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Scoop of the weekend: G7 calls on Russia to withdraw troops from Ukraine

Scoop of the weekend: G7 calls on Russia to withdraw troops from Ukraine

G7 supports Ukraine

In their communique following the Carbis Bay summit, the G7 countries reiterated their support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.

"We call on Russia to alleviate tensions and act in accordance with its international obligations, and to withdraw the Russian military troops and materiel at the eastern border of Ukraine and on the Crimean peninsula. We remain firmly of the view that Russia is a party to the conflict in Eastern Ukraine, not a mediator. We affirm our support for the Normandy Process to secure the implementation of the Minsk agreements, and call on Russia and the armed formations it backs to engage constructively and recommit to the ceasefire. We reaffirm our efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s democracy and institutions, encouraging further progress on reform," they said.

Energy

Kyiv is prepared to negotiate a compensation for the loss of income from gas transit after the launch of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has said in an interview with Die Welt. "If we get an offer to negotiate a compensation, we will consider it. But we will not necessarily agree to what we are offered," he added.

Russia has been containing the European market by not supplying the volume of gas Europe needs to fill up its storage facilities at the moment, Olena Zerkal, an adviser to the energy minister, has said on the air of Ukrayina 24 TV.

Donbas

A military parade was held in Mariupol on 13 June to mark the seventh anniversary of the city's liberation from Russian mercenaries. It featured the National Guard, the State Border Service, the Armed Forces, cadets and veterans.

No ceasefire violations were registered in Donbas on 13 June, according to the evening update by the Joint Forces Operation HQ.

However, there were nine ceasefire violations on 12 June.

Speaking on the air of Ukrayina 24 TV, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said there was still a risk of further military aggression by Russia, particularly given the planned large-scale Zapad (West) military exercises. "As far as we know, no substantial pullout is taking place, and we must be ready for any scenario.

Coronavirus

Ukraine registered 857 new cases of Covid-19 on 12 June, most of them in Kyiv (114), Dnipropetrovsk Region (101), Kyiv Region (70), Kharkiv Region (52) and Lviv Region (47), according to the Health Ministry. There were 33 fatalities.

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