Ukraine Zelensky’s attempt to expand the use of American weapons

According to the report of the international group Tasnim news agency, newspaper ” Politico reported on Friday, citing two officials in the office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, that Kiev is disappointed with the complete lifting of the US-imposed geographic restriction on attacking Russian soil with American weapons and plans to expand the facilities of the Ukrainian army to talk with Pentagon officials in this regard.

According to this publication, Zelensky intends to have a Shangri-La conversation on Saturday, June 1, during the Asian Security Summit. -La” which will be held in Singapore, to discuss this matter with Lloyd Austin, the US Secretary of Defense. It has been said that the issue of expanding the possibility of using American weapons will occupy the main place in these negotiations.

Previously Politico wrote that Joe Biden Secretly authorized Ukraine to attack Russian territory with American weapons, although apparently this approval only applies to areas of Russian territory adjacent to the Kharkiv region.

Reacting to this report, Dmitry Peskov, the spokesman of the Kremlin, recalled on Friday that in this case the United States would involve itself in the conflict in Ukraine more than in the past, because Kiev has already attacked deep into Russian territory with American weapons.

He said in response to reporters’ questions: “We don’t know anything about this particular decision. But in general, attempts to attack Russian territory with American-made weapons are always made, and this is enough for us, and it shows the increasing direct involvement of the United States in this conflict.”

Next, you can follow the developments related to the 829th day of the Ukrainian war:

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The exchange of prisoners of war between Russia and Ukraine after a 4-month break

Ministry of Defense Russia announced that the exchange of prisoners of war with the Ukrainian side was carried out on a “75 for 75” formula on Friday. The agreement to this exchange of prisoners was realized through the mediation of the United Arab Emirates.

According to this information, as a result of the negotiations, 75 Russian military personnel who have been in Ukraine for a long time were captured, they were returned to Russia from the territory under the control of Kiev, and instead 75 prisoners of war were handed over to the armed forces of Ukraine. Russia immediately received the necessary medical assistance, noting that these people were in danger of death in captivity. – The Russian spacemen were immediately transferred to Moscow for treatment and rehabilitation at the medical institutions of the Ministry of Defense of Russia. It had delayed the negotiation process with unreasonable excuses.

A few days ago, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights published a report that confirmed the fact that prisoners of war Russians in Ukraine are subjected to torture, beating and violence. Kyiv authorities did not react to this report. 

Zelensky once again rejected negotiations with Russia

Vladimir Zelensky On Friday, in an interview with the Guardian newspaper, the president of Ukraine once again emphasized that he rejects negotiations with the Russian side and called such an action unrealistic.

In his opinion, The peace agreement will be just a “trap” for his country. 

In addition, Zelensky added that the new US military weapons have not yet been delivered to the Ukrainian army and said the possibility of using more “powerful long-range weapons” for targets on the ground. Russia is important to him.

Zelensky explained that the United States should have more faith in Ukraine and that without Washington’s help, other allies may allow the country to use give their long-range weapons to Kiev.

Previously, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow has never rejected negotiations with Ukraine, although the negotiations should be based on It should be common sense and should not be resumed with an ultimatum. According to Putin, it is also important for Russia to be sure that it is on the side of the legal authorities in Kiev in such a case. International Monetary Fund for Ukraine

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Ukrainian authorities reached preliminary agreements as part of the fourth review of the country’s economic situation.

The International Monetary Fund announced on Friday that the final decision on sending a new part of financial assistance to Kyiv in the amount of 2.2 billion dollars through credit facilities The extended EFF approved in March 2023 will be adopted soon.

According to the press office of this international institution, the parties managed to reach an agreement based on the evaluation results of the four-year EFF mechanism. and according to the approval of the Board of Directors of the Fund, Ukraine will have access to an amount of about 2.2 billion dollars.

At the same time, the International Monetary Fund due to The military conflict in the country makes the future of Ukraine uncertain.

In total, within the framework of the four-year EFF agreement concluded in the spring of 2023, $15.6 billion is due. be transferred to Ukraine.

Belgium does not allow Kiev to use F-16 outside of Ukraine

Belgium Prime Minister Alexandre de Croix insisted last night, Friday, during his visit to the United States, that the F-16 fighters that Brussels is transferring to Kiev must be used exclusively on the territory of Ukraine. “The agreement is very clear,” he told reporters. Delivered fighters can only be used on the territory of Ukraine. This condition is clearly stated in the agreement we concluded and I will remain committed to it.” The Prime Minister reminded that the agreement signed with the President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, which includes Belgium’s delivery of 30 F-16s by the end of 2028, will make Belgium the largest supplier of fighter aircraft to the Ukrainian Air Force.

Earlier, Belgian Foreign Minister Aja Liabib said that Brussels will deliver 30 F-16 fighter jets to Kiev by the end of 2028.

The agreement related to Belgium’s military aid to Kiev was signed during Zelenskiy’s visit to Brussels on May 28.

The representative of the Ukrainian parliament announced the dispatch of the first French trainers

Aleksiy Goncharenko, a member of the Supreme Parliament of Ukraine, announced last night that the first group of military trainers from France has already left for Ukraine.

He wrote on his Telegram channel: My sources said that the first group of French coaches are already leaving for Ukraine.

A day before, the spokeswoman of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, said that the information about France’s readiness to send its army to the territory of Ukraine has been confirmed.

Schultz: Germany does not want to send troops to Ukraine

On Friday, German Chancellor Olaf Schultz reiterated that Berlin does not want to send its troops to Ukraine. send He said: “We are against sending our troops there.”

Furthermore, Shultz called the proposal to create a no-fly zone on the territory of Ukraine a dangerous step and reminded that Such an action could lead to a direct conflict between NATO and Russia.

Lithuanian Parliament’s opposition to sending troops to Ukraine

A number of Lithuanian parliamentarians opposed the sending of military instructors from this country to Ukraine and wrote a letter to President Gitanas Nausda, requesting that Ukrainian soldiers be trained only on Lithuanian soil.

Ten members of the opposition parliament in this letter asked the president of Lithuania to carefully study all the threats related to sending a military trainer to Ukraine and only then make the final decision. about sending Lithuanian soldiers to Ukraine. 

align:justify”>US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken promised on Friday that NATO member states will work to create a “bridge” between the military bloc for Ukraine at the alliance’s summit in Washington in July. 

Blinken said after the NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Prague: “At the NATO summit, we intend to take concrete steps to ensure that Ukraine is one step closer to this alliance.” will be We will try to make sure that there will be a bridge to membership.

He also emphasized that the member states of the Union intend to promote Ukraine’s integration with NATO. The next NATO meeting will be held in Washington from July 9 to 11.

Earlier, James O’Brien, advisor to the US Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, said that the United States The United States does not expect Ukraine to be invited to join NATO at the Washington summit.

NATO Secretary General’s proposal to allocate 40 billion euros annually to help Ukraine

Alliance Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg suggested on Friday at a press conference after the meeting of foreign ministers of the union member states in Prague that NATO countries should spend 40 billion euros annually. to support Kyiv and this action must be done without fail.

He said: “Since 2022, the allies have helped Ukraine with about 40 billion euros annually. We must maintain this amount of annual contribution for as long as it is needed. I also invite the Allies to actively share this commitment.”

According to the Secretary General, this amount should be divided into shares among the countries of the Alliance rather than payments. be predictable and Ukraine can calculate and plan to receive these funds. He also said that the participants in the meeting of foreign ministers did not agree on the key role of this coalition in supplying weapons to Kiev and training the soldiers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. But if a joint decision could be reached, it would allow NATO structures to act to support Ukraine and better meet its needs.

In addition, Stoltenberg expressed He hoped that the summit meeting in Washington would help bring Ukraine closer to the NATO alliance.

Orban: NATO’s actions in Ukraine are fueling the fire

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said in a radio interview on Friday that NATO’s intervention in the escalating conflict in Ukraine is an attempt to put out the fire. It is with a flamethrower device.

Hungarian Prime Minister pointed out that NATO is a defensive alliance and Hungary joined it to ensure security, and reminded: this alliance should to direct the peace mission in Ukraine and not to intervene in the conflict that is going on outside its borders. Orban added: It is absurd that NATO, to protect us leads to a military conflict. It is as absurd as a fireman thinking he can put out a fire with a flamethrower. This is not what NATO was created for.

He warned that Europe was preparing for war with Russia, as it became increasingly involved in conflict in Ukraine has been dragged.

The Prime Minister emphasized: It is very worrying that some Western countries have allowed Kiev to attack targets on Russian soil with the weapons provided.

Iceland and Sweden reached an agreement with Kyiv on security cooperation

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Icelandic Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson signed an agreement on security cooperation and long-term support. According to the report published by Zelensky’s office, this aid will allocate about 30 million dollars to Kyiv until 2028.

It is recalled that Iceland undertakes that economic, humanitarian support and provide comprehensive and long-term defense to Ukraine, as well as contribute to the country’s future membership in the European Union and NATO (approximately 30 million dollars) will be allocated annually. This statement states that Ukraine’s support will continue throughout the duration of the agreement.

On the same Friday, Sweden also allocated a new package of military aid to Ukraine within the framework of the agreement. He announced the security cooperation signed between the two countries. The value of this military aid will be more than 1.2 billion dollars, which includes equipment that is “at the top of Ukraine’s priority list.”

Speaking of the delivery of two reconnaissance aircraft ASC 890 radar, artillery ammunition and armored vehicles to the Ukrainian army.

Kremlin welcomes China’s position on Swiss summit

Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesman, announced at a press conference on Friday that Russia and China agreed on the futility of holding a peace conference on the Ukraine conflict in Switzerland without the participation of the Russian side. It is.

Pskov said: The authorities of the People’s Republic of China had talked about the complete futility of holding such formats of negotiations without the participation of Russia from the very beginning. Searching for options to get out of the Ukraine conflict without Russia’s participation is completely irrational, hopeless and actually a waste of time. He added that China has pointed this out from the very beginning and The point of view of the Moscow authorities in this case is completely similar to the positions of Beijing.

On Friday, the spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Mao Ning, announced that the country will attend the Borgenstock peace meeting on the 15th. He will not participate on June 16, because this event must be attended by the representatives of both sides of the conflict, i.e. Ukraine and Russia, and the absence of one of the conflicting parties will not allow these negotiations to play an important role in resolving the conflict.

The Chinese diplomat stressed that all parties should participate equally in such events and all initiatives should be discussed impartially.

Medovev: Participation of NATO members in attacks on Russia will involve the entire alliance

Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy The Russian Security Council announced that the Moscow authorities emphasize the fact that the long-range weapons used by Ukraine are directly controlled by the military personnel of NATO countries, and this means the direct participation of the West in the military conflict against Russia.

He emphasized that the Western countries, which have approved the use of their long-range weapons to hit Moscow, should understand that if they launch attacks against Russia, their military equipment and specialists on the territory of Ukraine and Other countries will be destroyed.

In Medvedev’s opinion, this is not “military aid” at all, but direct participation in military conflict against Russia. And their actions may become a reason to declare war.

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