- Weapons are needed to repel Russian attacks in the south and east
- Ukrainian troops and civilians hid at the plant in Severodonetsk
Kyiv, June 16 (Reuters) – Leaders of Germany, France and Italy – all criticized in the past by Kyiv for overly cautious support – paid a joint visit to Ukraine on Thursday, touring a city ravaged by the Russian invasion.
“This is an important moment. This is a message of unity that we are sending to the Ukrainians,” said French President Emmanuel Macron after arriving in Kyiv by night train with Germany’s Olaf Scholz and Italy’s Mario Draghi. They were joined by Romanian President Klaus Johannes.
Air raid sirens sounded at the beginning of the visit. They toured the ruins of Irpin, a suburb of Kyiv ravaged by fighting at the start of the war, when Russian forces left the bodies of civilians scattered in the streets as they retreated.
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Marking graffiti on a wall that said, “Make Europe, not war,” Macron said: “It’s very moving to see that. That’s the right message. “
It took weeks to organize the visit, as the three most influential EU leaders rejected criticism for positions described as too respectful of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Britain’s Boris Johnson visited Kyiv more than two months ago.
However, the decision of the three to travel together had strong symbolism at a key moment – a day before the EU executive committee is expected to recommend moving forward with Ukraine’s bid to join the bloc, which EU leaders are expected to approve at the next meeting. peak week.
NATO defense ministers also met in Brussels and were expected to announce more promises of additional weapons for Kyiv. US President Joe Biden promised new aid worth $ 1 billion on Wednesday, including anti-ship missile systems, artillery missiles and howitzer shells.
“Every day I fight for Ukraine to get the weapons and equipment it needs,” President Vladimir Zelensky said in an evening video address to the nation.
Ukraine applied to join the EU just four days after Russia’s invasion in February, and four days later Moldova and Georgia also applied.
“As of today, we are so much closer to obtaining this status than we could have dreamed even a few years ago. “Ukraine has done everything possible to become a candidate,” Zelensky said.
“RESPECT MR. PUTIN’S FACE”
French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Romanian President Klaus Johannes visit Irpin, Ukraine, June 16, 2022. Ludovic Marin / Poole via REUTERS
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Scholz, Macron and Draghi say they are strong supporters of Ukraine, who have taken major practical steps to reduce Europe’s dependence on Russian energy and are finding weapons to help Kyiv.
But Ukraine has long criticized Scholz for what he sees as slow arms deliveries from Germany and a reluctance to sever economic ties with Moscow, and was furious with Macron this month for saying in an interview that Russia should not be “humiliated.” .
Italy has also proposed a peace plan that Ukrainians fear could put pressure on them to relinquish territory.
“They will say that we must end the war, which is causing food and economic problems … that we must save Putin’s face,” Alexei Arestovich, an adviser to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, told the German newspaper Bild before the start of the meeting. visit.
The German defense minister said three rocket-propelled grenade launchers promised to Kyiv could be delivered in July or August once Ukrainians are trained to use them.
Kyiv says it urgently needs more weapons, especially artillery and missiles, to counter the advantage of Russian firepower. Kyiv is taking hundreds of casualties a day as the war enters a brutal phase of exhaustion.
After Moscow launched its “special military operation”, claiming its goal was to disarm and “disinfect” its neighbor, Ukraine repulsed an armored attack on Kyiv in March.
Since then, however, Russia has changed both its goals and its tactics, now trying to fortify territory it occupies east and south, and to seize more by slowly advancing behind massive artillery bombardments.
The main battle in recent weeks is for the eastern city of Severodonetsk. On Wednesday, Ukrainian forces hid in a chemical plant there with hundreds of civilians ignoring a Russian order to surrender.
All other bridges connecting the city with Ukrainian territory on the opposite bank of the Seversky Donets River have been destroyed in recent days, but Ukrainian authorities say the garrison is not completely cut off.
Ukraine still holds a pocket of territory in the wider, eastern region of Donbass, which Russia has promised to seize on behalf of its separatist proxies. Most are on the opposite side of the river, which Russian troops are struggling to cross.
To the south, Ukrainian forces are slowly entering Kherson province, the largest territory Russia still holds from the areas it has occupied since the invasion.
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Additional reports from Reuters offices; Written by Peter Graf, edited by Angus McSwon
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