Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Sunday that the “liberation” of Donbass in eastern Ukraine is an “unconditional priority” for Moscow, while other Ukrainian regions can decide their own fate, the RIA news agency quoted Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as saying on Sunday.
“The liberation of Donetsk and Luhansk, which are recognized by the Russian Federation as independent states, is an unconditional priority,” the RIA news agency reported.
As for the rest of Ukraine, he added, “people have to decide their fate in those regions.”
For his part, Sergei Gaidai, governor of Lugansk, said Monday that “Russian forces are advancing towards the center of the city of Severodonetsk.”
He pointed out that “Liseshansk, which is adjacent to the city of Severodonetsk, is still under the control of Ukrainian forces.”
Gaidai confirmed that two civilians were killed and five wounded during shelling operations as Russian forces entered the outskirts of the city of Severodonetsk.
He explained that the Russian forces are attacking the city with all weapons and air support, and have entered its southeastern and northeastern regions.
On the other hand, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed on Sunday the developments of military operations in the city of Severodonetsk in eastern Ukraine.
“As a result of the Russian bombing of Severodonetsk, all major infrastructure facilities were destroyed (…) More than two-thirds of the city’s housing units were destroyed,” Zelensky said in a televised speech.
“The capture of Severodonetsk has become a major goal of the Russian occupation units,” he added.
European Union sanctions against Russia
And in another matter away from the Ukrainian field, European Union leaders will meet on Monday, and it is expected to announce the continuation of support for Ukraine to help it repel Russia’s attack, but without imposing a new package of sanctions against Moscow.
Leaders of the 27-nation bloc will discuss over two days how best to help Ukraine four months after the start of the Russian invasion and how to address the consequences of war, such as high energy prices, food shortages, and the European Union’s defense needs.
But the draft closing statement of the meeting, seen by Archyde.com, showed that while the EU would be generous in verbal support to the government in Kyiv, little new decisions on sanctions would be made.
German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said on Sunday, “After Russia’s attack on Ukraine we saw what can happen when Europe unites. For tomorrow’s summit we hope this continues. But that is already beginning to unravel.”
The leaders will discuss a €9 billion EU loan package to support the Ukrainian government’s business continuity and pay salaries for about two months.
The draft showed that European Union leaders will support the creation of an international fund to rebuild Ukraine after the war, and they want to explore the possibility of confiscating frozen Russian assets for this purpose.
The leaders will pledge to speed up work to help Ukraine transport its grain abroad by rail and truck due to the Russian navy’s closure of seaports, and take steps to de-energize Russia faster. The draft also includes “exploring ways to limit rising energy prices.”