Selenskyj tours between G7 and Saudi Arabia – The night at a glance
Published: Thursday, Jun 13th 2024, 05:10
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi has sought support from the Kingdom during a visit to Saudi Arabia ahead of the summit of the group of leading democratic industrialized nations (G7). During a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, he also discussed preparations for the peace summit in Switzerland, Selensky announced on social networks on Wednesday. The Ukrainian president had actually been expected in Riyadh at the beginning of June. However, diplomatic circles then announced that Saudi Arabia would not be attending the summit in Switzerland because Russia would not be present.
Zelensky thanked bin Salman for his support of Ukraine and efforts to mediate. At the meeting, they discussed the expected results of the peace conference and ways to implement them, Selenskyj wrote. However, it is not clear from the statements whether Saudi Arabia will actually send a delegation to Bürgenstock near Lucerne in Switzerland on June 15 and 16 to take part in the summit.
Biden and Selensky want to sign security agreement at G7
On Thursday, Selenskyj is expected back in the Italian coastal city of Bari, where the G7 summit begins. There he wants to sign a bilateral security agreement with US President Joe Biden, among others. According to Biden's National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, the negotiations have been completed and the document is ready to be signed. Ukraine has already concluded 15 such agreements, including with Germany.
Lithuania supplies armored vehicles to Ukraine
While no details are yet known about the content of the agreement with the USA, the offer from Lithuania is more concrete: The Baltic NATO state will support Ukraine with further military aid in the defensive battle against Russia. The government in Vilnius decided to deliver 14 M113 armored vehicles. The armored personnel carriers are due to arrive in Ukraine this week and will strengthen the Ukrainian army's mine clearance capabilities, according to the Ministry of Defense in Vilnius.
Many dead in Russian airstrike on Krywyj Rih
Ukraine has been defending itself against the Russian war of aggression for more than two years. At least eight people were killed and more than 20 injured in a Russian missile attack on the southern Ukrainian industrial city of Kryvyi Rih, according to local media reports. "Every day and every hour, Russian terror proves that Ukraine, together with its partners, must strengthen its air defenses," President Zelensky wrote on social media. He expressed his condolences to the relatives of the victims in his native city and reiterated his demand that modern air defense is needed to provide the greatest possible protection for the people.
The shelling of Ukrainian cities by the Russian army claims victims among the civilian population on an almost daily basis. In Kiev, the firefighting operations, which were triggered by a Russian missile attack in the morning, only ended at night. According to Ukrainian military intelligence, the situation on the front line remains difficult. According to this, the Russian summer offensive has already begun. In its evening situation report, the Ukrainian General Staff wrote of around 90 major battles along the front. The heaviest fighting is taking place in the Pokrovsk area in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk, where Russian troops have been able to make territorial gains in recent weeks.
This will be important on Thursday
All eyes are on the G7 summit in Italy. Ukraine is hoping for a new support package from its allies for its defensive fight against the Russian invasion - possibly financed from the interest on frozen Russian state assets.
Against the backdrop of recent Russian provocations, the foreign ministers of the Council of the Baltic Sea States are meeting in Finland for consultations. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) is also attending the meeting in Porvoo near the capital Helsinki.
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