A highly diplomatic day. The President of the European Commission, who visited kyiv on Thursday, September 15, promised that the EU would support Ukraine “as long as” as it should be against Russia. In parallel, Ihe Russian and Chinese presidents have shown their desire to strengthen their ties with Westerners, on the occasion of their first meeting since the start of the war in Ukraine. Here’s what to remember from the day
A “mass grave” discovered in Izioum
A “pauper’s grave” was discovered in Izium, a city recently recaptured from Russian forces, in the Kharkiv region, the Ukrainian president said Thursday evening. “We want the world to know what the Russian occupation has caused”Volodymyr Zelensky said without giving details of the number of people buried or the causes of their deaths.
Ursula von der Leyen wants Vladimir Putin to be brought to justice
“Putin must lose this war and be held accountable.” In an interview with the German daily television channel PictureIhe President of the European Commission pleaded Thursday in favor of an appearance of the Russian President before international justice for the war crimes in Ukraine.
“We support the collecting evidence” for proceedings before the International Criminal Court, added Ursula von der Leyenwho paid a visit to kyiv during the day. “The foundations of our system of international law demand that we prosecute such crimes and, ultimately, it is Putin who is responsible for them”she added.
vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping show their solidarity
During their first meeting since the start of the war in Ukraine, thehe Russian and Chinese presidents have shown their desire to strengthen their ties. The two leaders met Thursday on the sidelines of a Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
If he greeted on this occasion the “balanced position” of Xi Jinping on Ukraine, Vladimir Putin also said “understand (his) questions and (his) concerns” on this subject. so far, Beijing has neither supported nor publicly criticized the Russian invasion, while repeatedly expressing its support for Moscow in the face of Western sanctions.
Call for Russian withdrawal from Zaporizhia power plant
The Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Thursday adopted a resolution calling on Russia to withdraw its troops from the Ukrainian power plant in Zaporizhia, which kyiv and Moscow accuse each other of bombing. The adoption of this resolution was “greeted” speak Ukrainian Energy Minister, German Galushchenko.
The resolution also supports the efforts of the IAEA, which has begun consultations with Ukraine and Russia to establish a safety zone within the perimeter of the plant. The Council had adopted a first resolution at the beginning of March, warning against “the risk of a nuclear accident that would endanger the population of Ukraine, neighboring states and the international community”.
Berlin will deliver weapons to Ukraine, but not the tanks claimed by kyiv
Armored vehicles will be “very soon” delivered to kyiv, the German Defense Minister announced on Thursday. Kyiv’s counteroffensive “shows how important it is to quickly make other military equipment available to Ukraine”, said Christine Lambrecht.
She announced the dispatch of two new Mars-II multiple rocket launchers, as well as 200 rockets. Ukraine will also be delivered 50 all-terrain transport vehicles. Berlin, on the other hand, does not intend at this stage to deliver Leopard-2 combat tanks, which Ukraine has insisted on insisting.