Germany Offers Millions More for Regions Under Russian "Terror Occupation": 10:41
The German government is offering additional humanitarian aid to individuals in the Russias occupied portion of eastern Ukraine. Germany is allocating 60 million euros, mainly for the east of Ukraine, stated German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock before EU minister talks in Brussels. "There's nothing there," Baerbock said, pointing to the occupied areas. "The people have been enduring Russian occupation for more than two and a half years." In an attempt to supply relief to the region, the German government is working in conjunction with other international actors.
At 10:13, Lithuania alleges that Hungary is obstructing all EU efforts to assist Ukraine in its resistance against the Russian invasion. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis commented before a conference with EU counterparts in Brussels, "We must find a means to circumvent this blockade." Hungary has taken considerable measures in this regard. "We must regard this as a systematic strategy opposing any attempts by the EU to exert significant influence in foreign policy," Landsbergis said. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also urged Hungary to remove the roadblock for additional EU military support for Ukraine. "I implore Hungary to cease hindering aid to Ukraine for peacekeeping purposes," Baerbock said. The European Union's foreign ministers will be discussing further aid for Ukraine in Brussels. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba pleaded for more air defense systems and other weapons in a video message.
At 09:40, Spain declares a substantial aid bundle for Ukraine: Ukraine could receive further Leopard tanksInforming that Ukraine is supposed to be provided with a dozen Patriot missiles for the air defense system and 19 Leopard tanks, Spain. These weapons are part of the aid budget announced last month for the Russia-assaulted nation for €1.13 billion, as detailed by the paper "El País," citing sources. Additionally, equipment for drone security and ammunition will be provided. The new military assistance should be announced during the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Madrid, where he'll meet with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and King Felipe. A spokesperson for Sánchez declined to comment on the newspaper report. Ukraine recently obtained Leopard tanks from Germany - of the type 1A5.
09:09 Ukraine launches drone assault on a Russian stationA Ukrainian drone assault on a petrol station in the Russian Orel region caused the death of one person, as relayed by Russian officials. "A drone landed on the premises of a gas station in the city of Liwny today," Governor Andrey Klychkov disclosed on Telegram. Three individuals were injured in the attack, approximately 160 kilometres behind the Ukraine-Russia border. An administrative building was also damaged. Following the arrival of rescue crews, a second drone attack occurred, Klychkov clarified. "According to preliminary information, the driver of a fire truck was killed." The three injured individuals were also emergency workers, according to Klychkov. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that a dozen Ukrainian drones were neutralized during the night, including six in the Orel region.
08:35 Lange: "We incite Russia to commit more war crimes rather than hindering them"
Russian cluster bombs on a printing press and a DIY store in Kharkiv are deemed new war crimes by military expert Nico Lange. "If we content ourselves with aiding Ukraine, we are enticing Russia to perpetrate more war crimes instead of dissuading them," he writes on the platform X.
07:59 Lithuania's election proves a reason for happiness in Ukraine
The re-election of Gitanas Nausėda as Lithuanian President is met with immense satisfaction in Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his congratulations to Nausėda in a statement: "My dear Gitanas Nausėda, my warmest congratulations on your re-election! You've been by our side day and night during these difficult times. I admire your sincere support of Ukraine and am sure that together we will ensure the independence, peace, and security of Ukraine, The Baltic States, and all of Europe." Lithuania, a small nation, provides as much aid as it can to Ukraine.
07:19 Kuleba: Russia had derailed the peace process through 200 rounds, subsequently engaging in an all-out conflict against Ukraine
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has witnessed numerous fruitless negotiations with Russia. "The primary issue is that Moscow never negotiated in earnest, except when compelled to," according to Kuleba on the platform X. During the period from 2014 to 2022, Russia had subverted the peace process and commenced a "total conflict" against Ukraine. Kuleba promotes the joint initiative of the whole international community as the sole path to genuine peace. "So, the peace summit in Switzerland on June 15 and 16 is significant. And it's crucial that as many countries as possible join."
06:36 What is happening on the Russian border near Ukraine?
Russian troops are reportedly amassing near the Ukrainian border, just 90 kilometers from Kharkiv, according to Ukrainian President Zelensky. Experts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) suspect that the Russian maneuvers are designed to lure and draw Ukrainian troops, preparing them for offensive actions to increase Russia's control in the border region. Satellite images reveal that Russian armed forces have intensified their activities in areas around Graiworon-Borissowka-Proletarski in the western region of Belgorod, with a focus on depots and warehouses. However, the full extent of the possible troop build-up remains uncertain, the US think tank noted.
05:59 Klitschko urges Western allies after attack with many deaths in Kharkiv
The tragedy of the bombing on a DIY store in Kharkiv has taken a toll, with Ukrainian boxer and politician Vitali Klitschko taking to a social media platform to express his frustration. "These Ukrainians died because we didn't have enough air defense. How long will Western countries with Patriot systems wait?" While pleading for more air defense, he also suggests arming Ukrainians to strike targets in Russia. "The planes that drop bombs on our civilians take off from Russian airports. We must destroy these planes there."
05:16 Air raid alert in southern Ukraine
In the south of Ukraine, another air raid alert sounds in the middle of the night. Ukrainian forces are monitoring a Russian stealth bomber Su-57 over the Black Sea, while warning of a potential missile launch.
04:57 Zelensky calls for preemptive strikes against Russia
After the deadly attacks on the border city of Kharkiv, Ukrainian President Zelensky is demanding the right to use foreign weapons against Russia's territory. He praises international condemnation and expresses the need for more air defense and the freedom to strike Russian targets. "We see every concentration of Russian troops. We know all the areas where Russian missiles and fighter jets are launched," he says. He expects a political decision to allow preventative strikes against these forces before they can harm Ukraine.
01:40 Four civilians are killed by Russian shelling
Ukrainian prosecutors report three deaths from Russian shelling in the Donetsk region. Civilian casualties were reported in Svitlodarsk in the north and Krasnohorivka and Toretsk in the south. In the Kharkiv region, another civilian was killed near Chuhuiv.
00:47 Zelensky travels to Spain
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is making his way to Spain today. Zelensky will be greeted by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in Madrid, followed by a press conference. Originally, the visit was scheduled for May 17, but the Ukraine president canceled it after the Kharkiv attack.
23:18 Macron stresses need for upholding principles, not capitulation
During his three-day state visit to Germany, French President Macron called for unwavering support for Ukraine against Russia. "Standing on the side of peace today means giving strength to the law. Peace is not capitulation. Peace is not the surrender of principles," he said, adding that this is also the position of Germany and France in their bilateral Defense and Security Council meeting.
22:22 Medvedev threatens Poland amid NATO's warning
Russia's former president Dmitry Medvedev retaliated against Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski's remarks about how America might respond to a Russian nuclear attack on Ukraine. "If the Americans hit our targets, that means a world war, and a foreign minister, even of a country like Poland, should understand that." In a final threat, Medvedev stated that "Warsaw will not be spared and will definitely receive its share of radioactive ash."
22:00 Zelensky addresses Central Asian media for the first time
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky granted his first interview to Central Asian journalists, primarily from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan. The Kazakh media outlet "Orda" published the video interview. Regarding a potential ceasefire with Russia, Zelensky rules out the possibility of reaching an agreement.
21:40 Putin commences state visit to Uzbekistan
Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Uzbekistan on a state visit. The visit includes meetings with Uzbek counterparts and likely discussions on various bilateral and international matters.
Vladimir Putin has arrived in Uzbekistan for a state visit, as reported by Russian state media. Upon arrival, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, president of the Central Asian state with 37 million people since 2016, greeted Putin at the airport in Tashkent. The two will discuss the progress of Russian-Uzbek ties and regional issues during the two-day visit, with plans to sign a "comprehensive package of bilateral documents" after the visit.
Meanwhile, according to the Ukrainian General Staff, there were 83 clashes with Russian soldiers on Sunday, as they attempt to breach Ukrainian defenses. Despite their best efforts, Russia has yet to achieve a significant breakthrough. In response, the Ukrainian forces are taking measures to defend their positions and destroy their enemy's offensive capabilities. There have been no major changes near Kharkiv but Russian forces are expected to persist in their offensive near Vovchansk and Lyptsi.
Meanwhile, in Ukraine a protest has erupted in Kyiv in front of the US Embassy. The protesters, numbering approximately 150, are discontented with the restriction on using Western weapons to attack Russian territory. They are calling for the abolishment of this rule.
Lastly, in Georgia, thousands of demonstrators marched through the capital Tbilisi on May 26, during the celebration of Georgian Independence Day. The participants marched under the Georgian and European Union flags, chanting slogans against Russian influence and carrying their mobiles with flashlights. Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili had earlier spoken about the "Russia shadow looming over Georgia" during a swearing-in ceremony for new recruits.
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- The European Union's foreign ministers discussed further aid for Ukraine in Brussels, with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba urging for more air defense systems and other weapons.
- German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called on Hungary to remove the roadblock for additional EU military support for Ukraine, citing the ongoing "Attack on Ukraine" by Russia.
- In response to the Russian invasion, several nations, including Spain, have pledged military aid to Ukraine, providing weapons such as Leopard tanks and air defense systems.
- As the "Ukraine conflict" escalates, concerns about cyberwarfare have arisen, with some experts warning of potential Russian cyberattacks against Ukrainian infrastructure and critical systems.
Source: www.ntv.de
