German Scholz says he needs to keep talking to Putin
Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Germany was looking to build closer ties with countries that share its values, naming Japan and India, among others.
Lisi Niesner | Reuters
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said it was “absolutely necessary” for some leaders to speak directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin amid efforts to end the war in Ukraine, and he and the French president will continue to do so.
Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron have held several telephone conversations with Putin, separately and together, since the invasion of Russia began on February 24. These contacts have provoked some criticism, including that of the President of Poland, who recently said that they do not achieve anything and only serve to legitimize the Russian leader.
“It is absolutely necessary to talk to Putin, and I will continue to do so, as the French president will do,” Scholz told German news agency dpa in a video interview in English a day after he, Macron and leaders of Italy. and Romania held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv.
“There are some necessary countries, and some necessary leaders, that talk to him, and they need to be clear,” Scholz told dpa.
– Associated press
Putin says the Russian economy will overcome “reckless” sanctions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a speech during a session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in St. Petersburg, Russia, on June 17, 2022.
Maxim Shemetov | Reuters
President Vladimir Putin told Russia’s investment conference on Friday that the country’s economy will overcome sanctions, which he described as “reckless and insane.”
Putin began his speech at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum with a long denunciation of countries that he says want to weaken Russia, including the United States.
He said the United States “declared victory in the Cold War and later came to be regarded as God’s messengers on planet Earth.”
Russia suffered a wide range of sanctions after sending troops to Ukraine in February. Hundreds of foreign companies also suspended operations in Russia or withdrew completely from the country.
– Associated press
The United States has pledged $ 5.6 billion in security aid to Ukraine’s fight
U.S. soldiers assigned to the 65th Field Artillery Brigade fire a high-mobility artillery rocket system (HIMARS) during a joint actual fire exercise with Kuwait ground forces on January 8, 2019 , near Camp Buehring, Kuwait.
Courtesy: US Department of Defense
From heavy artillery to tactical drones and armored vehicles, the U.S. has pledged $ 5.6 billion in military aid to Ukraine since Russia invaded in late February.
The latest $ 1 billion aid package, the 12th aid delivery, comes as Russian forces intensify their fighting in eastern and southern Ukraine.
Read more about the weapons the U.S. has pledged to fight Ukraine so far.
– Amanda Macias
“We don’t know where they are,” Biden says of the missing Americans in Ukraine
A soldier from the Ukrainian Kraken Special Forces Unit observes the area on a destroyed bridge on the road near the village of Rus’ka Lozova, north of Kharkiv, on May 16, 2022.
Dimitar Dilkoff | AFP | Getty Images
President Joe Biden said he “does not know” where the three Americans reported missing in Ukraine are.
“Americans should not go to Ukraine now,” he told reporters at the White House.
The State Department said Thursday it was aware of reports that three U.S. citizens had disappeared in Ukraine, but said it could not verify whether they were in Russian custody.
State Department spokesman Ned Price said he could not “talk about the details” of the third American who was reported missing in Ukraine. He added that “our understanding was that this individual has traveled to Ukraine to take up arms.”
Price’s comments follow reports from various media that Alexander Drueke, 39, and Andy Huynh, 27, two former members of the US service, were captured by Russian forces in Kharkiv last week. These reports and details have not been confirmed by CNBC or NBC News.
Price told reporters that so far the Biden administration has not seen any evidence that Russian forces have detained Americans.
– Amanda Macias
About 15,000 Russian millionaires are trying to leave Russia, according to British information
An overview of St. Basil’s Cathedral in Red Square before the IAAF World Championships on August 6, 2013 in Moscow, Russia
Mark Kolbe | Getty Images Sport | Getty Images
Approximately 15,000 Russian millionaires are trying to leave the country as the Kremlin war in Ukraine intensifies in the Donbas region, according to British intelligence estimates.
“Motivations most likely include both personal opposition to the invasion and intent to escape the financial impact of sanctions imposed on Russia,” the UK Ministry of Defense shared in an intelligence update via Twitter.
“If this exodus continues, it will probably aggravate the long-term damage of the war on Russia’s economy,” the tweet continued.
– Amanda Macias
Johnson from the UK arrives in Kyiv to meet with Zelenskyy
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson, traveled to Kyiv after the visit of the leaders of France, Italy and Germany.
During the visit, Johnson offered to set up a training program for Ukrainian forces while fighting Russian aggression. The new military program could train up to 10,000 soldiers every 120 days, according to a 10th Downing Street statement.
“The UK-led program would train and train the Ukrainian Armed Forces using the proven experience of the British Army, which would allow them to accelerate their deployment, rebuild their forces and increase their resilience as they continue to defend their sovereignty. his nation against Russia. invaders “, the statement added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed Johnson’s visit to the Telegram social messaging app.
“Many days of this war have shown that Britain’s support for Ukraine is firm and determined. I am glad to see again our country’s great friend Boris Johnson in Kyiv,” Zelenskyy wrote.
Johnson, who recently survived a censure vote, made the visit after canceling an appearance at a Conservative party conference.
– Amanda Macias
The UN says at least 4,509 people have been killed in Ukraine since the start of the war
Relatives of the fallen soldier Yurii Huk, 41, pay their respects at his grave in the Lychakiv Field Camp Cemetery in Lviv, Ukraine, on May 16, 2022.
Omar Marques | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images
The United Nations has confirmed 4,509 civilian deaths and 5,585 wounded in Ukraine since Russia invaded its former Soviet counterpart on February 24.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said the death toll in Ukraine is likely to be higher, as armed conflict could delay reports of fatalities.
The international organization said most of the recorded civilian casualties were caused by the use of explosive weapons with a wide range of impact, including heavy artillery bombardment and multiple rocket launch systems, as well as missiles. and airstrikes.
– Amanda Macias
Russia says Ukraine’s EU bid “requires more attention”
Peskov says the EU’s decision to offer Ukraine the status of a candidate requires more attention from Russia.
Anadolu Agency | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said that the EU’s decision to offer Ukraine the status of a candidate requires more attention from Russia.
“The possible entry of Ukraine into the EU requires more attention from the Russian Federation in connection with the discovery of the defense affiliation,” Peskov said in a statement, according to the state-run Interfax news agency.
“Sam Meredith.”
Zelensky says historic decision to grant Ukraine EU candidacy status will help defeat Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has welcomed the EU’s recommendation to offer Ukraine candidacy status, a historic move that will help Kyiv defeat Russia’s attack.
“It is the first step on the path to EU membership that will undoubtedly bring our Victory closer. Thank you to [von der Leyen] and every member of the EC for a historic decision, “Zelenskyy said via Twitter.
Zelenskyy said he expects EU government leaders to approve the proposal in Brussels next week.
“Sam Meredith.”
The European Commission recommends that Ukraine become a candidate for the EU
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Ukraine should be welcomed as a candidate country.
Kenzo Tribouillard | Afp | Getty Images
The European Commission, the executive arm of the EU, has proposed that Ukraine have EU candidate status.
The recommendation comes on the condition that Ukraine carry out a number of major reforms.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Ukraine should be welcomed as a candidate country, referring to a legal term meaning that a nation has officially begun a path of membership to become a full member. right.
Wearing a yellow blazer over a blue shirt to represent the colors of Ukraine, von der Leyen told a news conference that the commission had a clear message for Kyiv. “And this is, yes, Ukraine deserves [the] European perspective. Yes, Ukraine should be welcomed as a candidate country. “
Read the full story here.
“Sam Meredith.”
The EU will discuss a quick opinion on Ukraine’s candidacy for the candidacy
Italian Draghi, Ukrainian Zelenskyy and French Macron were photographed during a joint press conference in Kyiv.
Future Publishing | Future Publishing | Getty Images
The European Commission, the executive arm of the European Union, will meet on Friday to offer its quick opinion on whether to grant candidacy status to Ukraine.
The discussion comes just 24 hours after some of the bloc’s most powerful leaders visited Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, in a show of solidarity with the war-torn country.
Friday’s opinion is expected to form the basis for talks at next week’s EU summit in Brussels, Belgium. Candidate status is not the same as the EU …