Ukrainian President Seeks Support for 'Peace Formula', Denies Loss of Bakhmut

On May 21, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended the G7 Summit in Japan in person, seeking support for his 'Peace Formula' and answering questions about the control of the city of Bakhmut in the East of the country.

Các nhà lãnh đạo G7 và Tổng thống Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky chụp ảnh trước phiên làm việc về Ukraine trong Hội nghị thượng đỉnh G7 ở Hiroshima, Nhật Bản, ngày 21/5. (Nguồn: Reuters)

G7 leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pose for a photo before a working session on Ukraine during the G7 Summit in Hiroshima, Japan, May 21. (Source: Reuters)

In a conversation with G7 leaders, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stressed that the plan to end the conflict in Ukraine is “a clear expression of reason”. This plan is the “Peace Formula” for which he is seeking support.

On his personal page, Mr. Zelensky wrote: “We always act pragmatically to protect our values. And the Ukrainian Peace Formula is an obvious expression of rationality. I thank you for supporting the Peace Formula.”

President Zelensky has urged Western allies and other countries to take additional economic and military measures to support Kiev as the conflict with Russia continues over the past 15 months.

In another development on the same day, the spokesman for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Mr. Sergii Nykyforov, said the Ukrainian leader did not confirm that Russian forces captured the city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine.

On Facebook, Mr. Nykyforov explained the reporter's question that the Russian side said that they had captured Bakhmut and President Zelensky's answer "I think not" meant that Mr. Zelensky denied that (Russia) had captured Bakhmut.

Meanwhile, on the same day, Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said Ukrainian forces had surrounded part of the eastern city of Bakhmut along both flanks and still maintained control of an area in the city.

Ms. Maliar made this statement on the Telegram messaging app shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the battle here ended with a Russian victory.

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