June 16, 2022 Russia-Ukraine news

By Helen Regan, Ivana Kottasová, Sana Noor Haq, Hafsa Khalil, Adrienne Vogt and Aditi Sangal, CNN

Updated 2:56 a.m. ET, June 17, 2022
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4:48 a.m. ET, June 16, 2022

Macron, Scholz and Draghi arrive in Kyiv on trip designed to smooth tensions

From CNN’s Ivana Kottasová, Mick Krever, Joseph Ataman and Elias Lemercier

From left, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz travel on board a train bound to Kyiv after departing from Poland on June 16.
From left, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz travel on board a train bound to Kyiv after departing from Poland on June 16.

The leaders of European Union's three biggest countries -- France, Germany and Italy -- arrived in Kyiv on Thursday morning on a high-profile trip designed to smooth tensions over what Ukrainian officials perceive as a lukewarm support in their fight against Russia.

French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi traveled to the city together on a special train, setting off from Poland in the middle of the night.

As if to remind them they were visiting a country terrorized by an unprovoked assault, air raid sirens went off shortly after the three leaders arrived at their hotel in central Kyiv.

Though all three countries have pledged weapons to aid Ukraine's defense against Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has made no secret of the fact that he believes they are not doing enough. 

He has been especially critical of Scholz and Macron, going as far as suggesting the two leaders were trying to appease Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"[Scholz] and his government must choose not to do a balancing act between Ukraine and the Russian Federation, but to choose which is their priority," Zelensky told German broadcaster ZDF earlier this week.

Zelensky has had harsh words for Macron too. The French President has tried to present himself both as an ally to Ukraine and as an honest broker with Russia. 

Macron, in an interview earlier this month, said that "we must not humiliate Russia so that the day when the fighting stops we can build an exit ramp through diplomatic means. I am convinced that it is France's role to be a mediating power."

Zelensky told the Financial Times that "in order to be a leader, you do not need to consider yourself one, but to be behave as a leader."

Speaking to reporters at the train station in Kyiv, Macron said the leaders would visit a "war site where the massacres were committed" and speak to Zelensky. 

Asked if he had a message for Ukrainians, he said, "A message of European unity addressed to Ukrainian men and women, of support to talk about both the present and the future because the coming weeks, we know, will be very difficult weeks. I want to be in support and at their side."

3:55 a.m. ET, June 16, 2022

Air raid sirens in Kyiv as European leaders arrive in Ukraine's capital

From CNN's Salma Abdelaziz in Kyiv

Air raid sirens sounded in Kyiv as the leaders of France, Germany, and Italy arrived in the Ukrainian capital on Thursday morning.

The sirens don't necessarily mean there has been an attack but they often sound in warning.

4:05 a.m. ET, June 16, 2022

Ukraine's defense minister says Western officials told him their military support "will never stop"

From CNN's Matthew Chance, AnneClaire Stapleton and Katharina Krebs in Brussels

Left to right, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Celeste A. Wallander, U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Ukraine's Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov and Ukrainian Lieutenant General Levgen Moisuk attend the Ukraine Defence Contact group meeting ahead of a NATO defence ministers' meeting at the alliance's headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on June 15.
Left to right, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Celeste A. Wallander, U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Ukraine's Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov and Ukrainian Lieutenant General Levgen Moisuk attend the Ukraine Defence Contact group meeting ahead of a NATO defence ministers' meeting at the alliance's headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on June 15. (Yves Herman/AFP/Getty Images)

Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said Western defense officials told him their military support for Ukraine "will never stop." 

In an exclusive interview, Reznikov told CNN that US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, UK Secretary of Defense Ben Wallace and other Western officials said: "Oleksiy, don't worry, we will not stop. We will continue help your country, your people, and your president," he said.  

"I heard it yesterday and I felt it absolutely honestly, I saw the eyes of Lloyd Austin for example ... I saw the real understanding that they will never stop," Reznikov said, when asked if long-term US commitment to Ukraine is sustainable.

He said US and Western pledges are not just for military support but also financial, economic, and political. 

"I think they [Western allies] have decided that they want to be partners in this victory," Reznikov said. 

The Ukrainian Defense Minister told CNN Western allies now understand that the idea of not provoking Russia to avoid conflict does not work. 

Russia is now considered to be an adversary rather than a strategic partner by NATO, he said. 

"I am sure that Russia is the main threat for NATO, EU countries, and main threat for the world security system," he said.

3:52 a.m. ET, June 16, 2022

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin says NATO at "critical juncture"

From CNN's Radina Gigova

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin shake hands as they take part in a NATO defence ministers meeting at the Alliance's headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on June 16.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin shake hands as they take part in a NATO defence ministers meeting at the Alliance's headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on June 16. (Yves Herman/Reuters)

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the suffering in Ukraine could end immediately if Russia ends "its reckless war of choice," ahead of a meeting with NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels on Thursday.

Austin said the meeting comes at a "critical juncture in the history" of the security alliance.

"We see that as Finland and Sweden have made the historic decision to seek NATO membership. We welcome that. They are proud, capable democracies who share NATO’s core values," he said.
"In recent months, NATO has united in the face of Russia’s unjustified, cruel, and indefensible invasion of Ukraine. We’ll continue to strengthen our allies to meet the greatest threat to European security in decades."

Austin said NATO will continue to support Ukraine "as it defends itself against Russia’s unprovoked aggression" and "continue to adapt our alliance to meet evolving security conditions."

3:34 a.m. ET, June 16, 2022

Ukraine's Deputy PM "not expecting bright announcements" despite "historical meeting"

From CNN’s Joseph Ataman, Elias Lemercier and Luke McGee

Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk, right, walks next to French President Emmanuel Macron, second right, after welcoming him as he arrives at Kyiv train station on June 16, after travelling with the German Chancellor and the Italian Prime Minister from Poland.
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk, right, walks next to French President Emmanuel Macron, second right, after welcoming him as he arrives at Kyiv train station on June 16, after travelling with the German Chancellor and the Italian Prime Minister from Poland. (Ludovic Marin/AFP/Getty Images)

Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister said she is not expecting "bright announcements" from a visit by the French, Italian and German leaders to Ukraine.

Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk was speaking to journalists on a train platform in Kyiv as she welcomed the three leaders on Thursday. 

"I’m not sure there will be bright announcements following the meeting but regardless how it will end, it will be a historical meeting which would either pave the way to a stronger Europe or to a stronger Ukraine,” she said.
"That three European leaders have come to Ukraine right in the middle of total war, it’s a great signal that strengthens Ukraine and Europe."

Vereshchuk said there are "two important questions" to put to the leaders.

"How to put an end to the war and how to turn a new page for Ukraine and open the way for Ukraine into the European Union," she said.

Some context: The EU Commission is expected to offer its opinion on Friday that Ukraine should be considered a candidate state. It will then be for the 27 EU member states to decide whether or not they agree with the Commission's opinion.

While most European nations are firmly behind Ukraine and have, to varying degrees, aided the country's war efforts, it's far from certain that they will back its bid for EU membership.

The question of whether or not Ukraine should join the EU and how Russia would react has been a contentious issue for years. In 2013, pro-European protests erupted after former Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych made a sudden decision to not sign an agreement with the EU that would pull Ukraine further into the EU's orbit. Instead, he opted to pursue closer ties with Putin's Russia. The following year, Russia invaded Donbas and illegally annexed Crimea.

3:23 a.m. ET, June 16, 2022

Top European leaders arrive in Kyiv for meeting with Zelensky

From CNN's Pierre Bairin in Kyiv

President of France Emmanuel Macron, center, speaks to the media upon arrival at the train station in Kyiv, Ukraine, on June 16.
President of France Emmanuel Macron, center, speaks to the media upon arrival at the train station in Kyiv, Ukraine, on June 16. (Kay Nietfeld/picture alliance/Getty Images)

Three European leaders have arrived in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, CNN's team on the ground confirms.

French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi traveled to the city by train, the Elysee Palace confirmed on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters on the platform as he arrived in Kyiv, Macron said the leaders will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and visit the site of an alleged massacre.

Asked if he had a message for Ukrainians, Macron said he has a "message of European unity addressed to Ukrainian men and women."
"The coming weeks, we know, will be very difficult," he said. "I want to support them and be at their side."
2:17 a.m. ET, June 16, 2022

The leaders of France, Germany and Italy are en route to Kyiv 

From CNN’s Joseph Ataman in Paris

French President Emmanuel Macron, center, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, right, and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, left, travel on board a train bound to Kyiv, Ukraine, after departing from Poland on June 16.
French President Emmanuel Macron, center, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, right, and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, left, travel on board a train bound to Kyiv, Ukraine, after departing from Poland on June 16. (Ludovic Marin/AFP/Getty Images)

French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi are en route to the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, the Elysee Palace confirmed on Thursday.

2:14 a.m. ET, June 16, 2022

Analysis: Why Ukraine's longshot bid to join the EU is likely to enrage Putin

Analysis from CNN's Luke McGee

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, right, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen make statements following their talks in Kyiv, Ukraine, on June 11.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, right, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen make statements following their talks in Kyiv, Ukraine, on June 11. (Sergei Supinsky/AFP/Getty Images)

Four days after Russian forces invaded Ukraine and started a bloody war that shows no signs of ending soon, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky officially applied for the country to join the European Union.

On the same day, Feb. 28, he asked that the EU "urgently admit Ukraine using a new procedure ... our goal is to be with all Europeans and, to be equal to them. I am sure we deserve it. I am sure it is possible."

Nearly four months later, the EU Commission is expected to offer its opinion on Friday that Ukraine should be considered a candidate state. It will then be for the 27 EU member states to decide whether or not they agree with the Commission's opinion.

The question of whether or not Ukraine should join the EU and how Russia would react has been a contentious issue for years. In 2013, pro-European protests erupted after former Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych made a sudden decision to not sign an agreement with the EU that would pull Ukraine further into the EU's orbit. Instead, he opted to pursue closer ties with Putin's Russia.

The following year, Russia invaded Donbas and illegally annexed Crimea.

While most European nations are firmly behind Ukraine and have, to varying degrees, aided Zelensky in his war efforts, it's far from certain that his wish will be granted.

For political and procedural reasons, it is possible that the EU ultimately decides that now is not the right time. And even if they did agree with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's opinion that Ukraine should be considered for membership, it could take years, even decades, for it to become a reality.

Read the full analysis:

2:12 a.m. ET, June 16, 2022

China will support Russia on security, Xi tells Putin in birthday call

From CNN's Simone McCarthy in Hong Kong

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping meet in Beijing, China on February 4.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping meet in Beijing, China on February 4. (Kremlin Press Office/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

Chinese leader Xi Jinping reiterated his support for Moscow on "sovereignty and security" matters in a call with counterpart Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, upholding his backing for the countries' partnership despite the global backlash against Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Speaking on his 69th birthday, Xi also pledged to deepen strategic coordination between the two countries, according to China's Foreign Ministry.

A separate readout from the Kremlin said the two leaders stressed their countries' relations were "were at an all-time high" and reaffirmed their commitment to "consistently deepen the comprehensive partnership."

The call is thought to be the second time the two leaders have spoken since Russia invaded Ukraine. They also spoke just days after Moscow launched what it insists on calling a "special military operation."

China, too, has refrained from referring to Russia's actions as an invasion and has walked a fine line on the issue. It has portrayed itself as calling for peace and upholding the global order, while refusing to denounce Russia's actions. It has also used its state media apparatus to mimic Kremlin lines blaming the United States and NATO for the crisis.

During Wednesday's call, Xi stressed China had always "independently assessed the situation" in Ukraine and called for "all parties" to push for a "proper settlement of the Ukraine crisis" — echoing language he used in a March call with US President Joe Biden.

China is "willing to continue to play its role" in promoting a "proper solution" to Ukraine, he said.

The Kremlin's summary of the call took this position a step further, saying: "the President of China noted the legitimacy of Russia's actions to protect fundamental national interests in the face of challenges to its security created by external forces."

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