Presentation of Volodymyr Zelensky’s “victory plan” in Brussels, around forty countries commit to supporting mine clearance in Ukraine, Donald Trump blames the Ukrainian president… Here is what to remember from the war in Ukraine this Thursday October 17.
The Ukrainian head of state declines his plan before the EU and NATO
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky presented this Thursday in Brussels his “victory plan” insisting that his country, in difficulty on the battlefield, must be in a position of strength before any negotiation, reports theAgence France-Presse (AFP).
« Ukraine is ready to make real room for diplomacy but, for that, we must be strong”he told the leaders of the 27 member states of the European Union (EU) before meeting later in the day with the 32 NATO defense ministers.
Read also: War in Ukraine: Zelensky plans “victory”, Russia asks him to “wake up”
After having already defended his plan in Washington, London, Paris, Berlin and Rome, the Ukrainian president revealed the main points on Wednesday before Parliament in kyiv. Lifting restrictions on the use of weapons that the West supplies to Ukraine, deployment on Ukrainian territory of non-nuclear deterrent weapons… None of these requests has yet met with unanimous support from the Allies.
Zelensky ‘should never have’ let war break out, Trump says
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “should never have let this war start”Donald Trump declared this Thursday, underlines theAFP.
Joe Biden is “the instigator of this war”also affirmed the Republican candidate, while the Ukrainians and many Europeans fear that a possible victory for the septuagenarian would lead to an abandonment of American military aid to kyiv.
“Ukraine, please note, is no longer Ukraine”added the former president, in a discussion with Patrick Bet-David, a businessman who broadcasts an online program called PBD Podcast.
“Every city is practically razed to the ground. All these magnificent golden domes are on the ground, reduced to pieces »continued Donald Trump. He added, regarding Volodymyr Zelensky: “That doesn’t mean I don’t want to help him, because I feel sorry for these people.”.
Joe Biden on his way to Germany to talk about Ukraine
Joe Biden flew this Thursday for a brief trip to Germany intended to underline the importance of the link with a faithful European ally whom the outgoing president should urge to remain mobilized to help Ukraine, whatever the outcome of the American election.
Air Force One, the presidential plane, took off from Washington for Berlin, where it is expected to arrive on Thursday evening, reports theAFP.
Read also: War in Ukraine: the city of Kupiansk under heavy pressure, evacuations ordered
Ukraine will be at the heart of talks on Friday between Joe Biden and German officials, at a time when Russian bombings against its essential infrastructure are increasing and its army is retreating on the eastern front.
Joe Biden will also hold a four-way meeting with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, according to the visit program sent by the White House.
Around forty countries commit to supporting mine clearance
More than 40 countries expressed their support for demining in Ukraine, the most mined country in the world since the Russian invasion in 2022, this Thursday during a diplomatic conference in Switzerland.
“We face an enormous task. No such mine clearance efforts have been necessary in the 21st century, as Ukraine has become the most mined country in the world.declared Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Chmyhal, during the opening day of the international conference against mines in Ukraine which is being held in Lausanne for two days.
Read also: INTERVIEW. “We are really weakening Russia,” says EU “sanctions man”
“The Russian invasion has left about a quarter of our country potentially covered in mines and unexploded bombs”he added.
The aim of this conference is to address the crucial importance of mine clearance as a“central element of social and economic reconstruction”. “The scale of this challenge is truly considerable. We’re talking about an area of around 140,000 square kilometers, almost three times the size of Switzerland. Behind these figures lie the safety and lives of millions of Ukrainians”and observed by Denys Chmyhal.
10,000 North Koreans preparing to fight, says Zelensky
The Ukrainian president said this Thursday in Brussels that 10,000 North Korean soldiers were preparing to fight the Ukrainian army alongside Russian forces.
“We know they are preparing about 10,000 troops from North Korea to send to fight against us”Zelensky said, comments reported by theAFP.
According to the Ukrainian head of state, Vladimir Putin “attempts to involve” other parts “in this war” due to “heavy losses” suffered by the Russian army and because he “fear of mobilization” which would be very unpopular. “This is the first step towards a world war”at-il having you.
Volodymyr Zelensky also assured that he had information from “intelligence services” Ukrainians according to which North Korean officers are already in the zone occupied by the Russians in Ukraine. “They joined the Russian army”he said.
