The United States introduced Friday that it’s going to present cluster munitions to Ukraine for the primary time as Kyiv’s forces push forward with a counteroffensive in opposition to Russian forces. Follow our stay weblog for the most recent updates on the battle in Ukraine. All instances are Paris time (GMT+2).
9:05pm: The US will present cluster munitions to Ukraine as a part of a brand new navy support bundle
The Biden administration will present 1000’s of cluster munitions to Ukraine, nationwide safety adviser Jake Sullivan mentioned Friday, vowing the US is not going to depart Ukraine defenseless and that Kyiv has promised to make use of the controversial munitions fastidiously.
The choice comes on the eve of the NATO summit in Lithuania, the place President Joe Biden is more likely to face questions from allies on why the US would ship a weapon into Ukraine that greater than two-thirds of alliance members have banned as a result of it has a monitor report for inflicting many civilian casualties.
The munitions – that are bombs that open within the air and launch scores of smaller bomblets – are seen by the US as a solution to get Kyiv critically wanted ammunition to assist bolster its offensive and push by Russian entrance strains. US leaders debated the thorny challenge for months, earlier than Biden made the ultimate choice this week.
9:04pm: ‘Necessary’ steps for Ukraine to affix NATO will probably be mentioned at summit, says White House
While Ukraine is not going to be a part of NATO following subsequent week’s summit, its members will focus on what steps are vital for Kyiv to qualify for the navy alliance’s membership, the White House mentioned on Friday.
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan mentioned the summit, which will probably be held in Vilnius, Lithuania, will probably be an essential step within the path for Ukraine to affix the group.
7:22pm: UK’s Sunak tells Turkey of hopes Sweden’s NATO accession will occur quickly
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak informed Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Friday he hoped NATO may proceed with ratifying Sweden’s accession to the alliance as quickly as potential, stating the “significant benefits” of the nation’s membership.
A Downing Street spokesperson mentioned the 2 spoke on Friday on a spread of issues, together with Ukraine, their bilateral relationship and tackling unlawful immigration.
“He underlined the significant benefits of Sweden joining NATO and the progress they have made in addressing Turkey’s legitimate security concerns and hoped the alliance could proceed with ratifying their accession as soon as possible,” the spokesperson mentioned earlier than a NATO summit subsequent week.
6:22pm: ‘We are transferring Ukraine nearer to NATO’, says Nato’s Stoltenberg
In interview with FRANCE 24, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg mentioned, “we are moving Ukraine closer to NATO, the final decisions are still to be negotiated and agreed by allies.” He added that he anticipated essential choices to be made through the NATO summit in Vilnius subsequent week. These embody: a programme for guaranteeing full interoperability between Ukrainian forces and NATO forces, the institution of NATO-Ukraine council and reaffirming NATO’s committment to UKraine’s membership within the alliance.
6:17pm: As Black Sea deal deadline looms, UN chief urges deal with international meals safety
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday described the offers permitting the protected Black Sea export of meals and fertilizer from Ukrainian ports and facilitating Russia’s personal such exports as taking part in an “indispensable role” in international meals safety.
“The secretary-general and his team remain fully committed to building on the progress already made and are in constant contact with a wide range of stakeholders in this regard,” UN spokesman Farhan Haq informed reporters.
“The Secretary-General calls on all concerned to prioritize global food security,” Haq mentioned. The Black Sea grain deal is because of expire on July 17.
4:36pm: UK’s Cleverly says Russia should not endanger Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant security
Russia should not additional endanger the security of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine, British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly mentioned on Friday.
“The IAEA must have full access to inspect the plant and ensure nuclear safety and security,” he mentioned on Twitter, referring to the International Atomic Energy Agency.
4:16pm: NATO indecision on Sweden, Ukraine a ‘menace’ to international safety, saysb Zelensky
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday referred to as on NATO to resolve the problem of Sweden and Ukraine’s membership bids, saying indecision is threatening the power of the alliance and international safety.
Battling a Russian invasion for greater than 16 months, Kyiv has expressed growing frustration with its Western allies over ensures that it’s going to sooner or later be a part of the alliance.
He spoke on a go to to Slovakia earlier than he was resulting from head to Turkey for talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has stalled Stockholm’s membership bid to NATO.
“I think there is not enough unity on this,” Zelensky mentioned throughout a press convention.
“This is a threat to the strength of the alliance,” the Ukrainian chief mentioned, including: “This is very important for the security of the whole world.”
4:06pm: ‘Turkey has been fairly staunchly in assist of Ukraine’
“It’s easy to bash Turkey as trying to have it both ways”, mentioned FRANCE 24’s International affairs commentator Douglas Herbert, and for, “trying to balance a [. . .] transactional, mostly business-heavy, economic relationship with Russia with its status as a NATO member with EU aspirations as well, and a putative ally of the West”. Yet geopolitical necessity in all probability requires Turkey to play this type of delicate balancing act. Click on the video under for extra.
3:22pm: Slovak president expects clear view on Ukraine’s NATO membership at summit
NATO’s summit subsequent week ought to give Ukraine a transparent view on future membership within the navy alliance, Slovak President Zuzana Caputova mentioned on Friday after internet hosting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Bratislava.
She informed a broadcast news convention alongside Zelenskiy that Ukraine’s membership was a query of “when”, not “if”.
3:13pm: Ukraine’s Zelensky expects unity throughout NATO summit in Vilnius
President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned on Friday he anticipated to see unity amongst NATO member states on the navy alliance’s summit in Vilnius subsequent week and that he wished to see concrete steps on Ukraine’s motion to affix the alliance.
Speaking at a joint news convention with the Slovak president, Zelensky mentioned he additionally anticipated the NATO summit to debate extra defence packages for Kyiv and safety ensures for Ukraine.
3:10pm: Belarus exhibits off a navy camp to host Russia’s Wagner mercenaries after a failed mutiny
The Belarusian navy on Friday confirmed off a subject camp it has provided to Russia’s Wagner navy contractor if it relocates to Belarus below a deal that ended its mutiny.
Maj. Gen. Leonid Kosinsky, an assistant to Belarus’ defence minister, informed worldwide reporters that Wagner troops may use the previous Belarusian military camp close to Tsel, about 90 kilometers (about 55 miles) southeast of Minsk.
Journalists have been proven rows of empty tents that Kosinsky mentioned may accommodate as much as 5,000 troops on the camp within the Asipovichy district that was utilized by the Belarusian military earlier than it was handed over to the territorial defence forces.
2:36pm: NATO to grapple with Ukraine membership push at summit
NATO leaders at a summit subsequent week will underscore a vow that Ukraine will be a part of the alliance sooner or later, its chief Jens Stoltenberg mentioned at a news convention in Brussels.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is ready to attend the two-day gathering in Lithuania to make the case that his nation ought to be a part of when Russia’s battle ends.
“I expect allied leaders will reaffirm that Ukraine will become a member of NATO and unite on how to bring Ukraine closer to its goal,” Stoltenberg mentioned.
NATO’s 31 members are nonetheless haggling over the ultimate wording for a communique on how one can tackle Ukraine’s membership.
2:11pm: US to supply cluster munitions to Ukraine, say AP sources
President Joe Biden’s administration has determined to supply cluster munitions to Ukraine and is predicted to announce later as we speak that the Pentagon will ship 1000’s of them as a part of a brand new navy support bundle price as much as $800 million for the battle effort in opposition to Russia, in response to folks conversant in the choice.
The choice comes regardless of widespread considerations that the bombs could cause civilian casualties and sparked a name from the United Nations to each Russia and Ukraine to keep away from utilizing them. The Pentagon will present munitions which have a lowered “dud rate,” that means there will probably be far fewer unexploded rounds that may end up in unintended civilian deaths.
1:45pm: Zelensky arrives in Slovakia forward of Turkey go to
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived in Slovakia, within the newest leg of a tour to push Ukraine’s bid to affix NATO and safe extra weapons from allies.
“Zelensky arrived this afternoon at the invitation of Slovak President Zuzana Caputova,” spokesman Martin Strizinec informed AFP.
1:19pm: ‘Russia’s agression is not going to pay’, says NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg
NATO leaders will reaffirm that Ukraine will turn into a member of the navy alliance and in addition unite on how one can carry Kyiv nearer to this aim after they meet in Vilnius on Tuesday and Wednesday, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg mentioned on Friday.
“For 500 days, Moscow has brought death and destruction to the heart of Europe,” Stoltenberg informed reporters in a news convention in Brussels previewing the gathering.
“Our summit will send a clear message: NATO stands united, and Russia’s aggression will not pay.”
11:58am: Germany is not going to provide cluster ammunition to Ukraine
Germany is not going to provide cluster ammunition to Ukraine as it’s a signatory to a conference banning the manufacturing and use of that sort of weapon, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius mentioned on Friday in Bern.
“Germany has signed the convention, so it is no option for us,” Pistorius informed reporters after assembly his Austrian and Swiss counterparts.
“As for those countries that have not signed the convention – China, Russia, Ukraine and the US – it is not up to me to comment on their actions.”
11:36am: Kremlin to intently observe Zelensky-Erdogan assembly
The Kremlin says it would intently observe the outcomes of as we speak’s assembly in Turkey between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan, at which the potential extension of the Black Sea grain deal will probably be mentioned.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov mentioned Russian President Vladimir Putin might speak with Erdogan quickly, however no date has but been set.
10:43am: Fighting Russia ‘tough’ with out long-range weapons, says Zelensky
Speaking at a press convention in Prague, Czech Republic, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has informed reporters it’s “difficult” to combat Russia with out long-range weapons.
“Without long-range weapons, it is difficult not only to carry out an offensive mission, it is difficult to conduct a defensive operation, to be honest. Very difficult,” Zelensky mentioned.
The choice to produce Kyiv with such weapons “depends only” on the US, he added.
Meanwhile the Czech prime minister Petr Fiala mentioned his nation would ship fight helicopters to Ukraine and practice its pilots on US-made F-16 jet fighters to assist it battle the Russian invasion.
10:31am: Ukraine’s bid to affix NATO as Zelensky heads to Turkey
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is heading to Ankara to fulfill together with his turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a part of his bid for Ukraine to affix NATO.
Grain exports are additionally on the coronary heart of the agenda because the Black Sea grain deal that Turkey helped to dealer final yr is ready to run out on July 17, mentioned FRANCE 24’s Liza Kaminov and Nicolas Chamontin.
Please click on on the video participant under to look at the report.
9:32am: Ukraine halts rescue operations in Lviv as demise toll rises to 10
Ukraine has halted rescue operations within the western metropolis of Lviv, the place the demise toll from Thursday’s Russian missile strike on a residential constructing has risen to 10.
Regional governor Maksym Kozytskyi mentioned rescuers had labored by the evening to clear particles regardless of heavy rain after a missile hit the constructing in what he referred to as the most important assault of the battle on civilian infrastructure in Lviv.
The metropolis is just 70 km (43 miles) from the border with Poland, a NATO and European Union member state, and is way for entrance strains.
“As a result of yesterday’s rocket attack on an apartment building in Lviv, 10 people were killed. One person was found at night and one more this morning,” Kozytskyi mentioned on the Telegram messaging app.
City officers declared two days of mourning in honour of the victims.
9:10am: Turkish assist essential to Ukraine’s NATO hopes
Ukraine’s partnership with Turkey is of essential significance to Kyiv, says FRANCE 24’s Kyiv correspondent Emmanuelle Chaze, reporting on President Volodymyr Zelensky’s go to to Turkey later as we speak.
“Turkey is the only country to have achieved some sort of diplomatic success when it brokered the Black Sea grain deal between Russia and Ukraine,” Chaze explains.
8:45am: EU strikes deal to bolster ammunition manufacturing for Ukraine
The EU will commit €500 million to boosting the manufacturing of ammunition for Ukraine and to replenish the shares of EU member international locations, the block has introduced.
The European Council and European Parliament representatives struck a provisional settlement in a single day and it’s anticipated to enter into pressure earlier than the tip of this month.
Under the deal, subsidies will probably be given to European arms corporations to extend their manufacturing capacities and sort out recognized bottlenecks.
The scheme is the third a part of a broader EU effort to get extra ammunition and arms to Ukraine, significantly 155-millimetre artillery shells, which Kyiv is pleading for because the combat in opposition to Russia’s invasion has turn into a battle of attrition.
7:42am: IAEA is ‘making progress’ inspecting Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, says Grossi
The UN nuclear watchdog is “making progress” inspecting a number of areas of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine, after claims it had been mined, IAEA chief Rafael Grossi has mentioned.
“I think we are making progress,” he mentioned in Tokyo, explaining that officers had visited websites together with cooling swimming pools however had not but been given entry to the roof, the place Ukraine claims potential explosive units have been positioned.
7:11am: Ukraine requests to affix Pacific free commerce block, says Japanese minister
Ukraine has submitted its request to affix the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to the commerce pact’s depositary nation New Zealand, Japan’s financial system minister Shigeyuki Goto has mentioned.
The CPTPP consists of Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam, with the United Kingdom turning into the twelfth member state.
Japan, as a CPTPP member, “must carefully assess whether Ukraine fully meets the high level of the agreement” when it comes to market entry and guidelines, Goto informed an everyday press convention.
4:26am: Ukraine’s Zelensky travelling to Istanbul to fulfill Erdogan
President Volodymyr Zelensky is ready to carry talks with Turkish chief Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday on the most recent leg of a tour to push Ukraine’s bid to affix NATO and safe extra weapons from allies.
The talks in Istanbul come on the eve of the five hundredth day since Russian’s invasion, with Zelensky admitting a broadly anticipated Ukrainian counteroffensive was progressing slowly.
“But nevertheless, we are advancing, not retreating, like Russians,” Zelensky informed reporters. “We now have the initiative.”
The talks with Erdogan – an essential dealer within the battle – are resulting from deal with an expiring deal to ship Ukrainian grain throughout the Black Sea in addition to subsequent week’s NATO summit.
Analysts anticipate Zelensky to push Erdogan to provide a inexperienced mild for Sweden’s NATO membership forward of the July 11-12 meet in Lithuanian capital Vilnius.
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Key developments from Thursday, July 6:
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed a “tangible response” after a Russian strike on the western metropolis of Lviv within the early hours of Thursday left a number of folks useless. Zelensky later travelled to each Bulgaria and the Czech Republic to fulfill with leaders of the 2 international locations.
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko mentioned the pinnacle of the Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, was again in Russia after reportedly arriving in Belarus as a part of a deal brokered to finish the mercenary group’s short-lived mutiny.
Read yesterday’s stay weblog to see how all of the day’s occasions unfolded.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and Reuters)
Originally printed on France24