Overview of the war in Ukraine: Selensky declares war on Moscow

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“Kiev and all our cities, all our Ukraine will end the history of Moscow despotism, which has long enslaved many different peoples,” he said in his daily video address on Sunday.

Demonstration of strength and confidence

The head of state was not, as usual, sitting in a shielded room, but in the evening light on the street in front of the presidential office in Kiev. The outdoor appearance on the day of the anniversary of the city of Kiev should also have been a sign for Moscow that the Ukrainians do not want to be afraid.

Zelensky said Ukraine’s air defenses had managed to almost completely repel one of the largest Russian drone strikes since the start of the war. In this way, Russia tried to spoil the city’s birthday party for the residents of Kiev. But Kiev has already survived a wide variety of atrocities in its history and will also survive the attacks of the Russians and will not allow them to conquer, the 45-year-old said. According to him, weapons like the Shahed drones cannot save the Russian rulers. Because Russia despises life and culture, it can only lose the war, he predicted.

Massive nighttime drone attack on Ukraine

The night before, Russia had launched one of the heaviest drone strikes against Ukraine in months. A record 54 kamikaze drones have been registered, the press service of the Ukrainian Air Force reported on Telegram on Sunday morning. Although 52 of the unmanned aerial vehicles could have been shot down, authorities said, one was killed and one wounded. The attack was mainly aimed at the capital Kiev, but several residential buildings were also hit in the city of Zhytomyr.

Zelensky proposes sanctions against Iran to parliament

Against the backdrop of continued drone strikes, Zelensky has introduced 50-year sanctions against Iran. State news agency Unian reported this on Sunday, referring to a legislative initiative from the president that was received in the Ukrainian parliament. The trade in military equipment and so-called dual-use goods, which can be used for civilian and military purposes, must be prohibited.

In addition, Ukraine also wants to end its economic and financial obligations to Iran and stop exporting capital to the Islamic Republic. A ban on technology transfer and investment in Iran is also proposed. Ukraine’s parliament is expected to approve the decision, which has already been approved by the National Security Council.

Ukraine accuses Iran of arms aid to Russia. It is said that Moscow mainly uses Iranian-type Shahed drones for its attacks. Iran denies this.

Congratulations from Moscow and Kiev to Ankara

Meanwhile, both Zelenskiy and Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin congratulated Turkish President Tayyip Recep Erdogan on his re-election. Putin congratulated his colleague for the end of the vote count. “The election victory was the legitimate result of your selfless work as the head of state of the Turkish Republic,” the Kremlin’s congratulatory telegram said on Sunday. The election victory also demonstrates the Turkish people’s support for the course of “national sovereignty and independent foreign policy”.

Putin thanked Erdogan for building good bilateral relations between the two countries. Russia is ready to continue cooperation both bilaterally and internationally, the Kremlin head assured.

Turkey is an important partner for Russia in view of Western sanctions. There were fears in Moscow that if the opposition won the elections, Turkey would become more Western-oriented – thereby increasing Russia’s international isolation.

However, Turkey maintains good relations not only with Russia, but also with Ukraine in the war. With the mediation of Ankara and the United Nations, Moscow and Kiev signed the grain deal last summer that ended Russia’s blockade of Ukrainian seaports. Most recently, Russia extended the agreement for two months in mid-May.

Monday will be important

The Russian mercenary group Wagner continues its withdrawal from the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. The completely destroyed village must be under the control of regular Russian units by June. At the same time, Ukraine is still not giving up on the city.

While the fighting in Ukraine continues, the political focus is on the north: Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier visits the Russian neighboring Lithuania and also meets the Bundeswehr soldiers stationed there. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken travels to Sweden – the country is striving to join NATO. The visits are also a signal to Russia.

(SDA)

Source: Blick