The essentials in brief:
- G20 group adopts declaration on violence
- Intensified fighting near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant
- New drone attacks in Bryansk, Russia
- Zelenskyj speaks on the phone with the Saudi crown prince
At their summit in India’s capital New Delhi, the heads of state and government of the most important industrialized and emerging countries (G20) condemned the “use of force” to achieve “territorial gains”. This emerges from the text of the joint summit declaration published this Saturday. However, the Russian aggression against Ukraine is not mentioned by its name. Instead, with reference to the Charter of the United Nations (UN), all states are called upon to refrain from attacks on the territorial integrity or political independence of a state. In addition, the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is described as inadmissible.
In the run-up to the summit, the Kremlin, with the backing of China, announced that it would only agree to a joint final declaration under certain conditions. This is primarily about the passage on the Russian attack on Ukraine.
The summit began with the admission of the African Union (AU) and continues until Sunday. Germany is represented in India by Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP).
Fierce fighting near the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant
Experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report impending fighting from the Russian-occupied Zaporizhia nuclear power plant. Numerous explosions have been heard in the past few days – a possible sign of increased military activity in the region.
This could pose a potential threat to nuclear safety at the site, said IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi. He said he “remains deeply concerned about the potential dangers facing the power plant at this time of heightened military tensions in the region.”
Russian troops occupied the nuclear power plant shortly after the start of the war of aggression ordered by President Vladimir Putin more than 18 months ago. The plant came under fire several times, which, despite being shut down, increased international concern about a nuclear catastrophe.
New drone attacks in Bryansk, Russia
In the Russian border town of Bryansk, an electronics factory and a train station have again become the target of drone attacks. According to Governor Alexander Bogomas, Russian air defense intercepted at least three drones over or approaching the city. The governor blames Ukraine for the attack.
According to Ukrainian media reports, the attacked factory belongs to one of the largest Russian microelectronics manufacturers. It is said that around 90 percent of production is used for military purposes. According to Russian information, Bryansk had already been attacked with drones on Thursday.
Zelensky calls for new sanctions against Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on the international community to impose further sanctions against Russia. In his evening video address, he spoke of “the partners’ sanctions break being too long” and of “active attempts by Russia to circumvent the sanctions.”
With regard to elections in Ukraine, Zelensky said his government was ready to organize elections even during the Russian war of aggression. “He is ready for elections if necessary,” the president assured, but also referred to organizational difficulties. This involves voting options for soldiers at the front, for the people in the territories occupied by Russia and for the Ukrainians who have fled abroad .
A phone call with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been called by the Ukrainian President. This is reported by Saudi state television. The phone call was about the Kingdom’s interest in resolving the crisis in Ukraine and its support for international efforts to resolve the crisis.
Japan’s foreign minister surprises in Kyiv
Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi arrived in Ukraine for an unannounced visit. The visit serves to support the country in its defensive fight against Russia, reports the Japanese news agency Kyodo. Japan, in line with the West, has imposed sanctions on Russia and supports Ukraine. However, the country’s pacifist constitution does not allow the Empire to supply weapons.
Hayashi also plans to report on Japan’s plan to hold a conference to promote Ukraine’s economic reconstruction late this year or early next year at a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba. Hayashi will be accompanied by Japanese business representatives on his visit to Kiev. According to Kyodo News Agency, the minister is also expected to attend a ceremony for the deployment of Japanese cranes to clear unexploded bombs.
se/uh/sti/jj/rb/wa (AFP, AP, dpa, epd, KNA, Reuters)
This article will be continually updated on the day it is published. Reports from combat zones cannot be independently verified.
Source: DW
