Ukraine war: Kyiv not attacking Russian territory - Zelensky
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Loading... - Tanit Ramses
- 15 May 2023
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President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed that Ukraine does not intend to attack targets within Russian borders. This announcement was made during his visit to Germany, where Ukraine received a substantial defense aid package. Following his discussions with Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin, Mr. Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine is merely preparing a counterattack to regain its territories that were illegitimately taken over. Mr. Scholz has pledged to support Ukraine for as long as necessary and has promised to provide €2.7 billion in weaponry, which includes advanced Leopard tanks from Germany and additional anti-aircraft systems to protect Ukraine against the frequent missile and drone attacks from Russia. Mr. Zelensky noted that this was the most significant contribution since the start of the Russian aggression in February 2022. As a result of the war, Germany's attitude towards Ukraine has changed, from being a reluctant provider of military hardware to practically doubling its contribution overnight. This is according to the BBC's Jenny Hill in Berlin.
Russia has accused Ukraine of attacking targets inside Russia, including an alleged drone attack on Moscow's Kremlin earlier this month. Ukraine has denied these claims and stressed that it has the legitimate right to use force and other means to completely reclaim its territories, which are currently under Russian control. These include four regions in the south and east, as well as the annexed Crimean peninsula.
Later on Sunday, Mr. Zelensky went to Aachen in western Germany, where he received the Charlemagne Prize, an award given to him and the Ukrainian people for their efforts to promote European unity. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised Ukraine, saying it "embodies everything the European idea stands for: the courage of convictions, the fight for values and freedom, the commitment to peace and unity." Previous winners of this prestigious award include Winston Churchill, Pope Francis, and Bill Clinton.
Also on Sunday, Ukraine's air force said it had destroyed 25 drones and three cruise missiles launched by Russia in another massive overnight attack. Six people were killed and 16 more were injured in the past 24 hours due to Russian shelling of Ukraine-held areas in the eastern Donetsk region, according to local officials. In addition, one person was killed in the Russian artillery attack on the southern Kherson region.
Mobile internet services in the eastern Luhansk region, which is under Russian control, have been temporarily suspended due to increased shelling by Ukrainian troops, according to Moscow-installed officials.
Earlier, Mr. Zelensky had met with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome, as well as having a private audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican. The pontiff expressed his constant prayers for peace in Ukraine and emphasized the urgent need to help "the most fragile people, innocent victims" of the Russian invasion. Meanwhile, Ms. Meloni assured Mr. Zelensky of Rome's support for a united Ukraine.
Later on Sunday, the Ukrainian leader arrived in Paris, where he had a working dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace.
