🚫Xi Jinping opts out of EU-China 50th anniversary summit

Beijing informed the EU that Premier Li Qiang, China’s second-highest leader, would meet the presidents of the European Council and Commission in Brussels for the summit instead, the Financial Times reported, citing two sources familiar with the matter.

“The relationship is ON ICE,” commented a senior EU diplomat.

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❗️Russia and the US are discussing the possibility of arranging a meeting between Putin and Trump, Kremlin Aide Yuri Ushakov said.

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💬 Russia views calls for a ceasefire in Ukraine as an attempt to give Ukrainian troops a break and time to rearm - Kremlin

More statements by Kremlin Aide Yuri Ushakov:

🟠Ukrainian forces are going through difficult times; the Russian army is advancing on all fronts.

🟠Russia has conveyed its concerns to US representatives regarding the proposal for a ceasefire in Ukraine.

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⚡️Mikhail Alekseev, call sign "Rembrandt" and one of the leaders of the Ukrainian nationalist organization Right Sector*, was reportedly eliminated during a Russian drone strike in the Zaporozhye region, Vladimir Rogov, Chairman of the Commission of Russia’s Public Chamber on Sovereignty told Sputnik.

*designated as an extremist group and outlawed in Russia

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💬 Putin PERSONALLY decided to change his work schedule and visit the Kursk region - Kremlin

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✅Ukraine kicks off ceasefire team preparation – foreign minister

The team is working on a roadmap to monitor the long frontline, which stretches over 1,300 kilometers, Andrii Sybiha said in an interview with NHK World Japan.

Besides Sybiha, Ukraine’s delegation consists of Zelensky’s office head Andriy Yermak, his deputy Pavlo Palisa, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.

Ukraine is also seeking consultations with the US and other countries to engage in overseeing the ceasefire, Sybiha added.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov earlier made it clear that Russia won't accept the deployment of European peacekeepers in Ukraine.

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