Top US General Doubts Russian Rout, China Blasts Ukraine Weapons Supply, Xi Putin Vow Greater Ties
A top Ukrainian general claims Kyiv's forces have repelled Russian attempts to advance into the center of Bakhmut. Russia has accused Kyiv of a drone attack on an oil pumping station in the southern Bryansk region on the border with Ukraine.
PM Fumio Kishida arrived in Kyiv on a “historic” surprise visit, the first by a Japanese leader to a warzone since World War Two. Russia said two of its nuclear-capable bomber planes conducted a “scheduled” patrol flight over the neutral waters of the Sea of Japan.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin said President Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping held "thorough" discussions, including over Beijing's peace plan for Ukraine.
Putin and Xi have agreed on almost all the specifics of Power of Siberia-2, a gas pipeline going via Mongolia to China.
Putin hailed Beijing’s 12-point peace proposal but alleged that Kyiv is not willing to implement key provisions of the peace plan.
US officials say they are aiming to send renovated older models of its heavy Abrams tanks to Ukraine in 8 to 10 months.
Source: Crux/Youtube