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Russia is making preparations to annex additional Ukrainian territory, in response to US Nationwide Safety Council spokesperson John Kirby.
“Russia is laying the groundwork to annex Ukrainian territory that it controls in direct violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty,” Kirby advised journalists late Tuesday.
“Russia is starting to roll out a model of what you possibly can name an annexation playbook, similar to the one we noticed in 2014,” he stated in reference to the annexation of the Ukrainian Crimean Peninsula by Russia forces at the moment.
Moscow has labeled its assault on Ukraine a “particular army operation” to ensure its safety. In latest months, Russia has concentrated its efforts on the jap Donbas area.
The US is predicted to unveil a brand new weapons package deal for Ukraine within the coming days, as Russia’s invasion presses on.
Listed below are the opposite major headlines from the struggle in Ukraine on July 20.
Ukrainian shelling damages key bridge in Kherson — experiences
The Antonivsyki bridge in the Russian-controlled Kherson area in southern Ukraine was “badly broken,” in response to the Russian state-run TASS information company.
Citing Russian-installed officers within the area, TASS reported that the bridge was focused by Ukrainian shelling.
Ukrainian forces reportedly hit the bridge with US-supplied weapons
The UK Ministry of Defence, in its newest intelligence replace on Wednesday, present additional evaluation of the assault on the bridge.
“It’s extremely probably that the bridge stays usable — however it’s a key vulnerability for Russian forces. It’s one in every of solely two highway crossing factors over the Dnieper by which Russia can provide or withdraw its forces within the territory it has occupied west of the river,” the intelligence replace stated.
The UK stated “management of Dnieper crossings is prone to change into a key issue within the final result of preventing” in jap Ukraine. The ministry additionally stated Russia is making “minimal positive aspects” in its offensive on the Donbas area, “with Ukrainian forces holding the road.”
Putin accuses Ukraine of reneging on preliminary peace deal
Russia President Vladimir Putin claimed Wednesday that Ukraine didn’t keep on with the phrases of a preliminary “peace settlement” that had been “virtually achieved” in March. The Russian chief didn’t reveal the small print of the supposed peace deal.
“The ultimate results of course… relies on the willingness of the contracting events to implement the agreements that have been reached,” Putin stated following a go to to Iran. He claimed Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been keen to mediate between Russia and Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has not but responded to Putin’s feedback.
EU to announce emergency fuel plans
The EU on Wednesday will put ahead its emergency plans to safe the bloc’s fuel provides, amid considerations that Russia might completely lower off deliveries this winter. The European Fee is looking on member states to voluntarily lower their fuel demand.
Some EU international locations, resembling Germany, are closely reliant on Russian fuel. Final 12 months, the EU imported 40% of its fuel from Russia.
The draft contingency plan says that if two or extra EU member states are involved about an emergency scenario because of low provides, “a binding fuel demand discount goal could be applied.”
Russia ally Syria cuts off relations with Ukraine
Syria, a key Center Jap accomplice of Russia, introduced Wednesday that it’s reducing off diplomatic ties with Ukraine.
“The Syrian Arab Republic has determined to interrupt diplomatic relations with Ukraine in conformity with the precept of reciprocity,” in response to a Syrian International Ministry assertion.
Syria stated the transfer was in response to “hostile attitudes” from Ukraine. In 2018, Ukraine declined to revalid the residencies of Syrian dignitaries in Kyiv, making it unimaginable for the Syrian diplomats to hold out their work.
Syria has beforehand vowed to acknowledge the “independence and sovereignty” of jap Ukrainian areas of Donetsk and Luhansk, in a nod to Russia.
Russia intervened on behalf of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad within the nation’s civil struggle in 2015, waging an aerial and floor marketing campaign towards anti-Assad insurgent teams.
Compensate for DW’s Ukraine content material
Ukraine has prohibited males from leaving the nation for the reason that starting of Russia’s invasion. But some Ukrainian males are managing to seek out methods to go away, however at a value.
DW examines how Ukrainian males attempt to get across the ban to go away the nation.
Jacques Tilly, a German papier-mâché artist from Düsseldorf, is thought for his politically charged carnival floats. Tilly oftens makes use of the floats to criticize Russian President Vladimir Putin, most lately placing collectively a caricature of the Kremlin chief choking as he makes an attempt to swallow Ukraine.
In an interview with DW, Tilly shares how he perceives Putin by artwork.
wd/wmr (AP, AFP, dpa, Reuters)
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