The Russian invasion. The outside world's response

Dmitry Peskov/Joe Biden. TT 

 

The Russian invasion. The outside world's response 

The Kremlin rejects the US overtures: "The operation continues" 

 

Russia's "special military operation" in Ukraine will continue, says Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov according to AFP. At the same time, the Kremlin rejects US President Joe Biden's overtures that he is ready to talk to Vladimir Putin if the Russian president shows a genuine interest in ending the war. 

 

- What did President Biden actually say? He said negotiations are possible only after Putin leaves Ukraine, he says, adding that Moscow is "really not" ready to accept those terms.

 

Russia calls the war in Ukraine a “special military operation 

 

Emmanuel Macron and Joe Biden. Susan Walsh/AP 

 

The Russian invasion. The outside world's response 

Biden: Ready for talks if Putin really wants peace 

 

US President Joe Biden is ready to talk with Russia's Vladimir Putin, if the Russian president shows a genuine interest in ending the war in Ukraine. That's what Biden said in connection with a visit by French President Emanuel Macron, writes the Financial Times. 

 

However, Biden said he will not meet with Putin without first consulting his NATO allies. He also said that at the moment he sees no signs that Putin is willing to end the war. 

 

At a joint press conference, Biden and Macron also underlined that their countries, along with the rest of NATO and the EU, stand united against Russia, writes AFP. Macron underlined that Ukraine will never be pressured to agree to a peace settlement that is not acceptable from the Ukrainian perspective. 

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Ukrainian military fires robots at Russian targets. Libkos / AP 

 

The Russian InvasionThe Battles

Expert: Battle of Bachmut is "quite incomprehensible" 

 

The Russian invasion offensive against Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine surprises military strategists who find it difficult to see the city's strategic importance, TT writes. 

 

- It could constitute a symbolically important victory for Russia. But for me it is quite incomprehensible, says lieutenant colonel Peter Lidén, former defense attaché in Ukraine. 

 

At the same time, Ukraine claims that Russia is withdrawing troops from the eastern side of the Dnieper river, described as the war's new frontline in the south. Lieutenant Colonel Joakim Paasikivi says the retreat may be due to Russian forces wanting to position themselves beyond the range of Ukrainian weapons - while also believing that Ukraine will not be able to advance across the wide river, whose bridges in the area are destroyed. 

 

- Nothing is impossible. But it would be very difficult to carry out a more extensive advance.

Ukrainian soldiers during training. Kirsty Wigglesworth / AP 

 

The Russian InvasionThe Battles Ukraine: Up to 13,000 soldiers have been killed in the war 

 

Ukraine has lost between 10,000 and 13,000 soldiers since the country was invaded by Russia in February, Mykhaylo Podoljak, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi, said, according to AFP. The figures are said to come from the Ukrainian General Staff, but have not yet been confirmed by the military. 

 

According to Podoljak, the number of wounded soldiers is also more than the number of dead. He also says that a large number of civilians have been killed. 

 

Both sides have so far been careful to state how many soldiers have died in the war. Last month, US General Mark Milley said that around 100,000 Russian soldiers had been killed and wounded in the war, and that the Ukrainian death toll was likely to be at a similar level, writes Sky News.

 

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RIGHT NOW: Animal eyes sent to Ukrainian embassies

Pinned post

today at 12.47 am 

Amanda Hällsten  

Several Ukrainian embassies in Europe have received "bloody" packages with animal eyes during Friday.  

This is stated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Reuters reports. 

Among other things, the Ukrainian consulate in the Czech Republic is said to have received a shipment of animal eyes.  

Ukrainian embassies in, among others, Hungary, the Netherlands, the Police, Italy and Croatia have also received similar letters.