August 4, 2023 at 2:08 a.m. EDT
Right here’s the newest on the battle and its ripple results throughout the globe.
Washington and Kyiv’s talks on safety ensures may create “a profitable mannequin for different companions,” the top of Ukraine’s presidential workplace, Andriy Yermak, mentioned in an announcement. “It’s symbolic that the USA of America — our largest strategic companion — turned the primary nation with which Ukraine begins this course of.” He added that the talks may reinforce Ukraine’s progress towards membership in teams such because the European Union and NATO. The U.S. State Division mentioned in an announcement that the dialogue fell beneath the framework of the G-7 Joint Declaration of Assist to Ukraine.
Senior officers and nationwide safety advisers from about 40 international locations are anticipated on the Ukraine peace talks in Jeddah, a resort metropolis in Saudi Arabia, Reuters reported. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned he hopes the talks will result in a summit this autumn to endorse rules primarily based on his 10-point components for a peace settlement.
Russia’s naval base at Novorossiysk was attacked by “unmanned sea boats” in a single day, the Protection Ministry mentioned on Telegram, including that they have been destroyed. The port is a serious hub for Russian exports.
Russia has launched a complete of 1,961 Iranian-made Shahed drones at Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned in his nightly deal with. Whereas a “important quantity” have been shot down, not all of them have been stopped, he mentioned, including that Ukraine was working to spice up its air protection techniques.
Russian Protection Minister Sergei Shoigu spoke with North Korean officers about growing munitions gross sales to Moscow when he was in Pyongyang final week, Nationwide Safety Council spokesman John Kirby mentioned, in line with the Related Press. “That is one more instance of how determined Mr. Putin has grow to be as a result of his battle machine is being affected by the sanctions and the export controls,” Kirby mentioned.
Russia shot down seven drones over the Kaluga area southwest of Moscow, regional governor Vladislav Shapsha wrote on Telegram on Thursday. There have been no casualties or injury, he mentioned. Drones repeatedly attacked skyscrapers in Moscow earlier this week.
Niger’s detained president warned that Africa’s Sahel area may “fall to Russian affect” through the Wagner Group. President Mohamed Bazoum, writing an opinion piece for The Washington Submit, mentioned that the current coup in his nation could possibly be an “open invitation” to the Russian mercenary group.
The European Union has prolonged the scope of its sanctions in opposition to Belarus. The brand new measures come up “from Russia’s unlawful invasion of Ukraine, and in response to Belarus’s involvement within the aggression,” the European Fee mentioned in an announcement Thursday. It banned the export of delicate know-how that would improve Belarusian navy capabilities, in addition to ammunition, firearms and know-how associated to the aviation and house industries.
A Russian retailer proprietor who displayed antiwar indicators outdoors his grocery obtained a 1.5-year jail sentence on Thursday, unbiased shops reported. Dmitry Skurikhin was beforehand arrested in February after holding an indication asking forgiveness from Ukrainians.
Russia is “utilizing meals as a weapon of battle,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken mentioned on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” He was referring to Moscow’s departure from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which allowed Ukraine to export grain. Blinken additionally addressed the United Nations Safety Council, pledging $362 million to fight starvation in Haiti and 11 African nations.
Ukraine’s offensive inches ahead searching for a breakthrough: Kyiv continued a serious push to reclaim its territory with a recent injection of Western-trained and -equipped troops, however there is no such thing as a signal but of a serious breakthrough, John Hudson and Anastacia Galouchka report.
Russia’s phalanx of trenches, tripwires and mines stays forward of Ukrainian forces and their goal to drive south and sever Russia’s land bridge to Crimea, a key navy provide route.
