Kiev commemorates independence amidst uncertainty for potential peace settlements
In the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, a significant development has emerged. German politician Johann Wadephul announced that the United States has indicated a willingness to offer strong security guarantees to Ukraine, ones that are closer to what NATO membership entails. However, the specific European nations offering such guarantees remain unnamed.
The prospects for a quick peace remain gloomy, as mutual attacks continue. Russia is not expected to provide security guarantees to Ukraine in the near future. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in his Independence Day speech broadcast from in front of the Independence Monument in Kyiv, congratulated his compatriots, marking three and a half years into the war with Russia.
Zelensky emphasized the new sense of self-worth among Ukrainians, who are ready to fight for their freedom. In response to these attacks, Ukraine has been targeting fuel depots and military airfields deep inside Russia. This strategy has disrupted Russia's fuel supply, causing a fire at a terminal of the Kremlin-linked oil and gas producer Novatek in Ust-Luga.
Ten drones were shot down over the port of Ust-Luga, and their debris is said to have caused the fire. Ukraine has recently intensified its own drone production program and has presented a new missile, the Flamingo, with a range of up to 3,000 kilometers. The Flamingo missile is still in the testing phase, but Kyiv aims to have a larger arsenal of such weapons by the end of the year.
In a symbolic gesture, Zelensky highlighted the Statue of Liberty on the Maidan as a symbol of Ukraine's indestructibility. The Russian military claims to have shot down 95 Ukrainian combat drones, while the Ukrainian air defense reports 75 drones and one missile used by Russia for the attack.
The US has allowed Ukraine to carry out attacks with long-range weapons against military objects in Russia last year, but not recently due to an approval process by the Ministry of Defense. A media report suggests that the Pentagon has blocked the use of long-range missiles by Ukraine for attacks on targets in Russia for several months.
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is pushing for a broad range of states, including the US, to provide security guarantees to Ukraine. Wadephul emphasized that these guarantees should be "very close to what NATO membership" would mean. Around 30 states have expressed willingness to support Ukraine, including Japan and Canada.
In a notable event, US special envoy Keith Kellogg received the Order of Merit, 1st Class from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv. The conflict continues, with daily air strikes against civilian facilities such as hospitals and schools in Ukraine by Russia, and the ongoing mutual attacks. The international community continues to watch closely as events unfold.
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