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After his visit to Washington, Ukrainian President Zelensky traveled to Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau. China has again called for peace talks to end the war in Ukraine. All developments in the live blog.
The US is providing additional military aid to Ukraine to defend itself against Russia’s invasion. Weapons and equipment worth $128 million (around 120 million euros) from US military stocks will be newly approved, the Foreign Ministry said.
The Pentagon will also provide $197 million in weapons and equipment previously approved. According to the Pentagon, the package with a total value of around $325 million includes, among other things, artillery ammunition and systems to defend against enemy air attacks. This does not include the ATACMS missiles with a range of up to 300 kilometers required from Kiev.
Ukraine has reported victims of Russian attacks in the east and south of the country. In the town of Kurachowe near Donetsk, 13 people were injured, the responsible administrative chief Roman Padun told the Suspilne broadcaster. A fire broke out as a result of the attack. Various photos of burning buildings are circulating on social media.
In the Kherson region, a woman was recovered dead from the rubble of her house, Governor Olexander Prokudin announced on Telegram. The Russian attack targeted the city of Zelenivka. The Ukrainian Southern Military Command also reported a rocket attack on recreational facilities southwest of the Black Sea port of Odessa. There were no reports of victims here.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj arrived in neighboring Canada for an unannounced visit after his stay in the USA. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau greeted Zelensky as he stepped off the plane in Ottawa late Thursday evening. Zelensky will give a speech to the Canadian Parliament later today.
It is Zelensky’s first visit to Canada since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. It is believed that the Ukrainian president will also seek arms aid in Canada. Trudeau said Canada would support Kiev in the conflict with Russia “for as long as necessary.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyj (r), President of Ukraine, and his wife Olena Zelenska (2nd from right) are accompanied by Yulia Kovaliv (l), Ukrainian Ambassador to Canada, Chrystia Freeland (2nd from left), Deputy Prime Minister, and Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, greeted upon their arrival at Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport.
China’s government once again called for an end to hostilities in Ukraine during the UN general debate. “Cessation of hostilities and resumption of peace talks are the only way to resolve the Ukraine crisis,” Vice President Han Zheng told the UN General Assembly. China supports all efforts that are conducive to a peaceful solution to the Ukraine crisis and wants to “continue to play a constructive role.” China is an important partner of Russia. In the Ukraine war, the People’s Republic officially presents itself as neutral, but supports the neighboring country.
For the first time since Russia withdrew from the grain agreement, a ship loaded with wheat from Ukraine has reached Turkey. Slovakia has announced the end of the ban on imports of Ukrainian grain. All developments can be read in the live blog.