“Russia cannot be a mediator if it does not really believe in peace,” said Kaja Kallas, the head of European diplomacy
Kaja Kallas, the head of European diplomacy, said, Tuesdaythat Vladimir Putin ” born [pouvait] not be considered trustworthy ” To play a mediator for peace in the Middle East even when he continues to carry out brutal attacks against civilians in Ukraine.
This declaration followed a massive strike from Russia on kyiv. “It is obvious that President Putin is not someone who can speak of peace when we see such actions”Kallas said at a press briefing in Brussels. “It is not a credible mediator. Russia cannot be a mediator if it does not really believe in peace. »»
Russia is trying to position itself as a potential mediator in the growing conflict between Israel and Iran. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov said on June 17 that Israel seemed little inclined to accept Russia’s mediation offer. Kaja Kallas also underlined the role of Iran in supporting Russian strikes: “Iran has helped Russia carry out these attacks … their cooperation works, in this regard”she said.
It urged the European Union to move forward in reducing the price of the Russian oil price, even without the support of the United States, warning that tensions in the Middle East could, if not, increase prices and increase Russian income. “The objective of the oil price cap is to lower themshe explained. We must not find ourselves in a situation where the crisis in the Middle East increases oil prices and allows Russia to draw more profits … This would be to finance its war machine more. »»
She said that the European Union could act independently to reduce the oil price ceiling, stressing that the majority of Russian crude crushed by Europe controlled. “Even if the Americans do not follow, we can act and have an impact”she said.
The kyiv strike “goes against President Trump's call to arrest killings and end the war,” said the United States Embassy in Ukraine
Twenty-four hours after the Russian attack that hit kyiv, the United States Embassy in Ukraine reacted on Wednesday, June 18. In a message published on X, she writes: “Today, with all of Ukraine, we join a day of mourning in kyiv for the victims of the attack on June 17 by Russia. We present our most sincere condolences to the families of the victims. This insane attack goes against President Trump's call to arrest the killings and end the war. »»
Among the dead was an American citizen, confirmed the spokesperson for the State Department, Tammy Bruce, during a press briefing on June 17. “We are aware of the attack last night on kyiv, who made many victims, including the tragic death of an American citizen”said the spokesperson. “We condemn these strikes and present our most sincere condolences to the victims and families of all those who have been affected. »»
Donald Trump himself did not seem to be aware of the strike when he was questioned by reporters on board Air Force OneTuesday. “When was it? When ? »»replied Trump when a reporter asked him for his reaction. Informed that the attack on drones and missiles had taken place “Very recently”Mr. Trump said: “Just now? You mean when I come back to you, is that when it happened? It looks like. I will have to examine this. »»
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said it was about “One of the most horrible attacks on kyiv” And called for stronger international support to help Ukraine defend itself.
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Russia launched 58 drones in the night from Tuesday to Wednesday
The Russians attacked Ukraine with 58 Shahed type drones and various types of lure drones on the night of June 17 to 18, reports The Ukrainian Air Force. Twelve were killed, 18 were neutralized by the means of electronic war. The main targets of the attack were Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporijia. Nine impacts have been noted.
Volodymyr Zelensky leaves the G7 without meeting Donald Trump or obtaining again support from the United States
The Ukrainian president left the summit of the group of seven (G7) on Tuesday, believing that diplomacy was in ” crisis “ After missing the opportunity to put pressure on the President of the United States, Donald Trump, to get more weapons. The G7 member countries have struggled to find a consensus on the issue of the conflict in Ukraine after Donald Trump supported Russian President Vladimir Putin and left the summit a day earlier than expected to return to Washington.
In a message published on his Telegram account, Volodymyr Zelensky said that he had told G7 leaders that “Diplomacy [était] now in crisis “ and that they had to continue to ask Donald Trump to“Use your real influence” To end the war. “G7 leaders expressed support for President Trump's efforts to achieve just and lasting peace in Ukraine”is it said in a declaration summarizing the deliberations published at the end of the summit by Mark Carney, the Prime Minister of Canada, host country of the summit.
“I am returning to Germany with cautious optimism by thinking that decisions will also be made in America in the coming days to impose new sanctions on Russia”said German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
The results of the Russian attack on kyiv increases at 21 dead
The results of the massive Russian attack on kyiv on the night of Monday to Tuesday increased to 21 dead, the rescue service announced on Wednesday after new bodies were released from the rubble. “In total, 21 people died in the capital and 134 were injured”detailed the state emergency service on Telegram. Provisional balance sheets had reported at least 14 dead on Tuesday.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky denounced “One of the worst attacks” Russians against kyiv since the start of the invasion in February 2022. More than 440 drones and 32 missiles were drawn during this attack, according to the Head of State. Twenty-seven sites were targeted in the capital, said the Ukrainian Minister of the Interior Ihor Klymenko.
At the same time, two other people were killed and 17 injured in an attack on the coastal city of Odessa and two other people died in the Oblasts of Soumy and Kherson, according to the Ukrainian authorities.
Zaporija, after an attack on Russian drones
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The G7 “could have gone further” in its support for Ukraine, recognizes the Canadian Prime Minister, host of the summit
The G7 again provided Tuesday its support for Ukraine but without tightening the tone against Russia at a summit in Canada turned upside down by the anticipated departure of the American president due to the conflict between Iran and Israel.
“Some of us, including Canada, could have gone further”Recognized Prime Minister Mark Carney, host of the G7, at his final press conference evoking the declarations on the war in Ukraine.
The latter, however, insisted that everyone agrees to continue pressure on Russia, including by financial sanctions.
But the club of major industrialized democracies has not published this time a joint declaration denounced the“Russian attack”unlike in previous years when Joe Biden was at the head of the United States.
During the day, a Canadian government source said that the United States had opposed the publication of a separate statement in a stronger tone, before finally withdrawing its declarations.
Australia imposes sanctions on the Russian “ghost fleet”
Australia for the first time imposed sanctions against 60 ships of “The ghost fleet” Used by Russia to export its oil, the government announced on Wednesday. Canberra partners, such as the United Kingdom and the European Union, have already sanctioned several hundred of these ships, often aging and exploited under a foreign pavilion.
“Russia uses these ships to get around international sanctions and support its illegal and immoral war against Ukraine”denounced the Australian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement.
Ships of the “Ghost fleet” Russian are, moreover, regularly accused by Europeans of being involved in damage to underwater cables, and of representing an environmental threat.
“Operating by means of misleading practices, in particular by changing the pavilion, deactivating location systems, and operating with inappropriate insurance, the ghost fleet allows the illicit trade of Russian oil and other sanctioned products”added the ministry.
Sanctions against ships generally consist in prohibiting them from access to national waters and a fortiori entry into ports. Australia has already imposed several batteries of sanctions on Russia in response to the invasion of Ukraine launched by Moscow in February 2022.
Source: Lemonde