Eightieth day of war. For the first time since the invasion of Ukraine, the United States is calling Russia. Defense Minister Austin had a telephone conversation with Russian colleague Shoigu calling for a quick ceasefire and stressing the importance of preserving communication channels. US sources reassure: “We will help Kiev to put it in a position to be able to negotiate.”
Moscow is withdrawing its soldiers from the surroundings of Kharkiv, the second largest city in Ukraine, where it is losing ground. Now aim for Izyum. Battle off the Snake Island, a Moscow ship ablaze. Kiev reports that more than 210,000 Ukrainian children have been deported by the Russians.
According to the head of the Ukrainian 007, Major General Kyrylo Budanov, Russian President Putin is seriously ill with cancer and a coup is already underway in Russia to remove it.
Meanwhile, Erdogan says no to the entry of Finland and Sweden into NATO which would be “ideal countries for terrorists”. Now the leaders of the two countries want to discuss their membership of the Alliance with Turkey, today in Berlin, during the meeting of NATO foreign ministers. US President Joe Biden spoke with the Swedish Prime Minister and the Finnish President. The White House: «We will also clarify with Ankara».
Russia cuts electricity to Finland, but Helsinki assures it can do without energy imports from Moscow. The first Finnish minister, Sanna Marin, will be at Palazzo Chigi on Wednesday to meet Prime Minister Mario Draghi.
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Follow the updates hour by hour
00.42 – Zelensky: much more pressure is needed on Russia
“Each day of war represents an increase in global threats, a new opportunity for Russia to cause instability in other parts of the world, not just here in Europe. Therefore, much more pressure is needed on Russia ». Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said this in a video message.
00.38 – Zelensky: we work to make the war shorter every day
“No one today can predict how long this war will last. But we are doing everything possible to free our land quickly. This is our priority: to work every day to make the war shorter ». Thus Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a video message. “However, this unfortunately depends not only on our people, but also on our allies. From European countries, from countries around the free world, ”he explained. «I am grateful to all those who are working to strengthen sanctions against Russia and to increase defense and financial support for us, for Ukraine. This is the only recipe for defending freedom in the face of the Russian invasion, ”he added.
00.23 – Russian missile hits House of Culture in Kharkiv, the mayor: terrorist act
A Russian missile attack hit the House of Culture in Kharkiv, which was used to distribute aid. The news agency reported Reuters cited by the site The Guardian. The mayor of Kharkiv, Vyacheslav Zadorenko, told the Reuters: «I can’t call it anything other than a terrorist act. They wanted to hit the base where we store the supplies and create a humanitarian catastrophe ”.
00.09 France denies Zelensky’s accusations about concessions to Russia
The Elysée states that French President Emmanuel Macron has never discussed anything with Vladimir Putin without the agreement of President Volodymyr Zelensky and has never asked him for any concessions. He reports it The Kyiv Independent. “He always said that it was up to the Ukrainians to decide the terms of their negotiations with the Russians,” explains Anne-Sophie Bradelle, head of international communications at the Elysée.
The news and insights of May 13