President Zelenskyy says Ukraine's counteroffensive has begun

"Offensive and defensive actions are underway in Ukraine, but I will not go into details at what stage," Mr Zelenskyy said at a joint press conference in Kiev with Mr Trudeau.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shake hands after signing bilateral agreements in Kiev on June 10, 2023. Photo: AFP

Mr Zelenskyy added that he was in daily contact with military commanders, including the head of the armed forces Valery Zaluzhny, and that “everyone is positive now…!”.

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Kiev's long-planned counteroffensive had failed. Russia also announced the containment of Kiev's offensive in eastern and southern Ukraine.

Prime Minister Trudeau made his second unannounced visit to Kiev since the fighting broke out last February. Canada, which has a large Ukrainian community, is one of Kiev's key allies in the conflict with Russia.

Canada has provided Ukraine with significant military aid, training more than 36,000 soldiers, and imposed sanctions against Russia.

Mr Trudeau also pledged C$10 million ($7.5 million) for flood relief after a dam on the Dnipro River collapsed, an incident blamed on both Russia and Ukraine.

The Canadian leader said they would also provide $500 million in new military assistance to Ukraine. He also pledged that Canada would be part of a multinational effort to train Ukrainian fighter pilots.

In another development, French President Emmanuel Macron called on Iran to "immediately end" supplying weapons to Russia, referring to Iran's provision of attack drones to Moscow.

Earlier, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Russia was receiving materials from Iran to build a drone factory on its territory and “could be fully operational early next year.”

Huy Hoang (according to Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/tong-thong-zelenskyy-noi-cuoc-phan-cong-cua-ukraine-da-bat-dau-khi-gap-ong-trudeau-post251199.html