A grandfather sitting on a chair in the street watching over the body of his nine-year-old granddaughter, wrapped in a blanket, was the image of the day in Kiev, the capital that President Zelensky had left behind to carry out a new diplomatic mission . offensive.
This time he traveled to neighboring Moldova, where the informal European Political Community met for the second time after several bilateral meetings. At the same time, the foreign ministers of the NATO states in Norway prepared the organization’s next summit, with the priority being to reach a consensus on the way forward for Ukraine.
From Prague Castle in October to Mimi Castle in Bulboaca, Moldova, the second meeting of the political group designed by Emmanuel Macron has now become a reality: an inclusive European forum, except for the banned Vladimir Putin (Russia) and Alexander Lukashenko (White -Russia). They were joined by Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who had just been elected to another five-year term. Ankara did not justify the absence of a meeting that played a lot with symbolism. The castle and vineyards surrounding it are just over 20 kilometers from the Dniester River, which separates Western Moldova from Moldova, self-governed with the support – and troops – of Russia, Transnistria. And it is just over 40 kilometers from the Odessa region of Ukraine.
Both the President of Moldova Maia Sandu and the leader of Ukraine took the opportunity to emphasize the importance of their countries participating in other European meetings very soon. Sandu, who resisted demonstrations by pro-Moscow parties for months, received a visit from the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, about ten days ago. The Maltese spoke to 70,000 pro-European enthusiasts, while Sandu said in an interview that before Russia, Moldovan democracy “can only be saved within the framework of the European Union”, which is why he asked for negotiations with Brussels to move forward as soon as possible possible.
Despite being the hostess, the spotlight was shared with the other leaders and especially Zelensky. Together with Maia Sandu, the Ukrainian leader once again made clear what his country’s goals are. “Our future is in the EU. Ukraine is ready to join NATO,” he proclaimed. He also returned to talk about the request for “modern fighter jets”.
At the summit, Zelensky said he heard “strong support from many countries”, referring to the “fighter coalition” touted by the UK and the Netherlands. “With the help of the United States, we will form this coalition.” Washington said less than two weeks ago it would authorize allies to supply Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets and support the training of Ukrainian pilots, but the details have yet to be defined or made public.
On the day three people died (including mother and daughter) and 12 were injured in Kiev after a Russian missile strike, Zelensky also reiterated the importance of air defense. But this time including the Ukrainian air in the European. “Our proposal for the construction of an air defense shield for the entire European continent is very important,” he began by saying, before suggesting, for obvious reasons, “to start with Ukraine” the construction of the said continental shield, taking into account considering the continued drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities.
The Ukrainian president also stressed the fundamental role of North American production systems. “We need a coalition of patriots,” he said in reference to the coalitions of Leopard tanks or to the already mentioned and yet to be realized coalition of fighters.
Meeting with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Zelensky expressed his impatience and the “disappointment of the Ukrainian people” at the delay in receiving positive news about joining both the EU and NATO, and underlined the importance of support for Kyiv at the Atlantic Alliance summit in July. “We must not forget that any doubt that we show here in Europe is a trench that Russia will certainly try to occupy.” According to the Ukrainian head of state, doubts and hesitations undermine Kiev and Chisinau, but also deprive democratic movements in countries such as Belarus and Georgia.
Pressure came from Ukraine when NATO foreign ministers met at the National Museum in Oslo to discuss the Vilnius summit. Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated that all members of the alliance agree that “Ukraine will join NATO”, but that the war must end first and that “the most important thing for NATO and Ukraine is to ensure that they win this war”.
Stoltenberg added that NATO “needs to create structures to provide Ukraine with the necessary security guarantees” to “ensure that President Putin does not do this again”.
Attacks on Russian territory
The Belgorod region of Russia has again been the target of several attacks. Russian anti-Kremlin militias say they have reached the outskirts of Shebekino. There are unconfirmed reports that they targeted the Monocrystal factory, which produces electronics for the Russian military, and a video has been released of a block of five-story buildings on fire at several points – it will be the local administrative building. Moscow said eight people were injured. Also according to the Russian Defense Ministry, his troops prevented “Ukrainian units” supported by tanks from “invading” his territory. According to the governor of Belgorod, a drone later crashed and two were injured.
removal of children
The Ukrainian government has ordered the mandatory evacuation of 239 children from seven locations in the Donetsk region where the situation “remains critical”. According to the authorities, the children will be accompanied by at least one parent or legal guardian, as provided for in the legislation adopted in March that provides for this measure to protect minors. At least 525 Ukrainian minors have been killed and 1,047 injured since the Russian invasion, according to the UN.
Source: DN
