Orban's visit and announcement of a new defense aid package from the US: highlights for July 2
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban arrives in Ukraine. The United States will soon announce a defense package for Ukraine worth more than $2.3 billion. Kazakh opposition leader Aidos Sadykov, who was assassinated in Kyiv, dies. We have collected the main news for July 2.
Orban's visit
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has arrived on an official visit to Kyiv. This is his first trip to the Ukrainian capital since the start of the full-scale invasion.
Orban said that he had come to discuss with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy the possibility of achieving peace. In particular, he suggested thinking about a ceasefire and negotiations.
After the meeting, the Ukrainian president said that the dialogue with Orban could become the basis for a bilateral document between the two countries.
On the same day, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó had a telephone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Russia says it was Budapest's initiative.
US promises new defense package
The United States is planning to announce a new military aid package for Ukraine worth more than $2.3 billion soon. It will include missiles for air defense, anti-tank weapons and other critical munitions from US stockpiles.
Death of opposition leader Sadykov
Kazakh opposition activist and journalist Aidos Sadykov, who was shot in Kyiv, died in hospital. Doctors fought for his life for 13 days.
Now, law enforcement officers are preparing to change the suspicion of two Kazakh citizens who are charged with the murder of the journalist.
Destruction of an ammunition depot in Crimea
The Commander of the Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Mykola Oleshchuk confirmed the successful destruction of a Russian ammunition depot in temporarily occupied Crimea on July 1.
The day before, several explosions occurred in temporarily occupied Sevastopol, and the local occupation authorities claimed that air defense was operating and air targets were being destroyed.
The United States tells how it sees Ukraine's victory
U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said that Ukraine's success is seen as its transformation into a country that “can stand on its own two feet” militarily, economically, and democratically. Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine and the West have different views of victory in the war with Russia.
NATO to deploy senior official to Kyiv
The Wall Street Journal has revealed that NATO will deploy a senior civilian official to Kyiv as part of new efforts to strengthen long-term support for Ukraine.
These moves are intended to bolster Ukraine's prospects of eventually joining the Alliance, but without offering it membership now.
Air defense for Ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has instructed Defense Minister Rustem Umierov, who is currently on a visit to the United States, to find out the specific dates for the delivery of Patriot air defense systems.
At the same time, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced that Ukraine would hear new air defense announcements on the sidelines of the July NATO summit.
Other important news
- The Pentagon sees no evidence that the DPRK has sent troops to Russia.
- Russia begins a month of presiding over the UN Security Council: Ukraine is not on the agenda.
- The EU imposes an emergency ban on imports of eggs and sugar from Ukraine.
- The Government allocates almost UAH 2.4 billion for roads in the frontline regions.
- The government authorizes an interagency group to submit proposals for “reservation” to the Defense Ministry. In particular, it concerns officials.
- The July 3 power outage schedules will be in effect throughout the day.