Volodymyr Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has vowed more "retribution" against Russia as he celebrated Independence Day near where his forces launched a surprise offensive into Russian territory two weeks ago.

He added that its delay allowed Russia to strengthen its defenses.
"We had plans to start in the spring. But we didn't, because, frankly, we didn't have enough ammunition and weapons and we don't have enough brigades that are adequately trained for these weapons, in addition, the training missions were held outside Ukraine," Zelensky said, the Brussels portal Politico reported.

Ankara is diligently working to maintain the grain corridor to avert a potential global food crisis, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has emphasized, making an appeal for Russia to rejoin the discussions.

Day 484 of the invasion of Ukraine. Summary of key events in the last 24 hours:

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is to call on investors and businesses at a summit in London this week to match Ukraine's "bravery on the battlefield" with support to get the country back on its feet.

South Africa's president, in Russia as part of a delegation pushing for peace between Kiev and Moscow, told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Saturday that the fighting had to stop.

His delegation put forward a set of principles that the Kremlin deemed "very difficult to implement", a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky ruled out talks with Moscow.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky ruled out the possibility of talks with Russia on Friday after a visiting delegation of African leaders urged both countries to de-escalate.

The long-announced Ukrainian counter-offensive has been underway for several days, and the US, Great Britain, Denmark and the Netherlands are sending hundreds of missiles to Ukraine. At the same time, NATO defense ministers are discussing in Brussels the continuation of the support that the allies have been providing to Ukraine for months.

Ukrainian troops have retaken seven villages spanning 90 square kilometers (35 square miles) from Russian forces in the past week, the deputy defense minister said Monday as the early stages of Kiev's counteroffensive notched small successes.

Day 474 of the invasion of Ukraine. Summary of key events in the last 24 hours: