In this live blog you can read the most important developments surrounding the war in Ukraine.
‘Wagner group leader offered Ukraine locations to Russians’
The boss of Russia’s Wagner mercenary army in January offered to the Ukrainian army to share the locations of Russian troops. In return, Yevgeny Prigozhin wanted Kyiv to withdraw its soldiers from Bachmut. The Washington Post reports this on the basis of documents that have come out.
Two U.S. newspaper Ukrainian sources confirm that Prigozhin spoke several times with the Ukrainian intelligence agency HUR. One of them reports that the Wagner boss made the offer several times, but that Kyiv rejected it because Prigozhin was not trusted. The White House declined to comment on the Washington Post report.
The Wagner mercenary army plays a major role in the battle for Bachmoet. Prigozhin regularly goes public with sometimes strong criticism of the Russian military leadership.
France promises new military aid to Ukraine
Ukrainian President Zelensky has also received new pledges about military aid in Paris. France will deliver dozens of light tanks and armored vehicles in the coming weeks, Zelensky and his French counterpart Macron announced after a three-hour dinner in Paris. France has also promised to train Ukrainian soldiers.
Zelensky was in Germany before his visit to Paris. In Berlin he met Chancellor Scholz and in Aachen he accepted the Charlemagne Prize, which has been awarded to him and the Ukrainian people. The prize is intended to promote European unification.
Welcome
Welcome to a new Ukraine blog. In this live blog you can read the most important developments surrounding the war in Ukraine. The previous Ukraine blog can be read here.
