Behind you is the Dnieper River and she [russos] they are on the other side, very close. I could have given this speech in the president’s office, but he’s here. Why is it so important to you?”, a journalist asked Volodymyr Zelensky during the surprise visit to Kherson. Denouncing his sense of humor, the leader replied: “What about Kherson watermelons?”, in allusion to the typical fruit of that region of southern Ukraine.”Everyone is in danger. The military takes risks, journalists take risks. We need to show support to the people of Kherson, not just make promises, but show that we are indeed back and flying our flag. And I want to receive the emotions and energy of these people, it is important and motivating,” he replied more seriously, during a trip announcing “the beginning of the end of the war”.
Zelensky’s visit to Kherson – contrary to Putin’s silence – coincided with the arrival of the first-aid caravan in the city. Deprived of electricity and water, the inhabitants received food, water and clothing from a United Nations operation. The head of state presided over the Ukrainian flag-raising ceremony next to the regional government building, while listening to the national anthem with his hand on his chest.
“Step by step we are reaching the whole country,” he said, announcing that the liberation of that capital of the region of the same name will mean the beginning of the end of hostilities. “It is a long and difficult road, because the war has cost our country’s best heroes. We are ready for peace, but peace for our whole country, our whole territory,” he declared.
Bitingly, his adviser Mikhailo Podolyak said that the “winter, climatic peculiarities, the information campaign about a “diplomatic solution” as a hidden capitulation, the Russian Federation’s endless nagging about “negotiations and the need to take a break” had no effect have on the withdrawal of Ukraine. program”.
Officially unconfirmed reports say Ukrainian troops have crossed the Dnieper at two points.
Hours later, he went directly to Russia’s “ruined” military command and wrote: “Southern Ukraine is an unprotected steppe, Crimea is a natural trap, Donetsk has an unfavorable location. The best place for defense is to move beyond the borders of Ukraine.”
According to unconfirmed reports, Ukrainian troops have crossed the Dnieper at two points: on the Kinburn Peninsula, the westernmost end of the river’s left bank, and the town of Oleshky, across from the town of Kherson.
In the east, Ukrainian forces have recaptured 12 sites in the Lugansk region, as the occupiers are poised to repeat Kherson’s withdrawal — using civilians as shields — in Kreminna, Severodonetsk and Rubizhne, the Ukrainian military said. Against the grain, the Russians said their troops had taken the village of Pavlivka in Donetsk.
Guterres appeals to Moscow
The UN Secretary-General called for an extension of the agreement allowing the export of Ukrainian grains, arguing that it is “essential to global food security”. The pact signed in July with the participation of the UN and Turkey expires on Saturday and the extension for a period of one year is not yet certain.
“We urgently need action to prevent hunger in a growing number of places around the world,” warned António Guterres, who said last week’s negotiations had made “a lot of progress”. The Kremlin said talks were “quite constructive” but were still ongoing.
UN AG approves reparations
The United Nations General Assembly held Russia responsible for its invasion of Ukraine by passing a resolution holding Moscow responsible for reparations. The resolution, which is not binding, was adopted by 94 votes in favour, 13 against and 74 abstentions. The document says that the Russians should be held responsible for violations of international law against Ukraine and “suffer the legal consequences of all its illegal international acts, including compensation for the damage caused”.
Lavrov “in good health”
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is “in good health after two tests” at a Bali hospital, an Indonesian health ministry official said, while Moscow denied that the foreign minister had been hospitalized. Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova denounced “the highest level of forgery” and published a video of Lavrov, back in the newspaper, wearing shorts and wearing a T-shirt reproducing a work by American artist Basquiat.
In the absence of Vladimir Putin, Lavrov represents Russia at the top of the world’s 20 largest economies. War in Ukraine is on the agenda – Zelensky will participate via video conference – and could bring Moscow more isolation and international condemnation.
Source: DN
