The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, held a series of important meetings and visits during his tour of Europe. In Rome, he was received by Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. He thanked Italy for its consistent support for Ukraine despite its traditionally good relations with Russia. Zelensky then headed to the Vatican, where he had a private audience with Pope Francis, who has advocated for an end to the war in Ukraine on multiple occasions.
Following his visit to Italy, Zelensky traveled to Germany, where a major military aid package for Ukraine worth €2.7 billion was announced. This package includes tanks, armored vehicles, air defense systems, and surveillance drones. Germany pledged to provide assistance to Ukraine for as long as it took to end the war. According to an advisor to the Ukrainian presidency, this aid shows that Russia is destined to lose the war.
Several Western countries have recently announced their military support for Ukraine, which has drawn Russia’s ire. Russia called the UK’s decision to supply long-range missiles to Ukraine “extremely hostile.” EU diplomacy chief Josep Borrell urged other European nations to provide long-range weapons to Ukraine.
On the ground, both Russia and Ukraine have claimed advances in the Bakhmut region, which is the scene of a protracted and bloody battle. The Ukrainian military reported advances in some areas and the loss of enemy equipment and troops. On the other hand, the Russian Defense Ministry stated that its troops liberated a neighborhood in the city of Artiomovsk. Reports of shelling and civilian casualties continue, raising expectations of a Ukrainian counteroffensive, although Zelensky noted that his army needs more time to launch a full-scale counteroffensive due to the current conditions.