Exiled mayor of Ukrainian city says ‘several powerful explosions’ heard; French and European leaders hope to persuade Xi Jinping against backing Russia’s invasion
The resilience of Russia’s economy has over the past year surprised many observers as Moscow adjusts to unprecedented western sanctions over its assault on Ukraine, AFP reports.
But in a rare public admission, Putin warned late last month of possible economic troubles ahead and urged the government to act quickly.
Sybiha’s remarks may relieve western officials who are sceptical about Ukraine’s ability to reclaim the peninsula and worry that any attempt to do so militarily could lead President Vladimir Putin to escalate his war, possibly with nuclear weapons. To date Zelenskiy has ruled out peace talks until Russian forces leave all of Ukraine, including Crimea. Sybiha is a veteran diplomat who focuses on foreign policy in the president’s office and has been at Zelenskyy’s side at key moments in the war. He said the president and his aides were now talking specifically about Crimea, as Ukraine’s army gets closer to launching its counteroffensive to regain territory.
