The Independent Reports on the Ongoing Conflict in Ukraine
Security Challenges in Ukraine: A Path to Peace
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has presented significant security challenges, with the country seeking guarantees from major powers, primarily the United States. According to sources involved in the discussions, any security guarantee that has teeth would lock the West into a potential future war with Russia. As reported by The Independent, "Ukraine, which was subject to a full-scale invasion in 2022 and saw Russia annex Crimea in 2014, says it needs security guarantees from the major powers – primarily the United States" (The Independent).
The Proposed Peace Settlement
Under draft proposals for a possible peace settlement seen by Reuters, diplomats have spoken of a "robust security guarantee", including possibly an Article 5-like agreement. Article 5 of the NATO treaty commits allies to defend each other in the event of an attack, though Ukraine is not a member of the alliance. A failed 2022 deal proposed permanent neutrality for Ukraine in return for security guarantees from the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council: Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States, and other nations including Belarus, Canada, Germany, Israel, Poland, and Turkey.
Former Tory Minister’s Mission to Ukraine
Former veterans minister Johnny Mercer has said the spirit of ex-soldiers in Ukraine was "remarkable" after he paid a visit to Kyiv to support fellow veterans. Mr Mercer was on a visit to help the veterans ministry and charities set up a platform to offer work and health services to the country’s war veterans. As reported by The Independent, "While there are currently 1.2 million veterans in Ukraine, after the war it’s believed there will be up to six million" (The Independent).
Pope Leo to Meet Ukraine’s Zelenskiy
Pope Leo will have a private meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy later on Sunday, following the pope’s inaugural Mass, the Vatican said. Leo spoke with Zelenskiy on Monday in the first known conversation between the newly-elected pontiff and a foreign leader, underscoring his concern for the war in Ukraine. Speaking moments after Sunday’s Mass, Leo mentioned the "martyred" Ukraine and called for a "just and lasting peace".
Vance and Zelensky Reunited at Pope’s Mass
US Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have been reunited, at the inaugural mass for the new Pope. Mr Vance, a Catholic convert who clashed with Pope Leo’s predecessor Francis over the Trump administration’s hard-line immigration policies, led a US delegation alongside secretary of state Marco Rubio, who is also Catholic, at the mass on Sunday.
Kremlin Says Putin Could Meet Zelensky if Certain Agreements are Reached
After the first direct peace talks in Turkey, the Kremlin said on Russian president Vladimir Putin could meet Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskiy, but only if certain agreements were reached. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov did not specify what agreements would be required from Russia’s point of view. Mr Putin and Mr Zelensky have not met since December 2019.
Russia Launches Record Drone Barrage on Ukraine
Russia launched one of its most intense drone attacks on Ukraine overnight into Sunday, since the start of its full-scale invasion in 2022. According to Ukraine’s air force, Russia fired a total of 273 explosive drones and decoys. Of these, 88 were intercepted, while a further 128 were likely lost due to electronic jamming.
One Killed in Kyiv Region as Russia Steps Up Attacks
After a night of sustained Russian drone attacks, a woman was killed in the capital region and three, including a child, were injured. Ukraine has accused Russia of stepping up its attacks following peace talks on Friday. The first direct talks in three years between Russia and Ukraine on Friday failed to broker the ceasefire Kyiv and its allies have been urging in the more than three-year-old war.
Senior Ukrainian Official Accuses Russia of Making Unacceptable Demands
A senior Ukrainian official at the peace talks in Istanbul accused Moscow on Friday of introducing "unacceptable demands" that had not been previously discussed, including calls for Kyiv’s forces to withdraw from large swaths of territory they control in order for a complete ceasefire to be implemented. The official, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, said it seemed as if the Russian delegation "deliberately wants to throw nonstarters on the table in order to walk away from today’s meeting without any results".
The Terrifying Reality of Ukraine’s Landmine Crisis
According to the country’s National Mine Action Authority, an estimated 340 civilians have been killed by exploding landmines since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022, with another 1,195 people injured. Our reporter spoke to two survivors who have lived through that pain, and don’t want anyone else to have to experience it. The Independent has been reporting on the crisis in Ukraine, and will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
Source: The Independent –
