Russian invasion

G7 summit in France
Zelenskyy asked to meet with Putin this week: “Were not ready”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked to meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin during the G7 summit in France this week, writes Reuters. But according to the Ukrainian leader, Putin was not “ready” to discuss the war.

– We have announced that we are ready to meet with Putin during the G7 summit, because Trump is there and Macron is there, that is, Europe together with the United States. I think it is a very good opportunity to meet all of us, Zelenskyy said during a press conference with reporters in Ukraine.

The statement was made after deadly Russian attacks on Ukraine during the night, which, among other things, destroyed the historic Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv.

Last month, Zelenskyy wrote an open letter to the Russian president, in which he appealed for a meeting to end the war.

The fighting
Major damage to the cathedral: “There is no refuge”

AFP journalists around Kyiv witnessed last night how people ran through the city to seek shelter from Moscow’s projectiles.

In total, Russia is said to have fired 70 missiles and 611 drones at Ukraine during the night, mainly at Kyiv. The historic Pechersk Lavra has suffered major damage after the attacks. Pictures from the scene show one of the cathedrals in flames and how golden domes have fallen to the ground. A young priest tells The Guardian about how everything just shook when the drones hit.

– This place is important for everyone. But for Russians, nothing is sacred, there is no refuge, he says.

Museum worker Natalia Korol, 52, finds the attack incomprehensible, writes AFP. The Russian Orthodox Church also sees the monastery as a shrine, she points out.

“You can’t attack holy places,” she says.

At least eleven people have been confirmed dead in last night’s attacks on Ukraine.