After the European solidarity summit in Moldova, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sees Russia’s defeat in the protracted war approaching. Thursday’s meeting with heads of state and government was used in the best possible way to mobilize aid for Ukraine and force the defeat of the “terrorists”, Zelenskyy said in his evening video message, which was sent in Moldova after the summit of the new European Political Community (EPG) was included. The time is near when Russia will be held accountable for its killings, he said.
Zelenskyy met with several heads of state and government in Moldova, who pledged further assistance to Ukraine, which had been attacked by Russia. “We are preparing new decisions for the defense of Ukraine, including anti-aircraft fire, fighter jets and our advance on the ground,” he said. Preparations are also underway for a package of security guarantees on the way to NATO and a peace summit to implement Kiev’s proposals for ending the war. A core requirement of Zelenskyj’s peace plan revolves around the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine. Russia rejects that.
Scholz gives Ukraine little hope for a quick accession to NATO
Chancellor Olaf Scholz gives Ukraine little hope of an early invitation to join NATO. The SPD politician made it clear after the summit on Thursday evening that a speedy admission of the country is not guaranteed, even after the end of the Russian offensive war. “There are very clear criteria for membership,” Scholz said. According to him, this also means that a country has no border conflicts.
On the issue of possible other security guarantees for Ukraine after the end of the war, Scholz said these should be such that the country is safe from the risk of attack while stabilizing it. Moreover, the security guarantees must be taken seriously not only by Ukraine, but also by everyone else. Scholz didn’t get more specific. There may still be several development opportunities, he said.
Selenskyj had previously called for a “clear invitation” for his country’s NATO membership at the July alliance summit in Lithuania. “We need peace. Therefore, any European country that borders Russia and does not want Russia to tear it apart should be a full member of the EU and NATO,” he said at the summit. The only alternatives are open war or brutal Russian occupation.
Zelensky complains about problems with bomb shelters in Kiev
Zelenskyy emphasized in his video message that Ukraine, in addition to military aid from abroad, must do more to ensure the safety of its citizens. He reiterated the requirement that sufficient bunkers must be accessible everywhere. “The situation like last night in Kiev, when people came to the bunker and it was locked, must never happen again,” he stressed. It is the task of the municipalities to ensure that the shelters are open 24 hours a day.
In Kiev, mayor Vitali Klitschko ordered the opening and inspection after a breakdown on Thursday. “It hurts to see negligence in these commitments. It hurts to see the dead,” said Zelenskyj. Those responsible must be held accountable.
Authorities in Kiev say new Russian missile strikes have killed three people, including a nine-year-old child. Zelensky accused Russia of continuing its “terror” on International Children’s Day.
Fighting in the Russian border region of Belgorod
Meanwhile, the situation in Russia’s Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine, remained tense. According to official information from Moscow, the Russian army “destroyed” more than 50 fighters, armored vehicles and military equipment after new attacks by the Ukrainian side in the border area. The “Kyiv regime” fired on Thursday at the town of Schebekino, which also houses a vehicular border crossing, the defense ministry in Moscow said. In the afternoon, the ministry announced that it had prevented fighters from breaking through. The information could not initially be independently verified.
People fleeing the region spoke of “devastating devastation” in the city, of which Russian state television shows only a fraction. Video showed the roof of a long apartment building on fire. The region has been rocked by attacks that have killed and injured for days.
Again, the “Russian Volunteer Corps” and the “Freedom of Russia” Legion claimed responsibility for the attacks. They wanted to bring freedom, peace and tranquility to Russia, said the fighters serving on Ukraine’s side. The Ukrainian government says it has nothing to do with the attacks.
Russia launched an offensive war against Ukraine more than 15 months ago and shells the neighboring country’s territory every day. Deaths, injuries and serious destruction are part of everyday life in Ukraine. But the Russian border regions are now also complaining about increasing shelling from the Ukrainian side.
What will be important on Friday
Against the background of the Russian attacks on Ukraine, the Baltic Sea countries are meeting in Wismar to discuss how to strengthen the resilience of the democracies in the Baltic Sea region. Germany will hold the presidency of the Council of the Baltic States until the end of June. Russian membership in the regional organization founded in 1992 was suspended in early March last year. As a result, Moscow announced its withdrawal in May 2022. Before the attack on Ukraine, the Council was one of the rounds in which concrete cooperation with Russia on technical points was possible. (saw/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.
