Moscow confirmed the exchange of prisoners with Kiev, the US denied information about unofficial contact with Russia, are some notable developments in the situation in Ukraine.
(according to RIA, Reuters, VNA)
* Russia states the frequency of Ukrainian UAV attacks on Crimea: On July 6, Secretary of the country's Security Council Nikolai Patrushev said that Kiev had directed more than 70 drone attacks on Crimea this year. In addition, the southern regions, Krasnodar and Rostov also suffered many attacks.
Speaking at a meeting on southern security in Krasnodar, Nikolai Patrushev said: “The targets, as a rule, are energy and industrial infrastructure, with the aim of destroying or causing damage, threatening peaceful life and human health.” (RIA)
On the same day, the Russian Defense Ministry confirmed: “After negotiations, on July 6, 45 Russian servicemen were returned from the territory controlled by the Kiev government.” According to the announcement, Russian military transport aircraft will take these people to medical facilities of the Russian Defense Ministry for treatment and rehabilitation.
* Ukrainian President visits Europe: On July 6, during his visit to Europe, speaking at a press conference in the capital Sofia ( Bulgaria ) after meeting with the host country's leaders, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated: "The two sides discussed military aid that Bulgaria provides to our country. We believe in continuing cooperation, which has saved many lives."
Ukrainian President visits Czech Republic
VNA (Prague 6/7)
On the evening of July 6 (local time), Czech media reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was on his way to Prague. This is President Zelensky's first visit to the Czech Republic since the outbreak of war in Ukraine in February 2022.
The information was confirmed by Czech Presidential Spokesperson Marketa Rehakova. On his social media account, President Zelensky announced that in Prague, he will hold talks with his host counterpart Petr Pavel, meet with Prime Minister Petr Fiala, Senate President Milos Vystrcil and House of Representatives Speaker Marketa Pekarova Adamova, and meet with members of the Czech Government, Parliament and the media. According to Mr. Zelensky, the focus of discussion at the meetings will be defense issues, the upcoming NATO summit in Vilnius, Ukraine's integration into the European Union and NATO, the situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and the reconstruction of Ukraine./.
Ukrainian president visits Türkiye for first time since conflict with Russia flares up
AFP (Istanbul 6/7)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will travel to Türkiye on July 7 for the first time since the conflict with Russia broke out to hold talks with his host counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The Turkish president said the two leaders may hold a joint press conference after their talks in Istanbul. The meeting is expected to focus on the expiring Black Sea Grain Initiative deal as well as next week's NATO summit.
However, analysts expect President Zelensky to push Mr. Erdogan to give the green light for Sweden to become a NATO member ahead of the military alliance's summit, scheduled to take place in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on July 11-12./.
US says Ukraine must reform if it wants to join NATO
VNA (Washington 6/7)
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Ukraine still has many hurdles to clear before it can join NATO, and the US remains committed to NATO’s expansion policy, but stressed that “any decision” on expansion must be supported by all members of the alliance. In the case of Ukraine, the US has discussed with NATO allies and Ukraine how they can jointly support Kiev’s aspirations.
At a press conference on July 5, Ms. Jean-Pierre emphasized that President Joe Biden has repeatedly said that Ukraine will have to implement reforms to meet the same standards as any NATO country before joining and that the US will not simplify the process. Mr. Biden said that Ukraine can do that.
In a related development, a proposal to send cluster munitions to Ukraine is on President Biden’s desk and could be decided as early as this week, according to two US officials. One of the officials said Biden is expected to approve sending the weapons. Ukrainian forces are struggling to break through Russian lines in a counteroffensive, and US officials believe providing the ammunition would give Kiev an advantage as its supplies of conventional weapons run low.
The Biden administration’s stance on providing cluster munitions to Ukraine has shifted over the past year. In December 2022, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the United States had “concerns” about sending the controversial weapons, which are banned by more than 100 countries because unexploded bombs can kill civilians. But the Biden administration has recently leaned toward sending cluster munitions given Kiev’s large use of conventional weapons. A top Pentagon official recently told lawmakers that military analysts have concluded that cluster munitions would be useful on the battlefield, especially against Russian trenches, but they have not been provided due to congressional hurdles and “concerns about alliance unity.” President Biden will have to navigate political divides on the issue, with key Republicans in Congress demanding that Ukraine receive the weapons and Democrats who are more skeptical. In a recent interview, Democratic Rep. Mike Quigley, co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Ukraine, said some lawmakers are concerned that providing prohibited weapons could divide allies and blur moral lines toward Ukraine./.
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