War against Ukraine: Klitschko makes serious accusations against Zelensky

War in Ukraine

Ukraine is gathering friends and support around the world. Now the USA, as its most important ally, should also be tied even more firmly to Kiev. Meanwhile, Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko criticized President Zelensky in clear terms.

More news about the war in Ukraine

According to Kiev, Ukraine and the USA want to move even closer together with a bilateral security agreement. “We are already working on a concrete text,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in his evening video address. It should be the strongest of all security agreements – even stronger than those that the country attacked by Russia has concluded with various European states in recent months. Zelensky did not specify when the agreement between Kiev and Washington would be signed.

“We are also working on establishing specific levels of support for this year and for the next ten years,” said Zelensky, outlining the planned agreement with the United States. This includes military support, financial support, political support and support for joint arms production. “The agreement should really be exemplary and reflect the strength of American leadership,” said Zelensky.

The USA is already Ukraine’s most important supporter in its defensive war against Russia. The US Senate recently approved another aid package worth 57 billion euros to help the Ukrainian army, which is in serious trouble.

Ukraine sticks to peace summit

The Ukrainian leadership is sticking to the peace conference planned for June in Switzerland and is hoping for support from all over the world. The international community should, above all, encourage Russia to take part in the conference, demanded Zelensky. “The path to a just peace could begin in June.”

However, Moscow and Kiev have very different ideas about how to end the war. Russia has annexed the occupied territories in Ukraine, including the Crimean peninsula, and declared them its own territory. The Kremlin is also aiming to install a Moscow-friendly government in Kiev.

Ukraine, in turn, is demanding the complete withdrawal of all Russian troops from Ukrainian territory, including Crimea. Kiev’s peace plan also provides for Russian reparations payments and an international tribunal that will punish all those responsible in Russian politics and military leadership for the war of aggression.

Klitschko blames Zelenskyj

But there are also disagreements in our own country. So complains Kiev’s mayor Vitali Klitschko a lack of cohesion among Ukrainian leaders. “Unfortunately, in this time of war there is no unity between the political forces,” said Klitschko in an interview with the newspapers of the Funke media group.

When asked whether he had met with Zelenskyj in the meantime to resolve the tensions between the two, Klitschko said he had tried to do so dozens of times since the beginning of the war because a lot depends on the capital. “But unfortunately I didn’t have the opportunity to meet Zelenskyj in person. He probably has other things to do.” Klitschko, who is said to have presidential ambitions, also accused the Ukrainian government of doing too little to combat rampant corruption in the country.

Kiev’s army chief admits military setbacks

For the defenders of Ukraine, the situation on the fronts in the east of the country is currently difficult. Army chief Olexander Syrskyj admitted setbacks. Russian units pushed back the Ukrainian units, especially west of the cities of Avdiivka and Mariinka, which were abandoned after heavy fighting, he reported on the Telegram platform. The Ukrainian leadership has now sent more soldiers to the contested area.

The situation on site is “extremely dynamic” and positions are repeatedly lost to the opposing side and then recaptured. “Overall, the enemy achieved some tactical successes in these areas but was unable to gain an operational advantage,” Syrskyi wrote. The Ukrainian General Staff also reported in its daily situation report in the evening about heavy fighting, during which the Russian troops received massive support from the air force and artillery.

The Russian military leadership had already reported on Saturday of a break-in into the Ukrainian defense lines in this section. The exact extent of the front changes could not initially be assessed independently.

Military spokeswoman: Abrams tanks still at the front

Ukrainian military officials denied reports that American-made Abrams tanks were being withdrawn from the front line because of the threat of Russian drone attacks. “It’s not true that we don’t use Abrams tanks or Bradley infantry fighting vehicles,” said Anastasiya Blishchik, spokeswoman for the Ukrainian troops fighting near Avdiivka.

Even though war is associated with losses, the Abrams tanks showed good results. In this area of ​​the front alone, over 150 armored vehicles of the Russian army were destroyed. The Abrams tanks are indispensable fire support. (dpa/tha)
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