???? Live: Zelensky praises Spanish PM’s ‘extremely symbolic’ Ukraine visit

Issued on: 01/07/2023 – 14:05

1:55pm: Zelensky praises Spanish PM’s ‘extremely symbolic’ Ukraine visit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday thanked Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez for visiting Kyiv as Spain kicked off its presidency of the European Union. 

“Thank you for your important visit and support of our people!” Zelensky said on social media. “It is extremely symbolic that this visit takes place on the very first day of the Spanish presidency of the EU.”

12:16pm: Spain PM in Kyiv to kick off Madrid’s EU presidency

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez arrived in Kyiv on Saturday to signal EU support for Ukraine as the country’s commander-in-chief said he was frustrated by the slow deliveries of Western weapons.

Sixteen months into Russia’s invasion, Kyiv says it is fighting “fierce” battles as part of its counteroffensive launched last month after weeks of anticipation. 

Sanchez, whose country kicked off its presidency of the European Union, was expected to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later Saturday. 

7:15am: CIA chief made secret trip to Ukraine, says US official

CIA Director William Burns recently traveled to Ukraine where he met with intelligence counterparts and President Volodymyr Zelensky, a US official confirmed to AFP Friday.

The trip – not reported at the time – comes as Kyiv’s brigades pursue a counteroffensive in their nation’s east and south against Russian forces, launched earlier this month after weeks of anticipation.

During his trip Burns reaffirmed “the US commitment to sharing intelligence to help Ukraine defend against Russian aggression”, the US official said.

According to The Washington Post, which first reported the visit, Ukrainian officials shared plans to claw back Russian-occupied territory and begin ceasefire negotiations by the end of the year.

Burns “traveled to Ukraine as he has done regularly since the beginning of Russia’s recent aggression more than a year ago”, the US official said. The Post reported that the visit occurred in June.

The trip took place before the 24-hour insurrection by the leader of the Wagner private military company, Yevgeny Prigozhin, according to the official.

12:09am: Belarus leader says nuclear arms will not be used

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, the Kremlin’s staunchest ally in its war in Ukraine, said on Friday he was certain Russian tactical nuclear weapons deployed in his country would never be used.

Lukashenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin have acknowledged that some tactical weapons have arrived in Belarus and the remainder would be put in place by the end of the year.

The Belarusian president, in an address marking his ex-Soviet state’s national day, said the stationing of the weapons in Belarus was “my firmest initiative”.

Key developments from Friday, June 30:

President Volodymyr Zelensky ordered top military commanders on Friday to strengthen Ukraine’s northern military sector following the arrival of Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin and his Wagner Group fighters in Belarus.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Moscow would emerge from the aftermath of the Wagner mercenary group’s aborted rebellion “stronger” than before.

Read yesterday’s liveblog to see how all the day’s events unfolded.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and Reuters)