Zelenskyy thanks Europe for support
In its efforts to obtain reparations from Russia for the devastating war damage in Ukraine, Kiev has been strengthened by the Council of Europe. “It is important that Europe is so united in the interest of a fair peace plan,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his nightly video address on Wednesday. The 46 states of the Council of Europe had previously passed several resolutions with a signal effect at the end of a summit meeting in Iceland: they approved a register of war damages in Ukraine, demanded the return of all children deported to Russia and the creation of a special tribunal.
“The Council of Europe has made an important decision: the final resolution of the Icelandic summit supports the Ukrainian peace formula,” Zelensky said. He thanked all Heads of State and Government of Europe and all member states of the Council of Europe for their position.
The current developments in the live ticker:
The damage caused by the offensive war, which has been going on for almost 15 months, must be documented by the Council of Europe so that Russia can be held accountable. In Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik, 40 of the 46 states of the organisation, which is independent from the European Union, have agreed to join the damage register or to do so in the future. Turkey, Hungary, Azerbaijan and Serbia do not want to participate for the time being. The register is seen as the first step towards possible compensation payments to Ukraine.
Zelenskyj’s peace formula includes a demand for the complete withdrawal of all Russian troops from the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea and from the other occupied territories of Ukraine. It is also considering reparations against Russia and plans for an international tribunal to try politicians and the military responsible for the war.
UN Secretary-General on grain deal: “Good news for the world”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has described the extension of the grain agreement between Russia and Ukraine as “good news for the world”. While some questions remain open, representatives from Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and the United Nations are trying to find solutions, Guterres said in New York. The agreement is important for global food security – and because it shows that “even in the darkest hour there is always a glimmer of hope and an opportunity to find solutions that help everyone”.
The Turkish government had previously announced that Russia and Ukraine had agreed on a two-month extension of the grain deal. Representatives of both countries confirmed the continuity of the UN-brokered grain corridor until July 18. It allows controlled grain exports from the Black Sea ports of Odessa, Chornomorsk and Pivdennyj (Yushny).
Special Chinese envoy for talks in Ukraine
China’s special envoy Li Hui has held talks in Ukraine about a peace solution to the war with Russia. Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba briefed him in detail on the “principles for restoring a lasting and just peace,” the Ukrainian government announced on Wednesday. Kuleba stressed that Ukraine “will not accept proposals aimed at losing its territory or freezing the conflict”.
It was the first time since the start of the war on February 24, 2022 that China sent a high-ranking diplomat to the country attacked by Russia. Li is now expected in Moscow, where President Xi Jinping was received by Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin in March. China has been accused of being very close to the aggressor Russia and has also been criticized in the past for attempting to settle the conflict, as Beijing’s stance in it has been seen as unilaterally pro-Russian.
Three dead in Russian shelling of Kherson – five dead in Donetsk
At least three people were killed in a Russian artillery attack on the Kherson region of southern Ukraine on Wednesday. A five-year-old boy was among the victims, Ukrainian media reported based on local authorities. Two people were seriously injured in the attack on the village of Zelenivka.
In eastern Ukraine, five people are said to have been killed in Russian-controlled Donbass as a result of shelling by Ukrainian forces. In addition, 23 people were injured in the attacks in the Donetsk region, the Russian state agency TASS reports on the basis of local authorities. The information about the events in the war zone cannot be independently verified.
Moscow: Patriot battery destroyed near Kiev – USA: Damaged only
The US government denies Russia’s account of the alleged destruction of a Patriot air defense system, according to US media reports. The battery defending the capital Kiev was only slightly damaged and can still be used, the reports said, citing anonymous military sources.
The Russian military, on the other hand, reiterated its claim to have destroyed an almost complete Patriot system. As the Ministry of Defense in Moscow confirmed on Wednesday citing “reliably confirmed data”, the attack on May 16 with a hypersonic missile of the “Kinzhal” (dagger) type destroyed not only the battery’s radar guidance system, but also five launch pads. This information could not initially be independently verified.
On Thursday morning, the authorities in Kiev again informed about intercepted missiles. Three districts on the east bank of the Dnipro were affected. An empty building caught fire from falling debris. There was no information yet about possible victims.
That will be important on Thursday
Heavy fighting is expected again on the fronts in eastern Ukraine.
(con/sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
