politician in Brussels. "Of course, this also means that China is not allowed to supply weapons – including dual-use goods – to Russia. I underlined this intensively in my discussions."

US government gives details of military aid to Ukraine

The US government announced further details on the military aid to Ukraine announced by Biden in Kiev. The new package has a value of up to 460 million US dollars (a good 428 million euros) and includes missiles for the multiple rocket launcher of the type Himars, artillery shells, mortar shells and armor-piercing missiles, the Pentagon said. Radar systems for aerial surveillance as well as various vehicles and medical equipment are also included in the planned delivery. The armaments come from stocks of the US military.

Biden's visit to Kiev also sends a signal to the Kremlin

According to Ukraine, Biden's visit to Kiev was also a clear message to Russia. The visit was a signal to the Kremlin "that the US will stand by Ukraine until it wins the war. The Kremlin, on the other hand, has no chance of winning," the head of Ukraine's presidential office, Andriy Yermak, said in Kiev.

The Ukrainian General Staff continues to assess the danger of massive Russian air strikes as high. On Monday, there were at least one dead and two injured in the Donetsk region, according to Ukrainian reports. Nationwide, there was an air alert for an hour and a half. The trigger is reportedly Russian fighter jets in Belarus. These can fire Kinschal hypersonic missiles that cannot be intercepted by Ukraine.

Despite repeated Russian air strikes, there is no deficit in the Ukrainian energy system for the second week in a row, according to the state electricity grid operator Ukrenerho. No regional electricity consumption limits had been set, it said. Occasionally, however, it could come to shutdowns.

Zelenskyj speaks with IMF Managing Director

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke with International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva about further support for his country. "The support of the IMF is a chance for Ukraine to remain strong," Zelenskyi said after the meeting in Kiev. "It is also a weapon – an economic weapon that allows us, our society and our companies to develop." Through its activities, the IMF "always gives the right signals".

Further meetings of the Ukraine Contact Group

The next meeting of the so-called Ukraine Contact Group will take place in March via video conference, according to Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Resnikov. The US-led group coordinates arms deliveries to Kiev. The members would then probably meet again in April at the US Air Base Ramstein in Rhineland-Palatinate, said Resnikow.

What will be important on Tuesday

A visit by Biden to Warsaw coincides with a speech by Putin. He wants to speak in Moscow on the state of the nation. This Friday marks a year since Russia launched the war of aggression against Ukraine.