Zelensky criticizes tough arms deliveries

Ukrainian President Selenskyj has sharply criticized the hesitant arms deliveries to his country. According to Ukraine, the country has completed an important document for applying for EU membership.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has criticized delays in arms deliveries to his country. In view of an expected new offensive by Russian troops, this means “permission for Russia to take the lives of Ukrainians,” Zelenskyy said in his daily video address.

He did not name any countries. However, there had recently been a dispute in the traffic light coalition in Germany about the delivery of heavy weapons. Politicians from the Greens and FDP had accused Chancellor Olaf Scholz of hesitation.

Selenskyj warns of Russian offensive

Military experts assume that Ukraine will need significantly more heavy weapons in the east of the country to withstand attacks. Zelenskyy warned that the Russian military is preparing an offensive in the Donbass industrial region in eastern Ukraine in the near future. “Just as Russian troops are destroying Mariupol, they also want to raze other cities and towns in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions,” he said. In the port city of Mariupol, which has been under siege for weeks, it is assumed that thousands of residents have been killed.

Ukraine is in constant contact with partners to ensure defense in the east, Zelenskyy said. One is grateful to those who “help with what they can”. “But those who have the weapons and ammunition we need and who are holding back their aid must know that the fate of this battle also depends on them. The fate of people who can be saved.” In some cases, an answer has been awaited since the start of the Russian war of aggression 53 days ago.

Apparently several dead in attack in Kharkiv

In addition, Zelenskyi announced that five people were killed and 15 injured in the bombing of downtown Kharkiv. In the city alone, 18 people have been killed and 106 injured in the past four days: “This is nothing more than deliberate terror. Mortars, artillery against ordinary residential areas, against ordinary civilians.”

Ukraine: Questionnaire for EU membership completed

Meanwhile, according to the government, Ukraine has completely filled out the questionnaire submitted by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for the application for EU membership.

As the deputy head of Zelenskyi’s office, Ihor Zhovkva, said in a television interview on Ukrainian public television, the European Commission must now clarify whether Ukraine meets the necessary accession criteria: “We expect that the recommendation will be positive and then the ball rests with the EU Member States.”

According to Zhovkva, Ukraine expects to receive EU candidate status during the scheduled European Council meeting on June 23-24.

Von der Leyen wants an accelerated decision

During her visit to Kyiv on April 8, von der Leyen had promised Selenskyj an accelerated decision on the country’s admission to the international community. She handed him a list of questions about the planned EU membership and the President promised to process the document within a week.