On Wednesday, June 8, Turkey hosts talks with Russia seeking to a deal on unblocking grain exports from Ukrainian ports. Poland has started to supply howitzers to Ukraine, while former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has defended her business-tended policy with Russia after its war with Georgia and first invasion in Ukraine, according to Ukrinform, the Institute for the Study of War, BBC and Nexta TV.
After Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected offers to transport millions of tons Ukrainian grain stuck in the country via Belarus, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has went to Ankara to discuss possibilities of establishing gain export corridors. The grain exports are much needed in the Middle East and Africa, the traditional export markets of Ukrainian grain.
The talks are focused on opening a security corridor for ships carrying Ukrainian grain as Turkey has offered to escort maritime convoys from blocked Ukraine’s ports.
Ankara also sought to discuss its strategic goals in Syria, while Russia does not favour its neighbour Finland and Sweden joining the NATO. Turkey is currently blocking their accession over Nordic-Kurdish ties.
Most intense fighting in Donbas and south
In the 24 hours to Wednesday morning, the most intense fighting took place in the Donbas sector of the frontline. Battles were raging the south from Kharkiv Region’s Izyum, the strategic Luhansk Region’s cities of Severodonetsk and Lysichansk, as well as to the north from Popasna in the Luhansk Region.
Frederick Kagan from the US research project Critical Threats evaluated that overall, «Russia’s drive in Luhansk is the desperate gamble of a dictator staking the last of the offensive combat power he can scrape together in hopes of breaking his enemies’ will».
In the south, where the invaders control Crimea, the most part of the Kherson Region as well as parts of the regions of Mykolaiv and Zaporizhzhia, the fighting has been most intense in the north of the Kherson Region.
The British Defence Ministry evaluated in its latest intelligence report that Ukrainian troops have achieved some success by counter-attacking in the south-western part of the Kherson region, Ukrinform reports.
«Ukrainian forces have recently achieved some success by counter-attacking in the south-western Kherson region, including regaining a foothold on the eastern bank of the Inhulets River,» according to the report.
British intelligence also evaluated that with the frontline of the occupied zone stretching for over 500km, both Russia and Ukraine face similar challenges in maintaining a defensive line while freeing up capable combat units for offensive operations.
News on heavy weapon supplies
Poland has stated that it would send 56 Krab-type howitzers to Ukraine. According to the Polish Defence Ministry and Nexta the firing range of the mobile artillery machines is around 40 kilometres and 18 howitzers have already been sent to Ukraine.
Norway has stated that it has donated 22 howitzers to Ukraine. These are 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzers «specifically requested» by Ukraine, the Norwegian government stated.
Merkel has no regrets about being soft in Russia policy
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has defended her work in EU’s foreign policy as to Russia after Vladimir Putin’s Kremlin proved to be aggressive against its neighbours Georgia and Ukraine in 2008 and 2014, respectively.
In her first major interview since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, Merkel said to Alexander Osang and German broadcaster ARD that she had «nothing to apologise for” over her response to Russia’s annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, when she supported sanctions».
According to the German ex-Chancellor, the invasion was «not just unacceptable but also a major mistake by Russia».
«If we start going back through the centuries and arguing over which bit of territory should belong to whom, then we will only have war,» she struck a reconciliatory tone looking in the longer term. «That’s not an option whatsoever,» Merkel said.
Zelenskyy’s address
Finally, the BNN offers you to watch the latest video address by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Day 105 of war in Ukraine: Turkey, Russia discus unblocking Ukrainan ports, more countries send howitzers, Merkel defends being soft on Putin’s conflicts
