All posts tagged: Volodymyr Zelensky

Biden speaks with Zelenskyy, announces new military aid for Ukraine

Biden speaks with Zelenskyy, announces new military aid for Ukraine

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Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Joe Biden speak on the sidelines of the NATO’s 75th anniversary summit in Washington, U.S. July 11, 2024. Yves Herman | Reuters U.S. President Joe Biden spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday and announced a new military aid package ahead of Ukraine’s Independence Day on Saturday, their offices said. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who also spoke with his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov on Friday, said on social media the package was worth $125 million. In the call with Zelenskyy, Biden reaffirmed Washington’s support, which the White House called “unwavering”, for Ukraine in its war with Russia. The aid package includes air-defense missiles, counter-drone equipment, anti-armor missiles and ammunition, the White House said in its statement. The calls came ahead of Ukraine’s independence day. “Ukraine critically needs the supply of weapons from the announced packages, particularly additional air defense systems for the reliable protection of cities, communities, and critical infrastructure,” Zelenskyy said in a statement after call released by his office. After seizing Crimea from Ukraine …

Macron wants Ukraine’s EU accession talks to start ‘by end of month’

Macron wants Ukraine’s EU accession talks to start ‘by end of month’

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Back to homepage / Europe ZELENSKY IN PARIS French President Emmanuel Macron said Friday that he wanted Kyiv’s EU accession talks to start “by the end of the month” as he hosted Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky for discussions in Paris. Macron added that he wanted to “finalise” the creation of a coalition of military instructors for Ukraine in the coming days and lashed out at what he called a “camp of pacifists” and the “spirit of defeat”. Read our live blog to see how all the day’s events unfolded.  Issued on: 07/06/2024 – 08:45Modified: 07/06/2024 – 20:29 1 min 02:32 France’s President Emmanuel Macron (R) shakes hands with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky during a joint press conference at the Élysée Palace in Paris on June 7, 2024. © Yoan Valat, AFP   French President Emmanuel Macron said Friday that he wanted Kyiv’s EU accession talks to start “by the end of the month” as he hosted Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky for discussions in Paris. Macron also said Friday that he wanted to “finalise” the creation of a …

Ukraine warns of outages as ‘massive’ Russian strikes target power plants

Ukraine warns of outages as ‘massive’ Russian strikes target power plants

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Ukraine on Wednesday warned of possible power shutdowns across the country after a “massive” wave of Russian missiles and drones targeted the country’s battered energy system. Issued on: 08/05/2024 – 15:18 3 min Moscow also said its forces had taken control of two more frontline villages, as it ups its attacks both on land and from the skies with Ukrainian troops struggling to hold the front line more than two years into the war. “On the Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in World War II, Nazi (President Vladimir) Putin launched a massive missile attack on Ukraine,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said. The intensified strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure triggered fresh warnings of blackouts and electricity rationing. “There may be power cuts for household and industrial consumers across Ukraine… due to new damage to the equipment of Ukrainian power plants caused by Russian strikes,” power operator Ukrenergo said.  Russia’s defence ministry said its strikes were in retaliation. “In response to the Kyiv regime’s attempt to damage Russian energy facilities, this morning the armed forces …

Ukraine foils Russian assassination plot targeting Zelensky

Ukraine foils Russian assassination plot targeting Zelensky

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Ukraine on Tuesday announced that it had detained two Ukrainian security officials involved in a plot coordinated by Russia to assassinate senior Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelensky. Issued on: 07/05/2024 – 15:04 1 min Two colonels in the State Guard of Ukraine, which protects top officials, were detained on suspicion of enacting the plan drawn up by Russia’s Federal Security Service, a statement said. The colonels were recruited before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, according to the statement. It quoted the head of the State Security Service, Vasyl Maliuk, as saying the plot foresaw an attack ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s inauguration for a fifth term Tuesday. Maliuk said he personally oversaw the top-secret operation to track the plot. Zelensky has been targeted by Russia on multiple occasions, including at the beginning of the Russian invasion in February 2022, according to Kyiv. In the latest assassination plot, Ukrainian security officials said Russia had worked to identify individuals close to Zelensky’s security detail who could take the Ukrainian leader hostage and …

France estimates that 150,000 Russian soldiers have been killed in the Ukraine war

France estimates that 150,000 Russian soldiers have been killed in the Ukraine war

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France estimates that 150,000 Russian soldiers have been killed during Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné said in an interview published on Friday. Issued on: 03/05/2024 – 21:56 1 min Speaking to Russian independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta Europe, Séjourné said Paris estimated total Russian casualties, including wounded, at 500,000 in the war, now in its third year. “Europe and its partners will remain united and determined, for as long as necessary. Russia’s military failure is already apparent. We estimate Russian military losses at 500,000, including 150,000 deaths,” he said. “All of this for what?” he asked. “This can be summed up in two words: for nothing,” he said. Russia has not disclosed information on its casualties. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in February that 180,000 Russian troops had been killed in the war. Read moreEnough to turn the tide? Ukraine hails release of long-delayed US military aid Britain estimates that approximately 450,000 Russians have been killed or wounded in Ukraine. The BBC reported in April that more than 50,000 Russian military personnel have …

US to give Ukraine new Patriot missiles as part of billion aid package

US to give Ukraine new Patriot missiles as part of $6 billion aid package

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Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Friday announced the United States will provide key air defense munitions and artillery rounds to Ukraine as part of a $6 billion military aid package that is its largest ever for Kyiv.  Issued on: 27/04/2024 – 07:07 2 min The package is the second this week, following another valued at $1 billion that was announced just after US President Joe Biden signed a much-delayed bill to provide new funding for Ukraine as it struggles to hold back Russian advances. “This is the largest security assistance package that we’ve committed to date,” Austin told journalists following the conclusion of a virtual meeting of dozens of Kyiv’s international supporters. “They need air defense interceptors, they need artillery systems and munitions. They need… armored vehicles, they need maintenance and sustainment. So all of those kinds of things are included” in the package,” he said. Ukraine has in recent months pleaded for more air defenses from its Western allies as it struggles to fend off a surge in deadly attacks on civilian infrastructure, and …

Zelensky welcomes US House approval of Ukraine aid, urges passage into law

Zelensky welcomes US House approval of Ukraine aid, urges passage into law

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday welcomed the passage of $60 billion in aid for Ukraine by the US House of Representatives but urged Washington to quickly turn the bill into law and proceed with the actual transfer of weapons, saying long-range arms and air defense systems were top priorities.  Issued on: 21/04/2024 – 16:31Modified: 21/04/2024 – 18:56 2 min In an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press”, Zelensky said the passage of the bill would send a powerful message to Russia that Washington stands by Kyiv and that it would not be “a second Afghanistan.” “I think this support will really strengthen the armed forces of Ukraine and we will have a chance for victory,” Zelensky said through an interpreter. During the interview he repeatedly urged US lawmakers to take swift action to pass the bill in the Senate. He said Ukraine urgently needed US long-range weapons including ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile Systems) and air defense systems to turn around its fortunes on the battlefield. “This is crucial. These are the priorities now,” Zelensky …

US House approves long-awaited billion Ukraine aid package

US House approves long-awaited $61 billion Ukraine aid package

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Lawmakers in the US House of Representatives on Saturday quickly passed legislation to provide military aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, and to ban TikTok if it fails to divest from its Chinese parent company. Issued on: 20/04/2024 – 19:59Modified: 21/04/2024 – 09:56 3 min The bills, passed in a rare Saturday session, were approved by overwhelming bipartisan votes, though they leave the future of House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, in doubt as he seeks to fend off angry far-right detractors.  Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the long-delayed aid package, saying the military and economic assistance would “save thousands and thousands of lives”.  I am grateful to the United States House of Representatives, both parties, and personally Speaker Mike Johnson for the decision that keeps history on the right track. Democracy and freedom will always have global significance and will never fail as long as America helps to… — Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 20, 2024 Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov meanwhile said that the passage of the bill would “further ruin” Ukraine …