Russian and Ukrainian troops clashed in fierce close combat in an eastern Ukrainian city on May 29, as Moscow’s troops, backed by intense shelling, attempted to gain a strategic foothold to conquer the region. Ukraine’s leader also made a rare visit to Kharkiv, the country’s second largest city, to assess the strength of the national defense.
Ukrainian officials said that in the east, Russian forces stormed Svyarodonetsk after an unsuccessful attempt to encircle the strategic city. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the situation there as “indescribably difficult”.”, with a relentless Russian artillery barrage destroying critical infrastructure and damaging 90% of buildings.
Meanwhile, Germany’s government and the conservative opposition have agreed a deal that will release 100 billion euros ($107 billion) to modernize the military in the face of the Russian threat.
Read more news about the Russia-Ukraine crisis here.
France
French Foreign Minister to meet President of Ukraine on 30 May
French Foreign Affairs Minister Catherine Colonna will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on May 30 to express France’s solidarity with Ukraine and offer more support to the country, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. .
Kolona’s visit to Ukraine comes amid criticism from some diplomats and political analysts that France is not doing enough to support Ukraine in its fight with Russia. , Reuters
The European Union
EU will pledge support for Ukraine, but not ready with Russia’s new sanctions
EU leaders will meet on Monday to announce continued support for Ukraine to help deter Russia’s attack, but their failure to agree a new sanctions package against Moscow will scuttle talks.
Over two days, the leaders of the 27-nation bloc are to discuss how to help Ukraine weather Russia’s invasion for four months and deal with the effects of the conflict: high energy prices, an imminent food shortage. and the needs of the EU’s defense.
But the draft conclusion of the meeting, seen by Reutersshowed that while the EU would be liberal with verbal support for the government in Kyiv, there would be little in terms of new decisions on any of the main topics.
“After Russia’s attack on Ukraine, we saw what can happen when Europe is united. In view of the summit tomorrow, let’s hope it continues like this. But it’s already crumbling again And the crumbling has begun,” German Economy Minister Robert Hebeck said on Sunday. Reuters
donbass
Ukrainian defenders held in Donbasi
European Union leaders will meet on Monday to reiterate support for Ukraine as Russian forces intensify attacks to capture Svyarodonetsk, a key city in the southeastern Donbas region over which Moscow has preferred full control. .
Continued shelling has left Ukrainian forces defending the ruins at Svyarodonetsk, but their refusal to retreat is halting a large-scale Russian offensive in the Donbass.
“Around 90% of the buildings are damaged. More than two-thirds of the city’s housing stock has been completely destroyed. There is no teleworking,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a televised speech. , Reuters
Ukraine
Ukraine pushed back in Kherson
Ukrainian forces have retaliated in the country’s south, claiming to have pushed back Russian troops near three villages in the Kherson region, as President Volodymyr Zelensky made his first visit to the troubled East since the start of the war.
Mr Zelensky, who on Monday will pressure EU leaders to break the impasse over a new round of sanctions against Russia, took to the streets of the capital of the devastated Kharkiv region a day earlier in a bullet-proof vest.
While a third of the northeastern region is under Russian control, “we will certainly liberate the entire region,” Mr Zelensky said after the visit, also revealing that he fired the city’s security chief in a rare public reprimand. Had given. , AFP
Germany
Germany agrees $107 billion fund to modernize the military to counter Russia’s threat
Germany’s government and the conservative opposition have agreed a deal that will release 100 billion euros ($107 billion) to modernize the military in the face of the Russian threat. An agreement was reached late Sunday to create a special fund for military procurement that would allow Berlin to achieve NATO’s goal of spending two percent of GDP on defence.
The deal, which includes amending budgetary rules to the national constitution, was struck after weeks of difficult negotiations between the parties in the governing coalition and the conservatives of former Chancellor Angela Merkel, representatives of these groups told AFP,
Three days after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February, Chancellor Olaf Scholz promised a special budget of 100 billion euros to regroup the German army and modernize its outdated equipment over the next few years. , AFP
Ukraine
Ukraine, Russia battle in the east, Zelensky takes the lead
Russian and Ukrainian troops blew up an eastern Ukrainian city in fierce close combat on Sunday as Moscow’s troops, backed by intense shelling, sought to gain a strategic foothold in the region. Ukraine’s leader also made a rare visit to Kharkiv, the country’s second largest city, to assess the strength of the national defense.
Ukrainian officials said that in the east, Russian forces stormed Svyarodonetsk after an unsuccessful attempt to encircle the strategic city. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the situation there as “indescribably difficult”, in which a relentless Russian artillery barrage destroyed vital infrastructure and damaged 90% of buildings.
“The capture of Svyarodonetsk is a major task for the occupying force,” Mr Zelensky said, adding that the Russians did not care about casualties. , AP
Ukraine
Russian army ‘hurricane’ Svyarodonetsk amid bombing eastern Ukraine
Russian and Ukrainian troops engaged in close fighting in a city in eastern Ukraine on May 29, as Moscow troops, backed by intense shelling, faced fierce resistance from Ukraine, seeking to gain a strategic foothold in the region. Tried.
Ukrainian regional officials reported that Russian forces were “storming” the eastern city of Svyarodonetsk, where fighting has knocked out electricity and cellphone services and terrorized civilians who have not fled.
Russia
Indians in Russia sent relief material for Russian soldiers
Members of the Indian community in Russia are collecting relief materials to help Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine.
Earlier in May, Indian-origin deputy of the Kursk City Assembly, Abhay Singh, handed over the first consignment of drugs to the local commander of the Russian army in Kursk, near the Ukraine-Russia border. So far, two consignments of medicines have been sent by the Indian community under Disha’s initiative: the Russian-Indian Friendship Society.
Ukraine
Ukraine says everything is being done to protect Donbass from Russian attack
Ukraine has said it is doing “everything” to defend the Donbass, where an intense Russian offensive is prompting Kyiv forces to consider a strategic withdrawal from some key areas to avoid being surrounded.
Russia is waging an all-out war for the eastern Donetsk and Lugansk regions that make up the Donbass – Ukraine’s industrial heartland where President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Moscow of “genocide”.