Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke to his Azerbaijani counterpart about “territorial integrity” despite the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. For his part, Joe Biden announced a “big speech” to continue mobilizing public opinion on Ukrainian fate.
His country resisted the Russian invasion for more than a year. His interlocutor on the other end of the call led this Wednesday, October 4th, a lightning offensive in the separatist enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, which lies on his territory. Volodymyr Zelensky picked up the phone to call his Azerbaijani counterpart on Wednesday, as Joe Biden again tried to mobilize public opinion on Ukraine’s fate by announcing an upcoming “big speech.” Here’s what you’ll remember from this day.
Volodymyr Zelensky spoke to his Azerbaijani counterpart about aid and “territorial integrity”.
“We have reaffirmed our commitment to the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity of states,” Volodymyr Zelensky said in Telegram after his telephone conversation with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliev. This is the first time the two men have spoken by phone since the Azerbaijani leader led a lightning offensive against Armenian separatists in the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave on September 19.
Facing a Russian invasion of its territory since February 24, 2022, the Ukrainian president also “thanked” his Azerbaijani counterpart for his “significant humanitarian assistance, especially in the energy sector in view of the approaching winter.” Ukraine is also doing “everything” to receive new anti-aircraft systems from the West before the start of the winter period to counter a possible Russian bombing attack, Volodymyr Zelensky said, saying he was waiting for “certain decisions.” [ses] Partner”.
Joe Biden promises a “big speech” to continue mobilization for Ukraine
While the political situation in his country remains unclear, the American president expressed concern about the Ukraine issue on Wednesday. Joe Biden also admitted that the chaos within the Republican Party that paralyzed the House of Representatives had left him “worried” about the future of aid to Kyiv.
“It is extremely important for the United States and our allies that we keep our promises,” Joe Biden also said, before promising a “big speech” to demonstrate that it is “extremely important” that Ukraine continues to exercise military power and provide financial support. However, without specifying the date.
Russian journalist sentenced to eight and a half years in prison
Marina Ovsiannikova found refuge in France. This Russian journalist was just sentenced in absentia on Wednesday to a severe sentence: eight and a half years in prison for criticizing the army, a Russian court said.
The journalist, who fled Russia a year ago, was charged with “spreading false information” about the Russian armed forces and was already fined for similar acts in August 2022. According to the newspaper, on the set of the pro-Kremlin television station for which she worked, holding a sign which mentioned the “propaganda” of the Russian media in this war in Ukraine.
Her lawyer told AFP that she will appeal against this conviction, although she believes there is “no point” in attending the trial.
Moscow is preparing to attack civilian ships in the Black Sea, warns London
“Intelligence (…) suggests that Russia is attempting to attack civilian ships using the humanitarian corridor in Ukraine to disrupt the export of Ukrainian grain,” the British Foreign Office wrote in a statement released on Wednesday evening.
Moscow “will certainly want to avoid openly sinking civilian ships and will unfairly blame Ukraine for any attack,” warns James Cleverly, the head of British diplomacy quoted in the document. The UK denounces the Russian General Staff’s “complete disregard” for the lives of civilians and the needs of the world’s most vulnerable, while several African countries await shipments of Ukrainian grain.
Russia claims to have shot down dozens of drones
Moscow reports the downing of 31 Ukrainian drones in western Russia. “Air defense systems operating over the territory of Belgorod, Bryansk and Kursk regions intercepted and destroyed 31 Ukrainian drones,” the Russian Defense Ministry reported on Telegram, without mentioning possible injuries or damage.
“Partial destruction” was also recorded in the Bryansk region. Alexandre Bogomaz, governor of this border region with Ukraine, said on Wednesday that a drone had been destroyed there by Russian forces, also there without consequences. According to him, Kiev also used cluster munitions against four districts of its region, which resulted in “partial destruction.”