Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived for a two-nation tour in Russia and Austria. He will meet and talk with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, before heading to Austria for his bilateral engagements.

PM Modi's Russia visit: Member of Indian diaspora in Russia speaks to WION

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived for a two-nation tour in Russia and Austria. He will meet and talk with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, before heading to Austria for his bilateral engagements.

PM Modi's Russia visit: Modi's visit comes amid growing Russia-China ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived for a two-nation tour in Russia and Austria. He will meet and talk with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, before heading to Austria for his bilateral engagements. Watch in for more details!

PM Modi's Russia visit: PM Modi lands in Moscow, to hold talks with Russian President Putin

Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for a two-nation tour to Russia and Austria. He will first meet and hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, before heading to Austria for his bilateral engagements.

PM Modi's Russia visit: Indian-origin Russian MLA speaks to WION

PM Modi's Russia visit: PM Modi & Putin to hold 'restricted talks' on July 9

PM Modi's Russia visit: India-Russia to review bilateral ties

PM Modi departs for Russia: Defence, energy cooperation, education & culture to be discussed

PM Modi's Russia visit: Modi to discuss release of Indians 'mis-led' into joining Russia army

PM Modi & President Putin to hold 'restricted talks' on July 9

Headlines of the hour: - PM Modi en route Moscow - 3 Russian cruise missiles shot down: Ukraine - Enable direct Russia-Ukraine talks: Xi Jinping - Mumbai battles severe waterlogging due to rain - Mid-day market check: Indian stocks

Enable direct Russia-Ukraine talks: Xi | PM Modi en route Moscow

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed New Delhi for an official visit to Russia. PM Modi's trip to Russia is at the invitation of Putin to hold the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit.

PM Modi's Russia visit: Indian PM departs to Moscow for bilateral talks with Putin

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for a two-nation tour to Russia and Austria. He will first meet and hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, before heading to Austria for his bilateral engagements.

Indian PM Modi leaves for Russia, to meet President Putin in Moscow

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a two-day Russia visit from 8th to 9th July 2024 that will see Russian President Putin hosting a private dinner for the Indian leader. The PM will also visit Rosatom Pavilion at the exhibition venue in Moscow. Watch in for more details!

PM Modi's Russia visit: PM Modi to hold one-on-one and delegation level talks in Kremlin

PM Modi's Russia visit: Kremlin says, PM Modi's visit crucial for Russian-Indian relation

PM Modi's Russia visit: Kremlin says, agenda of PM Modi's Moscow visit will be extensive

Russia's President Vladimir Putin weighed on the Presidential debate between the American President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. Putin has said that he sees fragments of the debate between the two contenders.

Putin weighs in on Trump's peace proposal, comments on Trump-Biden debate

Russian President Vladimir Putin and China's Xi Jinping met Wednesday for the second time in two months. Markus Garlauskas, director of the Atlantic Council's Indo-Pacific Security Initiative, joins to discuss.

24th meeting of SCO meeting adopts Astana declaration in Kazakh capital

SCO Summit: China, Russia hail expanding SCO membership, China to get Presidency after seven years

SCO Summit: China, Russia hold bilateral meet on SCO sidelines; Putin, Xi hail stable ties

Ukraine's military said on Thursday its troops had pulled back from part of Chasiv Yar in the eastern Donetsk region, a day after Russia said its forces had taken control of a district in the strategic town.

Russia claims control of part of Chasiv Yar

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping met Wednesday for the second time in as many months as they visited Kazakhstan for SCO summit. Watch in for more details!

SCO Summit Day 1: Putin Xi meet on sidelines of SCO summit

Headlines of the hour: - Bookies back opinion polls in UK - Israel approves West Bank land seizure - Hezbollah Commander killed in Israeli strike - Russia warns Finland over bases access - Belarus more vigilant than ever: Lukashenko - Egypt cabinet reshuffle amid economic woes

Russia warns Finland over bases access | Israel approves West Bank land seizure

The leaders of Russia and China were in Kazakhstan on Wednesday for a regional summit, seeking to harden anti-Western alliances and press their influence in the strategic Central Asian region.

Russian President Vladimir Putin touched down in the Kazakh capital of Astana Wednesday morning for a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) -- a Beijing-led regional bloc that covers Central Asia, India and Iran.

Moscow and Beijing have deepened their political, military and economic ties since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/xi-jinping-using-relatives-to-conceal-7072mn-wealth-says-report-730561" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/xi-jinping-using-relatives-to-conceal-7072mn-wealth-says-report-730561&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjwkK6t04qHAxXfbmwGHaNZBwIQFnoECAkQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw0AydVFDwDKc7z_GFbD9ehM&amp;arm=e&amp;fexp=72519171,72519168" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/xi-jinping-using-relatives-to-conceal-7072mn-wealth-says-report-730561" target="_blank">Xi Jinping&nbsp;using relatives to conceal $707.2mn wealth, says report</a>

Alongside Chinese leader Xi Jinping, who arrived in Kazakhstan on Tuesday, the pair sees the SCO as a key forum for advancing their strategic interests across Eurasia.

"We attach great importance to partnership cooperation within this organisation," Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov told Russian state media outlets ahead of Putin's arrival.

"We believe that the SCO, as well as the second major association of BRICS, are the main pillars of the new world order, a locomotive in the context of establishing genuine multilateralism in world affairs," he added.

Both Russia and China have railed against what they call a US-led "hegemony" on the world stage.

China's Foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said earlier this week that Beijing believed the SCO summit would "help build more consensus among all parties and make contributions to promoting security, stability and development of member countries", and advance "lasting peace and common prosperity in the world".&nbsp;

<h2>- Rivalry -</h2>

Despite inking a "no limits" strategic partnership just days before Russia invaded Ukraine, Moscow and Beijing have been historic rivals for influence in the Central Asian region.

The five countries -- Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan -- are ex-Soviet republics and have historic cultural, linguistic and economic ties to Russia.

But China's rising economic power and sprawling investment in the region has challenged Russian influence.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/with-xi-jinping-in-europe-china-plays-geopolitics-720020" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/with-xi-jinping-in-europe-china-plays-geopolitics-720020&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjwkK6t04qHAxXfbmwGHaNZBwIQFnoECAcQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw3N8i6QFpBtUHDFyn7Y3hc9&amp;arm=e&amp;fexp=72519171,72519168" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/with-xi-jinping-in-europe-china-plays-geopolitics-720020" target="_blank">With&nbsp;Xi Jinping&nbsp;in Europe, China plays geopolitics</a>

Central Asia is crucial to China's flagship Belt and Road international infrastructure development project.

The region is rich in natural resources and crucial for the overland transport of goods between China and Europe.

Russia's war on Ukraine has also been seen as creating an opening for other powers to swoop into regions that have been traditionally aligned with Moscow.

The ultra-closed Turkmenistan is not a member of the SCO, but the four others are, alongside India, Iran and Pakistan.

The nine-member bloc is complemented by 14 "dialogue partners", such as Turkey and several Gulf states.

Alongside the forum's main sessions, the Kremlin said Putin planned to meet bilaterally with a number of leaders at the summit, probably to include Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

NATO member Turkey is positioning itself as a possible mediator in the Ukraine war.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/videos/president-xi-jinpings-common-prosperity-campaign-in-focus-735886" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/videos/president-xi-jinpings-common-prosperity-campaign-in-focus-735886&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjwkK6t04qHAxXfbmwGHaNZBwIQFnoECAgQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw0VaKECriIsY0bTN5TCrwvT&amp;arm=e&amp;fexp=72519171,72519168" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/president-xi-jinpings-common-prosperity-campaign-in-focus-735886" target="_blank">President&nbsp;Xi Jinping's&nbsp;'common prosperity' campaign in focus</a>

Russia's close ally Belarus is expected to join the SCO at the meeting after being told at the 2023 summit that it would become a member.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was also set to address the two-day summit on Thursday.

The leaders of Russia and China were in Kazakhstan on Wednesday for a regional summit, seeking to harden anti-Western alliances and press their influence in the strategic Central Asian region.

The leaders of Russia and China were in Kazakhstan on Wednesday for a regional summit, seeking to harden anti-Western alliances and press their influence in the strategic Central Asian region. Russian President Vladimir Putin touched down in the Kazakh capital of Astana Wednesday morning for a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) -- a Beijing-led regional bloc that covers Central Asia, India and Iran. Moscow and Beijing have deepened their political, military and economic ties since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Also read: Xi Jinping using relatives to conceal $707.2mn wealth, says report Alongside Chinese leader Xi Jinping, who arrived in Kazakhstan on Tuesday, the pair sees the SCO as a key forum for advancing their strategic interests across Eurasia. "We attach great importance to partnership cooperation within this organisation," Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov told Russian state media outlets ahead of Putin's arrival. "We believe that the SCO, as well as the second major association of BRICS, are the main pillars of the new world order, a locomotive in the context of establishing genuine multilateralism in world affairs," he added. Both Russia and China have railed against what they call a US-led "hegemony" on the world stage. China's Foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said earlier this week that Beijing believed the SCO summit would "help build more consensus among all parties and make contributions to promoting security, stability and development of member countries", and advance "lasting peace and common prosperity in the world". - Rivalry - Despite inking a "no limits" strategic partnership just days before Russia invaded Ukraine, Moscow and Beijing have been historic rivals for influence in the Central Asian region. The five countries -- Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan -- are ex-Soviet republics and have historic cultural, linguistic and economic ties to Russia. But China's rising economic power and sprawling investment in the region has challenged Russian influence. Also read: With Xi Jinping in Europe, China plays geopolitics Central Asia is crucial to China's flagship Belt and Road international infrastructure development project. The region is rich in natural resources and crucial for the overland transport of goods between China and Europe. Russia's war on Ukraine has also been seen as creating an opening for other powers to swoop into regions that have been traditionally aligned with Moscow. The ultra-closed Turkmenistan is not a member of the SCO, but the four others are, alongside India, Iran and Pakistan. The nine-member bloc is complemented by 14 "dialogue partners", such as Turkey and several Gulf states. Alongside the forum's main sessions, the Kremlin said Putin planned to meet bilaterally with a number of leaders at the summit, probably to include Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. NATO member Turkey is positioning itself as a possible mediator in the Ukraine war. Also read: President Xi Jinping's 'common prosperity' campaign in focus Russia's close ally Belarus is expected to join the SCO at the meeting after being told at the 2023 summit that it would become a member. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was also set to address the two-day summit on Thursday.

Putin, Xi vie for influence at Central Asian summit

A Russian drone and missile barrage on the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro killed three people and wounded over a dozen more, the regional governor said Wednesday.&nbsp;

Russian forces have targeted the industrial city and surrounding region persistently since launching their invasion in February in 2022.&nbsp;

"The enemy is continuing insidious attacks," the regional governor Sergiy Lysak said, announcing three were killed.&nbsp;

He also said that 18 people were wounded, including a 14-year-old girl.&nbsp;

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The head of the Dnipropetrovsk regional council described the barrage as "massive" and posted images showing buildings ripped open by the attack and shattered glass strewn across the ground.&nbsp;

"This is what one of the city's shopping centres looks like now. Cars and windows were smashed, and a petrol station was hit. All the consequences are still being investigated," Mykola Lukashuk said.&nbsp;

Dnipro had a pre-war population of around one million people and lies about 100 kilometres from the near point along the southern front line.&nbsp;

More than 40 people were killed in a Russian strike on Dnipro in January 2023, in one of the single-worst aerial bombardments by Russian forces.

Separately, officials in Ukraine's eastern regions of Donetsk and Kharkiv said two civilians had been killed in overnight Russian attacks.

Russia destroys Ukrainian naval drones

Russia said Wednesday it had destroyed two Ukrainian naval drones that were advancing on its Black Sea port of Novorossiysk overnight.&nbsp;

Ukrainian naval drones have sunk several Russian ships in the Black Sea, but strikes as far east as Novorossiysk are rare.

"Two unmanned boats travelling in the direction of Novorossiysk were destroyed in the waters of the Black Sea," Russia's defence ministry said in a post on Telegram.

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The major port city lies on Russia's southeastern coast, 100 kilometres (60 miles) east of the Crimean peninsula, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014.

The route from Ukrainian-held territory to the port is at least 500 kilometres (300 miles) through the Black Sea, around the southern tip of Crimea.

After a spate of successful Ukrainian strikes on Russian ships in the Black Sea, satellite images revealed Moscow pulled its Black Sea fleet out of its historic base in Sevastopol to Novorossiysk, which is harder for Ukraine to hit.

The defence ministry published footage of what it said was the naval drones being destroyed.

It showed several bright rounds being fired into the sea at night from multiple directions, several hitting the waters next to a small craft before an explosion and fire break out.

Kyiv has heavily targeted Crimea since Russia launced its full-scale military offensive in February 2022, including multiple attacks and attempted strikes on the Kerch bridge, a vital road and rail route linking the peninsula to Russia.

A Russian drone and missile barrage on the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro killed three people and wounded over a dozen more, the regional governor said Wednesday.

A Russian drone and missile barrage on the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro killed three people and wounded over a dozen more, the regional governor said Wednesday. Russian forces have targeted the industrial city and surrounding region persistently since launching their invasion in February in 2022. "The enemy is continuing insidious attacks," the regional governor Sergiy Lysak said, announcing three were killed. He also said that 18 people were wounded, including a 14-year-old girl. Also read: Trump claims he can end Russia-Ukraine war in a day The head of the Dnipropetrovsk regional council described the barrage as "massive" and posted images showing buildings ripped open by the attack and shattered glass strewn across the ground. "This is what one of the city's shopping centres looks like now. Cars and windows were smashed, and a petrol station was hit. All the consequences are still being investigated," Mykola Lukashuk said. Dnipro had a pre-war population of around one million people and lies about 100 kilometres from the near point along the southern front line. More than 40 people were killed in a Russian strike on Dnipro in January 2023, in one of the single-worst aerial bombardments by Russian forces. Separately, officials in Ukraine's eastern regions of Donetsk and Kharkiv said two civilians had been killed in overnight Russian attacks. Russia destroys Ukrainian naval drones Russia said Wednesday it had destroyed two Ukrainian naval drones that were advancing on its Black Sea port of Novorossiysk overnight. Ukrainian naval drones have sunk several Russian ships in the Black Sea, but strikes as far east as Novorossiysk are rare. "Two unmanned boats travelling in the direction of Novorossiysk were destroyed in the waters of the Black Sea," Russia's defence ministry said in a post on Telegram. Also read: Indian PM Narendra Modi likely to visit Russia in July The major port city lies on Russia's southeastern coast, 100 kilometres (60 miles) east of the Crimean peninsula, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014. The route from Ukrainian-held territory to the port is at least 500 kilometres (300 miles) through the Black Sea, around the southern tip of Crimea. After a spate of successful Ukrainian strikes on Russian ships in the Black Sea, satellite images revealed Moscow pulled its Black Sea fleet out of its historic base in Sevastopol to Novorossiysk, which is harder for Ukraine to hit. The defence ministry published footage of what it said was the naval drones being destroyed. It showed several bright rounds being fired into the sea at night from multiple directions, several hitting the waters next to a small craft before an explosion and fire break out. Kyiv has heavily targeted Crimea since Russia launced its full-scale military offensive in February 2022, including multiple attacks and attempted strikes on the Kerch bridge, a vital road and rail route linking the peninsula to Russia.

Russian aerial attack kills 3, wounds 18 in Dnipro

The Russia-Ukraine war continues to rage on. Ukraine is struggling despite continued support from the West. Now, Russia is making new advances in Ukraine. Russia takes over two villages in Ukraine's Donetsk region. Watch this video for all details.

Russia captures two villages in Ukraine's Donetsk region

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday said he was drawing up a "comprehensive plan" for how Kyiv believes the war with Russia should end.

There are no public talks ongoing between Ukraine and Russia and based on public statements by Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, the two sides appear as far apart as ever when it comes to the terms of a potential peace settlement.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vladimir-putin-hints-russia-to-start-making-previously-banned-nuclear-capable-missiles-736139">Vladimir Putin hints Russia to start making previously banned nuclear-capable missiles</a>

Zelensky hosted a major international summit in Switzerland earlier this month -- to which Russia was not invited -- to rally support for Ukraine's position.

"It is very important for us to show a plan to end the war that will be supported by the majority of the world," Zelensky said on Friday.

"This is the diplomatic route we are working on," he said at a press conference in Kyiv alongside Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar.

More than 90 countries sent leaders and senior officials to the two-day summit with Zelensky in Switzerland.

The vast majority of whom agreed to a final communique that stressed the need for Ukraine's "territorial integrity" to be respected in any settlement.

But some key countries that attended, like India, did not agree and others, like Russia's ally China, boycotted the summit in protest at Moscow not being invited.

Ukraine has repeatedly said Russia must pull its troops out of its internationally recognised territory, including the peninsula of Crimea that Moscow annexed in 2014, before peace talks can start.

Meanwhile Putin, who launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, is demanding Ukraine effectively capitulate by evacuating even more territory across its east and south.

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In Brussels on Thursday, Zelensky said he would put forward a "detailed plan" in a matter of months.

"We don't have too much time," he said, pointing to the high casualty rate amongst soldiers and civilians.

Russia's troops are slowly advancing on the battlefield, claiming to have seized another small frontline village on Friday.

They currently occupy around a fifth of Ukraine and in 2022 claimed to have annexed four more regions, none of which they fully controlled.

Ukraine relies on Western financial and military aid to push back the invading Russian forces, but its troops are outgunned, outmanned and exhausted after more than two years of fighting.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday said he was drawing up a "comprehensive plan" for how Kyiv believes the war with Russia should end. There are no public talks ongoing between Ukraine and Russia and based on public statements by Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, the two sides appear as far apart as ever when it comes to the terms of a potential peace settlement.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday said he was drawing up a "comprehensive plan" for how Kyiv believes the war with Russia should end. There are no public talks ongoing between Ukraine and Russia and based on public statements by Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, the two sides appear as far apart as ever when it comes to the terms of a potential peace settlement. Also read: Vladimir Putin hints Russia to start making previously banned nuclear-capable missiles Zelensky hosted a major international summit in Switzerland earlier this month -- to which Russia was not invited -- to rally support for Ukraine's position. "It is very important for us to show a plan to end the war that will be supported by the majority of the world," Zelensky said on Friday. "This is the diplomatic route we are working on," he said at a press conference in Kyiv alongside Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar. More than 90 countries sent leaders and senior officials to the two-day summit with Zelensky in Switzerland. The vast majority of whom agreed to a final communique that stressed the need for Ukraine's "territorial integrity" to be respected in any settlement. But some key countries that attended, like India, did not agree and others, like Russia's ally China, boycotted the summit in protest at Moscow not being invited. Ukraine has repeatedly said Russia must pull its troops out of its internationally recognised territory, including the peninsula of Crimea that Moscow annexed in 2014, before peace talks can start. Meanwhile Putin, who launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, is demanding Ukraine effectively capitulate by evacuating even more territory across its east and south. Also read: Russia's chief investigator urges Vladimir Putin to reinstate death penalty In Brussels on Thursday, Zelensky said he would put forward a "detailed plan" in a matter of months. "We don't have too much time," he said, pointing to the high casualty rate amongst soldiers and civilians. Russia's troops are slowly advancing on the battlefield, claiming to have seized another small frontline village on Friday. They currently occupy around a fifth of Ukraine and in 2022 claimed to have annexed four more regions, none of which they fully controlled. Ukraine relies on Western financial and military aid to push back the invading Russian forces, but its troops are outgunned, outmanned and exhausted after more than two years of fighting.

Zelensky says preparing 'plan' to end war with Russia

President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that Russia needed to resume production of short and medium range land-based missiles, ending a self-imposed moratorium on making such missiles. Watch in for more details!

Russia-Ukraine War: Russia to resume producing intermediate-range missiles

Russia and Ukraine each handed back 90 prisoners of war on Tuesday in the latest of several periodic swaps in their 28-month-old conflict, with the United Arab Emirates overseeing the exchange as an intermediary.

Russia & Ukraine exchange 90 prisoners of war

Headlines of the hour: - Israeli airstrikes hit school in Gaza - Sri Lanka asks Russia to return ex-soldiers - Ukraine signs security deal with EU - Iran polls: Two Iranian hardline candidates drop out - Saudi to seek China's help to end Houthi crisis - Kenya braces for fresh protests - Indian stocks hit lifetime high

Sri Lanka asks Russia to return ex-soldiers | Israeli airstrikes hit school in Gaza |

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday said he went to the front line Donetsk region, where he discussed the military and humanitarian situation with high-ranking commanders.

The visit came a few days after Zelensky replaced the commander of Ukraine's Joint Forces following criticism, as Kyiv has struggled to hold back Moscow's troops in the east for months.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-war-zelensky-replaces-top-military-commander-for-causing-mass-casualties-on-russia-front-734820">Ukraine war: Zelensky replaces top military commander for 'causing mass casualties' on Russia front</a>

"I started the day in the Donetsk region, together with our soldiers, together with Commander-in-chief (Oleksandr) Syrsky and the new Commander of the Joint Forces, General (Andriy) Gnatov," Zelensky said from the city of Pokrovsk.&nbsp;

He added that the newly-appointed Gnatov was "a young man, but his knowledge of the frontline and experience are exactly what we need".

The president appointed Gnatov after a popular military commander accused his predecessor, Yuriy Sodol, of incompetence.

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Zelensky also spoke about assistance to affected communities in the Donetsk region, which has borne the brunt of the fighting in recent months.&nbsp;

He made a rare jab at government officials, saying they "should be there and in other places near the front -- in difficult communities where people need immediate solutions".

"I was surprised that some relevant government officials had not been here for six months or more. I will draw appropriate conclusions about them," he added.&nbsp;

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday said he went to the front line Donetsk region, where he discussed the military and humanitarian situation with high-ranking commanders.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday said he went to the front line Donetsk region, where he discussed the military and humanitarian situation with high-ranking commanders. The visit came a few days after Zelensky replaced the commander of Ukraine's Joint Forces following criticism, as Kyiv has struggled to hold back Moscow's troops in the east for months. Also read: Ukraine war: Zelensky replaces top military commander for 'causing mass casualties' on Russia front "I started the day in the Donetsk region, together with our soldiers, together with Commander-in-chief (Oleksandr) Syrsky and the new Commander of the Joint Forces, General (Andriy) Gnatov," Zelensky said from the city of Pokrovsk. He added that the newly-appointed Gnatov was "a young man, but his knowledge of the frontline and experience are exactly what we need". The president appointed Gnatov after a popular military commander accused his predecessor, Yuriy Sodol, of incompetence. × Zelensky also spoke about assistance to affected communities in the Donetsk region, which has borne the brunt of the fighting in recent months. He made a rare jab at government officials, saying they "should be there and in other places near the front -- in difficult communities where people need immediate solutions". "I was surprised that some relevant government officials had not been here for six months or more. I will draw appropriate conclusions about them," he added.

Zelensky says visited frontline Donetsk region in east Ukraine

Former US President Donald Trump's key advisors have presented him with a plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war if he wins the Presidential elections, scheduled to take place later this year.

US: Trump advisors' plan to end Russia-Ukraine war if Trump wins US Presidential elections

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