The multiple calls made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his government have finally paid off. After having demanded several times a day, and for several weeks, new deliveries of weapons, the American president announced, Wednesday, June 15, new military aid. NATO countries are going to supply more modern heavy weapons to Ukraine, but this “requires time” because it is necessary to train the Ukrainian soldiers in their use, declared for his part the secretary general of the Alliance Jens Stoltenberg. Franceinfo looks back on the highlights of the day.
US announces new military aid worth $1 billion
The US President announced a new tranche of military aid to Ukraine. Joe Biden said in a statement that he told his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky during a telephone interview. “I reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to support Ukraine as it defends its democracy, protects its sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of unwarranted Russian aggression.”underlined the American leader.
This new tranche of aid includes “additional artillery and coastal defense pieces, as well as ammunition for artillery pieces and advanced rocket launchers that the Ukrainians need for their defensive operations in the Donbass”, he added. The Pentagon specified that this aid included in particular 18 Howitzers with their transport vehicles and 36,000 shells, as well as two Harpoon anti-ship missile launchers, intended for the coastal defense of Ukraine on the Black Sea. “I want to express my gratitude for this support, it is especially important for our defense in the Donbass”reacted Volodymyr Zelensky in a video message.
This new installment brings to 5.6 billion dollars the total amount of military aid granted by the United States to Ukraine since the beginning of the conflict, on February 24.
Xi Jinping reaffirms his support for Vladimir Putin
Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed his closeness to his “old friend” Vladimir Poutine. During a telephone exchange, the Chinese leader assured the head of the Kremlin of Beijing’s support. “China is willing to pursue mutual support with Russia on issues of sovereignty, security, as well as other issues of fundamental interests and major concerns.”Xi Jinping told his Russian counterpart, according to comments quoted by the New China news agency.
The United States then called on China to stop supporting the Russian invasion of Ukraine to avoid placing itself “on the wrong side of history”. “We are concerned about China’s alignment with Russia”said a spokesman for the American diplomacy.
Faced with the unity of Western democracies, which have taken unprecedented sanctions against it, Russia can only count on Chinese power to escape total economic isolation. China has refused since the beginning of the Russian offensive to use the word “invasion” to describe the military operation launched by Moscow, and throws the blame on the United States and NATO. Close to the Kremlin, the Chinese authorities have also refrained from condemning the Russian invasion.
Moscow accuses kyiv of having prevented the evacuation of civilians in Sievierodonetsk
Russia accused Ukrainian forces of preventing the evacuation by a “humanitarian corridor” civilians at a factory in Severodonetsk, a city in eastern Ukraine taken over by the Russian army. “The Russian side has provided a humanitarian corridor to allow the evacuation of civilians from the Azot chemical plant in Severodonetsk. Despite all these measures, (…) the Kyiv authorities cynically thwarted the humanitarian operation “charged the Russian Defense Ministry in a statement.
Russia said on Tuesday that it would put in place a “humanitarian corridor” Wednesday from 7 a.m. (Paris time) to 7 p.m. to allow civilians who have taken refuge in the Azot factory to leave Severodonetsk in the direction of territories controlled by Moscow forces in the north.
The Russian Ministry of Defense, however, accused the Ukrainian forces of having “repeatedly violated the ceasefire” and for having “used the humanitarian pause to redeploy to more advantageous (combat) positions”. It was not possible to independently verify these claims.
Ikea announces “to reduce its activities” in Russia and Belarus
Swedish furniture giant Ikea has announced that it will “reduce its activities in Russia and Belarus” after having suspended them at the time of the invasion of Ukraine by Moscow. “Sales and supply chains have been severely impacted around the world and we do not believe it is possible to resume business any time soon.” in Russia and Belarus, wrote in a press release the Ingka group which manages the majority of Ikea stores.
Like many foreign companies, Ikea had suspended operations in Russia and Belarus at the time of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in late February. “Unfortunately, the situation has not improved and this devastating war continues”explained Ingka, adding to have “decided to enter a new phase of reducing Ikea’s activities in Russia and Belarus”. The group announced that sales activities “would be stopped and that the workforce would be reduced, which implies that many collaborators will be affected”.
The group added that production in Russia “would reduce its workforce and start looking for a new buyer for its four factories”. The two purchasing and logistics departments in Moscow and Minsk will also be permanently closed.