Mr Johnson briefed the Ukrainian president on the progress made at the recent military sponsorship conference convened by the United Kingdom with 35 countries, and “pledged to continue to strengthen defense support”. A Downing Street spokesman said: “He commended the brave Ukrainian armed forces for successfully repelling the Russian army in various areas, but acknowledged the enormous challenges that remain and the enormous suffering of civilians.” The spokesman added: “President Zelensky stressed the urgency of Ukraine’s struggle for survival as a free and democratic nation and the importance of international assistance.
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“President Zelensky also briefed on the state of the peace negotiations and welcomed the UK’s further involvement in these diplomatic efforts. Both leaders agreed on the importance of continuing to increase sanctions to increase financial pressure on Putin’s war machine, as long as Russian troops remain on Ukrainian soil. “They pledged to stay in touch and talk again in the coming days. On Saturday, Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar claimed that Ukrainian forces had retaken the entire area of Kiev from Russian troops. Ms Malyar said the area around the capital had been “liberated” amid growing indications that Russian troops were withdrawing from the area after suffering heavy casualties. He wrote on Facebook: “Irpin, Bucha, Gostomel and the whole area of Kiev – are liberated from the invader.” Standard could not independently verify Ms Malyar’s allegations. If true, it would mean a major victory for President Volodymyr Zelensky’s forces after five weeks of intense fighting. Thousands of Ukrainians have died and more than 4 million have fled the country since Vladimir Putin began invading the country on February 24. His army failed to achieve its main military objectives amid logistical issues, low morale and fierce Ukrainian resistance. Ukrainian officials said 30 towns and villages in the area had already been recaptured by Russian control. The Kremlin last week said it would significantly reduce its activities in the capital and neighboring Chernihiv to refocus on the Donbas region. However, the announcement was met with skepticism by Ukrainian and Western officials after weeks of misinformation and breaches of Moscow commitments that have repeatedly violated ceasefire agreements during civilian evacuations. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russian forces retreating from the Kiev region had created a “catastrophic” situation for civilians by leaving mines around residential areas as well as abandoned equipment. “In the north of our country, the invaders are leaving. It’s slow but noticeable. In some places they are chased away with battles. “Otherwise they are leaving the posts themselves,” Mr Zelensky said in a video released on Saturday. “They are mining this whole area. “Houses are being mined, equipment is being mined, even the bodies of the dead.” Chernihiv Governor Viacheslav Chaus also accused Russian troops of planting mines as they retreated from positions around the regional capital. “There are many mines. “These (villages) are scattered with them,” he told national television. Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke with Zelensky on Saturday night and “congratulated the brave Ukrainian armed forces on successfully repelling the Russian military invasion of some areas,” Downing Street reported. The spokesman added: “President Zelensky stressed the urgency of Ukraine’s struggle for survival as a free and democratic nation and the importance of international assistance.” Elsewhere, a senior Ukrainian negotiator said Russia had indicated that a draft treaty was at an advanced stage to allow for direct consultations between the two nations’ leaders. David Arahamia told the Interfax news agency that Russia had accepted Ukraine’s overall position, with the exception of its stance on Crimea, which was illegally annexed by Putin in 2014. Western and Ukrainian officials have warned that Putin could use the talks to gain time for his military to reorganize, saying he was not seriously committed to de-escalation.
