1 hr. ago
PARIS, Aug 21 (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will co-chair a meeting of the so-called Coalition of the Willing group of pro-Ukrainian countries on Monday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will be at the meeting in Kyiv, which will be attended both in person and remotely, Macron's office said on Friday, without specifying who will be there in person. The Ukrainian capital has come under heavy bombardment recently, and Zelenskiy has pleaded with his allies to do more to help his country.
European Council President Antonio Costa will attend the meeting in person and NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska will participate remotely, NATO and the EU said in separate statements.
"The leaders will reiterate their determination to strengthen their support for Ukraine so that it can defend itself against Russian aggression," Macron's office said in a statement.
(Reporting by Inti Landauro; Editing by Alison Williams and Hugh Lawson)
#meeting #office
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will be at the meeting in Kyiv, which will be attended both in person and remotely, Macron's office said on Friday, without specifying who will be there in person. The Ukrainian capital has come under heavy bombardment recently, and Zelenskiy has pleaded with his allies to do more to help his country.
European Council President Antonio Costa will attend the meeting in person and NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska will participate remotely, NATO and the EU said in separate statements.
"The leaders will reiterate their determination to strengthen their support for Ukraine so that it can defend itself against Russian aggression," Macron's office said in a statement.
(Reporting by Inti Landauro; Editing by Alison Williams and Hugh Lawson)
#meeting #office
1 hr. ago
By Dan Peleschuk
KYIV, Aug 20 (Reuters) - A bid by ousted Ukrainian defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov to broaden a political fight with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy by calling for wartime elections appears to have backfired, failing to win over protesters who had demanded his return.
Zelenskiy's decision to sack the tech-savvy and reform-minded minister in a government reshuffle in July triggered protests in Kyiv and other cities.
Many of the protesters said the dismissal of the popular young minister was poorly explained and could threaten Ukraine's war effort against Russia, and continued protests throughout the summer to demand Zelenskiy reinstate him.
Despite the protests, parliament on Wednesday approved a new defence minister chosen by Zelenskiy and later that day only a few dozen people remained in a central Kyiv square where thousands once joined rare wartime protests.
#minister #zelenskiy #defence #wartime
KYIV, Aug 20 (Reuters) - A bid by ousted Ukrainian defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov to broaden a political fight with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy by calling for wartime elections appears to have backfired, failing to win over protesters who had demanded his return.
Zelenskiy's decision to sack the tech-savvy and reform-minded minister in a government reshuffle in July triggered protests in Kyiv and other cities.
Many of the protesters said the dismissal of the popular young minister was poorly explained and could threaten Ukraine's war effort against Russia, and continued protests throughout the summer to demand Zelenskiy reinstate him.
Despite the protests, parliament on Wednesday approved a new defence minister chosen by Zelenskiy and later that day only a few dozen people remained in a central Kyiv square where thousands once joined rare wartime protests.
#minister #zelenskiy #defence #wartime
5 days ago
By Pavel Polityuk and Felix Light
Aug 16 (Reuters) - Russia carried out a wave of airstrikes on Ukraine overnight, killing two people at a steel plant, and Kyiv launched a heavy drone attack on the Moscow region that killed one person and set ablaze a warehouse used by Russia's leading e-commerce retailer.
Romania, which borders Ukraine, said an F-18 fighter on a NATO air policing mission had shot down a drone that breached its airspace during the latest attacks. It did not specify the origin of the drone, which entered from Moldova, but a NATO spokesperson said it appeared to be Russian.
Russia struck Ukraine's largest grain export port on the River Danube near the Romanian border last week after stepping up attacks on Ukraine in recent weeks. Ukraine has also intensified attacks on Russian targets including oil refineries, and both sides have struck commercial vessels in the Black Sea.
In the latest attacks since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russian forces struck Ukraine's biggest steel plant overnight in the industrial city of Kryvyi Rih, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's home town.
#russian
Aug 16 (Reuters) - Russia carried out a wave of airstrikes on Ukraine overnight, killing two people at a steel plant, and Kyiv launched a heavy drone attack on the Moscow region that killed one person and set ablaze a warehouse used by Russia's leading e-commerce retailer.
Romania, which borders Ukraine, said an F-18 fighter on a NATO air policing mission had shot down a drone that breached its airspace during the latest attacks. It did not specify the origin of the drone, which entered from Moldova, but a NATO spokesperson said it appeared to be Russian.
Russia struck Ukraine's largest grain export port on the River Danube near the Romanian border last week after stepping up attacks on Ukraine in recent weeks. Ukraine has also intensified attacks on Russian targets including oil refineries, and both sides have struck commercial vessels in the Black Sea.
In the latest attacks since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russian forces struck Ukraine's biggest steel plant overnight in the industrial city of Kryvyi Rih, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's home town.
#russian
10 days ago
Aug 11 (Reuters) - Seven workers were killed at a Ukrainian steel plant on Tuesday during a Russian attack on the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia in which President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Moscow used North Korean ballistic missiles.
The Zaporizhstal plant was forced to suspend production after being hit as Russia pummelled Zaporizhzhia with Zircon hypersonic missiles, guided aerial bombs and ballistic missiles supplied by Pyongyang.
"The ballistic missile strike hit as employees were making their way to a shelter immediately after the air-raid alert was sounded," parent company Metinvest Group said in a statement that put the death toll at seven.
The attack brought production at the plant to a complete halt, and other damaged sites were operating at reduced capacity, the company said.
Regional governor Ivan Fedorov posted photos of buildings and vehicles ablaze after the strike, which also damaged four residential buildings. At least 24 people were injured. No damage was reported at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
#zaporizhzhia #production #strike #damaged
The Zaporizhstal plant was forced to suspend production after being hit as Russia pummelled Zaporizhzhia with Zircon hypersonic missiles, guided aerial bombs and ballistic missiles supplied by Pyongyang.
"The ballistic missile strike hit as employees were making their way to a shelter immediately after the air-raid alert was sounded," parent company Metinvest Group said in a statement that put the death toll at seven.
The attack brought production at the plant to a complete halt, and other damaged sites were operating at reduced capacity, the company said.
Regional governor Ivan Fedorov posted photos of buildings and vehicles ablaze after the strike, which also damaged four residential buildings. At least 24 people were injured. No damage was reported at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
#zaporizhzhia #production #strike #damaged
15 days ago
KYIV, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Ukraine on Tuesday accused Russia of committing a war crime after a video was released showing a drone chasing down and wounding a vegetable seller in the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson.
Footage released by Ukrainian police shows the drone pursuing a man around a van being used as a street stand before exploding as he dives for cover behind the vehicle. Police said the man in his 50s survived but suffered shock and shrapnel injuries.
Ukrainian officials later identified him only as a 52-year-old called Yurii and released a video interview with him from a hospital ward.
"Today, many were shocked by yet another video of the drone 'safari' Russians are carrying out against civilians in Kherson," President Volodymyr Zelenskiy wrote on X, saying that "Russia has gone mad" and calling for more pressure on Moscow and strong security guarantees for Ukraine.
"We must act and support life in ways that force Russia to think seriously about peace rather than expanding the range of its drones."
#police #tuesday
Footage released by Ukrainian police shows the drone pursuing a man around a van being used as a street stand before exploding as he dives for cover behind the vehicle. Police said the man in his 50s survived but suffered shock and shrapnel injuries.
Ukrainian officials later identified him only as a 52-year-old called Yurii and released a video interview with him from a hospital ward.
"Today, many were shocked by yet another video of the drone 'safari' Russians are carrying out against civilians in Kherson," President Volodymyr Zelenskiy wrote on X, saying that "Russia has gone mad" and calling for more pressure on Moscow and strong security guarantees for Ukraine.
"We must act and support life in ways that force Russia to think seriously about peace rather than expanding the range of its drones."
#police #tuesday
1 month ago
By Max Hunder and Tom Balmforth
KYIV/LONDON, July 16 (Reuters) - An extraordinary outburst by outgoing Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov laid bare a rift at the heart of Ukraine's war effort on Thursday, pitting a new guard pushing technology as the way to defeat Russia against the head of the armed forces.
The 35-year-old, who was ousted this week in a government overhaul just six months into his job, aimed a blistering tirade at General Oleksandr Syrskyi, whom he accused of stirring up intrigue, blocking his initiatives and sabotaging his work.
It is the first time the tensions have burst into the public eye.
Fedorov said he had agreed to make things work with Syrskyi after unsuccessfully petitioning President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to replace him, but that Ukraine's top general had taken to deliberately undermining him behind the scenes.
KYIV/LONDON, July 16 (Reuters) - An extraordinary outburst by outgoing Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov laid bare a rift at the heart of Ukraine's war effort on Thursday, pitting a new guard pushing technology as the way to defeat Russia against the head of the armed forces.
The 35-year-old, who was ousted this week in a government overhaul just six months into his job, aimed a blistering tirade at General Oleksandr Syrskyi, whom he accused of stirring up intrigue, blocking his initiatives and sabotaging his work.
It is the first time the tensions have burst into the public eye.
Fedorov said he had agreed to make things work with Syrskyi after unsuccessfully petitioning President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to replace him, but that Ukraine's top general had taken to deliberately undermining him behind the scenes.
1 month ago
July 11 (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Saturday that officials who allowed weapons warehouses to operate in a residential area outside Kyiv where explosions killed 10 people had been identified and would be held accountable.
A Russian strike this week on the small town of Vyshneve on Kyiv's western outskirts hit a warehouse housing arms, setting off a series of secondary explosions. Hundreds of houses were damaged.
Zelenskiy said an investigation by the Ukrainian Security Service had established which officials within the state weapons producer Ukroboronprom had authorised use of the warehouse in Vyshneve.
"This was a direct violation of both the law and a decision of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's staff," he said. "The responsible officials have been identified and the state's position is that each of them must be held accountable."
Without identifying those accused, Zelenskiy said the heads of two state-owned enterprises had operated in violation of the law and of decisions taken by Ukraine's military. Other officials who may have contributed to decisions would also be investigated, he said.
A Russian strike this week on the small town of Vyshneve on Kyiv's western outskirts hit a warehouse housing arms, setting off a series of secondary explosions. Hundreds of houses were damaged.
Zelenskiy said an investigation by the Ukrainian Security Service had established which officials within the state weapons producer Ukroboronprom had authorised use of the warehouse in Vyshneve.
"This was a direct violation of both the law and a decision of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's staff," he said. "The responsible officials have been identified and the state's position is that each of them must be held accountable."
Without identifying those accused, Zelenskiy said the heads of two state-owned enterprises had operated in violation of the law and of decisions taken by Ukraine's military. Other officials who may have contributed to decisions would also be investigated, he said.
1 month ago
By Yuliia Dysa
KYIV, July 10 (Reuters) - Ukraine is setting up a "long-range impact" command within its armed forces, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said, as Kyiv's campaign against Russian energy and logistics has forced Moscow to ban diesel exports and restrict shipping near the Sea of Azov, which abuts the Black Sea.
For months, Ukrainian attack drones have been targeting key energy infrastructure thousands of kilometres across Russia in what Kyiv casts as long-range sanctions against the primary contributor to Russia's state budget, backing its war effort.
In recent weeks, Ukraine has reported strikes almost daily, with officials saying it is only fair to bring the war to Russia more than four years since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion.
"Today, I signed a decree establishing a special command within the Armed Forces – a command aimed at a long-range and, in effect, global impact on Russia in response to this war," Zelenskiy said in his evening address to the nation.
KYIV, July 10 (Reuters) - Ukraine is setting up a "long-range impact" command within its armed forces, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said, as Kyiv's campaign against Russian energy and logistics has forced Moscow to ban diesel exports and restrict shipping near the Sea of Azov, which abuts the Black Sea.
For months, Ukrainian attack drones have been targeting key energy infrastructure thousands of kilometres across Russia in what Kyiv casts as long-range sanctions against the primary contributor to Russia's state budget, backing its war effort.
In recent weeks, Ukraine has reported strikes almost daily, with officials saying it is only fair to bring the war to Russia more than four years since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion.
"Today, I signed a decree establishing a special command within the Armed Forces – a command aimed at a long-range and, in effect, global impact on Russia in response to this war," Zelenskiy said in his evening address to the nation.
2 months ago
July 4 (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Saturday he had spoken to U.S. President Donald Trump on the Fourth of July holiday and called for "American resolve" to help end the more than four-year-old war with Russia.
Zelenskiy said he had a "very good" conversation with Trump, discussing the situation on the front line.
"There is a real prospect to end this war and American resolve will have a crucial meaning," he said.
Zelenskiy said he and Trump had agreed to continue their discussion at next week's NATO summit in Turkey.
In his comments, Zelenskiy thanked the United States for its help throughout the conflict and "American hearts" who thought of Ukraine's future and valued freedom throughout the world.
Zelenskiy said he had a "very good" conversation with Trump, discussing the situation on the front line.
"There is a real prospect to end this war and American resolve will have a crucial meaning," he said.
Zelenskiy said he and Trump had agreed to continue their discussion at next week's NATO summit in Turkey.
In his comments, Zelenskiy thanked the United States for its help throughout the conflict and "American hearts" who thought of Ukraine's future and valued freedom throughout the world.
2 months ago
July 5 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking to Russian leader Vladimir Putin by telephone for nearly 90 minutes, offered to help find a solution to the Ukraine war, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said in comments made public early on Sunday.
Ushakov said Trump made the offer during the call on Saturday, U.S. Independence Day, in the context of his participation next week at the NATO summit in Turkey.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he also spoke to Trump.
"The American president once again confirmed his readiness to work towards a rapid end to the fighting and find solutions to overcome the crisis," Ushakov said of Trump's call with the Russian president.
Ushakov, who described the conversation as "business-like and quite constructive," said Russia sought "a political-diplomatic resolution of the conflict, with due account of Russia's fundamental approach."
Ushakov said Trump made the offer during the call on Saturday, U.S. Independence Day, in the context of his participation next week at the NATO summit in Turkey.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he also spoke to Trump.
"The American president once again confirmed his readiness to work towards a rapid end to the fighting and find solutions to overcome the crisis," Ushakov said of Trump's call with the Russian president.
Ushakov, who described the conversation as "business-like and quite constructive," said Russia sought "a political-diplomatic resolution of the conflict, with due account of Russia's fundamental approach."
2 months ago
By Marek Strzelecki and Barbara Erling
WARSAW, July 3 (Reuters) - Ukraine is looking for ways to lower tension with Warsaw, Poland's prime minister said on Friday, adding that Poland's neighbour to the east should come to terms with its history to join the European Union.
Diplomatic relations between the two countries entered their worst crisis since Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine after Polish President Karol Nawrocki stripped Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskiy of Poland's top honour.
Nawrocki said he took the step due to the naming of an army unit after insurgents who massacred Poles in World War Two.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk, a political opponent of Nawrocki, has been trying to smooth tensions, and said he had received positive signals from Friday's meeting between Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and his Polish counterpart Radoslaw Sikorski in Warsaw.
WARSAW, July 3 (Reuters) - Ukraine is looking for ways to lower tension with Warsaw, Poland's prime minister said on Friday, adding that Poland's neighbour to the east should come to terms with its history to join the European Union.
Diplomatic relations between the two countries entered their worst crisis since Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine after Polish President Karol Nawrocki stripped Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskiy of Poland's top honour.
Nawrocki said he took the step due to the naming of an army unit after insurgents who massacred Poles in World War Two.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk, a political opponent of Nawrocki, has been trying to smooth tensions, and said he had received positive signals from Friday's meeting between Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and his Polish counterpart Radoslaw Sikorski in Warsaw.
2 months ago
June 29 (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy mocked Russia's military drive on Monday, saying the Kremlin over the course of more than four years had set and put off 15 deadlines to capture the eastern Donbas region.
Zelenskiy's comments amounted to a response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's rejection a day earlier of what the Kremlin leader said was a Ukrainian proposal to abandon long-range strikes and scale down the fighting.
He said Putin's comments showed he was out of touch with the feelings of Russians who faced queues at petrol stations, linked to a Ukrainian campaign of strikes on oil industry targets.
"Even an oil-producing state, a 'gas station' as Russia has often been called, is now facing fuel shortages," Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address.
"This is a direct consequence of the war. One of many consequences. It is also one example of how Ukraine responds — with precision, not through terrorism."
Zelenskiy's comments amounted to a response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's rejection a day earlier of what the Kremlin leader said was a Ukrainian proposal to abandon long-range strikes and scale down the fighting.
He said Putin's comments showed he was out of touch with the feelings of Russians who faced queues at petrol stations, linked to a Ukrainian campaign of strikes on oil industry targets.
"Even an oil-producing state, a 'gas station' as Russia has often been called, is now facing fuel shortages," Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address.
"This is a direct consequence of the war. One of many consequences. It is also one example of how Ukraine responds — with precision, not through terrorism."
2 months ago
BEIJING, June 29 (Reuters) - China supports Belarus in safeguarding its national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, Chinese President Xi Jinping told Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Beijing on Monday, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
Lukashenko's visit to China comes after he held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week.
The meeting follows mounting tension between Belarus and Ukraine, whose president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, says he believes Putin is trying to get Lukashenko to step up his support for Russia in its Ukraine war.
Xi said China and Belarus "must maintain strategic communication, promote the continuous advancement of bilateral relations at a high level and better benefit the peoples of both countries," the ministry said on its website.
China is willing to continue providing **** istance within its capacity for Belarus' development and construction, Xi said.
Lukashenko's visit to China comes after he held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week.
The meeting follows mounting tension between Belarus and Ukraine, whose president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, says he believes Putin is trying to get Lukashenko to step up his support for Russia in its Ukraine war.
Xi said China and Belarus "must maintain strategic communication, promote the continuous advancement of bilateral relations at a high level and better benefit the peoples of both countries," the ministry said on its website.
China is willing to continue providing **** istance within its capacity for Belarus' development and construction, Xi said.
2 months ago
MOSCOW, June 22 (Reuters) - The Kremlin on Monday accused Ukraine of threatening the sovereignty of close Russian ally Belarus after Kyiv gave Minsk a week to remove signal relay stations it said were being used to help guide Russian attacks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Friday that a week should be enough for Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko to remove the equipment, which he said was being used by Russia in its attacks on Ukraine, adding a threat of Ukrainian action if Lukashenko did not do so.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko were expected to discuss Zelenskiy's remarks "in the foreseeable future".
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Friday that a week should be enough for Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko to remove the equipment, which he said was being used by Russia in its attacks on Ukraine, adding a threat of Ukrainian action if Lukashenko did not do so.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko were expected to discuss Zelenskiy's remarks "in the foreseeable future".
2 months ago
KYIV, June 20 (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's chief of staff said on Saturday he was renouncing a Polish state medal after President Karol Nawrocki stripped Zelenskiy of Poland's top honour over a historical dispute.
The move by Kyrylo Budanov threatens to deepen a diplomatic rift between the close strategic partners as Kyiv rallies allies to push Russia to end its war on Ukraine.
Nawrocki said on Friday he was revoking the Order of the White Eagle from Zelenskiy after he renamed a military unit in honour of World War Two-era Ukrainian insurgents blamed for massacring Poles.
Budanov said he was renouncing the Golden Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, awarded to him last year, to protest against a move he described as "a gift" for Russia.
"Our nations have long-standing relations and different pages of history - both heroic and tragic," he posted on social media. "However, this should be an occasion for deep reflection, not crude political speculation."
The move by Kyrylo Budanov threatens to deepen a diplomatic rift between the close strategic partners as Kyiv rallies allies to push Russia to end its war on Ukraine.
Nawrocki said on Friday he was revoking the Order of the White Eagle from Zelenskiy after he renamed a military unit in honour of World War Two-era Ukrainian insurgents blamed for massacring Poles.
Budanov said he was renouncing the Golden Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, awarded to him last year, to protest against a move he described as "a gift" for Russia.
"Our nations have long-standing relations and different pages of history - both heroic and tragic," he posted on social media. "However, this should be an occasion for deep reflection, not crude political speculation."
2 months ago
June 20 (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Saturday that Russian forces were preparing an impending massive attack on Ukraine and warned residents to take special care as Russian strikes in different regions killed at least six people.
"Tonight and in the coming hours, it is especially important to pay close attention to air raid warnings," Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address. "The Russians have prepared for a massive attack. Please take care of yourselves."
Russian forces have staged a series of heavy attacks on Kyiv in recent weeks and in other major cities. Strikes last Monday killed 10 people throughout the country and badly damaged the Pechersk Lavra monastery, a 1,000-year-old monastery that stands as a symbol of Ukrainian spiritual and cultural heritage.
Zelenskiy has pledged that his military would press on with its campaign of medium and long-range strikes, focused on the oil sector.
Zelenskiy said Ukrainian drones struck an oil refinery in Tyumen region in western Siberia on Saturday and Ukrainian drones also struck Moscow's oil refinery twice this week.
"Tonight and in the coming hours, it is especially important to pay close attention to air raid warnings," Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address. "The Russians have prepared for a massive attack. Please take care of yourselves."
Russian forces have staged a series of heavy attacks on Kyiv in recent weeks and in other major cities. Strikes last Monday killed 10 people throughout the country and badly damaged the Pechersk Lavra monastery, a 1,000-year-old monastery that stands as a symbol of Ukrainian spiritual and cultural heritage.
Zelenskiy has pledged that his military would press on with its campaign of medium and long-range strikes, focused on the oil sector.
Zelenskiy said Ukrainian drones struck an oil refinery in Tyumen region in western Siberia on Saturday and Ukrainian drones also struck Moscow's oil refinery twice this week.
2 months ago
June 19 (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Friday that a week should be enough for Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko to remove equipment from his country used by Russia in its attacks on Ukraine, adding a threat of Ukrainian action if Lukashenko did not do so.
Zelenskiy said signal relay stations were located in two Belarusian regions bordering Ukraine that were used by Russian forces to help with steering during attacks on Ukrainian civilians. Reuters could not verify his claims independently.
"What's the point of saying he (Lukashenko) doesn't want to be in the war? Let him remove this equipment, let him switch it off. I think a week will be enough for him to do that," Zelenskiy told a news conference in Kyiv.
"If he doesn't do it, we'll do it," he said, without elaborating.
Zelenskiy also alluded to Belarus's oil refining industry, saying it had become a major supplier for Moscow and that Lukashenko could put a stop to it.
Zelenskiy said signal relay stations were located in two Belarusian regions bordering Ukraine that were used by Russian forces to help with steering during attacks on Ukrainian civilians. Reuters could not verify his claims independently.
"What's the point of saying he (Lukashenko) doesn't want to be in the war? Let him remove this equipment, let him switch it off. I think a week will be enough for him to do that," Zelenskiy told a news conference in Kyiv.
"If he doesn't do it, we'll do it," he said, without elaborating.
Zelenskiy also alluded to Belarus's oil refining industry, saying it had become a major supplier for Moscow and that Lukashenko could put a stop to it.
2 months ago
WARSAW, June 19 (Reuters) - Poland's president has decided to strip Volodymyr Zelenskiy of the country's top honour after Ukraine's head of state caused outrage by renaming an army unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), nationalists who massacred Poles in World War Two.
President Karol Nawrocki's decision looked likely to unleash a severe diplomatic crisis between the neighbours just days ahead of a conference on Ukraine's reconstruction in the Polish city of Gdansk.
"In light of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's consent to name one of the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine "Heroes of the UPA,"... I have decided to revoke the Order of the White Eagle from the President of Ukraine," Nawrocki said in a statement.
"At this point, I would like to emphasize: this decision is not directed against the Ukrainian people. It does not signify a change in the strategic direction of Polish security policy."
STRAINED RELATIONS
President Karol Nawrocki's decision looked likely to unleash a severe diplomatic crisis between the neighbours just days ahead of a conference on Ukraine's reconstruction in the Polish city of Gdansk.
"In light of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's consent to name one of the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine "Heroes of the UPA,"... I have decided to revoke the Order of the White Eagle from the President of Ukraine," Nawrocki said in a statement.
"At this point, I would like to emphasize: this decision is not directed against the Ukrainian people. It does not signify a change in the strategic direction of Polish security policy."
STRAINED RELATIONS
2 months ago
By Andrius Sytas and Jekaterina Golubkova
TALLINN, June 9 (Reuters) - Ukraine has signed a drone deal with Latvia, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Tuesday as he met with Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs on the sidelines of a summit between Ukraine and Nordic and Baltic states in the Estonian capital Tallinn.
Zelenskiy was meeting with prime ministers from the Nordic-Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Iceland, Finland, Sweden and Norway, shortly after returning from a meeting in London with the leaders of Britain, France and Germany who said they were ready to support ceasefire talks.
Europe was likely far from ready to act as a mediator in the Ukraine peace process, the Kremlin said on Tuesday. The U.S. was leading the talks to end the more than four-year-long war before the recent Iran conflict switched its focus.
"These are concrete things to strengthen our joint defense and co-production, and, importantly, this also means Ukraine's expertise and experience helping to strengthen our partners," Zelenskiy said in a post on X.
TALLINN, June 9 (Reuters) - Ukraine has signed a drone deal with Latvia, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Tuesday as he met with Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs on the sidelines of a summit between Ukraine and Nordic and Baltic states in the Estonian capital Tallinn.
Zelenskiy was meeting with prime ministers from the Nordic-Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Iceland, Finland, Sweden and Norway, shortly after returning from a meeting in London with the leaders of Britain, France and Germany who said they were ready to support ceasefire talks.
Europe was likely far from ready to act as a mediator in the Ukraine peace process, the Kremlin said on Tuesday. The U.S. was leading the talks to end the more than four-year-long war before the recent Iran conflict switched its focus.
"These are concrete things to strengthen our joint defense and co-production, and, importantly, this also means Ukraine's expertise and experience helping to strengthen our partners," Zelenskiy said in a post on X.
2 months ago
June 7 (Reuters) - Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Sunday said Russian magnate Roman Abramovich had met him in Kyiv and offered to take a message to the Kremlin on peace prospects, but the Ukrainian leader reiterated that his government would not abandon its Donbas region.
Zelenskiy's comments to Sky News while holding talks in London marked his first acknowledgement that the billionaire had traveled to Ukraine's capital and was involved to some extent in negotiations.
"He came to Kyiv. He said 'I am messaging direct to you. And I want to take a message from you and give it to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin'. But he said it has to be silent without any kind of public messages," Zelenskiy said.
Zelenskiy said the meeting was "not a secret," adding that the Russians wanted to know what Kyiv was "ready to do".
"I said the question is not about us. You are fighting against us on our territory. I said to him about Donbas and it was the key message. I said we will not leave and we will not go out from our territory. No, we will not give you a victory in such way. And you will not get it."
Zelenskiy's comments to Sky News while holding talks in London marked his first acknowledgement that the billionaire had traveled to Ukraine's capital and was involved to some extent in negotiations.
"He came to Kyiv. He said 'I am messaging direct to you. And I want to take a message from you and give it to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin'. But he said it has to be silent without any kind of public messages," Zelenskiy said.
Zelenskiy said the meeting was "not a secret," adding that the Russians wanted to know what Kyiv was "ready to do".
"I said the question is not about us. You are fighting against us on our territory. I said to him about Donbas and it was the key message. I said we will not leave and we will not go out from our territory. No, we will not give you a victory in such way. And you will not get it."
