AGI – The Battle of Donbass begins, in which a significant part of the Russian forces deployed in Ukraine are now taking part, while the attack on the Mariupol Steel Plant begins to drive out the last defenders of the city on the Sea of Azov.
US President Joe Biden in a video conference He urged other G7 leaders to continue to support KyivMeanwhile, former Russian President Medvedev urges us to prepare for NATO’s aggressive actions.
The video call, which took place at 9:57 Washington time, was also attended by EU Commission President von der Leyen, European Council President Michel, French President Macron, German Chancellor Schulze and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida. NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg, Polish President Duda, Romanian President Iohannis, British Prime Minister Johnson and Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau.
American weapons for Kiev
Ukraine has received combat aircraft and related spare parts from some US allies. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby stated this at a press conference. “This will allow the Ukrainians to take off more planes,” said Kirby, who did not specify how many planes Kyiv has received. However, the spokesman stressed that the United States did not directly supply the aircraft.
The supplies arrived yesterday, Kirby said: “They have more than two weeks of fighters available today.” The spokesman only revealed that the planes supplied are Russian-made models (possibly MiG-29, ed.) and that the United States was limited to “facilitating” the shipment of spare parts to Ukrainian territory, without sending planes there.
“Other countries with experience in this type of aircraft have been able to help them put more aircraft into serviceKirby said, implying that the suppliers are former Iron Curtain nations.
Finally, the US Department of Defense believes that sanctions against Russia will reduce its ability to purchase some components necessary for its arsenal, including precision weapons.
“We believe that some of the sanctions imposed on Russia will have an additional impact on its ability to purchase certain goods and components needed for its arsenal and stockpiles of weapons,” Kirby explained. “Precision ammunition is a good example.”
Dialogue between von der Leyen and Zelensky
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had a phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday. The discussion was about “how to increase aid to Ukraine”.
“We discussed financial assistance, security and Ukraine’s responses to the EU membership questionnaire,” von der Leyen explained in a tweet. “The European Commission is ready to provide support. Ukraine belongs to our European family‘, she confirmed again.
Nice to talk to the president Tweet embed On how to increase our assistance to Ukraine
We discussed financial and security assistance, and Ukraine’s responses to the EU membership questionnaire.Tweet embed Standing ready to support.
Ukraine belongs to our European family. pic.twitter.com/vv1wY5gRCV
– Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) April 19, 2022
For his part, Zelensky announced – also via Twitter – that he has completed a membership survey. “I informed the President of the Commission of sending the questionnaire after its completion, which is an important step towards accession to the European Union. The intensification of security assistance to counter Russian aggression was discussed, and special attention was paid to it. Dedicated to post-war reconstruction. We appreciate the support ”, wrote the Ukrainian president.
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