International Kiev remembers Boeing downing
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov sharply criticizes Western plans for another peace conference on Ukraine.
18.07.2024, 05:39
18.07.2024, 05:40
SDA
There are points that are unacceptable to his country, Lavrov said on the sidelines of the UN Security Council meeting in New York. "The course was set to push through the so-called Zelensky plan at any cost, which has the clear form of an ultimatum."
Zelenskyi had made the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine a condition for peace. Lavrov, on the other hand, once again insisted on Moscow's demand to occupy further Ukrainian territories.
Lavrov: "Not all territories liberated yet"
"Not all territories there (in eastern and south-eastern Ukraine) have been liberated yet. We cannot leave the people who voted to return to Russia under the thumb of the regime, which is wiping out everything Russian," said Lavrov. More than two years ago, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin used the claim that he had to protect the Russian-speaking population in Ukraine as a pretext for launching his war of aggression against the neighboring country.
Boeing downed ten years ago: Remembering the victims
Meanwhile, Zelensky recalled the shooting down of the MH17 plane ten years ago over the Donbass region - pro-Russian rebels were responsible. "I have no doubt that the trial and the work of international justice as a whole will lead to absolutely just punishment for all those responsible for the disaster," said Zelensky in his video address. This punishment is also necessary, as it is for all other crimes committed by Russia in the war.
The Malaysia Airlines Boeing was shot down by a Russian anti-aircraft missile over contested territory on July 17, 2014. All 298 people on board died. According to international investigations, the Buk air defense system had been brought from a Russian military base across the border into eastern Ukraine and transported back after being shot down. It was still the initial phase of the fighting that would eventually escalate into Russia's invasion of neighboring Ukraine in 2022.
Two Russians and one Ukrainian were sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment for 298 counts of murder by a Dutch court in 2022. Russia rejects any responsibility and also refuses to extradite the men.
Lavrov praises Vance
Meanwhile, Lavrov has praise for J.D. Vance, who has been put forward as a possible running mate by Republican US presidential candidate Donald Trump. According to the Russian news agency Tass, Lavrov said in New York that the US senator from Ohio was in favor of peace and an end to military aid for Ukraine. "We can only welcome this because it is exactly what is needed - to stop inflaming Ukraine with weapons." Lavrov added: "The war will be over. We will start looking for solutions."
Media: Bridgehead at Dnipro costs Kiev many victims
Meanwhile, according to media reports, Ukraine suffered heavy losses at a bridgehead on the Dnipro in the south-east of the country. In total, more than 1,000 soldiers on the Ukrainian side are said to have lost their lives in the months-long battle for the small village of Krynki. The internet portal "Slidstwo.Info" reported, citing police sources, that 788 soldiers deployed there are missing. 262 soldiers were recovered dead in the same period. Only shortly beforehand, the media had reported that Ukraine had abandoned the bridgehead.
Krynki is a small village on the south bank of the Dnipro River in the Kherson region. The fighting for the settlement was criticized from the outset due to its hopelessness.
Conditions fulfilled: Ukraine to receive new EU billions
Ukraine is soon to receive the first regular payment from the EU's new billion-euro aid program. The country has fulfilled the reform requirements for this, according to the EU Commission responsible for the review. In its view, just under 4.2 billion euros could be paid out.
The new EU aid program provides for financial aid of 50 billion euros over a period of four years, the majority of which will be loans. The EU wants to use the financial aid to enable the Ukrainian state to continue paying wages and pensions. In addition, the operation of hospitals, schools and emergency accommodation for resettled people is to be guaranteed. The money can also be used to restore infrastructure destroyed by the Russian war of aggression.
What is important today
The trial against US journalist Evan Gershkovich continues in Yekaterinburg. Russia accuses the correspondent of the "Wall Stree Journal" of spying on a Russian arms company. If found guilty, Gershkovich faces up to 20 years in prison.
