President Joe Biden publicly apologized to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for delays in US military assistance that allowed Russia to gain ground on the battlefield. In a meeting in Paris, Biden assured Zelenskiy, “You haven’t bowed down, you haven’t yielded at all, you continue to fight in a way that is … just remarkable. We are not going to walk away from you.” He also announced an additional $225 million (£177 million) in military aid to Kyiv, reaffirming that the American people stand firmly with Ukraine for the long term. “We’re still in – completely, thoroughly,” Biden emphasized.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian strikes on Russian-held Luhansk and Kherson regions resulted in 26 fatalities and numerous injuries on Friday, according to Russian-installed authorities. Vladimir Saldo, head of Russian occupation authorities in Kherson, reported that a shop in the village of Sadove was destroyed, leading to 22 deaths and 15 injuries after a Himars missile struck as residents rushed to aid victims. These claims remain unverified independently.
In Luhansk, a Ukrainian missile strike on an apartment block killed four and injured over 40, as reported by Russian-appointed officials. Leonid Pasechnik, the regional head, described a “massive” missile attack on the city on Friday morning, which caused part of an apartment block to collapse. The Moscow-backed region’s government confirmed the removal of four bodies from the rubble and noted that 46 people received medical treatment.
Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron marked the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France, with a call for continued support for Ukraine. Biden sent a message to Moscow that the US and its allies “will not bow down” and “stand for freedom.” Macron praised Zelenskiy during his tribute, prompting a standing ovation from the 25 other heads of state and government present. Macron criticized the “camp of pacifists” and vowed that Ukrainian resistance would not end in capitulation, emphasizing his commitment to finalizing a coalition of military instructors for Ukraine soon.
In response to the ongoing conflict, Ukraine’s government has ordered all ministries and regional authorities to cease using air conditioning and turn off external lighting to conserve electricity amid Russian bombardments causing significant power deficits. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal highlighted the importance of reducing power consumption as temperatures in Ukraine hover around 25°C (77°F) and could rise to 35°C (95°F) in the coming months.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, stated that Russia has no need to use nuclear weapons to secure victory in Ukraine. He stressed that nuclear weapons would only be considered in exceptional circumstances, such as a threat to Russia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Zelenskiy, in Paris, affirmed his legitimacy as recognized by the Ukrainian people and criticized Putin’s claims about his own legitimacy. “President Zelenskiy’s legitimacy is recognized by the people of Ukraine… Our people are free. Putin’s legitimacy is recognized only by comrade Putin,” Zelenskiy remarked, noting that martial law in Ukraine has postponed presidential elections.
In a related development, a Moscow court has ordered a French citizen, Laurent Vinatier, to be held in jail pending investigation and trial on accusations of collecting military information in Russia. Vinatier’s arrest comes amid heightened tensions between Moscow and Paris following Macron’s comments on potentially deploying French troops in Ukraine.
Comments