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Ukrainian soldiers ride on a tank in the city of Trostianets in March
Photo: Efrem Lukatsky / dpa
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Ukraine hopes for counter-offensive in the south
9.10 a.m .:
After the loss of the eastern Luhansk region, a leading adviser to President Volodymyr Zelenskyj calls for a counter-offensive in the south of the country.
The capture of the cities of Lysychansk and Severodonetsk means that 60 percent of Russia's forces are tied up in the east and it will be difficult for Russia to move them south, Zelenskyy adviser Oleksiy Arestovych said in an online video message.
In addition, the Russian armed forces had suffered heavy losses.
'And there are no more forces to be brought in from Russia.
You paid a high price for Sieverodonetsk and Lysychansk.”
However, a successful counterattack on Russian positions in the south also depends on the promised Western arms deliveries, which are intended to significantly increase the effectiveness of the Ukrainian armed forces.
"It depends on how quickly the supplies come," said Arestovych.
Zelenskyj wants to start reconstruction immediately
7:59 a.m .:
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj has called for the country’s reconstruction not to wait until the end of the Russian war of aggression.
Much must be done immediately, he emphasized in his video speech.
In the areas from which Russian troops had been driven out, tens of thousands of houses had been destroyed.
You have to start preparing for winter now.
The first major conference on the reconstruction of Ukraine is currently taking place in Lugano.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Schmyhal estimated that at least $750 billion would be needed.
Scholz advises Macron in Paris on further Ukraine course
6.50 a.m .:
Chancellor Olaf Scholz met on Monday evening for consultations with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.
The most important topic was the Franco-German vote on how to proceed in the Ukraine war and continued support for the country, as the Élysée Palace announced.
Steps towards European independence in the areas of energy, defense and strategic raw materials were also discussed.
The situation in the Sahel region, where Germany and France are involved in the fight against Islamist terrorism, was also discussed.
The Ukrainian ambassador Andriy Melnyk is said to be leaving Germany
6.45 a.m .:
Andriy Melnyk keeps urging the federal government to support Ukraine more – and often offends with his choice of words.
According to media reports, Kiev's ambassador in Berlin is about to vacate his post.
Read the entire message here.
mgo/kko/AFP/dpa/Reuters