Two months after Russia's military invasion of Ukraine, President Putin heads to the eastern and southern parts of Ukraine for next month's Victory Day, when the former Soviet Union defeated Nazi Germany in World War II. The offensive by the Russian army is intensifying.
On the other hand, the Ukrainian side is prepared to fight thoroughly with military support from Europe and the United States, and there are concerns that the battle will be prolonged.
It has been two months since Russia invaded Ukraine in 24 days.
Russian troops have stepped up operations in the east after abandoning early seizure of the capital, Kyiv, and declared on the 21st that they had seized Mariupol, a key point.
The Russian army said that the operation had entered the "second stage" and is proceeding with the movement of troops for large-scale combat, and the Russian Ministry of Defense announced on the 23rd that it attacked various parts of the east with missiles and the like.
In addition, the Russian Ministry of Defense allegedly attacked a military airfield near the port city of Odesa in the south with a missile, destroying weapons provided by the Western side.
The attack was confirmed on social media by Mayor Turhanov of Odesa, who confirmed the deaths of eight people, including a three-month-old girl.
In addition, in southern Kherson and southeastern Zaporizhia, the Ukrainian side has pointed out that Russia is preparing a "referendum" for annexation.
President Putin is said to have a desire to impress the Russian people with the results of this military invasion toward the "Victory Day" on the 9th of next month when the former Soviet Union defeated Nazi Germany in World War II. It seems that Russia is aiming to take full control of the two states and take control of the region to southern Crimea, which was unilaterally annexed by Russia.
On the other hand, the Ukrainian side is prepared to fight thoroughly in the eastern and southern parts including Mariupol with military support from Europe and the United States, and President Zelensky said on the 22nd, "We listened to our voice and provided what we asked for. Thank you to all our partners, "he emphasized his ties with the West.
Since the invasion began, the total military support by the U.S. government has reached about 3.4 billion dollars, about 430 billion yen in Japanese yen, and on the 26th, Germany will discuss future military support etc. with related countries. "We will continue to take every step to support the Ukrainian troops in the face of Russia's offensive," said Pentagon spokesman Kirby.
On the other hand, the ceasefire negotiations between Russia and Ukraine seem to continue to exchange draft agreements over the "neutralization" of Ukraine, but discussions have been largely stagnant.
Under these circumstances, UN Secretary-General António Guterres is planning to meet with President Putin in Russia on the 26th and President Zelensky in Ukraine on the 28th, and it is being watched whether it will lead to a breakthrough in the current situation.
However, President Putin has shown no sign of stopping the military invasion, and there are concerns that the fighting will be prolonged.