Ukraine – Russia, news from the war today. Zelensky signs decree for sanctions against Putin. Moscow: ‘Special operation continues as planned’

The war in Ukraine continues for the 107th day. Ukrainian President Zelensky spoke by telephone with the head of the Elysée, Emmanuel Macron, to coordinate Ukraine’s approach to the EU.

War Ukraine – Russia, beyond the live: what you need to know today

02.10 Moscow: ‘Special operation continues as planned’

“The special operation is developing according to the military plans initially foreseen”: said the permanent representative of Moscow to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, referring to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
Interviewed by Bbcreports the Tax, the Russian diplomat stressed that “no one had promised to conclude (the operation) in three or seven days. Some experts say: ‘The Russian special operation is now stalled and is not proceeding at the pace that was initially anticipated. But progress is underway. This is clear. ” Nebenzya then explained that “one of the reasons for the so-called slow pace is that we are not targeting civilian infrastructure”: the troops “are only hitting military targets and this takes time”.

01.02 Zelensky to Macron: “Coordinating EU entry”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron spoke by phone and discussed humanitarian and military support for Ukraine. This was announced by Zelensky in a tweet in which he added that “particular attention has been paid to Ukraine’s approach towards the European Union, we are coordinating the steps”. Zelensky added that with Macron he had evoked military aid including “heavy weapons”. Paris confirmed the phone call between the two leaders and added that Macron would ask his Ukrainian counterpart for the latest developments on the ground asking him about his needs in terms of military equipment and humanitarian aid.

00.30 Zelensky signs decree for sanctions against Putin

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a decree imposing sanctions, including freezing of assets and travel bans, on Russian President Vladimir Putin and 35 senior Russian officials. These include Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.

00.15 Kiev: 2-3 large EU countries do not want to give Ukraine the go-ahead

Within the European Union “there are many different proposals, but in reality there are three main countries that do not want to give the green light to Ukraine today. And two countries are actively trying to promote alternative ideas”. This was stated by the Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, Olga Stefanishina, in Brussels to try to dispel skepticism about Kiev’s candidacy for EU membership, according to reports from Radio Svoboda. The Deputy Prime Minister did not want to answer the question of which countries are these because “it could damage the path”, but said she was “sure” that at the European Council on June 24 “none of the leaders of the European Union will be able to say no to Ukraine. “.

00.01 African Union appeal: mine port Odessa or famine in Africa

The Senegalese president and current ‘number one’ of the African Union, Macky Sall, called for demining of the Ukrainian port of Odessa to allow the export of cereals and added that he had received assurances from the head of the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin, that the Russians will not attack the area. If grain exports do not resume, Africa “will be in a very serious famine situation that could destabilize the continent,” he said in an interview with French media France 24 and RFI. The African continent is heavily dependent on Ukrainian and Russian grain imports and their fertilizers, which are essential for its agriculture.