DIRECT. War in Ukraine: the “very difficult” situation in the Donbass, according to Zelensky

The essential

• The situation in the Donbass remains "very difficult", according to Volodymyr Zelensky. 

• The G7 said on Saturday that it will "never" recognize the borders that Russia wants to impose on Ukraine. 

• “Please help Ukraine and Mariupol!

  Help Azovstal, ”urged the Ukrainian singer of the Eurovision winner Kalush Orchestra on stage. 

• After his country's victory at Eurovision, Volodymyr Zelensky reacted, saying: "Our courage impresses the world, our music conquers Europe".

• Finland is due to make its application for NATO membership official this Sunday. 

06:56

“Our music conquers Europe”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed his country's Eurovision victory on Saturday by linking it to the Russian invasion, with this sentence written on his Facebook page: "Our courage impresses the world, our music conquers the world. 'Europe'.

“For the third time in its history.

And, I believe, not the last.

We will do our best to welcome Eurovision participants and guests to the Ukrainian city of Mariupol one day.

Free, peaceful, rebuilt!

“, he added about this port city in the south of the country occupied by Russian troops and almost completely destroyed.

“I thank Kalush Orchestra for its victory, and all those who voted for us!

I am sure that our victorious choir in the battle against the enemy is not far off.

Glory to Ukraine!

“Wrote the Head of State again.

The Ukrainian group Kalush Orchestra, whose song "Stefania" mixes hip-hop and traditional music, collected 631 points, ahead of the British Sam Ryder and his title "Space Man" (466 points) and the Spanish singer Chanel with "Slo Mo (459 points), during the evening organized in Turin, Italy.

06:49

“Very difficult” situation in the Donbass

“The situation in the Donbass remains very difficult.

Russian troops are trying to achieve at least one victory there,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged on Saturday.

"Little by little, we are forcing the occupiers to leave our lands."

Russian forces are trying to advance in this strategic region in the east, partly controlled by pro-Russian separatists since 2014, and which Moscow has made its main objective since the withdrawal of its troops from around kyiv at the end of March.

06:24

Hello and welcome to this live

You can follow the developments of this 81st day of fighting here.