Today
Friday May 12, 2023
14:12
ZELENSKY IN ITALY
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected in Rome on Saturday for meetings with political leaders and likely Pope Francis for his first visit to Italy since the Russian invasion.
A spokesman for the Italian Presidency confirmed to AFP that Head of State Sergio Mattarella would meet Mr Zelenskyy without giving further details for security reasons.
A Vatican source also said on Friday that Mr Zelenskyi’s meeting with Pope Francis was “possible”.
14:11
CHECK OVER
Russian assets in France remain frozen as the conflict in Ukraine rages on. Netizens claim that their maintenance would be at the expense of the state, especially in the case of yachts. The Economics Ministry denies that this is wrong, citing the procedures used.
International
Posted May 1, 2023 at 6:08 p.m.
1:45 p.m
EUROVISION
The British government said on Friday it was “disappointed” that Eurovision Song Contest organizers had decided to block Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy from speaking at the event’s final in Liverpool on Saturday.
“The Prime Minister believes that it would have been okay if President Zelenskyy spoke during the event,” said a spokesman for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
“The values and freedoms that President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people are fighting for in Ukraine are not political but fundamental,” the spokesman added.
12:42 p.m
COUNTER-OFFENSIVE
The Russian army said on Friday it had repelled 26 Ukrainian attacks along a 95-kilometer front in eastern Ukraine’s Soledar sector, near the iconic town of Bachmout, at a time when a major offensive against Kiev is looming.
“In the Soledar tactical direction yesterday (Thursday) the enemy launched an offensive along the entire line of contact, more than 95 kilometers long. Ukrainian army units conducted 26 attacks involving more than 1,000 soldiers and up to 40 soldiers through tanks,” Russia’s Defense Ministry said, claiming to have repelled all of those attacks and prevented any breakthrough.
11:55
PRIGOJIN’S INVITATION
In a letter addressed to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and published on his Telegram account, Yevgeny Prigoyine writes: “Currently, Wagner’s units control more than 95% of Bakhmout and continue to attack. On the flanks of Wagner, where the units are.” Since the forces of Russia were located, the enemy launched a series of successful counterattacks.
And the Wagner boss stretches out his hand to the minister: “In view of the complexity of the situation and your combat experience, I ask you to come.” [à] Bakhmout and assess the situation for yourself.”
09:30
UPDATE ON THE SITUATION
Find the latest information on the conflict.
International
Posted today at 8:53am.
09:28
DIPLOMACY
China said Friday it would send a special envoy to Ukraine, Russia and other European countries starting Monday to discuss a “political solution” to the war in Ukraine.
“Starting May 15, Ambassador Li Hui, the Chinese government’s special envoy for Eurasian affairs, will visit Ukraine, Poland, France, Germany and Russia to discuss a political solution to the Ukraine crisis with each of these parties,” said Wang Wenbin, a spokesman for China’s Foreign Ministry told reporters.
He is the highest-ranking Chinese diplomat to visit Ukraine since the full-scale invasion of Ukrainian territory by Russian forces in late February 2022.
09:11
GRAIN
The extension of the Ukrainian grain export deal is nearing completion, Turkey’s Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said, according to a ministry statement on Friday.
“We are nearing the completion of the extension of the Grains Agreement,” Mr Akar said during a Thursday speech released on Friday.
09:02
BAKHMOUT
Kiev forces have advanced two kilometers around Bachmout, the epicenter of fighting in eastern Ukraine, Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister said on Friday.
“The enemy has suffered significant casualties in men. Our defense forces have advanced two kilometers near Bakhmout,” Ganna Malyar said in a statement released on social media. “We didn’t lose any positions at Bakhmout this week,” she added.
08:24
EUROPEAN COUNCIL
More than a year after Russia’s expulsion from the Council of Europe, dozens of Russian citizens continue to work at the institution, much to Ukraine’s displeasure. The 46 member countries of the Council of Europe, which oversees human rights on the continent, meet in Reykjavik on Tuesday for a summit devoted primarily to the war in Ukraine.
On March 16, 2022, the Council of Europe decided to expel Russia, three weeks after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The unprecedented decision raises questions about the future of Russian staff working on the body, which is headquartered in Strasbourg.
For Ukraine, one of the 46 member states, the solution is obvious: Russian nationals cannot continue to work in the institution.
07:09
THE REFUSAL OF THE RUSSIAN ARMY
The Russian army denied a “breakthrough” of its defenses by Ukrainian forces in a press release Thursday night, pro-Russian military bloggers and the head of the paramilitary group Wagner feared.
Several pro-Russian bloggers following the situation on the ground were alarmed Thursday night by Ukrainian troop movements and the abandonment of Russian positions by Russian soldiers, particularly near Bachmout, the epicenter of fighting in eastern Ukraine.
“The statements circulated by individual Telegram channels about alleged ‘defense breakthroughs’ in different parts of the line of contact do not correspond to reality,” the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.
07:07
LIVE
Welcome to this live broadcast of the conflict in Ukraine.