FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
For the first time since the beginning of the Russian occupation, three and a half years ago, the municipality decided to turn on the public lighting and decorations to celebrate "flag day", which coincides with the city's local one and today also extends to the annual national independence day. Lights, songs, dances, traditional costumes, flags with the Trident (Ukrainian symbol) everywhere and lots of young people. Crowds and smiles against the fear of bombs: here Russian attacks are daily with casualties and damage. And roads closed to traffic, this time not for an emergency, but for the joy of the holiday: it is also a way to forget, to seek together a moment of respite from the anxiety of the future. "Ukraine, Ukraine. Putin flees to...", the people shout, even though they know that Russian drones could see them and strike them at any moment.
Kellogg's Mission
This happened last night in Kharkiv, the country's second city, which Russian military forces had temporarily occupied in March 2022 and which was then completely liberated from the artillery threat in October, when the Russians were driven back across the international border. Flags also in Kiev and in all urban areas. The country celebrates its ability to resist, while Zelensky reiterates to the Americans, Europeans and the whole world its "full readiness to negotiate with Putin", but also wants to reaffirm "its complete opposition to any surrender of the sovereignty of our territory". The US negotiator for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, has been in Kiev since yesterday, and they will meet again today. "We will not leave our land to the invaders. This flag is the goal and dream of many of our fellow citizens in the temporarily occupied territories, and we will always remember our heroes at different times, who fought for freedom with our flag in their hands", says Zelensky.
After the summits
The president feels somewhat strengthened by the solidarity shown especially by the Europeans after the Anchorage and Washington summits. Two days ago, Trump even criticized former President Joe Biden, who "had not allowed the Ukrainians to attack Russian territory." In any case, the Ukrainians are already launching their drones against Russian refineries. Last night, news came from Moscow that the authorities were closing several civilian airports for fear of air strikes. Yesterday evening, other Ukrainian drones were shot down while en route to Moscow and St. Petersburg. For their part, the Russians claimed to have taken control of two other villages in Donetsk.
Beijing's role
Meanwhile, the German press writes that Beijing is ready to send peacekeeping troops if negotiations are reached, but only within the framework of a UN mandate. Verifications are awaited: peace is still far away./Corriere della sera
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