LIVE – War in Ukraine: G7 notes “progress” towards using Russian assets to help kyiv

From Italy, G7 finance ministers speak of “progress” in their talks on the use of interests in frozen Russian assets, laying the groundwork for an agreement in mid-June at the summit of heads of state and of government, according to a draft final press release obtained by AFP.

The objective is “to present to our leaders, before the summit in Puglia in June, options to provide additional financial support to Ukraine”, indicated the ministers at the end of their meeting in Stresa.

The Russian army claims the capture of a new village in eastern Ukraine, located near the town of Oretchetyne where it has made rapid progress in recent weeks. “Units of the Central Troop Group liberated the village of Arkhangelské… as a result of successful combat operations,” the Russian Defense Ministry said in its daily report.

Russia has been gaining ground in the east of the country for months after regaining the initiative with the failure of the Ukrainian counter-offensive last summer and the capture of the fortress town of Avdiivka in February.

500,000 Russian personnel have died since February 24, 2022, according to a report published by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense.

According to the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, 403 Ukrainian women, many of them civilians, are currently detained by Russia. “Released female prisoners of war complain of humiliation, inhumane conditions of detention, insufficient nutrition, inability to receive qualified medical assistance and contact their relatives,” reports the statement cited by Euromaidan Press.

kyiv has again accused Russia of deliberately targeting civilians in its strikes. State-owned rail operator Ukrainian Railways reported a series of attacks on the Kharkiv region’s rail system that occurred overnight and damaged tracks, wagons and buildings. The company posted photos on Telegram showing smoke rising from a wrecked train car, twisted metal and debris along the tracks and a depot with blown out windows.

Jordan Bardella assures to support Ukraine in his mandate as MEP. According to Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, the RN elected official did not, however, speak out in favor of the use of frozen Russian assets. We verified his position on the subject, voted on in the Strasbourg Parliament last February.

Russian forces launched missile attacks against Kharkiv Oblast overnight, destroying a school, according to regional authorities. The Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office reported that 4 S-300 ballistic missile attacks were observed around 1 a.m. local time, according to the Kyiv Independent.

kyiv claimed yesterday to have stopped the Russian assault and regained control of the border area in the Kharkiv region. “Our soldiers have now managed to take control of the border area through which the Russian occupiers entered,” said Volodymyr Zelensky in his video of the night addressed to the Ukrainians. All the details in pictures.

At the Guardian, the Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs called for a long-term rearmament of Europe and considered that European countries had a lot of catching up to do while his country devotes 4% of its GDP to defense. An interview to read here.

Lithuania announced this Friday that NATO countries bordering Russia wanted to build a “drone wall” to protect themselves from their neighbor. A technology that would serve to “protect” these states “against provocations from hostile countries and to prevent smuggling,” according to Vilnius.

Meeting today in Italy, G7 finance ministers are expected to agree on the basis of an agreement in principle on the use of interest from frozen Russian assets to help kyiv. The final decision will come at the summit of heads of state and government scheduled for mid-June. And while the Ukrainian president is increasing his appeals to the West to speed up arms supplies, his Finance Minister will attend a G7 session in the morning devoted to aid to his country.

As a reminder last evening, Washington announced the sending of 275 million dollars in arms to “help Ukraine repel Russia’s offensive near Kharkiv”. The equipment, taken from American military stocks, includes ammunition for the Himars rocket launcher system, artillery shells, guided missiles and anti-tank weapons, all weapons that Ukraine “urgently needs”. according to the US State Department.

This new aid shipment is the 5th authorized by President Biden since the adoption of a $61 billion package at the end of April by Congress, said Secretary of State Antony Blinken, according to whom the arrival “of previous batches have already arrived at the front.

Hello and welcome to this live broadcast dedicated to the war in Ukraine and its consequences around the world. You will find all the latest important information throughout the day.