Zelensky: Ukraine is ‘ready’ for Russia’s escalation
Russia deploys S-300V4 anti-aircraft missile division in Bryansk region near Ukrainian border
President Volodymyr Zelenski He predicts that Russia’s attacks in eastern Ukraine will intensify. EU leaders are expected to decide this week to speed up Kiev’s accession to the bloc.
In a video message on the night of June 19, Zelensky said, “Obviously, we have to wait for Russia’s hostilities to intensify this week.”
“We are preparing. We are ready, “ – Zelensky spoke about the country’s defense forces.
A decision is expected this week
A few days after Russia began its occupation on February 24, Ukraine applied for EU membership. After that, Moldova and Georgia took a similar step. The European Commission last week recommended candidate status for Ukraine and Moldova. The organization said that Georgia must achieve certain goals in order to become a candidate.
The leaders of the 27 EU member states are expected to consider the appeals of the three countries and support Ukraine’s appeal during the summit on June 23-24.
Any membership process is completed in a few years.
Rocket and artillery fire
Early in the morning of June 20, Russian forces fired rockets and artillery at several towns near Severodonetsk. Su-25 planes reportedly hit the ports of Shevchenko and Vugledar. The information was provided by the General Staff of Ukraine.
Russia has deployed an S-300V4 anti-aircraft missile division in the Bryansk region near the Ukrainian border.
The Ukrainian army says fighting is under way to regain full control of the city of Severodonetsk.
According to the report, Russian troops are trying to prevent the regrouping of Ukrainian units in several places, including Liman, Avdiivka and Zaporozhye.
War can last for “years.”
President of Russia Vladimir Putin Ukraine was occupied to prevent the former Soviet neighbor’s integration into the West. But operations have been slower than the Kremlin has planned.
Putin said on June 17 that he was “not against” Ukraine’s EU membership. However, a Kremlin spokesman said that Moscow was closely following the process amid defense cooperation between EU members.
Secretary General of NATO Yens Stoltenberg He said over the weekend that the war in Ukraine could last “for years” and that the alliance should provide military support to Kiev, despite the “high cost.”
“We have to prepare for years of war,” he said. We must not stop supporting Ukraine. “Despite the high costs, not only military support, but also rising energy and food prices.” – Stoltenberg said in an interview published in the German newspaper Bild am Sonntag on June 19.