Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meets his American counterpart Joe Biden on Sunday May 21 at the G7 summit in Hiroshima (Japan). Two days after an announcement paving the way for the delivery of F-16 fighter jets to kyiv, the President of the United States promised new American weapons and ammunition to Ukraine. These new shipments will include “ammunition, artillery, armored vehicles”, said Joe Biden. Follow our live.
A diplomatic marathon for Zelensky. The Ukrainian head of state must plead on Sunday for new diplomatic and military support for Ukraine, with its G7 allies but also with other countries that have so far refused to condemn the Russian invasion, such as India and Brazil. Volodymyr Zelensky’s presence in Hiroshima is “very important”especially for “intensify” relations between Ukraine and the countries of the South, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Sunday.
Moscow claims full capture of Bakhmout. After the claim of the Russian paramilitary group Wagner, Moscow claimed on Saturday evening the total capture of the city of Bakhmout, epicenter of the fighting in eastern Ukraine. The city was the scene of the longest and bloodiest battle in Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion. “As a result of the offensive actions of Wagner’s assault units, with the support of the artillery and aviation of the ‘South’ unit, the liberation of the city of Artemovsk is complete”claimed the Russian Ministry of Defense, using the Soviet name of Bakhmout.
For Zelensky, there is “nothing” left of Bakhmout. On Saturday, Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Ganna Maliar claimed on Telegram that Ukrainian defenders were still in control “certain industrial facilities and infrastructure” and apartment buildings, although “the situation (is) critical”. Volodymyr Zelensky, questioned on Sunday about the situation in Bakhmout, replied ambivalently. “You must understand that there is nothing” there, he replied. “Today, Bakhmout is only in our hearts.”