War in Ukraine: 12 attack drones shot down by kyiv, Biden reaffirms his support for Zelensky… update on the situation

Le point sur la situation. MAXPPP – Svet Jacqueline

Tous les jours, Midi Libre fait le point sur la situation en Ukraine. Ce dimanche 18 février 2024, découvrez les dernières actualités autour de ce conflit.

Kouleba discute des perspectives de paix avec son homologue chinois

The Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dmytro Kouleba, declared this Saturday, February 17 that he had discussed with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, the prospects for peace, almost two years after the start of the war in Ukraine, and in order to strengthen relations with Beijing.

The two ministers met during the Munich Security Conference and discussed "bilateral relations, trade and the need to restore a just peace and sustainable in Ukraine", wrote Dmytro Kouleba on the social network

They also discussed the Ukrainian project for a world peace summit, which Switzerland agreed to host and "set out to& #39;agreement on the need to maintain contacts between Ukraine and China at all levels and continue dialogue".

Beijing will continue to work towards a political resolution through dialogue, declared Wang Yi, according to a press release from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs published this Sunday, February 18. China will not “to add fuel to the fire, take advantage of opportunities to reap gains, or sell lethal weapons to conflicting areas or parties", he added.

Ukraine seeks to bring China on board with its ten-point peace plan, which focuses on the withdrawal of Russian troops from occupied territories, the restoration of 1991 post-Soviet borders and a framework allowing Moscow to account for its actions.

China, which pursues a "strategic partnership" with Russia, proposed its own peace plan last year, calling for a ceasefire, negotiations and an end to sanctions against Russia. But this plan has made little progress.

Wang Yi asserted at the conference that negotiations with Ukraine should resume as soon as possible to reduce losses for both sides: "As long as there is a glimmer of hope for peace, we will not give up, he said.

Ukraine shoots down 12 drones, a missile and a Russian-army warplane

Ukrainian forces destroyed on the night of Saturday February 17 to Sunday February 18, 12 attack drones launched by Russia, as well as a Kh-59 cruise missile and an SU-34 fighter-bomber , said the head of the Ukrainian Air Force.

"I would like to thank the Air Force units for their successful combat work", said Mykola Oleshchouk on the messaging application Telegram.

Reuters was unable to independently verify this information.

Biden assures Zelensky of US support

US President Joe Biden telephoned Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky this Saturday, February 17, to reaffirm US support in Ukraine's fight against Ukraine. ;Russian invasion, the White House said in a statement.

Volodimir Zelensly, for his part, expressed the hope that the American Congress would take the "wise decision" to approve an aid package for his country of several tens of billions of dollars.

"We discussed the current situation on the front lines. I am grateful to have the full support of President Biden,” wrote Volodimir Zelensky on the X network, formerly Twitter. "I also believe that the US Congress will make a wise decision."

Crucial US military aid to Kiev has been delayed for months by political battles in the US Congress.